This review of the literature looked at issues relating to the development of haptic exploratory strategies in children who have visual impairment and learning disabilities. Haptic perception refers to the recognition of objects through touch, involving the perception of patterns such as edges, curves and textures, whereby people can identify three-dimensional objects by moving their [read the full story…]
The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of pulpotomy treatment using calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in carious-exposed vital immature permanent first molars. Participants (n=51, 1 tooth per patient) with immature molars with clinical carious exposure with symptomatic/asymptomatic pulpitis were randomised to undergo pulpotomy using either CEM (n=26) [read the full story…]
There is a growing literature supporting caries management options where caries is sealed in beneath restorations or sealants. The aim of this trial to compare long-term (at 5 yrs) outcomes for carious primary molars managed by GDPs’ standard conventional restorative methods (control) with the Hall Technique in general dental practice. The outcomes at 2 years [read the full story…]
Behavioural management is an essential approach for the dental treatment of the anxious child. It is sometimes necessary to supplement this with sedation. The main aim of this study was to compare the effect of three doses of oral midazolam (0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg ⁄ kg) on the sedative state and cooperative behaviour of [read the full story…]
Pulpectomy is, indicated for primary teeth with irreversibly inflamed or necrotic radicular pulps because of caries or trauma. The main aim of this trial was to evaluate the outcome of pulpectomy with smear layer removal versus no smear layer removal. Patients were randomised to receive pulpectomy under rubber dam with either smear layer removal (G1) [read the full story…]
Pulpotomy is one of a number of approaches (indirect pulp capping, direct pulp capping, pulpotomy, pulpectomy) for managing carious lesions approaching the pulp of primary teeth with the aim of retaining the tooth in a symptom free state until it is lost naturally thus avoiding an extraction. Formocresol has been used for a number of [read the full story…]
In the past 30 years most developed countries have seen a decrease in the prevalence and severity of dental caries in children, with most disease now found in children often characterised by a low socioeconomic status. The aim of this Cochrane review was to evaluate the efficacy of fluoride supplements for preventing dental caries in [read the full story…]
How staff supporting children with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour is clearly of major importance. This Scottish study set out to look at the knowledge that teaching staff had regarding definitions of and management of challenging behaviour displayed by children with learning disability. They found that the levels of knowledge amongst staff levels were relatively [read the full story…]
The supporters of children with fragile X syndrome often report behaviour that challenges as a major concern. The authors of this small-scale, multiple baseline design study set out to explore whether behaviourally-based interventions might result in reductions in problem behaviour and improvements in the quality of life for 3 children with fragile X syndrome and [read the full story…]
This systematic review set out to look at the efficacy of atypical antipsychotic medication, also known as second generation antipsychotics, commonly used in the treatment of schizophrenia. There continues to be debate around whether these second-generation medications are safer or more effective than typical antipsychotics as they still can produce severe side effects. Other posts [read the full story…]
