Investigating the Level of Knowledge of the Community about Oral and Dental Health.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the knowledge and approaches of the participants about oral and dental health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey. Participants' demographic characteristics, tooth brushing habits, selection of toothpaste, and reasons for visiting the dentist were examined in this study. Participants' knowledge levels of fluoride and their attitudes toward the most common fluoride applications among preventive treatments were also evaluated. Data entry and analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software. Descriptive and inferential statistics and chi-square test were used for analyzes. RESULTS: A total of 2,744 voluntary participants including 1,938 (70.6%) females and 806 (29.4%) males responded; 1,391 (50.7%) participants know the contents of their toothpaste; 1,680 (61.2%) participants point out that fluoride is effective in preventing dental caries. Female participants reported a statistically significant difference in their knowledge of what is fluoride when compared with male participants (p = 0.0001). The knowledge level of participants who had higher levels of education were statistically significantly different when compared with the participants who had lower education levels about fluoride and fluoride applications (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that participants' attitudes toward oral health and dental care need to be improved.

Clinical success rate of fissure sealants: one-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical success rate of resin-based fissure sealants applied at Istanbul University, Department of Pediatric Dentistry after 1 year of application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children with at least one pair of caries-free permanent first molars with deep pits and fissures were included in the study. The ages of children ranged from 7-13 (mean age: 9.2±1.22). Resin-based fissure sealant was applied to the 322 fissures of the first permanent molars in 100 children. 12 months after the application, children were recalled for examination. Recall examinations were carried out by the same dentist. Fissure sealants were evaluated at 12th month by using Ryge criteria: Retention (R), precence of caries (PC), marginal adaptation (MA), marginal discoloration (MD) and cracking (C). RESULTS: 12 months after the application, all of the children were recalled and fissure sealants were examinated. Our findigs are: R: Alpha 95 (29.5%), Bravo: 143 (44.4%), Charlie: 84 (26%); PC: Alpha 274, Bravo 48 (14.9%); MD: Alpha 322; MA: Alpha 279, Bravo 43 (13.3%); C: Alpha 321, Bravo 1 (0.3%). CONCLUSION: The preventive effects of the sealant are only maintained as long as it remains completely intact and bonded in place. After applying fissure sealants, patients must be recalled and sealants must be checked to provide retention and marginal adaptation.