Dental pulp vitality is a desideratum for preserving the health and functionality of the tooth. In certain clinical situations that lead to pulp exposure, bioactive agents are used in direct pulp-capping procedures to stimulate the dentin-pulp complex and activate reparative dentinogenesis. Hydraulic calcium-silicate cements, derived from Portland cement, can induce the formation of a new dentin bridge at the interface between the biomaterial and the dental pulp. Odontoblasts are molecularly activated, and, if necessary, undifferentiated stem cells in the dental pulp can differentiate into odontoblasts. An extensive review of literature was conducted on MedLine/PubMed database to evaluate the histological outcomes of direct pulp capping with hydraulic calcium-silicate cements performed on animal models. Overall, irrespective of their physico-chemical properties and the molecular mechanisms involved in pulp healing, the effects of cements on tertiary dentin formation and pulp vitality preservation were positive. Histological examinations showed different degrees of dental pulp inflammatory response and complete/incomplete dentin bridge formation during the pulp healing process at different follow-up periods. Calcium silicate materials have the ability to induce reparative dentinogenesis when applied over exposed pulps, with different behaviors, as related to the animal model used, pulpal inflammatory responses, and quality of dentin bridges.

A great burden is put on healthcare systems by dental caries and understanding patients’ treatment needs is of utmost importance. The aim of this pre–post study was to assess dental anxiety and the psychological stress induced by two different types of dental treatment (prophylaxis and cavity preparation), by combining psychometric evaluations with salivary biomarkers, in a group of 28 schoolchildren presenting in a university clinic. Pre- and post-treatment unstimulated whole saliva was collected and levels of cortisol, alpha-amylase (sAA) and total protein content were measured. The State–Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and the Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale (FBRS) were applied. Statistical analysis was performed using the Stata/IC 16 (StataCorp) programme. All salivary parameters showed strong positive correlations between pre- and post-treatment levels. Post-treatment, salivary cortisol decreased (p = 0.008, paired t-test), sAA did not change significantly (p = 0.572, sign test), while the sAA/cortisol ratio (AOC) increased (p = 0.036, sign test). There were no correlations between state and trait anxiety levels. State anxiety scores registered significantly higher values for children with an FBRS score of 3 compared with a score of 4 (p < 0.001, unpaired t-test). The post-treatment decrease in the salivary cortisol level was higher for prophylaxis compared with the cavity preparation group (p = 0.024, t-test). These results demonstrate that sAA and cortisol levels are altered differently by psychological stress induced by two different types of dental treatment.

Salivary biomolecules are considered important modulators of the oral microflora, with a potential subsequent impact on dental health. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between salivary enzymatic activity and carious experience in children. The carious experience of a sample of 22 school children was evaluated by calculating dmf/DMF indices, following WHO recommendations. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected, and salivary alpha-amylase levels, total protease activity, and matrix metalloproteinase levels (MMP-8 and MMP-9) were measured. The data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests. Our findings revealed no significant relationship between the investigated salivary parameters and the carious experience in permanent teeth (DMFT/DMFS scores). Carious indices scores for primary teeth (dmft and dmfs) were positively associated with MMP-8 levels (r = 0.62, p = 0.004 and r_s = 0.61, p = 0.006, respectively) and MMP-9 levels (r = 0.45, p = 0.05 and r_s = 0.48, p = 0.039, respectively) and negatively associated with alpha-amylase levels (r_s = −0.54, p = 0.017 and r_s = −0.59, p = 0.006, respectively). Although with a marginal significance, PEK−054 levels positively correlated with dental caries, while for PFU−089, a negative correlation was observed. These results suggest that salivary alpha-amylase and MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels may be considered potential indicators of carious experience in children. Further studies with a prospective design are needed in order to elucidate the role of these biomolecules in caries development.

Background/Objectives: Pediatric oral health during primary school years is linked to systemic and psychosocial development, influenced by parental health habits. The aim of this study was to evaluate parent-reported oral health status, oral hygiene habits, and dietary patterns in primary schoolchildren, as well as parental awareness regarding the impact of oral health on children’s overall wellbeing. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, administering an online questionnaire to 1870 parents of primary schoolchildren, which evaluated the parent’s knowledge, behaviors and attitudes regarding the oral health and diet of their children. Results: Parent-reported child oral and gum health was overall favorable, with daughters (p < 0.01 for gum health) and children of parents with higher educational background (p < 0.001) receiving higher ratings. While toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste was widely reported, fluoride usage and dental flossing remained heavily stratified socio-demographically (p < 0.001). The consumption of fruits and cariogenic snacks was frequent and soft drink intake demonstrated an age-dependent increase (p = 0.001). In total, 42.4% of parents reported that their children rarely experienced dental pain; increased pain frequency was associated with poorer parent-reported oral health ratings and cariogenic diets (p < 0.001). Child dental service utilization was predominantly low and remained symptom- or treatment-driven, with non-attendance and pain-triggered dental visits significantly linked to rural residence, lower parental academic attainment, poor brushing frequency and cariogenic diets (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Despite favorable parent-reported oral health of primary schoolchildren, dental pain, alongside functional and psychosocial impacts of oral diseases were reported, and dental visits were predominantly symptom- or treatment-driven.

Background/Objectives: Paediatric oral health during primary school years profoundly impacts systemic development and psychosocial wellbeing, with parental health habits heavily dictating whether care follows a preventive or a reactive pathway. The aim of this study was to evaluate parent-reported oral health status, oral hygiene habits, and dietary patterns in primary schoolchildren, as well as parental awareness regarding the impact of oral health on children’s overall wellbeing across preventive and reactive care pathways. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, administering an online questionnaire to 1889 parents of primary schoolchildren, which evaluated the parent’s knowledge, behaviors and attitudes regarding the oral health and diet of their children. Results: Parent-perceived child oral and gum health was overall favorable, with girls (p<0.01) and children of parents with higher educational background (p<0.001) receiving higher ratings. While toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste was widely reported, fluoride usage and dental flossing remained heavily stratified by socio-demographic factors (p<0.001). The consumption of fruits, sweet bakeries and cariogenic snacks was frequent and soft drink intake demonstrated an age-dependent increase (p=0.001). Dental pain was rarely reported; increased pain frequency was correlated with poorer parent-perceived oral health ratings and cariogenic diets (p<0.001). Child dental visits were predominantly low or reactive, with non-attendance and pain-triggered visits significantly linked to rural residence, lower parental academic attainment, poor brushing frequency and cariogenic diets, which affected the children’s quality of life (p<0.001). Conclusions: Schoolchildren’s oral healthcare remains largely reactive, with dental pain serving as the primary trigger for dental service utilization, despite generally favorable parental perceptions.

Cariës is een belangrijk probleem voor de volksgezondheid, en onbehandelde cariës heeft ernstige gevolgen voor kinderen. Psychosociale factoren...