Comparison of effectiveness of oral hygiene instruction methods in improving plaque scores among 8-9-year children: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The relative effectiveness of different methods used for delivery of information regarding oral health in children has not been widely raised in the literature. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of verbal oral hygiene instruction (OHI) against the verbal instruction supplemented by three different methods (written, teeth teaching model, and videotape) on the mean plaque scores and to determine factors that may influence the effectiveness of methods used. METHODS: Prospective-comparative randomized controlled trial carried out on 120 children aged 8-9 years. Participants were randomly divided into four groups (verbal, verbal and written, verbal and teeth teaching model, and verbal and video). Plaque Control Index was evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks after OHI. ANOVA and post hoc, t test, and ANCOVA were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease of the mean percentage of plaque scores was found indicating the effectiveness of different methods of delivery of OHI (p < 0.01, 0.001). Verbal supported by teaching model was the most statistically effective method (p < 0.001) followed by the verbal (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the improvement in plaque score (p < 0.001) between the four methods of OHI after controlling for age, gender, monthly income, mother's and father's educational levels and plaque index before delivery of OHI. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the method used, a gradient of effectiveness was observed in improving plaque scores. Verbal instruction supplemented by teaching model was the most effective. Effectiveness was influenced by monthly income, mother's and father's educational levels and plaque index before OHI.

Parental perception and acceptance of silver diamine fluoride treatment among Syrian refugees.

OBJECTIVE: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an effective cariostatic agent, although staining associated with treatment is a significant impediment to its acceptability. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of Syrian refugees to identify acceptance of SDF treatment. METHODS: Information was collected on: sociodemographics, medical/dental child history, dental status (dmft/DMFT), andperceptions of photographs of SDF-treated teeth. Associations between clinical findings and the acceptability were assessed. RESULTS: Of 258 parents or guardians, 37.8% accepted SDF treatment for their children. Acceptance was related to the location and type of teeth, being higher for primary than permanent teeth, and posterior than anterior teeth in both dentitions. Uncooperative behavior during previous dental treatment, the presence of dental discoloration, history of child dental pain, and number of filled teeth were all associated with better parental acceptance. Acceptance was also related to parental age, level of education, and their relation to the child. CONCLUSION: Parents' acceptance of SDF treatment is low. However, staining on posterior teeth was more acceptable than staining on anterior teeth and on primary more than permanent teeth.

Association between intensity of smoking and periodontal pockets among young university students.

UNLABELLED: Smoking is known to be a risk factor for the progression of periodontal disease. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between intensity and duration of cigarette smoking with the presence of periodontal pockets at a young adult age in relation to oral hygiene practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative study was carried out on a systematically selected random sample of 357 Jordanian university students aged between 18-28 years. Subjects were interviewed about their smoking habits for the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the duration. Clinical examination was performed by a qualified periodontist for the detection of periodontal pockets (probing depth > or = 5 mm). Subjects were divided into four groups: Group A (smoker with pockets at many sites), Group B (smoker with no pockets), Group C (non-smoker with pockets), and group D (non-smoker with no pockets). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test of association, One-Way ANOVA, and Logistic Regression were performed (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The study showed 40.2% pockets prevalence among smokers (group A), while it was only 11.8% for non-smokers (group C), indicating strong association between periodontal pockets and smoking (P < 0.0001). Odds ratio for group A compared to group C was 5:1. In addition, the heavier the dose and the longer the duration of smoking, the more periodontal pockets were present (P < 0.0001). A significant association of the presence/absence of periodontal pockets and patient's own oral hygiene practices was found among the four groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among young smokers, this study has confirmed existence of significant association between smoking and presence of periodontal pockets, especially with increased intensity and longer duration of smoking.

In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of nine root canal sealers: direct contact test.

PURPOSE: The aim of this in-vitro study was to analyze the antimicrobial activity of root canal sealers by using the direct contact test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine root canal sealers (4 resin-based sealers, 3 zinc oxide-eugenol based (ZOE) sealers, and 2 calcium hydroxide based sealers) and three microbial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis) were used in the present study. The antimicrobial activity of root canal sealers was tested by using the direct contact test at three time intervals. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Tests of differences were analyzed by T tests and a value of p < or = 0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus: All sealers showed significant differences when freshly mixed except Endorez and sealapex. Candida albicans (90028): Only the 48 hours and the one week preparations of Sealapex showed significant differences. The 48 hrs preparations of Topseal and AH plus showed significant differences. The ZOE based sealers showed significant differences at all time intevals. Candida albicans (10231): All sealers showed significant differences when freshly mixed except the two calcium hydroxide based sealers that showed no significant differences at all time intervals. Enterococcus faecalis: Topseal, AH plus, AH 26, Sealite regular and Acroseal showed significant differences only when freshly mixed. The 48 hours and the week preparations of all root canal sealers showed no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that that antimicrobial activity of the tested sealers depends on the time interval between mixing and testing. Most sealers exhibited antibacterial activity when freshly mixed that is lost over time.

Prevalence, association, and sexual dimorphism of Carabelli's molar and shovel incisor traits amongst Jordanian population.

INTRODUCTION: The correlation between dental morphological traits can be used as an indicator to show major ethnic differences. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of Carabelli's molar and shovel incisor traits and tested their association and sexual dimorphism in Jordanian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred subjects of school children at their 10th grade and of 15.5-year as an average age were involved. Alginate impressions for the maxillary arch were taken, poured, and casts were then trimmed. The selected accurate casts were of 132 male- and 155 female-students. The examined morphologic traits were Carabelli's trait on the maxillary first and second molars and shovel-shaped incisors. The relationship between different traits was investigated by Nonparametric Correlation analysis and Independent Sample t test was used to test sexual dimorphism in trait expression. RESULTS: The prevalence of Carabelli's trait in maxillary first molar and shovel trait in maxillary central incisor was relatively high (65.0 % and 53.0 %, respectively). The prevalence of Carabelli's trait on maxillary second molars was 3.8 %. Nonparametric Correlations revealed a strongest positive correlation between Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar and shovel trait in males (P = 0.005). Significant sexual dimorphism was only found in the prevalence of Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar (P = 0.013) and shovel trait (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The Jordanian Population had comparatively high prevalence of Carabelli's molar and shovel incisor traits. There was a positive association between Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar and shovel trait in males. Sexual dimorphism was evident in Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar and shovel trait.

Comparison between two methods of working length determination and its effect on radiographic extent of root canal filling: a clinical study [ISRCTN71486641].

BACKGROUND: Obtaining a correct working length is critical to the success of endodontic therapy. Different methods have been used to identify this crucial measurement. The Aim of this clinical study was to compare the effect of working length determination using apex locator alone or in combination with working length radiograph on the apical extent of root canal filling. METHODS: A total number of 66 patients, 151 canals were randomized into two groups, In group (I) working length was determined by apex locator alone, while in group (II) working length was determined by apex locator confirmed by working length radiograph, length of obturation was assessed, and the total number of radiographs was recorded. The data were analyzed using SAS system and T. tests were carried out. Statistical significance was considered to be P 0.05). CONCLUSION: The practice of using electronic apex locator in the determination of working length is useful and reliable with no statistical difference of the radiographic extent of root canal filling when using apex locator alone or in combination with working length radiograph. Under the clinical conditions of this study, it is suggested that the correct use of an apex locator alone could prevent the need for further diagnostic radiographs for determination of working length. This method can be useful in patients who need not to be exposed to repeated radiation because of mental, medical or oral conditions.