Oral health knowledge and oral hygiene practices of pre-school teachers in a selected region of Kathmandu city

Background: Dental caries and periodontal diseases are the most common oral health problems seen globally. Schools provides anideal environment for all forms of education, including oral health and teachers can be instrumental in imparting it. The teachers,therefore, need to be well versed in the knowledge regarding oral health as well as practice good oral hygiene measures to teach thechildren. Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess pre-school teachers’ oral health knowledge and oral hygiene practicesin a selected region of Kathmandu city. Methodology: An observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on preschoolteachers in a selected region of Kathmandu city. The teachers of pre-school level completed a self-administered structuredquestionnaire on knowledge of oral health and oral hygiene practices Result: The pre-school teachers had more knowledge aboutdental caries than about periodontal diseases. Overall, scores of school teacher’s (n=95) oral health knowledge were inadequate(54.7%) but the oral hygiene practices (69.5%) were found to be good. Conclusion: The pre-school teachers had inadequate oralhealth knowledge but good oral hygiene practices. This shows a need for training and motivation of pre-school teachers’ regardingthe oral health education and promotion through school-based programs

Evaluation of Dental Caries Among Preschool Children in Kathmandu- Using Significant Caries Index.

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries among preschool children is common but there is scarcity of updated data about its prevalence among Nepalese preschool children. This study was conducted to evaluate prevalence, Significant Caries Index, Caries pattern, Restorative care index and Disparity ratio among preschool children of Kathmandu aged 3-6 years. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on 17 preschools of Kathmandu following WHO criteria. Data were analysed using SPSS 20 and descriptive statistics was applied. RESULTS: Prevalence of dental caries was 803 (55.6%) with a mean deft of 3.28±3.581 and Significant Caries Index score was 7.439. Caries pattern showed the most commonly decayed teeth were mandibular second molars followed by maxillary central incisors. The least affected teeth were mandibular lateral incisors. The restorative care index was 106 (7.32%) in the total sample size and 14 (2.86%) in the SiC and disparity ratio was 2.26. CONCLUSIONS: The SiC Index indicated high dental caries prevalence; severity rates and restorative care index indicated little experience of restorative treatment in preschool children of Kathmandu identifying the need for more targeted efforts to reach preschool children early to effectively address unmet oral health needs. KEYWORDS: caries pattern; dental caries; Kathmandu; preschool; significant caries index

Current Scenario of Pediatric Dentistry

No abstract available.</jats:p

Mesiodens: A Hospital Based Study

Background: A mesiodens, is the most frequent supernumerary tooth present in the maxillary central incisor region. This study is conducted to know the radiographic characteristics and management of mesiodens in children visiting hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective data collection was done from hospital dental records of children who visited the institution from December 2015-December 2016. Radiographic characteristic of mesiodens including the number, shape, position, direction of crown and complication caused by mesiodens were recorded. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS v.20.0.Results: Out of 1871 dental records, it was found that 40 children had 53 mesiodens, with male female ratio of 3:1 and most of them were discovered at 8 years. Majority of mesiodens, 54.7% were erupted, conical, palatally placed with 77.3% vertically directed crown.Complications associated with it were crowding followed by diastema and delayed eruption. Among 40 children, one had three mesiodens, eleven had two mesiodens and rest had one each. Radiographically fully formed tooth was seen in 29 mesiodens. Immature apex was seen in 38 central incisors associated with mesiodens. Management undertaken was simple/surgical extraction and only few cases were kept for periodic observation. Conclusions: Periodic radiographs act as an important tool for clinicians in detecting and managing mesiodens.</jats:p

Virtual Dental Care - Pediatric Teledentistry

 Teledentistry falls under virtual dental care where use of virtual communication is in between dentist and the patient to provide dental care and education to patients. Patients receive virtual examinations and are provided consultation, diagnosis, treatment planning, guidance, transmission of dental information and education via tele-communications. During this COVID-19 pandemic it has offered a solution to resume dental practice as a tool ensuring safety for all. Pediatric teledentistry helps by saving time, allowing child- dentist interaction before the visit and reducing stress for patients, guardians and dentists. Telescreening and teletriage can be implemented publically into routine dental practice and also as a triage-based emergency management strategy as it provides an effective compromise between limiting patient admission, ensuring their pain control and symptom relief.</jats:p

Assessment of Mandibular Foramen Position for Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Children

Introduction: In children the administration of inferior alveolar nerve block at the target site varies and repeated injection may result in a negative behavior and also increase the risk of overdose. This study correlates the relative position of the mandibular foramen with occlusal plane as a clinical guide for inferior alveolar nerve block in children from 3-13 years.&#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 orthopantamographs of children from June 2021 to January 2022. The radiographs were digitally traced, analyzed to obtain linear and angular measurements of mandibular foramen to occlusal plane, anterior, posterior and lower border of mandible along with gonial angle. Paired t-test, unpaired t-test was used along with Karl Pearson’s test for correlation.&#x0D; Results: The results suggested that the needle for inferior alveolar nerve block should be placed below the occlusal plane in 3–4 year (L-1.38, R-1.36 mm approximately), above the level of occlusal plane in 5–7 years (L-2.59, R-2.77 mm), 7–9 years (L-3.71, R-3.86 mm), 9–12 years (L-3.5, R-4.14 mm), 11–12 years (L-3.97, R-4.35 mm), and 12–13 years (L-4.24, R-4.7 mm) old children respectively. The distance of the mandibular foramen from anterior border of mandible was greater than that from posterior border and the gonial angle values decreased with subsequent stages. However, there was statistically significant mean difference in mandibular foramen from anterior border of ramus as well as occlusal plane between right and left sides.&#x0D; Conclusions: There was vertical and horizontal alteration in the position of the bony landmarks within the jaws and it is necessary to modify the placement of needle during inferior alveolar nerve block with advancing age due to skeletal growth and also between right and left sides. The decrease in gonial angle indicated increased growth potential of the mandible with age.&#x0D;  </jats:p

Impacted Compound Odontoma in a 13-year-old Child: A Case Report

Odontomas are considered the most common, asymptomatic odontogenic tumors. They are generally found on routine radiographic examination. However, signs and symptoms relating to their presence may occur. It is commonly associated with retained or impacted deciduous teeth, impaction of permanent teeth, and displacement of teeth. The radiographic examination (intraoral periapical, panoramic radiographic as well as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) enables the identification, thereby ensuring early management. This case reports surgical management of odontoma under local anesthesia with ground sectioning revealing a compound odontome.</jats:p

Dental age estimation and accuracy assessment by Demirjian, Nolla and Willems methods in Nepalese children for predicting the chronological age

Introduction: Dental age estimation has been performed by numerous methods worldwide. This study was done to evaluate and compare the validity and accuracy of dental age estimation by Demirjian, Nolla and Willems methods in Nepalese children. Materials and Method: A comparative cross sectional study was conducted on 280 orthopantomography of Nepalese children aged 5-14 years in Kantipur Dental College from December 2020 to September 2021. Dental age was calculated by three methods and difference with chronological age was examined. Descriptive statistics were presented as mean ± SD and median (range). Differences in paired data of chronological and dental ages were examined using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used for comparing chronological and dental ages. Regression analysis was performed to derive equation for predicting chronological age from dental age. Results: An underestimation of dental age was observed with Demirjian (-1.17 years), Nolla (-1.06 years) and Willems (-1.32 years) methods which was statistically significant and also across both genders (p&lt;0.001). However, chronological age was found to be highly correlated with dental ages estimated using Demirjian (σ=0.930; p&lt;0.001), Nolla (σ=0.939; p&lt;0.001) and Willems (σ=0.947; p&lt;0.001) methods. Linear regression analysis conducted to predict chronological age showed total variance of 80.8%, 87.7% and 89.5% in boys and 81.7%, 87.7% and 88.4% in girls by Demirjian, Nolla and Willems methods respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed Demirjian, Nolla and Willems methods can be a valid measure for age estimation among Nepalese children and precise prediction of chronological age can be made from different dental age estimation techniques.</jats:p

Evaluation of the parenting styles and other social variables influencing behaviour of child in dental clinic

Background: Parents play a major role in the physical and emotional development of children. The parenting style has influence over child behaviour in the dental office. Other factors like family type, presence of siblings as well as position of child in the family may also affect the behaviour of the child in the dental clinic.  Objectives: To evaluate the parenting styles and other social variables influencing child dental behaviour. Methods: One hundred and fifty-one healthy children aged 4-12 years were recruited by convenience sampling during their regular dental visits to Paediatric Dentistry Department, Kantipur Dental College from April to July 2021 after ethical clearance. Family and child demographic data were evaluated through a questionnaire. The accompanying parent completed the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ). The behaviour of the children was evaluated during the routine non-invasive dental procedure using Frankl behaviour rating scale.  Results: All three parenting styles were identified among Nepalese parents, including authoritative (136, 90.06%), authoritarian (6, 3.97%), and permissive parenting styles (9, 5.96%). Most of the children showed positive behaviour (98, 64.9%). Significant associations were detected with age (p = 0.027) and gender (p = 0.015) and their behaviour, but not between parenting styles, type of family, number of siblings, and position of child in the family with behaviour. Conclusion: The behaviour of the child was significantly associated with the age of the child, with younger children exhibiting more negative dental behaviour than older ones. However, other factors did not have association with child behaviour. </jats:p