Does a chitosan-containing dentifrice prevent demineralization around orthodontic brackets?

Objective: To test the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference between the chitosan-containing and conventional nonfluoridated dentifrices in inhibition of enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen orthodontic patients who were scheduled to have extraction of four first premolars for orthodontic reasons were divided into two groups after the power of the study was estimated. Patients in the experimental group were instructed to use chitosan-containing dentifrice (AloeDent), and patients in the control group were instructed to use nonfluoridated dentifrice (Sensodyne Mint).

Oral health status of disabled individuals attending special schools.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of the dmft-DMFT indexes and the oral hygiene status of 136 individuals attending a special school for the disabled.

Methods: Participants were grouped according to disability [Mental Retardation (MR), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Autistic Disorder (AD), Down Syndrome (DS), Other (OTH)] and age [2-6 years (n=24), 7-12 years (50 children) and 13+ years (62 children]. Caries examinations were carried out in accordance with WHO criteria and oral cleanliness was evaluated by visually assessing the presence of plaque on teeth.