This study indicates the burden of oral-health-related conditions on Western Australian children and the hospital system, in terms of health and economical impact.

PurposeTo study bone profile (facial bone thickness and height of alveolar bone crest) of anterior maxillary teeth in the aesthetic area among Saudi dentulous adults.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted at Taibah University College of Dentistry and Hospital, AlMadinah; Saudi Arabia. The analysis included 490 adult patients’ Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) retrieved from Kodak Carestream-R4 database. Alveolar bone thicknesses and crest bone-height for maxillary anterior teeth were measured directly on CBCT images using built-in digital caliper. Descriptive statistics and comparative analysis were performed.ResultsOf the 490 CBCTs 186 were found useable for the study purpose. The mean age of the patients was 34.65 ± 11.57and 109 (59%) were males. Statistically significant (P < 0.001) differences were found between the mean ± SD facial plate thickness of the central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines (1.12 ± 0.28 mm, 1.14 ± 0.31 mm, and 1.03 ± 0.24 mm, respectively). In addition, facial plate height increased statistically significantly positively with age for the central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines (r = 0.543, n = 186, p = 0.001; r = 0.515, n = 186, p = 0.001; r = 0.474, n = 186, p = 0.001, respectively). Genderwise, males had statistically significantly (P < 0.00) higher facial bone thickness e.g. in central incisor (males 1.20 ± 0.29 VS females 1.04 ± 0.25, p = 0.001) and increased bone height (Males 2.62 ± 0.77VS females 2.09 ± 0.66, p = 0.001) compared to females.ConclusionIn this study, the significant differences in bone thickness and crest height between anterior maxillary teeth in the aesthetic area was highlighted. Notably, increases in facial plate crest height was linked to age and male and female differed on both facial bone thickness and bone height.

This study identified the substantial economic burden of child oral-related hospitalizations that emphasizes the importance of preventing costly inpatient treatments.

Better understanding of disparities in access to care among children, socioeconomic divide in oral health insurance coverage and subsequent development of intervention programmes, will be critical to improving Australian children's oral health.

Aim: Teledentistry has gained popularity worldwide because it is cost-effective and increase accessibility to dental healthcare. This study assessed the self-perceptions of teledentistry among dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia and examinedany gender-related differences. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and December 2017 and recruited a convenience sample of dental practitioners, whose self-perceptions of the practice-related use of teledentistry were assessed viaateledentistry survey (TDS). The TDS consisted off our sections:efficiency in patient care, cost reduction,capabilities forimproving practice, and security and confidentiality.Data analyseswere conducted throughdescriptive statistics,internalreliability tests(Cronbach’s alpha), andchi-squaredtests of the TDS. Results: The response rate was 620/800(78%). Most respondents were female (62%), and 58% of themworked in the public sector. The internal reliability of the TDS was 0.85 for the whole sampleand 0.85 and 0.90 for males and females, respectively. Among the entire sample, 51% agreed that teledentistry reduced potential cost, and 65% reported shortened waitlists. More females (42%, p<0.001) than males (22%) agreed that teledentistry could help monitor a patient’s condition.More females (35%) than males (13%, p<0.001) considered that teledentistry would require additional appointments for imaging. More females(29%, p=0.0001) than males (22%) expressed great concern aboutpotential violations of confidentiality. Conclusion: These findings suggest thatteledentistry in dental practiceis well perceived by practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Gender differences in perceptions are linked to certain aspects of teledentistry.