Serum levels of ferritin, iron and total iron binding capacity in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is the most common oral disease yet despite its high prevalence, the etiological factor [s] of this ulcer is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of ferritin, iron, and TIBC in patients with RAS. This case-control study was performed on 40 patients with RAS and 40 healthy people [control group]. They were screened through laboratory tests for the indices mentioned above. The data was analyzed by SPSS, chi-square and t-tests. Of 40 patients, 25.6% were found with ferritin deficiency compared to 7.5% of control group [p<0.05] however, no significant difference for other indices were observed. Low ferritin level in patients with RAS is suggesting a relation between RAS and ferritin deficiency

Evaluation of median rhomboid glossitis and oral Lichen planus in patients with diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is one the most common endocrinopathies with many oral manifestations. Diabetic people form a large group of patients visited by dentists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the MRG and OLP in patients with diabetes types 1 and 2. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out on a total of 428 patients including 148 cases with diabetes type 1, 124 with diabetes type 2 and 156 as control group in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2001-2002. The study population was selected according to the selection criteria followed by oral examinations and completion of a questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS soft ware, chi square and Fisher's exact tests. The prevalence of MRG in patients with diabetes types 1 and 2 and in control group was 4.2%, 3.2% and 1.2%, respectively [P < 0.0]. Also, the prevalence of OLP among the two diabetic groups and the control group was 4.7%, 4%, and 2%, respectively [p > 0.0]. Based on our results, there was a statistically significant difference between MRG and diabetes but no such relationship between OLP and diabetes was established

Evaluation of unstimulated salivary flow rate and oral symptoms in menopausal women

The aim of the present study was to evaluate unstimulated salivary flow rate and oral symptoms in menopausal women. A total of 200 individuals including 100 women in their menopause [case group] and 100 men in the same age range [control group] participated in this analytic descriptive investigation. None of the patients were being treated for any systemic disease or taking any medication. Unstimulated salivary flow rate was measured using the spitting method and the prevalence of oral symptoms was evaluated by filling out a questionnaire. The results were analyzed with ANOVA, chi-square and Student's t-test [P<0.05]. The average of unstimulated salivary flow rate was 0.127 ml/min [SD=0.057] in women and 0.214 ml/min [SD=0.105] in men. The prevalence of dry mouth was 50% versus 32%, difficulty in eating dry foods 31% versus 8%, burning sensation in oral mucosa 3% versus 0%, taste reduction, 4% versus 2% and bitter or metallic taste 16% versus 8% in female and male subjects, respectively. A significant difference in salivary flow rate and prevalence of oral symptoms was found between the two groups [P<0.05]. Reduced salivary flow rate and a high prevalence of oral symptoms in menopausal women may be related to the hormonal alterations that occur during this period

Oral manifestations and salivary alterations in patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

Salivary alterations in patients with End-stage Renal Disease [ESRD] may result in dental and oral problems. To determine oral manifestations and salivary alterations in patients with ESRD. This case-control study was performed on 20 ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis and 20 control subjects. Salivary concentrations of urea and calcium and pH level were measured for all subjects. Moreover, paleness of the skin and oral mucosal, symptoms of xerostomia, halitosis, uremic stomatitis, taste sensitivity and radiographic changes were studied. There was a significant difference [p<0.05] in the average value of salivary urea concentration between two groups [48.7 mg/dl in patients' group and 14.85mg/dl in control group]. Also a meaningful statistical difference [p<0.05] was noted while comparing the level of salivary pH between two groups [7.905 in patient group and 6.64 in control group]. Statistically, no significant difference for calcium concentration between two groups was found. The majority of patients [95%] had signs of skin and mucosal paleness and 80% complained of xerostomia while there was no sign of such symptoms in control group. There were also meaningful differences in intensity of halitosis and urmic stomatitis between the two groups [p<0.05]. ESRD can lead to an increase in the level of salivary urea, pH, xerostomia, skin and mucosal paleness, and also results in halitosis and uremic stomatitis

Evaluation of clinical skills in Qazvin faculty of dentistry through the students and teachers' points of view

Reviewing our present educational discipline will allow us to design a useful plan for improving the efficiency of dental education group. To determine the present practical training through the opinions of the dentistry students and teachers. In this descriptive- periodical study, 60 students and 24 teachers filled a questionnaire. The first questionnaire dealt with the demographic information of respondents and next seven with educational planning, the duration of training, equipments, facilities and effectiveness in the training sites. This study revealed that the students had evaluated the planning of training courses as medium [43/3%,], the participating in group talking as weak [63/3%], but their lecturers believed the planning of training course to be good [50%] and the student's intergroup activities as weak [46%]. The efficiency of the pediatric dentistry [52%], oral medicine ['50%,],Radiology, oral pathology and operative dentistry wards [48/3%] were assessed good, the same of prosthodontics [50%], oral surgery [48/3%], periodontics [60%] and endodontics wards [43/3%,] were assessed medium and of the orthodontics ward [50%] as weak by students. Regarding the results, the necessity of marking some revision in practical education of dentistry and increasing dental equipments and facilities in practical sites, seems evident