What influences the implementation of interceptive orthodontics in primary care?

Assessment of Parental Awareness of Space Maintainers in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate parental awareness regarding space maintainers in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and examine variations in awareness based on parental sex and educational level.

STUDY DESIGN

It is a descriptive cross-sectional study.

METHOD

A self-administered questionnaire in Arabic was distributed to 630 parents from November 2021 to August 2022. The questionnaire assessed knowledge about the significance of primary and permanent teeth and the use of space maintainers in children.

RESULTS

Out of the 630 distributed questionnaires,397 were completed, yielding a response rate of 63%. The study found that 242 (60.96%) of parents demonstrated a good understanding of the importance of primary teeth. However, only 78 (19.65%) respondents had satisfactory knowledge regarding the timing of primary teeth replacement. Awareness about space maintainers was notably low, with only 131 (33%) of parents having basic knowledge about them, 75 (18.89%) understanding the different types, and 101 (25.44%) and 135 (34.01%) knowing about the difficulties in consuming hard and sticky foods, respectively, while using space maintainers. Furthermore, only 69 (17.38%) of parents had personal experience with space maintainers for their children. Analysis showed that mothers were significantly more informed about oral health and space maintainers compared to fathers, but the level of education did not significantly influence awareness levels.

CONCLUSION

Parental knowledge and awareness about space maintainers among families in Al-Madinah are insufficient. Educational interventions may be necessary to improve understanding of space maintainers and their role in dental health for children.

Helping general dental practitioners use the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need: an assessment of available educational apps

Introduction The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) defines who receives treatment on the NHS. The British Orthodontic Society developed the 'Easy IOTN' app to help the dental team use IOTN more effectively.Aim This study aims to investigate the quality of the 'Easy IOTN' app and any alternative mobile apps developed to aid a dentist's ability to use IOTN.Materials and methods The App Store and Google Play were searched to identify available apps which provide an educational resource for IOTN. Any app identified was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and the Royal College of Physicians' health informatics unit checklist. The 'Easy IOTN' app continuous professional development (CPD) section was assessed for accuracy using a focus group.Results Only the 'Easy IOTN' app was identified. It has a mean MARS score of 3.6. Significant inaccuracies were found within the CPD component of the 'Easy IOTN' app.Discussion A mean MARS score of 3.6 is deemed average and is comparable to the quality of other orthodontic apps which exist. Errors contained within the CPD component could confuse users and have a negative impact on IOTN skill development.Conclusions The educational component of the 'Easy IOTN' app is of an acceptable standard, but the CPD section is flawed.

Knowledge and practice towards early orthodontic problems among general dentists and paediatric dentists

OBJECTIVES

To assess the knowledge, practice and challenges faced by general dental practitioners (GDPs), paediatric dentists (PDs) and postgraduate paediatric dentistry students (PGPDSs) in diagnosing and managing early orthodontic problems.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A total of 159 dentists were enrolled in this study (121 GDPs, 21 PDs and 17 PGPDSs). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire involving two sections. Section A included questions regarding demographic features and orthodontic practice. Section B included photos of 12 orthodontic cases that needed early intervention. Knowledge and practice were assessed using six questions for each case that was then rated using predefined scores of poor (score <50%), average (score 50%-75%) and good (score >75%).

RESULTS

The knowledge scores regarding the identification of early orthodontic problems were average among the three groups with GDPs having the lowest score (P = 0.0001). The knowledge scores regarding the selection of optimal treatment time were average among the PDs and PGPDSs, and poor among GDPs. GDPs tended to refer most of their cases to an orthodontist except for cases of thumb sucking. PDs and PGPDSs were more confident in treating anterior crossbite, thumb sucking habits and delayed eruption of incisors. All participants scored 'poor' regarding the selection of an appropriate orthodontic appliance. There was no significant correlation between knowledge and practice (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PDs and PGPDSs showed higher knowledge and practice scores when compared to GDPs. For all three groups included in this study, lack of clinical skills was the main reason for not treating early orthodontic problems.

Influence of photodynamic therapy and different conventional methods on conditioning of lithium di silicate ceramics bonded to metallic brackets: An assessment of bond strength

AIM

The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of different conditioning methods on Lithium di silicate (LDC) employing conventional and contemporary regimes bonded to metallic brackets.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

70 discs of LDC were prepared and polished to attain smooth surface. Samples were allocated into seven groups according to ceramic surface conditioning. Group 1 surface treated with Er-YAG laser and saline (S), Group 2 PDT using MBP + S, Group 3 H F + S (control), Group 3 HF (Hydrofluoric acid) + saline, Group 4 HF (Hydrofluoric acid) + ultrasonic bath (UB) + S, Group 5 sand blasting the glass ceramic surface with 120 um Al₂O₃, Group 6 LDC surface conditioned with SECP(Etch and Prime) and Group 7 ECL(Laser) + S on was irradiated on LDC. Both chemical and mechanical surface treatments of LDC were followed by placement of metallic brackets. Samples were arranged in universal testing machine for shear bond strength (SBS) testing. Bond failure of brackets were assessed using ARI. To assess and compare the mean and standard deviations (SD) among experimental groups analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed. All treatment combination means were compared using the post hoc Tukey's multiple comparison test at a significance level of (p ≤ 0.05).

RESULTS

SBS values of Group 2 H F acid + S displayed highest bond durability (22.28 ± 1.09 MPa). Whereas, specimens in Group 4 surface treated with 120 μm Al₂O₃ displayed lowest SBS scores (11.81 ± 0.55 MPa) and these bond scores were comparable to PDT using MBP + S (12.54 ± 1.09 MPa) (p > 0.05). LDC surface treated by ECL + S (21.11 ± 3.85 MPa), HF + UB + S (19.28 ± 0.52 MPa) exhibited results comparable to HF acid + S (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

LDC conditioned with HFS still remains as gold standard. Use of PDT for surface treatment of LDC and bonded to metallic bracket is not recommended as it results in decreased bond durability. Use of ECL-S and HF + UB + S has a potential to be used alternatively to HFS for LDC conditioning.

A proposed classification for orthodontic practice in India

Aim and Background:

Dental practice is blooming in India with many conventional and advanced setups providing orthodontic services. Orthodontics as a specialty has come to the forefront, as awareness of orthodontic therapy has increased. It is important to classify any health practice to understand, compare, and research the implications of various organizational setups in the country. It should possess the ability to chart the similarities and distinctions between different setups for ease of communication and patient awareness. Presently, there is no defined system that classifies the type of orthodontic practice in the country. Lack of any classification of the organizational setups makes it impossible to categorize or compare the various setups for research purpose, recognition of the dental personnel and facilities provided. This article aims to propose a simple 3-stage classification to orthodontic practices in India.

Technique:

Three-stage classification of orthodontic practice in group, type, and subtype gives a comprehensive coverage to all types of orthodontic setups in India. The group explains the center in three levels based on the armamentarium and services provided. The type explains the center in five levels based on ownership and scope of providing care. Finally, the subtype explains the availability and qualification of the operating personnel.

Conclusion and Significance:

This classification aims to provide a tool for communication and recording the levels of orthodontic care possible at any given center. It also facilitates continued study of its impact on practice efficacy and patient awareness.

Assessment of Saudi parent's awareness towards space maintainers at Alkharj city: A cross-sectional study

Background:

Premature extraction or loss of a tooth due in primary dentition may lead to malocclusion in permanent dentition. Space maintainers are very important to children in mixed and primary dentition for preventing problems of malocclusion. The utilization of space maintainers depends on parental knowledge and awareness about space maintainers.

Aims and Objectives:

To assess the of Saudi parent's awareness toward space maintainers in Alkharj city.

Material and Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was planned among Saudi parents who visited the College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University. Questions related to space maintainers awareness, use, source of information, and utilization of space maintainers were asked.

Results:

Around 312 (82.1%) parents were not aware of space maintainers and did not receive any information about the same. About 166 (43.7%) parents did not have any personal experience of a child's missing deciduous teeth. Only 115 (30.26%) respondents received some information about space maintainers. The majority of parents 298 (78.4%) were unaware whether space maintainers aid in the eruption of permanent teeth. Similarly, 73.7% did not know when to use space maintainers.

Conclusions:

Knowledge of space maintainers among Saudi parents is very less. Dental professionals hence need to create awareness of interceptive orthodontics rather than curative approaches, to achieve better oral health outcomes.