Frequency and pattern of oral manifestations and oral hygiene practices among cases with diabetes mellitus in Ajman, United Arab Emirates

To determine the frequency and pattern of oral manifestations in patients with Diabetes Mellitus and to assess factors associated with oral manifestations in patients with Diabetes Mellitus A hospital based study adopted a prospective cross-sectional design. All subjects [both Type I and II] with diabetes, attended department of internal medicine Gulf Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Ajman, UAE. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was designed and used for data collection. Standard methods of systematic sequential examination for any clinical manifestations in respect to infection control using sterile disposable diagnostic instrument, cheek retractors, and periodontal probes. Examination of the oral cavity done to find out any oral lesion and to correlate the symptoms with the signs observed and for periodontal evaluation. The Statistical package SPSS 20 version, with a descriptive and inferential analysis was used. All data will be expressed as frequency and percentage, frequencies and percentage. The level for statistical significance for all hypothesis will be set at a minimum of p < 0.05. A total 404 subjects with Diabetes Mellitus with age ranged from 16-79 years. Majority [42.4%] of the subjects were in the age group 46-60 years, 61.1% were males and 38.9% were females. In regards to diabetes type, 91.4% of the subjects were diagnosed as having type II Diabetes. 32.1% of the subjects were firstly diagnosed at age over 40 years. 76.0% of the subjects had family history of type I and 19.7% of type II, 4.3% had family history without knowing the exact type. In regard to diabetes duration, 76.3% of the patients had diabetes history less than 5 years, on the other hand only 5.3% of the subjects had more than 16 years diabetes history. HbA1c level was less than 7% in 80.8% of the subjects. 30.7% of the subjects were taking insulin injection for diabetes control. Smokers consist 22.6% of the sample. Some diabetic subjects had other systemic diseases in addition, 60 [16.8%] subjects had hypertension also, one of them had Grinspan's syndrome in whom lichen planus found also as a reticular type in both sides buccal mucosa. Halitosis found in 60.65% followed by dry mouth in 59.1%, only 9.8% complain from burning sensation, which is cited in the tongue in 5.5% and in oral mucosa in 4.6% of the subjects. While both recurrent oral ulceration and reticular lichen planus were found in 8 subjects located on buccal mucosa and tongue. Males show frequent oral findings in older age, poor controlled groups had periodontitis. Oral lesions showed no significant relation to the age of the subjects, diabetes type and family history of diabetes. Disturbance of taste sensation shows a significant association with duration of diabetes by using Chi-square test. Diabetes mellitus prevalence has been increasing, it affects people of all ages, both genders. When it's not controlled it can result in systemic and oral manifestations and complications. Prevention and management of diabetes and its oral complications requires proper medical monitoring, life style change, routine professional dental, oral checkups and a rigorous home care

Is cellular phone a source of infection? a hospital based study among dentists in Ajman and Sharjah, UAE

This study was carried out to know the different micro-organisms harboring the cell phones of health care persons working in the dental centre of our hospital and to determine what are the potential pathogenic organisms transmitted via mobile phones. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Samples were collected by rotating the swabs over all the surfaces of cell phones including the mouthpiece, earpiece, keypad, sides and the back, and from Bluetooth, hands free, and external cover of the mobile, one without any sterilization and second sample after decontaminating the cell phone using isopropyl alcohol in the beginning of the day. The swabs were inoculated and streaked onto five per cent sheep blood agar, Mac-Conkey agar and chocolate agar. Sheep blood agar and Mac-Conkey agar plates were incubated aerobically at 37°C for 24 hours. Isolated organisms were processed according to colony morphology and gram stain. Bacteria were identified according to standard protocol [Mackie and McCartney]. Tests for identification of gram positive cocci included catalase, Oxidative/ Fermentative test, anaerobic mannitol fermentation and coagulase production. Tests for identification of gram negative bacilli included catalase, oxidase and other relevant biochemical tests [API 20E]. In the samples taken without prior decontamination, 40% of the samples did not show any growth owing to the sterilization carried out by them at the end of the day. Staphylococcus species dominated the growth in the remaining specimens. Gram positive bacilli, Pantoe species and Enterobacter Cloacae were also found. In the samples taken with prior decontamination at the beginning of the day, 36% of the samples did not show any growth again owing to the sterilization carried out by them at the end of the day. Staphylococcus species dominated the growth in the remaining specimens. Gram positive bacilli, Micrococci and Citrobacter Freundii were also found. Nearly 40% of our samples did not show any pathogenic organisms, due to the cell phones being kept away on a table or inside the bags rather than close to the patient chair and because most of the professionals used some kind of decontamination procedure at the end of the day or at least once in a week. A wider study with increased sample size should be carried out to create awareness among Dentists and other Health care professionals

Is cellular phone a source of infection?-A hospital based study among dentists in Ajman and Sharjah, UAE

Objective: This study was carried out to know the different micro-organisms harboring the cell phones of health care persons working in the dental centre of our hospital and to determine what are the potential pathogenic organisms transmitted via mobile phones

Materials and Methods: An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Samples were collected by rotating the swabs over all the surfaces of cell phones including the mouthpiece, earpiece, keypad, sides and the back, and from Bluetooth, hands free, and external cover of the mobile, one without any sterilization and second sample after decontaminating the cell phone using isopropyl alcohol in the beginning of the day. The swabs were inoculated and streaked onto five per cent sheep blood agar, Mac-Conkey agar and chocolate agar. Sheep blood agar and Mac-Conkey agar plates were incubated aerobically at 37°C for 24 hours. Isolated organisms were processed according to colony morphology and gram stain. Bacteria were identified according to standard protocol [Mackie and McCartney]. Tests for identification of gram positive cocci included catalase, Oxidative/ Fermentative test, anaerobic mannitol fermentation and coagulase production. Tests for identification of gram negative bacilli included catalase, oxidase and other relevant biochemical tests [API 20E]

Results: In the samples taken without prior decontamination, 40% of the samples did not show any growth owing to the sterilization carried out by them at the end of the day. Staphylococcus species dominated the growth in the remaining specimens. Gram positive bacilli, Pantoe species and Enterobacter Cloacae were also found

In the samples taken with prior decontamination at the beginning of the day, 36% of the samples did not show any growth again owing to the sterilization carried out by them at the end of the day. Staphylococcus species dominated the growth in the remaining specimens. Gram positive bacilli, Micrococci and Citrobacter Freundii were also found

Conclusion: Nearly 40% of our samples did not show any pathogenic organisms, due to the cell phones being kept away on a table or inside the bags rather than close to the patient chair and because most of the professionals used some kind of decontamination procedure at the end of the day or at least once in a week. A wider study with increased sample size should be carried out to create awareness among Dentists and other Health care professionals