BackgroundEven 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.MethodsThe 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionThe 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.

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.

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 P 11-4 (SAP P 11-4) 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-standardcontrolled clinical trial. Test Group 1 received SAP P 11-4 and twice fluoride varnish at baseline and Day 180, Test Group 2 received SAP P 11-4 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 P 11-4, applied either in combination with fluoride varnish or twice weekly SAPM, was a superior treatment for early caries compared to fluoride varnish alone. Caries levels have significantly decreased over the past decades, partially due to the introduction of fluoride in various forms 1. However, despite the promising efforts and results worldwide, caries levels have remained high, and caries is still the most common disease worldwide 2. Recent efforts to lower caries levels have focused on treating early carious lesions non-invasively, as there is consensus that only early intervention, prior to cavitation, can lead to a regression of the caries to a more healthy state 3,4. Novel therapeutics have been called for, and promising approaches are based on biomimetic research and development. Biomimetic concepts fall into two categories, either based on amelogenin or derivatives thereof, or on rationally designed and screened systems 5,6. There is substantial research in the field, yet most of it is in vitro-based. The exceptions are recent clinical investigations of the rationally designed self-assembling peptide P 11-4 applied either in its monomeric form (SAP P 11-4) 5,6 or its polymeric form as a self-assembled peptide matrix (SAPM). This is the first clinical trial investigating the combined effect of SAP P 11-4 and SAPM in treatment of early carious lesions. SAP P 11-4 has been systematically investigated 7. The self-assembling peptide was rationally designed to provide favourable physicochemical characteristics for nucleation of hydroxyapatite (HA) on the surface of the formed fibres of the 3D matrix 8,9. The mechanism of action of SAP P 11-4 in the remineralization of enamel was proposed early on and has been proven since 10,11. When monomeric SAP P 11-4 is applied onto th...

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).

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.

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.

Background: The common cause of dental infections is necrosis of the pulp of a tooth, which is followed by bacterial invasion through the pulp chamber into the deeper tissues. The bacterial infections are caused by host indigenous bacteria primarily aerobic gram positive cocci, anaerobic gram negative and gram negative rods. The aim of this study is to identify the presence of different cultivating microorganisms which cause dental infections in primary and young permanent teeth manifested by as abscesses and apical parodontitis. Material and Methods: Seventy kids ages 5-15 years (36 females, 34 males) were studied prospectively (I assume this) at the University Dental Clincal Center of Kosovo, Department of Pediatric Dentistry in cooperation with Microbiological Department of Faculty of Medicine. All patients who had clinical, and radiological confirmation of thier dental infections, followed by extraction of their teeth. Once the tooth was extracted blood and pus sample from the empty alveoli were cultured. The analysis of the sample for bacteria identification was done using the automated system VITEK 2 cards (Biomeriux, France). Results: Of 70 children's with deciduous 73.5% of them had acute infection and 26.5% chronic infection. On the other hand 75% of children with permanent dentitions had chronic and 25% acute infection. In acute infections the most common aerobic bacteria was Streptococcus group with 47% (Streptococcus mitis and oralis) followed by the Actonomyces group (Actinomyces mayeri and Actinomyces odontoliticus) and anaerobic bacteria in 34%. In chronic infections streptococcus group was the prevalent aerobic group and in anaerobic infection Actinomyces mayeri and Actinomyces naeslundi was the most representative aerobes in 21% of samples. Conclusion: The dental infections in pediatric population (5-15 years old) are polymicrobial predominantly anaerobic bacte-T. Kutllovci et al. 60 ria over aerobic. This study paves the way for preventives measures that need to me implemented in this group of children.

The primary teeth play an important role in giving facial fullness and aesthetically pleasant facial shapes. Absence of teeth, due to any reason, not only hampers the masticatory activity of the individual, but also affect the facial features to great extent, affecting the concerned person physiologically, emotionally and socially. Unfortunately, the primary teeth's function is disrupted when the demineralization process of hard tooth structures is involved-dental caries. The oral health of children is especially aggravated with the occurrence of the so-called early childhood caries(ECC). ECC is an acute, rapidly developing dental disease occurring initially in the cervical third of the maxillary incisors, destroying the crown completely. The presence of dental caries, especially of ECC, may reflect on the oral health status of children in countries with insufficient health system and inefficient primary dentistry. Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a public health problem with biological, social and behavioral determinants.