Background and aims. Streptococcus mutans is the main pathogenic agent involved in dental caries, and may be eliminated using mouthwashes. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of fluoride, chlorhexidine, and fluoride-chlorhexidine mouthwashes on salivary S. mutans count after two weeks of use and determine the prevalence of their side effects on the oral mucosa.Materials and methods. In this clinical trial, 120 12-14 year-old students were selected and divided into three groups. Each group was given one of fluoride, chlorhexidine, or fluoride-chlorhexidine mouthwashes. They were asked to use it twice a day for two weeks. Salivary samples were collected at baseline and after two weeks. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests.Results. In all the study groups, there were statistically significant reductions in salivary S. mutans counts two weeks after using the mouthwashes (P < 0.05). In addition, fluoride-chlorhexidine mouthwash had a significant effect on the reduction of S. mutans count in comparison with fluoride alone. The prevalence of oral side effects in fluoride-chlorhexidine mouth-wash was more than 90%.Conclusion. Adding fluoride to chlorhexidine mouthwash can significantly decrease salivary S. mutans count after two weeks. Fluoride-chlorhexidine has the highest rate of oral side effects between the evaluated mouthwash compounds.

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Background: Oral and dental health-related quality of life means the physical and psychological satisfaction with oral health status and the appearance of the teeth. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of oral and dental health on children's and parent ' s quality of life based on Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) index. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study 400 children (2-5 years of age) were selected from the Pediatric Department of Kerman Dental School. A clinical oral examination was performed and their dmft was documented. Then the parents completed the ECOHIS questionnaire. Data were analyzed by chisquared test, two-sample t-test and Mann-Whitney test. Results: The mean of dmft in children was 5.6±3.6. The mean scores obtained from ECOHIS questionnaire in the child and parent impact section were 4.07±0.79 and 3.28±0.83, respectively. There was an inverse statistical relationship between the mean of dmft and quality of life in children and parents (P<0.05). Conclusion: Children's oral and dental health has a significant impact on children's and parents' quality of life. This impact on children's quality of life is more than that on parents.

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The dental pulp is the living tissue of the tooth and its vitality is essential for long-term tooth survival. The vitality or non-vitality of the pulp as well as the presence or absences of a radicular pathology determine the type of pulp therapy. The knowledge of the dentist is important in selecting and carrying out a proper complete treatment. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess general dental practitioner`s (GDP) knowledge of indication, methods and prognosis of vital pulp therapy (VPT) for young permanent teeth (YPT). Method A total of 160 GDPs from dental clinics and offices in Kerman participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected using an initial questionnaire consisted of 15 items examining the knowledge and practice of indication, methods and prognosis of VPT for YPT among GDPs. The participants were asked to choose from the provided answers. Result of 160 questionnaires 154 were used for final evaluation.The overall obtained average score of the total items of the questionnaire was 4.53 ± 3.56. There was not any significant correlation between the knowledge of indication, examination, diagnosis, patients selection, effective factors in success of treatment and gender, number of the years since graduation and the university where the degree was obtained for VPT among GDPs. While knowledge of selecting the right materials for pulp-capping was significantly correlated with the number of the years since graduation and the university where the degree was obtained. Conclusion Although GDPs' level of knowledge in regard to VPT is not favorable, the time since graduation and place of education influenced the suitable material selection for pulp capping. Hence, GDPs, who perform pulp therapy , need to keep themselves updated with these procedures.