A Comparison of Audio and Audio-Visual Distraction Techniques in Managing Dental Anxiety in Pediatric Patients: A Clinical Study

Background: Pain and fear of pain makes dental treatmentvery difficult for clinician as well as patients. Minimizing fearand anxiety can help to treat patients more comfortably.Various techniques like audio distraction, audio visualdistraction are used to minimize anxiety.Aim: To compare audio and audio-visual distractiontechniques in managing dental anxiety.Methods: 100 children visiting the Department of Dentistry,UPUMS, Saifai for routine dental care were examined. Theselected 100 children were randomly allocated to 2 groups.Group 1: audio distraction and Group 2: audiovisual group.Results: Venham’s anxiety scale was found to be lower inaudiovisual distraction group, although the difference was notfound to be statistically significant during all the visits.Relatively less increase in pulp rate was also observed in audiovisual distraction group in current study.Conclusion: Audiovisual distraction technique can bepreferred over audio distraction in paediatric patients

Prevalence and subtype of Depression and Anxiety Disorders in referred outpatients from Neurology with headache: Neuro-Psychiatry Interface in Headache

Background and Objectives: Headache is an extremely common symptom and collectively headachedisorders are among the most common of the nervous system disorders. Primary headache disorders –migraine, tension headache and cluster headache – constitute nearly 98% of all headaches; however,secondary headaches are important to recognize as they are serious and may be life threatening. The aim ofthis study is to study the prevalence of depression, anxiety and subtypes of depression and anxiety withheadaches, using pertinent clinical test profiles.Methods: A cross sectional survey conducted to study depression and anxiety symptoms in patients withheadache presenting in neurology OPD with study of MRI findings and associated medical co morbidities.Data was collected over a period of 2 months and study setting was at MGM Medical College, NaviMumbai.Results: 32% reported no depressive features, while 36% reported features suggestive of mild depression,18% had moderate depression, 8% had severe depression and 6 % reported to have very severe depression.60% of the patients reported to have mild anxiety while 22% had mild to moderate anxiety and 18% hadmoderate to severe anxiety.Conclusion: Depressive disorders are very common comorbid psychiatric disorders among the patientspresenting with headache followed by anxiety disorders. Female gender is more likely to suffer from anunderlying Depressive or Anxiety disorder. Tension type headache is one of the most common presentationin majority of these patients. Familial stressors, adjustment problems, marital disharmony and financialstressors add to the occurrence of Headache as recurring symptom as it was seen in our study.

Prevalence of Depression in Patients with MDR TB

Background and Objectives: Despite being preventable, treatable, and curable, tuberculosis (TB) remains aleading cause of mortality worldwide, with 95% of deaths occurring in low-income countries. There islimited information on the joint effect of TB and depression on health status of general population. The aimof this study is to assess the prevalence of Depression in patients of MDR TB and to study the demographicconstitution and related factors of the patients with MDR TB.Methods: This study was cross sectional survey conducted to study the prevalence of Depression in patientsof MDR TB referred for psychiatric evaluation. Data was collected over a period of 3 month(July 18 toSeptember 18) and study setting was the outpatient Department of Psychiatry at Mahatma Gandhi MissionsMedical College, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai.Results: It was found that depression was found in 52 % of the patients ranging from mild to moderate andsevere depression using PHQ 9 questionnaireConclusion: Depressive and anxiety symptoms are common among PTB patients, especially those withMDR TB. Screening for depression and other psychiatric illness is essential for identifying patients whorequire further psychosocial assessment and support.

Exploring Neuropsychiatric Interphase in Perinatal Period – A Case Series

Perinatal period spans from conception till one-year post-partum. Pregnancy and post-partum ischaracterised by significant biological changes in a woman’s body including changes in blood pressure,blood volume, coagulability of blood and changes in immunity causing onset or relapse of certain medicaland neurological conditions, which can face diagnostic and treatment challenges during this period. We aimto present a series of 3 cases which presented with psychiatric symptoms but on further evaluation werefound to have neurological diagnosis – Cavernous Venous Thrombosis [CVT], Posterior ReversibleEncephalopathy Syndrome [PRES] & Tuberculoma.

Antimicrobial and plaque inhibitory potential of herbal and probiotic oral rinses in children: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Antimicrobial agents serve as an effective adjunct with mechanical means in plaque control. Chlorhexidine has been the gold standard in the field of dentistry, but these days a growing number of dentists are embracing the philosophy that natural agents are better for children’s oral health, and the focus is shifted toward biogenic agents for oral hygiene maintenance in children. Aim: The aim was to evaluate antimicrobial and plaque inhibitory potential of herbal and probiotic rinses against Streptococcus viridans with commonly used antimicrobial agent like 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 subjects aged between 6 and 14 years and were divided into three groups comprising 20 subjects in each group. Three oral rinses were administered twice daily for a period of 1 week. Estimation of plaque scores and S. viridans counts was done before and after intervention, and the results were statistically analyzed. Results: The change in mean plaque index in Groups A, B, and C was 0.28 ± 0.16, 1.37 ± 0.43, and 0.60 ± 0.35 respectively. Furthermore, change in mean log10 colony forming unit (CFU)/ml of S. viridans in Groups A, B, and C was 0.13 ± 0.06, 0.53 ± 0.17, and 0.22 ± 0.06 CFU/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Based on observations done during the course of study herbal rinse proved equally effective as 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate in reducing S. viridans counts and plaque accumulation after 1 week of intervention, whereas probiotic rinse was least effective. However, long‑term clinical trial with larger sample size needs to be undertaken, especially to evaluate beneficial effects of biogenic agents such as herbal and probiotic rinses.

Miswak: A periodontist's perspective.

Meticulous plaque control on a daily routine basis is the single most important step to achieve good oral health. Herbal chewing sticks, commonly known as Miswak, are among the ancient and traditional oral hygiene aids popular in India, Pakistan, most of the Arabian countries, and several African countries. But nowadays, because of low cost, free availability, unique chemical composition, and spiritual beliefs, miswak is being used worldwide. A large number of studies have proved that miswak is as effective as, or even superior to the present day’s most common oral hygiene aid, i.e., toothbrush. The aim of this review article is to discuss various pharmacological and therapeutic aspects of miswak and also to compare the effectiveness of miswak with modern toothbrushes in terms of oral hygiene practice.