[ status of preventive dental services in Tehran]

The control and reduction of dental caries as well as oral health promotion can be expected only if proper preventive services are available to communities. Every dentist can play an important role in prevention of common oral diseases while providing routine dental services. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of preventive dental care provided by dentists practicing in Tehran. One hundred and fifty five General dentists with at least two years of experience were selected through systematic random sampling, from twenty two districts of the capital city Tehran. A questionnaire was used to collect information about the type of patient visited and services rendered to them, such as dental health education, nutrition instruction, fluoride and sealant therapy as well as the level of dentist's satisfaction of preventive care provided. Five dentists [3.12%] didn't offer any preventive services. However, 61.2% of the dentists delivered dental health education to their patients, 81.3% provided fluoride therapy, and 80.6% fissure sealant therapy to their patients. Some 94.8% of dentists reported that they emphasized the role of personal preventive care to their patients. Only 12.9% of the dentists were satisfied from their preventive services provided to their patients. As the best possible resorts, 41.7% of the dentists suggested oral health education; and 34.6% recommended expansion of dental insurance coverage by insurance companies in order to cover the cost of preventive dental services. The preventive dental services provided by dentists in the city of Tehran are not sufficient yet. Oral health promotion in this population may be facilitated by 1] patient education, 2] changing dentists' attitude, and 3] dental insurance reform

Relationship between triglyceride and cholesterol levels and periodontal status

Recently some evidence has been presented that periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The hypothesis of this study is that periodontitis may be associated with elevated blood lipid levels, a known risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. The levels of plasma lipids was measured in 40 subjects with chronic periodontitis [CP] and compared with those obtained in 40 controls. Periodontal variables included: Plaque Index [PLI], Probing Pocket Depth [PPD], Clinical Attachment Level [CAL] and Bleeding On Probing [BOP]. Laboratory tests included: total cholestrol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL. Statistical tests used were Kolmogorov -Smirnov, Kruskal Wallis, Spearman's rank correlation, Exact fisher and Independent Samples Student t-test. The level of statistical significance was established at P