Paediatric dentistry in Hong Kong.

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Oral health care services for Hong Kong children.

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An overview of dental caries-preventives approaches for children

Dental caries is biofilm-induced acid demineralization of enamel and dentin, which is mediated by saliva. Given time, the interaction of cariogenic microorganisms and fermentable carbohydrates on the tooth surface may induce demineralization and progress to loss of tooth structure and cavitations. Despite the implementation of community water fluoridation and the widespread use of fluoride toothpastes, dental caries remains a significant problem in Hong Kong preschool children. Of great concern, dental caries is unequally distributed among the population and heavily concentrated in socially disadvantaged children, who are least likely to have adequate access to dental care. Dental caries in children is a preventable and reversible infectious disease process. In children, prevention improves their overall quality of life, reduces the cost of restorative treatment, and promotes a positive attitude towards oral health. The objective of the paper was to provide an overview of the effectiveness of various caries-preventive agents which can be applied to the teeth of children in Hong Kong. These include the use of chlorhexidine, xylitol, fluorides, fissure sealant, and remineralizing products. Increased emphasis on caries prevention by the dental profession could bring about more favorable oral health outcomes for children in Hong Kong.published_or_final_versio

A review of the rate of occurrence of cleft lip and palate in Chinese people

Published data were used to determine the rate of occurrence of cleft lip and /or palate in the Chinese population. The rate of occurrence ranged from 1.33 to 2.23 per 1000 live and stillbirths. Most studies were performed in communities with mixed racial groups, and only three obtained data from multiple sources. Half of the studies included live and still births. The majority of the studies reported pooled figures for subjects with and without other malformations. Furthermore, three different classifications of clefts were used by the authors. Clefts involving the lip and palate had the highest occurrence rate in most studies. Unfortunately, the differences in the rate of occurrence may reflect differences in the technique used for data collection rather than real differences.published_or_final_versio

Dental knowledge of medical practitioners and caregivers in Macau SAR, China

Abstract no. 91published_or_final_versio

Early childhood caries and oral care practices in Kerala, India

Abstract no. 678published_or_final_versio

Feeding and oral hygiene habits of preschool children in Hong Kong and their caregivers' dental knowledge and attitudes

Objectives. This study was designed to gather data on infant feeding habits and oral hygiene practices of Hong Kong preschool children, on the dental knowledge and attitudes of their caregivers and on the oral health status of the same group of children. Design. Cross-sectional study. Sample and methods. Data was gathered for a total of 369 boys and 297 girls (207 1-year-olds, 269 2-year-olds and 190 3-year-olds) with a mean age of 20-19 (± 0.38) months. Information related to children attending six randomly selected Maternity and Child Health Centres. It was obtained by examining the children and by interviewing the attending caregivers and completing a questionnaire. Each child was given an oral examination using a torch, disposable mirror and wooden tongue spatula. Results. Only 7% of the children were exclusively breast-fed. More than 98% (656/666) of infants used a nursing bottle for at least some drinks. Over 62% (411/656) had used a nursing bottle to take fluids other than water and infant formula. At bedtime, 56% (361/656) were given a nursing bottle prior to sleep and 96% (340/361) of these bottles contained formula milk. Of these children, only 37% (131/361) finished the contents of the bottle before falling asleep. Over 73% (139/190) of the children continued to use a feeding bottle after 2 years of age. Non-nutritive sucking habits were practised by 35.6% (237/666) of the children. Visible plaque, on the labial surface of at least two maxillary incisors, was found in 19.5% (120/615) of the children. Oral cleansing habits were practised for 66.2% (441/666) of the children. Toothbrushing habits were reported for 42.3% (260/615) of the dentate children, of whom 19% (49/260) had their teeth brushed twice daily. Toothpaste was used by 49.23% (128/260) of the children and 57.3% (149/260) brushed their own teeth. Caries was seen in 7.6% of the infants (47/615). Of the caregivers, 67.7% said they did not think carious primary teeth needed to be restored. Among the mothers, 12.6% (43/342) did not know the oral condition of their child. Reportedly, 82% (417/510) and 87.5% (446/510) of the mothers had not received any oral health care information during the ante- or postnatal periods. Nearly all, 97%, of the respondents said that they would like to receive more information on oral health care.postprin

Dental anomalies in Chinese children with cleft lip and palate

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Morphological and numerical characteristics of the southern Chinese dentitions. Part II: traits in the permanent dentition

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of four major dental traits in the southern Chinese permanent dentition and to compare these with studies from different populations. Materials and Methods: The material used in the study consisted of high quality study models collected from 725 randomly selected 12-year-old children in Hong Kong (358 males and 367 females). The various traits were assessed using standard diagnostic criteria. Literature and data related to dental traits in the permanent dentition were sourced using PubMed and hand searches. Results: The mouth prevalence of shovelling, lingual tubercle, Carabelli’s trait, and protostylid were 80.4%, 38.9%, 50.5% and 37.5% respectively. The prevalence figure for the cusp type of Carabelli’s trait in this study (23.7%) was higher than for other Mongoloids. The prevalence figures for semi-shovel shaped maxillary incisors (42.6% to 48.6%) and the cusp type of protostylid trait in mandibular molars (10.1%) were higher than for any other populations. Conclusion: The higher prevalences of semi-shovel shaped maxillary incisors, and protostylid cusp on the mandibular molars can be considered to be characteristics of the southern Chinese permanent dentition.published_or_final_versio

Morphological and numerical characteristics of the southern Chinese dentitions. Part IV: Traits in the primary dentition

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of twelve dental traits in the primary dentition of southern Chinese and compare to these figures with those from different ethnic groups. Materials and Methods: The material used in the study consisted of study casts collected from 936 randomly selected 5- year-old children (493 males and 443 females) in Hong Kong. The anomalies were assessed using diagnostic criteria that have been most often been cited in the published literature. Results: Of the twelve dental traits studied, the prevalence figures of seventh accessory cusp (89.0%), distal trigonid crest (33.5%) and metaconid ridge (84.0%) in the southern Chinese children were higher than reported for other ethnic groups. The prevalence figures for distinct and strong types of protostylid (13.7% and 0.9%), in this study, were also found to be higher than for other populations. However, the prevalence of deflecting wrinkle was 63.0% which was the lowest reported for Mongoloids. The prevalences of double lingual tubercle (22.5%) and “Y” type of occlusal groove pattern (80.1%) in southern Chinese children were found to be lower then for other ethnic groups. Conclusion: Higher prevalences of seventh accessory cusp, distal trigonid crest and metaconid ridge can be considered to be characteristics of the southern Chinese primary dentition.published_or_final_versio