Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Knowledge, attitude and practices among pediatric dental postgraduates and practicing pedodontists on sign language(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Muppalla, SP; Cheruku, SR; Sawthi, SS; Mohammad, Z; Gollapalli, A; Mehta, JBackground: Communication is fundamental in pediatric dentistry, particularly when treating children with special healthcare needs such as hearing impairments. Sign language can serve as a vital tool for effective communication, yet its awareness and use among pediatric dental professionals remain unclear. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of sign language among pediatric dental postgraduates and practicing pedodontists, including academicians. Materials and Methods: A cross?sectional, questionnaire?based survey was conducted among 250 pediatric dental professionals, of which 206 responded. A structured and pretested questionnaire comprising 17 multiple?choice questions was distributed through Google Forms. It assessed demographic details, prior exposure to hearing?impaired patients, knowledge and familiarity with sign language and dental?specific signs, and participants’ perspectives on integrating sign language into dental practice. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Chi?square tests. Results: While 95.6% of respondents acknowledged the importance of communication in dental care, only 11.7% reported familiarity with sign language. Recognition of key hand signs such as “pain” and “rinse/ suction my mouth” was notably low, with 73.8% and 66% nonrecognition rates, respectively. Most participants (69.3%) rated their ability to manage hearing?impaired children as poor to fair. Notably, 88.8% expressed a willingness to learn sign language, and a majority recommended its inclusion in dental curricula. Conclusion: There exists a significant gap in the awareness and use of sign language in pediatric dentistry. Incorporating sign language training into dental education and continuing professional development may enhance communication, promote inclusivity, and improve treatment outcomes for hearing?impaired children.Item Balancing and compensating extractions in primary teeth: How age, gender, and clinical setting shape pediatric dentists’ preferences(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Nalbantoglu, ER; Singh, PContext: Balancing and compensating extractions (BCEs) of primary teeth are widely practiced in pediatric dentistry to prevent space loss and midline deviations. However, pediatric dentists’ preferences regarding BCEs may be influenced by various demographic and professional factors. Understanding these preferences is essential for standardizing guidelines and optimizing clinical decision?making. Aims: This study aims to investigate whether pediatric dentists’ preferences for BCEs of primary teeth within the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) are influenced by age, gender, clinical work setting, and referral practices to orthodontists. Settings and Design: A survey of the total population of BSPD members was conducted to explore variations in BCE practices based on demographic and professional characteristics. Subjects and Methods: A structured online survey was distributed to 288 BSPD members. The questionnaire included demographic questions and clinical case scenarios related to BCEs. The survey was pilot?tested and validated before distribution. The study adhered to national clinical guidelines, and ethical approvals were obtained. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Contingency tables were generated to compare groups, and statistical significance was assessed using Chi?square or Fisher’s exact tests, where appropriate. Cramér’s V (CV) test was used to determine effect sizes. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Over 80% of pediatric dentists adhered to national guidelines for BCEs, with secondary care practitioners exhibiting a slightly higher adherence rate (86%) compared to primary care practitioners (66.7%). Significant differences in BCE practices were found for primary canines in crowded arches by clinical setting (P = 0.001, CV = 0.493), for first molars in crowded arches by gender(P=0.05, CV =0.319), and for primary canines highlights the need for standardizing BCE guidelines and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration with orthodontists to ensure evidence?based, uniform decision?making.Item Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in 6- to 12-year-old children in Rajanagaram Mandal – A cross-sectional study(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Jalumuru, A; Ramya, MS; Punithavathy, R; Martha, S; Haritha, K; Sainadh, MBIntroduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is episodes of recurrent, sleep?related partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway, which is accompanied by a decrease in oxygen saturation. The prevalence of sleep apnea is high, and significant adverse effects are associated with this. Hence, the current study assessed the prevalence of sleep apnea in Rajanagaram Mandal. Methodology: A sample of 1289 children aged 6–12 years was selected from the primary schools of Rajanagaram Mandal. Validated screening questionnaires, including the FAIREST and BEARS tools, were used to assess the presence and severity of OSA. BEARS questionnaire contained five preformed questions, and the FAIREST questionnaire had six red flags that were evaluated. The cases were classified as mild, moderate, and severe. Using the Chi?square test, inferential statistics were obtained. Results: A prevalence of about 5.7% was observed among the 1289 children. Among those who were diagnosed with sleep apnea, 46 members had mild, 23 members had moderate, and four members had severe OSA. Conclusion: The prevalence of sleep apnea in the Rajanagaram Mandal is 5.7%, which highlights the need for increased awareness and intervention for this condition. Further research is needed to explore the underlying factors and correlations in greater depth to improve the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea.Item Association of maternal bitterness sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil with dental caries experience in mothers and their preschool children(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Gandotra, S; Nayak, UA; Baliga, SM; Nayak, PA; Ahuja, BContext: Oral health is shaped by a combination of genetic, dietary, and behavioral factors, with bitterness sensitivity being one genetic trait that may influence oral health behaviors. Aims: This study aims to explore the link between maternal taste perception and dental caries in both mothers and their preschool?aged children. Methods: A cross?sectional observational study was carried out with 172 mother?child pairs, including children aged 2–3 years. The study employed a convenience sampling method, selecting participants from those visiting the pediatric dentistry outpatient department. Data collected included demographics, caries experience (DMFT/dmft indices), and taste preferences. Maternal bitterness sensitivity was assessed using a 6?n?propylthiouracil (PROP) test and categorized using the Green Labeled Magnitude Scale into supertasters, medium tasters, and nontasters. Statistical Analysis: A comparative analysis between groups (supertasters, medium tasters, and nontasters) was conducted using analysis of variance. Pearson’s correlation was used to assess the relationship between the caries experience of mothers and their children. A significance level of P < 0.05 was used for all statistical tests. Results: Nontaster mothers had significantly higher caries experience than supertasters and medium tasters, and their children similarly showed higher caries rates (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between maternal and child caries experience, while a negative correlation was found with PROP scores. Maternal taste perception was also associated with children’s sweet preferences. Conclusion: Maternal bitterness sensitivity is associated with poorer oral health in both mothers and children, influencing caries experience and sweet preferences.Item Refining the sleep disturbance scale for children: A psychometric study in an Indian pediatric population(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Nair, LS; George, S; Nujum, ZT; Anandaraj, S; Geetha, S; Salim, SObjective: This study aimed to develop a simplified version of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) by evaluating expert consensus on content validity and factorial alignment. The primary goal was to retain essential items while ensuring practicality for clinical and research use in pediatric populations, especially in dentistry. Methodology: A panel of experts assessed 26 SDSC items using various psychometric measures, including Content Validity Ratio (CVR), Item?level Content Validity Index(I?CVI), Factorial Validity Index(FVI), Inter?rater Agreement (IRA), and Fleiss’ Kappa. Items were evaluated for relevance, clarity, and alignment with theoretical domains. The items that demonstrated strong validity, expert agreement, and alignment were retained, while those with lower scores or cross?domain overlaps were considered for exclusion. Results: The analysis revealed high content validity, with most items achieving CVR and I?CVI values above the acceptable thresholds. The FVI indicated strong factorial validity across all domains, with no major discrepancies in domain assignments. IRA and Fleiss’ Kappa further confirmed the consistency of expert ratings. A simplified version of the SDSC was developed, retaining core items addressing sleep latency, night awakenings, breathing disturbances, and daytime somnolence. Conclusion: This study provides a refined version of the SDSC with improved psychometric properties, suitable for pediatric dentistry applications. The simplified tool ensures that relevant sleep disturbances are effectively captured, offering a practical screening tool for clinicians in both pediatric and dental settings. The findings underline the importance of expert consensus in developing valid and reliable tools for the assessment of pediatric sleep disorders.Item Impact of Traumatic Dental Injuries on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life using the Adolescent Oro-Dental Trauma Impact Index among 8-12 year-old school children of Goa, India(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Cardozo, D; Barretto, ES; Swamy, DF; Sudarsanan, AContext: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) to permanent teeth are a significant public health concern due to their high prevalence and detrimental impact on a child’s overall development. In addition to physical distress, TDI can cause social and emotional disturbances leading to long?term challenges. Hence, TDI impact cannot be underestimated. Aims: The aim is to measure the impact of TDI on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) using the Adolescent Oro-Dental Trauma Impact Index (AODTII) among 8-12 year-old school children of Goa. Settings and Design: A cross?sectional study was conducted among 8-12 year-old school children of Goa. Materials and Methods: Multistage cluster sampling was carried out in 8-12 year-old school children of Goa. Random selection of one school per Taluka(12 Talukas) was done. Aconvenience sample of 202 children with a history of TDI from these selected schools was drawn and oral examination was carried out. The validated AODTI Index questionnaire was used to measure self?reported OHRQoL. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive data were depicted as frequencies and percentages. Pearson’s Chi?square test was used to obtain the impact significance of treated versus the nontreated TDIs and Independent sample t?test was used to compare the composite scores among treated and nontreated groups. Results: Among 202 sample children with TDI, 15.8% (32 children) had a significant impact on OHRQoL. Conclusions: The study highlights the profound and multifaceted impact of TDI on young children, consequently influencing their overall development. AODTII Index serves as a simple, reliable, and feasible instrument for evaluating TDI impact on OHRQoL.Item Comparative evaluation of digital and tray impression technique as a method of recording anatomical details of cleft lip and palate in neonates – A randomized controlled clinical trial(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Krishnakumar, K; Kalaskar, R.Background: Cleft lip and palate (CLP), affecting 1 in 700–1000 live births, cause feeding difficulties in neonates due to oronasal communication, requiring feeding plates. Traditional impression methods risk material aspiration and distortion. Aim: The study aimed to assess the efficacy of digital impressions for recording CLP anatomical details in neonates. Setting and Design: Conducted as a single?center, open, parallel?arm, single?blinded randomized controlled clinical trial over 18 months, the study involved healthy, nonsyndromic neonates aged 1–15 days with Veau’s class III CLP. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 neonates were randomly allocated to either the tray impression group or the DIT group. The accuracy of the impression and adaptation of the feeding plate is evaluated. Statistical Analysis: The independent t?test was used to compare the accuracy of anatomical details recorded by digital and tray impression techniques in CLP neonates. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons of sulcus, ridge, and palate deviation on the right and left sides were analyzed using an independent t?test based on software superimposition of the feeding plate and maxillary cleft arch. Results: The anteroposterior length of the cleft and sulcus depth middle region of CLP exhibited significant differences (P = 0.001 and P = 0.032, respectively) between the groups. Furthermore, Group 1 displayed notably higher values in the sulcus, ridge, and palate point deviation measurements during software superimposition. Conclusion: Surface detailing, impression accuracy, and feeding plate adaption were all shown to be outstanding with DIT, in addition to its benefits as the safest and simplest impression technique.Item Bioavailability of ions in saliva after the application of nano silver fluoride in children with early childhood caries: An ex vivo study(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Dhanya, BN; Nagarathna, CBackground: Nano silver fluoride (NSF) can be used to prevent and arrest caries. The release of silver, fluoride combined with calcium, phosphate ions within the saliva will reinforce the antimicrobial and remineralization of carious lesion. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability of ions in saliva of children with early childhood caries (ECC) at different time intervals at pre? and post?application of NSF varnish. Materials and Methods: Sixty saliva samples were collected from 20 ECC children as follows: pretreatment before the application of NSF (T0), posttreatment after the application of NSF at 1 day (T1), and posttreatment after the application of NSF at 15 days (T2). Samples were then subjected to ion analysis (fluoride ion in ppm using ultraviolet?visible spectrophotometer and silver, calcium, phosphorous ion in ppm using inductively coupled plasma optical emission Spectrophotometry. Results: The results of the study showed that the mean ions concentration was significantly higher in T1 >T2>T0 which is statistically significant at P < 0.001. Conclusion: The bioavailability of ions increased after application of NSF in the present study. In conclusion, NSF is an effective anti?caries agent in young children.Item Prevalence of early childhood caries among preschool children of tribal Leh district of Ladakh: A cross-sectional study(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Tamchos, R; Rahul, M; Mathur, VP; Tewari, N; Bansal, K; Priya, HBackground: Children from tribal regions in remote geographic locations face several health?related challenges that often remain unnoticed due to a lack of reporting. Untreated dental caries is one such problem with inadequate data from the Himalayan region of Ladakh in north India. This may portray a wrong picture to the policymakers and hence, inadequate efforts to mitigate oral health issues. Aim: This cross?sectional epidemiological study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) among three to 6?year?old children in the Leh district of the union territory of Ladakh. Setting and Design: This cross?sectional community (school) based study was conducted among the preschool children of Leh Ladakh. Methodology: The study included 402 preschool children from private and government schools. Oral health status was evaluated in the school premises after consent from the school and parents. The status of ECC was recorded using International Caries Detection and Assessment System II criteria (2005) and oral hygiene by using the Plaque Index (1967). Statistical analysis: The association between the variables was assessed using the Chi?square test. The probability was set at 0.05 to be statistically significant. Result: The overall prevalence of ECC was recorded as 94% (95% confidence interval, 91%–96%). It was found to be 94% in government and 93% in private schools. The most frequently involved teeth were in the mandibular posterior region, whereas maxillary anterior teeth showed the most extensive involvement. The prevalence of ECC is directly proportional to plaque index scores. Conclusion: The prevalence of ECC was found to be very high (94%) among the preschool children of the tribal region in Leh district. It followed the usual pattern of involvement among different dental segments and association with the accumulation of plaque.Item Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of video modeling, mobile app (Little Lovely Dentist), and animated video modeling technique in the management of dental anxiety in children: A randomized clinical study(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Chinthala, M; Reddy, PV; Ganapathi, AK; Preethi, V; Srija, K.Background: Dental anxiety is one of the most common problems associated with children, as observed in the dental office. Dental treatments for children are focused on patient comfort and anxiety reduction in clinical settings employing behavior guidance strategies. Aim: To compare and evaluate the effectiveness of three different behavioral modification techniques (video modeling, mobile apps, and animated videos) in alleviating dental anxiety in children. Methodology: A total of 90 children aged 5–10 years were randomly divided into three groups, Group 1: Video modeling, Group 2: Animated videos (Roogies), and Group3: Smartphone dental app (Little Lovely Dentist). Later, all children underwent noninvasive dental procedures, including oral prophylaxis, restorations, and sealant application. Children’s anxiety was assessed objectively through pulse rates and subjectively using an RMS pictorial scale at three intervals. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, with P < 0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: There was a significant reduction in anxiety scores among all children. In the intergroup comparison, there was a statistically significant differences in pulse rates and RMS scores between the three groups before, during, and after dental treatment (P < 0.05). Intragroup comparisons showed significant differences in pulse rates and anxiety scores in groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.05), while RMS scores showed significant differences in all groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Children with dental anxiety can benefit from behavior guidance techniques such as video modeling, Roogies, and the Little Lovely Dentist app. The Little Lovely Dentist app was found to be an effective method for alleviating dental anxiety during noninvasive dental procedures.Item Prevalence of accessory canals in furcation area in primary molar teeth – A systematic review and meta-analysis(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Shah, PP; Mistry, LN; Basu, AAim: The aim of the systematic review was to evaluate the percentage prevalence of accessory canals in furcation area of primary molar teeth. Methodology: Data search was conducted by two independent investigators on online databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Semantic Scholar, and then data extraction was done as table under the specific headings. Out of 11 identified studies, 5 were included for systematic review and meta?analysis. MedCalc tool was used for meta?analysis of the data. Forest plots were made for meta?analysis and I 2 statistics were used for measuring heterogeneity. The risk of bias was assessed using the QUIN Tool. Results: Of the six studies included, 285 teeth were analyzed for the prevalence of accessory canals. Using random effects model (REM) analysis, the estimated pooled prevalence was 68% (95% confidence interval [CI] 56.57–78.60) with heterogeneity of 76%. Two subgroup meta?analyses was carried out. Using fixed effects model (FEM) analysis, the method for evaluating prevalence according to scanning electron microscopy was 59.4% (95% CI 51.96–66.60) with heterogeneity of 47%; using fixed effect model (REM) analysis, the method for evaluating prevalence according to light microscopy was 71.07% (95% CI 59.19–81.16) with heterogeneity of 39%. There was moderate risk of bias across studies. Conclusion: Prevalence percentage of accessory canals in furcation area was 68% when measured at external furcation area. Evidence was of low quality with high heterogeneity. This suggests the possible contribution of furcation area and its treatment in endodontic treatment of primary molars.Item Comparative evaluation of eggshell-derived nano-hydroxyapatite and amniotic membrane as pulpotomy agents in primary teeth: A randomized clinical trial(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Shaheen, SK; Sai, Sankar, AJ; Kattimani, V; Sridevi, E; Pranitha, K; Sankar, KSBackground: Despite the clinical success of existing pulpotomy medicaments, the search for novel and economically viable alternatives continues. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of eggshell?derived nano?hydroxyapatite (EnHA) and amniotic membrane (AM) as pulpotomy agents in primary teeth. Materials and Methods: The study included 44 primary molars from 21 children aged 5–10 years, each presenting with at least two decayed primary molars requiring pulp therapy. The teeth were randomly assigned to two groups: Group I (EnHA) and Group II (AM), with 22 molars in each group. The standard pulpotomy procedure was performed on all selected teeth, and the clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated at 3, 6, and 9 months posttreatment. The data were statistically analyzed using the Chi?square test and Cochran’s Q test to determine intergroup differences. Results: At the 9?month follow?up, Groups I and II showed a clinical success rate of 90%, and 85% respectively. Radiographically, the success rate was 85% for Group I and 75% for Group II. No statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was noticed between the clinical and radiographic outcomes in both the groups, indicating similar efficacy between the materials. Conclusion: Both EnHA and AM demonstrated comparable clinical and radiographic success rates. These findings suggest that both materials may serve as promising, cost?effective alternatives to conventional pulpotomy agents in primary teeth, offering a biologically based approach to pulp therapyItem Effect of lidocaine ice button topical anesthesia on pain during maxillary buccal infiltration in 6–10-year children – A randomized control trial(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Nagpal, DI; Dharampuria, SR; Singh, P; Chaudhari, P; Rathi, P; Gurharikar, A.Original Article Effect of lidocaine ice button topical anesthesia on pain during maxillary buccal infiltration in 6–10-year children – A randomized control trial Nagpal, Devendra I.; Dharampuria, Samiksha Ram; Singh, Prabhat; Chaudhari, Purva; Rathi, Pooja; Gurharikar, Ayushi Author Information Ranjeet Deshmukh Dental College and Research Centre, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India Address for correspondence:Dr. Devendra I. Nagpal, Ranjeet Deshmukh Dental College and Research Centre, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. E-mail: drdevendra19@gmail.com This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/), which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry 43(2):p 261-268, Apr–Jun 2025. | DOI: 10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_119_25 Open Abstract Context: Effective pain management in children during local anesthetic administration would be a key to a successful and painless dental procedure. Precooling (PC) has emerged as pain control tool in dentistry. Aims: This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of lidocaine Ice button and lidocaine gel as topical anesthesia during maxillary buccal infiltration in children. Settings and Design: Randomized crossover trial, department of pediatric and preventive dentistry. Subjects and Methods: Thirty children [60 local anesthesia (LA) injections] aged 6–10 years requiring bilateral maxillary buccal infiltration for dental procedure, divided into 2 groups with equal distribution for this split-mouth study. The study group was lidocaine ice button topical anesthesia; the control group was the lidocaine gel group. Subjective pain was evaluated using Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, objective pain evaluation was done using Sound Eye and Motor (SEM) scale. Anxiety assessment using Venham picture test (VPT) and physiologic parameters such as SpO2 and Heart rate were evaluated before, during, and after administration of LA. Acceptance of lidocaine ice button was evaluated using a customized validated questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: Data recorded in Microsoft Excel 365 and subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical Product and service solution SPSS version 21.0 with P value considered statistically significant at < 0.05. Results: A significant reduction in pain on injection for both objective and subjective evaluations in the Lidocaine Ice Button group, as topical anesthesia was seen (P < 0.00011) Majority of the children preferred the use of Lidocaine ice button as a topical anesthetic. No difference in pain was observed in groups based on treatment sequence. Conclusions: Less pain on injection was observed, proving the efficacy of lidocaine ice button as topical anesthesia for maxillary infiltration in the study. Lidocaine ice button was well accepted by the children as topical anesthesia.Item Comparison of efficacy of photobiomodulation and topical anesthetic spray in reducing the injection pain in children aged 6–12 years – A randomized clinical trial(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Bollepalli, B; Penmetsa, A; Peddi, R; Mannam, H; Koruprolu, R; Penmetsa, GSBackground: Local anesthesia administration is associated with pain, resulting in dental anxiety in children. Various techniques have been tried to minimize this discomfort such as topical anesthetic gel, spray, Vibration of tissue, and distraction techniques. Literature has shown lesser evidence for photobiomodulation (PBM) in pain reduction for pediatric patients. Aim: To compare the efficacy of PBM 810 nm versus topical local anesthetic spray in reducing injection pain in children of age 6–12 years. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four children aged 6–12 years who visited the outpatient department, department of pediatric and preventive dentistry, requiring local anesthetic administration during invasive procedures were randomly allocated into three groups, namely Group 1 – topical spray (lignocaine hydrochloride 2%), Group 2 – PBM (810 nm, 0.6 W, 40 s), and Group 3 – PBM (810 nm, 0.6 W, 3 min). Pain was assessed subjectively and objectively using the Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBS) and Sound-Eye-Motor (SEM) Scale, respectively. Objective and subjective pain scores were evaluated using One way ANOVA and jaw wise comparison of PBM efficacy done using independent t-test. Results: The mean WBS scores for Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 were 3.8 ± 2.21, 1.77 ± 2.81, and 4.11 ± 3.1, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.025) between Group 1 (control) and Group 2 (PBM 40 s). However, no significant difference was found in considering SEM scores. Irrespective of bone topography, PBM was effective in reduction of injection pain, though it was not significant during local infiltration. Conclusion: PBM with 810 nm laser, 0.6 W for 40 s is more effective in reducing the injection pain compared to topical anesthetic spray and PBM for 3 min.Item Clinical and microbiological evaluation of dental plaque on topical application of olive oil, olive oil with 35% Curcuma zedoaria, and olive oil with 30% Azadirachta indica in hospitalized children: A randomized control trial(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Deshpande, A; Baishya, S; Dori, S; Wadhwa, M; Shah, KBackground: Hospitalized children find difficulty in performing regular oral hygiene procedures. In such cases, direct application of herbal oils such as olive oil, Azadirachta indica (AI) (neem), and Curcuma zedoaria (CZ) (white turmeric) as antiplaque agents could be beneficial in maintaining oral hygiene. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of normal saline, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), EVOO with 35% CZ, and EVOO with 30% AI on dental plaque and the count of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus, and Candida albicans in hospitalized children. Settings and Design: This was a randomized control trial. Materials and Methods: 84 hospitalized children of age group 3–14 years were randomly divided by computer-generated random allocation into Group A-EVOO, Group B-EVOO + 35% CZ, Group C-EVOO + 30% AI, and Group D-normal saline with 21 participants in each group and applied with sterile gauze. The plaque score was recorded and analyzed by Loe and Silness plaque index. In addition, plaque sample for microbial analysis was collected from buccal/lingual surfaces, and CFU count was measured at baseline, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Results: The four groups showed a reduction in plaque score and CFU counts from baseline to 72 h with P < 0.05 indicating a statistically significant difference. Group C has shown significant antimicrobial activity against Group A, Group B, and Group D (P = 0.0001) at 72 h. Conclusion: EVOO + 35% CZ showed the best treatment outcome in the reduction of microbial count followed by EVOO + 30% AI and EVOO. All the preparations including normal saline have antiplaque properties with the best outcome achieved in EVOO + 35% CZ and EVOO + 30% AI preparations.Item Early guidance and interception of developing Class III in primary dentition: A case series with 10 years follow up(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Kapur, A; Tamchos, R; Verma, RKSkepticism about the long?term stability of immediate results achieved due to ongoing changes in craniofacial structures till growth completion is perhaps one of the reasons why very early treatment of Class III malocclusion is often not considered by many clinicians. This paper highlights the positive growth changes in the long?term, post?correction, in different types of developing Class III relations in children aged 2–5 years. The favorable outcomes may urge a more significant number of pediatric dentists to undertake this initiative for the benefit of young child patients and the orthodontists to guide timely referrals.Item Impact of mouthguards on the prevention of dentofacial injuries and sports performance among athletes: An umbrella review(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Agarwal, A; Saleem, S; Khanna, R; Singh, RK; Doley, S; Neerugattu, NDoes the use of mouthguards (MGs) effectively prevent dentofacial injuries in athletes? Research Protocol: An umbrella review of systematic reviews (SRs) with or without meta-analyses was conducted. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews guidelines, and the AMSTAR 2 tool was used for methodological quality assessment. A comprehensive search was conducted across MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and gray literature sources. Hand searches of references from key journals and SRs were also performed. Studies focusing on nonorofacial trauma, protective equipment other than MGs, and non-English publications were excluded. Two independent reviewers extracted data on study demographics, participant characteristics, intervention details, and reported outcomes. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion. The Corrected Covered Area Index was used to assess the overlap among SRs. The AMSTAR 2 tool was applied to evaluate the methodological quality of the included reviews, focusing on factors such as risk of bias, data synthesis methods, and transparency of reporting. Out of 466 records, nine SRs met the inclusion criteria. MGs significantly reduced dentofacial injuries, particularly avulsions and fractures, with custom-made MGs offering superior protection and comfort. The impact of MGs on athletic performance showed mixed results, with some evidence suggesting improved occlusion and neuromuscular alignment. However, methodological variability and low-quality evidence in several reviews limited the strength of these findings. MGs, especially custom-made designs, are effective in orofacial injury prevention and may have potential performance benefits. The study recommends mandatory MG use policies and athlete education to enhance compliance and safety. Further high-quality research is needed to optimize MG design and address existing evidence gaps.Item Effect of Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic on gingival index and Interleukin-1? levels of children with thalassemia experiencing gingivitis(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-06) Sumendap, IB; Sutadi, H; Fauziah, E; Wahidiyat, PAContext: Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder caused by gene mutation leading to chronic anemia, and patients will need routine blood transfusions as a lifetime supportive therapy. Previous studies show high prevalence of periodontal disease in patients who receive routine blood transfusions. Recent studies found probiotic supplementation as an adjuvant therapy in managing periodontal disease. Aims: This study aimed to analyze the effect of Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic consumption on gingival index and salivary interleukin?1? levels of children with thalassemia experiencing gingivitis. Settings and Design: This was an evaluative study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. Participants and Methods: In this study, 16 children aged 6–12 with thalassemia major were recruited in Instalasi Pelayanan Terpadu Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo. Dental health education and Lactobacillus L. reuteri probiotics supplementation 1×/day for 14 days were given to all participants. The gingival index by Lobene was measured at baseline and day 14. Salivary interleukin?1? levels were tested by ELISA Kit in a laboratory. Statistical Analysis Used: Dependent t?test. Results: There was a significant difference in gingival index and salivary interleukin?1? levels of children with thalassemia after consuming L. reuteri probiotics for 14days. Conclusion:L.reuteri probiotic consumption for 14 days significantly reduced the gingival index and salivary interleukin?1? levels of children with thalassemia experiencing gingivitis.Item Oral health status and treatment needs among 5�-year-old children of tribal population in Noolpuzha Panchayath of Wayanad: A cross-sectional study(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-03) Jeseem, MT; Veetil, SM; Vadakkepurayil, K; Manningal, MRContext: There is a decreased quality of oral health among tribal communities as well as a paucity of research in this field. Their poor accessibility to dental resources results in an increased prevalence of dental diseases in them. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status and treatment needs among the tribal children in Noolpuzha panchayath of Wayanad district of Kerala state. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional survey among 1158 children aged 5� years of tribal communities by a single examiner. Subjects and Methods: The oral health status was determined using a modified WHO Oral Health Assessment Form 2013 for children. The caries status was assessed using decayed, missing and filled (dmf) and Decayed, Missing, Filled (DMF) and the gingival condition using the Modified Gingival Index. The subjects were interviewed with a validated WHO Oral Health Questionnaire 2013 for children. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS software 25.0 was employed to analyze the data. The data analysis includes descriptive statistics, Chi-square test for qualitative variables, t-test/analysis of variance test, and post hoc tests for comparing quantitative variables between the subgroups. Results: The mean DMF Teeth (DMFT) and dmft value was 0.72 � 1.3 and 1.85 � 2.7, respectively. The prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe gingivitis was found to be 54.9%, 23.3%, and 2.8%, respectively, with an overall prevalence of gingivitis of 81%. Among the subjects, 9.6% had enamel hypoplasia, 5.4% had traumatic dental injuries, 5.2% had oral mucosal lesions, and 21.1% had oral habits. The children with tobacco smoking and tobacco chewing habits were 1.5% and 15.7%, respectively. The dental treatment need was 82.8%. Conclusions: The present study revealed a high treatment need for the tribal community, with a relatively higher prevalence of gingivitis and noticeable number of dental caries, oral lesions, traumatic dental injuries, enamel hypoplasia, sugar consumption, and tobacco smoking/tobacco chewing habits.Item Knowledge and attitude of dental undergraduates, graduates, and postgraduates on dental implants for children � A cross-sectional study(Wolters Kluwer, 2025-03) Ramanathan, R; Chalakkal, P; Gaunkar, R; Baliga, V.Context: Dental implants for children are a new treatment modality. Dental implants in children restore function, preserve the alveolar bone, and give excellent esthetics, restoring the child抯 confidence and social acceptability. Aim: Knowledge and attitude toward dental implants for children among dental undergraduates, graduates, and postgraduates. Settings and Design: This was a cross?sectional web?based questionnaire study. Methodology: The Google Form link was circulated among various social media platforms. The responses were obtained through Google Forms. This survey focused on demographic data?, knowledge?, and attitude?based questions. Statistical Analysis: The data obtained was compiled into a Microsoft Excel document and the analysis was done using IBM SPSS for Windows version 24.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA). Chi?square test was used to compare the responses based on educational qualification and clinical experience among study participants. Kruskal朩allis followed by Dunn抯 post hoc test was used to assess mean knowledge scores across different educational qualification groups. Mann朩hitney test was used for the comparison of mean knowledge scores among the categories of clinical experience. Results: The undergraduates had more knowledge scores compared to graduates and postgraduates. The mean knowledge scores showed a significant difference based on the clinical experience of the study participants. Knowledge score was higher in participants who had clinical experience of <2 years. Conclusion: Undergraduates and those with less than 2 years of clinical experience were found to have greater knowledge scores regarding the use of dental implants in children.