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BMC Oral Health Jul 2020Children aged 6-7 years are in the early mixed dentition, which is a period of high prevalence of dental caries and other dental diseases and a critical period for the...
BACKGROUND
Children aged 6-7 years are in the early mixed dentition, which is a period of high prevalence of dental caries and other dental diseases and a critical period for the formation of oral health behaviors. Therefore, good oral hygiene habits of children and oral health knowledge of parents are very important. This study sought to explore the relationship between children's oral health behaviors, parental oral health knowledge, parental choices of pit and fissure sealants, and parents' education levels based on a large-scale sample size for the first time, and to compare the influences of parental education levels between parents.
METHODS
Families of the first and second graders of primary schools in Wuhan Hongshan District were included in this study. A total of 8446 questionnaires were collected to obtain comprehensive information on children's oral health behaviors, parents' oral health knowledge and parents' pit and fissure sealants-related choices. The relationship between these outcome variables and parents' education levels were studied using logistic regression analysis and chi-square test.
RESULTS
Parents who reported good educational background had more favorable oral health knowledge than those of other parents, and their children had better oral hygiene behaviors. Four indicators of five measures to children's oral health behaviors were significantly associated with mother's education level (P < 0.05), and three of them were related to father's education level (P ≤ 0.01). Moreover, seven indicators of eight measures to parents' oral health knowledge were significantly related to mother's education level (P < 0.05) and four of them were affected by the father's (P < 0.05). In addition, parents with higher educational attainments paid more attention to the completeness of medical facilities, the environment of dental practice, the distance to treatment sites, and took less concern of children's willingness when choosing the pit and fissure sealants sites.
CONCLUSIONS
In families with children at the early mixed dentition stage, parents with higher education levels tend to have better oral health knowledge and more oral health care needs, such as pit and fissure sealants. In addition, children of parents who have better educated parents tend to perform better oral hygiene practices.
Topics: Adult; Child; Dental Caries; Educational Status; Female; Health Behavior; Health Education, Dental; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Literacy; Humans; Male; Oral Health; Oral Hygiene; Parents; Pit and Fissure Sealants; Surveys and Questionnaires; Toothbrushing
PubMed: 32652985
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-020-01186-4 -
Health Technology Assessment... Apr 2017Fissure sealant (FS) and fluoride varnish (FV) have been shown to be effective in preventing dental caries when tested against a no-treatment control. However, the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Seal or Varnish? A randomised controlled trial to determine the relative cost and effectiveness of pit and fissure sealant and fluoride varnish in preventing dental decay.
BACKGROUND
Fissure sealant (FS) and fluoride varnish (FV) have been shown to be effective in preventing dental caries when tested against a no-treatment control. However, the relative clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these interventions is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of FS and FV in preventing dental caries in first permanent molars (FPMs) in 6- and 7-year-olds and to determine their acceptability.
DESIGN
A randomised controlled allocation-blinded clinical trial with two parallel arms.
SETTING
A targeted population programme using mobile dental clinics (MDCs) in schools located in areas of high social and economic deprivation in South Wales.
PARTICIPANTS
In total, 1016 children were randomised, but one parent subsequently withdrew permission and so the analysis was based on 1015 children. The randomisation of participants was stratified by school and balanced for sex and primary dentition baseline caries levels using minimisation in a 1 : 1 ratio for treatments. A random component was added to the minimisation algorithm, such that it was not completely deterministic. Of the participants, 514 were randomised to receive FS and 502 were randomised to receive FV.
INTERVENTIONS
Resin-based FS was applied to caries-free FPMs and maintained at 6-monthly intervals. FV was applied at baseline and at 6-month intervals over the course of 3 years.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The proportion of children developing caries into dentine (decayed, missing, filled teeth in permanent dentition, i.e. DMFT) on any one of up to four treated FPMs after 36 months. The assessors were blinded to treatment allocation; however, the presence or absence of FS at assessment would obviously indicate the probable treatment received. Economic measures established the costs and budget impact of FS and FV and the relative cost-effectiveness of these technologies. Qualitative interviews determined the acceptability of the interventions.
RESULTS
At 36 months, 835 (82%) children remained in the trial: 417 in the FS arm and 418 in the FV arm. The proportion of children who developed caries into dentine on a least one FPM was lower in the FV arm (73; 17.5%) than in the FS arm (82, 19.6%) [odds ratio (OR) 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59 to 1.21; = 0.35] but the difference was not statistically significant. The results were similar when the numbers of newly decayed teeth (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.22) and tooth surfaces (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.21) were examined. Trial fidelity was high: 95% of participants received five or six of the six scheduled treatments. Between 74% and 93% of sealants (upper and lower teeth) were intact at 36 months. The costs of the two technologies showed a small but statistically significant difference; the mean cost to the NHS (including intervention costs) per child was £500 for FS, compared with £432 for FV, a difference of £68.13 (95% CI £5.63 to £130.63; = 0.033) in favour of FV. The budget impact analysis suggests that there is a cost saving of £68.13 (95% CI £5.63 to £130.63; = 0.033) per child treated if using FV compared with the application of FS over this time period. An acceptability score completed by the children immediately after treatment and subsequent interviews demonstrated that both interventions were acceptable to the children. No adverse effects were reported.
LIMITATIONS
There are no important limitations to this study.
CONCLUSIONS
In a community oral health programme utilising MDCs and targeted at children with high caries risk, the twice-yearly application of FV resulted in caries prevention that is not significantly different from that obtained by applying and maintaining FSs after 36 months. FV proved less expensive.
FUTURE WORK
The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of FS and FV following the cessation of active intervention merits investigation.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
EudraCT number 2010-023476-23, Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN17029222 and UKCRN reference 9273.
FUNDING
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in ; Vol. 21, No. 21. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
Topics: Budgets; Cariostatic Agents; Child; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Dental Care for Children; Dental Caries; Female; Fluorides, Topical; Health Services; Humans; Male; Models, Econometric; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Pit and Fissure Sealants; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; Single-Blind Method; State Medicine; United Kingdom
PubMed: 28613154
DOI: 10.3310/hta21210 -
European Archives of Paediatric... Feb 2022To systematically review the treatment modalities for molar-incisor hypomineralisation for children under the age of 18 years. The research question was, 'What are the...
PURPOSE
To systematically review the treatment modalities for molar-incisor hypomineralisation for children under the age of 18 years. The research question was, 'What are the treatment options for teeth in children affected by molar incisor hypomineralisation?'
METHODS
An electronic search of the following electronic databases was completed MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, Google Scholar and Open Grey identifying studies from 1980 to 2020. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. The studies were screened, data extracted and calibration was completed by two independent reviewers.
RESULTS
Of 6220 potential articles, 34 studies were included. Twenty studies investigated management of molars with fissure sealants, glass ionomer cement, polyacid modified resin composite, composite resin, amalgam, preformed metal crowns, laboratory-manufactured crowns and extractions. In four articles management of incisors with microabrasion, resin-infiltration and a combination of approaches was reported. Eight studies looked at strategies to mineralise MIH-affected teeth and/or reduce hypersensitivity. Two studies investigated patient-centred outcomes following treatment. Due to the heterogeneity between the studies, meta-analysis was not performed.
CONCLUSION
The use of resin-based fissure sealants, preformed metal crowns, direct composite resin restorations and laboratory-made restorations can be recommended for MIH-affected molars. There is insufficient evidence to support specific approaches for the management of affected incisors. Products containing CPP-ACP may be beneficial for MIH-affected teeth.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Composite Resins; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia; Humans; Incisor; Molar; Pit and Fissure Sealants
PubMed: 34110615
DOI: 10.1007/s40368-021-00635-0 -
International Journal of Clinical... 2022Even in the 21st century, dental caries are considered a global burden, severely upsetting the health and quality of life of those affected. Apart from the fluoride use... (Review)
Review
Even in the 21st century, dental caries are considered a global burden, severely upsetting the health and quality of life of those affected. Apart from the fluoride use and regular oral hygiene, one of the most important prophylactic approaches against caries occurrence is the sealing of pits and fissures. Pit and fissure sealants are a core part of the preventive program in pediatric dentistry and should be considered as a key component of minimally invasive dentistry due to their broad patient benefit. The primary sealant efficacy measure is retention. If the sealant remains bonded to the tooth and offers a good seal, then it is right to expect the occurrence of caries to be diminished. Traditional pit and fissure sealants are hydrophobic. These materials are based on bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (bis-GMA) and other monomers requiring a dry field which is hard to achieve in an oral environment, especially for children. This review highlights the literature on the effectiveness of moisture tolerant pit and fissure sealant, which are the hydrophilic pit and fissure sealant, and a general overview of the pit and fissure sealant materials used for sealing occlusal surfaces, its classification as well as indications and possible side effects. Priscilla S, GS P, Mohandoss S. Moisture Tolerant Pit and Fissure Sealant: A Literature Review. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(2):233-239.
PubMed: 37457211
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2354 -
Community Dentistry and Oral... Oct 2022Healthcare (including dental care) service use is influenced by predisposing, enabling and need factors. One area with limited research is the association of...
OBJECTIVES
Healthcare (including dental care) service use is influenced by predisposing, enabling and need factors. One area with limited research is the association of acculturation (defined as behavioural changes in the adaptation to another culture) as a predisposing factor for dental care preventive service use. Preventive service use is a primary objective of Healthy People, 2030. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of acculturation with the preventive dental service use of dental pit-and-fissure sealant placement, among children in the United States, ages 6-18 years.
METHODS
A cross-sectional, secondary data analysis study was completed using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013-2016 data. NHANES is a nationally representative survey of noninstitutionalized individuals across the United States. In the data set, children, ages 6-18 years, had been evaluated for pit-and-fissure dental sealant use. Information that served as proxies for acculturation was length of stay in the United States (a citizen at the time of the survey; not a citizen and in the country <5 years; or not a citizen and in the country ≥5 years) and whether English was spoken at home (yes; no). Data were analysed for descriptive statistics. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine strength of the associations. Odds ratios for pit-and-fissure sealants among groups were determined.
RESULTS
There were 2220 children participants whose data were used for this study. Less than half (45.5%) had received dental pit-and-fissure sealants. A majority (53.3%) were white and were ages 12-18 years (51.6%). The mean number of dental pit-and-fissure sealants among all children was 5.5. There was a lower percentage of children living in the United States <5 years who had received pit-and-fissure sealants than children who were citizens of the United States (22.2% vs 48.9%, respectively). The adjusted odds ratio was lower for dental pit-and-fissure sealants among children who were in the United States <5 years than children who were citizens of the United States (adjusted odds ratio, 0.38; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.24, 0.58).
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, children who had lived in the United States <5 years were less likely to have pit-and-fissure sealants than children who were citizens of the United States. There is a need to reach all children with preventive services to improve dental quality of life, reduce the need for dental restorations and decrease overall financial burden regardless of time in the United States.
Topics: Acculturation; Adolescent; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Caries; Humans; Nutrition Surveys; Pit and Fissure Sealants; Quality of Life; United States
PubMed: 34251694
DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12678 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2021Caries is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide and is driven by the dysbiosis of dental biofilms adhering to tooth surfaces. The pits and fissured...
Caries is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide and is driven by the dysbiosis of dental biofilms adhering to tooth surfaces. The pits and fissured surfaces are the most susceptible sites of caries. However, information on the taxonomic composition and functional characteristics of the plaque microbiota in the pit and fissure sites is very limited. This study aimed to use metagenomic sequencing analyses to investigate the relationship between the plaque microbiome in the pit and fissure site and caries in adolescents. A total of 20 adolescents with active pit and fissure surface caries were involved as well as 20 age-matched, caries-free teenagers for control tests. Plaque samples were collected from the pit and fissure site and were subjected to metagenomic analyses, in which the microbial communities were investigated. Our results showed that the microbiota diversity was similar between those two groups. At the species level, the relative abundances of , , , , , and were higher in the caries-active group. , , and were relatively more abundant in the caries-free groups. Functional analysis suggested that the metabolic pathway was the most abundant pathway, and the functional traits of the level 2 pathways included amino acid metabolism, metabolism of cofactors, and vitamins and carbohydrate metabolism. Our results also revealed that the caries group displayed several alterations in metabolic pathways, including enriched functions in carbohydrate digestion and absorption. This study suggested that in addition to the specific anatomical structures of the pit and fissured surfaces, the fundamental differences in the plaque microbiome may also be related to the susceptibility of pit and fissure caries.
Topics: Adolescent; Biofilms; Dental Caries; Dental Caries Susceptibility; Dental Plaque; Humans; Metagenomics; Microbiota
PubMed: 34778105
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.740981 -
Dental Clinics of North America Apr 2018We focus on scalable public health interventions that prevent and delay the development of caries and enhance resistance to dental caries lesions. These interventions... (Review)
Review
We focus on scalable public health interventions that prevent and delay the development of caries and enhance resistance to dental caries lesions. These interventions should occur throughout the life cycle, and need to be age appropriate. Mitigating disease transmission and enhancing resistance are achieved through use of various fluorides, sugar substitutes, mechanical barriers such as pit-and-fissure sealants, and antimicrobials. A key aspect is counseling and other behavioral interventions that are designed to promote use of disease transmission-inhibiting and tooth resistance-enhancing agents. Advocacy for public water fluoridation and sugar taxes is an appropriate dental public health activity.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Child; Child, Preschool; Dental Caries; Fluoridation; Fluorides; Humans; Pit and Fissure Sealants; Toothpastes
PubMed: 29478454
DOI: 10.1016/j.cden.2017.11.003 -
European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Mar 2018Tooth decay is still one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in the world, even if during the last five decades measures to combat dental caries have been... (Review)
Review
Tooth decay is still one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in the world, even if during the last five decades measures to combat dental caries have been developed, tested and applied in many populations. Preventive care and education programmes are essential to keeping children's mouths healthy. Within the prevention methods, dental sealants play an important role in preventing the onset and the development of dental cavities.
Topics: Child; Dental Caries; Humans; Pit and Fissure Sealants; Primary Prevention
PubMed: 29569460
DOI: 10.23804/ejpd.2018.19.01.15 -
The Journal of Clinical Pediatric... Sep 2023The aim was to systematically evaluate the cost-effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants (PFSs) compared with that of fluoride varnishes (FVs) in dental caries...
The aim was to systematically evaluate the cost-effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants (PFSs) compared with that of fluoride varnishes (FVs) in dental caries prevention. We searched four electronic databases including the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register (till 03 June 2022), Web of Science (from 1945 to 03 June 2022), PubMed (from 1996 to 03 June 2022), and EMBASE Ovid (from 1980 to 03 June 2022) to identify the cost and effectiveness of PFSs and FVs in decreasing dental caries incidence. Two researchers independently screened search results, extracted data from the included studies, and conducted the risk of bias assessments. The main characteristics of the included studies were extracted and analyzed. The initial search produced 874 articles. After removing duplicates and full-text review, 19 studies were included. In this study: nine studies were on PFSs comparison with control; five on PFSs comparison with FVs; and five on FVs comparison with control. Regarding the type of economic evaluation (EE), 13 studies conducted cost-effectiveness analysis, five conducted cost-utility analyses, and one conducted both cost-effectiveness analysis and cost-utility analyses. The cost-effectiveness evaluation of PFSs and FVs in the available studies was limited. The prevalence of dental caries, payers' willingness to pay, length of follow-ups, delivery settings, retention rate of PFS, and application intervals of FV can affect the economic evaluation of these two methods for dental caries prevention. Therefore, more studies in the future are need to draw clear conclusions about which method is more cost-effective for the two preventive interventions in future.
Topics: Humans; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Fluorides, Topical; Pit and Fissure Sealants; Dental Caries; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
PubMed: 37732430
DOI: 10.22514/jocpd.2023.048