Epidemiologic aspects of recurrent herpes labialis among Jordanian university students

To study the epidemiologic aspects of recurrent herpes labialis [RHL] in a young adult population and to evaluate treatments used by affected patients. A cross-sectional survey conducted on a random sample of 1000 students of The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan between May and September 2008. Subjects with RHL were identified and asked to describe their disease and its management. Chi-square and t-test were used to compare differences between groups. The point prevalence of RHL was 2.3%, annual prevalence was 17%, and lifetime prevalence was 26.4%. The prevalence was related to the place of living, income, and college, but not to gender, marital status, medical history, smoking, or aphthous stomatitis. Eruptions occurred mostly on the left side of the lower lip and systemic upset, stress, and cold weather were the main triggering events. The mean age of onset was approximately 15 years. Of the cases, 51.2% reported at least 2 recurrences annually and 61.7% had positive family history. Nearly one-half of cases have treated the lesions and only 18.2% have used antiviral therapies. Some used lipstick, vaseline, tahini, or toothpaste to cover lesions. Treatment was recommended mostly by relatives and friends, only 26.3% sought treatment advice from medical practitioners. A high prevalence of RHL among this population was found. There is a need to educate patients with RHL on treatment options available to reduce their distress and to improve their quality of life

Maximum mouth opening associated factors and dental significance

To estimate active maximum mouth opening [AMMO] in a Jordanian subpopulation and to study associated factors and relationship to patient's dental conditions. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 496 patients aged 15-80 years at the University of Jordan Hospital, Amman, Jordan between October 2008 and March 2009. The AMMO was measured as maximum distance between incisal edges of upper and lower central incisors. Descriptive statistics and uni- and multivariate analyses were used to determine factors affecting AMMO. Mean AMMO +/- standard deviation was 42.9 +/- 5.7 mm. The AMMO varied significantly between men [45.3 +/- 5.7mm] and women [41.5+-5.3 mm], decreased with age, and correlated positively with body height and weight, but no relation was found with body mass index and temporomandibular joint complaints. The relationship of AMMO to patient's dental conditions revealed a negative correlation with number of missing teeth, but not with number of decayed or restored teeth. Subjects who had present third molars had wider AMMO compared to subjects with extracted, impacted, or congenitally missing third molars. Multivariate regression analysis revealed gender, age, and weight to be the only independent predictors of AMMO. In this population, AMMO is influenced by gender, age, and weight of patients and was generally narrower than that reported in European populations. Wide AMMO was associated with less risk of tooth loss and preservation of third molars

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of tori and jaw exostoses in a teaching hospital in Jordan

To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of oral bony outgrowths [OBOs]; torus palatinus [TP], torus mandibularis [TM], and exostoses in Jordanian dental patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 1 and December 31, 2008 at the University of Jordan Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Clinical examinations of 618 patients [354 men and 264 women], 10-82 years of age, were conducted to determine the presence of OBOs. There were 239 subjects [38.7%] who had OBOs. Nearly one-third [34.6%] had TP, TM, or both. The prevalence rates were 25.7% for TM, 15.4% for TP, and 14.4% for exostoses. The OBOs were mostly noted in patients in their fifth decade of life, with attrition, clenching, or bruxism. Women had more TP, but gender differences were not statistically significant in cases of TM and exostoses. Most TP were large in size [71.6%], spindle [41.1%], or flat [40%] in shape, and located at the premolar-molar region [45.3%]. The TM were mostly medium to large in size [84.9%], bilateral [81.1%], composed of single node [69.2%], and located at the premolar region [65.4%]. Of the studied subjects, 7.1% had mandibular buccal exostosis, 10% had maxillary buccal, and 2.4% had palatal exostoses. Statistically significant associations were noticed between the concurrent existence of OBOs. A relatively high prevalence of OBOs was noted, and this should be taken into consideration when planning periodontal surgery and prosthodontic treatment

Assessment of self-medication of antibiotics in a Jordanian population

To assess the extent of self-medication with antibiotics [SMA] in a Jordanian population, and to evaluate the sociodemographic factors affecting this behaviour. Subjects and Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 477 patients aged 16-65 years attending the Department of Dentistry, University of Jordan Hospital. Socio-demographic data were collected and interviewees were asked about their SMA behaviour during the last 6 months, the reasons and motives for this behaviour, and the source and dose of the antibiotics were noted. The prevalence rate of SMA in the sample during the 6 months preceding the interview was 40.7% [194/477]. Patients aged 36-55 years and those in the middle-class income group were most likely to perform SMA. SMA was mainly for sore throats, common colds and dental infections, and community pharmacies were the major source [104, 53.6% cases]. Amoxicillin was the most commonly used antibiotic, and only 73 [37.6%] patients followed the correct dosage guidelines. Previous experience with similar illness and saving time were the most common reasons for SMA. Ninety-four [19.7%] patients admitted that they consulted another physician to obtain antibiotics when their first physician did not prescribe any. The findings showed that SMA was a frequent practice among Jordanians, signifying the need for an educational campaign on the proper use of antibiotics in this population

Perception of outcome after orthognathic surgery at Jordan university hospital

To study the motives for seeking orthognathic surgery at the Jordan University Hospital and evaluate patients' satisfaction with the treatment. 54 patients underwent orthognathic surgery between October 2002 and October 2007. Data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of 30 questions. Questions were divided into sections; motivation for seeking orthognathic treatment, pre-operative counseling, treatment outcome, satisfaction with outcome and quality of life. The sample included 43 females [79.6%] and 11 males [21.4%], with a mean age at the time of study of 25.4 years. The most common reason for this type of treatment was to improve facial appearance [55.6%], function and appearance combined [11.1%], pain [11.1%] and function alone was responsible for 7.4% of the cases. Females and younger patients were more likely to seek treatment for esthetic reasons and the difference was statistically significant [P = 0.04 and 0.005, respectively]. The most unpleasant component of treatment was intermaxillary fixation, followed by the pre-operative fear and anxiety and postoperative recovery. Almost all patients complained of a postoperative sequel: sensory deficit, pain, depression and facial swelling were the most common. However, 94.4% were satisfied with the overall results, with 87% reporting better facial appearance and 53.7% reported improved chewing. Esthetic improvement is the major cause for patients seeking surgery, pre-operative counseling has an important role in patients satisfaction. Orthognathic surgery has a positive impact on patients'quality of life

Hematologic status in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis in Jordan

To determine the prevalence of hematinic deficiencies in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. The study took place in the Oral Medicine Clinic of the Jordan University Hospital in Amman, Jordan, between January 1993 and December 2000. We studied the hemoglobin, serum ferritin, vitamin B12 and folate levels in 143 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. We compared the results with a control group of 143 age-and gender-matched patients with a range of other oral diseases. In recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients, 14% were anemic and 37.8% showed hematinic deficiencies; 16.8% showed low serum ferritin; 26.6% showed low serum vitamin B12 and 4.9% showed low serum folate. In the control group, 10.5% were anemic and 18.2% showed hematinic deficiencies; 9.8% showed low serum ferritin; 12.6% showed low serum vitamin B12 and none showed serum folate deficiency. Patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis have more hematinic deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12 deficiency, compared with controls. Correction of these hematinic deficiencies could help in the management of the disease.

Antibiotic presciption by general dental practitioners in the management of acute dentoalveolar infections

This study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge of the general dental practitioners in the use of antibiotics for patients with acute dentoalveolar infections. A questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 300 general dental practitioners working in eleven governances in Jordan in order to survey their choice of antibiotic in the management of acute dentoalveolar infections. The responses were numerically coded and analysed. Frequencies were used to examine and describe the distribution of all the variables. Responses were received from 230 [76.7%] general dental practitioners. Amoxycillin with or without metronidazole was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic. Lincosamides [clindamycin and lincomycin], were prescribed by 26.5% of the general dental practitioners. In patients allergic to penicillin, erythromycin was the most frequently prescribed followed by lincosamides. Only 17.8% of the general dental practitioners had taken microbiological samples for culture and sensitivity throughout their practice. There was a wide variety of dosage, frequency and duration for all the antibiotics prescribed. General dental practitioners who are female or young or working in hospitals and those graduated from Jordan were significantly more compliant with the current guidelines for antibiotic prescription. The results showed a lack of consistency in the rational use of antibiotics by the general dental practitioners with considerable variation in the recommended doses, frequencies and durations

Health hazards of tobacco smoking: an alarming lack of public awareness

This paper assesses public awareness and knowledge of smoking-associated oral and general health hazards. A face- to-face interview with a randomly selected sample of 524 patients of those attending the four main health care centers in Amman, Jordan was used to collect the data. Virtually all respondents [97.9%] were aware that smoking has negative effects on general health and the majority [87.4%] related lung cancer to smoking. It was found that non-smokers were significantly more likely to believe in this than current smokers. About one third of respondents to this survey were unaware of the link between smoking, heart and chronic pulmonary diseases and around two thirds were unaware of the link with hypertension, stroke and other cancers. There was an 83.2% awareness of the link between smoking and staining of teeth but there were serious deficits in awareness of the role of smoking in gingival disease, calculus formation, caries, oral infections and loss of teeth. Almost one third of the patients did not know that smoking is the most important aetiological factor of oral cancer. There is a clear need to inform and educate the Jordanian public on matters related to the known health hazards of tobacco consumption and dentists should be involved in smoking cessation strategies