Assessment of Significant Caries in 6- year- old Children in Kerman, 2011

Background: Significant Caries Index (SiC) has been introduced by WHO for evaluation of caries status in different societies and assesses one third of individuals who have the highest score of DMFT/dmft. The aim of this study was to determine Significant Caries Index and dmft in 6-year-old children in Kerman. Methods: This cross- sectional study was carried out on 300 children aged 6 years old that had been selected by multistage sampling in Kerman, Iran. Data were collected through a questionnaire (parents’ educational level, parents’ occupation, birth rank, number of children in family, tooth brushing frequency, use of fluoride mouthwash and dental visits frequency). Teeth were examined by dental mirror and according to WHO criteria for determining dmft. Data were analyzed in SPSS19 by using t-test and X² test. Results: Mean dmft index was 4.63 2.41 and mean SiC was 7.34 1.34. SiC was higher in boys, but without a significant difference. dmft showed significant difference with fathers’ educational level (P=0.028), frequency of tooth brushing (P=0.004) and using fluoride mouthwash (P=0.001). There was a significant relationship between SiC index and using fluoride mouthwash (P=0.014) and dental visits) P=0.041). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, dmft and SiC indices of 6-year old children in Kerman are high

Dentists’ Knowledge and Clinical Experience towards Molar-Incisor-Hypomineralization in Iran

Objective: To determine the knowledge and clinical experience of dentists regarding MIH in Kerman/Iran. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a census sampling method was used, and all dentists registered in Kerman medical council were asked to participate in the study. A validated and reliable researcher administered questionnaire was used to determine participants' demographic characteristics, knowledge, and clinical experience. The association between knowledge score and demographic variables was determined using an independent t-test and ANOVA. The level of significance was set as 0.05. Results: Overall, 400 specialized and general dentists in Kerman completed the questionnaire. The mean knowledge score of dentists was 6.6±1.9 of 11. Female dentists’ knowledge was higher than male dentists (p<0.05). General dentists had a higher level of knowledge regarding MIH compared to specialists (p<0.05). Overall, 79.5 % had been faced with MIH during their practice years. After confronting MIH teeth, 48.8% of dentists referred patients to specialists for treatment. Providing aesthetics was considered the most difficult part of treatment (43.2%). Resin composite was the most favorable dental material for treating MIH (60.9%). Conclusion: Although most dentists in Kerman had encountered MIH defects during their clinical practice, they did not have enough knowledge of the defect and required education on all aspects of MIH diagnosis and management. Younger dental practitioners, general dentists and females presented higher knowledge of MIH

Antibacterial, physical and mechanical properties of bonding agent containing synthesized Zinc Dimethacrylate

The aim of this study includes synthesis of zinc dimethacrylate ionomer (ZDMA) by a new method, incorporate it into resin bonding and evaluate its antibacterial, physical and mechanical properties. Resin adhesives containing 0 to 5% wt of ZDMA was produced and the following tests were accomplished: A: Antibacterial test: 1.Direct contact test. 2.Material aging; in both of them the bacterial colony counting were performed. B: Physical test: 1.Degree of conversion (D.C). 2.Evaluating the amount of released Zinc ion release in aqueous medium. C: Mechanical test: 1.Compressive strength test. 2.Shear bond test (enamel and dentine separately). The obtained results were statistically analyzed using One Way ANOVA and LSD post hoc test (?=0.05). The anti-bacterial test revealed that all the ZDMA containing groups significantly reduced the amount of Streptococcus Mutans bacteria. Moreover, the D.C in all ZDMA groups was enhanced. Furthermore, ion release analysis revealed noticeable stability of Zn2+ in samples, as in the 5wt.% group it was even after nine cycle of 24h wash. On the other hand, the compressive strength was significantly reduced just in the 5% ZDMA group while the other groups were superior comparing to the control. In addition, there was no significant difference among the enamel shear bond strength of the groups. However, about the dentine shear bond strength, only the 5% ZDMA group was significantly higher than the control. Low percentages of ZDMA in adhesive could impart anti-bacterial efficacy without challenging its mechanical and physical properties

Evaluation of the performance and problems of general dentists during and after the placement of composite in the posterior teeth in Kerman, Iran, 2016

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Nowadays, resin composites are the preferred material for direct posterior restorations. The present study was conducted to assess the performance and problems of general dental practitioners during and after posterior direct composite restorations in Kerman, Iran. METHODS: 160 general dentists (63% men and 37% women) participated in this analytic-descriptive study. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 13 close-ended questions about the performance and problems of dentists associated with composite restorations in Kerman, in 2016. Data were analyzed by chi square and t-test using SPSS software. RESULTS: The most frequent complaint of patients after composite restorations was food impaction (45.0%), and the most clinicians' problems during composite restorations were achieving tight proximal contact (59.3%) and proper isolation (59.3%). Most of the dentists used traditional metal matrix systems (70.0%), wet polishing technique (81.2%), light-emitting diode (LED) light curing unit (62.5%), packable composites (51.2%) with incremental technique (83.1%), and two-step total etch bonding (70.0%). The main criteria for selecting composite as restorative material was patient request (55.0%), and most of the dentists preferred to restore the small or moderate class I cavities (67.5%), and after it, class V cavities (57.5%) with composite. Moreover, secondary caries (58.1%) was the most common reason for replacement of composite restorations; and in all questions, there were statistically significant differences between the most prevalent answer and the other answers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The most frequent problems of dentists (achieving proper contact) and the most frequent complaints of patients (food impaction) are related to the use of traditional metal matrix systems. KEYWORDS: Composite Resins; Isolation; Patients; Dentis

Cost-savings of community water fluoridation program; Kerman, Iran, 2016

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oral diseases are very important because they impose economic and social burden on societies. Given the resource scarcity, it is necessary to devise cost-effective and scientific strategies to prevent and control oral diseases. This study aimed to estimate the potential cost-savings for dental caries treatment associated with Community Water Fluoridation Program (CWFP) in Kerman, Iran. METHODS: An economic model to compare the costs of CWFP with treatment savings achieved through averted tooth decay was developed. Direct cost of prevented caries was taken equal to treatment savings. Implementation cost and the associated savings was estimated for Kerman in 2016. We obtained required data and parameters for costs and savings estimation through published documents and other sources. RESULTS: Annual cost-savings associated with implementing the water fluoridation in Kerman was estimated about $11160415.5 to$44350544.11. About $34.9 to$136 could be achieved per each dollar spent. Annual cost and benefit per capita was $0.66 and$23.4-$91.09 respectively. Net benefit per capita was$22.7 to $90.4. CONCLUSION: This study indicates significant annual savings from CWFP; additional savings could be achieved if this program is implemented in other regions. We could also receive even more if this program is integrated with other public oral health programs such as screening school children, community dentistry and oral health education. KEYWORDS: Water Fluoridation; Dental Caries; Cost Savings; Cost-Benefit; Oral Healt

Comparing pain and pain-related behavior in children with invented telescopic dental needles

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pain control is an important part of pediatric dentistry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pain and behavioral reaction who receive an injection with conventional and telescopic dental needles. METHODS: A total of 50 healthy children aged 4-8 years were included to this study to get a dental injection with the telescopic or the conventional dental needles. Two observers scored videos of children at the time of injection procedures based on sound, eye, motor (SEM) scale and distress reaction to evaluate the observed pain-related behavior. Children completed a face version of visual analog scale (VAS) after injection. Reliability of observer’s opinion evaluated and was established at 96%. Independent t-test and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was defined at P < 0.0500. RESULTS: This study was conducted among 23 girls and 27 boys with mean age 5.3 ± 1.4. The pain scores according to VAS for the telescopic, and the conventional dental needles were 40.20 ± 10.50 and 56.40 ± 14.63, respectively, which was statistically significant between the two groups (P = 0.0001). The difference of SEM values for the telescopic and the conventional groups were statistically significant in totals as well as individual parameters (P = 0.0001). According to mean distress scores, patients showed less muscle tension, less verbal protest and less movement when receiving the telescopic needles (P < 0.0500). CONCLUSION: Telescopic dental needles with the ability of using topical anesthesia before needle insertion and covering needle sight out of patient’s eyes may be a good intervention to reduce pain and anxiety of children during dental injection. KEYWORDS: Pain; Anxiety; Injection; Dentistr

Assessing the Knowledge of Students about Dental Bleaching in Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran

Statement of the Problem: An attractive smile and white teeth give self-confidence and provide impression of health, which help individuals for social and interpersonal success. Increasing demand for tooth bleaching and lack of relevant information on the other hand, necessitate a new investigation to assess the knowledge of the students about dental bleaching in Kerman. Purpose: This study was designed to assess the overall knowledge of the students of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman regarding dental bleaching and their tendency to perform it. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study enrolled 384 students who were selected by simple random sampling. A valid and reliable self-administered researcher-made questionnaire was employed to collect data about demographic information, health behavior, tooth bleaching, and the tendency to perform .This tool contained 8 questions with the focus on the knowledge of dental bleaching. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 21 and regression analysis at a significant level of 0.05. Results: Overall, 59.55% of participants were male and 40.45% were female students. Most likely, the source for gaining information was internet. In this regard, 29 individuals were dissatisfied with tooth color, 27 ones with the appearance of teeth, 13.5% have done tooth bleaching, and 69% had tendency to do that. The preferred knowledge was about the difference between scaling and root planning (SRP) and bleaching. There was no significant difference between age, gender, and marital status variables with the knowledge of dental bleaching. Tooth color satisfaction increased the tendency to do bleaching about 1.87 times. Conclusion: The study highlights that 69 % of the students had a tendency to do the bleaching, their knowledge was moderate, and there was no statistical relationship between knowledge, gender, and marital variables. Color variable had an overall positive effect on the tendency to do the bleaching

Rate and comparison of periapical inflammatory lesions using clinical diagnosis and histopathological findings during the 18-year study period

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Inflammatory Periapical lesions are the most common periapical lesions. These lesions are often diagnosed based on clinical and radiological examination, which may be different from the histological finding. The present study was carried out with aim to assess the rate and to compare clinical and radiographic features with histological diagnosis of periapical pathology. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on dental school pathology records in Kerman, Iran, from 1996-2014. Cases with incomplete records and without net histology diagnosis were excluded. Age, gender, site of lesion, clinical diagnosis, and histopathological diagnosis were extracted from the records. The data were analyzed using chi-square test in SPSS software. A P value of 5% was considered as the significance level. RESULTS: 1854 cases met the inclusion criteria. 129 of the cases were periapical inflammatory lesions. The mean age of individuals was 29.39 ± 15.14 years. Periapical cysts were the most incident lesions in clinical and histopathologic diagnosis. An overall of 98.9% of histopatologic diagnoses were compatible with clinical diagnosis. Inflammatory periapical lesions in maxilla were greater and this difference was significant (P = 0.001). Inflammatory periapical lesions were higher among men compared to women, with significant difference (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that periapical cysts were the most incident inflammatory lesions followed by periapical granuloma. KEYWORDS: Periapical Lesions; Cyst; Granuloma; Incidence; Inflammatory; Odontogeni