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Background/purpose There is a need to comprehensively investigate the relationship between tooth eruption and obesity. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between erupted permanent tooth number and obesity among 12-year-old children in a population-based study. Materials and methods A random sample of 806 12-year-old schoolchildren in Hong Kong was recruited. Oral examinations were conducted and the eruption status of the permanent teeth was assessed. Body height, body weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness (TRSKF) were measured to assess the adiposity statuses [weight-height ratio (W/H) and body mass index (BMI) for general obesity; WC and waist-hip ratio (WHR) for central obesity; and TRSKF for peripheral obesity]. The relationships between erupted permanent tooth number and adiposity statuses were examined in bivariate analysis and analysis of covariance. Results The response rate was 82.9% ( n = 668/806). Three hundred and forty-six (50.9%) children had 28 teeth erupted. Second molars had the highest rate of noneruption (17.5–35.8%). The mean number and standard deviation (SD) of erupted permanent tooth were 26.4 (2.4). The mean value and SD were 31.1 (6.3) for W/H, 19.8 (3.7) for BMI, 70.4 (9.4) for WC, 0.82 (0.06) for WHR, and 11.8 (4.5) for TRSKF, respectively. After accounting for sociodemographic factors, analysis of covariance identified that W/H, BMI, WC, and WHR were positively associated with the number of erupted permanent teeth (P < 0.01). Conclusion Erupted permanent tooth number was positively associated with obesity (general and central) among a population-based sample of 12-year-old children in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Epidemiological studies on developmental defects of enamel ( DDE) have focused on its potential contributory factors and prevalence while there is limited evidence on the longitudinal changes in the epidemiological profile of DDE. Thus, the objective of this longitudinal study was to investigate whether any type of DDE changes with time. Methods A total of 668 participants were initially recruited in 2010, and 432 participants were successfully followed up and examined for DDE both at the age of 12 in 2010 and 15 in 2013. The central incisor, lateral incisor and first molar in each quadrant were chosen as index teeth and were examined 'wet' by two trained and calibrated examiners using the modified FDI ( DDE) Index. Results The mouth prevalence and tooth prevalence of 'any defect' showed a significant decrease from 2010 to 2013 ( P < 0.001). This was predominantly due to the decrease in diffuse opacities ( P < 0.001). Significant difference in the distribution of the extent of DDE was also found for diffuse opacities at both the participant and tooth levels irrespective of the types of tooth ( P < 0.0001). Median extent score for diffuse opacities in 2013 was lower than those in 2010 at both participant and tooth level irrespective of the types of tooth ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Diffuse opacities, in terms of prevalence and severity, did fade out over time. The observed overall change in DDE was due to the dominating effect of diffuse opacities over demarcated opacities and hypoplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess and compare the oral health status of preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorders. Methods: A random sample of 347 preschool children with autism spectrum disorder was recruited from 19 Special Child Care Centres in Hong Kong. An age- and gender-matched sample was recruited from mainstream preschools as the control group. Dental caries status, gingival health status, tooth wear, malocclusion, dental trauma and oral mucosal health were assessed and compared between the two groups. Results: It was feasible to conduct a comprehensive oral health screening among 74.1% (257) of the children with autism spectrum disorder. The mean age was 59 ± 10 months (range from 32 to 77 months), of whom 84.4% were males. Children with autism spectrum disorder had better gingival health than children without autism spectrum disorder (mean plaque score and gingival score p < 0.001). Children with autism spectrum disorder had less caries experiences than children without autism spectrum disorder (mean decayed, missing and filled surfaces and decayed surfaces, p < 0.05). Children with and without autism spectrum disorder had similar prevalence of tooth wear, malocclusion, dental trauma experience and oral mucosal lesions (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Differences in oral health status exist among preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Preschool children with autism spectrum disorder exhibited lower caries experiences and better gingival health than children without autism spectrum disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT To describe and compare the oral health behaviors of preschool children with and without cerebral palsy (CP), and to assess the oral health knowledge and attitudes of their primary caregivers (PCGs). Seventy-two preschool children with CP were recruited from 23 Special Child Care Centers in Hong Kong. An age- (±3 months) and gender-matched sample of children from mainstream preschools was recruited as a 'control group.' Assessment of children's oral health behaviors and the PCGs' oral health knowledge and attitudes was conducted using questionnaires. Preschool children with CP were less likely to have ever attended a dentist ( p < 0.05). Tooth brushing frequency was similar between the two groups ( p > 0.05), but PCGs of children with CP more frequently reported provision of tooth brushing assistance to their children ( p < 0.001). PCGs in both groups had similar oral health knowledge and attitudes ( p > 0.05). Difference in oral health behaviors existed between preschool children with and without CP. PCGs of children with and without CP had similar oral health knowledge and attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2011; 22: 37-43 Objectives. To evaluate the reliability of panoramic radiographs (PRs) for identifying supernumerary teeth (ST) and to determine whether the level of dental training of the observer influenced the identification of ST. Methods. Seventy-five PRs were randomly selected from the patient records and 18 examiners independently rated 25 radiographs each, for specific risk factors as well as for a measure of adequacy. Subsequently, the results were paired with those of the other examiners who assessed the same set of PRs. Descriptive statistics were computed using Fisher's exact test, and kappa statistics were used to assess the inter- and intra-observer reliability. Results. Four hundred and fifty PRs were available for analysis. The overall sensitivity and specificity figures were 50% and 98.3%, whereas the positive and negative predictive values were 90.6% and 83.6%, respectively. The sensitivity figures for Junior House Dental Officers and Postgraduate Paediatric Dental Trainees were 39.2% and 60.8%, whereas the specificity figures were 99.4% and 95% with slight inter-examiner and moderate intra-examiner reliability. Conclusions. Panoramic radiographs are unreliable for identifying ST, and higher level of dental training is essential for identifying ST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Randomly selected groups of 486 Southern Chinese and 129 non-Chinese 12-yr-old Hong Kong children were examined for calculus and oral debris. The non-Chinese children had less plaque and calculus than the Chinese children (P<0.00l). The girls had lower plaque scores than the boys in both ethnic groups. The higher frequency of toothbrushing by the girls possibly reflects their greater awareness of personal appearance. There is a need to increase the standard of oral hygiene and the level of dental awareness amongst Chinese children living in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Editorial. Provides a review of services and specialization in pediatric dentistry in Hong Kong, China as of March 1998. Oral health facilities; Specialization training in pediatric dentistry.