Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of two orally administered conscious sedation agents, Triclofos 70mg/kg and Midazolam 0.5mg/kg in pediatric dental patients. Study Design: In this cross over study twenty four sedation sessions were carried out with twelve children between the age group of 3 to 9 years. Children exhibiting negative behavior according to Frankl behavior rating scale (Rating No.2) were selected. Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral midazolam 0.5mg/kg or triclofos 70mg/kg. The alternate drug was administered at the next appointment. Patients' behavioral responses were recorded using a scoring system established by Houpt et al and modified by Badalaty et al considering the degree of sleep, body movement, crying and overall behavior. Scoring was done for both midazolam and triclofos session as well as for the session which was tried without medication. Ratings were made during all the procedures like injection of LA, extraction, cavity preparation, restoration and pulp therapy. Statistical analysis was done using Friedman test and Wilcoxon sign rank test. Results: Both the drugs showed significantly higher scores when compared to the session which was tried without medication although the scores for midazolam were significantly higher than triclofos. Conclusion: Oral midazolam in a dose of 0.5mg/kg is more effective in regulating patient behavior when compared to triclofos.

Background and objectives: Since complete debridement of the root canals of the primary teeth is not practically possible due to the highly variable root canal anatomy, success of the endodontic therapy depends partly on the use of antibacterial irrigating agents and root canal filling materials. Recent literature indicates that anaerobes comprise a majority of the bacteria in necrotic root canals of primary teeth. The study determined the antibacterial effectiveness of four root canal filling materials namely Calcium hydroxide,Zinc oxide eugenol, Vitapex and Metapex against microbial specimens obtained directly from necrotic root canals of primary teeth. Method: Microbial specimens were collected using sterile paper points, from 15 primary maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth of randomly selected children in the age group of 4-10 years with infected non vital primary teeth, requiring pulpectomy procedure. The microbial specimens collected were subjected to microbiological analysis and the antimicrobial potential of root canal filling materials were tested using Agar diffusion technique. Results: were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Facultative/Aerobic organisms were isolated in all the cases, anaerobic organisms were isolated in 80% of the cases, and Candida albicans was isolated in 1 case. ZOE showed superior inhibitory activity against most of the organisms isolated followed by Vitapex, Calcium hydroxide and Metapex in descending order.Conclusion: Our data may be useful as a guide for relative antimicrobial effectiveness or non-effectiveness of the materials employed. In vivo studies are required to state the specific antimicrobial activity and merits and demerits of any of the test filling material.

Inquisitive children often insert foreign bodies into their nose or other body orifices while they explore their own bodies in early childhood. Intranasal foreign bodies are found in children, most commonly in 2-4 years olds.Common symptoms in such cases include pain or discomfort, nasal discharge, nasal congestion, nasal odor, including bromhidrosis (foul body odor). Complications, such as facial cellulitis, epiglottitis, and cephalic tetanus have also been reported. Mentally challenged children may be at a higher risk for such foreign body insertion and may need to be examined at regular intervals.Careful interpretation of dental radiographs can go a long way in diagnosing such cases especially in the absence of a positive history. Radiolucent objects are more difficult to identify especially in the absence of a positive history, and hence their diagnosis and removal is more challenging for the clinician.Dental practitioners can play a significant role in the diagnosis of intranasal foreign bodies in children through careful clinical examination and interpretation of dental radiographs.This case report describes a child referred for dental care and a diagnosis of intranasal foreign body was made based on routine dental panoramic radiograph.

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Oral health care does not necessarily result only in a good dental health, it also influences the general health and well being of the individual. A child's general and oral health is influenced by the oral hygiene status and practices followed by the mother 1. During pregnancy, women tend to experience more oral problems due to the changes in hormonal levels and variations in intra oral flora. Early acquisition of transmitted microorganisms from the mother to the infant is frequently observed leading to dental decay in the infant due to high titers of cariogenic bacteria. Therefore, consultation with a dentist before conception would help in reducing the transmission of cariogenic bacteria to the baby 2. Unfortunately, the concept of prenatal care and especially oral health is neglected by mothers and caregivers as they lack the appreciation of oral health and the importance of primary teeth. The existence of an interrelationship between oral and general health has been well documented in the literature. A well-known example would be the association between periodontal diseases and diabetes mellitus 3. Also, several oral diseases and non-communicable chronic diseases have shown to have common/similar risk factors. Oral infectious diseases and systemic diseases with oral manifestations have an impact on the ability of an individual to masticate leading to poor diet and nutrition status. Hence, we can conclude that the development and integrity of the oral cavity and progression of oral diseases have a strong correlation to overall health of the individual, especially with respect to their nutritional status 4. Dental caries is a prevalent disease in developing countries and children are at a higher risk, mostly a result of their high sugar dietary intake. Hence, this provides a huge disadvantage to children 5. On an international level, strategies have been applied to commence prevention from a young age, to identify children who are at a high caries risk group, to provide early intervention treatment when required and observe the effect dental health has on general health 6. Certain aspects to be considered are the access and use of health services, nutrition; which primarily includes access to fluoride and use of sugar; composition and activity of the oral microflora; and a recognition of behavioral and biological impacts on health. Therefore, prevention of oral diseases and oral health promotion should be included in the general health promotion programs 7 .