Study finds that non-conventional caries management approaches are acceptable to children, parents and dentists

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We are seeing a move towards more conservative methods of managing caries and also an increasing need to consider the patients perspectives of treatment. This study aimed to compare children’s behaviour and pain perception when approximal dentinal caries lesions in primary molars (in children aged 3–8 years old) were managed with three treatment strategies; conventional [read the full story…]

Interventions by non-specialists can improve outcomes for children with learning disabilities or lower-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders in low income countries

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The level of intellectual functioning for individuals with autism spectrum disorders is extremely variable, but estimates suggest that up to half of all those with an autism spectrum disorder also have an intellectual disability. Whilst neurodevelopmental disorders affect children worldwide, it is thought that these might be more prevalent in lower- and middle-income countries compared [read the full story…]

New Cochrane Protocol – April 2014

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  The aim of this new Cochrane protocol is to evaluate the effects of methods for acceptance of local anaesthetic in children during dental treatment. As the protocol notes three factors have been considered to influence discomfort during delivery of local anaesthetic: factors related to the patient, equipment factors and aspects that are under control [read the full story…]

“Commissioners should ensure sustained and effective delivery of children’s palliative care” says guide

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Clinical Commissioning Groups, hospices, patients, carers, and all staff who provide palliative care to children. This short guide has been written for Clinical Commissioning Groups, hospices, patients, carers, and all staff who provide palliative care to children. Commissioners need to be aware that palliative care for children is very different to palliative care for adults, [read the full story…]

Treating severe dental caries improved children’s appetite and dental outcomes

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Worldwide dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases of childhood. Sadly, in many countries a significant proportion of this decay remains untreated leading to pain, sepsis and occasionally more severe complications.  Studies have shown associations between caries and poor growth, low weight gain, missed school and poorer performance.   The aim of this [read the full story…]

Study suggest 84% survival of composite filings in children and adolescents after eight years

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The aim of this study was to assess the durability of Class I and class II composite resin restorations (CRR) in children and adolescents placed in Public Dental Health Service (PDHS ) clinics. The was a prospective study all children and adolescents up to 18 years treated between November 1998 and December 2002 in all [read the full story…]

Mental health disorders in young people with learning disabilities still under-recognised and often untreated in clinical practice

How important is social support in preventing depression?

In 2002, the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities produced a landmark report on the issue of mental health and emotional well-being in young people with learning disabilities ‘Count Us In’, which looked at ways of supporting young people to be emotionally strong, through education, support, friendships and advocacy. The report followed a year long [read the full story…]

Measures of Children’s dental anxiety

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Dental anxiety is still a relatively common problem. It usually develops in childhood an early adolescence. The aim of this review was to identify and evaluate self-report measures of dental anxiety that have been used to assess children’s dental anxiety since the 1998 review by Newton and Buck. The authors were planning to Provide:- a [read the full story…]

Probably a benefit in prescribing preoperative analgesics prior to orthodontic separator placement

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Pain is not uncommon after dental procedures. This can be linked with an increase in fear of dental procedures and the possible avoidance of treatment. This is of particular importance in children and adolescents and the use of pre-operative analgesics had been suggested as a way of reducing peri-operative pain. The aim of this Cochrane [read the full story…]

Call for culturally sensitive services for people with learning disabilities from South Asian communities

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People from ethnic minorities in the UK are likely to face inequalities, discrimination and disadvantage. From the late 1990s, studies began to document examples of racist attitudes being shown towards South Asian children with learning disabilities, There were also suggestions that South Asian parents received later diagnosis of learning disability in their child, with the [read the full story…]