Tools Evaluating Child Oral Health-Related Quality of Life.

Objectives: This study aimed to systemically review the tools developed for evaluating oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in preschool children.

Methods: Two reviewers systematically searched English-language publications within PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. They screened the titles and abstracts and retrieved the full texts of the selected publications.

Patient-reported measures outcomes: modern evaluation of oral health.

Patient reported outcomes have become important, with instruments (patient reported outcomes measures - PROMs) being used to assess treatment success and patient satisfaction. In this editorial, the dental PROM context is presented, and submissions are invited for a special collection from BMC Oral Health entitled 'Patient-reported outcomes in dentistry'.

Parental perspectives on the use of silver diamine fluoride therapy to arrest early childhood caries in kindergarten outreach dental services: A qualitative study.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore parental perspectives on an outreach dental service and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) therapy to arrest and prevent early childhood caries.

Methods: This qualitative study collaborated with an outreach service offering SDF therapy to kindergarten children and oral health education to the children's parents. The study was conducted in 2018 using purposive sampling of participating parents from selected kindergartens in Hong Kong until data saturation was reached.

Global Oral Health Policies and Guidelines: Using Silver Diamine Fluoride for Caries Control.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) was developed in Japan in the 1960s. It is a clear solution containing silver and fluoride ions. Because of its anti-bacterial and remineralizing effect, silver diamine fluoride has been used in managing dental caries for decades worldwide.

Comparing two fluoride therapies for caries management in young children: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial.

Background: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and sodium fluoride (NaF) are widely used for caries management. The objectives of this study are (i) to compare the caries-arresting and caries-preventive effects of SDF and NaF in young children, (ii) to determine children's and parents' acceptance of these fluoride therapies and (iii) to investigate the short-term (1 day) and long-term (1 year) adverse effects of these fluoride therapies.

Methods/design: This is a randomised, double-blind, active-controlled clinical trial to be conducted in Hong Kong kindergartens.

A Concise Review on Qualitative Research in Dentistry.

Qualitative research collects non-numerical data that explores human behaviour, attitudes, beliefs and personality characteristics unamendable to quantitative research. The qualitative research questions are open-ended, evolving and non-directional. The study design is flexible and iterative.

Oral health status of 12-year-old children in Lisu minority ethnic group in China: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Lisu is an ethnic minority group and most of them are living in Yunnan, China. This study investigated the oral health status among 12-year-old Lisu children in Yunnan.

Method: This survey employed a multistage sampling method to recruit 12-year-old Lisu children.

A Kindergarten-Based Oral Health Preventive Approach for Hong Kong Preschool Children.

Early childhood caries (ECC) remains the single most common chronic childhood disease. Untreated caries can cause tooth loss and compromised dentition. Severe ECC can also influence nutrition intake, cognitive development, general health and quality of life.

Arresting early childhood caries using silver and fluoride products - A randomised trial.

Objective: The aim of this randomised non-inferiority clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of semi-annual (every six months) applications of 25 % silver nitrate (AgNO) solution followed by 5 % sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish to semi-annual applications of 38 % silver diamine fluoride (SDF) solution in arresting early childhood caries (ECC).

Methods: Three-year-old children with active cavitated carious lesions were recruited and randomly assigned to two intervention groups. Children in Group A received semi-annual applications of 25 % AgNO solution followed by 5 % NaF varnish on carious lesions.

Dental Fear and Anxiety of Kindergarten Children in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to investigate the fear level of kindergarten children in the general population during dental outreach in a familiar kindergarten setting, and to explore the factors associated with the dental fear of kindergarten children. Consecutive sampling method was used to select kindergarten children aged 3 to 5 to participate in a questionnaire survey and an outreach service. A behavioural observation type of instrument for dental fear and anxiety assessment-Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale (FBRS)-was chosen to investigate the fear level of the children.

An Introduction to Assessing Dental Fear and Anxiety in Children.

Fear and anxiety constitute an important theme in dentistry, especially with children. Anxiety and the fear of pain during dental treatment can lead to avoidance behaviour, which contributes to perpetuating fear and anxiety of dental care. Understanding and assessing dental fear and anxiety in children is important for delivering successful dental care with high satisfaction in this age group.

The Oral Health Status of Chinese Elderly People with and without Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the caries, periodontal status, and toothbrushing practices of Chinese elderly people with and without dementia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited Chinese people aged 65 years or over attending daycare centers in Hong Kong. The participants' dementia status was identified from their medical record.

Preventing early childhood caries with silver diamine fluoride: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial.

Background: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) solution is effective in arresting early childhood caries (ECC). Previous studies have suggested that it might exert a preventive effect in managing ECC. However, no well-designed clinical trials have yet been performed to study the effect of SDF on caries prevention.

Translation and validation of the Chinese version of the scale of oral health outcomes for 5-year-old children.

Objective: To adapt the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) measurement tool SOHO-5 (scale of oral health outcomes for 5-year-old children) for use in Chinese populations, and to investigate the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of SOHO-5 (C-SOHO-5).

Materials And Methods: The draft C-SOHO-5 was developed by a forward-backward process and pilot-tested on 20 child-parent pairs. The final version was tested on a sample of 5-year-old children and their parents.

Oral health-related quality of life and caries experience of Hong Kong preschool children.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and caries experience of Hong Kong preschool children.

Methods: Parents or primary caregivers of Hong Kong preschool children were invited to complete a self-administered dental health questionnaire. The study children were examined in their classrooms.

Utilization of a Mobile Dental Vehicle for Oral Healthcare in Rural Areas.

Oral diseases remain one of the major global public health challenges, and the worldwide urban⁻rural disparities in oral health are significant. Residents in rural areas generally suffer from a higher prevalence and severity of dental caries and periodontal disease, yet they face numerous difficulties and barriers in accessing oral healthcare. Conventional strategies, such as building of dental clinics or, hospitals, or the provision of outreach services by using disposable materials, are neither practical nor effective in rural settings.

Medical Model in Caries Management.

The current mode of dental caries management mainly operates through irreversible and symptomatic treatment by means of drilling and filling, while caries prevention is largely overlooked or omitted. Focus should be redirected through a medical model towards elimination of the disease through tackling its causes and risk factors to address current and future caries initiation. Caries is the demineralisation of dental hard tissues by bacterial acids when periodically exposed to fermentable carbohydrates.

Early childhood caries and oral health care of Hong Kong preschool children.

Surveys have shown that the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) among 5-year-old children decreased from 63% in 1993 to 55% in 2017. Caries experience was unevenly distributed; 81% of the caries lesions were found in 26% of the children. Risk factors, including oral hygiene practice behaviors, sugar consumption, parental oral health-related knowledge, and sociodemographic backgrounds, were significantly related to ECC.

Oral health-related quality of life of preschool children receiving silver diamine fluoride therapy: A prospective 6-month study.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) therapy on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children and their families in a school-based setting.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in six kindergartens in Hong Kong. Parents of the children were invited to complete an oral health questionnaire and to have their child undergo a dental examination.

Erosive tooth wear among preschool children in Hong Kong.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of erosive tooth wear among 3- to 5-year-old children in Hong Kong and to determine the effect of socio-economic factors, dental habits, and oral hygiene on their dental erosive wear status.

Methods: Stratified random sampling was adopted. Their parents were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their children's backgrounds.

Early childhood caries among 3- to 5-year-old children in Hong Kong.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of dental caries among 3- to 5-year-old children in Hong Kong and to investigate the factors associated with their dental caries status.

Methods: Seven kindergartens in Hong Kong were selected using stratified random sampling. The 3- to 5-year-old kindergarten children were invited to join the study.

The caries-arresting effect of incorporating functionalized tricalcium phosphate into fluoride varnish applied following application of silver nitrate solution in preschool children: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

Background: Dental caries in primary teeth is prevalent, affecting millions of children around the world. Functionalized tricalcium phosphate (fTCP) has been incorporated into sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish to enhance the remineralization process. NaF varnish with the adjunctive application of silver nitrate (AgNO) solution is effective in arresting dentine caries.

Oral Health Care in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, as a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, is a metropolitan city in Asia with a population of approximately 7.4 million. This paper reflects the oral health care situation in Hong Kong.

Managing Early Childhood Caries for Young Children in China.

The latest national survey found that 70% of 5-year-old children in China had dental caries. The prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) may not only be attributed to poor oral hygiene and unhealthy diet, but also to limited access to and availability of dental care. The prevailing preventive measures adopted by industrialised countries for ECC management are neither practical nor affordable in China.

Managing Early Childhood Caries with Atraumatic Restorative Treatment and Topical Silver and Fluoride Agents.

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant global health problem affecting millions of preschool children worldwide. In general, preschool children from families with 20% of the lowest family incomes suffered about 80% of the ECC. Most, if not all, surveys indicated that the great majority of ECC was left untreated.