Management of periodontal health in children: pediatric dentistry and periodontology interface.

The oral health of children and adolescents mirrors their general health. Because oral health care is often delivered in isolation from general health care, oral signs and symptoms do not always alert practitioners to their significance beyond the mouth. An important example of this is the association of a higher risk of dental caries and periodontal disease in children and adolescents with overweight, obesity and prediabetic conditions. Oral-health practitioners need to consider the health conditions that their patients may have. This will aid in diagnosis and alert the practitioner to oral conditions that may not resolve without general health-care intervention also. This paper reviews the more common oral conditions involving periodontal health in children and adolescents, and discusses the diagnosis of these conditions, potential associated health problems and the roles of pediatric dentistry and periodontology in the management of these conditions with the goal of children entering adulthood with healthy dentitions.

Road collisions as a cause of traumatic spinal cord injury in ireland, 2001-2010.

BACKGROUND: Road collisions remain the leading cause of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in the world. Half of all TSCIs in Ireland in 2000 were caused by road collisions. Since then, there has been a downward trend in road fatalities coincident with implemented road safety strategies. OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of TSCI resulting from road collisions from 2001 to 2010. METHOD: This is a retrospective study using the hospital inpatient enquiry database of the tertiary referral center, which houses the national spinal injuries unit. Information retrieved included total numbers of patients with TSCI and number of TSCIs due to road collisions from 2001 through 2010, age groups affected, and the gender balance. RESULTS: Over the 10-year period studied, the incidence rate of TSCI due to road collisions declined, although this did not reach statistical significance. The largest numbers of all TSCIs and TSCIs due to road collisions were in the 20- to 29-year age category and the male gender. CONCLUSIONS: As mortality due to road collisions declined, so did the number of TSCIs from the same etiology. An impactful road safety campaign is likely to have influenced these trends.

Early childhood caries--a review.

UNLABELLED: Early childhood caries (ECC) is rampant caries of the primary dentition of infants and toddlers. It represents a serious problem in dentistry as it progresses rapidly and affects young children. There is a need to identify risk factors for ECC so that targeted, cost-effective interventions can be designed. The literature indicates that immediate intervention is necessary to prevent further dental destruction, as well as more widespread health problems. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Currently, some 4 out of 10 children starting school have decay in their primary dentition. It is prudent for dentists who diagnose ECC to provide therapy or, if treatment is not possible as a result of the young age of the child and limited co-operation, then it is important to refer the patient to an appropriately trained individual for therapy.