Dental health of dentists' children in Mongolia

Summary. Objectives. To describe the dental health of dentists’ children, to evaluate its association with their dentist‐parents’ background and work‐related characteristics and to compare it with that of children in the general population in Mongolia. Design. Cross‐sectional survey, questionnaire‐based data. Subjects. Dentists’ children, aged 3–13 years. Sample. All dentists (n = 250) actively practising in the capital city of Mongolia. Results. The dentists’ children's dmft ranged from 0 to 12, and DMFT from 0 to 8; 50% were caries‐free. The younger the children, the higher was their total caries experience expressed as the sum of DMFT + dmft scores (r = ?0·22; P = 0·001). Dentist‐parents’ background and work‐related factors were not associated with their children's caries status (P > 0·05). When dentists’ children were compared with their counterparts at the population level, mean dmft for 6‐year‐olds was 2·6 for (urban) dentists’ children, 6·5 for children in the urban population and 0·9 for those in rural population of equivalent age. Mean DMFT for 12‐year‐olds were 1·0, 1·8 and 1·2, respectively, in the same three groups. In general, (urban) dentists’ children in all age groups had better dental health than did their urban counterparts at the population level. Among 5–7‐year‐olds, dentists’ children had worse dental health than did their counterparts in the rural population. Conclusions. Despite the dentists’ knowledge and awareness, their children demonstrated higher rates of dental caries than expected. This suggests that Mongolian dentists may have insufficient preventive orientation. In particular, the primary dentition of younger children seems to be poorly valued. In Mongolia, dentists should have better training and education in modern methods of caries prevention and their advantages. Appreciation and care of the primary dentition need to be improved at all levels of oral health promotion in Mongolia.     

Oral health survey of 5-12-year-old children of National Guard employees in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objectives. To assess the oral health status, preventive practices and mutans streptococci (MS) levels among the children of National Guard personnel living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Design. Cross‐sectional study of schoolchildren. Setting. Dental Clinic of the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sample and methods. A sample of 272 5–12‐year‐old children, 154 males and 118 females (95% Bedouin), were selected from approximately 35 National Guard schools in the Riyadh area. An examination was performed in the dental clinic in the National Guard hospital. Oral hygiene was assessed using the Simplified Debris Index (DI‐S); Gingival Index (GI) was used to measure gingival health; dental fluorosis was recorded according to the criteria of Dean. Dental caries (dmft, dmfs, DMFT and DMFS) was recorded according to the recommendations of Haugejorden. Concentration of MS in saline rinse samples was assessed by routine laboratory methods and expressed as colony forming units (CFU) per ml (log₁₀). Results. There was a high level of dental caries (mean dmft = 3·8 ± 3·2; mean dmfs = 21·5 ± 15·7; mean DMFT = 2·0 ± 1·9; mean DMFS = 3·1 ± 3·7). Only 0·7% of the children had no caries experience (dmft + DMFT). MS levels ranged from 0 to 7·5×10⁵ CFU per ml (mean MS = 4·10 ± 0·90 log₁₀ CFU per ml). A significant relationship between MS and caries experience was observed (P = 0·003). Mild fluorosis was observed in 14% of the children. Oral hygiene scores indicated that most of the examined tooth surfaces had detectable plaque (mean DI‐S = 1·78). Gingivitis was present in 100% of the children and was considered moderate to severe in 14% (mean GI = 1·18). Conclusions. The study revealed a high level of oral diseases and poor oral hygiene in the study population and a need for therapeutic and preventive measures.     

School‐based oral health‐education program using experiential learning or traditional lecturing in adolescents: a clinical trial

The aim of this project was to compare the effectiveness of experiential learning (EL) and traditional lecturing (TL) school‐based oral health education on the oral health knowledge, attitude, habits, oral hygiene, gingival health and caries incidence of 13‐year‐old Greek children. Eighty‐seven children for the EL group and 80 for the TL group were selected from two areas of Greece. Information on oral health knowledge, attitude and behaviours were obtained using a questionnaire. Dental plaque was recorded using a modified hygiene index, gingivitis was assessed using the simplified gingival index and dental caries was measured by recording the number of Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth (DMFT) using the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) criteria. All children were examined by two calibrated dentists, using a World Health Organisation (WHO) periodontal probe and artificial light. Questionnaires were delivered and clinical examinations were performed at baseline and at 6 and 18 months post‐intervention. The EL oral health educational programme was implemented by teachers using the programme's manual. Oral health knowledge had improved significantly (P < 0.001) in both groups at 6 and 18 months post‐intervention. Oral health behaviour (P < 0.001) and attitude (P < 0.05) had improved significantly at 6 months, and oral hygiene and gingival health had improved significantly at both 6 (P < 0.001) and 18 (P < 0.05) months for the EL group. Lower caries incidence was recorded for the EL group, 18 months post‐intervention (P < 0.05). School‐based oral health EL for adolescents was found to be more effective than TL in improving oral health attitude and behaviour at 6 months, in improving oral hygiene and gingival health at both 6 and 18 months and in reducing caries incidence 18 months post‐intervention.     

The Grain Size of Zinc Phosphate Cements

Abstract

Objective. (1) To evaluate the dental status of 5-year-old children in Clermont-Ferrand (France) in 2009; (2) To measure changes in children's dental status between 2003 and 2009; and (3) To estimate the impact of an Oral Health Promotion (OHP) program implemented in nine schools since 2005. Materials and methods. All 5-year-olds attending public schools in deprived areas (n = 15) and six randomly selected other schools in Clermont-Ferrand were invited to participate. Dental status was recorded using d₃mft, as in 2003. Parents responded to questions about their child's oral hygiene and provided socio-demographic information. Results. Of children invited, 478 (77%) were examined. Mean dmft was 1.18 (SD 2.61); 27.6% had at least one tooth affected. Caries experience varied significantly with deprivation status, oral hygiene and household SES indicators. The only difference observed between 2003 and 2009 was an increase in the ‘f’ component (p < 0.001). Dental status had slightly deteriorated in areas characterized in 2003 by low caries levels (p=0.07). In deprived areas, mean dmft increased in schools without the OHP program (p = 0.04). Changes between 2003 and 2009 were studied at school level using Multiple Factorial Analysis; it tended to improve in four schools, which had the OHP program. Household indicators of SES changed little. Oral hygiene levels varied differently from one school to another. Conclusions. Caries experience was high, with large inequalities between children. No major differences were observed between 2003 and 2009. The OHP program has done little to reduce disparities in oral health, even if dental status improved in four schools.     

Halitosis and oral health-related quality of life: a case report

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene 10 , 2012; 3–8
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2011.00512.x
Buunk‐Werkhoven YAB, Dijkstra‐le Clercq M, Verheggen‐Udding EL, de Jong N, Spreen M. Halitosis and oral health‐related quality of life: a case report. Abstract: Objectives: This is a clinical case of a 36‐year‐old Dutch male, patient in the Dr. S. van Mesdag Forensic Psychiatric Centre in Groningen. It demonstrates a short‐time effect of a tailored oral hygiene self‐care intervention in three sessions over a period of 3 months on halitosis and a patient’s oral health‐related quality of life (OH‐QoL). Methods: In addition to a dental screening and professional oral hygiene care, a semi‐structured interview was conducted by the dental hygienist, and questionnaires were administered. The questionnaires included were; the Dutch version of the Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14‐NL; used as a measurement of OH‐QoL), scales for expected social outcomes for having healthy teeth, attitudes towards oral hygiene behaviour (OHB) and dental anxiety. Results: Clinical observations showed an improvement in patient’s OHB, while the extreme foetor‐ex‐ore was reduced to an acceptable level. A retrospective assessment showed that patient’s attitude towards the recommended OHB together with his self‐perceived OH‐QoL had positively increased. Conclusions: This case highlights the value of professional individual oral hygiene instructions performed by a dental hygienist. It also illustrates that a patient’s effective OHB may play an important role in the reduction in halitosis and self‐perceived OH‐QoL. Finally, the retrospective version of the OHIP‐14‐NL may be an adequate method to assess self‐perceived OH‐QoL within a relative short period of time.     

Digit Sucking,Age, Sex,and Socioeconomic Status as Determinants of Oral Hygiene Status and Gingival Health of Children in Suburban Nigeria

Background: This study determines prevalence of digit sucking and gingivitis, and association among age, sex, socioeconomic status, presence of digit‐sucking habits, oral hygiene status (OHS), and gingivitis among a group of Nigerian children. Methods: Data of 992 children aged 1 to 12 years recruited through a household survey conducted in Osun State, Nigeria were analyzed. Information on age, sex, socioeconomic status, and history of digit‐sucking habits were collected. Children were assessed for OHS and severity of gingivitis using the simplified oral hygiene index and the gingival index, respectively. Predictors of presence of gingivitis and poor oral hygiene were determined using multivariate logistic regression. Results: One (0.2%) and 454 (93.0%) children aged 1 to 5 years had poor oral hygiene and mild gingivitis, respectively. Twenty‐two (4.4%) and 361 (72.9%) children aged 6 to 12 years had poor oral hygiene and mild gingivitis, respectively. The odds of having poor oral hygiene (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20 to 0.35; P <0.001) and gingivitis (AOR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.31; P <0.001) was significantly reduced for children aged 1 to 5 years. The odds of having gingivitis was increased in children with low socioeconomic status (AOR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.32 to 3.31; P = 0.002). There was no significant relationship among sex, digit sucking, OHS, and presence of gingivitis. Conclusions: A digit‐sucking habit did not increase chances of having poor oral hygiene and gingivitis. Increasing age and low socioeconomic status were factors that significantly increased chances of having poor oral hygiene and gingivitis.     

济南市学龄前儿童乳牙患龋情况及其家长口腔保健知识调查

目的探讨济南市学龄前儿童乳牙的患龋情况及与其家长口腔卫生知识认知度的相关性,为针对性开展儿童口腔保健工作提供依据。方法采用多阶段、分层、随机抽样的方法,在济南市4个地区的幼儿园(城乡各2个)抽取学龄前儿童共538人,城市儿童282人,农村儿童256人。运用世界卫生组织《口腔健康调查基本方法》诊断标准进行乳牙龋病情况检查,并对受检者家长行口腔保健行为问卷调查。结果学龄前儿童乳牙患龋率为71.95%,龋均(dmft)3.84,城市儿童乳牙患龋率为62.18%,农村儿童为81.72%,两者之间具有统计学差异(P<0.01);学龄前儿童进食含糖食品的频率偏高,农村儿童进食碳酸饮料、果汁、糖果等方面的频率高于城市儿童,城市儿童开始刷牙时间早于农村儿童,刷牙频率和使用含氟牙膏的比例均高于农村儿童;学龄前儿童家长的口腔卫生知识认知度相对不足,知晓率为59.48%,其中城市家长(66.07%)要好于农村家长(52.88%),城乡对比差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论学龄前儿童乳牙患龋状况与家长口腔卫生知识认识度呈正相关。济南市亟待加强儿童家长尤其是农村家长的口腔卫生知识的宣传教育。     

Dental caries prevalence and treatment needs of 5- to 12-year-old children in relation to area-based income and immigrant background in Greece

Objectives: To investigate the association between certain socio‐demographic characteristics and dental health status of 5‐ to 12‐year‐old children attending public kindergarten and primary schools in Piraeus, Greece. Methods: Gender, age, place of residence, immigrant background and area‐based income were associated with dental caries prevalence, treatment needs and oral hygiene level in 5,116 children. Results: The mean number of decayed, missing and filled deciduous teeth (dmft) and Unmet Restorative Treatment Needs Index (UTN) at 6‐year‐olds were 1.54 and 84.6% respectively, and the DMFT and UTN at 12‐year‐olds were 1.35 and 71.8%. Caries experience/severity significantly increased with age, whereas treatment needs and oral hygiene level decreased (P < 0.001). Immigrant background and low area‐based income was associated with poorer oral health outcomes. The above associations retained statistical significance after multivariate analysis. Children who live in areas with lower average income present 1.20 to 2.14 greater risk of having higher caries severity and poorer oral hygiene in comparison to those living in more affluent areas, and children with an immigrant background have 1.68 to 4.34 higher likelihood to present higher dmft and DMFT values, higher unmet treatment needs, and poorer oral hygiene levels compared to their Greek counterparts above and beyond the effect of the other risk factors assessed. Conclusions: The present study revealed a socio‐demographic gradient in oral health status and treatment needs of children in Piraeus, Greece.     

Oral health status among hospitalized patients

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene 9 , 2011; 21–29
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2009.00423.x
Carrilho Neto A, De Paula Ramos S, Sant’ana ACP, Passanezi E. Oral health status among hospitalized patients. Abstract: Aim: To investigate into oral health status and its association with health status in hospitalized patients. Methods: A total of 82 patients were examined and 49 (59.7%) patients were men. The patients answered a survey and oral examinations to detect the number of teeth, oral hygiene index, prostheses hygiene, oral lesions, caries, dental plaque index (DPI), gingival inflammation index (GI), gingival bleeding index, periodontitis and periodontal index. Results: Oral hygiene was associated with age, but it was not related to physical disability. Difficulty eating was mainly associated with age and tooth loss. All full and partially dentate patients presented dental plaque, 38 (69%) poor oral hygiene, 58 (98.1%) gingival inflammation, 41 (74.5%) periodontal disease and 33 (60%) caries. Oral lesions were detected in 30 (36.5%) and candidiasis (n = 16, 19.6%) was the most frequent mucous lesion. Caries were associated with smoking and poor oral hygiene. Hospital length of stay and age were associated with increased DPI and GI. Conclusions: The majority of hospitalized patients did not present satisfactory oral hygiene. Caries and periodontal diseases are associated with health behaviours. Increased time length at hospital could increase gingival inflammation and dental plaque accumulation.     

Oral health status and reasons for not attending dental care among 12- to 16-year-old children with Down syndrome in special needs centres in Jordan

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene 10 , 2012; 259–264
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2012.00545.x Al Habashneh R, Al‐Jundi S, Khader Y, Nofel N. Oral health status and reasons for not attending dental care among 12‐ to 16‐year‐old children with Down syndrome in special needs centres in Jordan. Abstract: Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess oral health status, treatment needs, soft and hard tissue findings, as well as reasons for not attending dental care among children with Down syndrome (DS) registered in special needs centres in Jordan. Methods: The sample consisted of a total of 206 participants with a mean age of 13.66 ± 1.47 comprising 103 with DS and 103 age‐ and gender‐matched non‐DS/public school children. Clinical levels of oral hygiene were assessed using Simplified Oral hygiene index, and caries detection was carried out according to WHO caries recording criteria. Results: Children who had DS had a significantly higher percentage of surfaces with severe gingival index (39.9 ± 9.1 versus 15.9 ± 8.0, P < 0.001) and a higher mean of probing pocket depth than children without DS (2.27 ± 0.2 versus 1.81 ± 0.32, P < 0.000). Significantly more peg‐shaped maxillary lateral incisors and retained primary teeth (P < 0.001) were observed in subjects with DS, compared with non‐DS children. Average decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) was significantly lower in male children with DS compared with male non‐DS children only (P = 0.034). The most common reason cited for not taking children to the dentist for DS group was ‘Not aware of the dental problems of their children’ and for non‐DS groups ‘No awareness of the importance of dental visit’ (61.2% and 53%, respectively). Conclusions: While having similar caries level, Jordanian teenagers with DS had more dental anomalies, poorer periodontal health and less dental attendance than age‐ and gender‐matched non‐DS/public school children.     

Follow-up of children’s oral health-related quality of life after dental general anaesthesia treatment

Objective: Our aim was to analyze longitudinally the impact of young children’s dental general anaesthesia (DGA) treatment on their OHRQoL and to determine their post-operative oral health status at the six-month follow-up together with parental ratings of their children’s oral health.

Material and methods: We conducted a prospective follow-up study of OHRQoL among Lithuanian child patients treated under general anaesthesia (n?=?144). The study consisted of clinical dental examinations performed by two examiners at the time of DGA and at the six-month recall, along with OHRQoL surveys and data collected from the patients’ files. The dmft index and Silness–Löe plaque index served as clinical measures. The survey tool for assessing the children’s OHRQoL was the previously tested Lithuanian version of the ECOHIS. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test served for the statistical analysis (p?Results: The ECOHIS scores clearly decreased post-operatively, indicating a significant (p?p?Conclusions: This longitudinal study showed a sustained improvement in the children’s OHRQoL six months after their DGA treatment. Post-operative parental ratings of their child’s oral health were higher after the DGA treatment, but the children exhibited insufficient oral hygiene and new caries lesions. An appropriate follow-up system for children receiving DGA treatment with special focus on preventive care is needed.     

Comparison of oral health characteristics in pediatric cancer and cancer free patients: A multicenter study

IntroductionComparing oral health of cancer to non-cancer children proves that cancer and its treatment can cause oral complications.DesignTwo groups of children, 50 treated for cancer, and 51 cancer-free, at two different centers, signed informed consent forms. Both the examination of teeth, oral functions and soft tissue with a questionnaire including the patients’ demographic characteristics, medical history, dietary and oral hygiene, and changes due to the oncologic treatment allowed gathering data.ResultsThe two groups had no demographic nor socio-economic differences. Dietary habits were not significantly different. Daily brushing was more frequent in cancer-free (96.1%) versus sick (76%) children. Oral hygiene was poor (34%) or very poor (24%) in cancer patients and average for non-cancer subjects (68.6%). Cancer patients had more caries, without significant differences between groups. Gingiva was healthy in 96.1% of non-cancer and 76% of cancer patients (p = 0.044). In cancer patients, intra-oral soft tissue lesions were aphtous ulcers (52.9%), candidiasis (23.5%), and herpes (17.6%). Xerostomia was significantly different (p = 0.001) between cancer (32%) and non-cancer subjects (3.9%). Chemotherapy alone is an independent predictor of poor oral health (HR 17.7, 95% CI [5.2–60.9], p < 0.001).ConclusionCancer patients had poor oral health compared to non-cancer children, with insufficient knowledge concerning the relationship between oral and general health. Education programs, screenings and treatment at cancer centers may help reduce risks of complications.     

School‐based intervention to promote preadolescents’ gingival health: a community trial

Abstract – Objectives: Evaluation of the effectiveness of a school‐based oral health promotion intervention on preadolescents’ gingival health. Methods: A community trial designed for a 3‐month intervention study in a representative sample of 9‐year‐olds (n = 457) in 16 schools in Tehran, Iran. The schools were randomly assigned to three intervention groups and one control group, each group comprising two boys’ and two girls’ schools. The first group of children (n = 115) received intervention via class work, solving a set of puzzles containing oral health messages, under supervision of their health counsellor. The second group (n = 114), intervention via parents, included an oral health education leaflet and a brushing diary for supervising the child’s tooth‐brushing; the third group (n = 111) received a combination of both these interventions. The control group (n = 117) had no intervention. Effects of the intervention were assessed as changes in dental plaque and gingival bleeding. Improvements in gingival health were recorded when half of the index teeth with plaque at baseline became clean (acceptable oral hygiene) or when all index teeth with bleeding at baseline became healthy (healthy gingiva). Statistical analysis included chi square, anova , t‐test, Number Needed to Treat (NNT) and generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: At baseline, none of the children were free of plaque and all except for three boys had bleeding. After the trial, acceptable oral hygiene was more frequent in the parental‐aid (P < 0.001) and the combined groups (P < 0.05), and healthy gingiva in both groups (P < 0.001) in comparison with the control group. Outcomes in the class‐work group did not differ from those in the control group. The GEE models confirmed a strong intervention effect on healthy gingiva in both groups where parents were involved: parental‐aid group (OR = 7.7, 95% CI: 2.2–27.7) and combined group (OR = 6.6, 95% CI: 2.0–22.1). In all intervention groups more girls than boys achieved healthy gingiva (OR = 2.5–2.6). Parents’ education showed no impact on the outcome. Conclusions: When a school‐based oral health intervention involves parents it may result in a significant improvement in the gingival health of preadolescents with poor gingival health at baseline.     

Urban Mexican‐American mothers’ beliefs about caries etiology in children

Hoeft KS, Barker JC, Masterson EE. Urban Mexican‐American mothers’ beliefs about caries etiology in children. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; 38: 244–255. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Objectives: Caries is a severe condition which disproportionately affects Latino children in the US. This study sought contextual understanding of urban, low‐income Mexican‐American mothers’ beliefs, perceptions, knowledge and behavior surrounding causes of caries. Methods: In urban San José, CA, a qualitative study was conducted with a convenience sample of Mexican‐American mothers of young children about their beliefs and knowledge about the causes of caries. Audio‐taped in‐depth interviews with open‐ended questions, primarily in Spanish, were translated to English and then transcribed verbatim. Texts were independently read and thematically analyzed by two researchers. Results: Even while expressing uncertainty, all 48 mothers mentioned specific causes of caries, most frequently citing candy or juice consumption (85%), poor oral hygiene (65%) and use of the bottle (52%). Mothers rarely recognized cariogenic foods beyond candy, did not know or perform recommended oral hygiene routines, and demonstrated confusion and uncertainty about exactly how baby bottles are detrimental to teeth. Nearly half of these mothers also mentioned secondary cavity causes, such as genetics, lack of calcium, not going to the dentist or lack of fluoride. Mothers did not mention the role of bacteria. While mothers recognized that oral hygiene can counteract the detrimental effects of candy consumption, they did not recognize its beneficial effects in other contexts. Nor did they know about other preventive activities. Conclusions: Mothers recognized the three major important factors causing caries: sugar consumption, poor oral hygiene and bottle use. However, their knowledge is limited in depth and specificity which restricts development of caries prevention behaviors. More comprehensive education is needed, including about caries prevention (oral hygiene) behaviors, which could lead to an increased sense of self‐efficacy with respect to their children’s oral health.     

Dental and oral hygiene status in Jordanian children with cleft lip and palate: a comparison between unilateral and bilateral clefts

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene 9 , 2011; 30–36
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2009.00426.x
Hazza’a AM, Rawashdeh MA, Al‐Nimri K, Al Habashneh R. Dental and oral hygiene status in Jordanian children with cleft lip and palate: a comparison between unilateral and bilateral clefts. Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the dental health and oral hygiene status of subjects with unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). Methods: Oral and dental examinations were carried out in 98 children with cleft lip and palate and 98 unaffected subjects matching in gender and age, using the standard dental indices dmft and DMFT. Plaque and gingival indices were scored using the plaque and gingival indices of Silness and Löe. Results: The prevalence of dental caries was significantly higher in children with cleft lip and palate than their control in both permanent and deciduous teeth. Patients with BCLP experienced more dental caries than unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients in both dentitions. Similarly, plaque accumulation and gingivitis were significantly higher in the cleft lip and palate patients compared with their controls. Only plaque accumulation was significantly higher in the BCLP patients than in the UCLP patients. Conclusion: Bilateral cleft lip and palate patients appear to be at a higher risk of caries experience and poorer in oral hygiene than those with UCLP patients. These findings not only provide a baseline for oral health parameters in patients with cleft lip and palate but also emphasize the need for intensive preventive measures of oral disease to optimize clinical outcome.     

Oral health status and treatment needs among school children in Sana’a City,Yemen

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2009.00398.x
Al‐Haddad KA, Al‐Hebshi NN, Al‐Ak’hali MS. Oral health status and treatment needs among school children in Sana’a City, Yemen. Abstract: Data on the oral health status and treatment needs among Yemeni children are lacking. Objectives: To assess caries prevalence, treatment needs and gingival health status among school children in Sana’a City and to examine how these are affected by age, gender and khat chewing. Methods: 1489 children (6‐ to 14‐year old) were randomly selected from 27 schools representing all nine districts of Sana’a City. Dental caries and treatment needs were evaluated using standard WHO oral survey methods. The plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI) and the gingival index (GI), recorded at the six Ramfjord’s teeth, were used to assess gingival health status. Results: 4.1% of the study subjects were caries‐free. Prevalence of these was significantly higher among the males. Overall, mean dmfs, dmft, DMFS and DMFT scores were 8.45, 4.16, 3.59 and 2.25 respectively. The decayed component accounted for >85% of the scores. The highest dmfs/dmft means were found among the 6–8 years age group, while the highest DMFS/DMFT means were scored by the 12–14 years age group. The need for restorative treatment and extractions was high; the former was significantly higher among the females. All subjects had gingivitis; the mean PI, CI and GI were 1.25, 0.3 and 1.36 respectively. Khat chewing did not affect caries experience; however, it was significantly associated with higher PI, CI and GI scores. Conclusions: The prevalence of caries, gingivitis and treatment needs among children in Sana’a city is high. More surveys in other Yemeni cities to generate comprehensive data are required.     

Dental caries status of Dai preschool children in Yunnan Province,China

Background

The Dai people, one of the ethnic minorities in China, have a population of 1,260,000. They have the same origin as one of the main ethnic groups of Laos and Thailand. Most of the Dai live in Yunnan province, which is located in the less-developed southwestern part of China. This study aimed to describe the oral health status of Dai preschool children in China and the factors that influence their oral health status.

Methods

An oral health survey was performed between 2011 and 2012 to select Dai five-year-old children using multi-stage stratified sampling in Yunnan. Their dental caries experience was measured using the “dmft” index, and severe caries was assessed using the “pa” index, which is modified from the “pufa” index. Oral hygiene status was assessed using the visual plaque index (VPI). A questionnaire to study the children’s socio-demographic background and oral health-related behaviours was completed by the children’s parents.

Results

A total of 833 children were examined. Their caries prevalence was 89% and 49% of the children had carious tooth with pulp involvement. The mean (SD) dmft score was 7.0 (5.3). Higher dmft scores were found among children who were girls, were currently bottle-fed, took daily sweet snacks, had higher VPI scores, and had visited a dentist within the last year.

Conclusions

The caries prevalence and experience of the five-year-old Dai children in Yunnan, China was high, and almost half had severe caries. The caries experience was associated with gender, snack habits, dental visit habits, and oral hygiene status.

     

Relationship between Oral Health-Related Quality of Life, Satisfaction, and Personality in Patients with Prosthetic Rehabilitations

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between oral health‐related quality of life, satisfaction with dentition, and personality profiles among patients with fixed and/or removable prosthetic rehabilitations. Materials and Methods: Thirty‐seven patients (13 males, 24 females; mean age 37.6 ± 13.3 years) with fitted prosthetic rehabilitations and 37 controls who matched the patients by age and gender were recruited into the study. The Dental Impact on Daily Living (DIDL) questionnaire was used to assess dental impacts on daily living and satisfaction with the dentition. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) was used to measure self‐reported discomfort, disability, and dysfunction caused by oral conditions. Oral health‐related quality of life was assessed by the United Kingdom Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life (OHQoL‐UK) measure. Moreover, the NEO five‐factor inventory was used to assess participants’ personality profiles. Results: Prosthetic factors had no relationship to the DIDL, OHIP, and OHQoL‐UK scores. Patients with the least oral health impacts had better oral health‐related quality of life (p= 0.023, r =–0.37), higher levels of total satisfaction, and satisfaction with appearance, pain, oral comfort, general performance, and eating (p < 0.05, r =–0.79, –0.35, –0.59, –0.56, –0.58, and –0.50, respectively). Patients with better oral health‐related quality of life (QoL) had higher total satisfaction, satisfaction with oral comfort, general performance, and eating (p < 0.05, r = 0.34, 0.39, 0.33, and 0.37, respectively). Patients with lower neuroticism scores had less oral health impact (p= 0.006, r = 0.44), better oral health‐related QoL (p= 0.032, r =–0.35), higher total satisfaction, satisfaction with appearance, pain, oral comfort, and eating (p < 0.05, r =–0.58, –0.35, –0.33, –0.39, and –0.35, respectively). Conclusion: Patients’ satisfaction with their dentition and prosthetic rehabilitations has positive effects on oral health‐related QoL and oral health impacts and improves patients’ daily living and dental perceptions. Neuroticism might influence and predict patients’ satisfaction with their dentition, oral health impacts, and oral health‐related QoL. Satisfaction with the dentition might predict a patient's level of neuroticism.     

Oral health of psychiatric patients: the nurse's perspective

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene 10 , 2012; 245–249
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2011.00537.x Azodo CC, Ezeja EB, Omoaregba JO, James BO. Oral health of psychiatric patients: the nurse’s perspective. Abstract: Objective: To assess nurses’ perspectives on character, prevalence and cause of oral diseases among psychiatric patients and also their approach and suggestions in relation to the care of oral problems. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional survey of all cadres of nurses (n = 136) at the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, was conducted between December 2010 and January 2011. Results: Two‐thirds (67.6%) of the respondents reported that psychiatric in‐patients in comparison with the general population have a higher occurrence of oral and dental problems. Commonly cited reasons for the poor oral health of patients included as follows: sedation for long periods, lack of care by family, psychopathological symptoms, poor access to dentists and lack of oral hygiene advice. The common oral health complaints received by the respondents included toothache, pain from the gums and inability to open the mouth. Majority (91.4%) of respondents claimed to be presently involved with oral care of psychiatric in‐patients but oral care delivery is however bedevilled with lot of barriers like uncooperativeness of patients and lack of oral care materials. Conclusion: Oral complaints received are frequent and numerate with limited palliative action rendered. Attaching dentists to psychiatric hospitals and regular training of psychiatric nurses on oral care delivery are recommended to comprehensively cater for the oral health problems of psychiatric in‐patients.