relationship of caries with oral hygiene status and extra-oral risk factors

Dental caries is a lifetime disease, with highest priority risk group between 11-14 years of age group. Environmental factors such as culture, socioeconomic status, life style and dietary pattern can have a greater impact on caries-resistance or development. The present study was performed to evaluate the relationship between dental caries, oral hygiene status and risk factors among students. Oral examination was performed in 242 adolescent between 11 and 14 years to check decayed, missing and filled teeth [DMFT] index and simplified oral hygiene [OHI-S] score. A questionnaire was distributed to gather data concerning external modifying risk factors such as socioeconomic status, oral hygiene practices and snacking habits. Average DMFT was found, 3.27 and OHI-S score was fair in majority of students. DMFT in 67.77% of students fell between 0 and 3. The prevalence of caries is significantly higher in female students as compared to their male counterparts. The major component of the DMFT was the untreated decay [D] in both genders. Half of the students claimed to be familiar with the benefits of fluoride and use toothbrush before bedtime. 16.1% of the subjects were aware of a badbreath problem. Caries experience was significantly inversely related to socio-economic status whereas strongly correlated with frequency of sugar intake and frequency of snacking in between meals. No relationship was found between OHI-S and DMFT

Relationship between maternal periodontal disease and preterm birth/low birth weight: a pilot study from United Arab Emirates

This study was conducted to elaborate the association between maternal periodontal diseases and preterm and low birth weight by excluding the possible known risk factors. Pregnant women, who received regular prenatal care and delivered in Fujairah Hospital, UAE during the year 2007. Study group comprised of women who delivered babies below 37 weeks of gestation and/or body weight below 2,500 grams. Control group was age, and socio-demographic data-matched women who delivered babies over 37 weeks of gestation and body weight over 2,500 grams. Their age ranges between 18-40 years. The mean age of the study group was 26.8 yrs and control group was 28.1 yrs. Clinical examination was performed within 48 hours after delivery Oral hygiene and gingival status, probing depth and clinical attachment level were measured. Statistical analysis: The Fisher Exact test was used to analyze the correlation between the two variables. The prevalence of chronic periodontitis varied among the two groups. Periodontitis was present in 3 out of 20 women in the control group, whereas 7 out of 20 in the study group had periodontitis. Although statistically there was no significant relationship found between maternal periodontal disease and preterm and low birth weight infants but clinically periodontal diseases were more common in the study group. Maternal periodontitis may not be a causative factor for pre term birth and low birth weight

Rapidly progressive periodontitis case report and review of treatment considerations

A case of rapidly progressive [R.P.] Periodontitis is presented in a patient referred for the evaluation and treatment of severe, rapid bone loss. The physically healthy patient had oral pocketing of 5 to 10 mm. Initial Plaque index score was 70%. Generalized horizontal osseous defects were found in the radiographs. A diagnosis of Rapidly Progressive Periodontitis was made and treatment given. Satisfactory results were obtained three months after the completion of therapy. Current treatment regiemens are reviewed. Therapeutic effects of surgical treatment along with antibiotic therapy are proposed

Immuno suppression-therapy induced-gingival hyperplasia

Occurence of gingival hyperplasia along with the plaque index, gingival index and bleeding index scores of 54 renal transplant recipients and 52 chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis were evaluated. Renal transplant receipients were on an immunosuppression [I.S.] therapy regimen since the time of transplantation and had a stable renal function during the last three months. No significant differences could be found between the two groups regarding plaque index, gingival index, bleeding index scores and gingival hyperplasia. Among the 44 patients on cyclosporin therapy gingival hyperplasia was observed in 14 patients. Gingival hyperplasia could not be noticed in any of the patients on azathioprine therapy. There was a significant corelation between the occurence of gingival hyperplasia and the plaque index scores in patients receiving cyclosporin therapy. The incidence of gingival hyperplasia seemed to have no significant correlation with the duration of I.S. therapy. Our result showed gingival hyperplasia in 31.82% renal transplant recipients receiving cyclosporin therapy