BACKGROUND:Fear of the dentist and dental treatment is a common problem. It can cause treatment difficulties for the practitioner, as well as severe consequences for the patient. As is known, the level of stress can be evaluated thought electrodermal activity, cortisol measure in saliva, or indirectly by psychometric tests.AIM:The present study examined the psychological influence of dental interventions on the child as well as coping patterns used for stress diminution.METHODS:We examined two matched groups of patients: a) children with orthodontic problems (anomalies in shape, position and function of dentomaxillofacial structures) (N = 31, mean age 10.3 ± 2.02) years; and b) children with ordinary dental problems (N = 31, mean age 10.3 ± 2.4 years). As psychometric instruments, we used: 45 items Sarason’s scale for anxiety, 20 items simple Stress - test adapted for children, as well as A - cope test for evaluation coping patterns.RESULTS:Obtained scores confirmed the presence of moderate anxiety in both groups as well as moderate stress level. For Sarason’s test obtained scores for the group with dental problems are 20.63 ± 8.37 (from max 45); and for Stress test 7.63 ± 3.45 (from max 20); for the orthodontic group obtained scores are 18.66 ± 6.85 for Sarason’s test, while for the Stress test were 7.76 ± 3.78. One way ANOVA confirmed a significant difference in values of obtained scores related to the age and gender. Calculated Student t - test shows non-significant differences in obtained test results for both groups of examinees. Coping mechanisms evaluated by A - cope test shows that in both groups the most important patterns used for stress relief are: developing self-reliance and optimism; avoiding problems and engaging in demanding activity.CONCLUSION:This study confirmed that moderate stress level and anxiety are present in both groups of patients (orthodontic and dental). Obtained scores are depending on gender and age. As more used coping patterns in both groups are developing self-reliance and optimism; avoiding problems and engaging in demanding activity. Some strategies for managing this problem are discussed.

BACKGROUND:Circular caries occurs in the earliest age of the children (1 - 1.5 year), immediately after the eruption of the deciduous teeth. During this period, children are too young to be able to properly implement oral hygiene. Consequently, it is at a negligible level, with plenty of soft plaque on the deciduous tooth surfaces.OBJECTIVE:The main objective of this clinical trial was to determine the correlation between oral hygiene shown with Oral Hygiene index, and the initial stages of circular caries (initial lesion and superficial form), before and after topical fluoride treatment.MATERIAL AND METHODS:For determination of the OHI - index we used the method of Green - Vermillion. It was determined two times in 117 patients, during the first visit and immediately before physiological replacement of deciduous teeth. Patients were two to three years old and diagnosed with initial stages of circular caries. Amino fluoride solution was applied once a week, during six months.RESULTS:We obtained statistically significant improvement of OHI - index at the end of the test, among treated subjects from both major groups.CONCLUSION:It can be concluded that the level of oral hygiene is correlated with the progression of changes in enamel. Topical fluoride treatment has a positive impact on reducing ECC.

The ability to adapt to stress and adversity is a central facet of human development. Coping can be defined as a set of cognitive and affective actions that arise in response to a particular disquiet. The aim of this research was to evaluate coping patterns used to mediate anxiety and stress level in two groups of patients: orthodontic and dental. Psychometric instruments applied in the research are: Sarason’s anxiety questionnaire, Stress-test for children, as well as A-Cope questionnaire. Obtained scores confirmed important level of anxiety, and moderate stress level. It was shown that coping mechanisms used for moderate stress and anxiety were productive and influenced the scores for the stress level and anxiety to be diminished. As far as our knowledge is concerned, this is the first study for coping styles in children in our country.

The aim of this study was to determine salivary pH, buffering capacity and calcium levels in caries-free and caries-active children. We examined 80 children of both genders, 15 years of age. Subjects were divided into four groups as follows: caries-free females, caries-active females, caries-free males, caries-active males; each group consisted of 20 subjects. The unstimulated saliva sample was collected by the spitting method and then pH, buffering capacity and calcium in saliva was measured. The results showed that mean level of buffering capacity of saliva was decreased significantly in the caries-active group as compared to caries-free group. The obtained data showed that the mean levels of pH and calcium were decreased in the caries-active group as compared to the caries-free group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The saliva with its constituents plays an important role in maintaining oral and especially dental health. Salivary pH values were found to be higher in the caries-free group. In our study, there was no significant correlation of pH values and caries activity with gender. Buffer capacity values were significantly lower in the caries-active group than in the caries-free group. There were significant differences when the groups were compared in the caries-active group where buffer capacity values were higher in boys than in girls. Calcium content of saliva was higher in the caries-free group. The results obtained in this study related to the values of the pH, buffering capacity and calcium in saliva, may serve as parameters for determining the caries risk patients, and accordingly to plan and carry appropriate caries preventive measures. Keywords: saliva, dental caries, pH, buffer capacity, calcium