U.S. Pediatric Dentists' Perception of Molar Incisor Hypomineralization.

Purpose: The purpose of this survey-based study was to target U.S. pediatric dentists in the Midwest region to determine their knowledge, perceptions, and clinical management strategies of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH). Methods: After obtaining appropriate authorizations, all pediatric dentists identified by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's 2016 to 2017 membership directory in the 12 Midwest states were invited to take part in the study. The questionnaire, adopted from previous studies, incorporated information of the participants' demographics and educational/clinical backgrounds and MIH-focused questions. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for analysis. An alpha level less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 251 out of 975 surveys were completed (26 percent). Nearly all participants were familiar with MIH. The majority reported the MIH prevalence to be less than 10 percent in their clinical practice (62 percent). Most respondents were either very confident (65 percent) or confident (34 percent) when diagnosing teeth with MIH. The most cited clinical challenge in managing MIH teeth was "long-term success of restorations" (79 percent). When analyzed individually, responses differed significantly for different demographics and educational characteristics of the respondents (P<0.05). Conclusion: MIH is generally well acknowledged by U.S. Midwest pediatric dentists, with differences related to their perceptions of the condition's prevalence as well as clinical and restorative management challenges.

Effect of Antimicrobials Used in Regenerative Endodontic Procedures on 3-week-old Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the effect of various antimicrobials used in endodontic regeneration on a 3-week-old Enterococcus faecalis biofilm. METHODS: E. faecalis biofilm was grown on standardized dentin samples for 3 weeks. Infected dentin samples were randomized into 8 experimental groups (n = 8) and treated with calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2), 500 mg/mL of double antibiotic paste (DAP, equal portions of metronidazole and ciprofloxacin), low dilutions of DAP (1 or 0.1 mg/mL loaded into a methylcellulose vehicle system), sterile saline, or placebo paste (only methylcellulose) for 7 days. The other experimental groups were treated with 1.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) or 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) solutions for 5 minutes. After the assigned treatments, the bacterial biofilms were detached from dentin, spiral plated, and quantified using an automated counting machine. Permutation tests followed by Sidak post hoc multiple comparisons were used for statistical analyses (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The infected dentin treated with 1.5% NaOCl or 500 mg/mL of DAP provided complete eradication of bacterial biofilm. Furthermore, the infected dentin treated with 2% CHX, Ca(OH)2, or 1 mg/mL of DAP had a comparable antibiofilm effect, but they were not able to completely eradicate bacterial biofilm. No significant difference in the antibiofilm effect was observed between 500 mg/mL of DAP, Ca(OH)2, 1.5% NaOCl, and 2% CHX. CONCLUSIONS: At least 1 mg/mL of DAP in a methylcellulose vehicle system is required to eliminate a substantial amount of E. faecalis biofilm. Furthermore, the antibiofilm effects of 1.5% NaOCl and 2% CHX irrigation solutions were comparable with that of 500 mg/mL of DAP and Ca(OH)2.

Oral health of visually impaired schoolchildren in Khartoum State, Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Although oral health care is a vital component of overall health, it remains one of the greatest unattended needs among the disabled. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status and oral health-related quality of life (Child-OIDP in 11-13-year-old) of the visually challenged school attendants in Khartoum State, the Sudan. METHODS: A school-based survey was conducted in Al-Nour institute [boys (66.3%), boarders (35.9%), and children with partial visual impairment (PVI) (44.6%)]. Two calibrated dentists examined the participants (n=79) using DMFT/dmft, Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), dental care index, and traumatic dental injuries (TDI) index. Oral health related quality of life (C-OIDP) was administered to 82 schoolchildren. RESULTS: Caries experience was 46.8%. Mean DMFT (age≥12, n=33) was 0.4 ± 0.7 (SiC 1.6), mean dmft (age<12, n=46) was 1.9 ±2.8 (SiC 3.4), mean OHIS 1.3 ± 0.9. Care Index was zero. One fifth of the children suffered TDI (19%). Almost one third (29%) of the 11-13 year old children reported an oral impact on their daily performances. A quarter of the schoolchildren (25.3%) required an urgent treatment need. Analysis showed that children with partial visual impairment (PVI) were 6.3 times (adjusted) more likely to be diagnosed with caries compared to children with complete visual impairment (CVI), and children with caries experience were 1.3 times (unadjusted) more likely to report an oral health related impact on quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Visually impaired schoolchildren are burdened with oral health problems, especially caries. Furthermore, the 11-13 year olds' burden with caries showed a significant impact on their quality of life.

Dental caries and dental care level (restorative index) in children with diabetes mellitus type 1.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to investigate caries experience and dental care index in diabetic children and to determine if correlation exists between caries experience and metabolic control, insulin treatment, and the duration of diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 52 children and adolescents, 3-16 years of age with type 1 diabetes attending the outpatient diabetic clinic at Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. Fifty healthy subjects recruited from the paediatric dental clinic served as the control group. Caries lesions were assessed using DMF-index both at cavity and non-cavity levels. Participants and/or their guardians provided information about oral hygiene habits and dietary habits. Diabetes-related data (type, duration, insulin regimen) were collected from medical records and completed with the lab data on HbAlc. CONCLUSION: It became clear that, although children with type 1 diabetes mellitus could be expected to run a potential high caries risk taking into account the diabetes-associated biological and behavioural alterations, no significant differences were observed regarding caries experience and dental care between diabetic children and healthy controls. The level of untreated dental decay among the diabetic children is, however, considerably high, which was reflected by a significant lower dental attendance.