The importance of oral health during pregnancy: a review / A importância de saúde oral durante a gravidez

ABSTRACT Pregnancy is a transient physiological state which brings about different hormonal changes in a woman's body. These effects are generalized and there are various oral changes as well. There are a number of especially important alterations in the periodontal conditions within the oral cavity. These changes have important implications as they have been known to cause adverse pregnancy outcomes. Better knowledge about these scenarios among health care professionals and women would go a long way toward avoiding or minimizing these adverse outcomes. Health education is an important tool in creating awareness among pregnant women regarding improvement of their oral health. Awareness among the health professionals and good inter-departmental collaboration would help toward a more efficient treatment of these pregnancy related conditions.

RESUMO A gravidez é um estado fisiológico transitório que produz uma série de alterações hormonais no corpo da mulher. Esses efeitos são generalizados e incluem várias alterações orais. Uma destas afeta condições periodontais. Essas mudanças têm implicações importantes, pois sabe-se que causam resultados adversos na gravidez. Um melhor conhecimento sobre esses cenários entre os profissionais de saúde e entre as mulheres seria um passo importante para evitar ou minimizar tais resultados adversos. A educação para a saúde é uma ferramenta importante na conscientização das mulheres grávidas em relação à melhoria da saúde bucal. A consciência entre os profissionais de saúde e a boa colaboração interdisciplinar ajudaria a efetivar tratamento mais eficiente dessas condições relacionadas à gravidez.

Developmental anomalies affecting the morphology of teeth - a review

Introduction:The development of tooth is a complex process wherein there is series of interactions between the ectoderm and ectomesenchyme. The role of genes in determining the shape and form of a specific tooth has already been defined, the alterations in which can lead to a variety of anomalies in regards to number, size, form, shape, structure, etc. Objective: To review the literature on the developmental anomalies of teeth. Literature review: The developmental anomalies affecting the morphology exists in both deciduous & permanent dentition and shows various forms such as gemination, fusion, concrescence, dilacerations, dens evaginatus, dens invaginatus, enamel pearls, taurodontism or peg laterals. These anomalies have clinical significance concerning esthetics, malocclusion and more importantly predisposing the development of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Conclusion: Knowledge of various diagnostic criteria for identification of these developmental anomalies is significant for early diagnosis and pertinent treatment.

Perceived Source of Stress Among Undergraduate Dental Students at BPKIHS, Nepal.

Stress is defined as the body's nonspecific response or reaction to demands made on it, or to disturbing events in the environment. The current study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of the sources of stress among the undergraduate dental students of, BPKIHS, Nepal. The descriptive cross sectional study was conducted using the Dental Environmental Stress Questionnaire (Westerman et al, 1993). The questionnaire was administered in the classroom. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 12.0.Based on the results obtained it was concluded that fear of failing, academic workload and requirements for completing the graduation were the most prevalent stressors. Clinical factors related to lack of time, patients unavailability and attitude of the faculty were considerately stressful. The living conditions and social factors were found to be the least of the stressful events. Factors related to marriage and children were deemed not related to creating any stress in the academic environment.This study highlights a need to review the current curriculum of the undergraduate students and to make suitable modifications to create a less stressful study environment for the future dentists of the country.