Opinions on dental erosive lesions, knowledge of diagnosis, and treatment strategies among Norwegian dentists: a questionnaire survey

This study aimed to investigate dentists' general experience, knowledge about diagnosis, and treatment of dental erosive wear in young adults. A questionnaire was sent to 1262 Norwegian public dental health-employed dentists. The response rate was 60%. Results indicated that most dentists recorded erosive wear, half of them used a specific scoring system, and half registered lesions at the tooth surface level. Lesions were reported most often on palatal surfaces of upper anterior teeth (79% of dentists), on occlusal surfaces of lower 1st molars (74%), and on upper 1st molars (32%). Half the dentists used clinical photographs for documentation and 60% made study models. While 40% reported more erosive lesions in males, 36% reported no gender differences. High intake of carbonated beverages and acidic juices were reported as the most common cause by 97% and 72% of the dentists, respectively. Only 21% of dentists recorded the patient's dietary history, and 73% never measured saliva secretion. The majority (78%) of the dentists treated patients with erosive wear themselves. In general, the survey suggests that the dentists are relatively up to date regarding the clinical recording, diagnosis, and treatment of dental erosive wear. However, dietary and salivary analyses were not given priority, and early, preventive treatment was lacking

Child saliva microbiota and caries: a randomized controlled maternal education trial in rural Uganda

Throne Holst Foundation and the Centre for Global Health at the University of Oslo’s Research ExceLlence and Innovation in Global HealTh (RELIGHT) programmepublishedVersio

Dental erosive wear and salivary flow rate in physically active young adults

Background Little attention has been directed towards identifying the relationship between physical exercise, dental erosive wear and salivary secretion. The study aimed i) to describe the prevalence and severity of dental erosive wear among a group of physically active young adults, ii) to describe the patterns of dietary consumption and lifestyle among these individuals and iii) to study possible effect of exercise on salivary flow rate. Methods Young members (age range 18-32 years) of a fitness-centre were invited to participate in the study. Inclusion criteria were healthy young adults training hard at least twice a week. A non-exercising comparison group was selected from an ongoing study among 18-year-olds. Two hundred and twenty participants accepted an intraoral examination and completed a questionnaire. Seventy of the exercising participants provided saliva samples. The examination was performed at the fitness-centre or at a dental clinic (comparison group), using tested erosive wear system (VEDE). Saliva sampling (unstimulated and stimulated) was performed before and after exercise. Occlusal surfaces of the first molars in both jaws and the labial and palatal surfaces of the upper incisors and canines were selected as index teeth. Results Dental erosive wear was registered in 64% of the exercising participants, more often in the older age group, and in 20% of the comparison group. Enamel lesions were most observed in the upper central incisors (33%); dentine lesions in lower first molar (27%). One fourth of the participants had erosive wear into dentine, significantly more in males than in females (p = 0.047). More participants with erosive wear had decreased salivary flow during exercise compared with the non-erosion group (p < 0.01). The stimulated salivary flow rate was in the lower rage (≤ 1 ml/min) among more than one third of the participants, and more erosive lesions were registered than in subjects with higher flow rates (p < 0.01). Conclusion The study showed that a high proportion of physically active young adults have erosive lesions and indicate that hard exercise and decreased stimulated salivary flow rate may be associated with such wear

Variation in caries treatment proposals among dentists in Norway: the best interest of the child

Aim: To explore variation in treatment-related-decisions for severe caries in children among dentists in the Public Dental Service (PDS) in Norway. It was also to evaluate the treatment choices in relation to the best interest of children and a child’s rights to enjoy the highest standard of health care. Methods: A pre-coded questionnaire was sent electronically to all general dental practitioners (GDPs) working in the PDS in eight counties in Norway (n = 611). The questionnaire included two case scenarios to reflect common dental conditions related to severe caries among 5-year-old children. Paediatric dentists and paediatric students were invited to validate the different treatment options. Frequency distributions and statistical analyses were carried out using Chi square statistics. Results: The response rate was 65% (n = 391) among the GDPs. A majority of the GDPs preferred a new appointment with behaviour management techniques (BMT) to a child presenting pulpitis and pain. Dentists educated outside the Nordic region would use restraint more often as a treatment alternative when the child was in pain than Nordic-educated dentists (p < 0.05). Dentists with less than 10 years of experience preferred BMT and sedation more often when the child was in pain than their older colleagues, who, however, preferred a waiting approach and no immediate treatment if the child was not in pain (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Use of BMT and sedation is related to region of education and years of experience. Awareness of ethical principles with the child´s best interest in mind, should receive increased attention. © 2017 Springer Verla

Barriers and factors influencing communication between dental professionals and Child Welfare Services in their everyday work

Background Among various health professionals, general dental professionals (GDPs) screen children frequently, giving them a unique opportunity to act upon suspicion of child maltreatment. The dental team has received considerable attention regarding safeguarding children. Aim The aims of this study were to explore whether GDPs have mutual collaboration and communication with the Child Welfare Services (CWS), and potential barriers for reporting child maltreatment. Design An electronically pre‐coded questionnaire was sent to all GDPs (n = 131) in the Public Dental Health Service (PDHS) in Oslo. Frequency distributions and statistical analysis were carried out by chi‐squared statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The response rate was 75%. Ninety per cent of GDPs had received requests from CWS to provide a child's dental chart. General dental professionals reported child maltreatment frequently (71%), but CWS only gave feedback in 55% of the cases. Uncertainty was the most common reason for not reporting and 33% of the GDPs had chosen not to send a report despite suspicion. Using guidelines increased frequency of reporting (OR 3.6). Conclusions Mutual collaboration and communication should be improved in the task of safeguarding children. Uncertainty and lack of guidelines may act as barriers for not reporting to the CWS

Dental erosive wear and salivary flow rate in physically active young adults

Abstract Background Little attention has been directed towards identifying the relationship between physical exercise, dental erosive wear and salivary secretion. The study aimed i) to describe the prevalence and severity of dental erosive wear among a group of physically active young adults, ii) to describe the patterns of dietary consumption and lifestyle among these individuals and iii) to study possible effect of exercise on salivary flow rate. Methods Young members (age range 18-32 years) of a fitness-centre were invited to participate in the study. Inclusion criteria were healthy young adults training hard at least twice a week. A non-exercising comparison group was selected from an ongoing study among 18-year-olds. Two hundred and twenty participants accepted an intraoral examination and completed a questionnaire. Seventy of the exercising participants provided saliva samples. The examination was performed at the fitness-centre or at a dental clinic (comparison group), using tested erosive wear system (VEDE). Saliva sampling (unstimulated and stimulated) was performed before and after exercise. Occlusal surfaces of the first molars in both jaws and the labial and palatal surfaces of the upper incisors and canines were selected as index teeth. Results Dental erosive wear was registered in 64% of the exercising participants, more often in the older age group, and in 20% of the comparison group. Enamel lesions were most observed in the upper central incisors (33%); dentine lesions in lower first molar (27%). One fourth of the participants had erosive wear into dentine, significantly more in males than in females (p = 0.047). More participants with erosive wear had decreased salivary flow during exercise compared with the non-erosion group (p Conclusion The study showed that a high proportion of physically active young adults have erosive lesions and indicate that hard exercise and decreased stimulated salivary flow rate may be associated with such wear.</p

Extraction of first permanent molars severely affected by molar incisor hypomineralisation: a retrospective audit

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate possible spontaneous space closure after extraction of first permanent molars in children and their eventual need for orthodontic treatment. Methods Twenty-seven children with at least one first permanent molar planned for extraction were enrolled in the study. The children were referred to the Department of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Oslo, between 2009 and 2017. All extracted teeth were severely affected by Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation and/or caries. The children and their parents had consented to extraction and follow-up. Data were analysed with SPSS 26. Results The age of the children was between 5.5 and 12.1 years (mean 8.7) at extraction. The mean follow-up time was 3.2 years (range 1.1–6.3). Sixteen children (59.3%) had all four molars extracted, five (18.5%) had three, five had two and one had one molar extracted. In the maxilla, the second permanent molar had erupted in the place of the first molar in all the children, and none of them needed orthodontic space closure. In the mandible, eight children (29.6%) needed orthodontic treatment to close the spaces after extraction. In three children, the second molar was not yet erupted and treatment need was not settled. Conclusion Extraction of severely affected first permanent molars before the eruption of the second molar is a treatment option causing little additional treatment in the majority of cases

Opinions on Dental Erosive Lesions, Knowledge of Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies among Norwegian Dentists: A Questionnaire Survey

This study aimed to investigate dentists’ general experience, knowledge about diagnosis, and treatment of dental erosive wear in young adults. A questionnaire was sent to 1262 Norwegian public dental health-employed dentists. The response rate was 60%. Results indicated that most dentists recorded erosive wear, half of them used a specific scoring system, and half registered lesions at the tooth surface level. Lesions were reported most often on palatal surfaces of upper anterior teeth (79% of dentists), on occlusal surfaces of lower 1st molars (74%), and on upper 1st molars (32%). Half the dentists used clinical photographs for documentation and 60% made study models. While 40% reported more erosive lesions in males, 36% reported no gender differences. High intake of carbonated beverages and acidic juices were reported as the most common cause by 97% and 72% of the dentists, respectively. Only 21% of dentists recorded the patient’s dietary history, and 73% never measured saliva secretion. The majority (78%) of the dentists treated patients with erosive wear themselves. In general, the survey suggests that the dentists are relatively up to date regarding the clinical recording, diagnosis, and treatment of dental erosive wear. However, dietary and salivary analyses were not given priority, and early, preventive treatment was lacking

Knowledge, experience and perception regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) among dentists and dental hygienists in Oslo, Norway

Abstract Aim The aim of this study is to gather baseline information on knowledge, perceptions, clinical experience and treatment options regarding MIH among dental care providers in Oslo, Norway, before a larger epidemiological study. Methods An electronic questionnaire was distributed to dentists ( n  = 88) and dental hygienists ( n  = 47) working in the Public Dental Service (PDS) in Oslo. The questionnaire consisted of five sections related to sociodemographic, clinical experience, perceptions, clinical management and preferences for further training. Descriptive statistics with chi-squared test was used, and level of statistical significance was set to 5%. Results Replies were obtained from 74.1% ( n  = 100) after two reminders. All respondents encountered MIH in their practice. The respondents’ perception of the prevalence of MIH in Oslo varied. The majority felt confident when diagnosing MIH (86%). The clinicians qualified in the last 10 years felt more confident than those who had qualified earlier ( p  = 0.016). Most were self-confident when treating these patients (68.3%), however, nearly all (88%) agreed that MIH was a clinical problem. The clinician’s treatment of MIH varied. Difficulties achieving adequate local anaesthetic (71.4%) and the child’s behavioural problems (84.1%) were treatment barriers for the dentists. Approximately two thirds (69%) would like further training, in particular on the aetiology (70%), diagnosis (57%) and treatment (77%) of the developmental disorder. Conclusion All clinicians were familiar with the diagnosis of MIH and experienced the condition to be a clinical problem. Continuing education on aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of MIH is requested by dental health personnel