Salivary microbiome and MRP-8/14 levels in children with gingivitis, healthy children, and their mothers.

BACKGROUND: Gingivitis is the most common form of periodontal disease among children and adolescents and is associated with disrupted host-microbiome homeostasis. Family is an important factor influencing the prevalence of gingivitis. In the present study, we investigated the salivary microbiome, oral hygiene habits, and the salivary level of myeloid-related protein (MRP)-8/14 in children aged 7-12 years with gingivitis, periodontally healthy children, and their mothers. METHODS: This study included 24 children with gingivitis (including four sibling pairs) and 22 periodontally healthy children (including two sibling pairs) and their mothers. The whole saliva was collected, DNA was extracted, the variable V3-V4 region of the eubacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene was amplified, and sample library preparation was performed according to the Illumina protocol. The salivary levels of MRP-8/14 were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: Alpha diversity of the salivary microbiome was considerably higher in gingivitis children and mothers of gingivitis children compared to healthy children and their mothers, respectively. Significant differences in beta diversity between healthy and gingivitis children, healthy children and their mothers, and gingivitis children and their mothers were detected. Overall, the number of common core amplicon sequence variants between children and their own mothers was significantly higher than between children and other mothers. The salivary MRP-8/14 levels in children with gingivitis were significantly higher compared to healthy children; a similar tendency was also mentioned for mothers. CONCLUSION: Our study underlines the importance of family as an essential factor influencing oral health.

Hypersensitivity relief of MIH-affected molars using two sealing techniques: a 12-week follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy in reducing hypersensitivity in molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH)-affected molars immediately and over 12 weeks after sealing using two different materials (composite and glass ionomer). Furthermore, the retention rates of both materials were analyzed. METHODS: Thirty-nine children with two MIH-affected molars showing hypersensitivity and non-occlusal breakdowns were included. Hypersensitivity was assessed with an evaporative (air) stimulus. Both teeth were sealed by two calibrated operators using a split-mouth design with either Clinpro Sealant in combination with Scotchbond Universal (C) or Ketac Universal (K), respectively. Clinical pain assessments (Schiff Score Air Sensitivity Scale [SCASS], Visual Analog Scale [VAS]) were made at baseline ("pre"), immediately after treatment ("post"), and after 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Paired t tests were calculated in each group between baseline and all other time points. RESULTS: Thirty-eight children with 76 molars completed all stages of the study. Regardless of the material used, the application of the sealant decreased hypersensitivity significantly immediately as well as throughout the 12-week recalls (all p values < 0.001). We found no statistically significant difference among both materials chosen in any of the time points evaluated. Furthermore, retention of both materials was comparable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both sealant materials were able to reduce hypersensitivity successfully immediately and throughout the 12-week follow-up. Furthermore, their performance was similar in terms of retention. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hypersensitivity can be a major complaint in patients with MIH. This is the first study evaluating hypersensitivity relief of MIH-affected molars using two sealing techniques.

Changes in oral health-related quality of life after treatment of hypersensitive molar incisor hypomineralization-affected molars with a sealing.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) before and after treatment of hypersensitive molars affected by molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) with a sealing. METHODS: Thirty-eight children with two MIH-affected molars showing hypersensitivity and non-occlusal breakdowns were included. Hypersensitivity was assessed with an evaporative (air) stimulus. Two affected teeth were sealed by two calibrated operators using a split-mouth design: Clinpro Sealant in combination with Scotchbond Universal, and Ketac Universal (3M), respectively. OHRQoL was measured using the German version of the CPQ8-10 (CPQ-G8-10) at baseline, and after 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively. RESULTS: The CPQ total score decreased significantly from a mean of 14.7 (±5.9) to 6.4 (±4.7) (p < 0.001) 1 week after treatment revealing improved OHRQoL. After 12 weeks, OHRQoL improved again proven by a decreased mean score of 2.7 (±3.2). CONCLUSIONS: Sealing of hypersensitive MIH-affected molars revealed a significant improvement of OHRQoL immediately and throughout the 12-week follow-up. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hypersensitivity can be a major complaint in patients with MIH. This is the first study evaluating the effect of sealing on OHRQoL in affected patients.

Effect of method of administration on the oral health-related quality of life assessment using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS-G).

OBJECTIVES: The influence of the administration method used to collect oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether the OHRQoL information obtained using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) differed with different methods of data collection (face-to-face interview, telephone, or self-administered questionnaire). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The OHRQoL of 38 preschool children, aged 1 to 5 years, was measured using the German version of the ECOHIS. The instrument was administered to the caregivers of these children using three different methods, with an interval of 1 week between each administration. Test-retest reliability for the repeated ECOHIS-G assessments across the three methods of administration, agreement, and convergent validity was determined. RESULTS: Kappa coefficients for agreement between two different methods of administration, respectively, ranged from moderate to substantial (0.47 to 0.65). Test-retest reliability was moderate (ICC 0.65-0.79). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the three methods of administration (face-to-face interview, telephone interview, or self-administered questionnaire) of the ECOHIS-G were comparable in 1- to 5-year-old preschool children. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: All three methods of administration can be used to obtain valid and reliable OHRQoL information in German speaking countries.

The German version of Child Perceptions Questionnaire for children aged 8 to 10 years (CPQ-G8-10): translation, reliability, and validity.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to develop a German version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire for children aged 8 to 10 years (CPQ-G8-10), a measure of oral health-related quality of life, and to assess the instrument's reliability and validity. METHODS: The original English version of the CPQ8-10 questionnaire was translated into German (CPQ-G8-10) by a forward-backward translation method. A total of 409 8- to 10-year-old children who were recruited at the Department of Paediatric Dentistry in Vienna, Austria, participated in this study. The children self-completed the CPQ-G8-10 and were clinically examined for the presence of dental caries and plaque accumulation. Reliability of CPQ-G8-10 was investigated in a subsample of 58 children after 3 weeks. RESULTS: Questionnaire summary score test-retest reliability was 0.85 (intraclass correlation coefficient, 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 0.75 to 0.91) and internal consistency was 0.88 (Cronbach's alpha, lower limit of the 95% CI: 0.87). Validity of the CPQ-G8-10 questionnaire was supported by correlation coefficients with global ratings of oral health of - 0.40 (95% CI - 0.49 to - 0.31) and overall well-being of - 0.26 (95% CI - 0.33 to - 0.13) which met the expectations. Mean CPQ-G8-10 scores were statistically significantly higher in children with caries (dmft+DMFT > 0) compared with caries-free children (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The German version of the CPQ8-10 was found to be reliable and valid in children aged 8 to 10 years. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings enable assessments of oral health-related quality of life in German speaking 8- to 10-year-old children.