The aims of this study were to evaluate oral health knowledge and assess the practice of preventive measures for oral health care among intermediate schoolchildren in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Information about oral health was collected through a questionnaire containing closed-ended questions, which was distributed to children of six randomly selected intermediate schools. Most (82.3%) of the schoolchildren were aware that good oral health is important for general health. The priority for oral health information was given to dentists (31.6%), whereas teachers were given the least priority (19.1%). About half (53.5%) of the schoolchildren reported that sweets are the cause of dental caries, and 47.1% of them related pain with dental caries. More than half (58.8%) took sweets between meals. Most of them (69.6%) visited a dentist because of pain. Two-thirds (66.9%) of the children did not brush their teeth daily, and most (78%) did not use dental floss. A large number (62.7%) of the schoolchildren stated that rinsing with water after each meal is the best way to keep their gums healthy. For boys in intermediate schools, properly designed oral health educational programs should be implemented to improve their knowledge and behavior toward oral health.

Background: Dental anxiety and fear are the frequently encountered entities among most of the patients. The present study was conducted to assess the relationship between dental anxiety and quality of life (QoL). Materials and Methods: This study comprised of 118 patients. Dental trait anxiety (dental anxiety scale [DAS] and short version of the dental anxiety inventory [S-DAI]), Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) score, and global assessment of functioning were recorded before and after treatment. Results: Out of 118 patients, males were 52 and females were 56. There was a correlation between both oral health ratings and DMFT (P < 0.001). OHIP-14 total score was significantly associated with both dental anxiety measures. DMFT shows significant association with dental anxiety and oral health-related QoL (OH-QoL) (P < 0.05). The mean DAS score before treatment was 17.3 and after treatment was 12.60, S-DAI score was 40.1 and 31.5 before and after treatment respectively, oral health status (patient rating) was 38.4 and 74.20 before and after treatment respectively, oral health status (dentist rating) was 38.7 and 73.1 before and after treatment respectively and aesthetics (dentist rating) was 35.6 and 72.4 before and after treatment respectively. There was improvement of OH-QoL with dental anxiety reduction which was significantly significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Authors found that there is correlation between dental anxiety and fear with the poor oral health-related oral hygiene.

Primary failure of tooth eruption (PFE) is a rare odontogenic defect and is characterized by failure of eruption of one or more permanent teeth. The aim of the study is to identify the genetic defect in a family with seven affected individuals segregating autosomal dominant non-syndromic PFE. Whole genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed. SNP genotypes were analysed by DominantMapper and multiple shared haplotypes were detected on different chromosomes. Four individuals, including three affected, were exome sequenced. Variants were annotated and data were analysed while considering candidate chromosomal regions. Initial analysis of variants obtained by whole exome sequencing identified damaging variants in C15orf40, EPB41L4A, TMEM232, KMT2C, and FBXW10 genes. Sanger sequencing of all family members confirmed segregation of splice acceptor site variant (c.1013-2 A > G) in the KMT2C gene with the phenotype. KMT2C is considered as a potential candidate gene based on segregation analysis, the absence of variant in the variation databases, the presence of variant in the shared identical by descent (IBD) region and in silico pathogenicity prediction. KMT2C is a histone methyltransferase and recently the role of another member of this family (KMT2D) has been implicated in tooth development. Moreover, protein structures of KMT2C and KMT2D are highly similar. In conclusion, we have identified that the KMT2C gene mutation causes familial non-syndromic PFE. These findings suggest the involvement of KMT2C in the physiological eruption of permanent teeth.

An avulsion is defined as one of the most common dental injuries where the tooth is displaced completely from its socket, followed by trauma. The most important time in managing the avulsed tooth is the first few minutes and as children spend their most of waking time in school so the teacher is considering their immediate caregiver. Hence, this study was done to carry out the knowledge and attitude of school teachers regarding emergency management of avulsed permanent tooth in schools located in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted at Najran School of Saudi Arabia. All teachers who are willing to participate in the study were involved. A questionnaire was made after reviewing several studies and was administered through emails to 318 teachers. The questionnaire consists of part I regarding demographic questions and part II information related to knowledge, action taken, education, and their way of managing the avulsed tooth at accident place. Statistics analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Fifty percent of the participants know about the tooth avulsion. Fifty percent of the teachers who get information from the school health dental program get the tooth back to the dentist. There is a significant association found between the source of information and choice of treatment. Fifty-nine percent of the participants do not know about the management of tooth avulsion. And workshop plan then 89% was interested to attend the training. The present study revealed that knowledge regarding the management of avulsed tooth is low among the school teachers. There is a strong need for a school health dental program for the management of avulsed teeth among the school teachers. Khan SDAA, Assiry AA, Al Yami SMH, et al. Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes of School Teachers Regarding Emergency Management of an Avulsed Permanent Tooth of Southern Region of Saudi Arabia. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(6):644–649.

There is secrecy in the literature published about congenital anomalies of head and neck. Dentists may encounter with many head and neck anomalies during their practice. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of head and neck anomalies among all congenital anomalies and to identify risk factors associated with head and neck anomalies. A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted on neonate data available in the records of neonate hospitals in Hail; records from 1432 to 1438 in Hijri Islamic calendar (equivalent to 2010–2016) were employed. All neonates from birth to 28 days after, who were born or admitted to these hospitals, were included in this study. The prevalence of head and neck anomalies among all congenital anomalies was 5.5%. The highest incidence rate was found in year 1435 (Islamic Hijri Year), in which the incidence rate was 7.1%. Cross tabulation between demographic characteristics and head and neck anomalies revealed that sex of the neonates was significantly associated with head and neck anomalies. The birth weight of the surveyed neonates and consanguinity marriage of the parents had no significant association with head and neck anomalies. The occurrence of head and neck anomalies showed a wide variation in different years, and the prevalence among other anomalies is associated significantly with sex of newborn. Assiry AA, Khan SD, Al-Shubrmi HR, et al. Head and Neck Congenital Anomalies in Neonate Hospitals in Hail, Saudi Arabia. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(2):160–162.

The prevalence of self-medication (SM) has increased in health professionals due to awareness of disease and symptoms. Incorrect use of medication caused harmful effects. To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of health professionals, this survey was conducted. A cross-sectional study was carried out among health professionals of different specialities. Knowledge, attitude and practice-based questions were asked through an electronically distributed questionnaire. Data were statistically tested using the Chi-square test with SPSS. Most of the health professionals were aware with the term of self-medication; however the knowledge about related questions was not satisfactory. Almost half of the participants practiced self-medication. The prevalence of self-medication among participants was high. They need to be trained and educate about the incorrect use of self-medication.