Sedation versus protective stabilization for dental treatment of children with caries and challenging behavior at the dentist (CHOOSE): a study protocol for a non-randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of moderate sedation in pediatric dentistry, compared to protective stabilization, which remains routinely used in Brazil despite moral questions. This prospective non-randomized clinical trial's objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of moderate sedation, compared to the protective stabilization, in the dental care of children with dental behavior management problems. METHODS: Participants will be 152 children under seven years of age with early childhood caries (ECC) who need specialized dental treatment due to a history of challenging behavior during dental care. The interventions to be compared are moderate sedation with oral administration of ketamine and midazolam and protective stabilization. The primary endpoint will be the child's behavior during treatment assessed using the Ohio State University Behavioral Rating Scale (OSUBRS). The secondary outcomes are (A) child's - behavior according to the visual analogue scale, anxiety, pain, and physiological stress; (B) parent's - satisfaction and anxiety; (C) family and child - impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL); (D) dentist's - satisfaction and stress; (E) procedure - adverse events of the intervention and dental treatment longevity. A cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed from the perspective of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). DISCUSSION: Considering the primary outcome, this study hypothesis is that sedated children have better behavior during dental treatment than children whose behavior was managed by protective stabilization without sedation. Additionally, at the end of 12 months, we expect to identify participants' reported outcomes and objective measures related to dental behavior in early childhood. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov registration NCT04119180 on October 8th, 2019. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04119180.

Recommended procedures for the management of early childhood caries lesions - a scoping review by the Children Experiencing Dental Anxiety: Collaboration on Research and Education (CEDACORE).

BACKGROUND: Early childhood caries (ECC) affects millions of children up to 6 years old. Its treatment positively impacts the quality of life of children and their families. However, there is no consensus on how to treat ECC. Thus, we performed a scoping review to identify the recommended procedures for the management of ECC lesions. METHODS: A search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, The International Guideline Library and pediatric dentistry associations around the world were contacted by email for unpublished search documents. ECC guidelines/guidance/policies were considered eligible regardless of language and publication date. RESULTS: From a total of 828 references, 52 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 22 included in the scoping review. We found different procedures recommendations for the management of ECC lesions. For incipient lesions, minimally invasive methods such as professional fluoride and cariostatic (silver diamine) applications, as well as surveillance were recommended. If restoration was required, the recommended materials were glass ionomer cement, composite resin, amalgam and stainless-steel crown. Interim restorations and Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) were also recommended. Extractions have been suggested for teeth with lesions with pulpal involvement, depending on the child's behaviour and other clinical conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Non-operative procedures, restorative and extraction were recommended for the management of ECC, depending on the extent of the lesions. There is no difference between different management guidelines/guidance/policies for ECC lesions.

Randomized clinical trial on the efficacy of intranasal or oral ketamine-midazolam combinations compared to oral midazolam for outpatient pediatric sedation.

PURPOSE: The optimal sedative regime that provides the greatest comfort and the lowest risk for procedural sedation in young children remains to be determined. The aim of this randomized, blinded, controlled, parallel-design trial was to evaluate the efficacy of intranasal ketamine and midazolam as the main component of the behavioral guidance approach for preschoolers during dental treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children under seven years of age, with caries and non-cooperative behavior, were randomized into three groups: (KMIN) intranasal ketamine and midazolam; (KMO) oral ketamine and midazolam; or (MO) oral midazolam. The dental sedation appointments were videotaped, and the videos were analyzed using the Ohio State University Behavioral Rating Scale (OSUBRS) to determine the success of the sedation in each group. Intra- and postoperative adverse events were recorded. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (P < 0.05, IBM SPSS). RESULTS: Participants were 84 children (28 per group; 43 boys), with a mean age of 3.1 years (SD 1.2). Children's baseline and the dental sedation session characteristics were balanced among groups. The success of the treatment as assessed by the dichotomous variable 'quiet behavior for at least 60% of the session length' was: KMIN 50.0% (n = 14; OR 2.10, 95% CI 0.71 to 6.30), KMO 46.4% (n = 13; OR 1.80, 95% CI 0.62 to 5.40), MO 32.1% (n = 9) (P = 0.360). Adverse events were minor, occurred in 37 of 84 children (44.0%), and did not differ among groups (P = 0.462). CONCLUSION: All three regimens provided moderate dental sedation with minor adverse events, with marked variability in the behavior of children during dental treatment. The potential benefit of the ketamine-midazolam combination should be further investigated in studies with larger samples. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02447289. Registered on 11 May 2015, named "Midazolam and Ketamine Effect Administered Through the Nose for Sedation of Children for Dental Treatment (NASO)."

TRANSLATION, CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION AND PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE BRAZILIAN VERSIONOF THE PAIN CATASTROPHIZING SCALE-PARENTS. / TRADUÇÃO, ADAPTAÇÃO TRANSCULTURAL E AVALIAÇÃO PRELIMINAR DA PAIN CATASTROPHIZING SCALE-PARENTS PARA USO NO BRASIL.

OBJECTIVE: In Brazil, there is no scale to assess parental catastrophizing about their child's pain. This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents to the Brazilian Portuguese language, as well as to preliminarily evaluate its psychometric properties among parents/guardians of children with and without a toothache. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 237 parents/other relatives of 237 children. Across-cultural adaptation of the scale into Brazilian Portuguese was carried out according to the universalistic approach. To assess the reliability and validity of the scale, parents/other relatives reported on the child's toothache and filled out the Brazilian versions of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents and the Dental Discomfort Questionnaire. RESULTS: There was semantic equivalence with the original version after minor modifications. TheCronbach's alpha for the 13 items of the scale was 0.83, and the respective test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.63 to 0.97. The scores obtained from the Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents and the Dental Discomfort Questionnaire had a low correlation (rho=0.25; p<0.001). Thetotal score of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents differed significantly (p<0.001) in children with a toothache at night (median: 3.0, 25-75 percentile: 25.0-35.5) compared to those who did not have a toothache at night (25.5; 20.0-31.0). CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents was acceptable in this preliminary evaluation and can be used in Brazilian clinical and research practice.

OBJETIVO: No Brasil, não há escala que avalie a catastrofização dos pais sobre a dor das crianças. O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir e adaptar transculturalmente o Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents para a língua portuguesa do Brasil e avaliar preliminarmente as propriedades psicométricas de pais/outros parentes de crianças com e sem dor de dente. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 237 pais/outros parentes de 237 crianças. A adaptação transcultural da escala para o português brasileiro foi feita conforme a abordagem universalista. Para avaliar a confiabilidade e a validade da escala, os pais/outros parentes fizeram um relato sobre a dor de dente da criança e preencheram as versões brasileiras da Escala de Catastrofização da Dor-Pais e o Questionário de Desconforto Dentário. RESULTADOS: Houve equivalência semântica com a versão original após pequenas modificações. O alfa de Cronbach para os 13 itens da escala foi 0,83 e os respectivos coeficientes de correlação intraclasse do teste-reteste variaram de 0,63 a 0,97. Os escores obtidos na Escala de Catastrofização da Dor-Pais e no Questionário de Desconforto Dentário apresentaram baixa correlação (rho=0,25; p<0,001). O escore total da Escala de Catastrofização da Dor-Pais diferiu significativamente (p<0,001) em crianças com dor de dente à noite (mediana: 30,0; percentil 25-75: 25,0-35,5) quando comparado com o daquelas sem dor de dente (25,5; 20,0-31,0). CONCLUSÕES: A versão brasileira da Escala de Catastrofização da Dor-Pais apresentou características aceitáveis nesta avaliação preliminar e pode ser utilizada no Brasil tanto na prática clínica quanto em pesquisas.

Tradução, adaptação transcultural e avaliação preliminar da pain catastrophizing scale-parents para uso no brasil / Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and preliminary evaluation of the brazilian versionof the pain catastrophizing scale-parents

RESUMO Objetivo: No Brasil, não há escala que avalie a catastrofização dos pais sobre a dor das crianças. O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir e adaptar transculturalmente o Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents para a língua portuguesa do Brasil e avaliar preliminarmente as propriedades psicométricas de pais/outros parentes de crianças com e sem dor de dente. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 237 pais/outros parentes de 237 crianças. A adaptação transcultural da escala para o português brasileiro foi feita conforme a abordagem universalista. Para avaliar a confiabilidade e a validade da escala, os pais/outros parentes fizeram um relato sobre a dor de dente da criança e preencheram as versões brasileiras da Escala de Catastrofização da Dor-Pais e o Questionário de Desconforto Dentário. Resultados: Houve equivalência semântica com a versão original após pequenas modificações. O alfa de Cronbach para os 13 itens da escala foi 0,83 e os respectivos coeficientes de correlação intraclasse do teste-reteste variaram de 0,63 a 0,97. Os escores obtidos na Escala de Catastrofização da Dor-Pais e no Questionário de Desconforto Dentário apresentaram baixa correlação (rho=0,25; p<0,001). O escore total da Escala de Catastrofização da Dor-Pais diferiu significativamente (p<0,001) em crianças com dor de dente à noite (mediana: 30,0; percentil 25-75: 25,0-35,5) quando comparado com o daquelas sem dor de dente (25,5; 20,0-31,0). Conclusões: A versão brasileira da Escala de Catastrofização da Dor-Pais apresentou características aceitáveis nesta avaliação preliminar e pode ser utilizada no Brasil tanto na prática clínica quanto em pesquisas.

ABSTRACT Objective: In Brazil, there is no scale to assess parental catastrophizing about their child's pain. This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents to the Brazilian Portuguese language, as well as to preliminarily evaluate its psychometric properties among parents/guardians of children with and without a toothache. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 237 parents/other relatives of 237 children. Across-cultural adaptation of the scale into Brazilian Portuguese was carried out according to the universalistic approach. To assess the reliability and validity of the scale, parents/other relatives reported on the child's toothache and filled out the Brazilian versions of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents and the Dental Discomfort Questionnaire. Results: There was semantic equivalence with the original version after minor modifications. TheCronbach's alpha for the 13 items of the scale was 0.83, and the respective test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.63 to 0.97. The scores obtained from the Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents and the Dental Discomfort Questionnaire had a low correlation (rho=0.25; p<0.001). Thetotal score of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents differed significantly (p<0.001) in children with a toothache at night (median: 3.0, 25-75 percentile: 25.0-35.5) compared to those who did not have a toothache at night (25.5; 20.0-31.0). Conclusions: The Brazilian version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Parents was acceptable in this preliminary evaluation and can be used in Brazilian clinical and research practice.

Cognitive behaviour therapy for anxious paediatric dental patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of evidence about cognitive behaviour therapy in the management of dentally anxious children. AIM: To systematically review evidence of the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for children with dental anxiety or dental phobia. DESIGN: Clinical trial registries, grey literature, and electronic databases, including The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS/BBO, and PsycINFO, were searched (April 2018). The reference lists of relevant studies were hand-searched. Randomised controlled trials that evaluated the effects of cognitive behaviour therapy on dental anxiety or on acceptance of dental treatment in dental patients up to 18 years were included. Two trained and calibrated reviewers performed the study selection and risk of bias assessment. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS: Six studies with a total of 269 patients, aged 41 months to 18 years, were included. Cognitive behaviour therapy decreased level of anxiety compared to control groups and improved cooperation/behaviour, although the quality of the evidence was low. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive behaviour therapy produces better anxiety reduction than diverse behavioural management techniques but the evidence was of low quality and further studies in children are needed.

What is the level of evidence for the amnestic effects of sedatives in pediatric patients? A systematic review and meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that benzodiazepines are amnestic drug par excellence, but when taken together, what level of evidence do they generate? Are other sedatives as amnestic as benzodiazepines? The aim of this study was to assess the level of scientific evidence for the amnestic effect of sedatives in pediatric patients who undergo health procedures. METHODS: The literature was searched to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated anterograde and retrograde amnesia in 1-19-year-olds who received sedative drugs during health procedures. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library besides clinical trial registries and grey literature were searched. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and risk of bias assessment using the Cochrane Collaboration's Tool. The meta-analyses were performed by calculating relative risk (RR) to 95% confidence intervals (CI). The quality of the evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: Fifty-four studies were included (4,168 participants). A higher occurrence of anterograde amnesia was observed when benzodiazepines, the most well-studied sedatives (n = 47), were used than when placebo was used (n = 12) (RR = 3.10; 95% CI: 2.30-4.19, P<0.001; I2 = 14%), with a moderate level of evidence. Higher doses of alpha2-adrenergic agonists (clonidine/dexmedetomidine) produced more anterograde amnesia than lower doses (n = 2) (RR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.03-3.25; P = 0.038; I2 = 0%), with a low level of evidence; benzodiazepines' amnestic effects were not dose-dependent (n = 3) (RR = 1.54; 95% CI: 0.96-2.49; P = 0.07; I2 = 12%) but the evidence was low. A qualitative analysis showed that retrograde amnesia did not occur in 8 out of 10 studies. CONCLUSIONS: In children, moderate evidence support that benzodiazepines induce anterograde amnesia, whereas the evidence for other sedatives is weak and based on isolated and small studies. Further clinical trials focused on the amnesia associated with non-benzodiazepine sedatives are therefore needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42015017559.

Intranasal sedation using ketamine and midazolam for pediatric dental treatment (NASO): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Uncooperative children may need to receive dental treatment under sedation, which is indicated when nonpharmacological behavior guidance is unsuccessful. There are randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different sedative protocols for dental procedures; however, the evidence for superiority of one form over another is weak. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of intranasally administered ketamine plus midazolam for the dental treatment of children. METHODS: We have designed a three-armed, parallel RCT to assess intranasal sedation using ketamine/midazolam in terms of the following measures: efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Two- to 6-year-old healthy children, referred for dental treatment in a dental sedation center in Brazil due to uncooperative behavior and requiring restorative dental procedures, will be recruited. Each child will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups: A - Intranasal administration of ketamine (4.0 mg/kg, maximum 100 mg) and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg, maximum 5.0 mg); B - Oral administration of ketamine (4.0 mg/kg, maximum 100 mg) and midazolam (0.5 mg/kg, maximum 20 mg); and C - Oral administration of midazolam (1.0 mg/kg, maximum 20 mg). The primary outcome is the child's behavior assessed through an observational scale using digital videos of the restorative dental treatment under sedation. The secondary outcomes are as follows: acceptance of sedative administration; memory of intraoperative events; the child's stress; adverse events; the child's pain during the procedure; the parent's, dentists', and child's perceptions of sedation; and economic analysis. Measures will be taken at baseline and drug administration and during and after the dental procedure. The necessary sample size was estimated to be 84 children after a blinded interim analysis of the first 30 cases. DISCUSSION: This study will provide data that can substantially add to science and pediatric dentistry as it examines the effect of sedative regimes from different perspectives (outcomes). TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02447289 . Registered on 11 May 2015, named "Midazolam and Ketamine Effect Administered Through the Nose for Sedation of Children for Dental Treatment (NASO)."

Moderate sedation helps improve future behavior in pediatric dental patients - a prospective study.

There is little evidence on the long-term effects of pharmacological management in children undergoing dental treatment. This study aimed to assess children's behavior in consecutive dental sessions following oral rehabilitation using different pharmacological regimens for behavioral control. Participants were preschoolers who were previously treated for caries under one of the following: no sedative, oral sedation with midazolam, oral sedation with midazolam/ketamine, or general anesthesia. The children's behavior in the follow-up sessions was assessed using the Ohio State University Behavioral Rating Scale (OSUBRS); higher scores represented less cooperative behavior (range 5-20). Follow-up assessments were conducted on 50 children under four years old for up to 29 months. Data were analyzed by the Friedman/Wilcoxon tests and Cox regression model. OSUBRS mean (standard deviation) scores for the whole sample decreased from 11.9 (5.4) before treatment to 6.8 (3.2) at the final recall session (p < 0.001). Moderate sedation with midazolam (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.2-6.9) or midazolam/ketamine (OR 4.3, 95%CI 1.6-11.4) improved children's future behavior. The general anesthesia group (n = 4) had a small sample size and the results should be considered with caution. Although invasive dental treatment negatively affected the child's behavior in the dental chair, they became more cooperative over time. Moderately sedated children showed better prospective behavior than those in the non-sedation group.

Moderate sedation helps improve future behavior in pediatric dental patients - a prospective study

Abstract There is little evidence on the long-term effects of pharmacological management in children undergoing dental treatment. This study aimed to assess children's behavior in consecutive dental sessions following oral rehabilitation using different pharmacological regimens for behavioral control. Participants were preschoolers who were previously treated for caries under one of the following: no sedative, oral sedation with midazolam, oral sedation with midazolam/ketamine, or general anesthesia. The children's behavior in the follow-up sessions was assessed using the Ohio State University Behavioral Rating Scale (OSUBRS); higher scores represented less cooperative behavior (range 5-20). Follow-up assessments were conducted on 50 children under four years old for up to 29 months. Data were analyzed by the Friedman/Wilcoxon tests and Cox regression model. OSUBRS mean (standard deviation) scores for the whole sample decreased from 11.9 (5.4) before treatment to 6.8 (3.2) at the final recall session (p < 0.001). Moderate sedation with midazolam (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.2-6.9) or midazolam/ketamine (OR 4.3, 95%CI 1.6-11.4) improved children's future behavior. The general anesthesia group (n = 4) had a small sample size and the results should be considered with caution. Although invasive dental treatment negatively affected the child's behavior in the dental chair, they became more cooperative over time. Moderately sedated children showed better prospective behavior than those in the non-sedation group.

Ineffectiveness of Antibiotic-Based Pulpotomy for Primary Molars: a Survival Analysis

To investigate the two-year survival rate of primary molars treated with non-instrumentation endodontic treatment with mixed antibiotic paste containing chloramphenicol, tetracycline, zinc oxide and eugenol (CTZ pulpotomy), and compare it to the conventional root canal treatment with calcium hydroxide paste. Material and Methods:Thirty-six children, mean age 6.2 years old (standard deviation, SD=1.5), presenting at least one primary molar with irreversible pulpitis or necrotic pulp, were included in this prospective clinical study. Teeth were assigned to CTZ pulpotomy (Group I) or calcium hydroxide pulpectomy (Group II) and assessed clinically and radiographically for up to 26 months. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Log-rank test. Results:Fifty-three primary molars were treated in Group I (n=37) or Group II (n=16). Children were followed up for 1 to 26 months (mean=12.0; SD=7.1). Treatment failure rates were 73.0% in Group I and 31.3% in Group II. Overall, mean survival time was 15.2 months (95% confidence interval, CI 12.6û17.9); Group I (mean 13.2; 95% CI 10.2-16.3) had a lower survival rate than Group II (mean 18.9; 95% CI 14.5-23.2) (p=0.02). Necrotic pulp treatments had significantly lower survival rates (p=0.01) than pulpitis treatments. Conclusion:Non-instrumentation endodontic treatment of primary molars with CTZ paste resulted in a low survival rate in a two-year follow-up; its radiographic ineffectiveness discourages its use instead of conventional root canal endodontic treatment...

Hábitos relacionados à saúde bucal em crianças nascidas prematuras: uma preocupação para equipes multiprofissionais de saúde / Oral health habits in pre-term children: a concern for healthcare professionals

Objetivo: Identificar hábitos alimentares, de sucção não nutritiva e de higiene bucal nos primeiros três anos de vida de crianças nascidas prematuras. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo descritivo retrospectivo baseado em dados secundários obtidos de prontuários odontológicos das 109 crianças com história de nascimento prematuro, acompanhadas no Ambulatório Odontológico de Prematuridade do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Goiás, de fevereiro de 2011 a julho de 2012. Consideraram-se informações da primeira consulta odontológica: idade atual, sexo, idade gestacional, hábitos alimentares (tipo de aleitamento, ingestão de açúcar extrínseco), hábitos bucais não nutritivos (sucção de chupeta e sucção digital) e hábitos de higiene bucal. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva com auxílio do software IBM SPSS versão 20.0. Resultados: No primeiro exame odontológico, as crianças nascidas prematuras tinham de 1 a 33 meses de idade (média de 8,6±7,2), sendo 49 (45,0%) meninas e 60 (55,0%) meninos. A ocorrência de aleitamento natural em menores de 6 meses foi de 22,8%, com predominância de aleitamento artificial (45,6%). Do total de nascidos prematuros, 79,8% utilizavam mamadeira e 58,7% realizavam sucção de chupeta. Em relação à higiene bucal, 73,4% da amostra realizava higiene bucal e 44,4% utilizava a fralda como instrumento. Conclusão: Os percentuais de aleitamento materno exclusivo foram baixos. A maioria das crianças apresentou algum hábito de sucção não nutritiva. A prática de higiene bucal mostrou-se insatisfatória. Assim, o estabelecimento de programas educativo-preventivos é essencial no apoio às famílias para os cuidados bucais a essas crianças, visando à promoção de saúde e prevenção de alterações no sistema estomatognático.(AU)

Aim: This study aimed to identify dietary habits, non-nutritive sucking habits, and oral hygiene habits in the first three years of pre-term children. Materials and Methods: This work consists of an observational, retrospective, descriptive study in which secondary data were collected from the clinical records of 109 children attended to at the Dental Clinic for Pre-term Children at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Goias (UFG), from February 2011 to July 2012. This study considered information regarding the child's first dental visit: the child's current age, gender, gestational age, dietary habits (natural breast-feeding, bottle feeding, extrinsic sugar consumption), non-nutritive sucking habits (sucking a pacifier and finger sucking), and oral hygiene habits. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS®), version 20.0. Results: In the first dental visit, the pre-term children were from 1 to 33 months old (8.6±7,2), with 49 (45.0%) girls and 60 (55.0%) boys. The occurrence of natural breastfeeding in children under 6 months of age was 22.8%, with a predominance of mixed bottle-breastfeeding (45.6%). Of the total number of pre-term children, 79.8% were bottle-fed and 58.7% used pacifiers. Mothers of 73.4% of these children performed their oral hygiene, while 44.4% used only a soft cloth diaper to perform oral hygiene. Conclusions: The percentage of exclusive breastfeeding was low. The majority of children presented some type of non-nutritive sucking habit. Most of the children received unsatisfactory oral hygiene. Thus, the establishment of educationalpreventive programs are essential in an attempt to provide support to the family regarding their babies' oral hygiene, geared toward the promotion of oral healthcare and the prevention of changes in the child's stomatognathic system.(AU)

Peripheral dentinogenic ghost cell tumor: a case report and review of the literature.

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT) is a rare neoplasm, representing 1.9% to 2.1% of all odontogenic tumors. Few cases of DGCT have been reported and only 11 show no bone involvement. A rare case of peripheral DGCT is reported, located in the anterior mandible of a 45-year-old man. The patient presented a slow painless growth in the canine region of an edentulous mandible. Radiographically, no bone involvement was registered. The lesion was enucleated and microscopically characterized by islands of epithelial cells showing ameloblastomalike features in fibrous tissue. Dysplasic dentin and ghost cells were frequently observed. Areas showing a connection between tumor cells and the overlying mucosa were also identified. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated positivity for pan-cytokeratin, cytokeratin-14, and 2 neural markers. Denditric cells (Langerhans cells and melanocytes) were identified inside tumoral islands. A rare case of peripheral DGCT is reported, with immunohistochemical analysis and a review of the English literature.