Purpose: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an effective caries control agent. The aim of our study was to investigate the parental acceptance of the utilization of SDF on their child’s primary and permanent teeth and to determine the factors that influence their decision-making. Patients and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included parents of healthy children aged 12 years and younger and currently receiving dental treatment. The interview questionnaire was conducted and pre-tested for face and content validity. The trained interviewing dentists showed colored pictures of primary and permanent teeth before and after receiving SDF treatment. The statistical significance was set at P <0.05. Results: A total of 104 parents were included in the study. The mean parental rating of treatment acceptability of the staining associated with SDF was 3.9±1.95. The plurality considered the staining caused by SDF treatment strongly not acceptable 46 (43.4%). Parental acceptance of SDF treatment was significantly affected by the location and type of teeth. Parents showed significantly higher acceptance of SDF treatment on their child’s primary compared to permanent teeth and posterior compared to anterior in both dentitions ( P <0.001). In addition, parents of children with a history of uncooperative behavior during previous dental treatment were significantly more accepting of SDF treatment regardless of the type and location of the teeth. Conclusion: Parental acceptance of SDF increased for primary compared to permanent teeth, on anterior compared to posterior teeth in both dentitions and for uncooperative children.

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of obesity among elementary school children and to examine the association between obesity and caries activity in the mixed dentition stage.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between September 2014 and June 2015 using a multi-stage stratified sample of 915 elementary school children (482 boys, 433 girls) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Anthropometric measurements, consisting of height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC), were obtained. Children were classified as underweight/healthy, overweight, or obese and as non-obese or obese according to their BMI and WC, respectively. Each child’s caries experience was assessed using the decay score in the primary and permanent teeth.ResultsBased on BMI, 18% of children were obese, 18% were overweight, and 64% were underweight/normal. Based on WC, 16% of children were obese, and 84% were non-obese. Girls had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity based on WC measurements (p<0.001), but not BMI. Children enrolled in private schools had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (p<0.05) than those in public schools. For primary and permanent teeth combined, children with higher BMI and WC had a lower prevalence of caries (p<0.05).ConclusionThe prevalence of obesity was high among male and female elementary school children. Overall caries activity was inversely proportional to BMI and WC.

BACKGROUNDThe prevalence of overweight/obesity in children in Saudi Arabia is among the highest in the world. The prevalence of dental caries is also high in Saudi children. Studies on the relationship between caries and obesity in Saudi adolescents are lacking.OBJECTIVESTo study the prevalence of overweight/obesity in adolescents, and determine any association between obesity and caries.DESIGNAn analytical cross-sectional study.SETTINGPrivate and public schools in Jeddah.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study sample comprised high school children from public and private schools selected by multistage stratified random sampling. Height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI) were measured for all children, who were then classified as underweight/normal, overweight, or obese according to their BMI values, and nonobese or obese according to their WC values. The presence of caries was assessed using the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors criteria.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)The prevalence of overweight/obesity and the association of obesity with the number of decayed permanent teeth.RESULTS801 high school children (48% boys, 49% from public schools) with a mean (SD) age of 16.5 (0.9) years. When the BMI classification was used, 24%, 16%, and 60% adolescents were obese, overweight, and underweight/normal, respectively. When the WC classification was used, 19% and 81% were obese and nonobese, respectively. Obesity was more prevalent in boys and in students attending private schools (P<.05). The number of decayed permanent teeth showed a very weak and insignificant correlation with BMI and WC.CONCLUSIONOne in every four adolescents residing in Jeddah was obese, with a high obesity prevalence in boys and in children attending private schools. The prevalence of caries in the permanent dentition was not associated with BMI or WC.LIMITATIONSIt was difficult to establish temporality in this cross-sectional study. Data on common risk factors were not adjusted for in the analyses.

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Mineral trioxide aggregate, PC, Biodentine(TM) and Tech biosealer showed similar capabilities in sealing the furcal perforations of the primary molars, where the sealing ability improved over time for each individual material.