Background and aims. Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a public health problem with biological, social and behavioural determinants and the notion that the principal etiology is inappropriate feeding modalities is no longer tenable. Hence this study was undertaken to assess the relationship between ECC and socio-demographic factors, dietary habits, oral hygiene habits and parental characteristics.Materials and methods. The study involved a dental examination of 1400 children aged 0-71 months, recording caries using Gruebbel’s deft index and a structured questionnaire to interview parents or caretakers. The tabulated data was statistically analyzed using t-test and ANOVA at 5% level of significance.Results. The variables significantly associated with ECC were age (P<0.001), geographical location (P<0.05), duration of breast/bottle feeding (P<0.001), use of sweetened pacifiers (P<0.001), frequency of snacking (P<0.05), frequency of tooth brushing (P<0.001), the person responsible for child’s oral health care (P<0.05) and education level of parents (P<0.05). However, other variables like child’s gender, number of siblings, types of snack the child preferred and age at which tooth brushing was instituted did not have statistically significant relationship with ECC (P>0.05).Conclusion. ECC is preventable and manageable with proper information and skills. It is important for healthcare professionals, family physicians and parents to be cognizant of the involved risk factors as their preventive efforts represent the first line of defense.

Diabetic encephalopathy, characterized by structural, electrophysiological, neurochemical, and cognitive abnormalities, is observed in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-IDDM (NIDDM). Identification of early biochemical lesions potentially may provide clues pointing to its pathogenesis. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are neurotrophic factors that recently have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. Because IGF-ll is the predominant IGF in adult brain, we tested the hypothesis that IGF-Il gene expression is decreased in the CNS in both IDDM and NIDDM. Brain and spinal cord were isolated from streptozotocin-diabetic rats, a model of IDDM with weight loss and impaired insulin production. IGF-ll mRNA content was measured by northern and slot blots. After 2 weeks of diabetes, IGF-lI mRNA content per milligram of tissue wet weight, as well as per unit of poly(A) RNA, declined significantly (p 0.05) in brain and spinal cord. Insulin replacement therapy partially restored IGF-lI mRNA levels in brain, cortex, medulla, and spinal cord. The obese, hyperinsulinemic, and spontaneously diabetic (falfa) Zucker rat was used as a model of NIDDM. Brain weight (p < 0.025) and IGF-ll mRNA contents (p < 0.01) were significantly decreased in (fa/fa) versus lean nondiabetic (+1?) rats. Therefore, the decline in IGF-Il mRNA levels in diabetic brain was independent of the type of diabetes, the direction of change in body weight, and the insulinemic state. We speculate that this early biochemical lesion may contribute to the development of diabetic encephalopathy.

Aim:Traumatic dental injuries frequently occur in society and may occur at home. The ultimate prognosis of an avulsed tooth occurring in a child may depend on the parents’ knowledge of appropriate emergency measures. This study is aimed at evaluating the awareness level of a sample of Indian (Rohtak, Haryana) parents in the management of dental trauma.Materials and Methods:A total of 1500 parents were surveyed using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into three parts. The tabulated data were statistically analyzed using the Chi-square test.Result:This study indicated a low level of knowledge regarding tooth avulsion and replantation procedures to be followed in emergency. The residing area and age of parent did not affect the knowledge and awareness of parents. Moreover, well-educated parents also had very little or no information about dental trauma first-aid. The lack of significance in correct answers between those with and without such experience indicated that past experience did not seem to have increase the knowledge of the correct emergency procedures. Very little or no information about tooth avulsion and replantation had been given to most of them.Conclusion:Dental injury prevention and management should be recognized as a major public health issue and adequate resources to be allocated for research in this area. Educational programs to improve the knowledge and awareness among the parents have to be implemented.

The dentigerous cyst is a developmental odontogenic cyst, which apparently develops by accumulation of fluid between reduced enamel epithelium and the tooth crown of an unerupted tooth. It is one of the most prevalent types of odontogenic cysts associated with erupted, developing, or impacted tooth, particularly the mandibular third molars, the other teeth that are commonly affected are maxillary canines. The present case report is unique as it enclosed three permanent maxillary teeth: the central incisor, lateral incisor, and canine that had to be extracted during surgical enucleation of the cyst.

Aim:The study assessed the incidence of dental caries in first permanent molars, evaluate and compare caries activity between upper and lower first permanent molar and evaluates the effect of various variables on the incidence. Materials and Methods: Caries were detected using DIAGNOdent as a valuable adjunct to clinical examination. The visual appearance of the site recorded using the criteria proposed by Ekstrand et al. Results:Out of total teeth examined, 50.17% were affected by dental caries and 49.90% teeth had no carious lesion. Out of affected teeth enamel caries consisted of 108 (20.69%) teeth, outer half dentin caries affected 101(19.35%) teeth and 53(10.15%) teeth showed dentin caries extended to inner half of teeth. Further significant associations were noted in between different variables. Conclusions: An early preventive program at the age of 6-7 years reduced caries incidence in permanent molars.

Objectives: To determine the maximal mouth opening (MMO) in children aged 3 to 5 years from Indian population and to examine the possible influence of age, gender, height and body weight on MMO. Study Design: Assessment of MMO is accomplished with a modified Vernier Caliper by measuring the distance between the incisal edge of upper and lower incisor during maximal mouth opening upto the painless limit. Participants of the study were healthy children selected among regular students from local schools. Age, gender, height and body weight of each child were also recorded at the same time. Results: The results of the present study revealed that MMO in Indian children were 41.61 mm, 44.9 mm and 46.81 mm for boys and 40.09 mm, 44.22 mm and 46.2 mm for girls at age of 3,4 and 5 years respectively. Further significant associations were noted in between age, height, body weight and MMO. However, no gender difference was observed. Conclusion: A definite relationships exist between MMO, age, height and body weight in Indian children with primary dentition.

In addition to factors such as age, gender, etiology, anatomic site, and treatment of mandibular fracture, this study also reported statistics regarding other factors such as residing area, socioeconomic status, and interval from trauma to reporting in Indian patients. It is hoped that the data presented here will be valuable to the government agencies and healthcare professionals for planning treatment, recommending preventive measures and encouraging research in this area.

Tuberculosis (TB) typically attacks the lungs. The oral lesions either primary or secondary are rarely seen and often overlooked by the clinician. More so, their atypical presentations make the diagnosis challenging; especially when they are present before the systemic symptoms become apparent. We report a case of primary tuberculosis in a 4 year old female child in a very uncommon location, the cheek. The timely diagnosis and antitubercular therapy resulted in complete resolution of the swelling within 6 months.