Comparison of effectiveness of oral hygiene instruction methods in improving plaque scores among 8-9-year children: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The relative effectiveness of different methods used for delivery of information regarding oral health in children has not been widely raised in the literature. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of verbal oral hygiene instruction (OHI) against the verbal instruction supplemented by three different methods (written, teeth teaching model, and videotape) on the mean plaque scores and to determine factors that may influence the effectiveness of methods used. METHODS: Prospective-comparative randomized controlled trial carried out on 120 children aged 8-9 years. Participants were randomly divided into four groups (verbal, verbal and written, verbal and teeth teaching model, and verbal and video). Plaque Control Index was evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks after OHI. ANOVA and post hoc, t test, and ANCOVA were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease of the mean percentage of plaque scores was found indicating the effectiveness of different methods of delivery of OHI (p < 0.01, 0.001). Verbal supported by teaching model was the most statistically effective method (p < 0.001) followed by the verbal (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the improvement in plaque score (p < 0.001) between the four methods of OHI after controlling for age, gender, monthly income, mother's and father's educational levels and plaque index before delivery of OHI. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the method used, a gradient of effectiveness was observed in improving plaque scores. Verbal instruction supplemented by teaching model was the most effective. Effectiveness was influenced by monthly income, mother's and father's educational levels and plaque index before OHI.

Knowledge, educational experiences and attitudes towards child abuse amongst Jordanian dentists.

BACKGROUND: Signs of physical abuse often present in the oro-facial region and dentists are in a strategic position to recognise and report suspected cases. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, educational experiences and attitudes of Jordanian dentists towards child abuse and to assess their educational needs. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of Jordanian dentists (n=400) was conducted using an anonymous, self-administered structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The response rate was 64%. Thirty-four per cent (n=88) of the respondents reported having formal training in recognising and reporting child abuse, and 42% (n=106) had post-qualification/continuing education training on the topic. Half of the dentists (127/256) suspected a case of child abuse in the past 5 years, but only 12% (31/256) reported their suspicions. The main reasons for not reporting suspicions of abuse were fear from anger of parents (43%), uncertainty about diagnosis (41%) and uncertainty about referral procedures (41%). Those dentists who had formal training in dental school (P=0.0001) and post-qualification courses in child abuse (P=0.006) were significantly more likely to report suspicions. CONCLUSIONS: A significant gap existed between recognising signs of physical child abuse and responding effectively. Improvements in child abuse education and continuing education courses are advised to provide dentists in Jordan with adequate knowledge of indicators of physical child abuse and to inform them on the protocol to follow when suspicions arise.

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome: a review of the literature and a report of a case.

The purpose of this paper is to report the development of multiple odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) in a 15-year-old female with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) and review the literature pertinent to NBCCS. Although more than 100 abnormalities have been reported in NBCCS, the development of OKCs is one of its principle features. In view of this, the patient was subjected to further medical, dermatological and radiographic investigation. Multiple basal cell naevi and skeletal anomalies associated with NBCCS were found. Because of the autosomal dominant inheritance of this syndrome, the patient's family was then investigated. The patient's father was found to have multiple OKCs. The report highlights the need for vigilance in considering the diagnosis of NBCCS in all cases of OKCs, particularly those affecting young patients.

Supernumerary teeth: review of the literature and a survey of 152 cases.

INTRODUCTION: A review of the literature relating to supernumerary teeth is presented along with a survey of 152 cases. METHODS: The study population consisted of 152 children who visited the department of Paediatric Dentistry at the Jordan University Hospital. Patients ranged in age from 5 to 15 years. Supernumeraries were detected by clinical examination and radiographs. RESULTS: Males were affected more than females with a sex ratio of 2.2 : 1. Seventy-seven percent of the patients had one supernumerary tooth, 18.4% had double teeth, and 4.6% had three or more supernumeraries. Ninety percent of the supernumerary teeth occurred in the premaxilla, of which 92.8% were in the central incisor region and of these latter 25% were located in the midline. The other 10.4% of the supernumeraries were located in the premolar, canine, molar, and lower central incisor regions. Two cases were of non-syndrome supernumerary teeth. Seventy-five percent of the supernumeraries were conical, 83.1% were in the normal vertical position and 26.5% were erupted. Conical-shaped supernumerary teeth had a significantly higher rate of eruption compared to the tuberculate type.

Oral health behaviour of schoolchildren and parents in Jordan.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were: (i) to assess the level of dental knowledge and attitudes towards child dental care among parents in Jordan, (ii) to analyse the oral health care habits of schoolchildren and parents, and (iii) to evaluate the oral hygiene habits and use of professional dental services of children in relation to socio-demographic conditions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaires for parents. SAMPLE AND METHODS: National representative sample of 6-16-year-olds living in urban areas (n = 1556, children and parents, response rate 92%, 48.7% boys, 51.3% girls). RESULTS: In all, 80% of the parents knew about the harmful effect of sugar and 79% thought that poor oral hygiene may induce dental caries. In addition to proper oral hygiene (79%) and restriction of sugar/sweets (42%), 36% of the parents emphasized regular dental visits for the prevention of dental disease in children. However, most children saw a dentist for symptomatic reasons only (86%), while 11% attended for dental check-ups. At their last visit to the dentist, 49% of the children had tooth extraction and only 8% had preventive services (fissure sealing). Toothbrushing at least twice a day was reported for 31% of the children; 14% of children aged 6-9 years had assistance from adults in brushing. Dental care habits of children were highly affected by dental visiting habits of parents, and variations by level of education of parents were also found. CONCLUSIONS: The discrepancy between dental knowledge and attitudes of parents and oral health care practices indicate the need for oral health education. School-based oral health promotion programmes should be established in Jordan to influence the oral health behaviour of children and parents and to avoid further deterioration in their oral health.

Perceived sources of stress among dental students at the University of Jordan.

This study investigated perceived stress by dental students at the University of Jordan. Two hundred sixty-six students out of 290 completed a modified DES questionnaire. The stressors producing the highest ratings for perceived stress were examinations and grades, fully loaded day, and lack of time for relaxation. For the clinical years, patients' being late or not showing for their appointments and completing clinical requirements were also substantial stressors. Significant differences were found for eleven items across all classes and five items across clinical years. The overall perception of stress by students who had medicine as their first choice for admission was higher than for students who had dentistry as their first choice. Male-female comparison revealed significant differences for five items; between classes, significant differences were accounted for by three items. Comparison with earlier studies on identical questionnaire items revealed that perception of stress by Jordanian dental students was higher than for other students for items relating to educational environment and personal or cultural aspects.

Desmoplastic fibroma of the mandible: report of a case.

This paper describes a case of desmoplastic fibroma in a 4-year-old patient with a history of a small slowly growing swelling at the right angle of the mandible over a 3-month period. Desmoplastic fibroma was diagnosed on histological and immunohistochemical bases. The lesion responded well to thorough curettage and has not shown signs of recurrence 3 years after the surgical intervention. The clinical picture, the pathology and the management of the case are described, and the differential diagnosis and treatment are discussed.