Randomized Clinical Trial investigating Self-Assembling Peptide P11-4 for Treatment of Early Occlusal Caries.

Non-invasive caries treatment is a major focus in modern dentistry. The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of monomeric self-assembling peptide P11-4 (SAP P11-4) in combination with fluoride varnish or polymeric self-assembling peptide matrix (SAPM) in treatment of non-cavitated occlusal caries. Ninety children and adolescents were included in this randomized, gold-standard-controlled clinical trial. Test Group 1 received SAP P11-4 and twice fluoride varnish at baseline and Day 180, Test Group 2 received SAP P11-4 on baseline and twice weekly SAPM (home-application), and Control Group received fluoride varnish on baseline and Day 180. Caries progression was measured by laser fluorescence, Nyvad Caries Activity, ICDAS-II-codes, and investigator assessments. Laser fluorescence changes demonstrated superior results for Test Group 1 and 2, as values decreased compared to an increase for the Control Group (p < 0.0005). ICDAS-II codes at Day 360 showed partial regression for Test Group 1 (6.7%) and Test Group 2 (20.0%) and partial progression for Control Group (23.3%) (p < 0.01). Nyvad Caries Activity yielded superior caries inactivation for Test Groups, compared to Control Group (p = 0.002). This trial showed that SAP P11-4, applied either in combination with fluoride varnish or twice weekly SAPM, was a superior treatment for early caries compared to fluoride varnish alone.

The Influence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on Dental Caries and Salivary Composition.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common chronic disease that affects the oral health. The aim of the study is to evaluate the dental caries, salivary flow rate, buffer capacity, and Lactobacilli in saliva in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus compared to the control group. Methods. The sample consisted of 160 children of 10 to 15 years divided into two groups: 80 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 80 children as a control group. Dental caries was assessed using the DMFT index for permanent dentition. Stimulated saliva was collected among all children. Salivary flow rate and buffer capacity were measured, and the colonies of Lactobacillus in saliva were determined. The observed children have answered a number of questions related to their dental visits and parents' education. The data obtained from each group were compared statistically using the chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test. The significant level was set at p < 0.05. Results. DMFT in children with type 1 diabetes was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.001). Diabetic children have a low level of stimulated salivary flow rate compared to control children (0.86 ± 0.16 and 1.10 ± 0.14). The buffer capacity showed statistically significant differences between children with type 1 diabetes and control group (p < 0.001). Also, children with type 1 diabetes had a higher count and a higher risk of Lactobacillus compared to the control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). Conclusion. The findings we obtained showed that type 1 diabetes mellitus has an important part in children's oral health. It appears that children with type 1 diabetes are exposed to a higher risk for caries and oral health than nondiabetic children.

Oral Health of Lipjan Convicts: Kosovo Prison House.

OBJECTIVES: The oral health services of the prison population are considered more complex than those of the general population. The aim of this study was to examine the oral health status (the DMFT index and OHI index) and to evaluate the relation between the oral health and risk factors of inmates of this population, thus identifying the dental health status of inmates by gender, age, and the duration of their sentence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study has included a total number of 150 inmates, of both genders, from Lipjan prison house in Kosovo. RESULTS: Oral health condition of inmates in Lipjan prison house is severe; the average value of DMFT is 8.44: for minors 6.22, while for adults 9.55. The assessment of DMFT index within the recruited inmates in our study shows that the mean rate of oral cure was 3.21, while the mean extraction value and caries were 3.55 and 3.58, respectively. The mean plaque test value was 1.44. CONCLUSION: Based on this research, we have concluded that the oral health condition of the inmates in Lipjan prison is not good, due to the presence of different risk factors among them.

The Role and Impact of Salivary Zn Levels on Dental Caries.

INTRODUCTION: Minimal attention has been given to the role of salivary microelements, the importance they have in reducing the intensity of caries, and the effect of caries prophylaxes. AIM: This research aimed to determine the concentration and quantity of Zn and its impact on the prevention and the reduction of the intensity of caries in schoolchildren aged 12-13 years with permanent dentition. METHODS: For this research, we analyzed the stimulated and nonstimulated full saliva of 106 schoolchildren divided into three groups by mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. The control group consisted of 25 caries-free children, the second group had 47 children with mean DMFT index of 1 to 6, and the third group had 34 children with DMFT index of ≥ 6. Complete saliva was collected from all children in a sterile test tube. RESULTS: The concentration of Zn in saliva before stimulation in caries-free children has variations of the order of 0.001+ to 0.01 mmol/l. The maximum concentration after stimulation is 6.72 mmol/l, while the maximum value is 64.38 mmol/l. CONCLUSION: The Zn concentration in the stimulated saliva showed a significant increase in the group of caries-free children and could be described as a positive value for the reduction of caries.

Dental Caries Among Kosovar Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To evaluate the oral health status in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: Dental examinations, based on World Health Organization caries diagnostic criteria for DMFT index for permanent dentition and survey were performed among 160 children, aged 10-15-year-old, divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 80 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (41 females, 39 males), and in the second group, consisted 80 healthy children (49 females, 31 males). Frequency, odds ratio and Mann-Whitney U test were used in the statistical analyses. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: The higher mean of the DMFT index was found among children with type 1 diabetes compared to the healthy group. The mean DMFT index for diabetic children was 6.56 ± 3.56 and for the healthy group was 4.21 ± 2.63. Moreover, the frequency of decayed teeth was higher in children with type 1 diabetes than in the healthy group. The higher risk of caries was found in diabetic children compared with healthy for 1.35 times. A higher proportion of children, 61.25% with type 1 diabetes mellitus, reported that they brush their teeth once per day, 22.50% twice per day, and 16.25% rarely. From the healthy group, 46.25% of children brush their teeth once per day, and 42.50% twice per day and 11.25% rarely brush their teeth per day. Conclusion: Diabetic children are at higher risk for caries than are healthy children.

Prevalence of Dental Caries in Kosovar Adult Population.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries in the Kosovar adult population. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study in Kosovo was conducted examining 9387 patients, aged 18 upwards, between January 2010 and December 2011. Clinical evaluation was done using WHO criteria for evaluation of dental health status and data collection. Results. The prevalence of caries for the whole study was 72.80%. The mean DMFT index was 9.61 (±5.12) in the 18-34-year age group, 11.6 (±6.42) in the 35-44-year age group, 13.68 (±8.12) among the 45-64-year age group, 17.98 (±9.81) in the 65-74-year age group, and 23.19 (±9.41) in the age group of 75+ years, respectively. A significant difference of mean DMFT and its each component was observed between the ages (P < 0.001). Conclusion. This study comes out with the significant levels of dental caries among young Kosovar population (18-34 years old).

Mothers' behaviours and knowledge related to caries experience of their children.

PURPOSE: Insufficient attention paid by public institutions to primary oral health protection measures has contributed to a poor oral health status in Kosovo, especially in children. Because the oral health promotion activities identified the significant roles of mothers in primary prevention, the aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge and the behaviour of mothers in connection with the caries experience of their children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 664 of the mothers who accompanied their children to dental visits were interviewed and data on maternal knowledge and attitudes towards the oral health of preschool children were collected. The children underwent dental examination and the dmft index was recorded. RESULTS: The mean dmft index in all children was 6.30 ± 3.23. A high prevalence of early childhood caries was recorded. The highest mean dmft was recorded for children whose mothers had finished primary and secondary school (6.41 ± 3.36 and 6.62 ± 2.87, respectively). The mothers displayed insufficient knowledge regarding dental visits, feeding, oral hygiene maintenance and the utilisation of fluoride/antimicrobial agents. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that the level of knowledge about oral health among interviewed mothers is very low to nonexistent. Mothers need to be educated and encouraged that they are a key factor in improving the oral health habits of their children. Since caries represents a serious public health problem in Kosovo, an overall preventive programme for oral health promotion is needed, including the oral health education of mothers.

Dental health evaluation of children in kosovo.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess caries prevalence of preschool and school children in Kosovo. METHODS: The assessment, which was carried out between 2002 and 2005, included measurements of early childhood caries, deft and DMFT. RESULTS: In total, 1,237 preschool and 2,556 school children were examined. The mean deft of preschool children was 5.9, and the mean DMFT of school children aged 12 was 5.8. The caries prevalence for 2- to 6-year-old preschool children was 91.2%, and the prevalence for 7- to 14-year-old school children was 94.4%. The prevalence of early childhood caries was 17.6%, with a mean deft of 10.6. CONCLUSIONS: All data assessed showed the very poor oral health status of children in Kosovo. Interviews with children and teachers indicated poor knowledge regarding oral health. Significant measures must be taken to improve this situation.

Early childhood caries in preschool children of Kosovo - a serious public health problem.

BACKGROUND: Even though it has been widely studied, early childhood caries (ECC) remains a serious public health problem, especially in countries where there is no national program of oral health assessment and no genuine primary oral health care, such as in Kosovo. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of ECC and analyze caries risk factors. METHODS: The subjects were 1,008 preschool children, selected by stratified random cluster sampling, in the municipality of Prishtina, capital of Kosovo. Data were collected through clinical examination and interviews. Dmft data were recorded according to WHO criteria. Bacterial examination (CRT bacteria test) and plaque test of Greene-Vermillion were used. RESULTS: The mean dmft of preschool children was found to be 5.8. The prevalence of ECC was 17.36%, with a mean dmft of 11 ± 3.6. Streptococcus mutans prevalence in ECC children was 98%. A significant correlation between dmft and S mutans counts (≥105 CFU/mL saliva) was demonstrated. A correlation was also found between daily sweets consumption and dmft in children with ECC (P < 0.001). Comparing the dmft of ECC children and duration of bottle feeding showed a statistical correlation (P < 0.001). The mean plaque test was 1.52. None of the examined children had ever used fluoride. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ECC was high among preschool children in the municipality of Kosovo. We recommend increasing parents' knowledge of proper feeding habits and oral health practices, and increasing preschool children's accessibility to dental services.