Effect of Three Behavior Guidance Techniques on Anxiety Indicators of Children Undergoing Diagnosis and Preventive Dental Care.

Objective(s): To assess the effect of three behavior guidance techniques on anxiety indicators of children undergoing diagnosis and preventive dental care. Study Design: Sixty-three subjects (7-9 years) were divided into three groups as per the behavior guidance technique namely tell-show-do, live and filmed modeling (using Tablet Computer) to receive diagnostic (Oral examination & radiographic assessment using intraoral periapical radiographs) and preventive dental care (Oral prophylaxis and topical fluoride application). Anxiety indicators-Facial Image Scale (FIS) scores and heart rate were recorded before, during and after diagnosis/preventive treatment. Three-way repeated measures ANOVA with post-hoc analysis was performed at significance of p-value < 0.05. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the anxiety indicators of children under the influence of different behavior guidance approaches undergoing diagnosis/preventive treatments except for mean heart rate of children while oral examination. Multiple comparison results reveal that the mean FIS scores and heart rate of children with modeling techniques were significantly better as compared to tell-show-do technique with no significant difference between the two modeling techniques. Conclusion: This study suggests that the modeling techniques (filmed and live) seem to be an efficient behavioral guidance approach for children aged 7-9 years undergoing routine diagnosis and preventive dental care as compared to tell-show-do technique.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Devitalizing Agents: A Survey of General Dental Practitioners.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze knowledge, attitude and practice of general dental practitioners regarding the use of devitalizing agents in their respective practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 practicing general dentists were randomly chosen as per the list of practitioners available to local state association. The questionnaire was designed to cover general information of the participating dentist and concerning different aspects of devitalizing agents. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 17.0 (IBM Statistics, Chicago, Illinois, USA). Descriptive statistics was drawn with respective percentages to have a comparative overview. RESULTS: The response rate was 97%, of which the effective and complete replies received were 77% (75). 56% respondents used paraformaldehyde containing pastes. Majority of general practitioners (61%) did not observe any post-operative complication following the use of devitalising agent. 33% (25) of the respondents were not aware of the complications of devitalizing agents. CONCLUSION: Thus, it can be concluded that general dental practitioners in Pune and Nashik district of Maharashtra, India do use pulp devitalizing agents in spite of possessing knowledge related to the complications.

Comparative evaluation and correlation of salivary total antioxidant capacity and salivary pH in caries-free and severe early childhood caries children.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is a major problem in preschool children. The contribution of saliva in providing defense during caries process is of primary importance. pH buffer capacity through bicarbonate, phosphate and protein buffer systems have universal acceptance as a caries defense mechanism. Antioxidant capacity of saliva can constitute a first line of defense against chronic degenerative diseases including dental caries. Till date, no study is presented with salivary antioxidant capacity of younger children affected with severe early childhood caries with its salivary pH correlation. Hence, this study was carried out to compare, evaluate and correlate the salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and salivary pH of children with caries-free and severe early childhood caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty children from ages 3 to 5 years divided into two study groups had undergone screening. Group I (n = 25) with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) and group II (n = 25) who were caries free. Unstimulated whole saliva of subjects were in the collection during the study by draining method. Salivary pH determination of saliva samples was done using pH indicator paper strips. The TAC was done using an antioxidant assay with the help of a spectrophotometer at wavelength 532 nm. The means of salivary pH and TAC were subjected to analysis using unpaired student 't' test and correlation was determined using Pearsons correlation coefficient analysis. RESULTS: Mean salivary pH was higher in group II (7.46 ± 0.37). Mean TAC was greater in group I (1.82 ± 0.19). A statistically significant negative correlation as seen between TAC and salivary pH in S-ECC patients. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that salivary TAC increases in patients with S-ECC are by that showing a high indirect relationship with salivary pH.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of devitalizing agents: a survey of general dental practitioners.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze knowledge, attitude and practice of general dental practitioners regarding the use of devitalizing agents in their respective practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 practicing general dentists were randomly chosen as per the list of practitioners available to local state association. The questionnaire was designed to cover general information of the participating dentist and concerning different aspects of devitalizing agents. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 17.0 (IBM Statistics, Chicago, Illinois, USA). Descriptive statistics was drawn with respective percentages to have a comparative overview. RESULTS: The response rate was 97%, of which the effective and complete replies received were 77% (75). 56% respondents used paraformaldehyde containing pastes. Majority of general practitioners (61%) did not observe any post-operative complication following the use of devitalising agent. 33% (25) of the respondents were not aware of the complications of devitalizing agents. CONCLUSION: Thus, it can be concluded that general dental practitioners in Pune and Nashik district of Maharashtra, India do use pulp devitalizing agents in spite of possessing knowledge related to the complications.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Paediatricians toward Long-Term Liquid Medicaments Associated Oral Health.

BACKGROUND: A pediatrician is a primary care physician who deals with the medical care of infants, children and adolescents. Oral health care for the subgroups detailed is certainly substantiated as an integral part of general health. There are conflicting results presented till date on the subject of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of pediatricians on the consumption of pediatric liquid medicaments and the results can be divergent based on the geographical adjustments specifically with significance for industrial areas. Hence, the present study was carried out to evaluate the KAP of pediatricians toward oral health of children taking long-term pediatric liquid medicaments in Pimpri-Chinchwad area deemed and identified as Asia's largest industrial area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed among 50 pediatriacians practicing in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune city area, which consisted of questions seeking knowledge of pediatricians regarding awareness of detrimental effects of long-term pediatricians toward long-term liquid medicaments use on oral cavity, including delivery of oral hygiene instructions and regular dental checkup. The results as obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 16.0 for windows (Chicago Inc., USA). The statistical significance of difference was tested using Chi-square test for independence of attributes. RESULTS: About 68% were aware that long-term use of pediatric liquid medicaments can cause tooth structure defects. But only 58% advised regular dental checkups for these patients. 50% of the pediatricians prescribed the liquid medications to be taken in between two meals and 74% of the pediatricians advised rinsing mouth with water immediately after consuming pediatric liquid medicaments. However, there was no statistically significant difference seen among the values observed. CONCLUSION: The pediatricians showed reasonable awareness regarding the ill effects of the long-term use of pediatric liquid medicaments and took precautions regarding the same. However, proper oral hygiene maintenance instructions were lacking as a skill in their offerings.

Comparative evaluation of cariogenic and erosive potential of commonly prescribed pediatric liquid medicaments: an in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: Liquid oral medicines being the most accepted form of medication in children are frequently prescribed. The harmful effects of these liquid medicaments on a child's dental health are not known to many. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the cariogenic and erosive potential of 5 most commonly prescribed pediatric liquid medicaments (PLM) in Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune city, Pune district. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Most commonly prescribed PLM in Pune district were selected as opined by 50 pediatricians. The selected medicaments were Syr. Augmentin® Duo, Syr. Valparin®, Syr. Combiflam®, Syr. Visyneral and Syr. Orofer®. An estimation of pH, percentage of sucrose concentration and calcium dissolving capacity of these preparations was carried out. The results as obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS v 17.0 for windows. The statistical test as undertaken was Pearson's correlation coeffcient(r). RESULTS: Sucrose was seen to be present in Syr. Combiflam® (35.75% ± 0.25%) and Syr. Visyneral (18.48% ± 0.43%). Acidic pH was observed for Syr. Visyneral (mean pH 3.63 ± 0.04), Syr. Combiflam®(mean pH 5.03 ± 0.02) and Syr. Augmentin® (mean pH 6.22 ± 0.02). Highest calcium dissolution was seen with Syr. Combiflam®(295.86 mg/ml) and the least with Syr. Orofer® (25.51 mg/ml). No statistical significant correlation was observed with calcium dissolution potential of PLM in comparison with their respective pH. CONCLUSION: Syr. Combiflam® can be regarded as the highest cariogenic and erosive potential medicament among the compared and tested PLM. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Considering syrups with high cariogenic and erosive potential should always follow with proper oral hygiene practices or search for an alternative drugs void of such detrimental effects.