Background and Objectives: Caries development is associated with poor oral hygiene, inadequate dietary habits, quantitative and qualitative food content, and a high level of bacterial plaque. Physical and chemical changes in saliva composition and particularly changes in its buffering capability play a significant role in caries development. This study aimed to determine the predictors of poor oral health among a sample of second-year dental students. Materials and Methods: The oral health of students was estimated with clinical examination and the DMFT index. The interview included questions about demographics status (gender, age), a dietary habits questionnaire, questions about oral hygiene, and a demonstration of tooth brushing technique. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected to measure buffering capacity and pH. Results: Almost half of the students have a low level of caries experience (46.7%), followed by a slightly smaller number having a medium level (41.3%), while one in eight students (12.0%) demonstrates a high level of caries experience. Male students have a statistically higher DMFT index 5.7 ± 1.2 than female participants 4.5 ± 0.5 (p = 0.036). Significant predictors for the DMFT index score in students were milk [β-coefficient = −0.338, p = 0.011] and yoghurt [β-coefficient = 0.284, p = 0.040] consumption. All students brushed their teeth two or more times during the day, usually after waking up before breakfast and before bedtime. Most students (85.3%) apply the proper tooth brushing technique, with female students applying it more frequently (p = 0.038). The mean salivary pH was 6.9, while the mean buffer capacity was 5.8. Female respondents have a statistically lower buffer capacity (5.8 ± 0.5) than male respondents (6.1 ± 0.4) (p = 0.047). Conclusions: Dentistry students are introduced to good oral hygiene habits, especially female students, while dietary habits should be improved. However, one in eight dental students is at high caries risk. By assessing the level of caries experience, targeted strategies can be developed to promote, maintain, and enhance oral health among dental students.

Introduction/Objective. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by features that have the potential to make oral hygiene and dental appointments challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate difficulties related to oral hygiene and dental appointments that may be encountered in children and adolescents with ASD, in comparison to their typically developing peers. Methods. A 48-item questionnaire was prepared for the purpose of the study and distributed to parents of children and adolescents with ASD in three specialized daycare centers, as well as to parents of typically developing children and adolescents. Ninetytwo questionnaires were considered and statistically analyzed in SPSS program, using Chi square and Mann-Whitney U-test. Results. The following statistically significant differences were found between children and adolescents with ASD and their typically developing peers: general difficulties in everyday oral hygiene, need of help for basic oral hygiene tasks, tooth brushing frequency, sensory difficulties related to toothbrush and toothpaste, level of anxiety prior to dental appointment, cooperation during appointment, sensory difficulties related to touch, operatory light and sound of dental unit, number of treatments under general anesthesia and number of refused dental treatments. Conclusion. Children and adolescents with ASD face significantly more difficulties concerning everyday oral hygiene and dental appointments in comparison to their typically developing peers. Dentists’ awareness of issues that are specific to this population of patients is important in order to enable quality dental care.

Background/Objectives: Dental caries, one of the most common oral diseases worldwide, represents a major public health concern. Contemporary dentistry has established several non-invasive approaches and resin infiltration, as a micro-invasive path, in the treatment of white spot lesions (WSLs). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different WSL treatments on enamel surface microhardness. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five intact human premolars extracted upon orthodontic indication and the demineralizing solution composed of acetic acid, monopotassium phosphate and calcium chloride with pH = 4.4 and exposure time 96 h were used. The samples were randomly divided into five groups (n = 15): I—intact enamel (control group); II—artificial white spot lesion; III—artificial WSL treated with fluoride varnish; IV—artificial WSL treated with casein phosphopeptide—amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) paste; V—resin-infiltrated artificial WSL. The surface microhardness was determined using the Oliver–Pharr method and a spherical indenter (Shimadzu Indenter, Kyoto, Japan). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Post Hoc test (Bonferroni) was used with a level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Resin-infiltrated white spot lesions showed comparable microhardness mean value as the control group: 68.23 (±21.45) and 63.57 (±18.89), respectively (p > 0.05). Also, resin infiltration increased enamel microhardness compared to WSL values, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Fluoride varnish and CPP-ACP treatment resulted in equivalent values (50.84 ± 14.35 and 50.99 ± 15.31, respectively). Conclusions: Different WSL treatments (fluoride varnish, CPP-ACP and resin infiltration) produced comparable enamel microhardness values. Among the tested agents, resin infiltration resulted in higher microhardness values, while fluoride varnish and CPP-ACP demonstrated equivalent outcomes.

Introduction/Objective. Artificial enamel caries lesions are commonly created to simulate in vivo caries development and to examine the effect of non-invasive and microinvasive approaches in treatment of initial caries lesions. The objective of the present study was to compare three different demineralizing solutions and exposing times in terms of the formation of artificial white spot lesions and to evaluate their demineralization effect through scanning electron microscopy observations. Methods. Twenty intact human premolars, extracted for orthodontic reasons, were thoroughly cleaned, stored in 0.1% thymol solution at room temperature and cut at the cementoenamel junction before demineralizing process. The specimens were randomly divided into three experimental groups, according to the used demineralization agent and the time of exposure: Group I (acetic acid; pH = 4.4; 96 hours); Group II (lactic acid; pH = 4.5; 120 hours); Group III (Lactic acid; pH = 4.3; 504 hours) and one control group (saline). After demineralisation, macroscopic appearance was checked and all specimens were observed under scanning electron microscope to evaluate the enamel characteristics and caries lesion depths. Results. In Group I and II enamel subsurface porosity with dissolution of enamel crystals is detected and the mean depths of white spot lesions were 48.55 ?m (SD = 1.11) and 43.23 ?m (SD = 6.74), respectively. In Group III structural integrity of enamel surface was not preserved. Conclusion. Demineralizing solutions used in experimental groups I and II resulted in artificial initial caries lesions with satisfactory characteristics and similar appearance on scanning electron microscopy. The outcome of demineralizing process which lasted 504 hours were cavitated enamel lesions.