A controlled study of dental erosion in 2‐ to 4‐year‐old twins

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2010; 20: 400–409 Background. Dental erosion (DE) in children is a significant oral health issue and has become a focus for research in clinical paediatric dentistry. Aim. This study investigated DE in the primary dentition of 2‐ to 4‐year‐old twin and singleton children with regard to the genetic, medical and dietary factors associated with the condition. Design. The 128 subjects consisted of 88 twin children (31 monozygous, 50 dizygous, 7 unknown zygosity) and singletons (n = 40) aged 2–4 years. Medical, dental, and dietary histories were obtained. The children were examined for DE using a modified index. Results. The prevalence of DE by subject affected was 77% in monozygotic twins (MZ), 74% in dizygotic twins (DZ), and 75% in singleton controls (P > 0.1). Of the teeth scored, 12% had mild, 10% moderate, and 1% severe lesions, and DE was more severe in the older age group (P < 0.05). Concordance rates for erosion lesions in MZ and DZ co‐twins were not statistically significant. Conclusions. The prevalence of DE and the concordance of erosion lesions were similar between MZ and DZ twins and singleton children, suggesting that the contribution of genetic factors to DE is negligible.     

High fear of intra‐oral injections: prevalence and relationship to dental fear and dental avoidance among 10‐ to 16‐yr‐old children

The present study aimed to: (i) estimate the prevalence of self‐reported high fear of intra‐oral injections, high blood‐injury fear, and injection fear; (ii) explore the overlap between high fear of intra‐oral injections and high fear of dental treatment; and (iii) evaluate the possible consequence of high fear of intra‐oral injections in terms of avoidance of dental care. The sample included 1,441 subjects, 10‐ to 16‐yr of age, attending elementary schools in a county of Norway. Data were collected using questionnaires that were completed in classrooms. The survey instruments used were the Intra‐Oral Injection Fear‐scale, the Children's Fear Survey Schedule‐Dental Subscale, the Injection Phobia scale for children, and the Mutilation Questionnaire for children. In total, 13.9% of the children reported high intra‐oral injection fear. A strong association was found between fear of intra‐oral injections and dental fear. When an intra‐oral injection was needed, 10.6% would avoid dental treatment. In multiple regression analysis, high intra‐oral injection fear was found to be associated with avoidance of dental treatment (OR = 6.52; 95% CI: 3.99–10.67). It was concluded that high fear of intra‐oral injections was prevalent and might lead to avoidance of necessary dental treatment. Hence, intra‐oral injection fear should be addressed before treatment of dental fear.     

Risk factors for dental erosion in a group of 12‐ and16‐year‐old Brazilian schoolchildren

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2011; 21: 50–57 Background. Dental erosion is a multifactorial disease and is associated with dietary habits in infancy and adolescence. Aim. To investigate possible associations among dental erosion and diet, medical history and lifestyle habits in Brazilian schoolchildren. Design. The sample consisted of a random single centre cluster of 414 adolescents (12‐ and 16‐years old) of both genders from private and public schools in Bauru (Brazil). The O’Brien [Children’s Dental Health in the United Kingdom, 1993 (1994) HMSO, London] index was used for dental erosion assessment. Data on medical history, rate and frequency of food and drinks consumption, and lifestyle habits were collected by a self‐reported questionnaire. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the univariate relationships between variables. Analysis of questionnaire items was performed by multiple logistic regression analysis. The statistical significance level was set at 5%. Results. The erosion present group comprised 83 subjects and the erosion absent group 331. There were no statistically significant correlations among dental erosion and the consumption of food and drinks, medical history, or lifestyle habits. Conclusion. The results indicate that there was no correlation between dental erosion and the risk factors analysed among adolescents in Bauru/Brazil and further investigations are necessary to clarify the multifactorial etiology of this condition.     

Trends in dental caries in 1‐ to 4‐year‐old children in a Brazilian city between 1997 and 2008

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2010; 20: 125–131 Objective. The objective of this study was to assess trends in dental caries prevalence and severity in 1‐ to 4 year‐old children living in Diadema, Brazil, over a 11‐year period, from 1997 to 2008. Methods. In 2008 an epidemiological oral health survey was carried out and the results on caries were compared with five cross‐sectional studies carried out using the same methods and criteria in 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, and 2006 in the same city. In all surveys, children were randomly selected from those attending a National Day of Children’s Vaccination. Calibrated dentists carried out the clinical examination using WHO criteria. Caries trends were assessed by time‐lag analysis. In total, 5348 children were examined in the six surveys over the 11‐year period. Results. Time‐lag analysis showed a marked and statistically significant decline in the prevalence (χ² for trends: P < 0.001) and severity (Kruskal–Wallis: P < 0.001) of dental caries between 1997 and 2008. Conclusion. In conclusion, the last cohort of preschool children in Diadema had much better dental caries status than those in 1997.