This study, the first in a British population, has identified a significant association between ectopic eruption of first permanent molars and other dental anomalies. A multifactorial aetiology is thus supported and clinicians should be alert to the co-existence of ectopic eruption and other dental anomalies.

The purpose of the study was to assess the current opinions and usage of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) for apical barrier formation of non-vital immature permanent teeth by consultants in paediatric dentistry in the UK. A semi-structured postal questionnaire was sent to all known consultants in paediatric dentistry in the UK. The response rate was 78.6% (44 of 56). Thity-eight consultants (86.3%) agreed that the use of this material was a good idea with 68.2% having used or arranged for its use in apical barrier formation. Forty-two consultants (95.5%) agreed that reduced number of visits was an advantage to the technique, with only 34.1% agreeing that this procedure was less likely to weaken the tooth and 63.6% agreed that material and equipment costs were a drawback and 50% agreed that lack of available evidence was a disadvantage to its use. The results from this study give an indication of the extent of MTA use by consultant-led services in paediatric dentistry in the UK and highlights the need for a multi-centre randomised controlled clinical trial.

No abstract

The role of the paediatric dental team is extensive in children with CGCG and coordination of care from both teams is essential to ensure that the highest quality of care is provided.

Objectives: To determine reference intervals for Dental Age Assessment (DAA) for the 16 year threshold. Design: Descriptive study from a convenience sample of radiographic archives. Sample and methods: Dental Panoramic Tomographs of 15-17 year patients treated at King's College Dental Hospital. Tooth Development Stages (TDS) for the 12 stage (Haavikko 1970), and the 8 stage (Demirjian 1971), will be recorded on specially prepared forms. The computer database is designed to return the age of attainment for each of the TDS's. Each TDS provides a set of statistical information viz. the mean, standard deviation, standard error and confidence intervals. In addition a probability distribution function is produced for each TDS. Only teeth that are still developing are included in the assessment. The ages for still developing teeth are ÔaveragedÕ using meta-analysis to provide an estimate of age for an individual. This will be tested by taking a separate sample of 50 children with the gold standard of Chronological Age and comparing this with the Dental Age Assessment for these subjects. Results: To date, a small number of assessments show that the individual Dental Age Assessments are within 6 months of the chronological age. Conclusion: Dental Age assessment derived by age calculation of tooth development stages and meta-analysis provides, improved estimates of age.