The impact of MIH/HSPM on the carious lesion severity of schoolchildren from Talca, Chile.

OBJECTIVES: Decamarcated hypomineralised lesions of enamel include those developmental defects that are related to MIH, HSPM or any other demarcated opacities of systemic origin. The present study's aims are to determine MIH/HSPM prevalence, caries lesion severity and their association in a sample of 6-12-year-old schoolchildren from Talca, Chile. METHODS: The sample (N = 577) was derived from selected primary schools in urban Talca. A full dental examination was performed at the school by one calibrated examiner. Socio-demographic data and caries experience (DMFT/dmft/merged ICDAS II and PUFA/pufa) were measured in primary and permanent dentitions. MIH/HSPM was assessed using a modified EAPD protocol. Binary and multilevel binary regression analyses were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of MIH/HSPM or other demarcated hypomineralised lesions was 24.4%. MIH and HSPM was 15.8% and 5%, respectively. The presence of HSPM predicted MIH (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.65-8.15) when corrected by demographic factors. Of the children examined, 35% had no teeth with a score greater than ICDASII Code 0 and 26% had one or more severe carious lesions (Code C). Toothwise multilevel binary regression analyses demonstrated that teeth with MIH/HSPM (OR 3.70) from low-SES children (OR 1.93) had higher odds for carious lesions compared with defect-free teeth from high-SES participants. CONCLUSIONS: MIH/HSPM lesions were associated with carious lesion occurrence and increased disease severity. The prevalence of MIH and HSPM was similar to other reports. Increased awareness of MIH/HSPM in schools and primary health settings may help to identify children at risk early.

Knowledge, experience and perceptions regarding Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) amongst Australian and Chilean public oral health care practitioners.

BACKGROUND: Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) is a prevalent developmental defect of tooth enamel associated with a high burden of disease. The present study aimed to survey Australian and Chilean oral health care practitioners (OHCPs) working in public dental facilities and to compare their knowledge, clinical experience and perceptions about MIH. Findings would give insights about how current knowledge has penetrated into OHCPs working into the public systems. METHODS: A mixed-mode survey regarding MIH was carried out amongst Australian and Chilean OHCPs from the public sector. The survey required responses to questions regarding sociodemographics, clinical experience, perceptions, clinical management and preferences for further training. The level of knowledge regarding MIH was determined by Delphi methods for consensus. Data analysis utilised Chi-square, linear and logistic regression models using SPSS Ver. 22.0. RESULTS: The majority of respondents had observed MIH in their patients (88.6 %) and the level of knowledge regarding MIH was high in Australian participants (p = 0.03). Australian respondents felt more confident when diagnosing (OR 8.80, 95 % CI 2.49-31.16) and treating MIH-affected children (OR 4.56, 95 % CI 2.16-9.76) compared to Chilean respondents. Oral health therapists reported higher levels of confidence than Australian general dental practitioners when providing treatment to children with MIH (OR 7.53; 95 % CI 1.95-29.07). CONCLUSIONS: Continuing to update clinical guidelines may help practitioners increase their understanding when diagnosing and treating MIH-affected children. Dissemination of information and awareness regarding MIH is necessary in public clinics, and in particular Chilean general dental practitioners should be alerted to these factors.