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Objective: Chewable toothbrushes (CT) are considered an effective tool for dental plaque removal; however, their effectiveness is still uncertain compared to Manual toothbrushes (MT). Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of CT compared to MT in dental plaque removal. Methods: Studies comparing the efficiency of CT and MT in dental plaque removal measured by Turesky Modification of Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TMQHI), Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (QHI), or Silness Loe Plaque Index (SLPI) were identified in PubMed, Medline Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the CENTRAL. Results and effect sizes estimate are presented as mean difference, and subgroup analysis is presented separately for non?randomised interventional studies and randomised intervention studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (ROBINS?I and ROB2 tool). Results: A total of 10 studies were included in the systematic review, whereas six out of 10 studies were included in the meta?analysis. Both CT and MT were effective in plaque reduction over time when compared individually using the TMQHI and SLPI scores. The overall pooled summary showed no difference in CT and MT’s dental plaque removal ability when measured using the TMQHI score. Similarly, there was no difference in CT and MT’s dental plaque removal ability when measured using the SLPI score. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in CT and MT’s plaque removal ability. Therefore, CT should only be recommended for children and individuals with a disability or manual dexterity.
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Introduction: Early childhood caries (ECC), which results in rapid involvement and progression of several teeth, is a growing concern in preschool children. It directly affects a child’s overall health and quality of life. Aim: To assess the prevalence and determinants of ECC among children enrolled in Anganwadi centres in Bhilai city of Chhattisgarh. Methodology: This descriptive cross?sectional study was conducted among 360 children enrolled in Anganwadi of Bhilai. An oral examination and findings were recorded in ‘dmft’ using the WHO oral health assessment form for children 2013. The mothers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice were determined by a professionally administered 10?item pre?tested short questionnaire with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.86. The data were compiled and analysed using Microsoft Excel vs. 2013 and Statistical Package of Social Science (IBM SPSS version 23; Chicago Inc., USA). Results: The prevalence of ECC was 25.83%, out of which 13.33% in boys and 12.50% in girls. Children of middle school?educated mothers have 35.48% ECC, followed by high school and primary school, that is, 24.73 and 23.66, respectively. Mothers who assisted the children in tooth brushing have less prevalence of ECC (8.15%) as compared to non?assisted (17.8%) (P = 0.044). Conclusion: Although mothers’ knowledge was appreciable regarding reasons for tooth decay, still 1/4th of the children were found to be affected by ECC. This necessitates the importance of regular/periodic screening campaigns for the children, implementing institutional preventive programmes, and referral for children to secondary/tertiary healthcare centres.
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Recent decades have witnessed the emergence of many airborne diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome, and COVID-19, which have highlighted the importance of effective ventilation in residential, work, or hospital premises. Ventilation which plays an essential role in reducing or diluting the airborne contaminants. However, it is not always easy to achieve by natural ventilation as it depends on many other factors such as temperature and climatic conditions. (wind velocity, wind direction, and housing pattern/design). Horizontal unidirectional airflow (HUAF) is one such method that can be achieved at low cost and can reduce cross-infection of COVID-19 to much extent. Hence, this narrative review aims to bring some insight into what is HUAF, how it can be achieved, and what are its possible implications in preventing COVID-19 transmission.
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Background: Oral mucous membrane is an integral part of the complex oral cavity which is associated with maintenance of oral as well as general body health. Oral mucosal lesion (OML) is one of the most prevalent diseases in India, which is caused by consumption of smokeless and smoked forms of tobacco. Aim: To assess the prevalence of OMLs and their association with pattern of tobacco use among patients visiting dental institution in Bhilai. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 872 participants who visited the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Rungta College of Dental Science and Research, and fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and the study was carried out from July to September 2016. Self-designed proforma was used for recording demographic details, and WHO Assessment Form for Oral Mucosal Diseases was used to record the tobacco use status and findings of the clinical and laboratory investigation. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 23, and the mean, frequency, and percentage were calculated. Results: Among the 872 participants, 69.26% were male and 30.74% were female. The mean age of the study population was 46.19 ± 12.33 years. The prevalence of tobacco use among study participants was 51.26% and that of the OML was 36.36%. Aphthous ulcer was the most prevalent OML followed by oral submucous fibrosis and leukoplakia. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the harmful effects of tobacco use toward oral mucous membrane and also serves as a path for future tobacco cessation programs that would be helpful to prevent OML.
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Background: The oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14) scale developed originally in English has been translated from time to time in different languages revealing to be valid and reliable instruments. Aim: The present study was carried out with an aim to translate and validate Hindi Version of OHIP-14 instrument among geriatrics to measure the oral health-related quality of life. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which employed 400 individuals aged 60 years and above who were residents of Durg, Chhattisgarh India. Participants were selected through convenient sampling method. The English version of the OHIP-14 was translated into Hindi, pretested and subsequently administered to the participants by a trained interviewer. Each patient signed informed consent and responded to the Hindi version of the questionnaire. Result: Cronbach's alpha of the translated scale was 0.89–0.90 when words were deleted individually. Comparison of English and translated Hindi version of OHIP-14 by unpaired t-test showed no significant difference (P = 0.562). Pearson correlation coefficient test showed very strong positive correlation (0.892). Furthermore, a very strong positive correlation was observed between the recorded OHIP-14 scores and Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) scores of examined geriatric individuals (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.952 and P = 0.001). Conclusion: The Hindi translation of the OHIP-14 is a valid and reliable instrument to measure the oral health-related quality of life in older adults of India.
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Introduction: From ancient times, plants with medicinal values are being tested and used in the treatment of various infectious diseases. Aims and Objectives: The present in vitro study was designed to assess the antifungal activity of three commonly available medicinal plants Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ficus religiosa, and Plantago major on inhibiting oral Candida albicans in comparison to standard antifungal agents. Materials and Methods: Bark of G. glabra, stem of F. religiosa, and husk of P. major were collected, crushed into fine powder, and dissolved in 67% ethanol. Extracts were subjected to antifungal efficacy test against oral C. albicans (ATCC 66027) using Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Mean zone of inhibition (ZOI) was measured by HI antibiotic zone scale. One‑way ANOVA using Tukey’s post hoc and t‑test were applied for statistical analysis. Results: G. glabra was found to be most effective among the three with highest mean ZOI measuring 19.8 ± 0.83, 19.4 ± 0.54, and 18.2 ± 1.09 at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Tukey’s post hoc test showed statistically nonsignificant difference between antifungal activity of F. religiosa and P. major with itraconazole 10 mcg. Conclusion: G. glabra, F. religiosa, and P. major showed acceptable potency against C. albicans (ATCC 66027) comparable to that of synthetic antifungal agents. However, further studies should be undertaken to affirm the same and test their efficacy in different concentrations and clinical utility.
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Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is glucose intolerance which begins during pregnancy. Few studies have examined the association between periodontal disease and GDM. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the association between periodontal disease and GDM. Materials and Methods: The study population comprised ninety patients, out of which thirty were cases and sixty were controls. All cases underwent a laboratory screening test for GDM between 24 and 30 weeks of gestation based on the recommendation of the obstetricians and gynecologists. To assess the periodontal status, a full‑mouth periodontal examination assessing the probing depth, periodontal depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, and gingival recession was performed on all study participants by a single trained examiner. Tests for associations were performed using Chi‑square statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: None of the periodontitis conditions was found to be a significant predictor of GDM. In GDM patients, 70% of females were having periodontal disease whereas non‑GDM patients 77% of patient had periodontal disease. Conclusion: The present study did not show any positive association between periodontal disease and GDM.
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Introduction: From ancient times, plants with medicinal values are being tested and used in treatment of various infectious disease. Aims and Objectives: The present in vitro study was designed to assess the antimicrobial activity of three commonly available medicinal plants Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ficus religiosa, and Plantago major on inhibiting Primary plaque colonizers and periodontal pathogens. Materials and Methods: Bark of G. glabra, Stem of F. religiosa, and husk of P. major were collected, crushed into fine powder, and dissolved in 67% ethanol. Extracts were then subjected to test antimicrobial efficacy against primary plaque colonizers and periodontal pathogens using Kirby‑Bauer disc diffusion method. Mean zone of inhibition (ZOI) was measured by HI antibiotic zone scale. One‑way ANOVA using Tukey’s post hoc and t‑test were applied for statistical analysis. Results: G. glabra was found to have potential antibacterial activity against primary plaque colonizers and periodontal pathogens with highest mean ZOI measuring 9.2 ± 1.09 mm and 10.6 ± 0.54 mm at 24 h, respectively. F. religiosa showed antibacterial activity against primary plaque colonizers only at 48 h with mean ZOI of 2.6 ± 0.54 mm. P. major showed no antibacterial activity against any of the microorganism in this study. Tukey‘s post hoc test showed statistically nonsignificant difference between G. glabra and standard antibiotic (vancomycin 10 mcg) for periodontal pathogens. Conclusion: G. glabra and F. religiosa showed antibacterial activity against primary plaque colonizers and periodontal pathogens. However, further studies should be undertaken to affirm the same and test their efficacy in different concentration and clinical utility.