A bstract Aim and objective To analyze the impact of Indian instrumental music on children with intellectual disability (mild) exhibiting dental anxiety during dental procedures using electrical skin resistance measured by a biofeedback machine. Materials and methods A total of 20 children of 6–14 years having an intellectual disability (mild) were randomly divided into two groups comprising of 10 each. The study was carried out in a cross-over design, with and without music distraction in two appointments spaced out at a gap of 1 month. The children were subjected to a dental examination, oral prophylaxis, and auditory operative stimuli in both appointments. The electrical skin resistance during each procedure was measured using a galvanic skin response (GSR) biofeedback machine and the values were statistically analyzed using paired and unpaired t -tests. Results A statistically significant increase in electrical resistance was observed during music distraction, which indicated an anxiety reduction when music distraction was employed. Conclusion The increased electrical skin resistance due to low anxiety proves the positive impact of music distraction in intellectually disabled children. Clinical significance Music can be employed as a distraction technique to reduce anxiety in intellectually disabled children. How to cite this article Gowdham G, Shetty AA, Hegde A, et al. Impact of Music Distraction on Dental Anxiety in Children Having Intellectual Disability. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(1):170–174.

Dental caries is considered as one of the most serious dental diseases that results in localized dissolution and destruction of the calcified tooth tissues. As possible alternatives to conventional techniques of caries removal, chemo mechanical caries removal systems have emerged. AIM: To clinically observe the advantages of Chemo-mechanical method of caries removal over Conventional technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 64 teeth of 32children with class 1 open carious lesions were selected for the study from the school dental clinic after taking written consent. They were divided into two equal groups according to method of caries removal (32 chemomechanical and 32 conventional from both primary and permanent teeth respectively). In Group I, caries was removed using the carie-care system and in Group II, with the conventional drill and were restored equally with amalgam and ketac molar respectively. The restored teeth were followed up after 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 1 year respectively for its clinical success. RESULTS: The results were subjected to statistical analysis using students paired t-test and chi-square tests. It showed that though Chemomechanical technique took a marginal increase in time compared to the conventional technique, it was found to be more comfortable for all the children. Amalgam restorations showed better retention compared to ketac molar restorations in both the techniques. CONCLUSION: Chemomechanical technique though time consuming is definitely superior compared to conventional technique in pediatric dentistry, provided we use a less technique sensitive restorative material which retains in the oral cavity for longer period of time. It is definitely a better treatment protocol in school based dental treatment compared to conventional technique

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Over the last few years there has been a growing interest to cater to the requirements of children with special health care needs, especially those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by limited communication skills and an obsessive need for structured patterns. Individuals with a genetic predilection to autism can be provoked by the various prenatal, natal, or post-natal environmental factors. Drugs such as thalidomide, valproic acid and consumption of antidepressants during pregnancy as well as high maternal age and viral infections are known to be prenatal triggers for autism. Autism affects 1 in every 110 children with a significant preponderance of boys to girls with a ratio of 4:1. According to Caries Risk Assessment tool (CAT) adapted by the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, children with ASD are at a high risk for dental caries due to their preference for carious food, pouching of food due to poor masticatory ability combined with inadequate maintenance of oral hygiene and help required for tooth brushing. These children do not behave positively to sudden changes in their environment thus a dental operatory might be intimidating to them. A thorough understanding of the individual’s needs of these patients along with combining various behaviour management techniques will help make their dental treatment a pleasant one. This articles reviews literature on the aetiology and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder with a special emphasis on the health status and issues encountered while treating these children. This study is also an update on the various strategies such as using Applied Behaviour management approaches, Picture Exchange Communication System, Video Pedagogy, Social stories as well as pharmacological ways to communicate and also manage a child with ASD in the dental clinic. KEY WORDS Autism, Oral Health Status, Behaviour Management, Dental Management

<strong>Introduction</strong>: Saliva, a chief player in the oral cavity, is determined by its secretion rate and quality to aid either in the development of caries, or its remineralization. The ability for saliva to function as a source of calcium and phosphate increases its supportive properties as it influences the precipitation or dissolution of calcium hydroxyapatite (HAP), the principal inorganic component of dental hard tissue.<p><strong>Materials&amp;Methods</strong>: 30 healthy children, aged between 3 and 6 years old were screened and recruited for the study at the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry of the A.B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, a constituent of Nitte University. The subjects were clinically examined and scored based on their decayed, missing (due to caries) and filled surfaces (dfs) and were further categorized into two equal groups of 15.</p><p><strong>Result</strong>: In the subjects with Early Childhood Caries (ECC), the mean calcium concentration in samples of unstimulated saliva was 4.2383 ± 0.8594 and in samples of stimulated saliva was 4.1965 ± 0.6240. While, the mean inorganic phosphorous concentration in samples of unstimulated saliva was 3.219 ± 0.8540and in samples of stimulated saliva was 3.0634 ± 0.5470.</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: From this study, we obtained a relationship between calcium, saliva and the caries status of children with the calcium concentration decreasing with increase in the caries status, as well as on stimulation of saliva.</p>