Frequency of sweet and salty snack consumption among children in relation to their mothers' education level.

Aim To investigate the frequency of consumption of sweet and salty snacks among children aged 2-18 years in relation to their mothers' education level. Methods A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in five dental practices at the School of Medicine of the University of Mostar from May to October 2022. The data were collected from medical records. Results: Out of a total of 477 children, 172 (36.1%) had mothers with a high school education, while 305 (63.9%) had mothers with a university degree. In the group of preschool children (aged 2-6 years), there were 42 mothers with high school education and 105 with university degree. In the group of school children (age 7-18 years) there were 130 mothers with high school education and 200 with university degree. The difference in the consumption of sweetened beverages among children of mothers with high school and university was not statistically significant. Similar results were found for the consumption of salty snacks, lollipops, caramels and candies. The frequency of the consumption of biscuits, chocolate and cakes (several times a day) was statistically significantly higher among the children of mothers with high school education (p=0.04), especially among school children. Eating habits of children, regardless of the level of education of their mothers, differed significantly only in the consumption of lollipops, caramels, and candies (p=0.03), which were consumed once a day by 79 (63.7%) schoolchildren and 45 (36.3%) of pre-schoolers. Conclusion A higher level of education among mothers does not necessarily equate to proper nutritional knowledge.

Fusion of Unerupted Mesiodens with a Regular Maxillary Central Incisor: a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge.

The mesiodens is the most frequent type of supernumerary tooth which can appear in the maxillary midline area. The etiology of mesiodentes is not fully understood. This report shows a case of incomplete fusion of an unerupted mesiodens with a permanent maxillary central incisor, aligned in the dental arch. Intraoral and radiographic examinations indicated fusion of the crown and cervical part of the root of the supernumerary tooth with the permanent incisor. The clinical situation was further complicated by the presence of another supernumerary tooth located palatally. The treatment approach has included two phase surgical therapy to extract the supernumerary teeth. Early diagnosis and appropriate surgical treatment of mesiodentes are important to decrease the risk of clinical complications. Pre-operative 3D imaging is strongly advisable since it allows accurate data to be obtained, and reduces the extent of surgery and the possibility of procedural complications. In most cases, a multidisciplinary collaboration is necessary for precise diagnosis and predictable treatment outcome.

Comparison of different surgical procedures on the stability of dental implants in posterior maxilla: A randomized clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Stability of a dental implant is very important when planning immediate loading and design of a final restoration. The aim of this study was to compare the primary and the secondary stability of dental implants inserted by three different surgical techniques: conventional (standard) technique using a sequence of drills for implant bed preparation, osteotome technique using tapered hand instruments for creating implant sites by condensing the bone and guided flapless implant surgery with surgical templates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 150 patients (80 males and 70 females), 46-71 years old, who required implant supported fixed partial dentures in the posterior maxilla of D3 or D4 bone density. Patients were randomly assigned into one of the three surgical insertion technique groups. All patients received tapered implants of the same manufacturer of the same length and two different widths (3.3 × 11.5 mm or 4.2 × 11.5 mm). Primary and secondary implant stability were measured by means of resonance frequency analysis (RFA) at the time of implant placement and 5 months after surgery using the Ostell ISQ device (Osstell AB, Sampgatan, Goteborg, Sweden). Statistical analysis included one-sample Kolmogorov Smirnov test, descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis (Bonferoni post-hoc tests) and paired t-tests. RESULTS: Patients in the osteotome group exhibited higher primary stability (P < 0.01) than in the conventional and surgically guided flapless groups. There were no significant differences in the secondary stability (p > 0.05). Wider implants presented higher ISQ values (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The osteotome technique led to the highest implant primary stability, therefore it can be recommended when immediate loading is planned or for one-piece implant insertion.

Determinants of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the West Herzegovina Canton.

A study of COVID-19 infected patients was conducted regarding to organic and psychological characteristics. The findings of the study indicate that in the period of the pandemic in 2020, a total of 78 infection cases were confirmed in West Herzegovina Canton. Of the total number of infected, 55.1% are women and 44.9% are men. Of the infected population, 16.7% were hospitalized. By monitoring the COVID-19 disease in West Herzegovina Canton, we conclude how all manifestations of the disease were represented, from asymptomatic, through mild respiratory to the most severe clinical picture with fatal outcomes. The mortality rate in West Herzegovina Canton is 5.1%. The study showed that a total of 28.2% of COVID-19 positive patients before infecting with virus, were most likely to suffer from hypertension, diabetes and malignancies. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that a total of 71.9% of those infected are without underlying diseases. Also, the results indicate that people with COVID-19 in addition to the characteristic symptoms of the disease (fever, fatigue, cough, etc.) had certain mental ailments such as decreased general mood, increased anxiety, panic attacks, acute stress disorder and others.

Prevalence of periodontal diseases in North Herzegovina.

AIM: To investigate effects of smoking on periodontal tissue and the occurrence of periodontal disease in the population of North Herzegovina. METHODS: The study included 800 persons of 20-49 years of age (400 smokers and 400 non-smokers), inhabitants of Prozor-Rama Municipality, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Periodontal condition assessment was made by the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs index (CPITN) at representative teeth: 16, 17, 21, 26, 27, 36, 37, 31, 46, and 47.Statistically significant difference between non-smokers and smokers was tested by χ2 test with the level of significance set at p=0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of healthy periodontal tissues was lower in smokers than in non-smokers, 25 (6.3%)and 36 (9%), respectively. The prevalence of gingival bleeding, calculus, shallow and deep periodontal pockets was higher in smokers than in non-smokers, although it was not significant. There was a risk between occurrence of deep periodontal pockets and smoking (RR=2). A total of 64 (8%)participants neededonly instructions on proper oral hygiene, 654 (81.8%) prophylaxis and initial treatment,while 21 (2.6%) needed complex periodontal treatment. CONCLUSION: Obtained results indicate a high need of preventive measures and the improvement of oral health in the population of North Herzegovina.

Follicular jaw cysts.

The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence, localization, size, ways of diagnosing and treatment of a foIlicular jaw cyst. Assessment of the patients' motives and their earlier health status was recorded, as well as their postoperative clinical course. Most of the patients were admitted because of pain, swelling, trismus, or other difficulties associated with cyst formation. Follicular cysts with persisting primary predecessor had an asymptomatic development, and were discovered after orthodontic examination or by chance. In most cases pathohistological finding and description of the formation have coincided with each other (p < 0.05). Cysts of different sizes were treated by different surgical approaches, most commonly alveolotomy and cystectomy in small cysts, while alveolotomy and cystectomy with suction or iodine tampon in large cysts. Cooperation of a dentist, an oral surgeon, a pathologist, and other specialists can lead to early diagnose and prevention of further growth of a follicular jaw cyst, thus preventing substantial bone damage.