Perception study of relevance of oral biology amongst 1[st] year BDS students, dental house officers and post-graduate trainees in DUHS

Objectives; To investigate the significance of Oral biology course in dentistry amongst 1[st] year BDS, interns and postgraduate students

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Dow University of health sciences from 1[st] April 2015 to 1[st] July 2015

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 75 1[st] year BDS students, 25 house officers and 100 postgraduate trainees of Dow University of Health Sciences. A questionnaire based on a likert scale was distributed among 200 participants. The response rate was 100%. 5 questions were asked with five options

The main focus was to know whether Oral Biology being the basic foundation of dentistry is adequate enough to be taught for one year only. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 22

Results: 65% strongly agreed and 34% agreed that Oral Biology is relevant subject for general dentistry

Whereas 47.5% disagree and 9% strongly disagree that Oral Biology is one of the pillars in dentistry. 68.5% strongly agree and 25% agree that Oral Biology is a building block in medical and dental sciences. 24% agree, strongly agree 12% and remaining 59% were unaware with the fact about the knowledge of oral biology is applicable to clear the aptitude test

Majority of the students agreed that the knowledge of the oral biology is essential for their clinic practice in future [Strongly agree-44% Agree-48.5%]

Conclusion: Oral biology is the relevant subject to the general dentistry

Effect of smoking on C-reactive protein levels in chronic periodontitis

The objective of the study was to compare the effect of smoking on the level of C-reactive protein [CRP] in chronic periodontal disease. The response of periodontal treatment and its effect on the level of the CRP was also observed in both groups. Hundred patients with chronic periodontitis were taken. Smoking history of the patients was assessed and accordingly, they were categorized as: Group A [smokers] and Group B [non- smokers]. Periodontal evaluation was done on every patient and blood samples were collected for noting the levels of CRP. All patients were then given treatment of chronic periodontitis by mechanical removal of calculus as well as prescription of antimicrobials and mouth rinses. Periodontal evaluation and blood samples were repeated three months after the given treatment to check the change in CRP levels. At Baseline, CRP levels of smoker group was more than non- smoker group. Three months after the given periodontal treatment, the periodontal health was significantly improved. Mean CRP level in both smoker group and non- smoker group was significantly decreased. Chronic periodontitis has significant effect on CRP levels. Chronic periodontitis may add to the inflammatory burden of an individual and this can be reverted to some extent if appropriate treatment is given. This response will not be affected by adverse effects of smoking

Socioeconomic status and oral health care attitudes: a snapshot of Karachi based teaching hospital

The objective of the study was to analyze oral hygiene practices amongst population of Karachi based on frequency of dental visits, brushing, flossing, pan chewing, smoking, miswak and its relation with socio-economic background. A questionnaire based study was designed to collect information regarding above mentioned variables in 994 patients at OPD providing dental care in a teaching hospital. Subjects were categorized as: Blue collared, white collared and the small business holders. The study found the statistcally significant relationship between the frequency of dental visits, miswak usage and the pan chewing with the socioeconomic class. The trend of visiting a dentist without complaint was not common as 34% patients in all were visiting a dentist for the first time, 62% visited when needed, 4%visited once a year for general dental checkup without complaint. Tooth brushing was common tooth cleaning method 69% used tooth brush once daily,13% brushed twice daily while 18%never used a toothbrush at all. The use of miswak alone or in addition to brushing in our study was frequently seen, as 43% subjects used miswak daily and 384 subjects were habitual pan chewers who mainly belonged to the blue collared class [P < 0.01]. We conclude that there is remarkable difference in current oral hygiene habits among, socio-economic levels. The low literacy rate in the low socioeconomic class is also a barrier for the development of the health seeking behavior and attitude among the population. This could be improved by the availability of Primary dental health program as part of general health policy