Preventive methods of dental caries is a problem of most general practitioners yet: A survey of knowledge, attitude and practice

BACKGROUND AND AIM: It is clear that education of parents and physicians regarding the importance of caries prevention will improve children’s dental health. Most of the times pediatric and general dentists are dependent on the knowledge base and attitude of pediatricians and family practice physicians for referral of infants and young children in need of preventive and restorative care. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice of general dental practitioners and pediatricians in relation to techniques used to prevent dental caries, including use of fissure sealants and fluoride therapy, in the south-east of Iran. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 399 general practitioners and pediatricians in the south-east of Iran. Data collected through a self-administered questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, questions that evaluating, knowledge, attitude and practice level regarding preventive methods of dental caries. Then, scores were given to each question and sum of the scores was categorized to weak, moderate and good. These scores were evaluated as follows: 75%: good. Data analyzed by SPSS using independent-sample t-test and linear regression models. RESULTS: In this study, 399 questionnaires were completed including 352 (88.2%) general practitioners and 47 (11.8%) pediatricians. The findings indicated that general practitioners and pediatricians had moderate knowledge (52.6%), good attitude (76.9%), and moderate practice (38.6%) regarding preventive methods of dental caries. CONCLUSION: Although general practitioners and pediatricians have more communication and closer relationship with target group of caries unfortunately, they had not desirable knowledge and practice regarding fluoride and fissure sealant therapy. KEYWORDS: Dental Caries; Prevention; General Practitioner; Pediatrician; Knowledg

Impact of Laughter Therapy on Anxiety and Pain in Pediatric Dentistry: A Double-Blinded Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective: To evaluate the effect of laughter therapy on reducing anxiety and pain during dental procedures in children 5‒7 years of age. Material and Methods: 48 children aged 5‒7 years were included in this cross-over double-blinded clinical trial after the parents completed the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorder questionnaire (SCARED). After allocation into two groups: laughter intervention (A) and neutral intervention (B), the anxiety as well as pain were determined by Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale Faces questionnaire (MCDASF) and the Wong-Baker Faces Scale, respectively. Also, the child’s behavior during the treatment was recorded using the Sound, Eye, Motor scale (SEM). Data were analyzed by SPSS 21 using Paired t-test, Independent t-test, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon’s test. Results: The mean score of anxiety in the laughter intervention group (17.42±2.74) was significantly less than (22.06±2.16) in the neutral intervention group (p=0.000) and lower in boys in both groups (p=0.000, p=0.047). The mean pain severity reported by the children in the neutral intervention group (5.33±1.81) was higher than in the laughter intervention group (2.38±1.87; p=0.00) and higher in girls in both groups (p=0.02; p=0.03). Conclusion: The laughter intervention before dental procedures had a significant effect on reducing anxiety and pain during dental treatment

Aspergillosis in a Child with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Complications, and Treatment

Microbial infection is common in patients with leukemia. However, aspergillosis is a rare complication of oral region. Attention to early diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment can reduce the wide range of complications of the infection in these patients. This article reports 4-year history of a child with leukemia, who suffered from a rare aspergillosis infection in the palatal region of oral cavity during chemotherapy. Early diagnosis and treatment of bacterial and fungal infections, especially rare types such as aspergillosis, in patients with leukemia is important for reducing widespread complications. However, prosthetic treatment and attention to psychological complications of orofacial defects would also improve their quality of life significantly. These improvements can be seen more clearly in children

The Opinion of Dental Students of Kerman, Iran, Regarding their Achievement Level in Learning Objectives of Pediatric Dentistry Courses

Background & Objective: Pediatric dentistry is one of the basic sciences related to oral health. The aim of the present study is to assess the opinion of dental students of Kerman, Iran, concerning education in preclinical and clinical pediatrics in order to determined shortcomings and deficiencies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on students who choose practical pediatric dentistry courses. Data collection was performed by a questionnaire which includes two parts; demographic characteristics and educational aims of pediatric dentistry courses. Student’s independent t-test, ANOVA, and chi-square were applied to analyze the data by SPSS software. Results: Results showed that 38.9% of students in the Pediatric-1 course evaluated their satisfaction with achieving educational aims as quite satisfactory, 47.2% as satisfactory, and 13.9% as unsatisfactory. The Pediatric 2 and 3 courses were evaluated as quite satisfactory by 54.3% and 35.5% of students, satisfactory by 25.7% and 58.1%, and unsatisfactory by 20% and 6.5%, respectively. Conclusion: In the Pediatric 3 course, more than 90% of students evaluated their achievement of educational aims as quite satisfactory or satisfactory. It seems that with increase in the number of courses passed, the level of achievement of educational aims also increases. Keywords Pediatric dentistry Learning objectives Program evaluation Student

Effect of extraction of permanent first molars on the development and eruption of third molars

BACKGROUND AND AIM: It is required in many young patients that permanent first molars (PFMs) be extracted due to poor prognosis. This study investigates whether the extraction of such teeth is effective on the development of third molars and even their crown and root morphologies. METHODS: A total of 7000 panoramic radiographs were evaluated and 128 radiographs showing a history of extraction of PFMs on one side in one jaw or both jaws, with the third molars present in the same jaw on both sides, were selected. The third molar on the first molar extraction side was considered the case and the third molar on the other side was considered the control. The case and control third molars were compared in relation to their development, impaction, number of roots, mesiodistal width, root length, and curvature of apex. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: On 128 panoramic radiographs evaluated, Olze and Demirjian factors showed that in most cases the crown development of the third molars on the control side lagged behind that on the case side. On the control side, the third molars had two roots in 66.9% and on the case side had two roots in 75.8%. CONCLUSION: Extraction of PFMs at a proper time might accelerate the development of the third molars on the same side and affect the morphologies of the crown and root(s) of third molars. KEYWORDS: Extraction; Permanent; Mola

Evaluation of application of fix and removable habit breakers among a group of preschool children with thumb sucking habit in Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Thumb sucking has been reported as one of the etiologic factors for malocclusion. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of thumb sucking and use of different kinds of habit breaker (HB) appliances in children attending private kindergartens in Kerman, Iran. METHODS: The census method was used in the present cross-sectional study, and the study population consisted of all the children attending private kindergartens. A checklist was completed for each subject, and clinical examinations were done. Fisher’s exact test was used to evaluate the relationship between thumb sucking and the variables under study. Stata 13 was used for the analysis of data. RESULTS: Of 503 4 to 6-year-old children, 14 (2.8%) had thumb sucking habits at the time of the study. Among these 14 children, only 6 children used HBs fixed (4 persons) or removable (2 persons). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of finger sucking, its side effects, as well as using the HBs of this habit in children of Kerman kindergartens were not high. Furthermore, it has same rate like other cities. In this situation, it’s necessary for the personnel of kindergartens to notify their parents about the hygiene of the problems. KEYWORDS: Finger Sucking; Malocclusion; Pacifie

T he Use of Different Study Skills by Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students of Kerman Dental School

Background: Different study skills have been developed and introduced, although most learners are apparently unaware of them. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the frequency of using different study skills among undergraduate and postgraduate students. Method: The study population consisted of 201 undergraduate and 45 postgraduate students of Kerman Dental School in 2016-2017, who were selected using the random stratified sampling method. A questionnaire composed of four questions used to collect data. The questionnaire was a modified version of the one used by Karpiacke et al. The frequency of using different study skills (i.e., re-studying, re-writing, using flashcards, studying in groups, memorizing, teaching content, creating headings, self-testing, highlighting, finding connections, and finding real examples) was asked in the first question. Students’ preparation for exams and students’ satisfaction with their study skills were asked in the next questions. Data was analyzed using the chi-square test in SPSS23. Results: Of the 246 participants, 72 (35.8%) undergraduate students and 20 (44.4%) postgraduate students were male. The frequency of using different study skills was the same between the male and female undergraduate students, except for re-writing (P=0.024), studying in groups (P=0.018), and creating headings (P=0.018) which were higher in the female undergraduate students. However, there was no significant difference between male and female postgraduate students in terms of the frequency of using different study skills. Conclusion: The most and least commonly used strategies by the undergraduate and postgraduate students were re-studying and using flashcards, respectively. Only 30.3% of the undergraduate and 24.4% of the postgraduate students used the self-testing strategy. Keywords: Study skills, study strategies, students, dental schoo

A Survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Iranian Dentists and Pedodontists in Relation to Child Abuse

Statement of the Problem: Since almost half of the child abuse cases affect the head and neck region, dentists have an important role in the diagnosis and report of oral and dental aspects of child abuse cases. Purpose: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of the general dentists and pedodontists regarding child abuse and child neglect. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out on the participants of the 12th congress of pedodontists of Iran. A self-administered questionnaire was used for evaluating their knowledge, attitude and practice toward child abuse. T-test and ANOVA were applied to analyze the data by SPSS software. p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean score of knowledge, attitude and practice of the participants regarding child abuse was 10.24±2.68, 41.54±11.24 and 2.78±1.05, respectively. The knowledge of pedodontists was significantly higher than knowledge of general dentists. No statistically significant difference was observed in attitude and practice (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Dentists had a moderate knowledge, poor attitude and moderate practice regarding child abuse. Considering this fact, improvements in child abuse education for undergraduate students and continuing post-graduate training in this field are recommended

Impact of verbal explanation on parental acceptance level of different behavior management techniques in dental office

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Parents’ attitudes towards different aspects of dentistry especially the use of behavior management techniques (BMTs) can greatly effect a child’s cooperation in a dental office. The present quasi-experimental study was conducted with the aim to assess the effect of a verbal explanation on parents’ acceptance level of the most common BMTs used in pediatric dentistry. METHODS: A videotaped presentation showing the 6 most commonly used BMTs in Iran was presented to 60 parents recruited by a convenient sampling method. Using visual analogue scale (VAS), the acceptance level of each BMT was measured before and after an explanation on the reasons of each BMT. Paired t-test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis of data. Significance level was set as 0.050. RESULTS: Giving a verbal explanation on BMTs had a statistically significant effect on the acceptance of BMTs. Tell-show-do (TSD) and hand-over-mouth (HOM) techniques achieved the highest and lowest mean scores of parental acceptance, respectively. The acceptance of physical restraint (P = 0.013) and parental presence/absence (PPA) (P = 0.015) of parents was obtained higher among men compared to women using t-test. CONCLUSION: Giving an explanation to parents while performing a BMT is effective in raising parents' acceptance of the technique. Non-invasive methods such as TSD and PPA of parents are the more favorable methods to parents. KEYWORDS: Pediatric Dentistry; Behavior Control; Parental Consen

Comparison of the traumatic dental injuries between visually impaired and their peer sighted children in Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Trauma is a common problem among blindness and visually impaired children. The purpose of the current study was the assessment of the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries and the enamel defects resulted from these injuries among 6-12 years old blind children in comparison to the sighted children in Kerman. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, sample size was considered as census. All of 80 blind elementary school children that lived in Kerman, Iran, were examined and 80 sighted students were examined as control group. Data were collected by clinical examination of the permanent incisor teeth and a valid check list. Data was analyzed by SPSS software version 16 and chi-square statistical test. RESULTS: Regarding the history of trauma to the incisor primary teeth, there was statistically significant difference between the two groups. The blind children had significantly higher percentage of traumatic injuries to their incisor permanent teeth than the sighted children. There was a statistically significant difference regarding the prevalence of the enamel defects on labial surface between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Blind children are at risk of multiple traumatic dental injuries and subsequently the enamel defects. So they need more attentions and care for preventing this type of morbidity. KEYWORDS: Blindness, Trauma, Hypoplasia, Dental Injurie