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

Microleakage and penetration of a hydrophilic sealant and a conventional resin-based sealant as a function of preparation techniques: a laboratory study

Background. Optimal pit and fissure sealing is determined by surface preparation techniques and choice of materials. Aim. This study aimed (i) to compare the microleakage and penetration depth of a hydrophilic sealant and a conventional resin-based sealant using one of the following preparation techniques: acid etching (AE) only, a diamond bur + AE, and Er:YAG laser combined with AE, and (ii) to evaluate the microleakage and penetration depth of the hydrophilic pit and fissure sealant on different surface conditions. Design. Eighty recently extracted 3rd molars were randomly assigned to eight groups of ten teeth according to the material, preparation technique, and surface condition. For saliva contamination, 0.1 mL of fresh whole human saliva was used. All samples were submitted to 1000 thermal cycles and immersed in 2% methylene blue dye for 4 h. Sections were examined by a light microscope and analysed using image analysis software (Sigmascan (R)). Results. The combination of Er:YAG + AE + conventional sealant showed the least microleakage. The sealing ability of the hydrophilic sealant was influenced by the surface condition. Conclusion. Er:YAG ablation significantly decreased the microleakage at the toothsealant interface compared to the non-invasive technique. The hydrophilic sealant applied on different surface conditions showed