CBCT of Swedish children and adolescents at an oral and maxillofacial radiology department. A survey of requests and indications.

Objectives: This retrospective study investigated requests and indications for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in children and adolescents over a 3-year period at one oral and maxillofacial radiology department. Specific aims were to determine what technical settings were used, which caregivers write the referrals, and how often and for what reasons re-exposure was necessary.Materials and methods: Patients <19 years of age who had been referred to the department and undergone a CBCT scan during 2015-2017 were included in the study.Results: CBCT were made in 617 of the 3847 eligible referrals. The most common referral was from general practice dentists (GPD) (43%). Mean age of the patients was 12.5 years (range: 6-18). Nineteen different types of requests were identified. The most common request was assessment of an ectopic canine with a question about potential resorption of adjacent teeth (38.6%). Forty (6.5%) of the CBCT needed to be re-taken due to patient motion artefacts.Conclusions: The most common request and indication for CBCT examination of children and young adults were to assess an ectopic canine and determine the presence of resorption of adjacent teeth. Referrals from GPDs were the most frequent and the largest age group was the 11- to 15-year olds. The reason for re-exposures was motion artefacts. High scanning speed to reduce motion artefacts and a half rotation (180°) to reduce the radiation dose to the patient should be preferred. The need for continuous work with quality and systematic monitoring of radiographic procedures at any radiology department should be given high priority.

Fluoridated salt for caries prevention and control - a 2-year field study in a disadvantaged community.

BACKGROUND: Salt fluoridation is considered a cost-effective community strategy for reducing caries. AIM: To evaluate the effect of school-based and domestic distribution of F-salt to schoolchildren residing in a disadvantaged community. DESIGN: Seven hundred and thirty-three schoolchildren (12-14 years), attending two public schools, were enrolled; one was assigned to intervention (IS), whereas the other served as reference (RS). Subjects in IS were given access to F-salt (250 ppm F) in marked jars at school lunch and through free supply for domestic use. The 2-year caries increment and progression rate, assessed from bitewing radiographs, was scored. Information on diet, oral hygiene, and fluoride exposure was collected through a baseline questionnaire. RESULTS: The dropout rate was high (IS 27%; RS 18%). At baseline, the IS children displayed more unfavourable risk factors and a higher caries experience than RS children. There were no significant differences in total caries increment or proximal progression rate between the two schools. A negative correlation (r = -0.29; P < 0.05) between the amount of delivered salt and the caries progression rate was, however, noted. No side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: F-salt was not effective in this setting. Still, the findings indicate that salt may be a beneficial source of fluoride in schoolchildren provided that compliance can be secured.