Implications of Dental Disease in Children Flashcards
How many children have caries in the UK?
1/3 aged 5, 1/2 of 8 yr olds
Affects 621 million children globally, 10th most common disease
Implications of caries?
Pain
Infec
General health
Psychosocial
Define pain
Unpleasant sensory and emotional response to actual or potential tissue damage
Purely subjective
How common is dental pain in children?
We don’t know how children describe dental pain
Few researchers have asked children
How do children describe dental pain?
Effects of dental pain on children?
Stabbing, burning, dull, pressing, weird
Crying, stops them from playing, miss schools
Words used to describe pulp testing?
Uncomfortable
Sore
Hitting
Dizzy
Prevalence of caries in children?
50% of children with caries
When is pain more likely if caries is present?
At young age
2 or more surfaces
Disease in lower molars
Signs of caries in very young children?
Pain on toothbrushing
During eating
Not crying at night
Types of dental infection in children?
Chronic infec
- Buccal sinus
- Hypoplasia of permanent successor
Acute infection:
- Facial swelling
- Pyrexia
Effects of caries on general health?
Poor diet
Pain when eating
Weight lowered
Mean height between 10th-25th percentiles in group with caries, caries free = 50-75th percentile
Iron deficiency in 80% of children who required a higher number of extractions
Psychosocial - what does oral health related quality of life measure?
Oral symptoms
Functional limitations
Social well being
Emotional well being
What psychological effects can caries have in children?
In 12yr olds - lower self confidence
Feel sad about teeth
Embarrassed and ashamed to smile or laugh
What are the implications of treating caries in children?
Short attention span
Fear of unknown
Child dental anxiety - 1/5 (higher in females)
Communication difficult
What is the impact of dental anxiety?
Children:
- OH status and QoL
- Waiting lists
- Travel
Dental professionals:
- Cause of occupational stress
- Time consuming
Dental services:
- Financial implications
- Higher rates of missed/cancelled appointments
- Referrals to specialist service demand