The aim of the current study is to observe how different pediatric drugs and tooth brushing affect the color stability of different esthetic restorative materials. Three restorative materials (composite, compomer, and glass ionomer cement (GIC)) were each used to produce 72 specimens (10 mm × 2 mm). The specimens were divided into six groups and immersed in distilled water and five different pediatric drugs (amoxicillin, ibuprofen, ventolin, paracetamol, and multivitamins). Each group was divided into two subgroups (brushed and non-brushed). Over the course of two weeks, the specimens were agitated for one minute every eight hours. Color changes in all the specimens were evaluated using a spectrophotometer at 1 and 2 weeks. GIC showed a change in color that was significantly greater than that in all the other materials in each solution, except for those in amoxicillin. After a period of 1 to 2 weeks, the most noticeable change in color was detected in the amoxicillin composite and amoxicillin GIC unbrushed groups, and after 2 weeks, a significant difference was found in the ventolin GIC unbrushed group. The color stability of the restorative materials used in pediatric dentistry can be influenced by using popular liquid pediatric medications. GIC was the least color-stable material when subjected to liquid medications.

Aims: The aim was to evaluate the effect of different surface treatments on the repair shear bond strength of aged resin composites. Materials and Methods: Forty cylindrical-shaped specimens were treated from each material: Tetric Evo Ceram, Neo Spectra, and Filtek Ultimate Universal Restorative and allocated into four groups according to the surface treatment planned to use: Group 1: diamond, Group 2: silica coating, Group 3: carbide burs, and Group 4: control group. Following the surface treatment, composites were repaired with flowable resins. The shear bond strength was tested using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The fracture mode was assessed under 50× magnification. The data were analyzed statistically using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test followed by a one-way ANOVA test. Multiple comparison procedures were performed using Tukey’s test. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The lowest mean value of the shear bond strength was for the Filtek Ultimate Universal Restorative in the control group, whereas the highest mean value was in the silica group. Silica and carbide groups had significantly higher mean values of the shear bond strength than diamond and control groups in Tetric EvoCeram and Filtek Ultimate Universal Restorative. In contrast, in Neo Spectra St HV, the carbide group had a higher mean value but was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Combinations of mechanical and chemical retentive systems enhance the shear bond strength of the repair composite to the aged composite. Among the different surface treatments employed in this study, silica and carbide groups show higher repair bond strength of new composite to aged composite.

Dental students receive theoretical and clinical training in pediatric behavioral guidance techniques at university. Therefore, the content of the educational course and the degree of training in behavioral techniques may have an impact on the students’ perceptions and practice of such techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Saudi dental students’ perceptions of behavior guidance techniques used in pediatric dentistry, and to assess the changes in their perceptions after 1 academic year of a didactic and clinical educational course. This longitudinal study was carried out once at the beginning and once at the end of the 2013/2014 academic year at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire measuring the perceived acceptability of behavior guidance techniques was completed by 78 fourth-year dental students before and after a pediatric dental course. Acceptability ratings were scored on a 5-point Likert scale and compared and evaluated in relation to demographic data. Paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used for the statistical analyses. Before the course, the highest scores were for reinforcement and desensitizing techniques and the lowest were for aversive and communicative techniques. After the course, statistically significant increases were found in the acceptability of aversive techniques (voice control and hand-over-mouth), all pharmacological techniques, and modeling. Most communicative techniques and clinical situations were also rated as significantly more acceptable. Statistically significant decreases in acceptability ratings were found in promising a toy, and immobilization by staff or a parent. Immobilization using a papoose board, modeling, the presence of parents during the child’s treatment, and most communicative techniques were rated as significantly more acceptable by male students than female students. In general, Saudi dental students rated most basic behavior guidance techniques as acceptable. An educational course, including didactic and clinical components, improved their acceptability ratings, and had a considerable influence on their perceptions of behavior guidance in pediatric dentistry.

Child abuse and neglect (CAN) have significant consequences for children’s health and well-being. Dentists play an important role in identifying and reporting CAN cases. This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes toward CAN among dental students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students, comparing second-year (preclinical) and fifth-year (clinical) students, both male and female, in the College of Dentistry at King Saud University during the first semester of the 2022/2023 academic year, using a questionnaire with 23 multiple-choice questions and an electronic link. The results revealed that most dental students (96%) were aware of CAN, with social media being the most utilized source of information (85%). However, the dental college was noticed as the least utilized source (50%). Most dental students recognize the significance of CAN in dentistry and expressed an intense interest in learning how to effectively deal with such cases. Only a small proportion, 16%, of dental students reported experiencing incidents of CAN in their clinical practice. In general, there were statistically significant differences between preclinical and clinical students, but there were no significant differences in awareness between female and male students when the source of information and role in dealing with CAN were taken into consideration. Both preclinical and clinical dental students were aware of CAN, although there were concerns about their ability to cope with it. The results emphasize the importance of comprehensive education and training programs across the dental curriculum about CAN.

Background. One of the major causes of dental anxiety in children is their first impression of the dental environment. Even minor details, such as the choice of color in a dental setting and the color of dental equipment, can positively influence a child's behavior. Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the emotions in children and color combinations in a pediatric setting. Material and methods. The study involved 200 children (99 boys and 101 girls) aged between 6 and 12 years who visited the dental clinics at the College of Dentistry, Jazan University, for the first time between November 2017 and January 2018. The participants were divided into 2 groups based on age. The younger children group included participants aged from 6 to 9 years, while the older children group included participants aged from 10 to 12 years. Anxiety levels were recorded using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale. Colored pencils and images of emoticons were provided to all children, who were instructed to color the negative and positive emoticons with their preferred colors. Results. The analysis of anxiety levels among children in both groups revealed statistically significant differences across sexes in the younger age group, with girls being more anxious than boys (p = 0.003). Additionally, a statistically significant difference was observed in the choice of colors by children of both sexes in 2 age groups (p = 0.001). Most children were inclined towards bright colors and used them to express their emotions. Conclusions. The incorporation of colors in a dental setting could invoke positive emotions in children. Hence, the use of colors in the workplace has the potential to ease anxiety.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of autoclave sterilization on the leaching of nickel ions from stainless steel crowns and space maintainer bands used in pediatric dentistry. Sixty space maintainer bands and 60 stainless steel crowns were divided into sterilized (Amsco Century V‐120 Prevac steam sterilizer) and non‐sterilized groups. These samples were immersed in artificial saliva, placed in individual petri dishes, and then incubated at 37°C. The samples were analyzed for 42 days using a gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) machine to quantify the release of nickel ions. Nickel release was higher in the sterilized samples than in the non‐sterilized samples for both space maintainer bands and stainless steel crowns. This trend persisted throughout most days of the experiment, with a peak release observed on day 7. Autoclave sterilization had a significant impact on ion release, raising potential concerns regarding the material's biocompatibility. Dentists should be mindful of the increased nickel release observed from sterilized crowns and bands, as this information could influence treatment decisions, especially in children who are predisposed to allergies.