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Objective: To investigate the influence of trans-dental photo-curing on the degree of conversion (DC) of a resin composite irradiated by a light curing unit operating in different curing modes. Methods: A curing lamp having six different curing modes was used for indirect photo-activation of a Nanocomposite through different thicknesses of tooth tissues. Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to determine DC. Three main experimental groups were formed in accordance with the 0.5mm, 1mm and 1.3mm, tooth thicknesses which were further subdivided into six minor groups formed according to irradiation modes. Control groups employed direct irradiation. Results: For each of the six light curing modes, the average DC decreased with increase in intervening tooth thickness. Among the groups, 0.5mm had the highest DC mean values, 21.5mm group had the lowest mean values (P

Introduction: Proper occlusion is an important component of overall oral health of a child since malocclusion is associated with oral diseases like dental caries, periodontal diseases and temporal-mandibular disorders. Its impact on facial appearance may adversely affect social interactions and psychological well-being of the child. Children with disabilities overwhelmingly suffer from the impact of malocclusion more than the general population. Paying attention to this condition will lead to an improvement in quality of life of these children. Material and Methods: A cross sectional survey was done among children with disabilities residing in Dar Es Salaam region, Tanzania. Data was collected using structured questionnaires for parents/teachers of the respective school children and clinical examination of malocclusion was done to children using the criteria described by WHO (1997). Results: The study included 384 participants with majority of children being between 12 and 17 years of age: in addition, males composed 60.4% of the sample. Most of the children (69%) had one or more type(s) of malocclusion/s: Children with neuropsychological disabilities were more affected with malocclusion (75.9%) than other group of disabilities. Increased overjet (18.8%) and reverse overjet (6.2%) were both prevalent in neuropsychological disabilities than other groups. In addition, children with neuropsychological disabilities had higher prevalence of open and deep bite, 25% and 10.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Malocclusions were prevalent in a greater proportion of children with disabilities: In particular, those with neuropsychological disabilities had significantly higher prevalence of malocclusion, followed by those with physical and sensory disabilities.

Background: Dental pain is an ache or soreness within or around a tooth. It has a wide range of etiology, the commonest being dental caries. Dental pain is one of the main reasons for seeking dental care.Objectives: To assess the relationship between experiences of toothache, dental visits and caries experience among primary school children in Dar es Salaam. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among children attending standard one, two and three at Olympio primary school. Each of these classes had three streams, one stream was randomly picked and all children from selected classes who were present on the examination day were recruited. Structured questionnaires were used to interview children and clinical forms to record findings of clinical examinations which were done under natural daylight. Pain was recorded as ever had toothache or not. Those who reported history of toothache were asked whether they had ever been to a dentist due to toothache. Caries was scored according to WHO criteria, then children were categorized into caries free and having at least one DMFT. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13.0. Frequency tables were generated and Cross tabulations done. Chi- square test was employed to test statistical differences. P-value of >0.05 was set as a level of significance. Results: A total of 203 pupils were examined, 57.1% of them being girls. One hundred and twenty (59.1%) children reported toothache experience. Majority were females (55.0%). Among the 120 who reported pain, only 76 (63.33%) had consulted a dentist for toothache. Most (70.94%) of the pupils were found with dental caries which was more prevalent (79.2%) among the children who reported pain experience, than those who did not (59%). The difference was statistically significant. There was no difference in caries presentation between the group which had seen a dentist (78.9%) and those with no history of consulting a dentist (79.5%) for toothache. Conclusion: A large proportion of children (59%) reported history of dental pain. Out of those who have had pain 63.3% had consulted a dental professional and of those who had consulted a dentist for dental pain, a significant proportion (79.2%) was found with caries.Running title: Toothache, dental visits and caries experience