Middle ear infections, systemic antibiotics and their relationship with early childhood caries.

Objectives. This research examined the relationship between the occurrence of middle ear infections (OM) and the intake of systemic antibiotics during the first year of age, and after the first year with the development of early childhood caries (ECC) during the follow-up period. It also sheds some light on the effect of other infections including respiratory (RTI) and urinary tract (UTI) on early childhood dies. Methods. The research is a secondary analysis of Medicaid medical, pharmacy and dental claims data during the years 2001-2004 for healthy children born in 2001, who had continuous Medicaid enrollment. Children's medical, pharmacy and dental claims data were merged by children's unique identifying numbers, which were identical in all data files. Middle ear infections (OM), RTI, and systemic antibiotics usage during the first year of age (and after the first year) were included as predictors in proportional hazards survival models to predict the risk of ECC after the first year of age. All models were controlled for gender and race. Results. The study included 29,485 children, all born in 2001 with continuous enrollment during the study period. Of the included children 51.27% (n=15,113) were mates, and 48.73% (n=14,372) females. By the end of the first year of age, 47% (n=14,036) of children had a diagnosis of OM, and 67.11% (n=19,787) had filled an antibiotic prescription. The proportion of black children who had OM during the first year of age was significantly lower than that among white (chi2=223.79, p=0.0001), or Hispanic children (chi2=42.68, p=0.0001). Also, the proportion of black children who filled antibiotic prescriptions during the first year of age was significantly lower than that among white (chi2=569.73, p=0.0001), or Hispanic children (chi2=157.52, DF=1, p=0.0001). Children who had at least one episode of OM or RTI during the first year of age were at 29% increased risk for developing ECC after the first year of age than those who did not have OM or RTI (p=0.0001). When stratified by race, white and black children who had OM or RTI were found to have a 56% (p=0.0001) and a 20% (p=0.05) increased risk for ECC compared to white and black children who did not have OM or RTI. Children who took antibiotics during the first year of age were at 19% increased risk for ECC after the first year of age than those who did not take antibiotics (p=0.002). When stratified by race, white children who took antibiotics during the first year of age showed a 23% increased risk for ECC (p=0.03) than white children who did not take antibiotics. Having OM or RTI after the first year of age increased the risk for ECC during follow-up by 19% (p=0.002), and using antibiotics increased the risk of ECC by 20% (p=0.001) if taken during the age of 13-18 months. Conclusions. OM, RTI, and systemic antibiotics intake during the first year of age, are associated with significant increase in the risk of ECC during follow-up. This association is affected by children's race and ethnicity.Dr.P.H.DentistryHealth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, School of Public Healthhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/125796/2/3222572.pd

Molar Incisor Hypomineralization, Prevalence, and Etiology

Aim. To evaluate the prevalence and possible etiological factors associated with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) among a group of children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods. A group of 8-12-year-old children were recruited (n=267)  from the Pediatric Dental Clinics at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University. Children had at least one first permanent molar (FPM), erupted or partially erupted. Demographic information, children’s medical history, and pregnancy-related data were obtained. The crowns of the FPM and permanent incisors were examined for demarcated opacities, posteruptive breakdown (PEB), atypical restorations, and extracted FPMs. Children were considered to have MIH if one or more FPM with or without involvement of incisors met the diagnostic criteria. Results. MIH showed a prevalence of 8.6%. Demarcated opacities were the most common form. Maxillary central incisors were more affected than mandibular (P=0.01). The condition was more prevalent in children with history of illnesses during the first four years of life including tonsillitis (P=0.001), adenoiditis (P=0.001), asthma (P=0.001), fever (P=0.014), and antibiotics intake (P=0.001). Conclusions. The prevalence of MIH is significantly associated with childhood illnesses during the first four years of life including asthma, adenoid infections, tonsillitis, fever, and antibiotics intake

The effect of personality traits on undergraduate dental students’ performance in multiple mini interviews

Background: Multiple mini interviews (MMI) is a structured student selection method where applicants rotate around a series of stations that do not require previously learned knowledge. The Big Five Inventory (BFI) is a tool often used to measure personality traits commonly used in applicant selection. Objective: The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of personality traits using the BFI on undergraduate dental students' performance in MMI. Methods: This research was conducted at The Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All undergraduates applying to the dental program at King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) in two academic years [(2014-2015) and (2015-2016)] undertook the MMI held at KAUFD and completed the BFI inventory with a total number of 350 students. The MMI consisted of five stations while the BFI contained forty-four items. Data were analysed by SPSS version 20, using independent-samples t-test, Mann- Whitney U test, Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient and Chi-square test. Results: female students scored higher than their male counterparts but scores were only significant in the empathy station (p<0.001) in the first year, and in both empathetic skills and team work abilities (p<0.05) in the second. BFI results indicate that male students scored higher on agreeableness (p<0.003) and lower on neuroticism (p<0.001) in the first year while female students scored higher on agreeableness and conscientiousness (p<0.001) in the second year. Students of private schools had higher total MMI scores compared to those of public schools (p<0.05). Conclusion: MMI combined with the Big Five Inventory can be a useful tool in the admission process