Cheiloscopy and Dactyloscopy as Behavior Assessment Tool in Dental Settings: A Cross-sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Assessment of children's behavior in the dental setting and its correlation with thumb print and lip print. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The behavior pattern, lip print pattern, and thumb print pattern of 518 children aged 5-12 years were recorded in their first dental visit. The behavior pattern, lip print pattern, and thumb print pattern were determined using Frankl's Behavior Rating Scale, Tsuchihashi's classification, and Cummin's classification, respectively. The data were tabulated according to the classified criteria and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: It was observed that positive and definitely positive Frankl Behavior was associated with the children bearing an arch pattern of thumb print, whereas their lip pattern had no association with their behavior pattern, particularly in dental sittings. CONCLUSION: Thumb print pattern can aid as a behavior marker before a child's first dental appointment and this can prove beneficial for both the child and the clinician in providing a high quality of dental care and modify behavior for future dental appointments. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Navit S, Pramanik S, Khan SA, et al. Cheiloscopy and Dactyloscopy as Behavior Assessment Tool in Dental Settings: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(2):238-242.

Comparison of Pain and Anxiety Level Induced by Laser vs Rotary Cavity Preparation: An In Vivo Study.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the pain perception, anxiety level, and acceptance of Er,Cr:YSGG laser (2780 nm) with a conventional rotary method during cavity preparation in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, using split-mouth design thirty 6- to 12-year-old children with 60 carious molars were examined. In one quadrant, cavity was prepared conventionally by airotor while, in the other quadrant, Er,Cr:YSGG laser was used. Anxiety was assessed by measuring pulse rate using a fingertip pulse oximeter, while the pain was measured on the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale. After the cavity preparation by both the methods, the child was asked about the preference for future treatment of a carious lesion. RESULTS: Pulse rate was found significantly higher in the airotor group but no significant difference in pulse rate was found in the laser group when compared to the baseline pulse rate. The mean value of pain in the airotor group was slightly higher than the laser group. Fifty-seven percent of children preferred Er,Cr:YSGG laser for cavity preparation in the future. CONCLUSION: During cavity preparation, Er,Cr:YSGG laser comes out to be more effective and acceptable, as it is less anxiety-provoking and may cause less pain when compared with the airotor. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Er,Cr:YSGG laser helps the children to remain calm during the cavity preparation. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Alia S, Khan SA, Navit S, et al. Comparison of Pain and Anxiety Level Induced by Laser vs Rotary Cavity Preparation: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(6):590-594.

Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Condylar Malformation, Vertebral Column, and Head Posture: A Cephalometric Evaluation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is by far the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, affecting 2-4% of the adult population. The present study aims to compare the descriptive morphology of the cervical column in subjects with normal craniofacial morphology with those having condylar hypoplasia with OSA and to evaluate a positive correlation between the cervical columns, the cranial base angle, and the posture of the head and neck in subjects of condylar hypoplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study comprised of lateral cephalogram of 40 subjects divided into two equal groups-control groups (n = 20) and OSA with condylar hypoplasia (n = 20). RESULTS AND OBSERVATION: The condylar hypoplasia group has fusion anomalies of 65% and 35% has a posterior arch deficiency. The cervical lordosis, inclination of the cervical column is found to have a positive statistically significant correlation in condylar hypoplasia subjects. CONCLUSION: Morphological deviations and deviation pattern of the cervical column occurred significantly more often in subjects with condylar hypoplasia as compared with normal craniofacial morphology which can be verified by the increased cranial base angle, cervical lordosis, the inclination of the upper cervical spine, and cranial base angle were positively correlated with a fusion of cervical column. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Specific types of craniofacial morphology and head postures such as a reduced posterior airway space, an abnormally long soft palate, a low position of the hyoid bone, and an extended head posture are considered predisposing factors of OSA. As posture of the head and neck is considered to be associated with OSA, OSA may be associated with fusion of the cervical column. Hence, to know the result of malformation in the cervical column prove to be important with regard to phenotypical subdivision, diagnosis, and treatment of OSA. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Divya, Navit P, Singh R, et al. Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Condylar Malformation, Vertebral Column, and Head Posture: A Cephalometric Evaluation. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(S-1):S64-S68.

Little Color, Little Flavor of Different kinds of Commercially Available Flavored Milk and their Consumption Effect on Salivary pH Value in Children: An In Vivo Study.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the effect of different flavored kinds of milk on salivary pH value in 6 to 14 years old children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The impact of these different kinds of flavored milk on the salivary pH is evaluated between two groups of children, caries-active group (n = 35) constituted children who had decayed missing filled tooth (DMFT) ≥2, and the caries-free group (n = 35) constituted children who had DMFT = 0. Four different flavors of milk are taken for the study, and plain sweetened milk is chosen as the control baseline. The endogenous pH of the salivary samples is measured at baseline and after consumption of the flavored milk immediately and then at 5-, 10-, 15-, and 30-minute intervals. The results are statistically analyzed by using the paired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: It is shown in the present study that caries-active group subjects had a more evident salivary pH fall than the caries-free group subjects which was statistically significant. For caries-active group, subject's salivary pH value took a longer duration to return to baseline pH as compared to caries-free subjects. However, salivary pH value is restored to standard/baseline value after 30 minutes for all the flavored milk taken in both groups; hence, their intake can be regarded safe for the oral environment. CONCLUSION: It is concluded from the current study that the consumption of flavored milk can be considered as non-cariogenic for children. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In the present study, the salivary pH fall in both caries-active and caries-free subjects was found above the critical pH level. Hence, all these flavored milk used in the study did not cause a threat to oral environment health as there was no significant decrease in salivary pH value so their consumption can be regarded as safe for children. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Navit S, Agarwal S, Khan SA, et al. Little Color, Little Flavor of Different kinds of Commercially Available Flavored Milk and their Consumption Effect on Salivary pH Value in Children: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(S-1):S87-S91.

Effect of Diode Laser Office Bleaching on Mineral Content and Surface Topography of Enamel Surface: An SEM Study.

AIM: To assess the effects of different bleaching procedures on the mineral component and surface topography of the enamel using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty samples of approximately 3 × 3 mm size from the coronal portion of 20 extracted human anterior teeth were obtained. The samples were divided into two control groups and three experimental groups. In group I or positive control (n = 5), no bleaching or phosphoric acid treatment to the enamel surface was done. Group II samples or negative controls (n = 5) were treated with 37% phosphoric acid. In group III (n = 10), the tooth was treated with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) without any activation. Group IV (n = 10) was treated with 37.5% HP with LED light activation and group V (n = 10) was treated with 45% HP with diode laser activation. The calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels of each sample were measured using an EDX system prior to bleaching treatments. All the samples were again subjected to the EDX analysis after the bleaching treatment and two samples (after EDX analysis) from each group were subjected to the SEM analysis. RESULT: No significant difference was seen in phosphorus levels before and after the bleaching. However, significant increase in calcium levels was observed after bleaching activated with LASER and LED light. The SEM observations revealed maximum surface alterations on the enamel after chemically activated bleaching. CONCLUSION: The LASER-activated bleaching agent seems to be more surface-friendly and less time-consuming as compared to other bleaching systems. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Suresh S, Navit S, Khan SA, et al. Effect of Diode Laser Office Bleaching on Mineral Content and Surface Topography of Enamel Surface: An SEM Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(5):481-485.

Current biomedical waste management practices and cross-infection control procedures of dentists in India.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of dentists working in dental clinics and dental hospitals regarding biomedical waste management and cross-infection control. METHODS: A national survey was conducted. Self-administered questionnaires were sent to 800 dentists across India. RESULTS: A total of 494 dentists responded, giving a response rate of 61.8%. Of these, 228 of 323 (70.6%) general dentists reported using boiling water as a sterilising medium and 339 (68.6%) dentists reported disposing of hazardous waste such as syringes, blades and ampoules in dustbins and emptying these into municipal corporation bins. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists should undergo continuing education programmes on biomedical waste management and infection control guidelines. Greater cooperation between dental clinics and hospitals and pollution control boards is needed to ensure the proper handling and disposal of biomedical waste.