Food is necessary for the proper growth and development of children. The excessive intake of low-molecular carbohydrates constitutes a serious health issue, which has an unfavourable impact on the dental health status. The aim of this study was to assess the food habits in healthy children aged 6–12 years and the effect on their oral risk profile. The study included 100 children. The assessment of their nutrition was done with the help of a seven-day reproduction of the food intake and a survey used to determine their underlying food habits and preferences. The results revealed unbalanced nutrition of the children and increased intake of simple sugar, which will increase the risk of development of dental caries. The observed high levels of DMFT (number of decayed, missing and filled teeth) in 54% of the children is a logical result of the frequent intake of sugary foods and beverages for a long period of time, as this will increase the acid production by microorganisms in dental plaque, which is one of the leading etiologic factors for the development of caries. It is necessary for dentists to administer control over the carbohydrate intake and the food habits of children, as well as to encourage non-cariogenic diet in order to keep their good oral health.

The purpose of this study was to implement an educational programme for oral hygiene for visually impaired children. It involved 30 children with total blindness aged 7-14 years: 13 boys and 17 girls. For their training, specially designed training materials were made, including magnified gypsum teeth models with and without cavities resembling carious lesions, Braille instructions for oral hygiene and embossed images printed out on special microcapsule paper presenting the sequence of the toothbrushing movements. To facilitate the maintenance of oral hygiene at home, a special CD with children's favourite music was made, divided into fragments by a bell ring that indicates the time to change the area to be toothbrushed. The music meets the time required to clean all the tooth surfaces for three minutes. The oral hygiene level was assessed using the Greene and Vermillion-Simplified Oral Hygiene Index. The approved one-year oral hygiene educational programme showed a significant improvement in the oral hygiene habits of the visually impaired children. There was a slow improvement in the oral hygiene levels in the first month. The trend continued until the end of the one-year period, the results obtained being statistically significant compared to the baseline. The motivation and education of visually impaired children with Braille instructions and magnified tooth models were essential to improve the oral hygiene status.

The purpose of this study was to implement an educational programme for oral hygiene of children with autism. It involved 30 children with autism aged 6-11 years. For their training, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) images for oral hygiene and tooth-brushing techniques were made. The oral hygiene level was assessed using the Silness & L€ oe Oral Hygiene Index. The children had poor oral hygiene due to hindered communication and motivation. The practical training of the children with autism included in the study lasted one year and was performed with the help of their parents. At the end of the one-year educational programme in oral hygiene, there was improvement in the oral hygiene habits of the children. The PECS images helped to improve the communication and the oral hygiene habits in the children with autism.

No abstract

The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate the types of microorganisms in deep proximal caries lesions and the efficacy of elimination of microorganisms after a 24 s ozone application to proximal cavity lesions prepared for restoration. Sixteen caries-active volunteers (female: 8, male: 8; age range: 35-55), with proximally situated deep caries lesions on premolars or molars, were included in the study. Each patient underwent two microbiological investigations. First, the caries decay before treatment was assessed. Second, the dentine tissue was assessed after the removal of necrotic tooth decay and 24 s ozone application. The prevalence of oral streptococci was determined. In addition, we isolated Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis and Peptostreptococcus spp. from deep proximal caries lesion in caries-active patients. All microorganisms found in the deep proximal caries lesions were destroyed following 24 s ozone application. Our findings suggest that S. anginosus group, C. albicans and E. faecalis should be considered as an index for caries activity in caries-active patients, but additional studies are necessary to confirm this suggestion. This study demonstrated that 24 s of gaseous ozone application to the deep proximal caries lesions effectively eliminated microbial species.