Social and Behavioural Factors Associated with Dental Caries Experience among Adolescent School Children in Bengaluru City, India.

Aim: To assess the influence of social and behavioural factors on dental caries experience among adolescent school children in Bengaluru city, India. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Primary schools of Bengaluru City, between November 2012 and March 2013. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted on 11 year old 814 adolescents attending upper primary schools of Bengaluru city and their parents. Separate interview for adolescent students and parents was conducted on behavioural and social factors respectively. Dental caries was recorded according to WHO criteria using mouth mirrors and CPI probes under natural light. Statistical analysis included descriptive analysis, bivariate analysis using chi-square tests and t-tests. Later the variables were subjected to logistic regression analysis. Results: Dental caries experience of the children studied was associated with social factors such as occupation of the mother (OR=1.9; 95% CI=1.3-2.3), presence of social support for mother during adulthood (OR=2.1; 95% CI=1.4-2.0), possession of television (TV)/computer at home (OR= 1.6; 95%=0.9-3.0); and behavioral factors such as adolescents who consume at least one serving of dairy/legumes/eggs/meat or poultry per day (OR=1.8; 95% CI=0.14-1.32), those who consume sweet snacks >1times in a day (OR=1.42; 95% CI=0.82-1.83). Influence of parents and TV on snacking, tooth brushing frequency and fluoridated dentifrice were also shown to be significantly associated with dental caries experience. Conclusion: Social factors such as occupation of the mother and social support play an important role in shaping the more proximal behavioural habits such as snacking among 11 year old children. These interactions ultimately influenced dental caries experience in this age group.

A comparative study of two mouthrinses on plaque and gingivitis in school children in the age group of 13-16 years in Bangalore city.

Research and clinical evidence indicate that most forms of plaque associated periodontal disease start as inflammatory lesions of the gingiva which if left untreated, may progress and eventually involve and compromise the entire periodontal attachment apparatus of the affected teeth. A study was conducted to assess the effect of a mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine and sodium fluoride on plaque accumulation and gingivitis in comparison with a chlorhexidine mouthrinse alone in a group of school children aged 13-16 years in Bangalore city. This combination along with the well established effect of fluoride in the prevention of caries presents an important contribution to dental public health. The results suggest that the chlorhexidine-sodium fluoride mouthrinse potentially possesses a significant effect on inhibition of plaque accumulation and gingivitis. This combination along with the well-established effect of fluoride in the prevention of caries, presents an important contribution to dental public health.

Oral health status and treatment requirments of confectionery workers in Bangalore city. A comparative study.

The present study was undertaken to assess the oral health status and treatment requirement of cofectionery workers and also to assess the influence of confectionery environment ion their oral health. A total of 502 confectioners were examined and studied under 4 groups, Biscuits gp[107], chocolate gp[160], sweets gp[144] and Bakery gp[91]. Age and sex matched 294 wheat flour workers served as controls. 60.36% of confectioners exhibited caries experience with significantly higher DMFT compared to controls. Among confectioners sweets and chocolate groups had higher caries experience. Increase in caries experience with increase in duration of employment among confectioners were observed. Also confectioners consuming confectionery products more than 6 times/day had significantly higher caries experience than those consuming 0 to 3 and 4 to 6 times/day. Periodontal diseases was significantly higher among confectioners than controls more so in sweets and biscuit groups. Further extensive unmet treatment needs like oral prophylaxis, periodontal therapy, extractions, prosthetic rehabilitations were observed among confectioners.

Oral health status and treatment requirements of hospitalized psychiatric patients in Bangalore city: a comparative study.

The purpose of the present study was to describe the oral health status and treatment requirements and to study the association between dental caries and mental illness in a group of hospitalized psychiatric patients.A total of 326 psychiatric patients were examined and compared with 156 normal persons of comparable age and sex. 75.5% of the psychiatric patients exhibited caries experience with significantly higher DMFT and DMFS compared to the 66% in controls. Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that DMFT was related to age, type of the ward and duration of mental illness. Periodontal diseases were significantly higher among psychiatric patients than controls. Higher proportion of psychiatric patients were suffering from TMJ disorders. Further, extensive dental treatment requirements were observed among these patients.

Meningeal carcinomatosis complicating ovarian malignancy.

A case of meningeal carcinomatosis following ovarian carcinoma is reported. The rarity of this occurrence is highlighted.