Early childhood caries prevalence and associated risk factors among Saudi preschool children in Riyadh.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) and investigate the effect of associated risk factors on ECC prevalence in preschool children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included Saudi preschoolers aged 36-71 months. Parents/guardians completed a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographics; medical, dental, and dietary history; and oral hygiene practices.

Association of polymorphisms in genes involved in enamel formation, taste preference and immune response with early childhood caries in Saudi pre-school children.

Dental caries is primarily elicited by modifiable factors such as inadequate oral hygiene, poor dietary practices and deficient fluoride exposure. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting the profound influence of genetic factors in dental caries susceptibility. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in (rs12640848), (rs1784418), (rs713598), and (rs4547741) genes and early childhood caries (ECC) in Saudi preschool children This case-control study enrolled 360 Saudi preschool children (262 with ECC and 98 caries-free).

Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing and associations with orofacial symptoms among Saudi primary school children.

Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing among primary school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to evaluate associations between sleep-disordered breathing and respiratory conditions/orofacial symptoms.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1600 questionnaires were distributed to Saudi boys and girls aged 6-12 years from 16 primary schools in Riyadh. The questionnaire covered relevant demographic and personal characteristics, presence of respiratory conditions and orofacial symptoms, and the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire.

Pharyngeal airway dimensional changes after premolar extraction in skeletal class II and class III orthodontic patients.

Objective: To assess and compare the changes in pharyngeal airway space dimensions following orthodontic treatment of skeletal class II and class III facial deformities with premolar extraction.

Materials And Methods: Sixty pre and posttreatment lateral cephalometric radiographs of patients who underwent fixed orthodontic treatment with premolar extraction were collected. The sample was divided into two groups - 32 patients with skeletal class II and 28 patients with skeletal class III malocclusion.

Dental and medical health status and oral health knowledge among visually impaired and sighted female schoolchildren in Riyadh: a comparative study.

Background: The impact of visual impairment on oral health in the literature is inconclusive, and the available information on the medical and dental health status of visually impaired children is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental and medical health status, and to assess the oral health knowledge of visually impaired girls aged 6-12 years, and compare them to that of sighted children.

Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 79 visually impaired and 83 age-matched sighted female primary school children.

Retention and caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer and resin-based sealants: An 18-month-randomized clinical trial.

The objective of this study was to compare the retention and caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer (Fuji Triage) and resin-based (Clinpro) sealants among 6-9-year-old children. This split-mouth, randomized clinical trial covered 35 children/140 fully erupted permanent first molars. Evaluation was conducted by two independent examiners after 6, 12, and 18 months and the data were compared in relation to the children's caries risk and age groups.

Orthodontic treatment need among young Saudis attending public versus private dental practices in Riyadh.

Objective: To assess and compare the severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need among young Saudis receiving free treatment at public dental practices versus those paying for treatment at private practices.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the records of 300 patients (179 females, 121 males; age 13-21 years) treated at orthodontic clinics from 2013 through 2015. The public sample was selected from orthodontic clinics at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University (KSU); the private sample was selected from five private orthodontic clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi dental students' opinions on the qualities and attributes of an effective dental teacher.

Objective: To evaluate Saudi dental students' opinions on the qualities and attributes of an effective dental teacher.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2014 at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to all students enrolled in the 2013/2014 academic year.

Possible association between acetazolamide administration during pregnancy and multiple congenital malformations.

Congenital malformations might occur because of environmental or genetic factors, and sometimes occur because of unknown causes. Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that is used to treat idiopathic intracranial hypertension, glaucoma, and epilepsy. The use of acetazolamide has not been recommended for pregnant women because of reported teratogenic risks.

Oral habits, dental trauma, and occlusal characteristics among 4- to 12-year-old institutionalized orphan children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this study was to assess the oral habit practices, dental trauma, and occlusal characteristics of 4- to 12-year-old orphans living in governmental orphanages in Riyadh. This cross-sectional study was conducted in three government orphanages and three ordinary schools. All 90 orphans, residing in the orphanage, were included.

Saudi dental students' perceptions of pediatric behavior guidance techniques.

Background: Dental students receive theoretical and clinical training in pediatric behavioral guidance techniques at university. Therefore, the content of the educational course and the degree of training in behavioral techniques may have an impact on the students' perceptions and practice of such techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Saudi dental students' perceptions of behavior guidance techniques used in pediatric dentistry, and to assess the changes in their perceptions after 1 academic year of a didactic and clinical educational course.

Evaluating the cariogenic potential of flavored milk: an experimental study using rat model.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and to compare the cariogenic potential of different commonly consumed favored milk on caries development in rat's molar teeth.

Materials And Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats infected with an active growing culture of Streptococcus mutans were offered chocolate favored milk, strawberry favored milk, banana favored milk, plain milk, sweetened plain milk with 5% sucrose, and 10% sucrose ad libitum.

Results: Rats consuming favored milk developed significantly lower sulcal and smooth surface caries scores than rats consuming 10% sucrose.

Effect of different preventive agents on bracket shear bond strength: in vitro study.

Background: The effects of fluoride and CPP-ACP before bracket bonding on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets have been reported with contradicting results. The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of different preventive agents namely; casein phosphopeptide-amorphous-calcium-phosphate (CPP-ACP), fluoride-containing-CPP-ACP (CPP-ACPF) and 5% sodium fluoride (5% NaF), on the enamel-bracket shear bond strength (SBS) and to compare their effects when applied before or after acid-etching.

Methods: Human premolar teeth were randomly divided into seven groups (16 teeth per group) as follows: the control group, where no preventive agent was applied on the enamel and 6 experimental groups.

Scanning electron microscope analysis of sealant penetration and adaptation in contaminated fissures.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the penetration and adaptation of two different sealant materials applied under different conditions of contamination using scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 56 extracted human third molar teeth were randomly assigned into eight equal groups. The treatment groups were defined by the combination of two sealant materials (glass ionomer fissure sealant "Fuji Triage" or resin-based fissure sealant "Clinpro TM") and four surface conditions (dry condition, water contamination, saliva contamination or saliva contamination and air-drying).

Medical and dental health status of orphan children in central Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To evaluate the medical and dental health status of orphan children from 4 to 12-years-old, and compare them with children living with their parents.

Methods: This analytical, cross-sectional study took place in 3 government orphanages and 3 ordinary schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July 2011 to January 2012. All orphans aged 4-12 year were selected (N=90).

Achondroplasia: Craniofacial manifestations and considerations in dental management.

Achondroplasia is the most common form of skeletal dysplasia dwarfism that manifests with stunted stature and disproportionate limb shortening. Achondroplasia is of dental interest because of its characteristic craniofacial features which include relative macrocephaly, depressed nasal bridge and maxillary hypoplasia. Presence of large head, implanted shunt, airway obstruction and difficulty in head control require special precautions during dental management.

An assessment of a new reminder therapy technique for ceasing digit sucking habits in children.

Twenty-one digit-sucker children aged 4-12 old years participated in the assessment of a new reminder therapy technique called "long sleeve sleeping gown ". The result of this study indicated that fifteen children (71.4%) out of 21 were able to stop digit-sucking habits after the application of long sleeve's gown during child's bedtime for 6 weeks.