Awareness, attitude, and practice of pediatricians regarding early childhood caries and infant oral healthcare of children in Puducherry- A cross-sectional survey.

CONTEXT: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is the most virulent form of caries, which requires early intervention. Pediatricians are health professionals who first examine the child, and must be able to educate parents about basic preventive dental care, early diagnosis of pathological changes in the oral cavity and appropriate referrals for the children. AIMS: To assess the awareness, attitude, and practice among pediatricians regarding ECC and Infant Oral Healthcare (IOHC) in Puducherry. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Setting: Study was conducted among pediatricians of Puducherry. Design: Observational Cross-sectional study. METHODS AND MATERIAL: After obtaining consent from Pediatricians, a prevalidated questionnaire was distributed and collected from them regarding their awareness, attitude, and practices toward ECC and IOHC. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Percentage. RESULTS: Out of 85% Pediatricians who responded, 57% of them were aware of initial white spot lesions, and 39% of them were aware of maternally-derived Streptococcus mutans disease. 100% of them were willing to avail information, training on IOHC. CONCLUSIONS: It is clear from the study that Pediatricians in Puducherry had limited awareness regarding the prevention of oral diseases. It is essential to provide sufficient knowledge to them by incorporating a module on ECC and infant oral health care in their curriculum.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Xylitol Wipes on Cariogenic Bacteria in 19- to 35-month-old Children: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is an infectious disease with Streptococcus mutans as the main cariogenic bacteria. Children with early S. mutans colonization have a higher risk of developing dental caries than those with later colonization. Therefore, prevention or delay of S. mutans colonization may be advantageous for the prevention of early childhood caries (ECC). AIM: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of xylitol and placebo wipes on S. mutans count in 19- to 35-month-old children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four children were randomly selected from a daycare center and divided into two groups. Allocation concealment was done and both (placebo and xylitol) wipes were distributed to their parents. Instructions were given regarding their use, to be used twice daily for 2 weeks and the S. mutans levels in the saliva were enumerated before and after wipes usage. The collected data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests. RESULTS: A clinically significant decrease in the S. mutans count was observed in the xylitol wipes group than the placebo wipes group. Intergroup comparison results were found to be statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Xylitol wipes usage could serve as a useful adjunct in reducing the cariogenic bacteria, especially S. mutans, and thus can be considered as an adjunct oral hygiene tool for caries prevention in young childrenHow to cite this article: Kayalvizhi G, Nivedha D, Sajeev R, Prathima GS, Suganya M, Ramesh V. Evaluating the Efficacy of Xylitol Wipes on Cariogenic Bacteria in 19- to 35-month-old Children: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2018;11(1):13-17.

Timely management of knocked out teeth - are the nurses aware?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess working and trainee nurses' knowledge and awareness regarding the emergency handling of traumatic injuries to the teeth. The research was conducted in four different parts of Karnataka, a state in India. BACKGROUND: Traumatic injuries to teeth and the facial region are common among children and young adults. Most traumatic dental injuries can be avoided, or would be less serious, if an extensive knowledge and awareness of these injuries existed, especially among people who frequently come across them. DESIGN: The study is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey conducted among nurses of Karnataka. METHODS: The questionnaire was given to nurses in different parts of Karnataka, India. Six hundred and two nurses completed a 15-item questionnaire, assessing their knowledge and practices in the management of traumatic injuries to the teeth. RESULTS: Most of the nurses knew that an avulsed tooth can be replaced in the socket and approximately 70% knew mouthguards and other protective measures are available. The nurses' knowledge was, however, inadequate given their exposure to emergency cases and this was borne out by the fact that the study subjects reported that they require still more adequate training in emergency handling of dental injuries. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that nurses in the current study have less knowledge than expected. Sufficient training should be provided, not only to doctors and dentists in emergency departments, but also to paramedical technicians and nurses to ensure proper care and appropriate advice is available to parents of children experiencing dental trauma. Hence, this study recommends an extensive health education programme in this field. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: As nurses play a vital role in the emergency dental services provided to patients, the importance of dental injury and its emergency management must be included in their curriculum.