Aim: to determine the prevalence of erosion in children and to compare different etiological factors related to dental erosion. Materials and Methods: A study of dental erosion conducted among 3125 children, 11-12 years old which represent delay mixed dentition in 27 primary schools in Mosul city, comprising a study group with 35 erosion children, 22) males and 13 females. The other compared controlled subject are 35 children without erosion and caries free random sampling matching for both age and sex. The level of erosion was recorded using modified tooth wear index (MTWI), standardized methods for salivary flow rate and PH measurements were conducted. The role of various possible factors related to oral health in general and to dental erosion in particular was assessed for both study and control groups by means of multiple choice questionnaire. Results: showed that the prevalence of erosion in the sample was 14.3% distributed as mild erosion (7.55%), moderate erosion (5.6%) and only sever erosion (1.15%). A significant lower salivary flow rate mean (0.38 + 0.38 ml/min) and salivary PH mean (7.35 + 0.37) in erosion group were found, whereas in the control group they were 0.47 + 0.19 ml/min and 7.50 + 0.25 respectively. The results demonstrated a significant higher fruit juice intake, carbonated drink intake in erosion group than in their controls. The erosion group showed no significant difference in drinking habit and time of drinking of the soft drink compared with control group. Conclusion: The dental practitioners must be aware of their important role to recognize dental erosion and understanding its pathogenesis so that correct diagnosis and management of erosion can be performed.

Aims: To detect the levels of fluoride (F), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) in primary teeth and drinking water and their relation to dental caries experience in school children aged 6-12 years living in two distinct areas in Ninevah Governorate using two different sources of drinking water supply. Materials and Methods: The samples consisted of 120 freshly extracted highly mobile free of dental caries human primary mandibular teeth and ten wells water samples with ten tap water samples which had been chosen randomly. The samples were analyzed for F by fluoride sensitive electrode and for Zn and Pb by computerized atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Assessments and recording of caries experience were done by application of decayed, missing and filled surfaces (dmfs) index for primary dentition. Results: Statistical analysis of the results indicated that the mean F and Zn concentrations in the teeth were 244.35 + 167.49 ppm; 87.41+ 36.64 ppm respectively of the rural children were significantly higher than in the teeth of urban children (104.53 + 52.75 ppm; 65.19+ 28.79 ppm respectively). Meanwhile the concentration of Pb in the teeth of the urban children (1.62+0.41 ppm) was significantly higher than in the teeth of rural children (0.94+ 0.80 ppm)(p<0.001). Statistically significant higher F concentration in the wells water (3.39+ 0.25 ppm) than urban water supply (0.19+ 0.07 ppm) (p<0.001). Statistically significant higher Zn concentration in the urban water supply (0.1.34+ 0.31 ppm) than wells water (0.07+ 0.03 ppm) (p<0.001), but Pb concentration in wells water was not detected. Statistically significant higher caries experience was found in urban children than in rural (p<0.001). In the rural and urban areas, a negative correlation in the dmfs with F and Zn concentrations in teeth while a positive correlation with Pb was observed. Conclusions: A highly significant F and Zn concentrations in primary teeth were found in rural area than the urban and the opposite was true for Pb concentration. High significant F concentration was found in the wells water than urban water supply, and the opposite was true for Zn, but Pb concentration in wells water was not detected. High significant differences in dental caries indices were found in urban children than in rural children.

Background: For many infants and children non-nutritive sucking habits are very common and one of those habits is pacifier sucking, however, if this habit persist beyond the age of 3 years it may cause esthetic, occlusal and psychological changes. This study was conducted to determine the effect of pacifier sucking habit on the oral health of children aged 1-5 years old in Baghdad city and to assess its role in the modification of the oral microflora. Materials and methods: The study was carried out among children aged 1-5 years old with no history of any systemic diseases nor taking any medical treatment for the past two weeks prior to the examination, 50 children with continuous pacifier sucking habit were chosen to be the study group, compared to 50 children without any sucking habit (control group) matching the study group in age and gender. Information sheet filled by the parents concerning general health and frequency of oral infections of their children was taken. Oral microorganisms samples were obtained from children and cultured aerobically using blood agar, MacConkey agar, chocolate agar and sabauraud, s dextrose agar. Results: Children with pacifier sucking habit showed higher frequency of having continuous oral infections (44%) whereas in non pacifier sucking group it was zero. Concerning the oral infections, a statistical difference was found by which the pacifier sucking children oral infections exceed significantly that of the non pacifier sucking children (P<0.01). Regarding the oral microorganisms, more types were found among pacifier sucking children. Candida, Sterp.pyogenes, strep.faecalis, E.coli, Acinetobacter and sterp. pneumonia were more common among pacifier sucking children. Conclusion: Pacifier use affect types and frequency of microorganisms found in the oral cavity which may affect the frequency of oral infections. Health programs should be constructed to improve parents' knowledge concerning the effect of pacifier use in the oral health of their children and how to clean it if it used to reduce its contamination.

Background: Non-nutritive sucking habits are common in infants and toddlers. One of the most common nonnutritive sucking habits is pacifier; its prevalence varies from one population to another. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of pacifier sucking habit among children aged 1-5 years old in Baghdad city and to assess its effect on the occlusion of primary dentition concerning posterior crossbite. Materials and methods: The study was carried out among 1222 children aged 1-5 years old, from which 50 children with continues pacifier sucking habit were chosen to be the study group, compared to 50 children without any sucking habit (control group) matching the study group in age and gender. Children were examined clinically to record the presence of posterior crossbite. Results: The prevalence of pacifier sucking habit was 24.54%; it is tend to decrease with age. Posterior crossbite was found in18% of the pacifier sucking group and all of these cases were unilateral, however, none of the control group had posterior crossbite. In this study girls had higher tendency to suck pacifier and to have posterior ccrossbite than boys. Conclusions: Prevalence of pacifier sucking habit was more among girls, it can cause posterior crossbite which is mainly unilateral and more among girls than boys.

Background: habit is any purposeless action repeated unconsciously. It is a sign of lack of harmony between the subject and the surrounding environment. Deleterious oral habits such as finger sucking could be one of the etiological factors for altered oro-facial growth development. This study conducted to explore the association between finger sucking habit and malocclusion in deciduous dentition. Materials and method: Totally 40 chronic thumb sucker and 40 controls matching in age and gender were enrolled in the study. A study conducted by verifying different occlusal trait through the intra-oral examination. Thumb sucking habit diagnosed using data gathered from parents. Results: The statistical analysis showed a highly significant difference (p>0.01) in the occurrence of anterior open bite, increased over jet between study and controls, in addition to that thumb sucking habit increased the likelihood of development of anterior open bite, increased overjet and posterior cross bite by 39 folds, 40 folds and 3 folds respectively. Conclusions: Thumb sucking habit found to be a risk factor for the development of anterior open bite and increased overjet.