Body mass index, oral health status and OHRQoL among special health care needs children and parenting stress: a case-control study in Southern Saudi Arabia.

The appropriateness for determining Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of special children by their caregivers must be thoroughly assessed. The present study was conducted to assess the Oral health related quality of life of children with disability and the stress levels of their parents. Moreover, the study also evaluated the plaque, DMFT (Decayed, missing, filled teeth) and BMI (Body Mass Index) of disabled children (cases) and healthy children (controls). The present case-control study was carried out on 150 parents of disabled children and 30 parents of healthy children (control group) at King Khalid University, Abha, KSA. The Arabic version of the 36-item parenting stress index-short format (PSI-SF) instrument was used for the assessment of parental stress, and the WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version) Arabic version questionnaire was used for the assessment of quality of life of children. The parents or the caregivers who would be mainly occupied in assisting and rendering care to their children with different disabilities (certified by a pediatrician, aged between 4-14 years), were included in the study. Data were analyzed using statistical software. The total mean value score of the PSI scale of parents of cases was statistically found to be significantly higher compared to the mean scores among parents of controls (p = 0.004). The correlation between BMI and plaque & BMI and DMFT+df of cases indicated no statistically significant correlation while a statistically significant correlation between plaque and DMFT+df values in cases was observed. The mean score of the social relationship domain was statistically significantly different across the four levels of parents' educational status. The severity of dental caries, plaque accumulation and education-level of caregivers had a significant impact on the OHRQoL, however, BMI did not show a significant relation with DMFT and plaque scores. The parenting stress was found to be statistically higher among the parents of cases compared to the parents of controls.

Correlation between head circumference and mesio-distal width of the maxillary central incisor: a cross sectional study among three different population groups.

The size and shape of a tooth vary between individuals of different ethnic groups and genders because of the influence of different genetic factors. The information regarding the different anatomical factors using maxillary anterior teeth is very scanty. Thus to give more clarity, a study was planned to assess the correlation between head circumference and tooth-mesiodistal width among children of different ethnic origins.The study was carried out on 210 children aged 7 to 12 years in schools at Abha, Saudi Arabia.The mesiodistal (MD) width of the central incisor was measured using a digital vernier caliper. A Meter tape ruler was used to measure the Head/Cephalic dimensions. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using IBM SPSS 20.0, and the results were analyzed. It was found that mean MD tooth width and head circumference were maximum in Saudi children, followed by South Asian and Arab/African, with an insignificant statistical difference (p-value > 0.05). Correlation between MD dimensions of maxillary central incisor with head circumference was statistically significant (p-value < 0.05) among Saudi and South Asian populations, whereas statistically insignificant (p-value > 0.05) difference between Saudi and Arab/African populations. It was concluded that there exist the ethnic differences between tooth-mesiodistal width and head circumference dimensions of children. A positive correlation between head circumference and mesiodistal width of the central incisor was determined.

Physical height and crown dimensions of primary teeth: A dental morphometric study in Saudi Arabian children.

Background: Teeth morphometrics have been considered to be integral in identifying an individual as it is correlated with the body stature. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the association between crown length and physical height of children and derive mathematical equations for the prediction of physical height from crown length of primary maxillary anterior teeth. Setting and Design: A dentomorphometric study was carried out among 100 Saudi Arabian children of 3-6 years of age. Maxillary arch impressions were taken for all participants. Clinical crown length and physical height were measured using digital Vernier Caliper and Physician Mechanical Beam Scale, respectively. Regression analysis, correlation analysis and unpaired t-test were performed for data analysis. Results: In female children, a statistically significant moderate positive correlation between primary maxillary right lateral incisor and primary maxillary left central incisor and height of the children, and highly significant association between primary maxillary left lateral incisor and height of the children was found. Whereas for male children, there was a significant moderate positive correlation between primary maxillary right central incisor, primary maxillary right canine and primary maxillary left central incisor with physical height of children. Conclusions: The research has established a significant positive correlation between the clinical crown length and the height of the children in combined sample for teeth numbers 51, 52, 53, 61 and 62. The study has derived the mathematical equations for the prediction of physical height from crown length of few maxillary anterior teeth, for both male and female children. Clinical Significance: The estimation of physical height from the tooth-crown dimensions can prove to be quite beneficial aid in forensic investigations as teeth are resistant to huge traumatic forces such as in case of mass disasters.

Endodontic mishaps during root canal treatment performed by undergraduate dental students: An observational study.

ABSTRACT: Endodontic mishaps during root canal treatment (RCT) are considered to be one of the most commonly encountered errors, which affect the quality of treatment and may have dangerous health implications for patients.The present study was conducted to assess the frequency and types of endodontic mishaps in root canal-treated teeth performed by undergraduate dental students.A total 404 endodontically treated teeth were performed by undergraduate dental students of King Khalid University College of Dentistry, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The radiographs of the endodontically treated teeth were studied for a period of 6 months, and the related demographic data were collected from patient files.The most commonly identified mishaps were related to obturation, where the maximum number of cases (68.1%) had under-obturated root canals. More endodontic mishaps were performed by students in level 9 education. The upper left 2nd molar teeth had a higher frequency of mishaps, and molars were found to have more access-related mishaps. Lastly, access-related and instrument-related mishaps had a low frequency of occurrence.The majority of endodontic mishaps found in the study sample were related to root canal obturation. The undergraduate students at level 9 were less proficient in conducting RCTs with many endodontic mishaps when compared to the cases performed by students at higher levels. The study suggests relevant guidance for dental students while performing RCTs, especially during obturation of the root canals.

Incidence and distribution of pulp stones among Southern Saudi Arabian sub-population.

PURPOSE: To assess the incidence of pulp stones in molar and premolar teeth of Southern Saudi Arabian adult sub-population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six hundred patient files were randomly selected from the database (records) of the College of Dentistry outpatient department screened by Oral Medicine and Radiology division. Orthopantomogram and bitewing radiographs using radiovisiographs of first and second maxillary and mandibular molars and premolars were interpreted by three examiners. Pulp stones were identified as definite radiopaque masses and scored as present or absent. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 19. RESULTS: Out of total 600 patients, pulp stones were found in 88 (14.7%) patients. Females showed statistically significant higher presence of pulp stones in mandibular molars than males. The patients belonging to middle age group (31-40 years) showed statistically significant higher presence of pulp stones than the other two groups in all first and second molar teeth in both arches. The presence of pulp stones was observed to be higher in maxillary arch than mandibular arch with left side having more frequency than the right side of the arch. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pulp stones in the study population was found to be 14.7%, and it was higher in molars than premolars. It is quite significant to know the frequency distribution of pulp stones especially for an endodontist or a dentist to plan the root canal treatment of such teeth accordingly.