Hepatitis B is a DNA virus with double-stranded, which is a species of genus orthohepadnavirus and a member of family viruses known as Hepadnavirus. The world health organisation has estimated that nearly 325 million people are suffering and living with chronic hepatitis B or C virus infection (HBV, HCV). Those patients are facing high challenges as they don’t have an easy access to testing and an appropriate treatment. Nearly 1.34 million deaths are caused due to viral hepatitis and it is the comparatively same number as TB but greater than immunodeficiency virus. Though result has been found that hepatitis death is rising and nearly 96% hepatitis mortality is caused by HBV and HCV. Nearly 257 million people affected by HBV and it is also observed that it is spread from mother to child at birth. WHO reported that nearly 84 per cent of children received an HBV vaccine and about 3 recommended doses to reduce new infection. In healthcare professionals, HCV is typically spread through a route of unsafe injections and also via injecting drug use. HCV can be cured by direct-acting antiviral drugs with a short relative time since there is no vaccine.
During training, most dentists and clinical staffs are considered to be vaccinated and tested through response by conforming to primary course. A routine booster benefit for vaccination to known responders are small and it can be deferred until the year-end, whereas in case of trainees it is yet not received. During ongoing period of temporary recommendation, a group of staffs is considered to be poorly less for vaccination.
The responsibility of health care practitioner includes reporting their infection status. Procedures and control policies are based upon disciplinary action in order to follow infection prevention failure. Healthcare workers with infection seek medical care from some qualified doctors in order to manage the condition.
They must be aware of the requirement for immunisation against infectious disease and also maintain records of personal immunisation health care worker in case of specific circumstances may be susceptible particularly to certain infections and also must work with occupational health must ensure their safety.
Hepatitis B virus infection is ranging from mild to severe. They usually appear after been infected for about one to four months. A post infection is witnessed in the early two weeks and young children may not have any symptoms. In certain cases, symptoms such as abdominal pain, joint pain, fever, weakness and fatigue with nausea and vomiting is witnessed. The individuals exposed to hepatitis B immediately consult a doctor which is important and also helps in undergoing for better health. A preventive treatment helps to reduce the risk of infection and receive treatment within 24 hours of exposure to a virus.
In order to prevent hepatitis b virus, a vaccine is given in a series of 3 to 4 doses. One must ensure that children, babies, teenagers adults should get vaccinated for their better health.
Newborn babies must be vaccinated at the age of 6 months nearly 3 shots and the infant must undergo.
The person who is having hepatitis along with the healthcare workers living must undergo vaccination.
Mothers who gave birth to infants with acute hepatitis B or who had the infection in the past must get the hepatitis b vaccine within a span of 12 hours of birth.
Never share a toothbrush, razors, nail clippers with an infected person. Make sure that pregnant woman must get tested for this virus and also blood used for transfusion must be screened for hepatitis.
It is safe to wear latex or plastic gloves while cleaning contaminated instruments which is blood tinged.
Most of the infected adults are able to fight off this virus so that infection is cured. The liver has the potential to heal itself, but an inflammation caused by HBV results in permanent damage.
Children may require treatment due to infection and dental pain. Sometimes the child may need to undergo sedation or anaesthesia. The overall aim is to ensure they receive pain-free and safe treatment. The probability is that there are many aspects to consider. In some dental procedures for children, the child will be required to be in a totally reclined position. There may be some drilling noise which could create anxiety or fear for some children.
Mild sedation is used in adults and older children too. Oral surgeons and dentists can use this type of sedation safely to allow them to perform their work efficiently.
Moderate sedation is used so children experience sleepiness and breathing is normal. Most of the time children do not remember the dental procedures performed by the dentist or oral surgeon.
Deep Sedation includes IV (intravenous medication) which helps the child to sleep properly. The children may find it difficult to breathe, so they make noises sometimes in their semi-conscious state. It is always best to be monitored by an additional qualified professional about the child’s heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation or breathing and rhythm of the heart.
General Anaesthesia is required in both normal and special need children. This anaesthesia is completely pain-free and it allows the child to sleep. The dentists or physicians or professional anaesthetist administer and monitor the child’s condition while the oral surgeon or dentists perform the procedure. Anaesthesia can be given in well-equipped dental clinic or hospital.
Nitrous Oxide is a mild and less invasive. It is well known as laughing gas or a giggle gas. The child feels more relaxed and usually does not sleep because of sedation.
The drugs used for sedation can be administered through various routes including nasal inhalation, oral, intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous are some of the popular ways used depending on the condition of the child, the procedure to be undertaken and required level of consciousness. Sedation of paediatric patients may have associated risk factors such as sleep apnea, airway obstruction, cardiopulmonary impairment, laryngospasm. Patients may face adverse effects after getting discharged from the hospital or dental clinic due to dental sedation. Probably, the adverse events are likely to occur within the first 8 hours but may prolong for 24 hours. Due to the anaesthetic effect, the risk of trauma may arise among the children while chewing and/or biting. It particularly occurs in young children due to their development. The toxicity of dose-related to the local anaesthetic agent is reactions of hypersensitivity independently. All the local complications are the fracture of the needle, IV injection, damage to the nerve, block failure, palsy of facial nerve and infection. Respiratory arrest, seizures, unconsciousness are the effects of the central nervous system.
Question you may ask your dentist.
Who will provide the preoperative evaluation of the child including their past dental and medical history?
What experience does the anaesthetist require to give anaesthesia or sedation which is planned before the procedure?
Does the experience and training of dentists meet all the standards of the authority guidelines while using anaesthesia and sedation?
Do the staff have the training and experience in assisting with sedation for the emergency resuscitation procedures such as health care providers and basic life support for providers?
During and after the procedure.
What is the level of general anaesthesia or sedation as compared to the local anaesthesia used for children in dental procedure?
Are general anaesthesia, or minimal sedation or, deep sedation or moderate sedation used in order to sedate the child?
How will the child be monitored after and during the procedure in the hospital or dental clinic?
What are the appropriate equipment and medications available immediately in case of emergency?
Whether or written emergency plan of response for medical emergencies management is held by the hospital authority?
Will the provider give us the instruction note and the contact information for the emergency in case of complications or concerns by the sedation/anaesthesia after returning back home?
In consideration of the cognitive development of child’s proposed procedure of dental work manages the important aspect of pediatric dentistry and adequate assessment of preoperative procedures are required for the appropriate desired result. It must be advised to parents to keep the child’s mouth clean. There will be fewer chances of failure or option of repeated treatment procedure.
The number of child patients is increasing. They need rehabilitation of dental procedure under general anaesthesia. The dentists will select the appropriate technique based on the child’s characteristics. The knowledge of the paediatric dentist helps to serve quality dental care with safety and comfort for the patient.
Joginder Pal Attri, Radhe Sharan, Vega Makkar, Kewal Krishan Gupta,1 RanjanaKhetarpal, and Amar ParkashKataria Conscious Sedation: Emerging Trends in Pediatric Dentistry, Anesth Essays Res. 2017 Apr-Jun; 11(2): 277–281.
PriyanshiRitwik, BDS, MS,* Linda T. Cao, DDS,† Ronald Curran, DDS,‡ and Robert J. Musselman Post-sedation Events in Children Sedated for Dental Care AnesthProg. 2013 Summer; 60(2): 54–59.
Over time, there is loss of brightness and cracks in the enamel. Teeth also tend to turn yellow and wear away as a result of attrition, erosion or abrasion. With wear, the dentine of the tooth is more and more exposed and can cause hypersensitivity.
With age, the gum loses its elasticity and becomes thinner. These changes make it more susceptible to bacterial infections and loosening (recession) thus helping to bare the roots of your teeth. This exposure of the roots can lead to dentin hypersensitivity.
The bone, for its part, may show signs of resorption thus giving less support and support to the tooth.
Becoming thinner and slimmer, they are more vulnerable to ulcers, trauma and different infections. The ability to heal is also slower.
Saliva has antibacterial and antifungal properties. The older we get, the less saliva we produce. This decrease in salivary flow may result in difficulty swallowing, chewing and digestion, impairing your speech and causing dry mouth (xerostomia). This lack of saliva can also be accentuated by various medications or treatments (radiotherapy), mouth breathing and certain diseases. In addition, xerostomia increases the carious risk.
If you look closely in your child’s mouth, it is possible to notice cracks on the top of the permanent molars and premolars. The presence of these furrows causes food debris and bacteria to accumulate more easily and promote the formation of tooth decay.
Preventative application of sealant inside pits and crevices helps protect the tooth against attack by decay-causing bacteria. For good dental hygiene, we recommend that you combine this process with the daily use of dental floss, as well as regular brushing.
Children’s food contain a lot of sugar, so it is suggested to rinse the mouth and clean the teeth after consumption.
Rinse the toothbrush after each use and let it air dry.
Since bacteria can lodge at the bottom of the toothbrush between the bristles, it is recommended to change it after a high fever or contagious disease.
The supervision of brushing your child’s teeth is desired until age 8, the age at which he will have better dexterity. Despite good supervision, it is essential that you complete the brushing. It is also very important to make sure your child does not swallow fluoride toothpaste to prevent dental fluorosis.
All fluoride products (toothpaste, mouthwash and gels) should not be within your child’s reach and stored in a safe place.