Evaluation of Anatomic Features and Assessment Tools to Determine Treatment of Ankyloglossia.

Purpose: To evaluate the use of lingual frenotomy assessment tools and the anatomical features most commonly used by dentists and otolaryngologists to determine if a frenotomy was indicated.
Methods: A nine-question survey was distributed to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry members and otolaryngologists in the American Medical Association. The survey consisted of three categories: (1) demographics; (2) use of a standardized assessment tool; and (3) assessing anatomical features for frenotomy. Three different cases of ankyloglossia were given to assess which anatomical features were used to determine if a frenotomy was needed.
Results: Subjects included 404 practitioners. The most common frenotomy assessment tool utilized was the Hazelbaker assessment tool, followed by the LATCH and Bristol tongue assessment tools. The anatomical features used by most responders in determining if a frenotomy was indicated were the appearance of the tongue when lifted, tongue protrusion, frenulum length, and frenulum type.
Conclusions: Many practitioners believe frenotomies for ankyloglossia are indicated when there is a functional impairment and an anatomical component. This study suggests that the general appearance of the tongue when lifted is the most common anatomical feature used for assessing the need for a frenotomy.

Insurance status and untreated dental caries in Virginia schoolchildren.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this investigation were to: (1) provide a descriptive account of untreated dental caries for Virginia schoolchildren; and (2) examine the relationship between a child's insurance status and the presence of untreated dental caries. METHODS: In 1999, the Virginia Department of Health completed an Oral Health Assessment on first-, third-, and 10th-grade children. The oral assessment used a probability proportional to size sampling scheme to obtain a representative sample of public schoolchildren. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were completed to examine the relationship between insurance status and the presence of untreated dental caries. RESULTS: In the primary dentition, schoolchildren with no insurance had the highest prevalence of untreated dental caries (65%) compared to: (1) schoolchildren with medical insurance only (42%); and (2) those with both medical and dental insurance (25%). With the exception of children having only medical insurance, children enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program were more likely to have untreated dental caries. CONCLUSIONS: In the primary dentition, children with no insurance were more likely to have untreated dental caries than those with both medical and dental insurance. Insurance status does not appear to be associated with untreated dental caries in the permanent dentition.