The prevalence of MIH in the permanent dentition of south Indian children was 8.9%. There is a need for a proper planned preventive and restorative program with regard to the increasing prevalence of MIH.

This paper deals with the optimal sample sizes for a multicentre trial in which the cost-effectiveness of two treatments in terms of net monetary benefit is studied. A bivariate random-effects model, with the treatment-by-centre interaction effect being random and the main effect of centres fixed or random, is assumed to describe both costs and effects. The optimal sample sizes concern the number of centres and the number of individuals per centre in each of the treatment conditions. These numbers maximize the efficiency or power for given research costs or minimize the research costs at a desired level of efficiency or power. Information on model parameters and sampling costs are required to calculate these optimal sample sizes. In case of limited information on relevant model parameters, sample size formulas are derived for so-called maximin sample sizes which guarantee a power level at the lowest study costs. Four different maximin sample sizes are derived based on the signs of the lower bounds of two model parameters, with one case being worst compared to others. We numerically evaluate the efficiency of the worst case instead of using others. Finally, an expression is derived for calculating optimal and maximin sample sizes that yield sufficient power to test the cost-effectiveness of two treatments.

Background:Variations in the structure of teeth have always been a great curiosity to the dentist from the scientific and practical point of view.Aim:To evaluate the prevalence of a few aberrant morphological features namely, cusp of Carabelli in primary maxillary second molar and in permanent first molar, five cusp in primary maxillary second molar and permanent first molar, shoveling and double shoveling with respect to permanent maxillary central incisors, four cusped primary mandibular second molar and permanent first molar, six cusped primary mandibular second molar and permanent first molar and seven cusped primary mandibular second molar and permanent first molar in 6–10 year old children belonging to the East Bengaluru, a City in India.Design:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2111 children by two stage sampling method. Type III examination was performed. The findings were subjected to Chi-square test.Results:83.8% of the studied population had one or more of the variations checked for, as mentioned above. The variation most commonly seen was double shoveling (66.6%) followed by shoveling (65.7%). No significant results were observed in any trait with respect to gender.Conclusion:This study is the first of its kind, providing a baseline data of the prevalence of morphological details in the pediatric Indian population.

No abstract

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of tongue scraping, tongue brushing, and saturated saline on salivary MS levels.Materials and Methods:A single-blinded, randomized, parallel group clinical trial was conducted in children aged 9–12 years. Total sample of 45 subjects were randomly assigned to three groups, that is, Group A, Group B, and Group C comprised of 15 each. Group A, Group B, and Group C were asked to do tongue scraping, tongue brushing and saturated saline rinsing twice daily, respectively for 21 days. Saliva samples, collected from the subjects on the baseline, 7th day and 21st day, were inoculated on mitis salivarius bacitracin agar and incubated at 37°C for 48 h. The mean streptococcal colony forming counts were enumerated. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using Wilcoxon signed rank sum test for intragroup comparisons and Mann–Whitney U-test for intergroup comparisons.Results:Intragroup comparisons showed statistically significant reduction in MS levels (P < 0.01). However, the intergroup comparisons showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05).Conclusion:The oral hygiene measures evaluated proved equal efficacy in reducing the colony counts. Hence, there is a need to emphasize the importance of incorporating supplementary oral hygiene measures in daily oral care.