Mothers’ knowledge about fluoride therapy and fissure sealants

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Increased dental caries and dental lesions have made preventive measures, especially among children, inevitable. This study investigated elementary schoolgirls’ mothers’ level of knowledge on preventive methods against dental caries. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, mothers of 250 schoolgirls were randomly selected from five regions of Tehran, Iran. Their knowledge about fissure sealant therapy and fluoride therapy was evaluated using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed by analysis of variance and independent t-tests in SPSS. RESULTS: Mothers’ knowledge about fissure sealant therapy was lower than fluoride therapy. Very low, low, and moderate levels of knowledge were detected among nearly a quarter, 47.5%, and 22.6% of the participants, respectively. Only 5.4% of the subjects had acceptable level of knowledge on preventive dentistry methods. There were significant correlations between mothers' level of knowledge and their education level and occupational status. CONCLUSIONS: Educated mothers and working mothers had greater knowledge than did housewives. Dentists have a crucial role in increasing mothers' knowledge. KEYWORDS: Pit and Fissure Sealant Therapy, Knowledge, Fluoride Therap

Mothers’ knowledge about fluoride therapy and fissure sealants

BACKGROUND: Increased dental caries and dental lesions have made preventive measures, especially among children, inevitable. This study investigated elementary schoolgirls’ mothers’ level of knowledge on preventive methods against dental caries. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, mothers of 250 schoolgirls were randomly selected from five regions of Tehran, Iran. Their knowledge about fissure sealant therapy and fluoride therapy was evaluated using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed by analysis of variance and independent t-tests in SPSS. RESULTS: Mothers’ knowledge about fissure sealant therapy was lower than fluoride therapy. Very low, low, and moderate levels of knowledge were detected among nearly a quarter, 47.5%, and 22.6% of the participants, respectively. Only 5.4% of the subjects had acceptable level of knowledge on preventive dentistry methods. There were significant correlations between mothers' level of knowledge and their education level and occupational status. CONCLUSION: Educated mothers and working mothers had greater knowledge than did housewives. Dentists have a crucial role in increasing mothers' knowledge

The effect of using different rinsing angles on the micro-tensile bond strength of the sealant to the etched enamel

Background: Attempts to enhance bond strength of the sealant have been among the most important sides of dental research. Aim: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of using different rinsing angles on the micro-tensile bond strength of the sealant to the etched enamel. Settings and Design: Experimental study. Materials and Methods: Sixty first-premolars were randomly assigned to six groups based on the rinsing angle applied (15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°). Following etching and rinsing, a 4-mm height build up of sealant material was created. Bonded specimens were sectioned into sticks (1 Χ 1 mm), which were subjected to micro-tensile bond strength, testing at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov and post-hoc Tukey test. Results: The tensile bond strength in specimens rinsed at 90° were statistically higher compared to those rinsed at 15° and 30° (P < 0.05), and increasing the angle from 15° to 90° was correlated with a reduction in the number of specimens with adhesive failures. Conclusions: Rinsing the conditioned enamel surface at 90° may improve the bond strength and retention of the sealant

Bond Strength of 5(th), 6(th) and 7(th) Generation Bonding Agents to Intracanal Dentin of Primary Teeth.

This in-vitro study sought to assess the push-out bond strength of a total etch and 2 self-etch bonding systems to intracanal dentin of primary anterior teeth (PAT).Thirty-six primary anterior teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups of 5(th) generation (Single Bond 2), 6(th) generation (Clearfil SE) and 7(th) generation (Single Bond Universal) bonding agents. The canal orifice was restored with composite resin and the push-out test was carried out to assess the bond strength. After applying the push-out load, specimens were evaluated under a light microscope at 40X magnification. One-way ANOVA and log-rank test on Kaplan-Meier curves were applied for the comparison of bond strength among the 3 groups.The mean± standard deviation (SD) bond strength was 13.6±5.33 MPa for Single Bond 2, 13.85±5.86 MPa for Clearfil SE and 12.28±5.24 MPa for Single Bond Universal. The differences in bond strength among the 3 groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05).All three bonding agents are recommended for use with composite posts in PAT. However, due to high technical sensitivity of the Total Etch system, single or two-step self etch systems may be preferred for uncooperative children

The Effect of Parental Presence on the 5 year-Old Children's Anxiety and Cooperative Behavior in the First and Second Dental Visit

Objective: One of the most significant problems in pediatric dentistry is behavioral resistance of preschool children in the first visit. There is a debate on parental presence in operation room. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Iranian 5-year-old children's behavior including anxiety and cooperation relative to parental presence in the first and second dental appointments. Methods: The study was conducted on sixty seven 5-year-old children selected according to inclusion criteria and randomly divided into two subgroups. Children in group I were visited in parent's presence and in group II in parent's absence. Before the child's first dental visit, parents were interviewed. Forty eight of the children receiving the initial examination were recalled for a second visit. The children's responses during the Holst procedure of the first visit and restorative second visit were assessed using a combination of two measures including heart rate and clinical behavior. The dentist-patient interactions were regulated by standardized scripts and recorded on videotape. Then, the behavior of the child on the recording during each visit was quantified by two pediatric dentists independently according to Venham 6-point rating scale and Frankle 4-point rating scale. Findings: There were no significant differences between the heart rate measures of children in group I and II in the first and second visit (0.67, 0.8 respectively). There were also no significant differences between the clinical anxiety scores of children in the two groups in the first and second visit (0.98, 0.42 respectively). Moreover, there were no significant differences between the clinical cooperation scores of children in group I and group II in the first and second visit (0.88, 0.40 respectively), neither were there any significant differences between response measures of each child between two visits (P>0.05). In addition, there were no significant differences related to sex, parental education and dental experiences (P>0.05). Conclusion: Parental presence or absence doesn't affect an Iranian 5-year-old child's anxiety on the first and second dental visit, as well as an Iranian 5-year-old child's cooperation on the first and second dental visit

Bite Force of 3-6-Year-Old Children after Unilateral Extraction of Primary Teeth

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the bite force of 3-6-year-old children in primary dentition period after unilateral extraction of a primary first molar (D) and its correlation with the height, weight, gender, type of occlusion, and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Materials and Methods: Twenty children between the ages of 3 and 6 years with a unilaterally extracted D comprised our case group, and 29 age-matched children with no extracted teeth comprised the control group. The maximum bite force at the site of posterior teeth was measured using a bite force measuring device with a 0.2-mm thickness and 3-cm diameter, attached to a strain-gage sensor. Each child bit the sensor with maximum force for 3 seconds, and this was repeated three times at 10-minute intervals. The mean value was calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18 software program via generalized estimating equation (GEE). Results: the bite force on the side of extraction was significantly lower than that on the contralateral side (P0.05). Conclusions: Extraction of primary first molars decreases the bite force on the respective side of the jaw