Aim: The appearance of teeth is fundamental to pleasing facial aesthetics and the health and well-being of a child. Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI) is a disorder that affects the structure and appearance of the enamel of the teeth. The present pilot study aimed to assess the socio-demographic profile of children, affected by AI and its psychosocial impact on the families, compared to their non-affected siblings as perceived by mothers. Method: Seventeen mothers with children affected by AI participated. The impact of the child’s AI status on the family was assessed using a modified translated version of Family Impact Scale (FIS) which consisted of 27- items organized into 6 dimensions, namely parental/family impact, parental emotions, family conflict, impact on child in past/present context, perceived future impact on child and financial burden. Results: Based on mothers respondents, the results revealed psychological impact as an overall score for 27 – items was 117.94 (±31.97) for affected families and the scores ranged from 62-174 which was significantly higher than the 0 score for controls. The highest median scores reported for impact of AI on child’s quality of life in past and present contexts (median score= 39.0) and for parental emotions (median score=33.0). Mothers perceived a considerable impact of AI on child’s quality of life in the future context as well (median score=21.0). Conclusion: As emerged from the findings, there was a considerable perceived psychosocial impact on families reported by mothers having children with AI compared to their non-affected siblings. Thus it is important to provide necessary psycho-social support for those mothers.

Early childhood caries can often result in total destruction of primary anterior teeth. There is a plethora of options for restoring such teeth. However, there is insufficient clinical evidence to suggest that one type of restoration is superior to another. The article aims to review the past and recent restorative options for restoring primary anterior teeth affected by early childhood caries, based on their in-vivo clinical performance over a period of time. The electronic databases and handperformed journal searches identified 46 relevant documents. The variables to decide the long term outcome of the restorative material chosen were operator preferences, esthetic demands by parents, the child’s behavior, amount of remaining tooth structure and moisture and hemorrhage control. A lack of long term, controlled clinical data  prevents  the  validation  or  endorsement  of  any  of  the  restorative options  for  repairing  carious  or  traumatized  anterior  primary  teeth.

Background:  As dental students and practitioners are involved in care of HIV / AIDS patients, it is essential that they have knowledge of this disorder.  Objective: To assess the knowledge of undergraduate students, interns and dentists regarding HIV /AIDS through a questionnaire.  Methods : A self-administered questionnaire on HIV/AIDS completed by 136 BDS students, interns and dentists was analyzed. The participants were grouped as Pre-clinical (Group A), Third Year (Group B), Final year (Group C) BDS students and Interns and Dentists (Group D).  Results : A majority knew the full form of AIDS and the common modes of HIV transmission i.e. sexual, mother-to-child, contaminated needle and blood products. All groups ranked commercial sex workers to be at the highest risk. Dentists were ranked lowest risk by Group A, second highest risk by Group B and third highest risk by Group C and D. The majority identified recapping as a cause of needlestick injuries. The knowledge of management of needle stick injuries including consultation with experts and post-exposure prophylaxis was unsatisfactory in all groups. Information on management of blood spills in the workplace was inadequate while disinfectants were recommended by the majority in Group B and D. Most students know the clinical feature of AIDS as Candidiasis, Kaposi’s sarcoma and Oral Hairy Leukoplakia. Knowledge about anti-retroviral agents was also unsatisfactory. Use of surgical gloves for prevention of transmission of infection was indicated by all groups while Group B, C and D also identified the need to wear gowns, masks, eye protection (goggles). The participants perceived that reduction of HIV/AIDS could be achieved by public awareness, needle-safety practices, safe sex and safe blood transfusion.  Conclusion: The study highlights lack of adequate knowledge of students and interns about HIV and various aspects of occupational exposures to potentially infectious material.

Impacted teeth are those with a delayed eruption time or that are not expected to erupt completely based on clinical and radiographic assessment. Impaction of the permanent third molar teeth is a common clinical occurrence. There are several etiologic factors for canine impactions have been proposed - primary reasons are long path of eruption and genetic influence. The maxillary canine is developing high into the palate with a tortuous course of its eruption path and the mandibular canine is also developing at the lower border of the mandible which might lead to its impaction. In the case presented here, we performed surgical exposure of the impacted canine followed by orthodontic extrusion of the same to its proper alignment in the arch. A 10 -year-old female child came to the Department of Pedodontics for routine dental check-up. On intra - oral examination, the mandibular left lateral incisor was found rotated and there was spacing between the central incisor and lateral incisor. On radiographic examination it was revealed that there was ectopic eruption of the lower left permanent canine with its crown almost overlapping the root of the lateral incisor of same side. The management of impacted canines is important in terms of aesthetics and function. Clinicians must formulate treatment plans that are in the best interest of the patient and they must be knowledgeable about the variety of treatment options.

Odontogenic anomalies can occur as a result of conjoining or twinning defects. These include fusion, gemination and concrescence. The process of odontogenesis cannot be seen, therefore fusion and germination seems to be equivalent.  This case report is of a boy aged-5-year who visited private dental clinic with a complaint of decayed upper front teeth. On clinical examination, the patient was diagnosed with ECC (Early childhood caries) and presence of fusion between primary upper left central incisor (61) and a supernumerary tooth.  Radiographic analysis showed presence of a two roots with two root canals and external root resorption. The case was discussed and treatment planning was done to extract the tooth as a result of resorption in the apical region. The purpose of this report is to highlight the importance of diagnosing dental anomalies in the primary dentition, so as to organize a conservative individualized treatment plan to prevent complications during the child’s formative years.