[Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice of general dental practitioners regarding HIV positive patients in Qazvin]

AIDS is spreading around the globe very rapidly and still there is no absolute treatment for it. Although patients with this disease are in need of routine dental care, previous studies has shown that many dentists refuse to treat them in their office. So the objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of general dental practitioners concerning with HIV positive patients in Qazvin. Fifty-one general dental practitioners working in Qazvin were selected for this descriptive-analytic study. In order to evaluate their practice, the examiner pretended to be disguised herself as a HIV+ patient and made appointments to visit them at their dental clinics. Than for the assessment of their knowledge dentist were asked to fill out some HIV-related questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. 30 dentists [71%] were in a average level of knowledge with a mean of 59.5%+_15.1%. Although, 36[70%] of dentists refused to treat HIV+ patients, but only 13[32%] of them expressed their reluctances in questionnaires. No statistically significant relationship was found between knowledge, attitude of dentists and their practice, regarding HIV+ patients

Efficacy of different concentrations of garlic extract in reduction of oral salivary microorganisms

Garlic is a plant with antimicrobial effects and different concentrations of garlic extract can decrease oral microorganisms. This study evaluates the effectiveness of different concentrations of garlic extract in an oral salivary microbial population. A total of 40 patients were selected based on information obtained through a questionnaire. Saliva samples were collected from all 40 subjects in dry plastic vials by spitting. Each sample was divided into 3 groups [2 cases and 1 control]. One milliliter of sample was added to 9 mL of sterile physiologic serum and mixed. Then, this mixture was serially diluted to prepare a 10[-3] suspension. One mL of garlic hydro-alcoholic extract was added to 1 mL each of the case specimens and transferred to a Trypticase Soy Agar [TSA] culture medium. Case specimens were exposed to 40% and 70% concentrations of garlic extract after 30 and 60 seconds. Control specimens were prepared by the same method, but without exposure to garlic extract. All samples were incubated at 37°C for 48 hours. Assessments were made based on colony counts to determine inhibitory activity of garlic extracts on oral salivary microorganisms. There was a significant reduction in colony forming unit [CFU] at 30 and 60 seconds for 40% concentrations of garlic extracts in comparison to the control group. In other words, 78% and 83.5% reduction in CFU, respectively. On the other hand, for the 70% concentrations, an 86.5% and 90.8% reduction occurred in CFU at 30 and 60 seconds, correspondingly. The mean colony counts of salivary microbial population at the 70% concentration were 771.72 +/- 703.86 at 30 seconds and 524.8 +/- 497.4 at 60 seconds. According to our findings, garlic extract is effective in the reduction of an oral microbial population. It may be useful as an alternative product and new treatment modality with fewer side effects

Comparative study of zataria multiflora and anthemis nobelis extracts with myrthus communis preparation in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis [RAS] is a prevalent and complicated disorder and its management is directed toward treatment of symptoms. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of three herbal preparations in the management of RAS. One hundred and one out of 115 patients with minor aphthae were selected and randomly divided into four groups. Groups A, B and C received topical preparations of Zataria multiflora, Anthemis nobilis and a 50% [v/v] mixture of Zataria multiflora and Anthemis nobilis respectively. Groups D [positive control] received Myrthus communis [Myrtle, mouth rinse], which reported to be efficient in the management of RAS. The time of pain elimination and the duration of the thorough healing were recorded. Mean time of pain elimination showed significant differences [p<0.01] between groups A [3.00 +/- 1.14 day], C [3.08 +/- 1.84 days] and D [4.30 +/- 2.12 days] with group B [5.20 +/- 3.11 days]. The mean duration of healing also showed significant differences [p<0.03] between groups A [6.00 +/- 2.80 days], C [6.70 +/- 2.70 days] and D [7.60 +/- 3.10 days] with B [8.70 +/- 3.90 days]. No significant differences were observed between groups A and C with group D [positive control]. The result obtained for treatment with Z. multiflora [group A] was similar to that of group C, but better than M. communis [group D]. Findings of this study revealed that Z. multiflora extract showed better effects than M. communis which is reported to be effective in the treatment of RAS. It is concluded that the Z. Multiflora extract is an effective product for the management of minor aphthae