Didem Atabek

Background: Dental anxiety is a prevalent condition in pediatric oral healthcare and linked with multiple etiologic factors. Although sociodemographic factors are frequently examined, the influence of internal psychological constructs such as self-esteem remains underexplored in children. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the association between dental anxiety and self-esteem among school-age Turkish children. Methods: The study was conducted with 204 participants aged 7–12 years. Dental anxiety and self-esteem were assessed using Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, respectively. Group comparisons were performed with the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests, and their association was examined with Spearman’s rank correlation. Independent predictors of dental anxiety were further identified through a stepwise multiple linear regression. Results: Dental anxiety was prevalent in 24.5% of participants. No significant differences in anxiety or self-esteem were found by gender, age, or socioeconomic status (p > 0.05). A moderate negative correlation (r = −0.301, p < 0.001) was observed between self-esteem and dental anxiety. Regression analysis confirmed self-esteem as the only significant independent predictor of dental anxiety (Adjusted R² = 0.080, p < 0.001) in this model. Conclusions: Findings indicate that self-esteem is independently associated with pediatric dental anxiety, although the explained variance was modest. Whether incorporating children’s psychological profile into behavioral management improves clinical outcomes remains to be investigated.

Background: People consumed more sugary foods and neglected oral hygiene during the lockdowns due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The study aimed to compare the oral hygiene status and dietary habits of children with high caries risk and their parents before and after COVID-19. Methods: The study was conducted with the parents of 155 children aged 3–5 years. A questionnaire including both the children’s and parents’ dietary and oral hygiene habits was completed by the parents. Decay, missing, filling teeth (dmft/DMFT) status of the children was recorded before and after COVID-19. Results: A significant decrease was observed in the parents’ tooth brushing frequency (p = 0.028), while no difference was observed in the children’s brushing frequency before and after COVID-19 (p = 0.216). Both children and parents ate significantly more frequently (p = 0.047, p = 0.043). dmft/DMFT values increased significantly after COVID-19 (p = 0.005). Conclusions: The study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a limited effect on tooth brushing habits in children with high caries risk. Additionally, it resulted in increased consumption of sugary foods among both children and parents, exacerbating caries in children aged 3–5 years. Healthcare professionals and parents can work together to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health, especially for high-caries-risk children.

The current study evaluated the effects of fixed and removable space-maintainers on halitosis and oral health of children. Forty-three patients randomly selected between the ages 4–10 whom fixed or removable space maintainers were indicated in Gazi University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics. The inclusing criteria were: caries-free (with/without restorations), with absence of periodontal diseases, without systematic disease, no mouth breathing and no use of antibiotics the 2-months period before the study. The patients were subdivided into two groups: the group treated with fixed space maintainers (group 1, n = 27), the group treated with removable space maintainers (group 2, n = 16). The the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), periodontal screening index (PSI), tongue coating index (TCI) records and the halitosis measurements were obtained at three time periods (T1: immediately after application, T2: 1 week after application, T3: 5 weeks after application). The measurement values of T1 served as control. No statistically significant difference was found in the PI, GI, PSI, TCI and halitosis measurements between T1–T2, T2–T3 and T1–T3 in both appliance groups and between the groups (p > 0.05). The fixed and removable space maintainers did not affect oral health status and halitosis significantly.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a three-in-one injection comfort system (ICS) and 10 percent lidocaine pump spray in reducing injection pain in children. Fifty eight- to 12-year-old children treated at a university pediatric dental clinic participated in this study. The Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale was used to select nonanxious children to participate. Contralateral tooth pairs were treated in two separate visits with random use of either ICS or lidocaine pump spray. The pain perception levels were assessed with heart rate changes, the Modified Behavioral Pain Scale (MBPS), and the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS). At the end of the second visit, children's preferences were noted. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to compare the results. No significant differences were found between the two groups in the MBPS and WBFPRS scores, and mean heart rate changes (P>.05). However, 68 percent of the children preferred ICS. Both ICS and 10 percent lidocaine pump spray presented the same efficacy in reducing injection pain.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the fluoride uptake from four different of fluoride releasing restorative materials by bovine enamel and to determine the effect of time on this uptake. Material and Method: A glass ionomer cement (Fuji II), resin-modified glass ionomer cement(Fuji II LC), giomer (Beautifil) and compomer (Dyract AP) were elected. A total of 120 bovine enamel slabs were prepared from the buccal surfaces of the bovine teeth. The slabs were divided into 5 subgroups (n=6) representing 5 time intervals (1, 7, 14, 21 and 35 days). Fluoride-ion selective electrode method was used to determine the enamel fluoride uptake was determined. Results: Glass ionomers and giomer had significantly higher fluoride uptake than compomer (pConclusion: Considering the enhanced physical properties and long-term fluoride release similar to glass ionomers, giomers are found to be promising. Keywords: Giomer, glass ionomer, fluoride uptake, fluoride-ion selective electrode

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of oxidative irrigants on the organic and inorganic structure of root canal dentin. Fifty human 2nd premolar roots were used in the study. The dentin specimens prepared from those teeth were immersed in liquid nitrogen for 15 min. The frozen composition was titrated in a mixer and the obtained dentin powder was kept frozen at -70°C until use. Ten groups of 50mg dentin powder were immersed in agents (A: Ozone for 100 or 200 sec, B: 5.25% NaOCl, C: 2.25% NaOCl, D: 2% Chlorhexidine, E: 0.9% NaCl (control)) for 5 or 10 min. An Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (ATR FT-IR) was used to analyze dentin powder. The data were statistically analyzed by using Kruskall-Wallis analysis of variance. In all groups, collagen degradation was significantly increased compared to the control and 2% CHX groups (p 0.05). The structural composition of human dentin was significantly affected by the use of oxidative irrigants at higher concentrations.

Aim: The study was planned to assess the effect of a mouthrinse containing Chlorhexidine (CHX) and amine/stannous fluoride (AmF) on plaque accumulation, gingivitis and salivary fluoride levels in comparison with two mouthrinses containing either essential oils (EO) or cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) with sodium fluoride (NaF) in a teenage group. Methodology: For this study 82 healthy teenage between 13 and 16 years were recruited for participation. The experimental gingivitis model consisted of a 2-weeks recruitment phase, followed by a 6-day rinsing period with one of the 4 mouthrinse formulations was used for the study. At the end of the pre-phase period and the rinsing period (Day-0/Day-6), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) and salivary fluoride levels were recorded. The statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon sign test and the dependent t test. Results: A reduction in plaque re-growth was seen for the CHX+AmF formulation rinse, although there were no significant differences among all groups (p>0,001). During the experimental periods, the gingivitis indices increased significantly for all formulations (p0,001). Conclusion: It reveals that the adjunctive use of AmF containing CHX mouthrinses to mechanical oral hygiene should be recommended for teenage at risk groups. How to cite this article: Atabek D, Alaçam A, Çakılcı B, Berkkan A. A Comparative Study of Fluoride Containing Chlorhexidine and Non-Chlorhexidine Mouthrinses in a Teenage Group. Int Dent Res 2012;1:1-7. Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of ozone alone and with a re-mineralizing solution following application on initial pit and fissure caries lesions in permanent molars. Methods: Forty children (9-12 years) having non-cavitated fissure caries lesions on bilateral 40 first permanent mandibular molar teeth were participated in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to 2 experimental groups consisting of 20 subjects. In the first group, ozone was applied once for 40 seconds to the assigned test teeth of each pair. In the second group, ozone was applied once for 40 seconds to the assigned test teeth of each pair with the use of re-mineralizing solution. Progression or improvement of the caries was assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment and at 1-,2-,3-, and 6 month follow-up by comparing the DIAGNOdent values, Clinical Severity Indexes, Oral Hygiene Scores. The results were analyzed statistically by using the Wilcoxon-Test for dependent samples in each group. When comparing different test groups (control and experimental groups) the Friedman S test followed by the Mann-Whitney U test was used. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between all of the control and experimental test lesions in each group (P<.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the ozone treated groups and those using the additional re-mineralizing solution (P>.001). Conclusions: Ozone treatment either alone or combined with a re-mineralizing solution was found to be effective for remineralization of initial fissure caries lesions. (Eur J Dent 2011;5:393-399)

Compomers are widely used in primary teeth and are manufactured in different colors in order to make dental treatment acceptable in children. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) of different colored compomers and of compomers with various curing times. Sixty three cylindrical samples were prepared from a colored compomer (Twinky Star). These samples were of 7 different color groups, with 9 samples of each color. Each group was divided into 3 sub-groups, according to the curing time (20-30-40 seconds) with a light emitting diode light curing unit. The DC values from 3 different regions and depths were evaluated with a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer before and after curing procedures for all groups. Data were calculated by using the baseline values; statistical analyses were done by using ANOVA test. Significant differences in DC results before and after curing were found among the groups (P<0.05). For all curing times, the silver colored samples showed the poorest DC results, which ranged from 13% to 18%. It was concluded that DC values of different colors were variable. The material properties could be improved by defining the proper polymerization time for each color.