Effective factors on oral health behaviors of 12-year-old children in cities and villages of Iran: a path analysis

Statement of the Problem: Oral and general health status depends on several factors such as the individual's personal attributes, behaviors, and perceptions

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting the oral health-related behaviors in 12-year-old children

Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was based on the data obtained from 1554 students being 12 years old and from five provinces in Iran. The data were collected with a culturally adapted questionnaire about the students' demo-graphic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practice [KAP]. Path analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of these factors on oral health-related behav-iors in urban and rural areas

Results: Based on the findings, 61.1% of the samples resided in urban and 38.9% in rural areas. The mean scores were relatively good for knowledge [74.1+/-21.1%] and attitudes [72.6+/-21.1%], but unsatisfactory for oral health practice [51.8+/-12%]. Having measured the correlation between the independent variables and oral health-related behaviors, the province of residence and the parents' education and job had the most significant correlations. Behavioral biases were seen in all dimen-sions of practice such as brushing habits, dental visits, and diet. In urban areas, 30% and in rural areas 49% of oral health behaviors were directly related to knowledge and attitudes. All of the calculated effects exhibited significant differ-ences from zero [p< 0.0001]

Conclusion: Path analysis identified some direct and indirect factors influencing the children's oral health-related behaviors. Factors included in this model could only justify a part of oral health behaviors. Thus, other educational models should be considered based on the psychology or social learning theories

[ study of seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and behavioral factors in HIV patients referred to the consultation clinics of Tehran behavioral diseases health center]

Background: The patients who have human immunodeficiency virus, are susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumors due to disease progress and their immune system suppression. Early diagnosis and suitable management of these patients can decrease their mortality and morbidity. Present study was performed for determination of prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C and high risk behavioral among HIV patients

Methods: Present cross sectional study was performed on 481 HIV patients in consultant clinic of behaviors disorders of west Tehran hygiene center at September 2014. Demographic and behavioral data and serum viral hepatitis B and C measurements in participated patients were gathered in the study checklist

Results: Among 481 HIV patients, 331 [68.8%] and 32 [6.6%] patients had hepatitis C and B co-infection and ninety-three patients had only HIV infection. Co-infection of HCV and HBV infection were diagnosed in 25 [51.9%] HIV patients

Conclusion: There were significant association between high risk behaviors with HCV infection and drug abuse, common syringe use with both of HCV and HBV infection among HIV patients

Clinical, radiographic, and histologic evaluation of regional odontodysplasia: a case report with 5-year follow-up

Regional odontodysplasia is a developmental anomaly that affects the primary and permanent dentitions. This disorder is generally localized in only one arch and its etiology is still unknown. Clinically, the affected teeth have an abnormal morphology and are typically discolored. Radiographically, these teeth show a ghost-like appearance. This paper reported the results of radiographic, histologic and laboratory findings about the case of a 5-year-old girl presenting this rare anomaly. Her familial history was negative for any genetic anomaly, regional odontodysplasia or other dental anomalies. The patient's general health was good and no congenital or acquired disease was reported. She was kept under follow-up care until she reached the age of 10 years. Panoramic radiograph showed the involvement of permanent teeth on the right maxillary quadrant. The affected edentulous quadrant was rehabilitated with temporary acrylic maxillary partial denture. The presentation of this case would hopefully have valuable information for pediatric dentists to review the clinical and radiographic features of regional odontodysplasia, yet expediting the diagnosis and treatment of patients with this condition

Xerostomia after radiotherapy and its effect on quality of life in head and neck cancer patients

Xerostomia is one of the one complications following radiotherapy that can affect quality of life [QoL] This study aims to assess the severity of xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancers after radiotherapy and its effect on QoL. In this longitudinal prospective study, the severity of xerostomia and related QoL was assessed in 63 head and neck cancer patients who referred to the Radiotherapy Ward. Patients completed a xerostomia questionnaire [XQ] at the beginning, and 2, 4, and 6 weeks after treatment over a period of 6 months. Additionally, unstimulated saliva was collected using the spitting method at all 4 visits. QoL significantly worsened with increased time [P = 0.0001]; meanwhile, the severity of xerostomia increased significantly [P = 0.0001]. However, there was no significant change in the amount of saliva at these 4 time points [P = 0.23]. Regression analysis showed that with each milliliter decrease in saliva secretion, the QoL score decreased 2.25%. With one score increase in xerostomia, from the QoL mean score there was a 1.65% decrease. The decrease in saliva and xerostomia that resulted from radiotherapy plays an important role in worsening QoL among patients who undergo radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Although the amount of saliva has a significant association with QoL, the xerostomia score which shows subjects' general feeling also independently impacts QoL. In future studies, we recommend patient assessments for periods longer than 6 months

[In vitro Comparison of antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic effects of Listerine and Irsha mouthwashes]

Irsha is an Iranian sample of Listerine mouthwash. To date biologic effects of Irsha and Listerine have not been compared. This study compared the antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of Listerine and Irsha mouthwashes. In this in vitro study, antimicrobial effects of 5 dilutions of Irsha and Listerine, on the 0.5 MacFarlnd concentrations of five bacterial strains [Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus Sangius, Enterococcus Fecalis, Candida albicans and Escherichia coli] were assessed at different times. Each test was repeated three times, with distilled water as control. For cytotoxic effect, more than 100000 cells of KB [epithelial cell], J774.A1[macrophage], Saos-2 [osteoblast] and MRF [fibroblast] were cultured and incubated for 72 hours in different dilutions of the two mouthwashes [0.5, 1, 5, 10%]. After incubation, the cells were washed and stained with MTT for 45 minutes. The results were recorded with ELISA READER and analyzed with SPSS 18 software, using ANOVA, Tukey test and one-way ANOVA. Statistical significance was defined at p value < 0.05. The cytotoxic effects of various dilutions of Listerine and Irsha mouthwashes were not significantly different [p value > 0.05]. In terms of antimicrobial activity, in dilutions of 100% and 50% of Listerine none of the five bacterial strains grew. However, at the same dilutions [100% and 50%] of Irsha, only three strains did not grow. According to the results, antimicrobial activity of Listerine is probably better than Irsha, but cytotoxic effects of Listerine and Irsha mouthwashes were not different

digital stereomicroscopic study of the furcation wall thickness of mesiobuccal roots of maxillary first and second molars

This study aimed to compare the thickness of the mesiobuccal furcal canal watts of first and second maxillary motes. This study was performed on total of 30 first and second extracted molar teeth [15 each]. The mesiobuccal roots of each tooth were separated at the cement-enamel junction [CEJ] level and embedded in acrylic resin. The embedded roots were cut horizontally at two and four mm below the CEJ using a 0.20 mm blade [overall three sections CEJ, two and four mm below]. Next, photographs of all the horizontal sections were taken using a digital stereomicroscope with identical magnifications [x20]. Using the photographs, two independent observers measured and recorded the minimal thickness from the canal wall of the first mesiobuccal [MB1] and the second mesiobuccal [MB2] canals to the furcation area. Data analysis was performed by repeating the measurement Analysis of Variance. The analysis was completed by making paired comparisons using the Bonferroni alpha adjustment method. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. In maxillary first molars, the mean [ +/- SD] thickness of the canal furcal wall MB1 in three sections were significantly higher than thickness of the canal furcal wall in MB2 [P<0.05]. However there was no statistical difference between the mean [ +/- SD] thickness of the canal furcal wall in the three sections [CEJ, 2 and 4 mm below] of maxillary second molars MB1 and MB2 canals. Only the maxillary first molars demonstrated significantly lower furcal canal wall thickness [FCWT] values in the MB2 canals. Maxillary second molars MB canals did not demonstrate Statistical difference in FCWT values

[ frequency of oral candidal infection in Kerman dental clinics]

This investigation was designed to evaluate the frequency of oral candidosis in patients of Kerman dental clinics. In this descriptive - analytical study, 318 patients were evaluated for oral candidosis. The diagnosis of candidosis was established by clinical signs in conjunction with exfoliative cytologic examination. The statistical tests were included chi - square, t test and fisher's exact test. This study showed that 21.4% [68 out of 318] of the study population had candidal infection. There was a significant correlation between sex, age, cigarette smoking, burning sensation of the mouth and wearing of complete denture with candidosis [P<0.05]. Cytologic smears were positive in 87.4% of the study population. Positive cytologic smears were found in 63.5% of patients without suspected clinical signs of candidosis. Since some candidal strains may have the potential to promote the development of oral cancer, the relative high frequency of candidosis in this study should be noticed. As cigarette smoking and denture wearing were associated with the candidal infection, public information about the importance of regular rinsing of the appliance with a dilute solution of household bleach and harmful effects of cigarette smoking should be raised. Meanwhile this study confirms that the presence of hyphae in oral cytologic smears alone not to be considered as a criterion for diagnosis of candidosis