A comparison of the antimicrobial efficacy of silver diamine fluoride and silver nitrate on various cariogenic bacteria: an ex vivo study By: Reham AlNajjar, D.D.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2019 Thesis Advisor: William Dahlke, D.M.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry Purpose: The use of silver-based antimicrobials is an emerging method for the treatment of dental caries. In this study, the authors compare the efficacy of the two most prominent silver- based therapeutics, silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and silver nitrate (AgNO3), on cariogenic and non-cariogenic multispecies biofilms. Currently there is a lack of studies comparing the efficacy of SDF to AgNO3. Methods: Plaque samples from anterior and posterior tooth sites from children presenting both with early childhood caries and caries-free children were collected, pooled, and utilized to create four ex vivo biofilm systems in artificial saliva. SDF and AgNO3 were administered to these biofilms and bacterial survival was quantified and compared to untreated controls. Results: Each of the four pooled sample types was applied to plates coated in artificial saliva + 1% sucrose. Both SDF and AgNO3 were very effective against plaque derived biofilms when compared to untreated biofilms (P0.05) in the potency of each compound. Conclusions: SDF and AgNO3 significantly inhibit ex vivo cariogenic and non-cariogenic biofilms at similar levels.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report the distribution of procedures provided to Virginia Medicaid children by three types of dental providers in rural and urban areas. Methods: Medicaid claims filed for dental patients younger than 21 were obtained and analyzed for fiscal years 1994 and 1995. Dental providers were categorized according to their practice type: general practice (GP), pediatric (PD) and public health (PH) dentists. Each type of practice was categorized as practicing in a Metropolitan, Urban, Rural or Completely Rural location and evaluated for percentages of preventive, diagnostic, and corrective services provided.Results: The number of procedures was shown to differ depending upon: year, practice type, location, significant provider status, and the type of procedure.Conclusion: General, pediatric and public health dentists in Metropolitan and Urban areas perform slightly more diagnostic services and much less corrective services than practitioners in more rural areas.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study the association between Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life as assessed by “The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale” questionnaire. Methods: Parents of healthy children (ASA I and II) ages 1-5 with early childhood caries with reversible pulpitis who had application of SDF filled out a questionnaire at baseline and again after one month. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate the child’s behavior, physical abilities, pain, temperament, and how well the child gets along with others. Results: Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to determine if responses to various ECOHIS items and the total scores were different between the two time points. Conclusion: Children with dental caries who had application of SDF reported less dental pain, less eating problems, higher quality of sleep and overall higher quality of life at one-month follow up compared with the baseline.