Changes in Andrews' fifth key of occlusion (interproximal contacts) before and after orthodontic treatment.

This study aimed to assess the changes in interproximal contacts before and after orthodontic treatment using the OXIS classification. OXIS refers to the types of contacts that is open (O), point contact (X), straight contact (I), and curved contact (S), and thus the acronym "OXIS". Interproximal contact data of 30 orthodontic patients were obtained at three time points: T0, at the beginning of treatment; T1, at the end of fixed appliance treatment; and T2, one-year post-treatment. For the maxillary second molar-first molar contact, the most common contact at T0, was the "S" pattern (41.6%) which increased to 61.6% at T1 and reduced to 48.3% at T2. For the maxillary first molar-second premolar contact, maxillary second premolar-first premolar contact, and maxillary first premolar-canine contact, the most common contact at T0 was the "I" pattern (58.3%, 46.5% and 43.3%, respectively), which increased to 88.3%, 93.3% and 73.3%, respectively at T1 and decreased to 80%, 88.3% and 71.6%, respectively at T2. For the maxillary canine-lateral incisor contact and lateral-central incisor contact, the most common contact at T0 was the "O" pattern (45% and 33.3%) while it was the "X" pattern at T1 (63.3% and 80%) and T2 (58.3% and 80%). A similar observation was made for the posterior mandibular and anterior teeth. There was statistical significance for most of the changes in the mandibular contacts (p ˂ 0.05). Interproximal contacts change significantly from T0 to T1. Broader contacts were normal at T1 and T2 in the posterior segments. At T2, changes in the interproximal contacts were observed in the posterior segments, and substantial evidence was available, particularly for the mandibular arch.

Sustainable development goals and ending ECC as a public health crisis.

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) remains a global issue despite numerous advancements in research and interventional approaches. Nearly, 530 million children suffer from untreated dental caries of primary teeth. The consequences of such untreated dental caries not only limit the child's chewing and eating abilities but also, significantly impact the child's overall growth. Research has demonstrated that ECC is associated with nearly 123 risk factors. ECC has also been associated with local pain, infections, abscesses, and sleep pattern. Furthermore, it can affect the child's emotional status and decrease their ability to learn or perform their usual activities. In high-income countries, dental care continues to endorse a "current treatment-based approach" that involves high-technology, interventionist, and specialized approaches. While such approaches provide immediate benefit at an individual level, it fails to intercept the underlying causes of the disease at large. In low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), the "current treatment approach" often remains limited, unaffordable, and unsuitable for the majority of the population. Rather, dentistry needs to focus on "sustainable goals" and integrate dental care with the mainstream healthcare system and primary care services. Dental care systems should promote "early first dental visits," when the child is 1 year of age or when the first tooth arrives. The serious shortages of appropriately trained oral healthcare personnel in certain regions of the world, lack of appropriate technologies and isolation of oral health services from the health system, and limited adoption of prevention and oral health promotion can pose as critical barriers. The oral health care systems must focus on three major keystones to combat the burden of ECC-1. Essential oral health services are integrated into healthcare in every country ensuring the availability of appropriate healthcare accessible and available globally, 2. Integrating oral and general healthcare to effectively prevent and manage oral disease and improve oral health, 3. Collaborating with a wide range of health workers to deliver sustainable oral health care tailored to cater to the oral health care needs of local communities.