Assessment of Knowledge Among the Physicians Regarding Dental Screening Prior to Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the physicians' knowledge regarding the referral for dental screening prior to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using simple random sampling among 468 physicians from various specialties with diverse experience levels from different regions in Saudi Arabia. A self-reporting questionnaire was distributed among the physicians, which consisted of questions assessing the physicians' knowledge about oral health and complications in patients prior to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Statistical analysis was done after the data was collected employing SPSS, and p<0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Residents were more as expected (39.3%), followed by specialists (2.31%). The majority had a practice experience for more than five years (67.8%).The scores for the knowledge assessment showed that 51.3%, nearly half of the participants, had lower scores. The scores were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: General physicians and specialists should be aware of the dental complications and associated diseases in patients with malignancies and those undergoing chemo and radiotherapy. It is proposed that more awareness should be raised among physicians to rectify this lapse.

Association of Interleukin-17 polymorphism (-197G/A) in chronic and localized aggressive periodontitis

Abstract Interleukin 17(IL-17) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced mainly by Th17 cells. The present study was undertaken to investigate a possible association between IL-17 A genetic polymorphism at (-197A/G) and susceptibility to chronic and localized aggressive periodontitis (LAgP) in an Indian population. The study was carried out on 105 subjects, which included 35 LAgP patients, 35 chronic periodontitis patients and 35 healthy controls. Blood samples were drawn from the subjects and analyzed for IL-17 genetic polymorphism at (-197A/G), by using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. A statistically significant difference was seen in the genotype distribution among chronic periodontitis patients, LAgP patients and healthy subjects. There was a significant difference in the distribution of alleles among chronic periodontitis patients, LAgP patients and healthy subjects. The odds ratio for A allele versus G allele was 5.1 between chronic periodontitis patients and healthy controls, and 5.1 between LAgp patients and healthy controls. Our study concluded that IL-17 A gene polymorphism at (-197A/G) is linked to chronic periodontitis and LAgP in Indian population. The presence of allele A in the IL-17 gene polymorphism (-197A/G) can be considered a risk factor for chronic periodontitis and LAgP.

Sex Determination Potential from Canine Tooth Dimensions.

Aims: · This study was conducted to know sex determination potential from mesiodistal dimensions of permanent canines. · To find out the average size of canines in males and females of south Indian population. · To compare the findings with National and International Studies. Study Design: The subjects were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria set forth for the study. Measurements of mesiodistal widths of the four canines were made on the dental casts of each of the 600 subjects with Digital caliper with 0.01 resolution and subjected to statistical analysis. Statistical methods used were statistical mean, standard deviation, Student’s t-test (p< 0.05), step-wise discriminant analysis and cross validated discriminant analysis using SPSS version 11.00. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Al-Badar Rural Dental College and Hospital, Gulbarga, Karnataka, India, between May 2008 and May 2011. Methodology: We included 600 patients (300 men, 300 women; age range 17-25 years) Results: · The mesiodistal width of canines of both the jaws is significantly greater in males than females. · The mean maxillary canine width in males and females is 7.73 mm. The mean mandibular canine width in males and females is 6.825 mm. · The mean (male and female), maxillary and mandibular canine width is found to be less in South Indian Population as compared to Central Indian population. · The mean (male and female), maxillary and mandibular canine width is found to be less in South India Population as compared to values given by Wheelers and similar to the study done in the Saudi population. Conclusion: The present study measured only linear dimensions because of simplicity, reliability, inexpensibility and in a setup where latest technology utilizing DNA methods are not available and gender estimation has to be managed based on jaw fragments.

Detection of Basal Cell Carcinoma-a Guide Line for General Practitioners in Dentistry.

maxillofacial surgeons, hence reducing the morbidity rate and treatment cost. A literature search using MEDLINE, accessed through the National Library of Medicine Pub Med interface, for articles relating to Basal cell carcinoma etiological factors, clinical features and its diagnosis written in English language were accessed. This study has a specific focuson early detection of BCC which is mostly located in head and neck region. Theskin tumors which are located in other part of the body were excluded from this study. Studies describing cohort, case series and miscellaneous clinical reports were retrieved and evaluated from 1993 to 2013.

Malignant Transformation of Radicular Cyst/Residual Cyst: A Review of Literature.

Aim: The aim of this study is to review the literature concerning malignant transformation of radicular cyst. Material and Method: A literature search using MEDLINE, accessed via the National Library of Medicine PubMed interface (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed), searching for articles relating to the malignant transformation of radicular/residual cyst written in English from 1960-2013. Results: Our search identified only fourteen studies available to date in English written literature. No randomized controlled trials to assess the possibility of malignant transformation of radicular/residual cyst were in the literature. Conclusion: The development of malignancy from radicular /residual cysts is rare, however, it should always be considered as a differential diagnosis. The numbers of studied cases in literature are few but small number of case series & case reports are available. Also it is recommended that further work involving large series of tumors arising from radicular /residual cyst to determine the malignancy potential.