Risk indicators associated with dental erosion among Jordanian school children aged 12-14 years of age.

AIM: To identify potential risk indicators of dental erosion (DE) among 12- to 14-year-old Jordanian school children. DESIGN: A random cross-sectional sample was selected from Amman, Irbid, and Al-Karak governorates. A weighted multistage random sampling system was used to yield 3812, 12- to 14-year-old school children from 81 schools. The study utilized a self-reported questionnaire of factors reported in the literature and thought to be associated with DE. Full mouth recording using the tooth wear index modified by Millward et al. (1994) was performed by a single calibrated examiner. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis defined the risk indicators that were simultaneously associated with DE with geographical location, medical condition including frequent mouth dryness, and having frequent bouts of vomiting or using a cortisol inhaler, dietary habits including consumption of carbonated beverages, lemon, sour candies, and sports drinks, keeping soft drinks in the mouth for a long time, brushing teeth following soft beverages or drinking lemon juice at bed time. CONCLUSIONS: Dental erosion is a multifactorial condition in which mouth dryness, vomiting, cortisol inhaler use, keeping soft drinks in the mouth, drinking beverages at bed time, consumption of lemon, sour candies, and having confectionary as snacks are risk indicators, and area of residence are all potential factors.

Ability of Pit and Fissure Sealant-containing Amorphous Calcium Phosphate to inhibit Enamel Demineralization.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-containing pit and fissure sealant on inhibition of enamel demineralization in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Enamel specimens (n = 75) were prepared using freshly extracted noncarious human third molars. Box-shaped cavities (8 × 2 × 2 mm) on the buccal or lingual surfaces were prepared and restored with resin-based sealant (Concise™), ACP-containing sealant (Aegis®) or fluoride-containing sealant (Conseal-F™). The samples were acid challenged in a demineralizing solution of 50 mmol/l lactic acid at pH 5.0 for 4 days. The change in enamel microhardness (ASuH) was calculated. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: The mean SuH0 (±SD) (in Vicker's unit) prior to the acid challenge was: Concise™ (318.83 ± 33.86), Aegis® (331.03 ± 21.52), Conseal-F™ (310.12 ± 34.31). Following the acid challenge, the values dropped in all groups and ASuH (±SD) values were 269.17 ± 47.49, 151.39 ± 23.96 and 175.79 ± 32.39 respectively. CONCLUSION: The ACP-containing pit and fissure sealant has the potential to inhibit enamel demineralization. How to cite this article: Zawaideh FI, Owais AI, Kawaja W. Ability of pit and fissure sealant-containing amorphous calcium phosphate to inhibit enamel demineralization. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):10-14.

Jordanian dental students' knowledge and attitudes in regard to child physical abuse.

The aim of this study was to investigate Jordanian dental students' educational experience, attitudes, and knowledge regarding child physical abuse. Data were collected from a self-administered questionnaire completed by 441 undergraduate and postgraduate dental students in both dental schools in Jordan. Descriptive statistics were used to report responses to each question. The chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between students' responses and level of education; the difference was considered significant if the probability of the difference was less than 5 percent. Results indicated major lack of knowledge of social indicators, signs of physical abuse, and reporting procedure among all respondents with no significant difference between postgraduate and undergraduate students. Most students indicated that their dental school was the main source of information on this topic; however, more postgraduates reported benefit from extracurricular sources. We conclude that dental students in Jordan are not sufficiently prepared to undergo their role in protection of children from abuse. Dental curricula in both dental schools include information on the topic of child abuse; however, the content should be expanded to better prepare the students.