Childhood Experiences and Perspectives of Individuals With Orofacial Clefts: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Children and adolescents with orofacial clefts may experience ongoing psychosocial impacts due to the continuous nature of cleft treatments, facial and dental differences, and speech and hearing difficulties. The aim of this qualitative systematic review was to better understand the experiences of children and adolescents with orofacial clefts. DESIGN: A systematic search strategy using PubMed, Embase, Emcare, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was performed to identify relevant qualitative studies evaluating the lived experience of children and adolescents with orofacial clefts from inception through to June 2021. Eligible studies were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs methodology and a meta-aggregative approach. RESULTS: The search identified 2466 studies, with 13 found to meet the inclusion criteria. Extraction of 155 findings resulted in 27 categories, which were meta-aggregated into 7 overarching synthesized findings. These 7 core findings included aspects of child experience and findings that enhanced or impeded child experience at the individual, family, and community levels. CONCLUSIONS: Factors that impeded child experience at the individual, family, and community levels were more pronounced than factors that enhanced their experience among children and adolescents with orofacial clefts. Further initiatives are needed to provide support to individuals, families, and school communities to enhance children's experience of orofacial cleft during the formative childhood and adolescent years.

Prevalence and morphological features of molar-root incisor malformation in children attending a specialist paediatric dental unit.

BACKGROUND: Molar-root incisor malformation (MRIM) is a rare dental anomaly featuring constricted cervical margins and tapered, narrow root and pulp morphology, often associated with severe toothache and infection. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MRIM in children seen in a specialist paediatric dental unit of a tertiary referral hospital and to describe the characteristics of affected individuals. DESIGN: This study was an audit of children attending from November 2020 to November 2021. Radiographs were used to identify individuals with MRIM, and clinical data were collated. In addition, histology and microcomputed tomography (microCT) imaging were performed on teeth extracted from an affected individual. RESULTS: The prevalence of MRIM was five cases of 1054 children examined (0.47% or 1:210). The permanent first molars were affected in all five children and the primary second molars in two children; all children had medical comorbidities and multiple exposures to general anesthesia before 4 years of age. In addition, histological and microCT analyses displayed numerous microchannels connecting the pulp chamber to the external surface of the tooth at the furcation. CONCLUSIONS: Molar-root incisor malformation is an uncommon dental anomaly affecting paediatric patients with multiple comorbidities and is characterized by porosities extending from the pulp chamber to the external tooth surface, predisposing the risk of bacterial ingress from the oral cavity into the pulp chamber. Early detection may prevent atypical odontogenic facial pain and infection.

Non-traumatic emergency department dental visits among patients 0-25 years of age: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDC) that made children attending to emergency departments (EDs) of tertiary hospitals can put significant financial and time strain on hospitals. AIM: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to calculate the prevalence of paediatric presentations to EDs of tertiary hospitals for NTDC and describe the characteristics of these presentations. DESIGN: A systematic search strategy using PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases was performed to identify studies quantifying NTDC presentations to EDs of tertiary hospitals from inception through to July 2022. Eligible studies were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for studies reporting prevalence. RESULTS: The search identified 31 099 studies, from which 14 were found to meet the inclusion criteria. A random effects model was used for meta-analysis, and the prevalence of NTDC reported through EDs of tertiary hospitals ranged from 52.3% to 77.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Nontraumatic dental conditions, which may be preventable when caused by dental caries, made up a high proportion of dental visits to tertiary hospital EDs. Public health initiatives should be considered to reduce the burden of NTDC on EDs.

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva: A Case Report with Pseudo-Ankylosis of the Temporomandibular Joint.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare condition characterized by progressive heterotopic ossifications and congenital hallux valgus deformities. The common underlying genetic cause is an ACVR1 mutation, resulting in altered bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) regulation. Trauma and/or minor procedures aggravate the abnormal bony formation in soft tissues. This report presents a 3-year-old child with this condition who presented pseudo-ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after minor craniofacial trauma. Abnormal ossification in the medial pterygoid muscle was identified as the causative abnormality for the presentation with trismus.

DNA sequencing versus standard prenatal aneuploidy screening.

BACKGROUND: In high-risk pregnant women, noninvasive prenatal testing with the use of massively parallel sequencing of maternal plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA testing) accurately detects fetal autosomal aneuploidy. Its performance in low-risk women is unclear. METHODS: At 21 centers in the United States, we collected blood samples from women with singleton pregnancies who were undergoing standard aneuploidy screening (serum biochemical assays with or without nuchal translucency measurement). We performed massively parallel sequencing in a blinded fashion to determine the chromosome dosage for each sample. The primary end point was a comparison of the false positive rates of detection of fetal trisomies 21 and 18 with the use of standard screening and cfDNA testing. Birth outcomes or karyotypes were the reference standard. RESULTS: The primary series included 1914 women (mean age, 29.6 years) with an eligible sample, a singleton fetus without aneuploidy, results from cfDNA testing, and a risk classification based on standard screening. For trisomies 21 and 18, the false positive rates with cfDNA testing were significantly lower than those with standard screening (0.3% vs. 3.6% for trisomy 21, P<0.001; and 0.2% vs. 0.6% for trisomy 18, P=0.03). The use of cfDNA testing detected all cases of aneuploidy (5 for trisomy 21, 2 for trisomy 18, and 1 for trisomy 13; negative predictive value, 100% [95% confidence interval, 99.8 to 100]). The positive predictive values for cfDNA testing versus standard screening were 45.5% versus 4.2% for trisomy 21 and 40.0% versus 8.3% for trisomy 18. CONCLUSIONS: In a general obstetrical population, prenatal testing with the use of cfDNA had significantly lower false positive rates and higher positive predictive values for detection of trisomies 21 and 18 than standard screening. (Funded by Illumina; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01663350.).

Oral health assessment practices and perceptions of North American paediatric cardiologists.

OBJECTIVE: Children with cardiac defects should have good oral health, particularly prior to cardiac surgery to minimize risks of infective endocarditis. The aim of the study was to examine the oral health assessment practices of North American cardiologists. METHODS: Online surveys were e-mailed to 1409 cardiologists. Cardiologists without paediatric patients or practicing in centres without cardiac surgical care were excluded. Surveys addressed oral health assessment practices for paediatric cardiac patients, and perceptions of the impact of oral health on cardiac care. RESULTS: The centre response rate was 69%, individual response rate 20%. Most cardiologists (96%) reported oral health was assessed as part of cardiac care. The most common time for assessment was prior to cardiac surgery (44%), with a quarter assessing by age 1 (28%). While most oral assessments involved a dentist (59%), 17% of cardiologists performed the oral assessment without the aid of a dentist. Four-fifths of cardiologists (83%) reported cancellation of cardiac surgery due to oral disease. Cardiologists who deferred assessment until prior to surgery had the highest experience of cancellation (96%). Assessments were delayed despite the common belief (89%) that children on pre-surgical high-calorie diets are at increased risk of oral disease. CONCLUSION: Assessments of oral health status were often deferred until immediately prior to cardiac surgery despite the cardiologist's perception that children with cardiac defects were at increased risk of oral disease and prior experience of surgical cancellation due to oral disease. Paediatricians may need to facilitate early oral assessment for these children.

Distribution and severity of molar hypomineralisation: trial of a new severity index.

BACKGROUND: Current molar hypomineralisation (MH) indices do not guide clinicians in management of affected dentitions, and treatment is based on individual judgment. AIM: The aims of this study were to describe characteristics of MH and molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) and trial the new Molar Hypomineralisation Severity Index (MHSI). DESIGN: First permanent molars (FPMs) and permanent incisors (PIs) in 283 affected children were examined for hypomineralisation characteristics [defect colour, location, post-eruptive breakdown (PEB); restorations placed/replaced/atypical; sensitivity]. The MHSI scores were compared with treatment received (152 children). RESULTS: Mean (SD) affected teeth/dentition were as follows: FPMs: 3.2 (1.0) and PIs: 1.6 (1.6). Affected FPMs showed no arch or quadrant predilection; maxillary central PIs were affected particularly. As affected FPMs/dentition increased, MIH diagnoses also increased (P = 0.009). Among FPMs, defects most prevalent were brown (47%) and cuspal (74%); 67% showed PEB. Before study entry, 43% of FPMs had restorations placed/replaced. Among PIs, white defects were common (65%) on smooth surfaces; sensitivity was rare. Affected FPMs received more restorations and extractions than unaffected FPMs (P = 0.0001). As MHSI scores increased, FPM treatments/dentition increased (number, invasiveness). All characteristics were significant in predicting treatment (logistic regression model). CONCLUSIONS: A spectrum from MH to MIH occurred. The MHSI characteristics were predictive of the treatment of affected FPMs and can guide management.

Qualitative Interviews to Assess the Content Validity and Usability of the Electronic Raynaud Diary in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the symptoms and impacts of Raynaud phenomenon (RP) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to evaluate the content validity and usability of a new electronic patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure for RP: the Raynaud Diary. METHODS: The Raynaud Diary was developed as a daily eDiary for assessing the number and duration of symptomatic Raynaud attacks; worst pain, numbness, tingling, and discomfort in the fingers; and overall disease severity, captured using the Raynaud's Condition Score. The Raynaud Diary was debriefed in two waves of qualitative interviews with adults with self-reported RP secondary to SSc. All interviews included open-ended questions about participants' experiences of RP. RESULTS: Participants (N = 39) had a mean age of 55.1 years, and 87% were female. Frequently reported RP symptoms were color change (reported by all participants), numbness (90%), tingling (82%), pain (77%), and discomfort (72%). Common attack triggers included temperature-related factors and stress. Participants reported being unable to be outside or do outdoor activities and had problems gripping objects. All participants demonstrated understanding of the Raynaud Diary instructions. Most participants indicated that they would be able to use the Raynaud Diary to record the worst severity of individual RP symptoms in the previous 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Patients with RP secondary to SSc bear a heavy symptom burden. The Raynaud Diary is a content valid PRO measure that captures the most frequent symptoms of RP in patients with SSc.

Contemporary behavior management techniques in clinical pediatric dentistry: out with the old and in with the new?

Effective behavior management guides children through the complex social context of dentistry utilizing techniques based on a current understanding of the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children. Behavior management techniques facilitate effective communication and establish social and behavioral guidelines for the dental environment. Contemporary parenting styles, expectations, and attitudes of modern parents and society have influenced the use of behavior management techniques with a prevailing emphasis on communicative techniques and pharmacological management over aversive techniques.