Background: All objects put into a child’s mouth could be hazardous in terms of trauma and toxic substance exposure. The aims of this study were to evaluate morphological characteristics of the primary teeth bite marks inflicted on various materials and to assess material wear using experimental model. Methods: Bite marks were analyzed on five materials: rubber, plastic, foil, wood, and silicone. In order to mimic children mouthing behavior an experimental setup has been designed using primary teeth placed in dentures and children’s equipment specimens. Results: Deciduous teeth make visible and recognizable traces when using physiological forces on all investigated materials. The most significant material loss was revealed in silicone samples, but it has been observed in all material groups, while mouthing with incisors using higher mastication forces were identified as significant predictors for material wear. There were no significant differences between type, species, and morphological-morphometric characteristics of the bite marks which are made by incisors, canines, and molars. Conclusions: In the range of physiological bite forces, deciduous teeth lead to wear of material from which toys are made while the analysis of bite marks in children equipment could give some information regarding the risk of trauma and exposure.

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Introduction/Objective. An important moment in oral health care and preventive dentistry is the first dental visit, recommended to be undertaken between the child?s sixth and 12th month of life. Worldwide evidence shows a considerable delay. This study evaluates characteristics of the first dental visit in a public health care center in Novi Sad, Serbia, during 2006?2015 period, and changes in occurrence driven by the healthcare reform. Methods. The study design was retrospective, evaluating available data on age and the main reason for the first dental visit of 270 children, who come to the same dentist and pediatrician in a public health care center during the 2006?2015 period. Results. Collected data determined the third and the fourth year of life as the dominant age (45.8% of children) for the first dental visit in 2006?2010, initiated mostly by a dental check-up (53.8%). During the second period (2011?2015), most of the first visits (31.1%) were done by the age of one, while the main reason for 80.1% of the visits was dental check-up. Conclusion. Considerable progress regarding the first dental visit was made in the observed period, which is, at least partially, due to the health care reform and emphasized preventive versus curative measures, by means of advanced communication between parents and chosen medical staff in prenatal and pediatric clinics.

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