Parents of Children With Versus Without Special Health Care Needs and Oral Health Promotion: Challenges and Best Practices.

Purpose: Oral health care is a leading unmet health care need of children with special health care needs (CSHCNs). The purposes of this study were to: (1) compare the responses of parents (parents, caregivers) of children with versus without special health care needs (SHCNs) concerning their child's functioning, oral health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior; and (2) assess which information parents received/wanted to receive from dentists. Methods: A total of 122 parents of CSHCNs and 115 parents of children without SHCNs responded to the surveys. Results: Parents of CSHCNs reported that their children had lower functioning (per a four-point scale, with zero indicating worst functioning; means without SHCNs/CSHCNs equal 1.98/2.70; P<0.001) and nonverbal interactions (2.24/2.77; P<0.001), flossed and used mouth rinse less frequently (per a fivepoint scale, with one indicating never: 2.23/2.70; P=0.002; 1.82/2.27; P=0.004) than parents of children without SHCNs. They reported more oral care-related challenges (43.4 percent versus 21.7 percent; P<0.001), were less comfortable helping with oral care (per a five-point answer scale, with five indicating very comfortable: 3.92/4.48; P<0.001) and less interested in receiving information (3.13/3.71; P<0.001) than parents of children without SHCNs. Conclusions: Parents of children with or without special health care needs do not differ in their knowledge and attitudes. However, parents of CSHCNs are less comfortable in helping with oral care and less interested in receiving information than parents of children without SHCNs. Understanding the obstacles parents of CSHCNs face when providing oral care for their children can help dentists better support their oral health-related efforts.

Dentin dysplasia type 1 - clinical management dilemmas: A case report of first-generation sufferers.

Dentine Dysplasia is a rare genetic condition. The treatment options and dilemmas associated with the condition remain undiscovered so far. This article highlights the variations in traits and challenges faced in the treatment of the cases.

Comparative evaluation of enamel remineralization potential of processed cheese, calcium phosphate-based synthetic agent, and a fluoride-containing toothpaste: An in situ study.

BACKGROUND: Enamel remineralization potential of variety of products has been established, but there is a lack of evidence of comparison of remineralization potential of natural versus synthetic products. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the enamel remineralization potential of saliva, cheese, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP)-based synthetic agent, and fluoride toothpaste. DESIGN: In situ study was carried out on sixty individuals who wore an intraoral appliance containing demineralized enamel slabs for each agent. One out of six slabs was kept as a control so as to record the baseline values (neither subjected to demineralization nor remineralization). Experimental agents were applied on the designated enamel slabs on day 1, 4, 7, and 10 with a crossover wash out period of 7 days. Quantitative values of mineral content of slab were measured using energy dispersive X-ray and qualitative changes in surface topography of slab were seen under scanning electron microscope at ×20K magnification. RESULTS: Highly significant changes from baseline values were seen in calcium and phosphorus content of slabs treated with cheese and CPP-ACP-based agent whereas levels of fluoride were significantly higher in enamel slabs treated with fluoride-containing toothpaste. CONCLUSION: Cheese is an organic, economical, and user-friendly option over prescribed synthetic agents. A synergistic effect of fluoride-containing toothpaste with intake of cheese could be a good enamel remineralization protocol.