Evaluation of an intensified preventive programme aimed at 12-year-olds with increased caries risk

Assessment of Dental Anxiety in Children: Reliability and Validity of the Questionnaire to Assess Dental Anxiety in Children (QADA-C)

This study presents a measure to assess dental anxiety in children. To gain a better understanding of children's fear and anxiety in the dental setting, instruments to gather data with high quality are necessary and missing, especially in the German language. Based upon the facet approach, the Questionnaire to Assess Dental Anxiety in Children (QADA-C) includes items concerning anxiety reactions in thinking, behavior, and feelings in the form of short statements. The item formulation was adapted for children of the target age (9-11 years), and items were presented with pictures of dental situations. Item and reliability analyses in a sample of 1019 children showed the good quality of the instrument (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89), and the validity indicators revealed its ability to differentiate high-anxiety, low-anxiety, and non-anxious children with an overall sum score. This score was proven to correlate with oral health criteria (decayed/missing/filled teeth, oral health behavior, oral health knowledge). Its easy administration and appropriateness for children make the questionnaire applicable in the dental office for clinical purposes as well as in research contexts.

Are educating and promoting interventions effective in oral health?: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

It is estimated that about 20%-25% of the world's population are suffering from periodontal diseases or severe gum diseases. This requires appropriate interventions. For the development of effective and evidence-based programmes tailored to the target group, the aim of this review was to survey to the effectiveness of oral health education and promotion interventions in the relevant groups of people.

METHODS

The electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science and Cochrane Library were searched for English language studies between 2010 and (January-December) 2016. To assess the quality of articles, the checklist was used that includes 19 items. Studies were selected based on PICOs criteria, and finally, 16 studies were entered in our study.

RESULTS

A total of 16 articles were selected, classified into two groups (A and B groups), so that group A with short-term effects includes improving knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, oral health behaviour (toothbrushing and flossing), theoretical constructs (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity and perceived behavioural control) which consists of 15 articles and group B with long-term effects includes improving decayed teeth, plaque, calculus and bleeding which consists of six articles.

CONCLUSION

Approximately, this study supports effectiveness of all oral health education and promotion interventions, especially in short-term outcomes. Regarding the importance of long-term and short-term outcomes for oral health education and promotion programmes, These interventions could be performed in the future with several target groups including family and teachers.

Factors contributing to severe early childhood caries in south-west Germany

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of selected variables to the occurrence of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) in 3- to 5-year-old kindergarten children.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010 in 30 randomly selected kindergartens in the German Rhein-Neckar district. After informed consent, parents were asked to complete a questionnaire. The oral examinations took place in the selected kindergartens and the WHO methods as well as the criteria proposed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry were followed. Logistic regression was applied to explore the main factors contributing to S-ECC in a multivariate model.

RESULTS

In all, 1,007 children aged 3 to 5 years with an average age of 4.1 (SD = 0.8) years were examined. Five variables were associated significantly with the occurrence of S-ECC: breastfeeding for more than 12 months (OR = 3.27), use of the nursing bottle in bed (OR = 3.08), start of tooth brushing after the first anniversary (OR = 2.42), regular visits at the dentists (OR = 0.14) and mother with immigration background (OR = 4.05). Prevalence rate of S-ECC was 9.5 %. The mean d(3+4)mft values were 5.69 (S-ECC group) and 0.23 (non-S-ECC group).

CONCLUSION

These results show that occurrence of S-ECC is a complex interaction between socioeconomic, psychological and behavioural factors of parents. New and specific ways to provide preventive dental care for toddlers and infants of caries risk groups have to be developed.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Parents of newborn children have to receive information about timely start of tooth brushing and adequate use of nursing bottles.