Aim: The purpose of this in-vitro study is to determine the efficacy of various irrigants in removing the smear layer in primary teeth root canals after hand instrumentation. Materials and Methods: The present study consisted of 30 human primary incisors which were sectioned at the cementoenamel junction horizontally. The specimens were divided randomly into four experimental and one control group having six teeth each and each group was treated with the specific irrigant. 5.25% NaOCl, 5.25% NaOCl + 10% EDTA, 6% citric acid, 2% chlorhexidine, saline (control) were the irrigants evaluated for efficacy in removal of smear layer. The specimens were split along the longitudinal axis using a chisel after placing superficial grooves in cementum not extending to the root canal. The exposed surface was subjected to scanning electron microscopic analysis to reveal the efficacy of irrigants in removal of smear layer. The representative areas were evaluated twice at 15 days interval by a single evaluator. The scale for the smear layer removal by Rome et al was modified and used in the present study. Results: The pictures from the scanning electron microscopy showed that among the tested irrigants, citric acid has the best efficacy to remove the smear layer without altering the normal dentinal structures, which was supported by the lowest mean smear scores. The pictures from the 10%EDTA + 5.25% sodium hypochlorite group showed that even though it removed the smear layer, it adversely affected the dentine structure. SEM pictures of the other groups like sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine revealed that these irrigants does not have the capacity to remove the smear layer in primary teeth. Conclusions: The results of the present study clearly indicate the superior efficacy of 6% citric acid than the other tested irrigants on removing the smear layer in primary teeth root canals.

Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of a Primary Preventive Dental Health Education Programme conducted for 6-12-year-old primary school children in Mysore City. Materials and Methods: A total of 12 schools, one each in the category of Government, Aided, and Unaided, were randomly selected per zone viz., North, South, East, and West. These 12 schools constituted the study group where the Primary Preventive School Dental Health Education Programme (PPSDHEP) was implemented. Two additional schools were selected at random from the four zones to serve as the control. A total of 926 children participated in the study. The PPSDHEP involved the second-level transfer of preventive package wherein the oral health education was imparted to the school children by schoolteachers trained by the investigator. Among the parameters for evaluating the outcome of the programme were the pre and post-programme assessment (at the baseline and at follow-up, i.e., after 6 months) of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP), dental caries status, oral hygiene, and gingival health status. Results: The results suggest that the PPSDHEP resulted in bringing about an enhancement in the KAP towards oral health and also an improvement in dental caries, oral hygiene, and gingival health status of the school children in the study group. Conclusion: The present study supports the implementation of similar programmes in schools and the contention that schoolteachers are suitable personnel for imparting dental health education to school children on a regular basis.

Background: World-wide, the contribution of dental caries to the burden of oral diseases is about 10 times higher than that of periodontal disease, the other common oral condition. Owing to its globally high prevalence, dental caries is a "pandemic" disease characterized by a high percentage of untreated carious cavities causing pain, discomfort and functional limitations. Untreated carious cavities; furthermore, have a significant impact on the general health of children and on the social and economic well-being of communities. A surgical approach to the elimination of carious lesion was developed a century ago; this approach was necessary at that time, because there was no valid alternative. The focus in caries has recently shifted to the development of methodologies for the detection of the early stages of caries lesions and the non-invasive treatment of these lesions. The non-invasive treatment of early lesions by remineralization has the potential to be a major advance in the clinical management of the disease. Remineralization of white-spot lesions may be possible with a variety of currently available agents containing fluoride, bioavailable calcium and phosphate and phosphate. This concept bridges the traditional gap between prevention and surgical procedures, which is just what dentistry needs today. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and to compare the remineralization potential of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP) on artificial white spot enamel lesions using the quantitative light fluorescence (QLF). Materials and Methods: A total of 45 caries-free extracted maxillary first premolars were embedded in acrylic resin. The samples were randomly divided into three groups namely control group, CPP-ACP group and CPP-ACFP group with 15 samples in each group. The samples of each group were subjected to demineralization process for a period of 96 h. The samples were then mounted in the artificial mouth model and subjected to remineralization and pH cycling for a period of 21 days. QLF readings were recorded at the end of demineralization (1 ^st , 7 ^th , 14 ^th and 21 ^st day) and were statistically analyzed. Results: As compared with artificial saliva both CPP-ACP and CPP-ACFP produced significant amount of remineralization of the artificial enamel white spot lesion (P < 0.001), however when the remineralizing effect of CPP-ACP was compared with the remineralizing effect of CPP-ACFP there was no significant difference. Significant amount of remineralization was produced by CPP-ACP and CPP-ACFP only after the 7 ^th day. After the 14 ^th day, the remineralization produced by both CPP-ACP and CPP-ACFP as compared to artificial saliva was non-significant.

Context: To overcome the drawbacks of glass ionomer cement of sensitivity to initial desiccation and moisture contamination the use of surface coating agent is recommended. The search in this area led to invent of use of nanofillers in surface coating agent, but its effect on fluoride release is not clear. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the fluoride release from conventional glass ionomer cement with and without surface coating agent. Settings and Design: This in vitro study comprised of total 80 samples (40 samples of each with and without surface coating). Materials and Methods: Specimens were prepared, G coat plus was applied and light cured. Fluoride release of the sample was measured every 24 h for 7 days and weekly from 7^th to 21 ^st day using Sension4 pH/ISE/MV Meter. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive Statistics, Repeated Measure ANOVA, Paired Sample t-test, Independent Sample t-test, Scheffe post hoc test. Results: Mean values clearly reveal a significant decrease in the fluoride release from day 1 to day 21 for both groups. Non-coated group released significantly more fluoride than surface coated group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: It can be concluded that nanofilled surface coating agent will reduce the amount of fluoride released into oral environment as compared to non-coated group and at the same time releasing fluoride into surrounding cavity walls to create zones of inhibition into the cavity floor to help internal remineralization.

Aims and Objective: To determine the fluoride release from Giomer and Compomer, using different topical fluoride regimes, and to compare the amount of fluoride release from giomer with that of compomer. Materials and Method: Forty-eight specimens of each giomer and compomer were divided into four treatment groups, namely, control group, fluoridated dentifrice (500 ppm) once daily group, fluoridated dentifrice (500 ppm) twice daily group, fluoridated dentifrice (500 ppm) once daily + fluoridated mouthwash (225 ppm) group. Each specimen was suspended in demineralizing solution for six hours and remineralizing solution for 18 hours. Fluoride release was measured in both the demineralizing solution and remineralizing solution daily for seven days. Total daily fluoride release for each specimen was calculated by adding the amount released in the demineralizing solution to that released in remineralizing solution. Results and Conclusion: The fluoride release (ppm) was found to be more in Giomer when compared to Compomer. The fluoride released from Giomer and Compomer was significantly greater in the acidic demineralizing solution than in the neutral remineralizing solution. It was found that increasing fluoride exposure significantly increased fluoride release from the giomer and compomer. It was found that the fluoride release from the subgroups of giomer and compomer was in the following order: fluoridated dentifrice twice daily > fluoridated dentifrice once daily + fluoridated mouthwash > fluoridated dentifrice once daily > control group. It was found that the giomer showed a greater fluoride uptake than the compomer.