Dental Pain in Children with Intellectual Disabilities: Caregivers’ Perspective

Purpose. Description of pain is generally difficult in children, and more so in those with intellectual disabilities (ID). Aim. This study is aimed at evaluating dental pain from caregivers’ perspective in children with ID. Methods. The study sampled 86 children (33 with ID, 53 normally developing) ages ranges from birth to 16 years old among those visiting the School of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. Caregivers were asked about their awareness of dental pain in their wards using the Dental Discomfort Questionnaire (DDQ+). The children were examined for dental caries and periodontal status. Results. The mean DDQ+ in children with ID (4.55±3.46) was not significantly different from that in healthy children (4.19±3.26, P=0.7). Children with ID had more salivation (P=0.01) and were putting their hands inside their mouths more often (P=0.003). Conclusions. Caregivers can recognize dental pain-related behaviors in children with ID such as excessive salivation and putting hands inside the mouth more often

Molecular Screening of <i>VAX1</i> Gene Polymorphisms Uncovered the Genetic Heterogeneity of Non-Syndromic Orofacial Cleft in Saudi Arabian Patients

Objective: Nonsyndromic orofacial cleft (NSOFC) including cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL±P) and cleft palate (CP) are multifactorial developmental disorders with both genetic and environmental etiological factors. In this study we investigated the association between CL±P and CP, and two polymorphisms previously determined using genome-wide association studies, as well as the association between consanguinity and CL±P and CP. Methods: DNA was extracted from saliva specimens from 171 triads consisting of affected individuals and their parents, as well as 189 control triads (matched for age, gender, and location) that were recruited from 11 referral hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Two polymorphisms, rs4752028 and rs7078160, located in the VAX1 gene were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction. A transmission disequilibrium test was carried out using the Family-Based Association Test and PLINK (genetic tool-set) to measure the parent-of-origin effect. Results: Significant differences were found between affected individuals and the control group. In the case of the rs4752028 risk allele in cleft, the phenotypes were: CL±P (fathers: odds ratio [OR] 2.16 [95% CI 1.38–3.4]; mothers: OR 2.39 [95% CI 1.53–3.71]; and infants: OR 2.77 [95% CI 1.77–4.34]) and CP (fathers: OR 2.24 [95% CI 1.15–4.36] and infants: OR 2.43 [95% CI 1.25–4.7]). For CL±P and the rs7078160 risk allele, the phenotypes were: (fathers: OR 1.7 [95% CI 1.05–2.86]; mothers: OR 2.43 [95% CI 1.49–3.97]; and infants: OR 2.34 [95% CI 1.44–3.81]). In terms of consanguinity, we found significant association between consanguinity and the rs4752028 polymorphism minor allele among CL±P compared with controls (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This is the first study to find a relationship between these two loci on 10q25 (rs4752028 and rs7078160) and NSOFC in a population with high levels of consanguinity

Children's electronic screen time exposure and its relationship to dental anxiety and behavior

الملخص: أهداف البحث: كان الغرض من هذه الدراسة هو تقييم العلاقة بين وقت الشاشة الإلكتروني وقلق وسلوك الأسنان لدى الأطفال الذين تتراوح أعمارهم بين ستة إلى اثني عشر عاما أثناء فحص الأسنان والوقاية وتطبيق الفلوريد الموضعي. طريقة البحث: كانت هذه دراسة مقطعية شملت 402 مريض أسنان أطفال تتراوح أعمارهم بين ستة إلى اثني عشر عاما جاءوا إلى مستشفى جامعة الملك عبد العزيز لطب الأسنان في جدة، المملكة العربية السعودية. تم جمع البيانات من سبتمبر 2020 إلى ديسمبر 2021. تم استخدام الاستبيان الذاتي لجمع البيانات من المريض وولي أمره. كانت تتألف من 8 أسئلة ديموغرافية بالإضافة إلى 13 سؤال متعدد الخيارات فيما يتعلق بوقت شاشة المرضى. تم تقييم القلق عند الأطفال باستخدام مقياس قلق أسنان الأطفال. تم تقييم سلوك الطفل باستخدام مقياس فرانكل للتقييم السلوكي. النتائج: كان معدل استجابة هذه الدراسة 100٪. من بين 402 مشاركا، وجد أن 248 (61.7٪) يعانون من القلق بينما 154 (38.3٪) لم يكونوا كذلك. من بين جميع المشاركين 274 (68.2٪) كانوا متعاونين و 128 (31.8٪) لم يكونوا متعاونين. تم العثور على علاقة ذات دلالة إحصائية بين القلق والمشاكل السلوكية أثناء زيارة الأسنان وإجمالي ساعات تعرض المشاركين للأجهزة الإلكترونية. أظهر الأطفال الذين تعرضوا للإلكترونيات في سن عامين أو قبل ذلك مزيدا من القلق والسلوك غير المتعاون. الاستنتاجات: يمكن أن يرتبط التعرض المبكر للشاشات الإلكترونية، خاصة لأغراض الترفيه والتعرض لفترة أطول بزيادة قلق الأسنان والسلوك غير المتعاون لدى الأطفال الذين تتراوح أعمارهم بين 6-12 عاما. يجب توعية الآباء حول مخاطر السماح لأطفالهم باستخدام الأجهزة الإلكترونية وتشجيعهم على استبدال هذه الأجهزة بأنشطة تتضمن نشاطا بدنيا. Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between electronic screen time and dental anxiety and behaviour among children aged six to twelve years during dental examination, prophylaxis, and topical fluoride application. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study which included 402 paediatric dental patients aged six to twelve years who came to King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The data was collected from September 2020 to December 2021. Self-constructed questionnaire was used to collect data from the patient and his/her guardian. It was comprised of eight demographic questions as well as 13 multiple-choice questions regarding the patients' screen time. Child dental anxiety was assessed by using Abeer Children Dental Anxiety Scale (ACDAS). Assessment of child's behaviour was done by using Frankl Behavioural Rating Scale. Results: This study had a response rate of 100%. Out of the 402 participants, 248 (61.7%) were found to have anxiety while 154 (38.3%) were not. Of all participants 274 (68.2%) were cooperative and 128 (31.8%) were not. A Significant relationship between anxiety and behavioural problems during a dental visit and the participant's total exposure hours to electronic devices was found (p < 0.001). Children exposed to electronics at the age of two years or before displayed more anxiety and uncooperative behaviour (p < 0.001). Conclusions: early exposure to electronic screens, especially for entertainment purposes and longer exposure can be associated with increased dental anxiety and uncooperative behaviour in children age 6–12 years. Recommendations: Parents should be educated about the risks of permitting their children to use electronic devices and encouraged to replace such devices with activities that incorporate physical activity