Candidal colonization, strain diversity, and antifungal susceptibility among adult diabetic patients

Candidal colonization in diabetics is a matter of debate. The aim of this study is to investigate oral candidal colonization, strain diversity, antifungal susceptibility, and the influence of local and systemic host factors on candidal colonization in adult diabetics. We conducted a case-control study that compared 150 diabetics [49 type 1, 101 type 2] with 50 healthy controls. Two salivary samples were collected, using the oral rinse sampling method: one for salivary flow rate and pH determination, and the other for candidal colonization assessment. The candidal isolates were identified and tested in vitro for antifungal susceptibility using the commercial kit, Candifast. The relationship between specific host factors and candidal colonization was also investigated. Diabetics had a higher candidal carriage rate compared to controls, but not density. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species, but diabetics had a variety of other candidal species present. None of the control samples were resistant to any tested antifungal, while the diabetic samples had differing resistances to azole antifungals. Although there was a significant positive correlation between glycemic control and candidal colonization in type 2 diabetics, there was a negative correlation between salivary pH and candidal carriage in the controls versus density in type 2 diabetics. Diabetic patients not only had a higher candidal carriage rate, but also a variety of candidal species that were resistant to azole antifungals. Oral candidal colonization was significantly associated with glycemic control, type of diabetes, and salivary pH

Caries experience and selected caries-risk factors among a group of adult diabetics

To investigate the prevalence of dental caries and selected caries-risk factors among a group of adult diabetics and to determine the impact of sociodemographic, medical history, caries risk factors and oral health behaviors on caries experience. A case-control study was conducted on 150 adult diabetics [Type 1= 49, Type 2= 101] and 50 healthy, sex and age-group matched controls. The data were gathered by questionnaire, clinical examination and laboratory investigations. The diabetics' coronal caries experience based on the DMFT scores was not statistically different from that of non-diabetics. However, by excluding the contribution of missing teeth from the coronal DMF index, the result showed lower diabetics' caries experience due to a lower number of filled teeth [P < .001]. The prevalence of diabetics' current root caries [DT scores] was statistically significantly higher than that of non-diabetics, although there were no statistical significant differences in the root DMFT values between the groups. The diabetics showed significantly higher buffer capacity and lactobacilli counts but similar salivary flow rates and mutans streptococci counts in comparison to controls. The overall results indicated no significant statistical differences in the prevalence of dental caries or caries-risk factors between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. Factors contributing to higher caries experiences among the groups were plausible with current information on caries risk, e.g., high mutans streptococci counts, lower buffer capacity and less brushing frequency. The presence of dental caries is not significantly elevated in most diabetics but a certain subpopulation may be at risk, especially for root caries

effect of socio-demographic factors on the oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior in a female population

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of socio-demographic variables and smoking habits on oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior in a female population. Five hundred twenty-eight mothers responded to a self-administered questionnaire. The results showed that 80.6% of the mothers believed that pregnancy had an effect on their teeth and gums, and more than one-third believed that they lost a tooth for every pregnancy. Working women of older age group and higher education, as well as larger parity and gravidity, indicated the latter attitude more frequently. About 72% of the women believed that pregnancy removed calcium from their teeth and this was a common belief among Saudi women with higher socio-economic status. Two-thirds of the respondents were aware that during pregnancy, their oral health could affect the fetal health and growth, but more than half did not know that tetracycline could affect their baby's teeth particularly among women with low education. In addition, more than half believed that dental visit was needed only when in pain, while 17.3% considered such visit not a necessity particularly those with low education but high parity and gravidity. Relative to mothers' behavior, 65.6% of the respondents took calcium and milk and 65.8% did not change their oral hygiene habits during pregnancy. Most of the women believed that there were "negative effects" of pregnancy on their oral health but nevertheless did not demonstrate adequate and proper concomitant oral hygiene practice and positive attitudes toward dental visits

Knowledge, attitude and behavior about oral cancer, among a group of adult Jeddah population

The purpose of the current study was to assess the level of knowledge, opinion and practice regarding oral cancer [OC], among various sections of Jeddah general population, Saudi Arabia. A sample of 1.080 individuals answered a self-administered questionnaire that investigated three parts related to OC. [1] Knowledge [OCoccurrence, causes, clinical presentation, treatment, sources of information]; [2] Attitude [regular dental visit, capability of the dentist to screen for OC and curability of the disease]; [3] Behavior [OC check up and examination]. The collected data were analyzed and variable relations expressed considering the demographic data, medical status and smoking habit. Results showed that 47.8 percent of the respondents had never heard of OC existence, and most of the others did not know very much about it as reflected by the high percentage of "don't know" answers and incorrect responses. Results also indicated that the greater awareness of OC was among males compared and higher among highly educated individuals [P<0.05]. Television, books and journals as well as the dentist in descending order were the primary sources of the subjects' oral health information. Many participants [84.7 percent] tended to seek care regarding suspicious oral lesions from their dentist and the majority [91.1 percent] agreed that early OC is curable. Only 17.1 percent of the respondents visited dentist regularly every six month for check up and 2.1 percent of the respondents reported that they had OC examination. We concluded that there was extensive misinformation and a general lack of knowledge and positive attitude and behavior among the participants in this study regarding OC and that the best approaches to informing the public on OC prevention and early detection should be planned and is recommended