Transforming Dental Care in Saudi Arabia: Challenges and Opportunities

This comprehensive review examines the dental healthcare system in Saudi Arabia, tracing its evolution, current status, and persisting challenges. The system has evolved significantly due to government initiatives and technological integration, yet it grapples with issues like professional shortages, financial constraints, and disparities in access. Despite improvements in accessibility, geographic and socio-economic disparities persist, and oral health promotion remains limited. The integration of technology faces resistance, and specialized care for people with disabilities requires targeted strategies. Cultural and social factors influence oral health, and the system's response to the COVID-19 pandemic showcases adaptability and patient-centered approaches. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring equitable and effective oral health service delivery in Saudi Arabia.

The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Pediatric Oral Health: A Review

This narrative review examines the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on pediatric oral health, emphasizing disparities in dental caries prevalence and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Utilizing an extensive literature search through PubMed, Google Scholar, and the chat.consensus.app plugin, we synthesized findings from studies published up to December 2023. The review highlights a consistent association between lower SES and adverse pediatric oral health outcomes, influenced by parental education, household income, food security, and neighborhood conditions. It also underscores the importance of the life-course perspective, showing how early-life socioeconomic disadvantages can have long-lasting effects on oral health. Furthermore, the review points to the critical role of school-based oral health education programs and the complex interplay between mental health, SES, and pediatric oral health. By examining the impact of socioeconomic factors across different childhood stages and the effectiveness of educational interventions, this review calls for targeted interventions and policy initiatives aimed at reducing socioeconomic inequalities in pediatric oral health. The findings advocate for a multifaceted approach to improve oral health outcomes for children across socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring equitable access to oral health care and promoting overall well-being.

Shaping Smiles: A Narrative Review of Crown Advancements in Pediatric Dentistry

This review examines the evolution of dental crowns in pediatric dentistry, highlighting the transition from traditional materials such as stainless steel to aesthetic and biocompatible alternatives like zirconia, resin-based composites, and Bioflex crowns. It focuses on their importance in repairing decayed or damaged teeth and improving children's oral health and psychological well-being. The methodology involved a comprehensive literature search over the past two decades, utilizing databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Chat.Consensus.App, with keywords related to pediatric dental crowns. The findings indicate that stainless steel crowns (SSCs) are valued for durability and cost-effectiveness, but they may cause hypersensitivity. Zirconia crowns are favored for biocompatibility, resistance, and aesthetics, although they are costlier and require more tooth reduction. Resin-based composite strip crowns offer a balance of aesthetics and function but have challenges in long-term stability. The review also touches on Bioflex crowns, noting their flexibility, but the limited research on their effectiveness. In summary, the review underscores the vital role of various dental crown materials in pediatric dentistry, stressing the importance of ongoing research to enhance clinical outcomes and pediatric patient quality of life. The selection of crown materials should consider efficacy, aesthetics, and the psychosocial effects on young patients.

The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality in Controlling Pain and Anxiety Levels in Four-to-Six-Year-Old Children During Dental Treatment

Background and objective Oral health is critical for children's overall well-being; however, dental anxiety often leads to the avoidance of necessary dental care among children. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a successful adjunctive tool in various clinical settings, including pain management. This cohort study explores the use of VR technology in reducing anxiety and pain perception during dental procedures for children. The primary objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of VR distraction in managing pain and anxiety levels in children aged four to six years during dental procedures. Additionally, the study aimed to compare children's anxiety levels with and without VR eyeglasses. Methodology This single-blind, crossover clinical trial was conducted at the Dental Complex of King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Of the 200 children screened initially, 20 aged four to six years who met the inclusion criteria were selected, and ethical approval for the study was obtained. The study comprised two groups: a control group and an experimental group. Dental procedures were conducted both with and without the use of VR, employing a split-mouth design. Results Our findings provide important insights into the clinical impact of using VR technology to alleviate children's anxiety during dental clinic visits. In our study, we used ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test to evaluate the effect of VR glasses on vital metrics in children during dental procedures. Our results showed no significant differences before and after using the VR glasses, indicating limited effectiveness in reducing anxiety in this context. Conclusion Based on our findings, we reject the assumption that VR devices are highly effective in diverting children's attention and reducing their anxiety and pain during dental procedures; we recommend further investigations to identify potential confounding factors that could modulate the utility of VR in medical settings.

Inequalities in the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Children in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and its determinants among elementary school children in Saudi Arabia, recognizing OHRQoL as a critical aspect of overall health and well-being.

BACKGROUND

OHRQoL is an essential element of health, influencing children's ability to engage in daily activities, learning, and social interactions. In Saudi Arabia, despite free dental care, significant occurrences of untreated dental caries among children highlight disparities in oral health outcomes, likely influenced by socioeconomic factors.

METHOD

Baseline data from a longitudinal randomized controlled trial conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was utilized. Participants were elementary school students attending public schools, selected using stratified cluster random sampling. The study focused on both deciduous and permanent dentition, excluding children with medical issues. Data collection involved clinical evaluations and parental questionnaires, adhering to WHO criteria.

RESULTS

The results of the study revealed significant associations between age (mean: 98.99 months, 95% confidence interval (CI): 97.8-100.1) and untreated caries (mean: 2.54, 95% CI: 2.34-2.74) with OHRQoL among children in Saudi Arabia. Older children (Rate Ratio (RR) = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06) and those with untreated caries (RR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) had higher rates of experiencing suboptimal oral health outcomes. However, no statistically significant associations were found for other variables such as gender, family income, parental education, oral hygiene frequency, and dental visits with respect to OHRQoL.

CONCLUSION

The study underscores that age and untreated caries are significantly and positively associated with OHRQoL in children. These findings point to the need for targeted oral health interventions and policies within the sociocultural context of Saudi Arabia, particularly focusing on early prevention and addressing socioeconomic inequalities.