Effects of surgery duration on post-extraction sequelae following impacted third molar surgery by using two different bone cutting methods; a double blind randomized trial

The objective of this research was to analyze the impact of duration of surgery on post-operative pain and swelling after surgical removal ofmandibular third molars

This study was planned as double blind randomized clinical trial that comprised of 60 patients experiencing unilateral mandibular third molar extraction who were recruited into two groups before surgery on the basis of bone cutting method. The study duration was three months, executed at Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dow International Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. Post-operative complications [pain and swelling] were assessed pre operatively and then on 3rd and 7th day post operatively using visual analogue scale and objective scale for swelling measurement using five anatomical points on face. Surgery duration was divided into two groups, 10-20 minutes group and 20 minutes onwards

Mann Whitney test was used to assess the impact of duration on pain and swelling in both groups. In 10-20 minutes group, mean difference for pain on day one, day 3 and day 7 was calculated with p-value of 0.15, 0.641 and 0.081 respectively while in group having surgery duration of 20 minutes and more, the computed p-value were 0.002, 0.0168 and 0.02 respectively. Mean difference for swelling was calculated in both bone cutting groups with p-value of 0.0916 in 10- 20 minute group and 0.004 in 20 minute onward group

Increasing time duration was associated with more pain and swelling irrespective of the method used for bone cutting. Conventional slow speed hand piece used for bone cutting was associated with less post-operative complications

Socioeconomic status and oral health care attitudes: a snapshot of Karachi based teaching hospital

The objective of the study was to analyze oral hygiene practices amongst population of Karachi based on frequency of dental visits, brushing, flossing, pan chewing, smoking, miswak and its relation with socio-economic background. A questionnaire based study was designed to collect information regarding above mentioned variables in 994 patients at OPD providing dental care in a teaching hospital. Subjects were categorized as: Blue collared, white collared and the small business holders. The study found the statistcally significant relationship between the frequency of dental visits, miswak usage and the pan chewing with the socioeconomic class. The trend of visiting a dentist without complaint was not common as 34% patients in all were visiting a dentist for the first time, 62% visited when needed, 4%visited once a year for general dental checkup without complaint. Tooth brushing was common tooth cleaning method 69% used tooth brush once daily,13% brushed twice daily while 18%never used a toothbrush at all. The use of miswak alone or in addition to brushing in our study was frequently seen, as 43% subjects used miswak daily and 384 subjects were habitual pan chewers who mainly belonged to the blue collared class [P < 0.01]. We conclude that there is remarkable difference in current oral hygiene habits among, socio-economic levels. The low literacy rate in the low socioeconomic class is also a barrier for the development of the health seeking behavior and attitude among the population. This could be improved by the availability of Primary dental health program as part of general health policy

Correlation between innercanthal distance and the mesiodistal width of the maxillary central incisors

Objective: To establish whether a correlation exists between the innercanthal width and maxillary central incisors

Study Design: A Descriptive cross sectional study

Place and Duration: Department of Prosthodontics, Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi and from 15th October 2012 to 25th March 2014

Methodology: One hundred and seventy five dentate individuals with intact maxillary anterior teeth were investigated. The innercanthal space was calculated among the inner canthal angles utilizing computer software. The mean dimension of the two central incisors was determined extra orally at their widest dimension. Teeth measurement and inner canthal distance association in respect to gender was evaluated by paired t test. Pearson correlation coefficients test was premeditated to establish any association amongst innercanthal space and central incisors width, significance was set at a = 0.05

Results: The mean value for male and female subjects was 33.24 +/- 3.4 mm and 34.90 +/- 3.8 mm correspondingly. The mean width of maxillary central incisors for male and female subjects was recorded 15.84 +/- 1.4 mm and 15.92 +/- 1.3 mm. The value [P = 0.000] for both estimations were significant. The Pearson correlation coefficient were positive [r = 0.202] and highly significant [P = 0 .008] between innercanthal dimension and the maxillary central incisors. The results indicated that innercanthal ratio ratio of 1:0.462 may be used to calculate the combined width of maxillary central incisor teeth

Conclusion: Mean of maxillary central incisor width and inner canthal distance were higher in females significantly. The results proposed that innercanthal distance is a good prognostic factor for determining the maxillary central incisors mesiodistal width

Knowledge, attitude and practice concerning infection control measures among dental health care providers of Dow university of health sciences

A cross sectional study was conducted among dental students of Dow International Dental College [DUHS] to find out their level of knowledge, attitude, and practice about infection control measures. If any significant linear correlation was present between the knowledge, attitudes and practice, their scores were observed. Statistical analyses for knowledge, attitude and practice descriptive statistics were computed using the SPSS software for Windows version 17. ANOVA was used to calculate p-value of knowledge, attitudes, and practice values. Pearson's test was used to compute the correlation among knowledge, attitudes, and practice scores. A p value of

perspective on mentoring dental students of Dow international dental college [Dow university of health sciences]: a cross-sectional study

The objective was to determine the perception and the effects on mentors regarding mentoring dental students at Dow International Dental College, Karachi; Pakistan. There was a qualitative research study consisting of 16 mentors, in which data collection was done by questionnaire designing. Study of the close-ended questions showed that the majority of the mentors had 6-10 numbers of mentees [81%], but unluckily they did not have any communication with mentees' parents. However, 50% of the mentors gave chief preference to their mentees. They helped their mentees in communicating with people which they did not find easy to approach [69%].Most of the mentors met their mentees once a week [62%]. All the mentors shared their private phone numbers with their mentees [100%].Majority of the mentors were aware about their mentees' hobbies [69%]. All the mentors guided their mentees in professional advancement [100%]. If mentees showed misconduct or misbehaved with their mentors in any aspect then most of the mentors counseled them [87.5%].Unfortunately half of the mentors believed that by so much of effort on mentoring and supervision, their mentees did not show any enhancement in academics. It was concluded that mentoring program was acknowledged by the mentors to be a prosperous and pleasing approach for educating young dental students

Relationship between diagnostic delay and stage of disease in oral cancer patients

In spite of the belief that cancer mortality can be reduced if lesions are detected, diagnosed and treated at an early stage. There is a concurrent increase in advanced head and neck cancer patients, because of delayed in medical consultations. The objective of this study is to determine an association of staging and diagnostic delay in oral cancer patients. Descriptive study. This study was conducted at the Dow Diagnostic and Research Laboratory [DDRL] of the Ojha campus, Dow University of Health Sciences from Jan 2009 to April 2011. The information is collected from the record files of DDRL of OJHA campus DUHS. Two hundred and seventy nine patients with an oral cancer are included in the study. With descriptive statistics, OSCCC is mostly found at 4[th], 5[th] and 6[th] decades of life, with diagnostic delay of >/= 6 months. OSCC is mostly seen in males than in females whereas; Well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma is a common finding in both males and females, with the largest lesion being size 12 cm in size. Buccal mucosa is a commonly affected site in both genders. OSCC is mostly seen in males than in females. Our findings highlight the importance of early detection and systemized collection of patients verbal statements regarding their initial symptoms of oral cancer site in both genders. OSCC is mostly seen in males than in females. Our findings highlight the importance of early detection and systemized collection of patients verbal statements regarding their initial symptoms of oral cancer

Spectrum of thyroid gland disorders in Karachi-DDRRL experience

To find out the spectrum of thyroid gland disorders in association with age and gender and to identify histological types of thyroid lesions. Descriptive study. This study was carried out at the Department of Histopathology, DOW University [OJHA campus] Karachi from 1[st] Jan 2010 to 31[st] Dec 2011. The specimens were received in 10% buffered formalin and processed as per routine laboratory procedure and then embedded in paraffin for block preparation. The sections were stained with the routine haematoxylin and eosin method and were studied and diagnosed by a consultant histopathologist. Difficult cases were discussed in Departmental Consultation Committee. Total 208 cases were studied, there was a female predominance 184 [88.5%] and among them majorities were in 3[rd] decade of life. Males were 24 [11.5%] commonly seen in 4[th] decade of life. The ages ranged from 15-75 years, mean age is 30 years. Nodular hyperplasia was the commonest thyroid lesion found. The information in the present study may be considered as a baseline data of thyroid diseases in Karachi and a more elaborate prospective study carried out on a large scale in this country will contribute more to make the things clearer