Objective. To evaluate the oral hygiene and the periodontal condition of children and adolescents with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP). Methods. Forty-one children and adolescents, 4-18 years, with CLP and 41 normal controls participated. Clinical parameters examined were the plaque and gingival index and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs. For teeth in the cleft area, probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, and tooth mobility were also evaluated. Samples of subgingival plaque were collected from 21 randomly selected patients of each group. Results. The CLP group had generally poorer oral hygiene (plaque index significantly higher) compared with the control. Children in both groups presented mild degree of gingivitis. Teeth in the cleft area had significantly higher pocket probing depth and tooth mobility, compared with corresponding teeth in the control group. The microbial analysis did not reveal significant differences in the composition of the subgingival microbiota between groups. Teeth in the cleft presented higher isolation frequencies and mean percentages of periodontopathic bacteria. Conclusion. Youngsters with CLP showed poor oral hygiene and worse periodontal condition, compared with controls. The above results advocate their participation in an intensive preventive dental programme that should start at an early age, possibly decreasing the risk of future periodontal disease.

The increased numbers of initial/ white spot lesions combined with poor OH found in the CLP group predispose for an increased risk of further development to carious cavitated lesions. Taking into consideration that the majority of those patients were under orthodontic treatment, the application of an intensive individualized oral health preventive program, focused on remineralisation of the initial caries, is imperative.

The results showed a pattern of colonization in children similar to that previously found in adults. Differences in the profile between age groups suggest a gradual maturation of the oral microbiota, with it being made up of an increasing number of Orange and Red complex species.

This study was performed to test the hypothesis that emotionally stressful states measured by the urinary catecholamines may affect the development of bruxism. Three hundred and fourteen children, boys and girls, aged 6-8 years were included in this study. Bruxism was recorded by a clinical examination and an interview. Positive evidence of this parafunction was defined as the presence of both historical and clinical indicators. Information concerning systemic and socio-economic factors was collected by a questionnaire. A 24-h urine sample was collected for each subject and analysed by the high performance liquid chromatography technique to assay the catecholamine content. Of the total of 273 children who had a complete 24-h urine sample, 167 were identified to be with and without positive evidence of bruxism. The logistic multiple-regression analysis was carried out to test whether the presence of bruxism was affected by the variables studied; 95% probability was used. The results showed that epinephrine and dopamine had a significant and strong association with bruxism. The data therefore provide support for the concept that emotional stress is a prominent factor in the development of bruxing behaviour.

Dental practitioners did not feel adequately informed on recognizing and referring child abuse and neglect cases. The low percentage of reported incidents and the lack of legislation indicate a great need for continuously educating dentists on child maltreatment as well as for setting up an organized system in Greece for reporting such incidents to protect the dentist referring the case as well as the child being victimized.