Objectivation of the Equimolar Mixture of Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide Anxiolytic Effect in Pediatric Dentistry: A Pilot Study.

Aim: EMONO is an equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. Studies investigating its anxiolytic effect mostly used behavioral scales for assessing anxiolysis in children during dental care. Observing this effect objectively in a pediatric population could be very interesting. Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective uncontrolled monocentric pilot study to assess the equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (EMONO) anxiolytic effect in children during dental care by monitoring heart rate (HR) variation. Results: A statistically significant difference could be highlighted between the HR before the dental care and after 5 minutes of EMONO inhalation, illustrating the anxiolytic effect of EMONO in an objective way. HR variation also suggests that the effect of EMONO seems to prevent a return to the initial level of stress, even during anesthesia. Conclusion: All of the data in the literature confirm the essential role of nitrous oxide in pediatric dental care. Demonstrating the effectiveness of EMONO by objective criteria is necessary. Trial registration: Clinical Trials Unique Protocol ID: RC17_0275. How to cite this article: Clouet R, Dajean-Trutaud S, Grall-Bronnec M, et al. Objectivation of the Equimolar Mixture of Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide Anxiolytic Effect in Pediatric Dentistry: A Pilot Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(2):270-275.

Educational gaming for dental students: Design and assessment of a pilot endodontic-themed escape game.

INTRODUCTION: The concept of escape games dedicated to dental students is a new learning experience that has not yet been extensively explored. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the impact and perceived value of an endodontic-themed escape game as assessed by fourth-year dental students. METHODS: This study was conducted at the University of Nantes, Faculty of Dental Surgery using a cross-sectional pre- and post-test research design to assess students' changes in performance. Students in the fourth year of dental surgery study (n = 18) were divided in four groups for this study. The answers to the pre-test/post-test were 50 true/false questions. Moreover, a 20-question perception survey was given to all the participants after completion of the escape game. The study data were collected in May 2019. An unpaired t test analysed the mean differences between the groups. RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant increase in post-test results (75.33% ± 10.17% of correct answers) compared to the pre-test results (67.33% ± 5.94% of correct answers) P < .05. Analysis of variance revealed that this change in score was not significantly different between the four groups. The students perceived the endodontic-themed escape game to be relevant. A one-sample t test indicated that students' mean (SD) perception 4.4 (0.7) was statistically significantly higher than the mean value of the evaluation scale P < .001. The students found this educational game to be a useful experience that helped them recall/apply knowledge whilst promoting teamwork. CONCLUSION: Therefore, this type of game can enhance students' learning and motivation.

Clinical management of an atypical dental invagination.

Dental invagination (DI) is a tooth malformation that usually affects permanent teeth. Its precise etiology is still controversial and represents a clinical challenge as it can favor the development of carious lesion or periodontal inflammation. This paper presents a case of a 23-year-old Caucasian male, where an atypical buccal DI could not be completely diagnosed in the dens invaginatus category. Furthermore, other differential diagnoses could not be confirmed. The dental malformation was seen on a permanent maxillary first incisor and was associated with periodontal inflammation and attachment loss. Successful clinical management of this case consisted of surgical restorative treatment and regular follow-up, accompanied by thorough oral hygiene procedures.