Influence of volume of dental treatment on self reported oral health of patients visiting university college of dentistry Lahore

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of volume of dental treatment on self reported oral health of patients visiting University College of Dentistry Hospital, Lahore. A cross sectional study of 660 participants was conducted in the Department of Periodontology, University of Lahore from March 2011 to March 2012. An oral examination conducted by calibrated examiners was followed by administering a self complete questionnaire i.e. global oral health transition [GOHT] statement to indicate change in oral health related quality of life [OHRQoL]. A statistically significant greater proportion of people who had received six or more dental services in the past one year had a self-reported improvement in oral health than people who received less or no dental services [p=<0.01]. Of the putative confounders, the presence of oral disease at baseline [p=<0.01], having a treatment need [p<0.01] usually visiting a dentist with a problem [p<0.05] and having a lot of difficulty paying Rs 1000[$10] dental bill [p=<0.01] were significantly associated with oral health staying the same or worsening. Having six or more dental services was significantly associated with greater self-reported improvement in oral health than less than six dental services. Results provide important information to politicians, policy makers and administrators for allocating necessary resources to improve population OHRQoL

Effects of tobacco chewing on oral health status of patients visiting university college of dentistry, Lahore

This cross sectional study was designed to evaluate the effects of tobacco chewing on oral health status of patients visiting University College of Dentistry Hospital of the University of Lahore between October 2011 to March 2012. A purposive sampling of 200 individuals was selected and subjects were divided into 2 groups: tobacco chewers [n=100] and non-tobacco chewers [n=100] age ranged between 18 to 55 years. A structured questionnaire was used to collect history by two calibrated dentists who later examined the oral conditions. A statistically significant difference was found between tobacco chewers and non tobacco chewers with respect to mean values of missing teeth [M] and overall DMFT [p=<0.01]. Thirty eight [38%] percent tobacco chewers had some kind of oral mucosal lesion compared to only 6% oral mucosal lesions of non-tobacco chewers. This association between tobacco chewing and oral mucosal lesions was found to be statistically significant with p=0.000. Tobacco chewers had more calculus, shallow pockets [<4mm] and deep pockets [>6mm] as compared to non-tobacco chewers p=0.000. There was however no significant difference found between tobacco chewers and non tobacco chewers with respect to bleeding on probing p=0.445. The results of study suggest that tobacco chewing causes deleterious effects on oral tissues, teeth and thus enhance the risk of periodontal disease. Strict policies based on common risk factor approach need to be adopted by the health authorities to reduce the burden of general and oral diseases