Down syndrome (DS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of known genetic cause, with a wide array of oral and systemic manifestations. The aim of the present study is to determine the level of oral hygiene status and practice of a group of individuals with DS in Benghazi/Libya. In this cross–sectional study 124 individuals were recruited from The Rehabilitation Centre of Special Needs in the city of Benghazi, Libya. Questionnaires were distributed among the attendees, covering oral health aspects and diet habits. Oral examination was conducted to evaluate oral health status among individuals with DS. The data were analysed descriptively and inferentially (including Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test) using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 20 (SPSS). Most of DS individuals brush their teeth once daily (62%), spending less than one minute in brushing (44%). For diet habits, more than half (55%) eat sweet snacks between meals. For the dental status, 47% of the subject had zero DMFT, followed by score 2 in 21%. The highest percentage in Oral hygiene Index (OHI) was scored 1 by 46% of participants. The zero CPITN score was seen in 54.5%. Our results have shown a weaker tendency of DS towards oral hygiene. This should strengthen our goal of guiding and encouraging parents of individuals with DS to be more cautious in providing help and supervision of their individuals’ practice of oral health care.

Background and objectives: Celiac disease is a disease affecting the digestive system whereby the patient is unable to tolerate gluten-containing food. The aims of this study were to study the prevalence of dental defects and oral hygiene status of a group of celiac disease patients in Benghazi. Materials and methods: A group of celiac disease patients (n = 40 & Male: Female ratio is 1: 2.4 & age range 3-19 years, mean 10 years, SD ± 4.8) were recruited from Benghazi Pediatric Hospital where they had already been diagnosed in gastroenterology units at private clinics. The patient's dental status was assessed through measuring their Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth index (DMFT), oral hygiene index (OHI) and CPITN using disposable mouth mirrors, explorers and periodontal probes. Descriptive statistics was applied to give a picture about the oral hard and soft tissue prevalence this group of patients. Results: Descriptive statistics of the celiac sample showed that 29 (72.5%) had enamel hypoplastic defects. The mean and SD values for DMFT, CPITN and OHI were measured (DMFT: 4.5 SD ± 4.7 & CPITN: 0.8 SD ± 0.5; and OHI: 1.1 SD ± 0.7). Besides, only two patients (6.4%) reported a history of oral ulceration during the course of their therapy. Healthy controls showed comparative values, being less in only OHI, while they were slightly more in DMFT and CPITN. Conclusion: This is a cross-sectional clinical survey showing that patients with celiac disorder should be expected to have higher prevalence of defective incisor teeth, which makes their front teeth liable to traumatic fracture. The presence of frequent soft tissue ulcers in their mouths might indicate a warning sign of the possibility to develop the disease and thus urge the child's parents or guardians to consult a physician to confirm or negate the suspicion.

The current case report presents a rare clinical case of ectodermal dysplasia for a three years old Libyan child. The child's parents were concerned about the missing dentition for their child at his age, and his malnutrition as consequence of the inability to eat healthy food. Clinical and radiographic examinations were carried to confirm the diagnosis and to make the proper treatment plan. A prosthodontic treatment offered to the child and he kept under observation.

Tooth extraction is an ordinary type of treatment that is performed routinely at dental treatment units. The procedure of dental extraction may be accomplished without any collateral complications or, on the other hand, be followed by problematic consequences. Many factors control the outcome of the extraction procedure, whether it is conducted smoothly or in a vigorous way. In the current study, we present a case of an ordinary extraction of a primary tooth revealed a more advanced infection, i.e. chronic suppurative osteomyelitis, which might have caused a cease of the root formation and hypoplasia of the crown of the succedaneous tooth.