Purpose: As the goal of modern dentistry is the non-invasive management of non-cavitated caries lesions and the growing interest in the field of phytotherapeutics by the medicinal use of their plant extracts, this study was conducted to evaluate the remineralizing potential of some herbals (tea tree, grape seed, and ginger) in comparison with fluoridated toothpaste on initial enamel carious lesions. Materials and Methods: Forty human enamel samples were classified into four groups. Ten samples for each group were used in this in vitro recycling study with the following treatments which applied three times a day: 1) tea tree oil, 2) grape seed oil, 3) ginger oil, and 4) sodium fluoride toothpaste. Treatment regimens of demineralization and remineralization cycle were applied for 21 days. The baseline and post-treatment data were assessed by digital radiographs of the mineral density of WSLs based on subtraction concept. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA test with Bonferroni significant difference test. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between different study groups (fluoride, tea tree, grape seed, and ginger) along consequent follow up periods. While, after repeated measure analysis, there was a statistically significant difference regarding all the study groups respectively (0.12 (0.00), 0.22 (0.01), 0.25 (0.02), 0.12 (0.00). The post hoc test for each study group showed also a significant decrease in mineral density along different follow-up periods (P≤0.05). Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between different study groups on remineralization of initial caries lesion.

Purpose: Evaluation of oral health status in children undergoing hemodialysis sessions and kidney transplantation and compared them with healthy children. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 250 children aged 6-18 years old (100 children undergoing hemodialysis, 50 children undergoing kidney transplantation and 100 healthy children as a control group). The oral health status was evaluated regarding to caries experience, gingivitis using PMA index, developmental defects using modified DDE index. Un-stimulated salivary flow rate and pH were also measured. Results: caries experience was significantly lower in both chronic kidney disease (CKD) groups compared to control group. Median PMA was significantly higher in hemodialysis and in transplantation groups compared to control group. The prevalence of developmental enamel defects was 41% in hemodialysis group and 58% in transplantation group compared to 11% in control group (P-value < 0.001). Regarding to saliva analysis, the flow rate was higher among healthy children while the salivary PH was higher among children with CKD. Conclusions: chronic kidney disease may decrease caries experience, increase gingival inflammation, in addition to increase prevalence of developmental defects. Furthermore, children with chronic kidney disease have lower salivary flow rate and higher buffering capacity than healthy children.

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Aim: This study was conducted to assess level of knowledge and practice of caregivers regarding prevention of early childhood caries in preschool children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among caregivers of preschool children. A consecutive sampling technique was used to recruit 399 caregivers based on sample size calculation. Data was collected based on clinical examination and previously validated questionnaires. Dental caries experiences were calculated by dmft index using WHO criteria for dental caries diagnosis. Statistical analysis: Data was statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Science Software program, version 23. Data presented using frequency and percentage for qualitative variables. Comparison between groups had been performed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test for qualitative variables. P-Values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: This study highlights that caregivers who have good knowledge about oral health are mothers, high level of education, high family income, caregivers of child with dmft < 7. Additionally, family with high income, caregivers of children aged < 4 years and caregivers of the children with dmft < 7 and caregivers with sufficient knowledge each has higher practice regarding children oral health Conclusion: the majority of caregivers (64.4 %.) had sufficient knowledge related to prevention of ECC. In spite of that most of them (63.2%) were having low skills to prevent ECC. So, oral health education programs should be targeted to caregivers especially the lower socioeconomic groups to motivate them to take care of their child oral health and improve their practice..

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