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To assess the impact of dental caries and treatment under general anaesthetic (GA) on the everyday lives of children and their families, using child-reported measures of quality of life (QoL) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Participants, aged 5–16 years old having treatment for dental caries under GA, were recruited from new patient clinics at Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, Sheffield. OHRQoL was measured before and 3-months after treatment using the Caries Impacts and Experiences Questionnaire for Children (CARIES-QC). Overall QoL was measured using the Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D). Parents/caregivers completed the Family Impact Scale (FIS). Eighty five parent–child dyads completed the study. There was statistically significant improvement in OHRQoL (mean interval score difference in CARIES-QC = 4.43, p < 0.001) and QoL (mean score difference in CHU9D = 2.48, p < 0.001) following treatment, with moderate to large effect sizes. There was statistically significant improvement in FIS scores (mean score difference = 5.48, p = 0.03). Treatment under GA was associated with improvement in QoL and OHRQoL as reported by children, and reduced impacts on the family. This work highlights the importance of GA services in reducing the caries-related impacts experienced by children. Further work is needed investigate the impact of clinical, environmental and individual factors.

This study was to compare the success of resin-modified Portland cement-based material (TheraCal) with MTA in direct pulp capping (DPC) of primary molars. Symmetrical bilateral primary molars (92) from 46 healthy subjects aged 5–7 years were included in this split-mouth randomised clinical trial. DPC for small non-contaminated pulp exposures using either TheraCal or MTA were randomly performed in symmetrical molars. Thereafter, teeth were restored with amalgam. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at 6 and 12 month follow-ups. Data were analysed using Chi square test at a significance level of 0.05. At the final follow-up session 74 teeth were available. After 12 months, the overall success rates for MTA and TheraCal were 94.5 and 91.8%, respectively. The difference between outcomes of the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Within the limitations of the current study, radiographic and clinical findings revealed that TheraCal exhibited a comparable outcome to MTA in DPC of primary molars after 12 months.

To evaluate the self-perceived oral health and aesthetics of the dentition and jaw in patients with different types of oral cleft, measured by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Additionally, to compare the results of the PROMs between cleft lip and or/palate (CL/P) patients and non-affected controls. 420 CL/P patients treated at the cleft team of the Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, were included, and 138 non-cleft patients were recruited as control-group. Patient’s perceptions were retrospectively evaluated using the CLEFT-Q Teeth for dental aesthetics at ages 8, 12 and 22, CLEFT-Q Jaw for jaw aesthetics at ages 12 and 22, and the Child Oral Health Impact Profile—Oral Symptoms Subscale (COHIP-OSS) for oral health at ages 8 and 12. One-way ANOVA was used to compare differences in oral health and aesthetic perceptions among age-groups, cleft types, as well as between cases and controls. CL/P patients were significantly less satisfied than controls with their dental aesthetics (p = 0.001). CL/P patients reported significantly lower satisfaction on CLEFT-Q Teeth scores at ages 8 and 12, than at 22 years (p < 0.001). Patients with the most extensive cleft phenotype, Cleft Lip and Palate (CLAP), reported lowest satisfaction on the CLEFT-Q Teeth. No differences in perceptions of oral health nor in aesthetics of the jaw were found in the different cleft types, ages, nor in study versus control group. This study found differences in self-perceived dental aesthetics: CL/P patients are less satisfied than non-affected controls. CLAP patients are least satisfied, but satisfaction increases with age.

To investigate the effect of pre-cured and co-cured flowable composite liner on fracture strength and microleakage of primary anterior teeth with extended composite resin restorations. In the current in vitro experimental study, the crowns of 54 extracted primary canine teeth were cut 1 mm above the CEJ, and a pulpectomy procedure was performed. The samples were randomly divided into three groups to restore the coronal part up to 4 mm above the CEJ. In group 1, the samples were built up with Filtek Z250 packable composite resin. In group 2 (pre-cure), first, 1 mm of Filtek Z350 XT flowable liner was applied to the sample, and after curing, the restoration process continued using packable composite resin. In group 3 (co-cure), the flowable composite liner was cured while the first layer of packable composite resin was applied; then, the same restorative procedure similar to the other groups was followed. The samples’ cross-sectional area in the fracture strength test was calculated by AutoCAD software. Subsequently, the samples were subjected to a force in a universal testing machine. The samples related to the microleakage experiment were cut vertically, and then, the dye penetration percentage (10% methylene blue) was measured under a stereomicroscope. ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Mean fracture strength in group 2 was significantly higher than in group 1 (P = 0.016). The microleakage mean in group 3 was significantly lower than in groups 1 (P = 0.000) and 2 (P = 0.026). The flowable composite liner and its relevant separate curing increased the fracture strength of composite resin restorations. However, less microleakage was reported in the group where the liner was applied as a co-cure.

This systematic review explored dental complications associated with metal ion release from oral piercings using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Item retrieval from October 2022 to December 2022 from databases, such as Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science, using predefined search terms was undertaken by two independent reviewers. Data were extracted and risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. From 1509 identified studies, 25 were included for analysis. Of the 25 studies, 20 included both clinical examination and questionnaire-based data. The remaining five studies were deemed low quality based on the Joanna Briggs Institute criteria. The average time piercings were worn ranged between 5 and 48 months. Most studies did not investigate complications from metal ion release. Only two studies examined the direct effects of metal ion release and showed that metal ions may cause hypersensitivity reactions and mucosal changes. Other soft tissue complications were reported, with gingival recession noted in 16 out of 25 studies, especially due to lip piercings. Studies reporting other complications were as follows: swelling (9), pain (8), infection (6), bleeding (6), inflammation (5), alterations to speech, eating and/or swallowing (5), changes to taste or metallic taste (5), and mucosal changes (4). Ten studies reported tooth chipping from tongue piercings. Oral piercings leach metal ions into surrounding tissues which may cause local mucosal changes. Furthermore, oral piercings cause damage to both soft and hard oral tissues, particularly gingival recession for lip piercings and tooth chipping for tongue piercings. Thus, to prevent such adverse injuries, dental professionals should discourage patients against oral piercings.

To evaluate the knowledge and attitude of Iraqi mothers regarding dental trauma prevention and management. Mothers (n = 231) that visited two professional dental centres in Mosul, Iraq, were interviewed and asked to answer a three-part questionnaire containing questions about demographic variables, attitudes and knowledge of dental trauma. The relationships of the demographic variables with the total knowledge score of the correct responses were analysed using two-sample t tests. The number of correct responses regarding management of avulsed teeth compared to that of fractured teeth was evaluated using a paired t test. A 5 % level of statistical significance was applied for the analyses. The mean knowledge score was 5.2 (on a scale of 0–10). No significant differences were found in knowledge score with respect to mothers’ age, educational level, working status, personal experience with dental trauma or first aid training (p > 0.05). Mothers with either at least a high school education or previous experience with dental trauma were more likely to recommend that their children wear mouth guards during sports (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). Mothers who were 35 years of age and older were more likely to know how to correctly carry an avulsed tooth to a dentist. Mothers’ knowledge regarding management of fractured teeth was significantly higher than that of avulsed teeth (p < 0.0001). Mothers in Mosul, Iraq, did not have sufficient knowledge about the prevention and management of traumatic dental injuries. Intervention programmes should be considered to increase mothers’ awareness regarding dental injuries.

To compare the caries preventive effect of a chlorhexidine/thymol-containing antibacterial varnish with a fluoride varnish when topically applied during the eruption of permanent molars. The study group consisted of 189 patients, 5–14 years of age, with one 1st or 2nd permanent molar in the process of eruption. After stratification for type of molar and stage of eruption, the patients were randomised to either quarterly topical applications with an antibacterial varnish (Cervitec® Plus; CV group) or biannual applications with a fluoride varnish plus biannual treatments with placebo varnish (Fluor Protector; FV group). The duration of the study was 2 years. The primary endpoint was caries incidence (initial and cavitated) in the erupting molars and the secondary outcome was salivary mutans streptococci (MS) counts. The groups were balanced with respect to socio-economy, oral hygiene, dietary habits and caries experience at baseline. The dropout rate was 11.6 %. The caries incidence was low (<10 %) in both groups and there was no significant difference between the CV and FV groups with respect to occlusal caries development in the erupting molars (relative risk 1.08, 95 % CI 0.94–1.25). Significantly lower levels of salivary MS were disclosed in the CV group at the end of the study (p < 0.05). No difference in occlusal caries development in young permanent molars was displayed after topical applications of either a chlorhexidine/thymol varnish or a fluoride varnish during tooth eruption.

This study aimed to adapt the short-form versions of the Parental-Caregivers Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ), and the Family Impact Scale (FIS) in the Finnish language and to test its validity and reliability. Another aim was to compare the background factors of parents with respect to P-CPQ and FIS outcomes. This study was conducted among a convenient sample of parents who visited the public dental clinic in Sievi, Finland, from May to October 2016. A total of 54 parents of 2–8-year-old children completed the short-form of the P-CPQ questionnaire and 50 parents of 2–8-year-olds completed the FIS questionnaire while visiting for their children’s routine dental check-up. Parents completed the self-administered P-CPQ and FIS questionnaires. Reliability and validity of the short-form of the P-CPQ and FIS were assessed. Differences between gender, and family size were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U test and the differences between age groups were evaluated using the Kruskal–Wallis one-way ANOVA test. The Finnish versions of both the short forms of the P-CPQ and FIS had alpha values within the acceptable range. The scales also showed good construct validity. Toddlers (2–4-year olds) had the highest scores for both the P-CPQ and FIS-8 subscales. Likewise, families with 5 or more children had high FIS scores. The short form of the P-CPQ and FIS in Finnish language are valid and reliable. The oral health of the child seems to have the greatest family impact among parents with five or more children and in families with 2–4-year olds.

In cases of infraoccluded primary molars associated with agenesis of premolars, any treatment plan occasionally includes retention of the primary teeth for space preservation and future implant placement if needed. In these cases, building up the crowns to the occlusal line is necessary to prevent various clinical problems. The present case report describes in detail a novel but simple clinical approach for retention and building up of the crown of infraoccluded primary molars. The technique is presented in a 14-year-old girl with nine missing permanent teeth. Orthodontic evaluation indicated space closure for five teeth and space maintenance in the remaining four second primary molars, three of them being infraoccluded. The technique included the following clinical steps: (a) elastic separators were placed proximally to the primary molars for few days to create space; (b) proximal minimal reduction of the crown width was performed; a direct hand composite resin core was made to increase crown height facilitating the selection of a preformed metal crown (PMC). The selected PMC was filled with self-curing composite resin and placed on the primary tooth following an acid etch and adhesive procedure; excess cervical material was removed; (c) after polymerisation, the PMC was carefully removed using cutting and hand instruments, revealing the composite resin fabricated crown which was adjusted for occlusion and polished. Radiographic evaluation confirmed the result. This simple method for infraoccluded primary molars crown building up to occlusion using conventional instruments and materials, appears to be a valuable clinical tool for paediatric dentists who frequently find themselves dealing with primary teeth that need to be retained and which can produce serious clinical problems if left untreated.

To evaluate the impact of oral health conditions on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and compare with children and adolescents without CP. This was a paired cross-sectional study, consisting of 121 children and adolescents with CP and 121 without CP, aged 6 to 14 years. Caregivers filled a socioeconomic–demographic and the Parental–Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ). Physical examination of the oral cavity assessed the dental caries experience, need for treatment, consequences of untreated dental caries, presence of dental trauma, bruxism and malocclusion. A descriptive analysis and Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests (p < 0.05) were performed. Variables with p values ≤ 0.20 in the bivariate analysis were included in the adjusted model analysis. Variables with a p value < 0.05 remained in the final Poisson Regression model. Caries experience had a negative impact on the quality of life of both groups, with and without CP. Presence of gastroesophageal reflux and difficulty to opening the mouth also had a negative impact on the OHRQoL of the group with CP. Children and adolescents with CP suffered a greater negative impact on OHRQoL than individuals without CP. Difficulty in opening the mouth and the presence of GER had a negative effect on the quality of life of individuals with CP, while dental caries had a negative impact on the OHRQoL of children and adolescents of both groups.