Association of vitamin B12, serum ferritin and folate levels with recurrent oral ulceration

The pathophysiology of recurrent aphthous stomatitis or aphthous ulcers remains obscure but malnutrition is one of its contributory factors. There is some role of vitamin B12, ferritin and folate in the development of these lesions. To determine the relationship between recurrent aphthous stomatitis and levels of ferritin, folate and vitamin B12. This case control study was conducted at Immunoassay lab, NHRC and Department of Dentistry, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. Patients and Sixty patients of all ages and both genders having history of recurrent ulcers over the past period of 3-6 months. Similar number of healthy controls were chosen who were either attendants of the patients or staff of the hospital and did not have any history of aphthous ulcers. Proforma was filled for each participant and 5ml blood was drawn and tested for complete picture blood by Sismex, serum ferritin by ELISA [Biocheck], vitamin B12 and RBC folate by IBL kits from USA. Fifty seven [57] age and gender matched patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers and 57 normal healthy controls were studied. Anemia was present in 24[42.1%] patients and 18[31.6%] controls. Hematocrit levels were normal in 45[79%] patients and 40[70.2%] controls. Low levels of RBC folate was seen in 26[45.6%] patients and 26[45.6%] controls. Vitamin B12 deficiency was present in 29[50.1%] patients and none of the controls. The low levels of ferritin was seen in 6[10.5%] patients and 18[31.5%] controls. Patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers had more hematinic deficiencies, particularly of vitamin B12 as compared to controls

Blood glucose level, salivary PH and oral bacterial count in type 1 diabetic children

Laboratory tests and animal studies have shown a relationship between dental caries and high blood glucose level because of reduction in salivary pH level and the subsequent increase in salivary microbial count. If the acidic environment is left unregulated, it would eventually result in greatly disrupted oral microbial and mineral balance resulting in dental caries and subsequent tooth cavitations. Most bacteria have an optimum pH for growth in the range 6.5 - 7.5 with limits somewhere between 5 and 9. Acidophilic bacteria can grow at a low pH, and such organisms are very important in oral microbiology as the causative agents of caries: Lactobacilli and Streptococcus mutans produce acid as end products of metabolism of dietary sugars, are able to survive and grow in acidic conditions and have been found to have tendency toward higher count in diabetic patients. Subjects with juvenile diabetes are more likely to have higher oral bacterial count as compared to those suffering from adult-onset diabetes mellitus, which accounts for more risk in the progression of oral complications in these patients. No studies have so far been conducted in Pakistan that compares the prevalence of dental caries in diabetic children. This review therefore signifies the scope of such analysis especially in relation to the salivary pH level and salivary bacterial count. Hence, prophylaxis and treatment can be targeted more efficiently to the at risk subjects

relationship of periodontal disease to cardiovascular diseases review of literature

Association of Oral and Systemic diseases has gained importance because the high occurrence of oral diseases is an extremely common source of infection. Epidemiological Studies have presented periodontal diseases as a risk factor for development of cardiovascular diseases. A chronic oral infection such as periodontitis is a constant potential source of infection and has now been considered as a separate risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, peripheral arterial disease and respiratory diseases as well as delivery of low-birth-weight infants. The possible pathways linking oral infections to systemic diseases are metastatic infections, bacterial endotoxins, and systemic vascular injury. People with a history of periodontal disease and/or tooth loss were found at higher risk for Peripheral arterial disease [PAD] as compared to those without periodontal disease and/or tooth loss. All studies on the relationship of periodontal diseases to cardiovascular diseases are inconclusive and most of the data is based on epidemiological studies

Decision-making for a national program of community fluoride use in Pakistan

The use of fluorides for caries prevention is well established. However, a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of fluoride on a community and individual basis is necessary to ensure the efficient use of resources and a maximum reduction in dental caries. It is necessary that appropriate use of fluorides in the local context be identified. This paper discusses appropriate delivery mechanism of fluoride in Pakistan

Retrospective study of facial bone fractures in Lahore, Pakistan

Three hundred and twenty four patients with facial fractures treated between January, to December, 1991 at de'Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore form the basis of this study. Road traffic accidents are the leading aetiological factor. Males were predominantly injured and mandible was the most common bone involved in majority of the cases involving 21-40 year age group. We found that body of the mandible was more commonly fractured than the condylar and sub-condylar regions

Oral health services in developing countries: a case for primary health care approach

A lot is being said on integration of Oral Health into the primary health care frame, but most developing countries still follow the traditional western style for delivery of Oral health care. Although most planners are aware of the fact that the western style of oral health care delivery requires heavy commitment of resources, both financial and in terms of manpower, For countries where mortality rates are high, it becomes impractical to pour scarce resources into a sector where the mortality is low. This discussion paper argues how scarce resources can be directed into providing a comprehensive primary oral health coverage to the population. It argues on the use of auxiliaries in such a system and offers practical suggestions for integration of oral health into the primary health care frame

Prevalence of dental disease and oral hygiene habits of school children in Punjab

The study into the prevalence of dental disease and oral hygiene habits of school children in Lahore, was done as a component of oral health week in March 1990. No such study was done in Punjab prior to this one and the idea was to find out the disease pattern and to co-relate it with the previous surveys. The findings of this survey were similar to the previous surveys and the point of major concern was that 95% of the total score for caries was composed of decayed teeth. Although 93% of the sample population used some method of oral hygiene maintance only 27% had healthy gums

Oral health in Pakistan [II] oral health facilities and manpower

Min. Need: 8.7, 9.4, 9.8, 43.5 -% Demand: 100.0, 80.0, 60.0, 20.0 - Min Demand: 8.7, 705, 5.9, 8.7, 3.5 -%Pop: 3.5, 4.0, 26.0, 16.0. hrs in yrs: 2000.0, 34285.7 missing. Column 11 is the surface to tooth ratio of the caries process while the last two columns denote new filled surfaces and replacement filling surfaces. Table 5 is the calculation summary based on population precentage of each age group [cohort] and a projection of expected precentage of demand to be met for each cohort