Fluoride, Thyroid Hormone Derangements and its Correlation with Tooth Eruption Pattern Among the Pediatric Population from Endemic and Non-endemic Fluorosis Areas.

AIM: To comparatively evaluate the status of fluoride in the body with thyroid activity in the pediatric population of endemic fluorosis areas. The present study also attempted to elucidate whether any correlation exists between fluoride and thyroid hormone derangement with delayed tooth eruption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 400 pediatric subjects were included in the present study. All the patients were divided into two broad groups; groups A and B. Group A included 200 subjects who belonged to the endemic fluorosis area while Group B included remaining 200 subjects, who belonged to the fluorosis non-endemic area. Group B subjects were taken as control. Group A subjects were further divided into two study groups as follows: Group A1: 100 Pediatric subjects with dental fluorosis, and Group A 2: A total of one hundred pediatric subjects without dental fluorosis. Dean's index of fluorosis was calculated in all the patients. Blood samples were collected and were sent to a laboratory for assessment of thyroid hormone levels. All the results were subjected to statistical analysis by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. RESULTS: Mean thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), water fluoride levels, urine fluoride levels and serum fluoride levels of subjects in group 1 were found to be significantly higher than that of subjects of group 2. Delayed tooth eruption was absent in subjects of group B while it was present in 100 subjects of group A. Thyroid hormone level derangement was seen in 54 percent subjects of group B, while it was seen in 67.5% subjects of group A. CONCLUSION: Positive correlation exists between fluorosis and thyroid functional activity. However; the tooth eruption pattern is independent up on the thyroid hormone derangement. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Delayed tooth eruption and alteration in thyroid hormone levels can occur in subjects of the endemic fluoride areas. Therefore, adequate measures should be taken for controlling such adverse effects.

Comparative Evaluation of the Phytochemical Analysis and Efficacy of Four Plant-derived Extracts against Streptococcus mutans: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction: Oral health is a loyal part of general health. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), dental caries is the most widespread noncommunicable disease and is a significant universal public health concern. The main causative organism associated with this disease is Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Various synthetic agents like chlorhexidine and fluorides are commercially available to prevent dental caries. However, these have side effects. Presently, research is engaged in the use of plant extracts to develop an effective and biocompatible material that may be used safely in the oral cavity. Methodology: Four plants were collected-Emblica officinalis, Vitis vinifera seeds, Psidium guajava (P. guajava) Linn leaves, and Acacia nilotica (A. nilotica), and extracts were prepared individually. These extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis, and bacterial growth and fermentation were assessed. Result: The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. All the plant extracts inhibited S. mutans growth at all serial dilutions except P. guajava Linn and A. nilotica showing 55 CFU/mL and 5 CFU/mL, respectively in 1/1000 dilution only. The phytochemical analysis confirmed that all four plant extracts had alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, and flavonoids. Steroids and proteins are present in P. guajava Linn. Proanthocyanidins were present in Vitis vinifera. Saponins and Anthraquinones were present in A. nilotica exclusively. Conclusion: All the extracts were effective against S. mutans. These could be tried as herbal alternatives to conventional adjuncts. However, these results must be additionally evaluated for toxicity in animal models, and effectiveness must be assessed using in vivo studies on human subjects. How to cite this article: Kripalani KB, Thomas NA, Thimmaiah C, et al. Comparative Evaluation of the Phytochemical Analysis and Efficacy of Four Plant-derived Extracts against Streptococcus mutans: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-3):S258-S262.

The Effects of Lavender Essential Oil and its Clinical Implications in Dentistry: A Review.

Essential oils have been known to have many medicinal properties. They have been utilized by medical practitioners since the medieval ages. Lavender essential oil is known to be rich in medicinal properties like antimicrobial activity, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antioxidant properties. Utilization of herbal products like lavender essential oils will benefit the patients in many ways. Incorporation of these properties in the field of dentistry has ample advantages. The purpose of this review article is to enlist the current and prospective uses of lavender essential oils in the field of dentistry and to identify the lacunae using which research regarding this topic can be taken one step closer to clinical practice. How to cite this article: Kajjari S, Joshi RS, Hugar SM, et al. The Effects of Lavender Essential Oil and its Clinical Implications in Dentistry: A Review. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):385-388.

Infected Radicular Cyst of Deciduous Second Molar Mimicking Dentigerous Cyst of Second Premolar in a Young Child: A Rare Entity.

Radicular cysts are the most common cystic lesions in the oral cavity. Radicular cysts have a rare occurrence in the primary dentition. Radicular cysts arising from deciduous teeth are reported to occur in the age range of 3-19 years with a male predominance. The etiological factor is long-standing dental caries and dental trauma. The present case report describes the inflammatory radicular cyst involving the deciduous mandibular second molar. Surgical management includes enucleation of the cyst along with mandibular second premolar in a 5-year-old female patient. The surgical cavity was closed by an obturator appliance to maintain the patency. Eventful healing was seen after 3 months of follow-up. How to cite this article: Kajjari S, Gowtham A, Meharwade P, et al. Infected Radicular Cyst of Deciduous Second Molar Mimicking Dentigerous Cyst of Second Premolar in a Young Child: A Rare Entity. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(3):434-437.

Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Alum and Herbal Mouthrinses on Plaque Inhibition in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria that compose oral biofilms produce many metabolites that induce the formation of dental plaque. Dental plaque is the main factor for the initiation and progression of oral diseases. Plaque preventive measures like mechanical or chemical approaches can be used in combination with this. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: A study was done to compare and evaluate the effects of 0.02 M alum mouthrinse, herbal mouthrinse, and saline on plaque inhibition in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty healthy children of age-group 9-12 years were included in the study and divided into 3 groups of 20 each: group I: alum containing mouthwash (0.02 M), group II: saline, and group III: herbal mouthwash, rinsing two times daily for 30 days. Plaque index scores were recorded from each individual on the 1st, 15th, and 30th day. RESULTS: Alum group (group I) showed a highly significant reduction of plaque at 1st, 15th, and 30th day when comparison to herbal group (group III) and saline group (group II). CONCLUSION: Ingredients in the alum group (group I) were effective in plaque inhibition, it may serve as an alternative antimicrobial mouthwash. Further long-term study with a large population group is recommended to determine the efficacy of alum-containing mouthwash and herbal (Hi-ora) mouthwash in improving oral health status. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Vanishree BK, Gangadharaiah C, Kajjari S, et al. Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Alum and Herbal Mouthrinses on Plaque Inhibition in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(5):610-615.

Bridging the communication gap in autistic children, one picture at a time.

One of the main domains of paediatric dentistry is providing oral health care, especially to the children with special needs, like those affected with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Such children exhibit poor oral hygiene primarily due to their limited communication ability, lack of joint attention, oversensitivity to sensory stimuli and motor coordination deficits. In such cases, multiple studies suggest and emphasize on the importance of early use of interventional services. Children affected with ASD tend to be visual learners, and therefore, are better suited for visual interventional methods. Amongst which, picture exchange communication system (PECS), originally developed by Bondy-Frost, is gaining rapid momentum. It is suggested to help individuals to initiate requests and communicate their needs via picture cards; hence aid in acquiring functional communication and speech, improve socio-communicative impairments, and decrease the behavioural problems. This scoping review aims to raise awareness on PECS amongst the dental fraternity, by emphasizing its usage pertaining to dentistry. PECS though rated hard, has proved to be beneficial in improving oral hygiene practices among autistic children.

Assessment of knowledge and attitude toward informed consent and assent for biomedical research involving children among health-care professionals in Belagavi city: A questionnaire study.

BACKGROUND: Most of the nations have proposed research regulations to protect the rights and welfare of the research participants. Among such regulations are the informed consent and assent. In the present world, informed consent and assent is the cornerstone in health practice. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare and evaluate the knowledge and attitude toward informed consent and assent for biomedical research involving children among health-care professionals in Belagavi city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 300 house surgeons divided into four groups of Medical, Dental, Nursing, and Ayurveda faculty of Belagavi city. A self-administered multiple choice questions were used to evaluate the knowledge and a five-point Likert scale was used to asses attitude regarding informed consent and assent for research involving children. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference in mean knowledge and attitude among all four groups (P < 0.05), and there was no significant correlation between knowledge and attitude as a whole in each group of professionals (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Emphasis on additional training is the need of the hour for all the faculty participants and also incorporation of study material regarding informed consent and assent for research involving children by the policy makers.