BackgroundThe aim of this retrospective study was to assess and compare the dental treatments performed under general anesthesia (GA) between healthy children and children with special health care needs (SHCN) according to age group and gender at king Fahd hospital, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.Material and MethodsData was retrieved from the records of 304 healthy and SHCN children 1 18 years of age who received dental rehabilitation under GA in the period 2015-2018. The dental treatment modalities were compared in the two groups and differences according to age group and gender were reported.ResultsCompared to healthy children, children with SHCN received significantly less pulp therapy treated teeth, and restored primary teeth. While, they received significantly more extracted teeth, and restored permanent teeth (P<0.05). In both groups, younger children (≤ 6 years) received significantly more crowns, pulp therapy treated teeth, and restored primary teeth than older children (> 6 years) (P<0.05). While, they received significantly less fissure sealed teeth, extracted primary teeth, and restored permanent teeth (P<0.05). No gender difference was found among children with SHCN; however, healthy boys ≤ 6 years received significantly more extracted primary teeth than girls of same age group, while healthy boys > 6 years received significantly more pulp therapy treated teeth than girls of same age group (P<0.05).ConclusionsHealthy children had different approaches for treatment under GA than children with SHCN. The use of radical treatment approaches like extraction in children with SHCN and the lessened preference toward pulp therapy coupled with greater need for permanent teeth restorations when compared to healthy children were observed. Greater emphasis on oral health education and preventive strategies for children with SHCN is required. It is important to educate their parents/caregivers on the importance of establishing early dental home. Key words:Dental treatment, general anesthesia, special health care needs.

Context. Studies about knowledge of emergency management of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) which affect children by general dental practitioners (GDPs) and specialists in Saudi Arabia are lacking. Aim. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the knowledge level of GDPs and specialists about TDI emergency management and its relation with demographic variables in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods. A random sample of 239 GDPs and specialists was given a two-part questionnaire; the first part included demographic questions and the second part included questions related to knowledge of emergency management of luxation (intrusion and extrusion), complicated crown fracture, and avulsion injuries. Data was statistically analyzed using chi-square and ordinal logistic regression tests. The significance was set at P<0.05. Results. The mean knowledge score was 5.57 for GDPs and 6.69 for specialists (out of 12). A significant difference was observed between both groups in the management of avulsion injury. Three factors significantly improved the dentists’ knowledge: gender (female), practice type (specialist), and previous experience of encountered TDIs (P<0.05). Conclusions. GDPs and specialists in Qassim region had moderate knowledge of emergency management of TDIs. Specialists were significantly more knowledgeable than GDPs in the management of avulsion injury when compared to the rest of the injuries.

Electrolyzed water is a safe, broad-spectrum bactericidal and viricidal agent, which can be used as a potent and effective alternative disinfectant in case of supply shortages. This report describes the on-site production of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (EW) from diluted salt solution and vinegar at a dental office using a portable EW generator unit. Such measures can ensure the safe continuity of important dental service provision for our patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (CoVID-19) pandemic.

BackgroundThe aim of this cross sectional study was (1) to identify and compare the approaches which are used to care for carious primary molars between pediatric dentists (PDs) and general dental practitioners (GDPs) in Saudi Arabia and (2) to evaluate the knowledge level of the most appropriate treatment decisions for both groups with regard to caries in primary molars and its relation with demographic variables.Material and MethodsA random sample of 600 GDPs and all registered PDs (n = 100) in the Saudi dental society in 2016 were emailed a two part questionnaire; the first part included questions about demographic data and the second part investigated knowledge of the participants of the most appropriate treatment decision in four hypothetical case scenarios in which the severity of caries in a single primary first molar differed. Data were analyzed using chi square and ordinal logistic regression statistical tests. The significance was set at 0.05.ResultsThe average knowledge score was 1.28 for GDPs and 1.80 for PDs. There were significant differences between both groups on their choice of the most appropriate treatment option in three out of four scenarios. Two factors significantly improved the participants’ knowledge; age and qualification (P<0.050.05). PDs were more interventionists, ready to perform pulpotomy and extraction in the absence of equally appropriate treatment options.ConclusionsGDPs and PDs in Saudi Arabia had different treatment approaches of different carious conditions affecting primary molars. PDs had moderate but significantly better knowledge of the most appropriate treatment option than GDPs. Key words:Dental caries, general dental practitioners, pediatric dentists, primary molars, treatment approaches.

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How to cite this article: Al-Haj Ali SN, Alshabaan SH. What do parents know about oral health and care for preschool children in the central region of Saudi Arabia?.

This study aimed to assess the impact of dental caries’ severity, body mass index (BMI), and sociodemographic factors on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) for special health care needs (SHCN) children and the suitability of their caregivers as proxies to determine OHRQoL. This cross-sectional study recruited 107 pairs of SHCN children and their caregivers and asked them to complete a questionnaire on sociodemographic issues as well as the Arabic version of the early childhood oral health impact scale (A-ECOHIS). This was followed by a dental examination. Dental caries was measured using the dmft/DMFT index, while caries’ severity was also determined. The children’s height and weight were measured, and BMI (kg/m2) was recorded. Data were analyzed statistically using t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Poisson regression models. Our results revealed that the A-ECOHIS score was 10.93, while the OHRQoL was affected in 95.3% of children. The most-reported item was ‘pain in the teeth, mouth, or jaws’ (48.7%). By regression analysis, caries-free children (Odds Ratio (OR): 0.650) or those who had moderate caries (OR: 0.551) were less likely to have a negative impact on their OHRQoL than those with severe caries. Additionally, those whose caregivers had a maximum primary education (OR: 0.656) or whose occupation was in the health sector (OR: 0.721) were less likely to have a negative impact on their OHRQoL. Those who were ≤ 6 years old (OR: 1.188) were more likely to have a negative impact. BMI did not have a significant impact on the OHRQoL of the children. Further, we detected a significant positive correlation between children’s dmft/DMFT scores and the A-ECOHIS scores reported by the mothers. Given these variables, which included dental caries’ severity, but not BMI, and caregivers’ education level and occupation, plus the child’s age group, we found a significant impact on the OHRQoL. However, we found that mothers were better proxies for their children’s OHRQoL.