Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is a severe disease that raises blood glucose levels because of hyperglycemia and insulinopenia. Fluctuations in water and electrolyte levels may result in xerostomia and other changes in the salivary composition. Since diabetes has an influence on oral health, it is important for the dentist to be aware of newer advances in the field of diabetes and to recognize specific oral problems related to diabetes. Thus, the dentist becomes an important part of the health care team for the patients with diabetes. Aim: The present study correlated salivary flow rate, salivary pH and total salivary antioxidant levels and dental caries in type I diabetic patients. Method: A total of 200 children that included 100 known diabetic children (study group) and 100 healthy children (controls) of both the sexes and from similar socioeconomic backgrounds formed the part of this study. Dental caries was assessed using DMFT index. The salivary total anti-oxidant level was estimated using phospho molybdic acid using spectrophotometric method. The salivary flow rate was recorded using the Zunt method and the salivary pH using the pH indicating paper. The results were statistically analyzed using t-test. Conclusions: The analyzed parameters showed increase in salivary anti-oxidant levels, reduced salivary flow rate, increase incidence of dental caries, salivary pH was decreased when compared to the control group.

Considering syrups with high cariogenic and erosive potential should always follow with proper oral hygiene practices or search for an alternative drugs void of such detrimental effects.

Background: Ideal pulpectomy for primary dentition demands fast, simple procedures, with short treatment times and minimal appointments. Recently, exclusive pediatric rotary files are available for use in primary teeth. There is a paucity of literature on the clinical efficacy of pediatric rotary files. Hence, this study was planned to evaluate and compare pediatric rotary files and K-files. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare instrumentation time, obturation time, and radiographic quality of obturation using rotary systems (Kedo-S; Pro-AF Baby GOLD files) and manual (K-files) technique in primary molar pulpectomies. Materials and Methods: Forty-five primary mandibular molars from 42 children aged 5–9 were selected. Single-visit pulpectomy was performed after dividing selected teeth into three equal groups: (i) K-files, (ii) Kedo-S files, (iii) Pro-AF Baby GOLD files. Instrumentation and obturation times were recorded during the procedure. Immediate postoperative radiographs were taken and evaluated later for obturation quality by two independent evaluators blinded to the instrumentation technique. The results were then statistically analyzed. Results: Kedo-S (Group II) files required the least instrumentation time followed by Pro-AF (Group III) and K-files (Group I). The superior quality of obturation in lesser time was achieved using Pro-AF files (Group III) followed by Kedo-S (Group II) and K-files (Group I). Conclusion: Pediatric rotary files are efficient alternatives to hand instrumentation and can be considered as the standard of care in pulpectomies of primary teeth.

Chairside veneering of composite resin to pretreated crowns could be a feasible, aesthetically pleasing, and an economical option in paediatric dentistry.

Aim: The aim of the survey was to assess awareness regarding oral hygiene practice amongst children toward oral health in rural population of Mangalore city. Materials and Methods: The survey was carried out among 2636 children (boys: 1508 and girls: 1128) who were in the age group of 5-12 years studying in various schools of rural Mangalore. Data on oral hygiene practice were collected by means of self-administered questionnaire. Results: This survey found that 52% children brush their teeth twice a day and 98.9% children brushed in horizontal direction. Other oral hygiene aids were sparsely used (5.3%). None of the school children had any form of interactive sessions on oral hygiene practice with their respective class teacher. Conclusion: Results of the study suggest that basic oral hygiene knowledge and practice of the study participants was good but advanced knowledge needs to be improved. Systematic community-oriented oral health promotion programs and awareness amongst teachers are needed to improve oral health of school children.