PREVALENCE OF CARIES PATTERNS IN THE 21ST CENTURY PRESCHOOL CHILDREN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to describe and evaluate the caries patterns among the 21st century preschool children globally.

Method: Six electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and Scopus) were searched using predetermined terms. Dual independent screening of all retrieved abstracts was performed to identify studies conducted after year 2000 and the caries pattern among preschool children was investigated.

Posterior two-unit cantilevered zirconia resin-bonded fixed partial dentures: A 3-year prospective single-arm clinical trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the longevity of cantilevered zirconia-based resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) in replacing missing posterior teeth, as well as the quality of life and patient satisfaction experienced by those receiving zirconia RBFPDs.

Methods: A prospective single-arm uncontrolled clinical trial was conducted to replace one or more missing premolars or molars with a span of 5 to 8 mm using cantilevered zirconia RBFPDs. Thirty-six participants with 40 prostheses were recruited and underwent a 3-year clinical evaluation.

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.

Mechanical and biological evaluations of novel electrospun PLLA composite scaffolds doped with oxide ceramics.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the in vitro performance of the novel electrospun composite scaffolds that are made of 10% PLLA in binary solvents (75 vol% dichloromethane: 25 vol% acetone) doped with 0.1 wt% of oxide ceramic powders (Hafnium dioxide (HfO), titanium dioxide (TiO), zirconium dioxide (ZrO) and silicon dioxide (SiO)). These composite scaffolds were characterized microscopically (SEM, TEM and EDX), mechanically (Vickers hardness and tensile strength) and in in vitro cell studies (biomineralization, protein absorption, and cytocompatibility) with MC3T3 pre-osteoblasts.

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.