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Introduction: The dentition is one of the most accurate features for age estimation in children. However, there is some evidence that timing of dental development varies across populations. Recent research suggests that dental development may also be susceptible to influence by environmental factors, such as obesity. Given that there are also population differences in average body mass, it is possible that this may be a confounding variable that was not accounted for in prior work. We aim to compare the relative association between body mass index (BMI) and ancestry with timing of dental development. Methods: A retrospective cross‐sectional chart review was undertaken using panoramic radiographs of 6‐ to 12‐year‐olds (n = 281). Age, ancestry, sex, height, and weight were obtained. Dental development was assessed using the Demirjian method, and chronological age was subtracted from estimated dental age to determine relative timing of dental development (ΔAge). BMI was calculated based upon recorded height/weight within 6 months of time of radiograph. Results: We found no difference in timing of dental development (accelerated/delayed) across ancestry groups (African‐American, Euro‐American, Hispanic, Asian; P =.15). Overweight/obese subjects had statistically significantly advanced (precocious) dental development (P <.001). Compared to normal‐weight subjects, children who were overweight's age were overestimated by 5.76 months (0.48 years) and children with obesity by 5.97 months (0.49 years) on average. Conclusions: BMI appears to have a greater impact on relative timing of dental development than ancestry in this population. Our results support other findings that obesity results in accelerated growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: Following implementation of routine screening for depression in primary care, screening for other behavioral health issues is expanding. However, prior to implementing additional screening it is important to consider patient comfort answering sensitive questions related to behavioral health topics to determine screening acceptability and effectiveness. : A self-report survey was completed by U.S. adults over the age of 18 (n = 378) using Amazon Mechanical Turk. The survey assessed comfort discussing demographics, physical health, behavioral health, oral health, and living conditions with medical providers. Comfort levels of behavioral health topics were compared to comfort discussing depression symptoms and reasons for discomfort discussing topics were also surveyed. : There were significant differences in comfort level discussing various behavioral health issues (F(8) = 51.70, P <.001). Participants reported being more comfortable discussing cigarette smoking and less comfortable discussing trauma, intimate partner violence (IPV) and gun ownership compared to depression. Privacy and perceived irrelevance were the most common reasons for discomfort. : Accurate indices of patient behavioral health are essential for patient care. However, patients may be uncomfortable discussing some topics such as trauma, IPV, and gun ownership that patients view as private and/or unrelated to their treatment. Patient comfort may increase through provider trainings that focus on communication skills training, clear administrative procedures that allow for privacy and adequate time for discussions, and community education that underscores how these issues impact physical health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human remains from forensic and bioarcheological contexts are often fragmentary, requiring methods for estimating a forensic profile that are based upon limited skeletal features. In 2017, Berg and Keryhercz created an online application, (hu)MANid, that provides sex and ancestry estimation from mandibular morphoscopic traits and linear measurements. In this study, we examine the utility of the (hu)MANid application in a diverse, urban US adult sample (aged 20–45; n = 143) derived from computed tomography (CT) scans. We secondarily conduct a preliminary analysis of the program's utility in a sample of adolescents (aged 15–17; n = 40). Six morphoscopic, and eleven morphometric traits were recorded as directed by the literature associated with the (hu)MANid program. Percent correct classification and posterior predictive values were calculated for the sex and ancestry estimations output by the program; chi‐squared tests were employed to compare self‐reported and predicted ancestry. In the adult sample, sex was accurately predicted for 75.52% of the sample. Ancestry prediction, however, was less favorable ranging from 19.3% to 50% correct. For the adolescent sample, correct sex estimation (45%) did not surpass what could occur by chance alone, though ancestry prediction fared better than in the larger adult sample (percent correct prediction overall average: 47.5%, range 35.71%–71.43%). The (hu)MANid application shows utility for use with CT scan‐derived adult samples for sex estimation, but caution is warranted for ancestry estimation and use with samples that may not have reached full adult maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the safety of nitrous oxide (N2O) during dental procedures in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Methods: Patients three to 15 years of age received N2O with oxygen (N2O:O2) during their dental procedure in a university pediatric dental clinic between March 2019 and December 2020. Blood oxygen levels were monitored via pulse oximetry throughout the visit. Caregivers received a follow-up call to assess for postoperative complications. Results: Twenty-three patients were enrolled. The duration of N2O sedation was 20 to 50 minutes. Oxygenation levels during (P<0.001) and after (P=0.004) the procedure were higher than for baseline. No adverse effects were reported in the three days after N2O use. Conclusions: Following dental guidelines for sedation, treatment with up to a 50:50 mixture of nitrous oxide with oxygen increased blood oxygen levels and did not cause postoperative complications in children with sickle cell disease. This is the first formal study confirming the safety of nitrous oxide use in the dental care of SCD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of radiographically identifiable developmental dental anomalies (DDA) in a university-based pediatric dental clinic and to assess for associations between DDA and health status. Methods: Retrospective data, obtained from the electronic dental records of a three-year pediatric patient cohort, were evaluated by two trained and calibrated examiners. Strict inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. A validated image quality grading system was used for radiograph assessment, and the physical status classification of the American Academy of Anesthesiology was utilized. A chi-square test and bivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. The inter- and intraexaminer reliability was assessed using Cohen's Kappa. Results: A total of 1,478 subjects (69 percent medically healthy) were enrolled. DDA were identified in 25 percent of the subjects, with hyperdontia, hypodontia, and microdontia being more common. A statistically significant association was found between the presence of DDA and health status (P<0.001) and between DDA and asthma (P=0.035). Patients with systemic disturbances showed 2.12 times greater odds of having DDA (P<0.001, 95 percent confidence interval equals 1.7-2.7). Conclusions: The prevalence of developmental dental anomalies was high, with one in four patients affected. DDA in number were the most common. Patients with systemic disturbances had greater odds of having DDA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of articaine local infiltration with lidocaine inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) for restorative treatment of primary mandibular molars (PMMs). Methods: In this double-blind, parallel-design, randomized, controlled, clinical trial, participants were enrolled according to specified inclusion criteria ( four to 10 years of age, need of PMM restorations, Frankel four behavior) and randomly assigned into either an articaine or lidocaine group. One investigator administrated all local anesthesia (LA). Nineteen trained and calibrated examiners, blinded to LA type, evaluated participants’ reactions during LA administration and treatment using Modified Behavioral Pain Scale (MBPS). Participants rated their experiences using Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBFS). The subjects’ blood pressure and pulse were recorded throughout procedures. Statistical analysis employed Mann Whitney-U test, repeated measures analysis of variance (P<0.05), and Cohen’s kappa. Results: A total of 110 participants (n equals 55 per group; mean age equals 6.42 years; 60 percent males) were enrolled. The mean MBPS rating during LA administration was higher for lidocaine IANB (3.89) compared to articaine infiltration (2.24; P<0.001). The mean MBPS rating throughout treatment was higher for the lidocaine group (2.51) compared to articaine group (1.69; P=0.012). The lidocaine group had a mean WBFS score of 1.64, while for the articaine group WBFS was 0.872 (P=0.089). All physiological measurements were within normal limits with no difference between groups. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that local infiltration with articaine was less distressing upon administration and may be considered safe and effective alternative to lidocaine IANB for restorative treatment in PMMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]