title: Microbiological evaluation of salivary Streptococcus mutans from children of age 5-7 years, pre- and post-atraumatic restorative treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to monitor Streptococcus mutans (SM) counts in saliva of children aged 5-7 years old over a period of 6 months with the subsequent use of Fuji IX, glass ionomer cement in atraumatic restorative technique (ART).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred children were selected to receive ART using Fuji IX glass ionomer cement. Caries status was recorded using DMFT index (WHO 1997) and revaluated after 6 months using DMFS index (WHO 1979). Saliva was collected for microbiological assessment of SM count on four occasions, baseline, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after ART approach. The results of the microbiological tests were statistically analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney rank test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed a significant reduction of SM levels in saliva immediately 1 week following the ART approach with mean SM counts of 1.5763 (10(6) CFU/ml) and 1.1286 (10(5) CFU/ml) pre- and 1 week post-ART, respectively. Reduction in the SM count was seen in 89.47% of children after 1 week of ART treatment. The mean SM count after 1 month and 6 months post-ART was 1.4814 (10(6) CFU/ml) and 1.4722(10(6) CFU/ml), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded from the results that the ART technique was successful in reducing the SM counts in saliva significantly for a period of 1 week post treatment. Although the mean SM counts remained less than the baseline after 6 month evaluation, a trend toward re-establishment of SM to the baseline count was noticed.
authors: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere, Karnataka - 577 004, India.
authors: N M
authors: NM
authors: Roshan
authors: Anand L
authors: AL
authors: Shigli
authors: Shobha D
authors: SD
authors: Deshpande