ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the periodontal status of miswak and toothbrush users of Karachi
Study Design: Observational / Descriptive / cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the OPD Department, Jinnah Medical and Dental College Karachi from 02.05.2015 to 30.09.2015
Materials and Methods: Participants of the study include the students of Madrasah Islamia and patients presenting to OPD of Jinnah Medical and Dental College Karachi for routine dental checkups. We chose purposive sampling for the study. Subjects were selected on the basis of their use of miswak [Group A], use of toothbrush [Group B] and use of Miswak and Toothbrush [Group C]. Each subject was examined using CPITN probe to evaluate gingival bleeding, dental calculus and probing pocket depths of the selected surfaces. Selected surfaces were lingual surface of mandibular anterior teeth and buccal surface of maxillary posterior teeth
Subjects who did not consent to participate in the study were excluded from the study. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis
Results: In group A 40% participants had calculus, 50% had less than 3mm pockets and 20% had more than 3mm pockets. 30% had no gingival pocketing. In group B [brushing only] 4% subjects had calculus and 96% had less than 3mm pockets. In group C [miswak plus toothbrush] 40% had calculus and less than 3mm pockets and 10% of subjects had more than 3mm pocket depth. 50% had no pockets at all. Gingival Bleeding was demonstrated in all groups with Miswak users being 30% and tooth brush users and tooth brush plus miswak users being 10 % each
Conclusion: The periodontai status of all 3 groups was found to be satisfactory but examination revealed that the users of toothbrush only [group B] possess healthier periodontal tissues
ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of myths related to dental health, among medical and dental students of Karachi
Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at three Medical and Dental colleges of Karachi [Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Ziauddin University and Dow university of Health Sciences] from August 01, 2015 to August 31,2015
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire consisting of close-ended questions on prevalence of myths about oral health was distributed among 300 medical and dental students of three different colleges of Karachi. Students from all levels i.e. from the first year till the final year were questioned. Convenient sampling was done. Students who did not consent to participate in the study were excluded from the study. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis
Results: The prevalence of myths regarding extraction of teeth was found out to be 5.6% and scaling was found out to be 26% .Dental students tend to believe more in these myths as compared to medical students despite their educational background. However, the incidence of belief in dental myths decreases with the increase in the level of education
Conclusion: Dental myths are prevalent among all levels of medical and dental students more so among dental students
ABSTRACT
Fagonia cretica L.is traditionally used against many diseases including gastrointestinal and respiratory ailments. The present study reports its minimal inhibitory concentration against bacterial strains, Thus crude methanolic extracts of F. cretica was evaluated against 17 bacterial pathogenic strains and effective only against 17% of bacterial cultures as reflected by Proteus vulgaris, Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus ,saprophyticus which showed minimal inhibitory concentration of 50 microg/ml, 50 |ng/ml and 100 |ig/ml, respectively with possibly due to synergistic actions of chemical composition but selectivity towards M. Luteus and Proteus vulgaris. Further fractionation of F. cretica crude methanolic extracts with hexane, ethyl acetate and water enhanced bactericidal activity [MIC 25 ng/ml] of the respective plant fractions against P. vulgaris. Similar magnitude of response with hexane and ethyl acetate fractions against Salmonella typhimurium were also noted, whereas crude extract was ineffective. A qualitative phytochemical screening revealed that F. cretica methanolic extract coumarins and diterpenes predominates while in water fraction it is saponins and hence are possibly be associated with antibacterial activity. On the other hand leucoanthocyanins and diterpenes were absent. Thus present study provides a scientific rational for medicinal use of F. cretica L. to treat gastrointestinal, urinary tract and respiratory tracts infections in humans. Further studies are required to isolate and identify the active coumarins, diterpenes and saponins-based lead molecules