Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a lifestyle disease that begins when the child's teeth erupt in the oral cavity. The distinctive pattern of decay rapidly spreads from one tooth to another and involves the surfaces of teeth that are usually not at risk. Detection of disease is crucial to control the oral condition using preventive and therapeutic regimes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of caries in children of age 3-6 years in Ludhiana and to examine the relationship between age and caries experience. A total of 609 children in the age group of 3-6 years were examined using def index. To determine dental care seeking attitude, 105 caregivers were interviewed. Results revealed that 52.87% of children in the age group of 3-3.11 years, 45.1% of children in the age group of 4-4.11 years and 58.55% of children in 5-5.11 age groups suffered from caries. The mean def index was 1.82, 1.57 and 2.21, respectively. Interview of caregivers of children revealed that out of 105 only 12 (11.4%) children had previously been to a general dentist. None of them knew about Pedodontics as a specialty. The results of the present study can be used mainly for screening child populations in need of treatment, helping public workers and planners to develop dental health programs to aid early intervention and prevention.

For prevention of dental caries, S. mutans numbers must be reduced and prevented from returning to the original level. An antibacterial agent that is effective and also acceptable to young children can help to establish a favorable oral environment and halt the caries process. Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of topical antimicrobial (10% Povidone- Iodine) on S.mutans counts in children with Early Childhood Caries after full mouth rehabilitation. Also its effects on the clinical outcomes in terms of incidence of new caries and secondary caries were evaluated. Method: Full mouth rehabilitation was done in 30 children (mean age 4.2 years) suffering from Severe Early Childhood Caries (SECC). Stimulated saliva samples were collected to determine the post operative baseline S.mutans counts. Thereafter the subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received 10% Povidone Iodine at 3 months interval for a period of 12 months while the control group received placebo (deionized water) at similar intervals. Change in the S.mutans count at 6 and 12 month intervals were compared to the baseline post-operative mutans score. Results revealed that application of 10% Povidone Iodine caused a significant reduction in the rise of Streptococcus mutans levels from the baseline postoperative score after 12 months of treatment thus decreasing the oral load of the organisms. Reduction in counts; in turn decreased the relapse of caries in these children. Conclusion: Thus oral rehabilitation coupled with regular application of 10% Povidone Iodine application can be a good alternative to control dental caries in children affected with Early Childhood Caries (ECC).

The results showed that the percentage of children affected with gingivitis was significantly higher in the rural areas in 5- and 15-year-old children, but this trend was not seen in 12-year age group, reflecting the lack of awareness in rural areas.

Aim : The aim of this study was the initiation of systematic data collection so as to improve the capacity for outcome measurement after cleft repair. Also, a clinical audit was done for evaluation of the process and assessment of outcomes of cleft care. Design and Setting : A questionnaire-based survey and outcome assessment was carried out over a 1-year period from March 2008 to February 2009 at the combined outpatient cleft clinic of a tertiary care center in India. Patients and Participants : Data collection (basic demographic and environmental information) was done twice a week throughout the year by students from the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, at the outpatient cleft clinic. Results : A total of 68 completed cleft lip and palate registry forms, from which all the information was available, were analyzed. There was a skewed sex ratio, with a higher preponderance of boys seeking treatment. Of affected males, 19.1% were between 2 and 5 years of age when they first reported to the cleft clinic. Surprisingly, no bilateral clefts of lip, unilateral cleft lip (right) and unilateral cleft lip and palate (right) were observed in girls. Oral health was poor in 74% of patients; among the dental referrals only 26% could be recruited for orthodontics with a reasonably good prognosis. Conclusions : Poverty, illiteracy, and superstitions prevent an average patient from India from receiving multidisciplinary cleft care. This emphasizes the need to create systems that suit the needs of our target patients.

Clefts of the lip and palate are a common craniofacial anomaly, The etiology is thought to be multifactorial, with both genetic and environmental factors playing a role. Because of the frequent manifestation of cleft lip and palate in association with some syndromes, it is essential that a detailed examination of these patients be carried out. This facilitates early formulation of preventive and treatment advice and aids in overcoming gross deformities in the early stages of development. In this paper, we review three such patients who presented with cleft lip and palate in association with a syndrome.