Manju Gopakumar

Diagnostic Aids in Pediatric Dentistry

ABSTRACT Diagnosis involves development of a comprehensive and concise database of pertinent information, sufficient to understand the patient’s problem as well as answer questions arising in the treating clinicians’ mind. It is an accomplished art to develop a communication with the child and elicit relevant information from him. Thus, the signs and symptoms elicited on the basis of patient’s experiences and clinician’s knowledge forms the elementary framework of a good prognosis. This article aims to unveil the “must know” fundamentals of a sound diagnosis for a sound treatment plan.

Parental Attitude towards the Provision of Nonsurgical Oral Health Care to Children with Oral Clefts: An Epidemiological Survey

Aim To evaluate the attitudes of parents of 3 to 8 years old children with cleft lip and palate towards the provision of pediatric dental health care and assess the experience of dentistry in general dental practice. Materials and methods A questionnaire was distributed to parents of 100 children in the age group of 3 to 8 years old with cleft lip and palate who visited the cleft lip and palate center in KS Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore. Results Out of the hundred patients, 66% of the patients registered directly at the cleft center for their deformity. Only 20% of these children visited a local dental practitioner for their dental health care. 42% had neither undergone any dental treatment nor received any dietary or oral hygiene advices. Regarding the provision of the dental treatment, 74% wanted a pediatric dentist to provide dental check-up and treatment at the cleft center, whereas, 24% preferred a dental practitioner close to their home and 2% does not want treatment anywhere. Conclusion The survey indicates that there is parental support for the pediatric dental assessment at the cleft center with subsequent arrangement of dental treatment with their local dental practitioners. The majority wanted a pediatric dentist to provide the dental check-up and treatment at the cleft center.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - A Pedodontist's Perspective

AIDS was believed to be associated with a certain group of people, later the belief changed when the disease start encroaching other set of people. As science evolved, the knowledge about transmission of the virus grew and the evidences for the maternal transmission of the virus were found. Among children, most cases of infection by HIV are transmitted vertically, i.e., from mother to child. As they have an immature immune system, which may cause the rapid and severe progression. Children who are vertically infected present considerable weight loss, delayed development, delayed dental eruption, fewer permanent teeth, prolonged retention of primary teeth and various number of dental anomalies. The most important comeback by the science was by the establishment of antiretroviral protocols which has reduced the occurrence of oral changes. There been a decline in the rate of HIV-related oral manifestations following the introduction of HAART. Many studies evaluating the efficacy of HAART demonstrated positive results and better lifestyle of the infected children. It is clearly known fact that there are considerable regional variations in the oral manifestations of HIV infection, depending both on the populations studied and on the clinical expertise available, among other factors. This review article explains the manifestations, dental implications and the various treatment regimens to be followed in pediatric patients.

Dental Age Estimation of 6–15 Years Old Children by Comparative Evaluation of Two Radiographic Methods

Estimation of age is an important tool which is commonly carried out in areas of medico legal research. Age can be estimated in different ways by using chronological age, skeletal age and dental age. This study was done to evaluate two radiographic methods of age estimation i.e. the Nollas method and Demirjians method. The results obtained from 50 children, concluded that the Demirjians method was comparable to chronological age while Nollas method was not so accurate.

Oral Rehabilitation of Missing Maxillary Central Incisor in a Growing Child- A Clinical Dilemma

The management of missing permanent teeth in a growing child differs significantly from that of an adult. In adults consideration is given to function, aesthetics and appliance design. In children also similar considerations are required; however there is an additional factor to be considered i.e growth. Different treatment options for the replacement of missing permanent tooth includes fixed partial dentures, removable partial dentures and dental implants. But in children due to the growth factor all these treatment modalities should be reconsidered. Therefore in young patients where prosthetic replacement is mandatory, the aim should be to provide temporary prosthesis that fulfils aesthetic demand, function and does not cause any tissue damage throughout the growth period. The present case discusses the use of resin retained restoration as a temporary tooth replacement option in a growing child where an alternative treatment after growth completion is planned.

Tooth for Truth-Dental DNA for Gender Determination: A Review

Degloving of the penis is reported rarely in forensic medicine as it has often been a topic of discussion in the surgical discipline. The first clause of Sec 320 IPC stands for emasculation discussed in legal medicine. Degloving of the penis may occur as a result of road traffic accidents, or direct injuries from assault, violent sexual activity specially sexual asphyxia; the ill effect of the tools in agricultural and and other machines which a person closely handles.