Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry (JOCPD) is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal, which is currently indexed in SCIE, etc., aming to provide clinically relevant information to enable the practicing dentist to have access to the state of the art in pediatric dentistry.

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the influence of gingival display on smile perception of adult patients seeking dental treatment. Materials and methods: A smiling photograph was digitally modified to simulate gingival exposures from -4 mm to +4 mm, each in 2 mm increments. Using a validated questionnaire, 117 subjects were recruited and asked to rate the attractiveness of the smile displayed by the photographs. Friedman tests were applied to compare the perceptions of the overall subjects in addition to subjects within each category. Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare perceptions between the genders, different ages, and ethnicity. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The most aesthetic gingival display was at -2 mm and the least aesthetic at -4 mm among all subjects. Females were more critical in evaluating smiles than males. Subjects 50 years or older and the Chinese ethnicity were less sensitive to the range of gingival displays. Conclusions: Smile perception of varying gingival display among adult laypeople was found to be the most aesthetic at -2 mm, least aesthetic at -4 mm and was influenced by gender, age, and ethnicity.

Developed, focusing on questions relating to (i) the timing of their seeking information on ECC, (ii) the types of EEC information they seek, and (iii) the resources used to seek information. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was performed, whereby the data were coded and categorized into themes and subthemes. Results: Four main themes were identified: the immediacy of seeking information, perceived information need, use of resources, and barriers to seeking information. Parents either sought information immediately after detecting changes to the appearance of their child’s teeth, with some being aware of the changes after signs and symptoms developed. The types of information parents usually sought covered the disease, its prevention, and management. Common sources of information were friends, family, the internet, and healthcare professionals. Barriers to seeking information discussed by parents were lack of time as well as insufficiency and inaccuracy of the information they received. Conclusion: This study highlighted the need for comprehensive, tailored early education on ECC for parents using reliable information sources. There is also a need to empower other nondental healthcare professionals to provide oral healthcare education for parents....

Background: Numerous studies rating dentofacial aesthetics have been conducted by using the Likert Scale or the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Likert Scale is an assessment tool consisting of items that require respondents to rank a query using graded declarative statements. Alternatively, the VAS is a tool that requires the respondents to place a mark along a horizontal line to rate a particular item. Objective: This systematic review aimed to identify the validity and reliability of the Likert scale and VAS in evaluating dentofacial aesthetics. A second objective was to identify which scale is preferable for use by clinicians and patients in determining dental aesthetics. Search methods: With no language limitations, a comprehensive electronic database search was conducted in the PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid, and OpenGrey databases using keywords and Mesh terms combinations: (“Likert scale” OR “Likert”) AND (“visual analogue scale” OR “VAS”) AND (“aesthetic*” OR “facial*” OR “dental*” OR “dentist*”). The selection criteria were set based on the PICO format. Population (P): Laypeople and/ or dental clinicians; Intervention (I) and Control (C): Likert Scale and Visual Analog Scale for measuring dentofacial aesthetics; Outcome (O): Validity, reliability, and the patient’s or clinician’s preference for using the Likert Scale or the Visual Analog Scale for measuring dentofacial aesthetics. The risk of bias was assessed using the STROBE checklist for observational studies and Version 2 of the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials (RoB 2) for randomized controlled trials. The results were summarised qualitatively; no meta-analysis was conducted due to the high level of heterogeneity of the included studies. Results of the synthesis: Both the Likert Scale and VAS are valid and reliable for scoring dentofacial aesthetics but each have their own advantages in aesthetic evaluation. There were different preferences for the two scoring methods. Conclusions: Overall, there is insufficient data to draw a conclusion that the VAS or the Likert scale is superior. Either of these scales may be used to rate dentofacial aesthetics.

Objective: Dental caries is preventable, yet it remains a common childhood disease. As children are dependent on their parents for oral health care, oral health education for parents is essential to ensure they understand the risk factors and consequences of dental caries and their role in its prevention. This study aims to explore parents’ oral health education needs to enable the development and provision of a tailored online oral health education module. Methods: Online focus group discussions were conducted among Malaysian parents to gather information about the content, layout and presentation of oral health information parents sought for the provision of oral health care for their children. Video recordings were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was performed using an inductive approach. Results: In total, 24 parents participated in the discussions and 4 main themes were uncovered. The first theme was perceived information needs related to dental caries, oral health care and the importance of deciduous teeth. The second theme was parents' preferred information resources which were social media, dentists, mobile phone applications and medical personnel. Thirdly, information delivery format and specific characteristics were recommended. The final theme was challenges and barriers faced in maintaining oral health due to parental constraints, child behaviour and external factors. Conclusion: Parents’ profound feedback and experiential standpoint stipulate the need for the development and delivery of a comprehensible and visually engaging oral health education module by healthcare professionals via social media to enable access to evidence-based information consistently.