Prevalence of orthodontic malocclusion in schoolchildren in Slovenia. A prospective aepidemiological study.

AIM: Dental malocclusions present the third-highest prevalence among oral pathologies. The occlusion is evaluated in primary, mixed and permanent dentition. Most orthodontic patients are treated in the early permanent dentition. Early detection of dental anomalies is important to prevent complications and can have short- and long-term benefits. The aepidemiological data on the prevalence of malocclusion are an important determinant in planning appropriate orthodontic services. Dentists have the responsibility to recognise, diagnose, and treat or refer anomalies. Data from previous studies showed that the incidence of malocclusions expands from 11% to 93%. The aim of the study is to find out the prevalence and types of malocclusions in schoolchildren during four school years and how they were registered by four general dentists in their offices. METHODS: The research was conducted over four consecutive school years during systematic examinations of schoolchildren from 1st to 9th grade. All primary schools (15 schools) in the area of Health Center Murska Sobota, Slovenia were included in the study. Dentists registered the presence and type of malocclusion. They prepared statistical data on the percentage of children with malocclusion and the percentage of represented malocclusion, as well as the statistical difference between genders. CONCLUSION: There is a high percentage of malocclusion in 9th graders (15-year-old), about 50%, and a low number of children undergoing orthodontic therapy.

Infection with Helicobacter pylori and long-term use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

The use of nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) is associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcer and of ulcer complications. However, the relation between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastroduodenal damage associated with NSAID use is unclear. This study investigated the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with arthritis (n = 85) taking NSAID, trying to find out whether the patients taking NSAID and infected with H. pylori were more likely to have dyspepsia, mucosal damage or chronic active gastritis than those without H. pylori infection. H. pylori was identified by biopsy, rapid urease test and histologic test. Dispeptic symptoms were assessed according to a standardized questionnaire. Gastroduodenal mucosal damage was graded endoscopically (using a modified Lanza scale) and the diagnosis of chronic gastritis was based on the histologic criteria of the Sydney system. The frequency of H. pylori infection was found to increase with age. No statistically significant difference was observed in the presence of damage to gastroduodenal mucosa between the patients with and without H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection was found to be associated with an increased frequency and severity of dyspeptic symptoms in patients with arthritis taking long-term NSAID. Chronic active gastritis was only present in patients with H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection was shown to be associated with an increased frequency and severity of dyspeptic symptoms in patients with arthritis on long-term NSAID therapy, without causing an increased damage to gastroduodenal mucosa.