Determinants of maternal and household social inequalities of dental caries among Senegalese children in the Department of Pikine.

Introduction: the problematic of social Inequalities in oral health remains a global concern; it constitutes evidence of social injustice. The present work aims to study the determinants of maternal and household social inequalities of children´s dental caries in Pikine. Methods: cross-sectional epidemiological survey has been conducted in the department of Pikine, Senegal on 315 children aged 3 to 9 and their mothers. The clinical data on children´s caries have been obtained by clinical examination and the socio-economic data by a questionnaire submitted to mothers. Pearson chi-square and trend tests as well as a logistic model were used in the data analysis. Results: the prevalence of dental caries in children was 64.8% and the mixed decayed, filled, missing (DFM) index was 2.5 (±2.7). The trend test showed significant inequalities in the prevalence of dental caries according to level of studies (p<0.001), profession (p<0.010) and contacts frequency (p<0.001) of mothers; the level of wealth (p<0.001) and structure (p<0.005) of households. According to the logistic regression model, the level of secondary or university education [OR (IC 95%) = 0.59 (0.33'>OR (IC 95%) = 0.59 (0.33-0.93)] or social network dynamism [OR (IC 95%) = 0.32(0.15'>OR (IC 95%) = 0.32(0.15-0.67)] of mothers; as well as wealthy families [OR (IC 95%) = 0.23(0.08'>OR (IC 95%) = 0.23(0.08-0.64) were associated to fewer risks of dental caries among children. Conclusion: some socio-economic characteristics of the mother and the household social conditions are identified as determinants of dental caries social inequalities in Children. Proportionate universalism may be a good approach to reduce this problematic in Pikine.

Evaluation of Oral Hygiene-Related Mobile Apps for Children in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In sub-Saharan Africa, oral health is a real epidemiological challenge. Mobile applications represent a hope for the learning of oral hygiene in children and the fight against oral diseases. This study overviews and assesses the quality of mobile applications linked to oral hygiene for children currently featured on the iOS and Android stores in sub-Saharan Africa. Ten oral health professionals (OHP) used the French Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS-F) to rate 15 selected applications. The highest MARS-F scores for overall quality were reported for Bonne nuit Caillou (3.89 ± 0.74), Mon Raccoon (3.63 ± 0.95), and Chomper Chums (3.54 ± 0.54) while the lowest MARS-F scores for overall quality were achieved by Brushing time (2.31 ± 0.61), De belles dents (2.55 ± 0.55) and Brushing Hero (2.77 ± 0.53). The subjective quality scores ranged from 1.50 ± 0.68 for Brushing time to 3.25 ± 0.97 for Bonne nuit Caillou. Specificity scores ranged from 1.95 ± 0.88 (Brushing time) to 3.75 ± 0.84 (Bonne nuit Caillou). Thus, OHP rated positively the quality of the majority of mobile applications linked to oral hygiene for children, their effect on users' knowledge, attitudes, and intentions to change, and the probability of effective oral hygiene behavior modification. They stated that they would recommend their use to their patients who need them. However, studies analyzing the change in oral hygiene behavior of children using these apps need to be conducted.

Chemical vs. natural toothpaste: which formulas for which properties? A scoping review.

Introduction: The proliferation of the oral care industry has made it more challenging for shoppers to zero in on the best possible toothpaste for their preventative requirements. It also makes the toothpaste's various components safer. Objective: The researchers set out to evaluate the state of information about the biological properties and cytotoxicity of adult toothpaste so that they might make some informed recommendations. Methods: A scoping review of research published between 2015 and 2020 according to PRISMA guidelines was performed. Results: In vitro clinical trials account for 44% of the papers, in vivo clinical trials for 25%, systematic reviews for 19%, and metaanalyses for 12%. They have active chemical components that have been shown to be antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, or desensitizing. Herbal toothpaste has these characteristics and is very secure to use. Toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulfate has been found to be harmful. Conclusions: Scientists have investigated the biological effects of a wide range of chemically active compounds and plant extracts. Herbal toothpaste, it has been discovered, is both efficient and secure. Companies making toothpaste should be required to clearly label the product's qualities, active ingredients, and potentially harmful ingredients on the packaging.

Characteristics of oral health literacy in Senegal: A cross-sectional study among women in the Department of Pikine.

Senegal having a significant prevalence of socially differentiated oral diseases, oral health literacy (OHL), an individual and social resource, should be considered alongside a remedial response. This work aimed to analyze women's OHL characteristics. A cross-sectional study on 315 women in Pikine County was carried out, using the Oral Health Literacy-Adult Questionnaire (OHL-AQ) for the OHL data collection and a questionnaire for the women's socioeconomic characteristics data. These women had an OHL average score of 6.5±3.1 and a median of 6. Among them, 56.5% had a seemingly low OHL level, a little over 68.9% had a score above the median as regards the "listening, communication and understanding" aspect, 58.4% to "decision making", 55.2% to "understanding numbers" and 33% to "reading and understanding". According to a multivariate analysis, secondary and higher educated women (p<0.001) with an active social network (p<0.023), in a wealthy household (p<0.0001) and of nuclear household type (p<0.036) had a higher OHL level. Women in Pikine have low OHL and are from working- class households. Therefore, oral health policies must take into account the women's social network contribution to the OHL improvement.

[Oral health status, supply of oral and dental care among Senegalese children: a review of available data]. / État de santé, offre et recours aux soins bucco-dentaires chez les enfants sénégalais?: synthèse des données disponibles.

INTRODUCTION: Oral and dental diseases are a major public health problem due to their high prevalence and their impact on general health. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the oral health status and oral health care supply and uptake in children. METHOD: The available literature were reviewed. The Medline and Embase databases, and the Senegal Ministry of Health and Social Action and National Agency of Statistics and Demography (ANSD) websites were consulted. A total of 7 articles, 3 PhD theses and 8 reports were selected for analysis. The review was supplemented by interviews. RESULTS: Overall, children have poor oral health status. Health care supply is insufficient (1 dentist/38,000 residents) and poorly distributed (mostly in the capital) with unequal oral health care uptake. CONCLUSION: This systematic review of the literature revealed a lack of reliable data on the oral health of children. It also concluded on a generally poor oral health status.