Aim. To evaluate the prevalence and possible etiological factors associated with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) among a group of children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods. A group of 8-12-year-old children were recruited (n = 267) from the Pediatric Dental Clinics at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University. Children had at least one first permanent molar (FPM), erupted or partially erupted. Demographic information, children's medical history, and pregnancy-related data were obtained. The crowns of the FPM and permanent incisors were examined for demarcated opacities, posteruptive breakdown (PEB), atypical restorations, and extracted FPMs. Children were considered to have MIH if one or more FPM with or without involvement of incisors met the diagnostic criteria. Results. MIH showed a prevalence of 8.6%. Demarcated opacities were the most common form. Maxillary central incisors were more affected than mandibular (P = 0.01). The condition was more prevalent in children with history of illnesses during the first four years of life including tonsillitis (P = 0.001), adenoiditis (P = 0.001), asthma (P = 0.001), fever (P = 0.014), and antibiotics intake (P = 0.001). Conclusions. The prevalence of MIH is significantly associated with childhood illnesses during the first four years of life including asthma, adenoid infections, tonsillitis, fever, and antibiotics intake.

The OHRQOL of children with CP is significantly lower than that of normally developing children although the oral health status of children with CP is not significantly different from that of normally developing children.

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of obesity among elementary school children and to examine the association between obesity and caries activity in the mixed dentition stage.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between September 2014 and June 2015 using a multi-stage stratified sample of 915 elementary school children (482 boys, 433 girls) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Anthropometric measurements, consisting of height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC), were obtained. Children were classified as underweight/healthy, overweight, or obese and as non-obese or obese according to their BMI and WC, respectively. Each child’s caries experience was assessed using the decay score in the primary and permanent teeth.ResultsBased on BMI, 18% of children were obese, 18% were overweight, and 64% were underweight/normal. Based on WC, 16% of children were obese, and 84% were non-obese. Girls had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity based on WC measurements (p<0.001), but not BMI. Children enrolled in private schools had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (p<0.05) than those in public schools. For primary and permanent teeth combined, children with higher BMI and WC had a lower prevalence of caries (p<0.05).ConclusionThe prevalence of obesity was high among male and female elementary school children. Overall caries activity was inversely proportional to BMI and WC.

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Purpose. Description of pain is generally difficult in children, and more so in those with intellectual disabilities (ID). Aim. This study is aimed at evaluating dental pain from caregivers' perspective in children with ID. Methods. The study sampled 86 children (33 with ID, 53 normally developing) ages ranges from birth to 16 years old among those visiting the School of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. Caregivers were asked about their awareness of dental pain in their wards using the Dental Discomfort Questionnaire (DDQ+). The children were examined for dental caries and periodontal status. Results. The mean DDQ+ in children with ID (4.55 ± 3.46) was not significantly different from that in healthy children (4.19 ± 3.26, P = 0.7). Children with ID had more salivation (P = 0.01) and were putting their hands inside their mouths more often (P = 0.003). Conclusions. Caregivers can recognize dental pain-related behaviors in children with ID such as excessive salivation and putting hands inside the mouth more often.

Purpose: the purpose of this study was to examine caries experience and associated risk factors in children and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID). Methods: a total of 86 participants aged 3-13 years (33 with ID and 53 healthy) were included in the study. Participants received an oral examination and their caregivers completed a questionnaire. Caregivers were required to determine the “level of function” of their children with regards to performing self care daily activities (brushing teeth, feeding and self dressing, walking and performing toilet activities). Four levels of function were determined; (A) being completely independent, (D) completely dependent, (B) and (C) partially dependent on caregivers. Results: In healthy participants the mean dft score was 8.83 ± 4.99 whereas in those with ID the mean dft score was 6.81± 6.11. The mean DFT score in healthy participants was 2.32 ± 2.98 while the mean DFT in those with ID was 0.92±1.57. Both dft and DFT scores were significantly different between participants with ID and healthy ones (p = 0.042, p = 0.044 respectively). Caries status was not associated with gender, age or caregivers’ education in the study sample. Significant associations were found between caries experience in participants with ID and their type of school (p = 0.01), nature of diet (p = 0.001) and “level of function” (p = 0.007). Conclusions: the type of school, nature of diet and “level of function” may be considered as influential risk factors associated with caries experience in children and adolescents with ID.

Background Providing restorations to anterior teeth in children is a challenging task due to the need for high esthetics, strength, and durability. This study was done to compare prefabricated primary zirconia with resin composite strip crowns on primary maxillary central and lateral incisors with regards to gingival health, plaque accumulation, recurrent caries, restoration failure, and opposing teeth wear over a period of 3, 6 and 12 months. Methods Children attending the King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) clinics who needed restorations were screened for inclusion criteria. A total of 120 teeth were treated; 60 with zirconia and 60 with strip crowns. Randomization was done by simple random allocation using SPSS software version 20.0 (Armonk, NY; IBM Corp.). A simple descriptive statistic was used for analysis by Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test and Chi-square test. Level of significance was set at (α = 0.05) and level of confidence at (95%). The presented research was registered retrospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov in 6th of August 2017, under registration number NCT03184012. Results Zirconia crowns showed significantly less gingival bleeding at the 3- and 6-months follow up periods (p < 0.006, p < 0.001; respectively), less plaque accumulation at all follow up visits (p < 0.001), no restoration failure (p < 0.001), but more wear to opposing teeth (p < 0.02). No significant difference was found between the two crowns with regards to recurrent caries (p < 0.135). Conclusion Based on our data we conclude that overtime teeth covered with zirconia crowns show better gingival health and less bleeding, plaque accumulation as well as less loss of material. On the other hand, zirconia can cause more loss of opposing tooth structure.

Prior research has shown that students' previous grade point average (GPA) is the best predictor for future academic success. However, it can only partly predict the variability in dental school performance. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of multiple mini-interviews (MMI) as an admission criterion by comparing them with the academic performance of dental students over a two-year period. All incoming undergraduate dental students at the King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) during academic year 2013-14 were invited to participate in MMI. Students rotated through six objective structured clinical exam (OSCE)-like stations for 30 minutes total and were interviewed by two trained faculty interviewers at each station. The stations were focused on noncognitive skills thought to be essential to academic performance at KAUFD. The academic performance of these students was then followed for two years and linked to their MMI scores. A total of 146 students (71 males and 75 females) participated in an interview (response rate=92.9%). Most students scored in the acceptable range at each MMI station. Students' total MMI score, ambitions, and motives were significant predictors of GPA during the two years of follow-up (p<0.038 and p<0.