Oral health status in public school children

This study was aimed to evaluate the oral health status, oral diseases' prevalence in public school children [which represent a section of the majority of our nation's population] and to transcribe these results for assisting and directing oral health education campaign towards these less privileged public schools of Karachi. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 470 students [279 males and 191 females] between 4-19 years of age in a government school in Karachi. A WHO oral health assessment form was filled with heed for each student by a dentist using CPITN probes and other examination instruments in daylight to assess the oral health status and disease conditions of the students. The data were formulated in frequency distribution as pie-charts using SPSS version 15. The oral health status was found unsatisfactory and dental decay was observed in n=287 [61%] participants. Periodontal diseases like calculus, bleeding gums and poor oral hygiene were observed in n=256[54%], n=56[8%] and n= 339[72%] respectively represented the major dental disease finding evaluated from the study group. In view of the results obtained, it can be concluded that the oral health status of children in this school was pitiful with the presence of common dental problems that can be alleviated by directing prompt health promotion policies and campaigns towards such public schools all over Pakistan for spreading education regarding basic oral hygiene method and mechanism

Pattern of third molar impaction: frequency and types among patients attending urban teaching hospital of Karachi

The aims of this study was to determine the frequency and type of third molar impaction between 15 years and above age group of patients attending the outpatient's department of Bahria University Dental Hospital. This is a cross sectional study conducted from January 2012 to November 2013. The subjects were investigated and examined for third molar position, angle and impaction were re-corded. Chi Square test was used to analyze the association of impaction of third molar with respect to gender. A total 169 patients participated in the study; out of which majority were male that is 130 [76.9%] and 39 [23.1%] were females. The overall prevalence of impacted third molar was 169 [26%] with mean age of 29.17 +/- years and [STD] +/- 10.7. Study results showed that majority of the impacted teeth were present in mandible 32 [72.7%] than in the maxilla 12 [27.27%]. Majority of the impacted third molars were present in both maxillary and mandibular arch in the age group of 15-25 years. Furthermore, mesioangular impaction was the most common of all impacted third molars. It is concluded that impacted third molar is predominantly seen in mandibular arch than maxillary. The mesioangular impaction was the most common

Frequency of torus palatinus; a study done in a teaching hospital in Karachi

The objective of the study was to determine the frequency, size and shape of torus palatinus [TP] in a teaching hospital in Karachi. The study further investigated the relationship with age, sex and ethnicity in the study sample. A total of nine hundred and nine [909] subjects were included in the study. The presence or absence of TP was examined by clinical examination and study casts were made for its evaluation. SPSS version 15.0 was used for data analysis. Out of 909 subjects studied, 34[3.7%] had torus palatinus [TP]. The TP was present in 12 [35.3%] males and 22 [64.7%] females. TP was found to be more prevalent in fifth decade of life [23.5%] and was least recorded in the first decade of life [8.8%]. Most of the patients that is 16 [2.4%] showing TP belonged to Urdu speaking community. Out of 34 cases of TP, medium size and spindle shaped tori were more prevalent with a frequency of 15 [44.2%] and 18 [52.9%] respectively

Assessment of oral cavity lesions by the patients through self-examination

There is a significant lack in the awareness of oral cancer and its risk factors among the community. The objective of this study was to determine whether those at risk of developing oral cancer are able to correctly detect oral cancers through mouth self-examination [MSE], if given adequate oral health education. 100 Participants received an oral mucosal examination by the dentist to check the presence or absence of potentially malignant oral lesions, then patients performed MSE after education through a self-read leaflet. Following MSE, participants were requested to complete a brief questionnaire. The prevalence of disease was found to be 34%.The sensitivity of MSE was 70%, and the specificity was 93%. MSE had positive predictive value [PPV] of 77% and a negative predictive value [NPV] was 91%. Mouth self-examination can be used as an effective tool to improve the awareness of oral cancer and for the early detection of lesions

Oral hygiene habits among patients attending tertiary care dental unit

The aim of the study was to find out the oral hygiene habits of students, professionals and domestic staff at Bahria University Karachi Campus and to compare the association between the oral hygiene practices, oral health status, gender, age, educational status and occupation of the study group. Oral mucosal examination was carried out in 872 walk in patients. Oral hygiene Habits were determined by asking type of tooth cleaning devices used for cleaning teeth, frequency of tooth brushing and timings of toot brushing. Caries were detected by the criteria given in 'WHO Oral Health Survey 1981'. Out of 872 patients in out patient department of Bahria Dental Hospital, there were 551 males [63%] and 321 females [37%] with average age of 26 years. 833 [95.5%] used tooth brush, 799 [91.6%] participants brushed once daily or occasionally. Mean DMFT [Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth] of the study group was 1.36. Those who were not cleaning their teeth at all had DMFT 1.87. DMFT increased with increasing age, with p-value of 0.00 which is statistically significant