European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry最新文献

Purpose: An effective Deep learning (DL) based Early Childhood Caries (ECC) prediction model is crucial for early detection of ECC. This study aims to develop and evaluate a deep learning (DL) based hybrid statistical model for ECC prediction.

Methods: The study employed a computational cross-sectional design, conducted over a three-year period from March 2021 to March 2024. Data analysis was carried out using a hybrid statistical approach that integrated bootstrap methods, Logistic Regression Modelling (LRM), and Multilayer Feed-Forward Neural Networks (MLFFNN). The sample comprised 157 parent-child pairs, providing a robust dataset for examining the research questions.

Results: In the current study, the predictors named, "mother's education" (β₁: 0.423; p < 0.25), "parent's knowledge of bottle-feeding habit during sleep can cause tooth decay" (β₂: -1.264; p < 0.25), "attitude towards the importance of oral health as general health" (β₄: -1.052; p < 0.25) and "parent's self-reported oral pain among their children" (β₅: -2.107; p < 0.25) showed significant association with ECC. For this model, the Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) was 0.02211, Predictive Mean Squared Error (PMSE) was 0.07909, and the accuracy level was 99.98%. No significant difference was observed from the t-test between the actual values and the predicted values of the model (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: It has been shown that this unique deep learning-based ECC prediction model appears an effective tool with high accuracy and interpretability for ECC prediction. After implementing the oral health intervention program, focusing on the potential predictors of ECC obtained from this innovative model, policymakers could be able to evaluate their prediction models comparing their results with the findings of the current study. This comparison will guide them in understanding, designing, and implementing a more effective intervention program for ECC prevention.

Introduction: Oral health significantly impacts the quality of life, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children with intellectual disabilities (ID). Existing oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) instruments often fail to address the unique challenges faced by these children. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel instrument tailored to assess OHRQoL in intellectually disabled children aged 12-18 years.

Materials and methods: The instrument was developed through a comprehensive process involving a literature review and thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with 22 mothers of intellectually disabled adolescents. Content validity was assessed using a panel of five experts from paediatric dentistry, public health dentistry, and research. Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) methods were employed to evaluate individual items and overall scale validity. Items with CVR ≥ 0.99 and I-CVI ≥ 0.78 were retained.

Results: Out of 39 items, 37 achieved a CVR of 1.00, indicating strong consensus on their relevance. The overall S-CVI/UA was 0.864, and S-CVI/Ave was 0.986, reflecting excellent content validity. Two items with CVR scores of 0.2 were excluded. The overall clarity, relevance, and comprehensiveness scores were 2.89, 2.87, and 2.89, respectively.

Conclusion: The instrument demonstrates excellent content validity and comprehensively addresses oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) challenges in children aged 12-18 years with intellectual disabilities in the Pondicherry City, India. However, considering potential cultural and age-related differences, further studies are warranted to validate its applicability across diverse populations and younger age groups.

Aim: The aim of the present in vitro study was to synthesize and characterize green silver nanoparticles using Larrea tridentata leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent and combining the nanoparticles with a commercial fluoride varnish (Fluor Protector^®) to evaluate the antibacterial activity in the production of acid and the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Methods: Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by green synthesis using Larrea tridentata leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations were determined using microdiluted plates. Antibacterial activity compared using disc diffusion. Adhesion and acidogenicity tested on deciduous teeth, divided into experimental (fluoride varnish with silver nanoparticles) and control (fluoride varnish) groups. Microorganism adhesion quantified on enamel, pH readings after 24-h incubation. Analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey's test, and Mann-Whitney U.

Results: Fluoride varnish with silver nanoparticles showed better antibacterial activity than nanoparticles and varnish alone. Fluoride varnish with silver nanoparticles was more effective compared to fluoride varnish in inhibiting the adhesion and pH decreases of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus on the sound enamel, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Fluoride varnish with silver nanoparticles has a good antibacterial effect for inhibiting the adhesion and production of acid being is important in the prevention and the initial stages of dental caries.

Purpose: To assess whether caries-preventive clinical interventions targeted exclusively to expectant mothers reduce caries experience or various surrogate parameters associated with caries activity in their children.

Method: Seven databases were searched for randomised clinical trials until November 2024. Studies assessing clinical caries-preventive measures in healthy expectant mothers and comparing them to placebo, other, or no interventions. Outcomes measured in children included caries experience and surrogate parameters (e.g., S. mutans levels), patient-reported, and socioeconomic data. Non-randomized studies as well as, behavioural and educational interventions were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's RoB 2 tool.

Results: Out of the 2149 studies identified, only 5 studies were included. Two of them presented with low risk of bias, whereas there were some concerns for the other three. The assessed outcomes included either caries experience directly (percentage of caries active children, DMFT, DMFS, dmft, dmfs) or the Streptococcus mutans levels. Children in the experimental groups showed significantly lower S. mutans levels compared to controls. Regarding caries levels, the results were contradictory. The supplementation of calcium in expectant mothers resulted in caries reductions in their offsprings, while sodium fluoride with potassium iodine topical applications or vitamin D supplementation were not shown to be effective.

Conclusion: Clinical caries-preventive interventions applied to expectant mothers might result in reduced S. mutans levels in their children. Further studies are warranted to provide additional evidence, especially with regards to caries experience.

Registration: Research Registry: reviewregistry1047.

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness and predictive factors of nitrous oxide and oxygen inhalation sedation (NOIS) in Thai paediatric dental patients.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of children receiving dental treatments under NOIS between March 2022 and August 2024 was conducted. A sedation session was evaluated as effective when the Overall Houpt Behaviour Rating Scale was greater than or equal to 4 and there were no acute adverse events from NOIS during or within 24 h of sedation. Predictive factors were assessed using the Poisson regression with robust error variance and generalised estimating equations.

Results: A total of 224 sedation sessions from 134 Thai patients aged 3-12 years were included. Of these sessions, 86.2% were considered effective. In the multivariable analysis, previous NOIS experience and the child's preoperative anxiety level were associated with the effectiveness of NOIS. The risk ratio for effective sedation was 13% higher for children with prior NOIS experience compared to those undergoing NOIS for the first time (RR: 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.25, p value < 0.05). In addition, the risk ratio for effective sedation in non-anxious children was 41% higher than for extremely anxious children (RR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.07-1.86, p value < 0.05).

Conclusion: NOIS is safe and effective for dental treatment in Thai children, with minimal adverse events. Its effectiveness is particularly pronounced in children who have prior experience with NOIS and present as non-anxious.

Purpose: Literature search shows that there is less evidence of the association between snack parenting styles and dental caries. This study aimed to assess the snack parenting style of mothers of children aged 7-8 years and its association with the dental caries status of their children.

Methods: This study used a sequential mixed-method approach. In the quantitative phase, the Parenting around SNAcking Questionnaire (P-SNAQ) was used to assess the snack parenting style of mothers. DMFT/deft indices were used to record the dental caries status of their children. In the qualitative phase, in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted. Through a thematic approach, codes and themes were derived.

Results: A total of 600 mother-child pairs participated. Autonomy support was the most common type of snack parenting style (n = 283). There was no significant association between snack parenting style and children's dental caries status. Five themes were derived: (1) Scenarios of snacking; (2) Parental factors affecting snacking; (3) Snack intake influencers; (4) Unhealthy strands; (5) Healthy alternatives.

Conclusion: Snack parenting styles did not influence the dental caries status of children. Those who had snack regulations at home or school were more likely to prefer healthy snacks. Mothers expressed the need for branded healthy snacks.