This epidemiological survey attempted to establish the level of dental caries and treatment need among the municipal school children of Mumbai. The prevalence of dental caries was 68.02% which increased with age. The lowest DMFT score was recorded in the 12 year age group while the highest DMFT Score was recorded in 15 year age group. Decayed teeth accounted for the greatest percentage of DMF teeth followed by the missing and filled components in all the age groups. Single surface restorations accounted for the greatest percentage of treatment need followed by two or more surface restorations and extractions.

The rubber dam was first developed and put to use in the 19th century by S.C. Barnum. Since then, the use of the rubber dam in dentistry has become mandatory especially during root canal treatment. Various irrigation solutions which are used during root canal treatment have toxic effects on the soft tissues around the teeth. This can be prevented or minimized when rubber dam is put to use. Similarly for esthetic dentistry, optimum results are obtained if the working area is protected from contamination by saliva.

Odontodysplasia is a relatively uncommon condition that can affect both primary and permanent dentition. It is characterized by defective formation of both enamel and dentin, with enlarged pulp chambers and root canals with open apices. It is usually a localised condition where one or few teeth may be involved. Sometimes, an entire quadrant or more than one quadrant may be involved but generalized involvement is extremely rare. An interesting case of a generalized odontodysplasia affecting both primary and permanent dentition in an eight year old girl is presented here.

The present study was carried out to assess the prevalence and distribution of the traumatic injuries to anterior teeth among 4500 school children in the age group of 3 to 16 years from South Kanara District of Karnataka. Information concerning sex, age, cause of trauma, number of injured teeth, type of the teeth, lip competence, terminal plane relationship and the molar relationship were recorded. A total of 238 cases (5.29%) had incisor and canine fractures, which was more prevalent among the boys (72.27%) than the girls (27.73%). The leading cause of injury was undefined falls and the maxillary central incisors were commonly affected in both the primary and the permanent dentition. Enamel fracture was the most common form of injury noted. Class 1 Type 2 and Class 2 division 1 molar relationship cases exhibited significantly very high number of fractured teeth. Only 1.68% of the cases with traumatized teeth had undergone treatment.

Apexification is the most widely accepted procedure for the treatment of nonvital immature teeth. Single visit apexification is less time consuming, more economical and an easily acceptable technique with the aim of inducing the formation of a hard tissue barrier, thus allowing proper condensation of gutta percha in the root canal. Factors considered during this procedure are: i. Debridement of root canal minimizing the infection and filling the root canal space with resorbable calcification inducing material i.e. Ca(OH)2. ii. Minimal mechanical intervention to maintain the integrity and vascularity of apical region. Once filled, Ca(OH)2 was not changed again and the treated tooth was examined only radiographically till the desired apical closure was achieved. Three representative cases treated with this single visit apexification technique are discussed here. In all the cases successful apical closure of different types was achieved. Treatment was then concluded with gutta percha obturation in all the cases with successful follow up.

It is a well established fact that dental caries is caused by streptococcus mutans. For qualitative and quantitative analysis of streptococcus mutans, saliva samples are often preferred and are processed according to Kohler and Brathall method. In the present study an attempt is made to relate caries status (caries free, average caries, and rampant caries group) with cfu counts of streptococcus mutans and Snyder test. The streptococcus mutans were isolated using MSB agar and cfu were determined of each individual from different caries groups. The saliva of the same individual was drooled into a culture bottle containing Snyder test agar and extent of colour change was observed after 24, 48, and 72 hours incubated at 37 degrees C. The time and extent of colour change determined the conduciveness of diet. It has been observed that caries free individuals have low cfu count and their diet was mild or moderately conducive, while the individuals having average caries had medium cfu count and their diet was moderately-high conducive. In rampant caries, individuals however the cfu count were high and the diet was highly conducive. In caries free, average caries and rampant caries group 40, 60, and 80 per cent samples showed colour change, in Snyder test up to full length in 72 hours respectively. Thus a definite correlation exists between caries status, cfu count of streptococcus mutans and Snyder caries activity test.

This epidemiological study was conducted upon 4,590 school children to find the prevalence of oral habits in Mangalore in relation to their age and sex and to find the correlation, if any, between the habits and the malocclusion status. We noted that 29.7% of the population had habits of which 3. 1% had digit sucking, 4.6% mouth breathing, 3.02% tongue thrusting, 6.2% bruxism, 6% lip/cheek biting, 12.7% nail biting, 9.8% pencil biting and 0. 09% masochistic habits respectively. Digit sucking, pencil biting and tongue thrust were highly prevalent among Group 1 (3-6 years) children. Mouth breathing and bruxism were significant in Group 2 (7-12 years) cases whereas lip/cheek biting and nail biting were more common in Group 3 (13-16 years) cases. Digit sucking, tongue thrust, mouth breathing and bruxism were more prevalent among the boys whereas lip/cheek biting, nail biting and pencil biting were more prevalent among the girls. 28.95% of the children in Group 2 and 3 with habits had malocclusion. There was a significant correlation between class I type 2, class II div 1 and tongue thrust and mouth breathing whereas children with digit sucking showed a high correlation with class I type 2 malocclusion.