Purpose: Developmental enamel defects, commonly seen in children, have proven to pose clinical challenges for pediatric dentists. Among these, Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) and Hypomineralised Second Primary Molars (HSPM) are among the most common enamel defects and each of these has important clinical implications. Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) may be more likely to have developmental enamel defects due to systemic, perinatal & environmental factors. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the prevalence, distribution and clinical patterns of molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) and hypomineralised second primary molars (HSPM) in children with special healthcare needs and neurotypical children aged 7–13 years. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 216 children (108 neurotypical children and 108 CSHCN) by a calibrated examiner following the EAPD Diagnostic criteria for MIH/HSPM. Prevalence, severity and lesion extension of MIH and HSPM were noted. Data was analysed using the Chi-square test (p < 0.05 considered statistically significant). Results: The overall prevalence of MIH was 19.4%. MIH prevalence was greater in CSHCN (30.6%) than neurotypical children (8.3%). HSPM prevalence was 4.2% and showed no significance. Severity of MIH was greater within the CSHCN group with 42.1% having atypical caries and 15.8% showing post-eruptive breakdown due to MIH compared to neurotypical peers. Lesion extension was also greater in CSHCN. In CSHCN, most cases involved only molars (84.8%) while neurotypical children showed more molar-incisor involvement. Conclusion: Children with special healthcare needs have a significantly greater prevalence and severity of MIH. These findings emphasize the need to implicate early preventive strategies, proper parental awareness and timely intervention, thereby improving the overall well-being and quality of life in such individuals.

Aims and background:The increasing prevalence of dental caries highlights the need for effective diagnostic tools. Advances in e-learning and hybrid methods offer promising solutions to improve dental education and assessment. The study aimed to assess which learning method (e-learning, tutorial, and a combination of both) garnered a better response among clinical dental students for the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS). Materials and methods:A sample of 90 dental students in the third, fourth, and final years of their dental education was selected to take part in the study, which was conducted in three phases. The learners were requested to answer a set of 15 questions given in a booklet, following which they were grouped into three groups (I, II, and III) by randomization: Group I (e-learning), group II (tutorial), and group III (e-learning + tutorial). Three weeks later, the groups were re-evaluated using the same set of questions. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare pre- and posttest scores across the three learning groups. Results:On comparing the three groups, there appears to be a substantial difference among all three groups, with group III showing a better significance than groups I and II. Conclusion:Though the use of all three learning strategies showed an improved performance by the dental students, it was the use of a combination of e-learning and tutorial that produced a better outcome compared to the other two. Clinical significance:Blended learning enhances dental students' proficiency in ICDAS and ICCMS, emphasizing its efficacy in clinical education. How to cite this article:Sriram S, Perumal S, Nirmal L, et al. Impact of Teaching Strategies on Caries Detection and Management. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(12):1466-1470.

ObjectiveDiscolouration of primary teeth, often attributed to trauma and pulpal infection, is a prevalent concern that can significantly impact the esthetics and self-esteem of children. To address this issue, bleaching techniques have emerged as a viable treatment option. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the effectiveness of bleaching agents in managing discoloured primary teeth.MethodsTwo reviewers independently conducted an electronic database search using PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, CINAHL via EBSCO, Scopus, and Web of Science until September 26,2023. In vitro studies and case reports that assessed the quantifiable success were included. The present review utilized Distiller SR software for data extraction. The protocol of this study was registered in PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) (CRD42022329831). The quality of studies was analysed with Cochrane tool and the JBI checklist.ResultsThe search retrieved 1845 references of which 14 studies were included for qualitative analysis. There were 8 in vitro studies and 6 case reports included in this systematic review. There were 299 teeth samples in the in vitro studies and 18 teeth were assessed in the case reports. All the 18 teeth (6 case reports) showed considerable shade improvement within 7-14 days. However, only 3 teeth were followed up for a period of 12-24 months. Substantial shade improvement was also observed in samples in the in vitro studies.ConclusionThis systematic review has comprehensively examined the various bleaching agents and methods for the management of discoloured primary teeth. However, it is crucial to recognize that the available evidence is from case reports and is insufficient to make a clinical recommendation.

Background: Hand foot mouth disease (HFMD), a disease of childhood is also reported in adults caused by Coxsackie virus A type 16. Clinical condition is characterized by vesicular eruptive lesion in mouth, hand, foot, buttock, or genitalia. Coxsackie virus is a member of picoranaviridae family that includes non-enveloped SSRNA viruses. Spread in humans in the case of HFMD is through oral route, by the shed virus from intestine of infected person or through upper respiratory tract by the secretions or vesicle fluid of the diseased individual. Incubation period is 3 to 6 days. Diagnosis of HFMD most of the time is based clinically depending on the patient’s age, symptoms and clinical presentation of rash. Samples include stool, oral samples, biopsy & vesicular scrapings. Viral culture is the gold standard. Treatment is mainly supportive, to maintain hydration, acetaminophen and NSAIDS to reduce temperature. Novel agents like pleconaril play a vital role in the management of viral infection cases. Hand hygiene is the main stay of prevention.

Objective:To investigate the influence of Conventional Straight (CS) line and Modified Straight (MS) line access preparations with various restorative materials on the fracture resistance of primary molars using Finite Element Analysis (FEA).Methodology:Three FEA models for each of the primary molars were divided into Group I- Intact tooth model; Group II- Model with CS outline and Group III- Model with MS outline. Based on the restorative material used, Group II and III were further subdivided into subgroup 1- GIC restoration, subgroup 2 - composite resin with GIC base and subgroup 3- Stainless Steel Crown (SSC). Each model was subjected to 5 different force loads directed at the occlusal surface. Maximal von Mises (VM) stresses calculated from stress distribution patterns.Result:The maximum displacement, in all the models of primary molars were seen in GIC restored models in molars with both CS and MS access whereas the minimal displacement was seen in the SSC restored molars of MS group.Conclusion:In primary maxillary second molar and mandibular first and second molar with intact marginal ridges, the fracture resistance of tooth with MS outline restored with GIC base followed by Composite resin was comparable with the tooth restored with SSC and CS outline.Clinical outcome:Based on the results of this FEA analysis, composite restorations with MS outline would be appropriate for endodontically treated primary molars that have intact margins.

This systematic review aimed to assess bite force measurements in children and adolescents and to study the various devices that measure Maximum Voluntary Bite Force (MVBF). This systematic review included observational studies and experimental studies in children and adolescents (upto 19 years of age) which evaluated MVBF using a bite force measuring device. Studies on participants with systemic conditions were excluded. Databases such as PubMed, Embase, LILACS, and the Cochrane library were searched until September 2022, for which screening and quality assessment were performed. Newcastle-Ottawa, modified Newcastle-Ottawa and ROBINS-I tools were used to assess the Risk-of-bias. All observational studies reporting overall bite force values of participants were included for meta-analyses. A total of 8864 participants (3491 males and 3623 females) were included from 61 studies. Meta-analyses were conducted to evaluate mean average bite force value for each included dentition using R software v2.4-0. Estimation was done to derive an average BF value for variables such as age (dentition), gender, side, site, device and ethnicity. MVBF values were reported as mean average in the form of MLN with 95% CI (Confidence Interval). Using a randomeffects model, 29 forest plots were generated. I2 values varied between 90% and 100%. Bite force ranged from 246.22 N (220.47; 274.98) to 311.72 N (255.99; 379.59) and 489.35 N (399.86; 598.87) in primary, mixed, and permanent dentitions, respectively. Six different sites for recording bite force and 11 different types of devices were reported with portable occlusal bite force gauge being the most common device. Outcomes of this review provide useful baseline reference values of bite force for clinicians and researchers.

Objective: To systematically assess systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the association of breastfeeding with ECC. Study Design: A systematic search was carried out from MEDLINE® (PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Database, OVID, Joanna Briggs Institute Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports and Epistemonikos Databases up to November 2019. Data extraction was carried out by two investigators. ROBIS tool was used for quality assessment of included systematic reviews. Results: Four systematic reviews were found assessing the correlation of breastfeeding with ECC. Findings were grouped into four categories, according to the duration, frequency, pattern, and comparison of feeding habits. Two systematic reviews assessing duration of breastfeeding above the age of 12 months had odds ratios of 1.86 and 1.99, showing positive correlation with ECC while nocturnal breastfeeding showed highest odds ratio of 7.14. Of the four included reviews, three had low risk of bias and one had unclear risk of bias. Conclusions: Breastfeeding beyond the age of 12 months, accompanied by nocturnal feeding, had a positive association with ECC. Further research is warranted for assessment of diurnal and nocturnal sleep-time breastfeeding habits, together with the role of enamel defects (hypoplasia), and the risk of ECC.

Identification of the association between Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) will aid paediatricians and paediatric dentists to enhance health promotion measures to reduce the related morbidity in children. This systematic review aims to determine an evidence-based association between ECC and IDA. A systematic search was carried out from MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane Oral Health Group's Specialized Register, CINAHL via EBSCO, Web of Science, and Scopus up to May 2020. Hand searching and grey literature screening were also conducted. Cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies in English language which assessed the association was included. Two reviewers independently assessed the study quality and extracted the outcome data. A total of 1,434 studies were identified. Fourteen studies qualified for qualitative review and 7 of them for a meta-analysis. In comparison with children not affected by ECC, those affected had an increased likelihood of IDA (OR = 6.07 [3.61, 10.21]). The meta-analysis showed no statistical difference when comparing blood parameters (Hb, MCV, and serum ferritin) in children with and without ECC. This systematic review demonstrates an association between ECC and increased odds of IDA rather than it being the cause for IDA. Further longitudinal studies with robust methodology are required to determine an evidence-based association.

The changing paradigm of dental education in India has led its way to the development of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This article describes the process of developing CBC in the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry under the initiative of Dental Council of India. Rationale behind CBC development is to bring uniform system of education for improving oral health outcomes of the society in long term.