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Dental anxiety is a very important factor affecting the efficacy of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases, both in patients in the developmental age and in young adults. Anxiety is considered an emotional state with negative connotations. The aim of the study was to determine the level of dental anxiety in first year university students, the intent being to help to develop an individual treatment plan in this group of patients. The study involved 280 students including 230 females and 50 males. Of these, 122 patients were from the Medical University of Lublin, 79 from University of Life Sciences and 79 from University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska. The mean age of the study subjects was 21 years and 8 months ± 3,9 months. No differences in the level of dental anxiety between women and men were observed. The highest level of dental anxiety was observed among students of University of Life Sciences, while the lowest level was observed among students of the Medical University

Summary. Aim. To investigate the dental status and oral cleanliness of a group of patients with haemorrhagic diatheses and to compare these to values for a group of healthy controls. Design. Cross-sectional study of patients and controls. Methods. The group of patients was made up of 80 children aged 4–18 years. The total included 77 patients with type A or type B haemophilia and three with von Willebrand’s disease. The control group consisted of 80 healthy children of the same age range. A clinical examination was carried out to determine dental status and oral hygiene in the two groups. Results and conclusions. No significant differences were found between the dental status of sick and healthy children. However, worse dental status was seen in children with severe forms of haemophilia A and von Willebrand’s disease compared to other sick children. Oral hygiene status was worse in the sick children than in healthy children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 9.5 year-old patient, following an accident, suffered a comminuted lateral fracture of the root of tooth 21 at the neck level. The treatment consisted of immobilizing and maintaining tooth vitality. The presented case provides a basis for the conclusion that premature radical, surgical and endodontic actions should not always be performed.

Background: This longitudinal study examined the early effects of type 1 diabetes on bone mechanical properties and metabolic markers in mature rats, focusing on the natural progression of diabetes-induced changes without external treatments. Methods : Forty-eight 8-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into two groups, with one group receiving a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg). Assessments were performed 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-administration, including serum biochemical analyses, bone marker assessments, and mechanical bone tests. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA to evaluate the impact of time and treatment. Results : At 2 weeks, diabetic rats showed increased fasting blood glucose ( p < 0.001), decreased insulin levels ( p = 0.03), and changes in HOMA markers ( p < 0.001), liver enzymes ( p < 0.001), inflammatory markers ( p < 0.001), and bone metabolism markers (osteocalcin ( p < 0.001), OPG ( p = 0.006), RANKL ( p < 0.001), and OPG/RANKL ratio ( p < 0.001)), with initial alterations in bone geometry. By week 4, decreased body weight in the diabetic group ( p < 0.001) led to further changes in bone geometry and initial differences in mechanical properties. At 8 weeks, significant declines in body ( p < 0.001) and bone ( p < 0.001) weights were observed, along with further deterioration in bone geometry and mechanical properties. Conclusions : The study highlights the significant impact of STZ-induced diabetes on bone health as early as two weeks post-STZ administration, with marked temporal changes in biochemical markers and mechanical properties., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) in young individuals may lead to disease-related secondary sarcopenia (SSARC), characterized by muscle loss and systemic inflammation. In this study, CP was induced in young pigs, and serum levels of key hormones, muscle fiber diameters in various muscles, and the mRNA expression of genes related to oxidative stress and programmed cell death were assessed. A decrease in muscle fiber diameters was observed in SSARC pigs, particularly in the longissimus and diaphragm muscles. Hormonal analysis revealed alterations in dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, oxytocin, myostatin, and cortisol levels, indicating a distinct hormonal response in SSARC pigs compared to controls. Oxytocin levels in SSARC pigs were significantly lower and myostatin levels higher. Additionally, changes in the expression of catalase ( CAT ), caspase 8 (CASP8), B-cell lymphoma 2 ( BCL2 ), and BCL2-associated X protein ( BAX ) mRNA suggested a downregulation of oxidative stress response and apoptosis regulation. A reduced BAX / BCL2 ratio in SSARC pigs implied potential caspase-independent cell death pathways. The findings highlight the complex interplay between hormonal changes and muscle degradation in SSARC, underscoring the need for further research into the apoptotic and inflammatory pathways involved in muscle changes due to chronic organ inflammation in young individuals.

The goal of the current study was to examine the effects of prenatal exposure to fumonisins (FBs) on bone properties and metabolism in weaned rat offspring divided into groups intoxicated with FBs at either 0 (the 0 FB group), 60 (the 60 FB group), or 90 mg/kg b.w. 0 (the 90 FB group). Female and male offspring exposed to FBs at a dose of 60 mg/kg b.w. had heavier femora. Mechanical bone parameters changed in a sex and FBs dose-dependent manner. Growth hormone and osteoprotegerin decreased in both sexes, regardless of FBs dose. In males osteocalcin decreased, while receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand increased regardless of FBs dose; while in females changes were dose dependent. Leptin decreased in both male FBs-intoxicated groups, bone alkaline phosphatase decreased only in the 60 FB group. Matrix metalloproteinase-8 protein expression increased in both female FBs-intoxicated groups and decreased in male 90 FB group. Osteoprotegerin and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 protein expression decreased in males, regardless of FBs dose, while nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand expression increased only in the 90 FB group. The disturbances in bone metabolic processes seemed to result from imbalances in the RANKL/RANK/OPG and the OC/leptin systems.

Fumonisins are protein serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitors and potent inhibitors of sphingosine N-acyltransferase (ceramide synthase) disrupting de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of fumonisins (FB) exposure from the 7th day of pregnancy to parturition on offspring bone development. The rats were randomly allocated to either a control group ( n = 6), not treated with FBs, or to one of the two groups intoxicated with FBs (either at 60 mg FB/kg b.w. or at 90 mg FB/kg b.w. Numerous negative, offspring sex-dependent effects of maternal FB exposure were observed with regards to the histomorphometry of trabecular bone. These effects were due to FB-inducted alterations in bone metabolism, as indicated by changes in the expression of selected proteins involved in bone development: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The immunolocalization of MMPs and TIMP-2 was performed in trabecular and compact bone, as well as articular and growth plate cartilages. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the exposure of pregnant dams to FB negatively affected the expression of certain proteins responsible for bone matrix degradation in newborns prenatally exposed to FB in a dose- and sex-dependent manner.

Prenatal and postnatal supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) and alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) affects the development and maturation of offspring. Both substances have the potential to stimulate cell metabolism via different routes. However, parity affects development and may alter the effects of dietary supplementation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of gestational supplementation with HMB and/or AKG to primiparous and multiparous minks on the structure and maturation of the offspring's small intestine. Primiparous and multiparous American minks ( Neovison vison ), of the standard dark brown type, were supplemented daily with HMB (0.02 g/kg b.w.) and/or AKG (0.4 g/kg b.w.) during gestation ( n = 7 for each treatment). Supplementation stopped when the minks gave birth. Intestine samples were collected from 8-month-old male and female offspring during autopsy and histology and histomorphometry analysis was conducted (LAEC approval no 64/2015). Gestational supplementation had a long-term effect, improving the structure of the offspring's intestine toward facilitating absorption and passage of intestinal contents. AKG supplementation affected intestinal absorption (enterocytes, villi and absorptive surface), and HMB affected intestinal peristalsis and secretion (crypts and Goblet cells). These effects were strongly dependent on parity and offspring gender. Present findings have important nutritional implications and should be considered in feeding practices and supplementation plans in animal reproduction.

The effect of alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) supplementation to experimentally-induced, perinatal growth-retarded piglets was examined. Sows were treated with a synthetic glucocorticoid (Gc) during the last 25 days of pregnancy, and after the birth, piglets were randomly divided into three groups depending on the treatment. The Gc/Gc + AKG and Gc/AKG groups born by Gc-treated sows after the birth were treated with Gc or Gc + AKG for 35 days. Significantly lower serum growth hormone, IGF-I, osteocalcin, leptin, and cortisol concentrations were observed in the Gc/Gc + AKG group, while the bone alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher. Serum insulin concentration was higher in the control group. Serum alanine, lysine, histidine, and tryptophan concentrations were higher in the Gc/Gc + AKG and Gc/AKG groups. The perinatal action of Gc significantly affects histomorphometry of articular cartilage and trabecular bone and bone mechanics. The results clearly showed that dietary AKG had positive effects with regards to the profile of free amino acids. Taking into account the function of AKG as an energy donor and stimulator of collagen synthesis, it can be concluded that the anabolic role of AKG may be the main mechanism responsible for its protective effect against the GC-induced perinatal intensified catabolic state.

Changes to the features of the enamel surface submitted to induced demineralisation and subsequent remineralisation were studied. The in vitro examination was conducted on polished slices of human molar teeth, divided in four groups: the untreated control ( n = 20), challenged by a demineralisation with orthophosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ) ( n = 20), and challenged by a demineralisation following remineralisation with fluoride (F) varnish containing casein phosphopeptides (CPP) and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) compounds ( n = 20). The specimens' enamel surfaces were subjected to analysis of structure, molecular arrangement, mechanical features, chemical composition, and crystalline organization of apatite crystals. Specimens treated with acid showed a significant decrease in crystallinity, calcium, and phosphorus levels as well as mechanical parameters, with an increase in enamel surface roughness and degree of carbonates when compared to the control group. Treatment with fluoride CPP-ACP varnish provided great improvements in enamel arrangement, as the destroyed hydroxyapatite structure was largely rebuilt and the resulting enamel surface was characterised by greater regularity, higher molecular and structural organisation, and a smoother surface compared to the demineralised one. In conclusion, this in vitro study showed that fluoride CPP-ACP varnish, by improving enamel hardness and initiating the deposition of a new crystal layer, can be an effective remineralising agent for the treatment of damaged enamel.

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a neuroactive metabolite of tryptophan. KYNA naturally occurs in breast milk and its content increases with lactation, indicating the role of neonatal nutrition in general growth with long-term health effects. KYNA is also an antagonist of ionotropic glutamate receptors expressed in bone cells. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of chronic KYNA supplementation on bone homeostasis in young rats, using mandible as a model bone. Female and male newborn Wistar rats were divided into control and KYNA-administered groups until 60 days of age (25x101 mg/L or 25x102 mg/L in drinking water). Hemimandibles were subjected to densitometry, computed tomography analysis and mechanical testing. Rats supplemented with KYNA at both doses showed a decrease in body weight. There were no effects of KYNA administration and mandible histomorphometry. In males, a significant quadratic effect (P < 0.001) was observed in the densitometry of the hemimandible, where BMD increased in the group supplemented with 2.5x101 mg/L of KYNA. Analysis of mechanical tests data showed that when fracture forces were corrected for bone geometry and rats body weight the improvement of bone material properties was observed in male and female rats supplemented with lower dose of KYNA. This study showed that chronic supplementation with KYNA may limit weight gain in the young, without adversely affecting the development of the skeleton., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Structural changes in the enamel surface subjected to induced demineralization and assessment of the influence of prenatal administration of β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) on enamel resistance were investigated. The examination was conducted on five sets of teeth from one-day-old spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus), one from the control and four from the experimental groups. Surface structure, molecular arrangement and crystalline organization of offspring's enamel both before and after etching were studied. Obtained results revealed that the physical and molecular arrangements of enamel were altered after the prenatal supplementation, and significantly affected its final structure and resistance against acid action. The enamel of incisors from the offspring which mothers were supplemented with HMB in a high dose (0.2 g/kg bw ) and in the late period of gestation (26th-39th day) showed the highest endurance against acid treatment demonstrating only vestigial changes in their surface structure after acid action. Comparing to the remaining experimental groups, it was characterized by a reduced roughness and fractal dimension, significantly lower degree of demineralization and simultaneous lack of notable differences in the Raman spectra before and after acid etching. The results suggest that an increased enamel resiliency was the effect of a relatively high degree of mineralization and higher organization of the surface., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Entamoeba gingivalis , as the name implies. typically lives around the gumline of the teeth in the tartar and gingival pockets of the oral cavity. Pathogenicity of protozoa in the oral cavity is not completely understood. The occurrence in patients with a good state of the immune system usually does not cause any pathological changes. In the presentede survey, an increased incidence of Entamoeba gingivalis in conjunction with pathological changes in the oral cavity was found., Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis in children treated in Department of Paediatric Dentistry of the Medical University in Lublin and its correlation with dental caries., Material and Methods: Diagnostic materials in the form of swabs were obtained from 154 children in the age 2-18 years old, treated in the Department of Paediatric Dentistry of the Medical University in Lublin. The main index for epidemiological surveys in oral health - DMFT (decayed, missed, and filled teeth) for permanent teeth and DMFT for deciduous teeth was calculated., Results: The average number of Entamoeba gingivalis in urban children was 12.84. The DMFT number in the deciduous teeth was lower in urban patients (5.0) than from rural patients (5.4). The DMFT number in the permanent teeth was lower in urban patients (3.155) than rural patients (3.98). There was no statistically significant correlation between the DMFT value and the number of Entamoeba gingivalis ., Conclusions: 1) Entamoeba gingivalis occurs in the oral cavity of children. 2) In the presented survey, both DMFT and dmft indexes were high which proves high activity of dental carious. 3) There was no significant statistical correlation observed between dental caries and the presence of Entamoeba gingivalis .

Introduction: Epilepsy is a common medical disorder and due to a variety of barriers, people with epilepsy may not have access to needed healthcare services, particularly based on their place of residence., Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess access to dental treatment in children and adolescents with epilepsy in Lublin Voivodeship., Material and Methods: Clinical and questionnaire examinations were performed in 107 children and young people, of both sexes, in the ages between 6 and 18years old from the Lublin macroregion., Results: The majority (77.57%) of respondents regularly visited a general practitioner. Most of the children did not undergo regular dental checkups. Children from the large cities significantly more often went to a dentist compared with examinees from a small town and from rural areas. According to the respondents 46.73% have encountered barriers to dental care of their child., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The studies have indicated the necessity to intensify dental health care in certain Polish provinces. The purpose of study was to evaluate dental condition and establish dental health needs in the population of 18-year old youth from urban and rural region in Podkarpackie Province, Poland., Material and Method: Mean DMFT index (D-decayed, M-missing and F-filled teeth) was calculated as a key measure of dental decay and dental health needs identified., Results: The results found the highest percentage of teeth affected by active decay (D) in the second molars, both upper and lower (>20%), the highest F score in the first and second maxillary and mandibular molars (>50% and >40% respectively), and the highest M score was observed in the first upper and lower molars. Mean DMFT score was 7.13. Higher scores were observed among the urban teenagers (DMFT=7.72 and D=2.86) compared to the teenagers from rural areas (DMFT=6.42 and D=1.37). The analysis of DMFT index with regard to gender found almost the same DMFT in males and females (males 7.15, females 7.12), and D, M and F scores differed slightly. No dental health needs were found in 36.67% examined, however 63.33% teenagers needed dental treatment., Conclusions: Professional prophylactic activities should be intensified in the group of children and teenagers living in Podkarpackie Province. A scheme of refunded fissure sealing of teeth should cover second molars as well. Professional dental health care should be extended in the group of teenagers attending vocational schools.

Background: Anticancer therapy entails qualitative and quantitative changes in the physiological bacterial flora of the organism, including the oral microflora., Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the number of cariogenic bacteria - Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. - in the saliva of children with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, and the relationship between the dynamics of neutrophils in the blood and the number of cariogenic bacteria in the saliva., Material and Methods: The study included 52 children aged 3-17.5 years, diagnosed with cancer and undergoing antineoplastic treatment. The control group comprised 52 generally healthy children matched for age and gender. Both groups underwent microbiological analysis of the saliva. The Dentocult SM Strip Mutans test (Orion Diagnostica, Espoo, Finland) was used to evaluate the number of Streptococcus mutans colonies in the saliva, while the Dentocult LB test (Orion Diagnostica) was used to assess the number of Lactobacillus spp. bacteria. The statistical analysis was carried out using STATISTICA 10 software (StatSoft Inc., Tulsa, USA)., Results: The statistical analysis using Kendall's tau test showed a significant inverse correlation between the number of neutrophils in the blood and the number of the Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. colonies in the saliva of the children undergoing anticancer therapy. The highest titres of cariogenic bacteria in the saliva were observed during severe neutropenia, which was frequently observed between day 7 and day 21 of the chemotherapy course., Conclusions: A significant increase in the number of cariogenic bacteria in the saliva during episodes of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia suggests that the activity of dental caries increases in children undergoing antineoplastic treatment.

Introduction: Oxygen is an essential element for sustaining the life of aerobes; however, in certain conditions it may be toxic for these organisms. This is due to so-called reactive oxygen species - ROS. Factors which cause the production of free radicals include ionizing radiation, UV radiation, high temperature, and hazardous substances, such as phenols, carbon monoxide, e.g. in smokers, also air pollution and drugs., Objective: The objective of the study was analysis of the total antioxidant status (TAS) in stimulated and unstimulated saliva, according to the number of active carious lesions in generally healthy non-smokers aged 15-17., Materials and Method: The study covered 113 adolescents aged 15-17 in whom the state of dentition was evaluated using the DMFT (Decayed-Missing-Filled) index, and oral hygiene assessed based on the OHI-S (Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified) index. TAS in saliva was determined by means of a Randox Labolatories Ltd. test kit, by the spectrophotometric method., Results: Based on the results of the study, it was found that in the population examined an increase in the number of carious lesions was accompanied by a significant decrease in the TAS, both in stimulated and unstimulated saliva. CONCLUSIONS. A health-promoting life style, maintenance of basic principles of oral hygiene and care of general health through the elimination of harmful habits decrease the risk of dental caries.

Introduction and Objective: During acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment, oral mucositis is a hugely important dental problem. In order to lower the risk of such complications, patients should take special care of their oral hygiene. The aim of this study was to assess the oral hygiene status in children with ALL during anti-cancer treatment protocols., Materials and Methods: 78 children with ALL who were examined in 3 stages, and 78 generally healthy children, who constituted the control group, participated in the study. In the group of patients were 55 children from the rural environment and 23 children living in towns. Oral hygiene status was assessed with the use of the Oral Hygiene Simplified Index, Plaque Index, and Gingival Index., Results: The average value of OHI-S index in children with ALL before the chemotherapy was 0.64 ± 0.85, the value of the Pl.I index was 0.59 ± 0.74, GI index value was 0.08 ± 0.34. In the period from 0.5-1.5 years, the anti-cancer therapy value indicators of oral hygiene in children with ALL developed as follows: OHI-S--0.49 ± 0.69, Pl.I--0.49 ± 0.67, GI--0.02 ± 0.13., Conclusions: Oral hygiene was significantly better in children with ALL than in children in the control group. The better condition of oral hygiene in children with ALL than children in the control group is the result of the oral hygiene regime that the children were following during cancer treatment protocols. Significantly higher GI in children with ALL, compared to children from the control group, was observed despite the better oral hygiene.

Initially, tobacco was considered as a decorative plant and only later began to be treated as a herb with special therapeutic properties. With time, it was found that tobacco had strong insecticidal and addictive properties. There also occurred reports about the negative influence of tobacco on human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies smoking as a chronic, progressive disease which is also 'contagious'. It is also considered to be a neurobiotic addiction. Nicotine addiction does not cause changes in the behaviour or functioning of a smoker; however, it adversely affects his or her general health status and the health status of people within their environment. Passive smoking (so-called ETS--Environmental Tobacco Smoke), which means accompanying smokers negatively influences the health of passive smokers. Environmental tobacco smoke, on the one hand, is the result of spontaneous cigarette burning and, on the other hand, the result of the side-stream of cigarette smoke, as well as the smoke exhaled by active smokers. Health personnel should clearly and convincingly present the data concerning the adverse results of smoking, as well as the dangers of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, thereby making their patients aware that breaking their addiction will not only be beneficial for their own health, but will also protect non-smokers in their environment from the adverse effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

Nowadays, smoking is considered to be one of the unhealthiest human behaviours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential influence of smoking, as well as the degree of the addiction, on the health status of hard dental tissues in young adults. The study involved 148 randomly selected young adults. Mean age of the study subjects was 20 years ± 4 months. Questionnaire survey (6-grade Fagerstrom Nicotine Tolerance Questionnaire) and clinical examination were performed and the obtained results statistically analyzed. The mean value of 6-grade Fagerstrom Nicotine Tolerance Questionnaire was 2.298 ± 1.992. Of the studied population, 88.06% had no features of biological dependency. Mean DMF and DMFs Indexes were 11.31 ± 5.06 and 16.91 ± 10.65, respectively. It was established that in the study population, over 45% of the subjects smoked. However, there was no correlation found between smoking and gender, and no cause-eff ect relationship between smoking and hard dental tissues status as defined by DMF, DMFs values and their components. It was observed that in the case of people who began smoking at an earlier age, the degree of nicotine dependency was higher. None of the study subjects demonstrated features of heavy or pharmacological nicotine dependency.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetically determined disease. The chief characteristic of this clinical syndrome is a progressive degeneration of particular groups of muscles. Initially there is physical impairment, contractures, and muscular atrophy. Subsequently, the disease immobilizes the patient (ages 9 to 14 years) and severe respiratory failure occurs due to chest and vertebral column deformity. We present principles for the dental care of patients with DMD. It is important to introduce dental and prophylactic treatment at a very early age for children with DMD.

Purpose: The aim of the study was the description of the dental condition of hygienic routines in 12-year-old children in urban and rural areas of Lublin voivodship., Material and Methods: The study comprised 274 children at the age of 12 (152 girls and 122 boys). 95 girls and 92 boys came from the urban area; 57 girls and 30 boys came from the rural area., Results: On the basis of clinical examination it was concluded that 11.96% of boys and 18.95% of girls from the urban area and 6.67% boys and 8.77% of girls from the rural area brush their teeth after every meal; 60.87% of boys and 68.42% of girls from the urban area and 43.33% of boys and 50.88% of girls from the rural area brush their teeth twice; 22.83% of boys and 11.58% of girls from the urban area and 26.67% of boys and 28.07% of girls from the rural area brush their teeth once daily. DMF count was for boys from the urban area--4.12/girls--3.92 and for boys from the rural area 4.50/girls--4.29. The treatment indicator was for boys from the urban area--0.56/ girls - 0.47 and for boys from the rural area 0.35/girls--0.67., Conclusions: On the basis of the research conducted in the study, it was concluded that tooth brushing is more frequent with urban area children than in children from rural area. This leads to a conclusion that the action for improvement of the health awareness is a dire need among 12-year-olds both from urban and from rural areas.

On the grounds of literature and own clinical experience, pathological changes in epilepitic patients have been described. Dental management procedures in these patients have also been presented. The unquestionable importance of prophylaxis, which may markedly minimize the impact of epilepsy on the incidence of mouth diseases, has been emphasised. It has also been stated that epileptic patients should receive specialised and integrated dental treatment.

The main aim of this study was to examine the incidence of enamelopathies among children from the Bogdanka region. Altogether, there were examined 273 people (aged 7-14) who live in the neigbourhood of the mainfield (group I). The controlled group consisted of 188 children of the same age who lived in the areas free of chemical pollution (group II). The appearing of distempers in the structure of the enamel was marked among 62 people, the majority of whom were the boys (39), girls--23. When it comes to the placement of these changes, they were mostly located in the labial surface of incisors of the maxilla, less frequently in the canines and premolar teeth. On the other hand, just particular changes were spotted in the mandibula. The changes mentioned above were characterized by the white turbidity, were well-limited and did not show the symmetry. In none of the cases the decay appeared as an additional factor. The clinical researches were enriched by the survey research aiming to estimate the existence and the level of discomfort among children suffering from enamelopathies.

An epidemiological study was carried out on the population of 59 subjects aged 35-4 (30 women, 29 men) living in Lublin. An evaluation of dentition status and degree of provision for prosthetic needs was done. We observed a remarkable frequency of dental caries, a large percentage of subjects with missing or damaged teeth (76.27%), and inadequate advancement of prosthetic treatment in 62.71% of subjects. Greater care for prosthetic treatment was observed among women than among men. Gaps within the maxilla were more often protected than those within the mandible.

The study covered 106 eight-year-old children attending different schools in Lublin that do not provide dental care. The study evaluated decay frequency, DEF value and its components D, E, F, def value and its components d, e, f as well as treatment index for deciduous and permanent teeth. Additionally, it assessed the needs for orthodontic and prosthetic provisions connected with premature loss of deciduous teeth. The study found low treatment index, especially for deciduous teeth. Premature loss of deciduous teeth is an indication for prosthetic provision in the form of space retainers or partial dentures. Without prompt treatment different acquired facio-occlusal defects may develop.

The aim of this study was evaluation of effectiveness of a professional carious disease prevention programme implemented in the Lublin region for a group of 11-year-old children at high risk of caries. On the basis of clinical dental examination a group of children at high risk of caries was selected (yearly increase in the number of new active caries foci of 4 and more--mean D value of 5.66), in whom therapeutic and prophylactic procedures comprising the caries prevention programme were performed. In a follow-up examination performed one year after the completion of the programme, much lower yearly increase in the number of new active caries foci was observed (mean D value of 0.61). Improvement of oral hygiene status was also observed in the study group. The caries prevention programme that we applied in the group of 11-year-old children proved to be highly effective.

For the sake of very young patients and the processes of growth and development of the masticatory system they undergo, mechanical traumas of deciduous teeth require immediate treatment. The choice of treatment method of the deciduous dentition traumas depends on a type of sustained injury, the developmental stage of deciduous teeth and first of all on a child's ability to cooperate. The primary objective of the therapeutic management is to retain the physiological function of an injured tooth and to protect the regular development of a permanent tooth bud. Considering the impact of a suffered injury on the developing stomatognathic system, children should be given medical check-ups and be under the observation, even after the completed treatment of deciduous tooth post-traumatic state. It is also necessary to raise among parents pro-healthcare awareness of the necessity to report a child to immediate medical treatment. This would reduce the number of subsequent complications occurring in the secondary dentition after the injuries suffered in childhood.

The ever increasing number of injuries to deciduous teeth in children constitutes a serious problem in paedodontics. Among many factors that facilitate tooth injuries are malocclusions, and most specifically protrusions of upper incisors of Class II/1 according to Angle. This is a case report of a 6-year-old girl with irregularities of upper permanent incisors due to traumatic injuries to deciduous teeth. In view of the ongoing child development processes, medical check-ups following injuries to deciduous teeth should be undertaken once every two or three months. Since such injuries have an impact on the development of the masticatory organ, children should undergo medical inspection and observation immediately upon the completion of relevant post-trauma treatment.

The goal of this study was to analyze the impact of different kinds of injuries, time elapsed before treatment and child's age on the choice of management method. 59 children with the face trauma aged from six months to five years and a half were treated between 1999 and 2002 in the Department of Paedodontics of Lublin. 76 primary teeth were injured. The most common kind of trauma was lateral luxation. The choice of treatment approach depended of age, time elapsed before trauma management and a kind of injury. The conclusions after this study analyze were: 1. The trauma management method choice of primary dentition depends on a child's age, type of trauma and time elapsed before treatment. 2. The most common kind of trauma was lateral luxation. 3. Late management after injury does not always allows for the biological treatment methods.

The purpose of the study was an attempt to determine the correlation between occurrence of caries in deciduous dentition and the process of a child's development within the first 6 months of life. 356 children aged 1 to 4 attending day nurseries in Lublin were included in the study. The following factors were analyzed: birth weight and length, postnatal weight loss level, bilirubin level in blood in the course of postnatal physiological jaundice, weight and length increase in the first month of life and body length in the sixth month of life. The study shows that the child's physical development rate in the first 6 months of life is significantly correlated with the risk of caries in deciduous dentition.

The present work is a case report of a 11-year-old patient directed for consultations to Department of Paedodontics, Medical University of Lublin. The clinical examination ascertained numerous lacks of permanent teeth, there were only central incisors in maxilla and first molars in mandibula. With the exception of teeth 54, 55, 64, 74, 84, which were reincluded, the patient had remaining deciduous teeth. The radiographic examination confirmed large oligodontia within permanent teeth. Hair, sweat glands, anterior chamber and bottom of the eye were correct. Little disturbances within nail plates of palm fingers were found. A gentle form of ectodermal dysplasia was recognized as a tooth-nail syndrome (Witkop's syndrome).

The study covered 96 handicapped children, 3-17 years old. Complex dental treatment was performed in all children: under general anaesthesia in 45.83% and ambulant treatment in 54.17%. The study found high frequency of dental caries both in deciduous and permanent teeth. Mean numbers of tooth decay, extractions and fillings (d, m, f and D, M, F for deciduous and permanent teeth, respectively) were high. The dental treatment index was low, unsatisfactory especially in deciduous teeth. Dental care provided for handicapped children needs to be intensified, with special attention paid to preventive measures. It is important to make the parents of handicapped children with systemic disease aware of early prevention and treatment.

The role of oral hygiene in prevention of caries and periodontal diseases has been presented based on the literature and own clinical experience.

The clinical examination comprised 62 children with Down's syndrome: 12 children had low grade mental retardation, 36 children--moderate grade mental retardation and 14 children--high grade mental retardation. The study showed that oral hygiene was unsatisfactory and was found to be dependent upon the grade of mental retardation. Most children had birth weight over 2,500 g. Besides, also birth length was found to be dependent upon the grade of mental retardation. In most families the child with Down's syndrome was the last baby born among other healthy siblings. Educational career in children with Down's syndrome was found to be dependent upon the grade of mental retardation.

The following paper presents an analysis of the state of health of the oral cavity in 12-year-olds from the Lublin province. The frequency of dental caries in the examined population as well as its intensity was measured with the mean DMF number, including its particular components. The results of the study revealed a high frequency of dental caries and mean DMF as well as a low treatment index. The results emphasize the need for some intensification of basic dental care among children from rural areas which will concentrate on prophylactics, education and health as well as treatment.