Self-reported temporomandibular joint disorder symptoms, oral health, and quality of life of children in kindergarten through grade 5: Do sex, race, and socioeconomic background matter?

Background: The authors' objectives were to determine the percentage of children in kindergarten through grade 5 who reported symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD); to assess whether sex, race, and socioeconomic background mattered; and to explore the relationships between TMJD and children's oral health and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

Methods: The research team conducted face-to-face interviews with 8,302 children in kindergarten through grade 5 (51% female, 49% male; 53% African American, 42% white). They conducted oral health screenings with 7,439 children.

Michigan Dentists' Attitudes toward Medicaid and an Alternative Public Dental Insurance System for Children.

Purpose: Healthy Kids Dental (HKD) was created as a pilot program of the Michigan State Medicaid program to increase access to care for Medicaid-eligible children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dentists' attitudes toward Healthy Kids Dental and Medicaid in Michigan.

Methods: An online survey was sent to practitioners with an email address registered with the Michigan Dental Association (n=4,285).

Michigan dentists' attitudes toward Medicaid and an alternative public dental insurance system for children.

Purpose: Healthy Kids Dental (HKD) was created as a pilot program of the Michigan State Medicaid program to increase access to care for Medicaid-eligible children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dentist's attitudes toward Healthy Kids Dental and Medicaid in Michigan.

Methods: An online survey was sent to practitioners with an e-mail address registered with the Michigan Dental Association (N=4,285).

Comparing gray mineral trioxide aggregate and diluted formocresol in pulpotomized human primary molars.

Purpose: The purpose of this multisite, multioperator, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the 6-month outcomes of diluted formocresol (DFC) compared to gray mineral trioxide aggregate (GMTA) as pulpotomy medicament.

Methods: Determined by a power analysis, 252 molars of 152 children were recruited. The teeth were randomly assigned to receive GMTA or DFC.

Using insurance claims and demographic data for surveillance of children's oral health.

Objectives: This paper examines the utility of using private insurance and Medicaid dental claims as well as demographic data for assessing the oral health of children aged 5-12 years in Genesee County, Michigan, communities.

Methods: Dental insurance claims data from Delta Plan of Michigan and Michigan Medicaid, plus demographic data from the 1990 US Census (percent poverty) and from the 1995 National Center for Educational Statistics (percent free or reduced lunch eligibility), were compared to findings from two school-based oral health surveys. These surveys were the 1995 Genesee County Oral Health Survey and the 1998-2001 Mott Children's Health Center oral health screenings.