Dental attitudes and memories: a study of the effects of hand over mouth/restraint.

The purpose of this study was to document whether there was a significant difference in the number and severity of generalized fears and dental fears between patients who did and patients who did not experience hand-over-mouth and/or restraint as children. Patient records in a dental school children's clinic and a private pediatric dental practice were examined to identify patients who had experienced hand-over-mouth and/or restraint. A set of verbal questions was designed, tested, and used to ascertain the differences between the HOM/restraint group and the comparison group. One hundred twenty-two subjects were interviewed, 61 who had experienced HOM/restraint and 61 who had not. When compared for generalized fears and specific dental fears, the two groups showed no statistically significant differences (P = 0.86 and P = 0.36 respectively). No statistically significant difference appeared between the two groups when asked how they felt about visiting the dental office (P = 0.41). When three different formats were used to question the subjects relative to their early dental memories, the two groups showed no statistical difference in negative or positive responses (P = 0.38, 0.75, and 0.25 respectively). More than two times as many HOM/restraint subjects as comparison subjects described negative experiences in a physician's office or hospital. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01).

Oral-facial characteristics of circumscribed scleroderma: case report.

Scleroderma is a rare disorder of unknown etiology. Circumscribed scleroderma is a localized focal form. It may present as well defined elevated or depressed white or yellowish patches termed "morphea," or linear bands made up of a furrow with elevated ridges on the margins described as "coup de sabre." The oral-facial characteristics of circumscribed scleroderma in a ten year old afflicted female are described in detail.

Indiana infant-toddler dental care survey.

The purpose of this project was to survey Indiana dentists concerning dental care for Indiana infants and toddlers. Dental care issues covered were the age for a child's first dental visit, frequency of rampant or nursing caries cases examined, and dental referral sources for infants and toddlers. The survey also helped determine the dentist's perception of parents' attitudes toward services recommended by the dentist. A twelve question survey was mailed to 2006 general and pediatric dentists in the State of Indiana. The results of the survey were: 1. A large percentage of Indiana dental practitioners do not recommend the first dental visit or examine children for their dental visit until the child is more than one year of age. 2. A majority of Indiana dental practitioners see children with nursing caries or rampant caries on a monthly basis. 3. The majority of Indiana dental practitioners refer children with nursing caries to pediatric dentists for treatment. 4. Although the full treatment plan may undergo some modification based on various parental concerns, a majority of practitioners do not experience difficulty in obtaining treatment plan acceptance for nursing or rampant caries cases.

The sealed composite resin restoration.

This composite restoration-sealant combination is only to be considered for the small pit and fissure caries lesion. Bitewing radiographs should indicate no smooth surface interproximal caries in the teeth to be restored in this manner. All teeth treated with the composite restoration-sealant combination should be carefully evaluated at periodic recall visits. There is no single perfect conservative restoration for the young patient. Each of us must decide, on an individual basis, the appropriate type of procedure we elect to use. The sealed composite resin restoration can be very effective in carefully selected cases.