Objectives: To assess dentists' practices and barriers towards infant oral healthcare (IOH) and anticipatory guidance (AG) in eastern Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A regional, cross-sectional survey was distributed to 340 (323 general dentists (GPs) and 17 pediatric dentists (PDs)) working in a governmental setting in eastern Saudi Arabia. A 23 close-ended, pilot-tested questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire asked about dentists' IOH and AG practices. A five-point Likert scale question assessed barriers interfering with AG practices. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regressions were used.
Results: Participation rate was 98.5% (335/340). Only 18% of GPs indicated performing IOH exams, while 100% of PDs do. About 90% of GPs would see children on a first visit when they are ≥3 years old, whereas 60% of PDs reported seeing one-year-old children. Older practitioners and those performing AG were more likely to perform IOH (OR = 1.8, CI = 1.06-3.1, and OR = 3.84, CI = 1.93-7.65, resp.). The majority of respondents (94%) felt their training did not prepare them to practice AG. "Parents bringing their children for the first time for emergency or existing conditions" was cited by 99% of respondents as a barrier to performing AG.
Conclusion: Increasing the awareness of GPs and parents about the importance of IOH and AG is crucial in improving children's oral health. Collaboration with pediatricians for early referral of children is equally important in increasing the awareness on prevention principles.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6645279 | DOI Listing |
Gut Pathog
January 2025
Diarrheal Pathogens Research Unit (DPRU), Department of Virology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa.
Bacterial flagellin, a potent intestinal innate immune activator, prevents murine rotavirus (RV) infection independent of adaptive immunity and interferons. The flagellin-induced immunity is mediated by Toll-like receptor (TLR5) and Nod-like receptor C4 (NLRC4), which elicit the production of interleukins 22 (IL-22) and IL-18, respectively. Here, we assessed whether a high abundance of flagellin at the time of vaccination would negatively affect the oral RV vaccine take.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Pediatr
January 2025
Department of Pediatrics, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, 07061, Korea.
Background: The Korean government implemented mandatory hospital isolation in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the mental health of children and caregivers who underwent mandatory hospital isolation due to COVID-19.
Methods: This prospective study examined the physical condition and mental health of children under 7 years of age with COVID-19 and the mental health of their caregivers who underwent isolation in negative pressure rooms at two hospitals in Korea from April to September 2021.
BMC Infect Dis
January 2025
Bureau de L'Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS), Niamey, Niger.
Background: Recently, a total of 74 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreaks were detected in 39 countries, with 672 confirmed Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases identified in 27 countries. Despite progress, Niger experienced cVDPV outbreaks in 2018, highlighting the importance of maintaining AFP surveillance as a tool for polio eradication. This analysis aims to comprehensively assess AFP surveillance trends, patterns, and challenges in Niger, offering insights for public health initiatives in conflict-affected contexts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Pediatr
January 2025
Department of Dermatology & Allergology, Städtisches Klinikum Dresden, Academic Teaching Hospital, Dresden, Germany.
Periorifical dermatitis (POD) is a papular, chronic inflammatory skin disease commonly seen in women in their 2nd to 4th decade of life. The major differential diagnosis is persistent acne. In children, POD is less common than in adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm Fam Physician
January 2025
Abrazo Family Medicine Residency, Phoenix, Arizona.
Common early childhood concerns and behaviors include sleep issues, thumb-sucking, pacifier use, picky eating, school readiness, and oral health. Family physicians must recognize when these indicate an underlying disorder and offer constructive and evidence-based strategies to support healthy child development and family well-being. Behavioral interventions and education to address sleep issues can alleviate stress and decrease fatigue for the whole family.
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