Caries Prevention

Question 1

what is dental caries

Answer 1

a disease of dental hard tissues caused by the action of microorganisms, found on plaque, on fermentable carbohydrates.
preventable disease at an individual level

Question 2

what are the main impacts of caries on pre school children

Answer 2

aesthetic problems
loss of function
pain
infection

Question 3

what is the population skew of caries

Answer 3

25% scottish children
75% of the disease

Question 4

what are risk indicators of caries in children

Answer 4

oral hygiene
diet
bacterial exposure
socioeconomic status
breast/bottle feeding
fluoride exposure
parental smoking
parental oral health status

Question 5

what is nursing caries

Answer 5

early childhood caries, typically affecting the upper anterior and molar teeth

Question 6

what is the typical cause of nursing caries

Answer 6

inappropriate use of feeding cups and bottles

Question 7

three factors to target for effective caries prevention

Answer 7

diet
fluoride
oral hygiene

Question 8

should fluoride supplements be taken during pregnancy to aid the child

Answer 8

no

Question 9

how can nursing caries be prevented

Answer 9

• promote breast feeding
• use of a feeding cup, rather than a free flow bottle, recommended from 6 months
• drinks containing free sugars should never be put in a feeder bottle
• children should not be put to bed with a feeder bottle or cup
• soya milk formula, potentially cariogenic and should only be used when medically indicated

Question 10

when should sweetened drinks be consumed to prevent caries

Answer 10

• mealtimes only
• diluted as much as possible
• take through a straw held at the back of the mouth
• do not advocate for the consumption of these teeth

Question 11

what are the safe drinks to have between meals

Answer 11

plain water
milk

Question 12

best high energy food for children

Answer 12

cheese, as it is non cariogenic and may actively protect against caries

Question 13

what are safe snacks for children

Answer 13

milk and water
fruit
savoury sandwhiches
crackers and cheese
bread sticks
crisps

Question 14

how to administer fluoride for caries prevention

Answer 14

water fluoridation
toothpaste
supplementary self delivered through drops, tablets, mouth rinses
professional delivery, APF gels, varnishes, slow release devices

Question 15

how often should fluoride varnishes be provided to children

Answer 15

at least twice yearly

Question 16

how many people in the UK receive fluoridated water

Answer 16

5.5 million

Question 17

is there fluoridated water in scotland

Answer 17

no

Question 18

describe child toothbrushing

Answer 18

started as soon as the first primary tooth erupts
children under 8 lack dexterity, so should have an adult brush their teeth before bed and at one other time of day

Question 19

what is the child formulation for fluoride

Answer 19

1000ppm

Question 20

how much enhanced fluoride in duraphat toothpaste

Answer 20

2800ppm

Question 21

what is the toothpaste strength recommendation for first tooth eruption of a standard risk child

Answer 21

1000ppm F

Question 22

fluoride recommendation for standard risk 4-16 year olds

Answer 22

100-1500ppmF

Question 23

how much fluoride for high risk children under 10

Answer 23

1500ppmF

Question 24

how much fluoride for high risk children over 10

Answer 24

2800ppmF in prescription only

Question 25

how much fluoride for high risk children 16 and over

Answer 25

5000ppmF, prescription only

Question 26

how much toothpaste for children under 3

Answer 26

smear

Question 27

how much toothpaste for children age 3 and over

Answer 27

pea sized

Question 28

fluoride mouthrinse recommendations are…

Answer 28

not recommended for children under the age of 6
even over 6, need to assess the Childs ability to properly expectorate

Question 29

two forms of professionally applied fluoride

Answer 29

APF gels
varnishes

Question 30

how should dental health education be approached

Answer 30

• dental or dietary health education in isolation should not be undertaken as a community based prevention
• form part of an overall prevention plan for individual patients
• more recent movements include sugar tax, and a sugar reduction campaign being helped along by anti obesity public health campaigns

Question 31

what are the aims of oral health promotion programmes

Answer 31

• reduce the risk of early childhood caries
• young children should be initiated before the age of three years
• address environmental, public, and social policy changes in order to support behaviour change
• help of layer persons and non dental health professionals

Question 32

methods to diagnose caries

Answer 32

clinical exam
bitewing radiographs
fibre optic transillumination
temporary tooth separation
air abrasion
CO2 laster
electric caries meter

Question 33

how many bitewings for high risk children

Answer 33

every 6 months

Question 34

how frequent should bitewings be for low risk children

Answer 34

12-18 months

Question 35

how much inter proximal caries is missed if bitewing radiographs are not taken

Answer 35

60%

Question 36

what is mild fluorisis

Answer 36

enamel defect on the surface or subsurface of the teeth due to excess fluoride usage when the teeth are developing.

Question 37

what are some modifications for individuals with autism when preventing caries

Answer 37

use a softer toothbrush
set a predictable routine with a timer
sing a song or play an app
use incentives and rewards
change the location
brush with pls free paste when asleep