Assessing consequences of untreated dental caries using pufa/PUFA index among 6-12 years old schoolchildren in a rural population of Kerala.

Context: Dental caries is the most common dental disease of childhood. India with a population of more than 135 crores accounts for a high proportion of dental morbidity. Poor oral health has a significant impact on quality of life, especially in rural areas. The consequences of untreated dental caries include pain, abscess, and space infections which may lead to loss of function and school hours. These consequences are of utmost important while planning a community dental care program. Aims: To assess the prevalence of dental caries, caries experience, and severity of dental caries among 6-12 years old schoolchildren in the rural areas of Kollam District, Kerala State. Settings and Design: A community school-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study in the rural areas of Kollam District. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried among 2194 schoolchildren in the rural areas of Kollam District in the age group of 6-12 years. Children from eight randomly selected schools were examined for pufa/PUFA and dmf/DMF indices. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS version 17.0, Mann-Whitney, t-test, KruskalWallis test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results and Conclusions: Overall caries prevalence among the total population was found to be 74%. The prevalence of caries in the deciduous dentition was 61% and a mean decayed, missing, filled teeth value of 2.74 ± 3.200 and for the permanent dentition the caries prevalence of 26.8% and a mean Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth of 0.66 ± 1.360 were observed. The prevalence of untreated dental caries (pufa/PUFA) was 40.8%. The pufa prevalence in deciduous dentition was 38.3% with a mean pufa of 0.99 ± 1.679. Moreover, the PUFA prevalence in permanent dentition was 4.1% with a mean PUFA of 0.06 ± 0.349. The highest prevalence of untreated dental caries (pufa/PUFA) was found in the 7 years' age group (52%) and the lowest in 12 years' age group (22.4%).

Effectiveness of Aromatherapy and Music Distraction in Managing Pediatric Dental Anxiety: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Managing a child's anxiety is most critical for the success of treatment in the pediatric dental setup. Present trend advocates the use of non-aversive behavior management techniques. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To compare and evaluate the efficacy of aromatherapy using orange essential oil with that of music distraction in the management of anxious pediatric dental patients. DESIGN: One hundred and fifty children of the age 6-8 years were divided into three groups of 50 each and performed restorative treatment under aromatherapy, with music distraction, without aromatherapy, or music distraction, respectively. Venham's picture test and facial image scale (FIS), pulse rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation were recorded before and after the procedure. RESULTS: Compared with controls, both the aromatherapy group and music distraction group showed significant posttreatment change in anxiety levels with respect to Venham's picture test and FIS, along with the reduction in pulse rate and respiratory rate. When compared between music distraction and aromatherapy, it did not yield statistical significance, though music distraction showed better results compared to aromatherapy. CONCLUSION: Both music distraction and aromatherapy using orange essential oil are effective in anxiety management of which music distraction presents a comparatively better result. Either these non-invasive techniques alone or a combination of both may be employed in the dental setup of pediatric dentists for molding cooperative patients. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: James J, Retnakumari N, Vadakkepurayil K, e t a l. Effectiveness of Aromatherapy and Music Distraction in Managing Pediatric Dental Anxiety: A Comparative Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(2):249-253.

A clinicoradiographic comparison of the effects of platelet-rich fibrin gel and platelet-rich fibrin membrane as scaffolds in the apexification treatment of young permanent teeth.

AIMS: This triple blinded clinical trial was undertaken to check whether Platelet rich firin in its membrane form is as reliable as when it is in the gel form. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Triple blinded randomized clinical trial. METHODS AND MATERIAL: 20 patients in PRF gel group and 20 patients in PRF membrane group selected after randomization and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken up for this study. The samples were clinically and radiographically evaluated for success. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Regenerative endodontics with PRF membrane is easier and less time consuming. They have similar clinical success.PRF gel gave a better radiographic success in 12 months period.

Christ Siemens Touraine syndrome: A rare case report.

Christ-Siemens-Touraine (CST) is a rare hereditary disorder of X-linked recessive trait, characterized by abnormal development of two or more structures or tissues of ectodermal origin. The common clinical findings include hypodontia, hypohydrosis, hypotrichosis, and onychodysplasia. Although hypodontia is common, anodontia is a rare feature. Most of the patients are suffering from social rejection and consequent psychological trauma because of the facial dysmorphism and absence of multiple teeth. Oral rehabilitation is of prime importance for such patients. This article presents a case in a 5½-year-old boy presenting with altered manifestations affecting almost all the ectodermal structures like skin, hair, nails, teeth, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, salivary glands, mammary glands, and tear glands. He also had complete anodontia and dry mouth. A multidisciplinary treatment was given to the patient with the collaboration of various health professionals. The child gained confidence and was relieved from the psychological impact following the prosthetic rehabilitation.

Childhood caries as influenced by maternal and child characteristics in pre-school children of Kerala-an epidemiological study.

PURPOSE: The most common chronic disease of childhood is early childhood caries which is five times more prevalent than asthma and seven times higher than that of allergic rhinitis. Most children do not receive dental care until they are three years old, yet by the time more than thirty percent of children from lower socioeconomic groups already have caries. To determine the prevalence and severity of early childhood caries among pre-school children, to describe the child characteristics associated with the development of early childhood caries and to find the association of early childhood caries and maternal risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was carried out among children attending the immunization clinic of Sree Avittam Thirunal Hospital, Medical College, Trivandrum and children attending the randomly selected Anganwadies and Day care centres in Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, wherein there are migrants from all over the State. A total of 350 children aged 12-36 months and their mothers were studied. The mother was first interviewed by a structured questionnaire; then the child's and mothers clinical examination was carried out covering caries experience and oral hygiene status. RESULTS: Among 350 children studied the prevalence of dental caries in this study population was found to be 50.6 %(177). Statistically significant associations were found between the severity of decay and the child's age(P<0.001), female gender(P<0.05),low socioeconomic status (P<0.05), feeding frequency (P<0.05), type of feeding(P<0.01), fell asleep with nipple in mouth (P<0.05), duration of breast feeding(P<0.001), consumption of cariogenic type of snacks(P<0.01), age of commencement of tooth brushing(P<0.05), brushing frequency(P<0.05), oral hygiene status of child(P<0.001), DMFS scores of mothers (P<0.001), and oral hygiene status of mother (P<0.001).

Loss of space and changes in the dental arch after premature loss of the lower primary molar: a longitudinal study.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the space changes, dental arch width, arch length and arch perimeter, after the unilateral extraction of lower first primary molar in the mixed dentition period. A longitudinal study was conducted among forty children in the age group of 6-9 years, who reported for extraction of lower first primary molar in the department of Pedodontics, Govt. Dental College, Trivandrum. Study models were made from alginate impression taken before extraction and after extraction at the periodical intervals of two months, four months, six months and eight months. The mesiodistal width of lower first primary molar of the non-extracted side was taken as the control. The results of the study showed statistically significant space loss in the extraction side ( P value < 0.01) and no significant space loss in the control side (P value > 0.05). The rate of loss was greatest in the first four months. The arch width, arch length and arch perimeter had no significant change from initial to eight months follow up. The present study challenges the use of a space maintenance under the circumstances of premature loss of mandibular primary molar for preventing space loss.

Prevalence of dental caries and risk assessment among primary school children of 6-12 years in the Varkala municipal area of Kerala.

This epidemiological survey attempted to establish the prevalence and severity of dental caries among primary school children of Varkala municipal area. The prevalence of dental caries was 68.5% with a standard error (SE) of 1.64% and 95%, confidence interval (CI) 65.18, 71.82. The highest caries prevalence was found among 10 year age group (75.9%) and lowest in the 8 year age group (63%). The highest dmft score was found in 9 year age group 2.73 +/- 0.443 and highest DMFT score was found in 12 year age group 2.06 +/- 0.3824. Statistically significant association was found with dental caries and oral hygiene status (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.59, 95% CI, 2.53, 5.06 and oral cleanliness OR 2.73, 95% CI 2.96, 3.82). Statistically significant association was found between low socioeconomic status and prevalence of caries (O.R. 1.89, 95% CI--1.28, 2.8).