Salivary Interleukin-1 Levels in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study.

Objective: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent malignancy with a significant impact on global health. The identification of non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of OSCC remains crucial. Methods: A total of 100 subjects, comprising 50 patients with histopathologically confirmed OSCC and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, were enrolled in the study. Salivary samples were collected from all participants and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to measure IL-1 levels. Clinical data, including demographic information, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption, were obtained from patient records. Results: The mean salivary IL-1 level was significantly higher in OSCC patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001). Furthermore, subgroup analysis demonstrated that advanced stages of OSCC correlated with significantly elevated IL-1 levels when compared to early-stage OSCC (P < 0.05). Additionally, high salivary IL-1 levels were associated with a more aggressive tumor phenotype and poorer prognosis, as reflected by tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and overall survival (P < 0.01). Conclusion: This case-control study provides compelling evidence that salivary Interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels are significantly elevated in patients with OSCC.

Clinical Correlation of Vitamin D Deficiency and Early Childhood Caries: A Cross-Sectional Study in Western Rajasthan.

Objectives: To ascertain whether a link exists between vitamin D insufficiency and early childhood caries or not. Method: From the out patient department (OPD) of the Pedodontics Department at Vyas Dental College, a random sample of 40 kids between the ages of 8 months and 5 years old was chosen. Each kid had blood drawn to check their serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels. All of the data was collated and given the necessary statistical analysis. Result: The case group's mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D level was 10.19 ng/mL (with a standard deviation of 3.46), while the control group's was 20.84 ng/mL (2.54 SD). Conclusion: A significant modifiable risk factor for childhood dental caries is a vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, cavities in teeth can be avoided by giving youngsters vitamin D supplements and avoiding vitamin D insufficiency.

Parents' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Baby Walkers, Baby Car Seats, Oral Health, and Child Screen Time in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Awareness of age-appropriate milestones and developmental stages is crucial for parents to identify any potential delays or concerns early on and seek appropriate interventions. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of caregivers in Saudi Arabia regarding baby walkers, baby car seats, early dental visits, and screen time for young children. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents in Saudi Arabia using a structured questionnaire. A convenience and snowball sampling method was employed to recruit participants from various regions of the country. The questionnaire aimed to assess parents' knowledge regarding the recommended use of baby walkers and baby car seats, their awareness of the importance of early dental visits, and their understanding of appropriate screen time guidelines. Additionally, the survey explored parents' practices toward these recommendations. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, and associations between variables were examined using the chi-squared test. Results A total of 1318 participants were included. The analysis revealed that the majority of the participants (n=1066,81.3%) use a baby walker, while only (n=292,22.3%) consider that they should never be used. Overall, (n=388,29.6%) of the participants never used a car seat for their infants or children. In terms of early childhood dental visits, approximately (n=518,39.5%) of the participants reported actually taking their child to the dentist within the recommended timeframe. Regarding screen time for children, (n=148,11.3%) of the participants reported that their children spend >5 hours daily in front of the screen.  Conclusions Raising parents' awareness about recent childcare recommendations and safe practices is crucial for promoting optimal child development, preventing health problems, facilitating evidence-based decision-making, reducing risks, enhancing parental confidence and empowerment, and nurturing positive parent-child relationships.

Assessing the predictive validity of pre-admission criteria on dental students' academic performance: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the multifaceted factors influencing academic performance among dental students in Saudi Arabia, exploring the complex relationships between demographic, educational, and psychological variables and students' Grade Point Averages (GPAs) to enhance global dental education admission strategies. METHODS: Data on demographics, academic performance indicators (including GPA, high school grades, test scores), accommodation type, parental education, suspension history, and English proficiency were collected through an English-language electronic questionnaire from 900 dental students across multiple institutions in Riyadh. The study employed Pearson's correlation analysis to examine relationships between GPA and various academic and demographic factors. A detailed regression analysis, using a stepwise selection based on Akaike's information criteria (AIC), identified significant GPA predictors and evaluated the average marginal effects of pre-admission variables on GPA, alongside rigorous diagnostic checks to validate the model's robustness. RESULTS: The study revealed a complex interplay of factors impacting GPA among dental students. High school grades, achievement, and aptitude test scores showed moderate positive correlations with GPA, while negative correlations were observed with age and number of times suspended. Regression analysis highlighted age, marital status, high school grades, and test scores as key predictors, with complex interaction effects demonstrating the layered influences of these factors. For instance, the negative impact of age on GPA was moderated by high school grade and aptitude test score. The analysis also highlighted the significant marginal effects of various pre-admission variables on GPA, such as the negative average impact of age and the positive impact of high school grades. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable insights into the multifaceted determinants of academic success in dental education. Our findings underscore the significant roles of high school grades, achievement, and aptitude test scores, as well as the nuanced influence of age and marital status on GPA. These results advocate for a holistic approach in evaluating candidates for dental programs and have broader implications for global dental education, emphasizing the need for comprehensive admission strategies.

Oral Health Promotion among Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review.

People with disabilities experience inferior health and poor access to good quality health services as compared with the general population. Optimum oral health is associated with improvement in the quality of life in such patients. As oral diseases are largely preventable, good oral health education can have a positive impact on individuals with disabilities. So, the aim of the study was to review the effectiveness of oral health promotion among individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs). Seven electronic databases were searched using keywords like intellectual disability/mental retardation/learning disability AND dental health education/health promotion. All records that were identified electronically from this search were subjected to a preliminary review to identify eligible papers. Identified studies were grouped into oral health promotion directed at individuals with IDs, and those aimed at caregivers of people with IDs. Interpretation of the outcomes included the effects on oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (either observed or self-reported). Eventually, 16 studies were included in the review including five studies that were randomized controlled trials, while the remaining 11 studies were pre-post single group oral health promotion studies. Critical appraisal of each study was conducted with the 21-item criteria by Kay and Locker (1997) to provide a numerical quantification and ranking of the evidence. Positive changes in the behaviors and attitudes were observed, while other studies reported a considerable improvement in the knowledge of caregivers for oral healthcare of individuals with IDs. However, such activities need to be done over a long period of time with constant monitoring.

An Assessment of the Prevalence of Dental Caries, Oral Hygiene Status, Deft Index, and Oral Hygiene Habits Among Children With Special Healthcare Needs.

Background and objective Children with special healthcare needs are at an increased risk of oral health problems, including dental caries. Understanding the prevalence of dental caries, oral hygiene status, deft (decayed, extracted, filled teeth) index, and oral hygiene habits in this population is crucial for effective oral healthcare planning and interventions. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries, oral hygiene status, deft index, and oral hygiene habits among children aged 4-15 years with special healthcare needs in Jodhpur District, Rajasthan, India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 124 children from various, government and non-governmental organizations (NGO)-run special schools. Data on dental caries, oral hygiene status, deft index, and oral hygiene habits were collected using standardized tools and techniques. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used to analyze the data. Results The prevalence of dental caries among children with special healthcare needs was 65%. The severity of dental caries varied, with 40% classified as mild, 20% as moderate, and 5% as severe. Additionally, 75% of the children exhibited poor oral hygiene, as indicated by the oral hygiene status assessment. The mean deft index score was 2.8, indicating an average dental caries experience among the participants. Regarding oral hygiene habits, 60% reported brushing their teeth once a day, while 40% reported brushing twice a day. However, a significant proportion (70%) reported non-fluoride use, and 55% stated they did not perform regular flossing. Conclusion This study highlights a high prevalence of dental caries, poor oral hygiene status, and suboptimal oral hygiene habits among children with special healthcare needs in Jodhpur District. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions focusing on preventive measures, oral health education, and improving access to oral healthcare for this vulnerable population. Further research with larger sample sizes and longitudinal study designs is warranted to validate these findings and develop effective strategies for enhancing oral health outcomes in children with special healthcare needs.

Denoised encoder-based residual U-net for precise teeth image segmentation and damage prediction on panoramic radiographs.

OBJECTIVES: This research focuses on performing teeth segmentation with panoramic radiograph images using a denoised encoder-based residual U-Net model, which enhances segmentation techniques and has the capacity to adapt to predictions with different and new data in the dataset, making the proposed model more robust and assisting in the accurate identification of damages in individual teeth. METHODS: The effective segmentation starts with pre-processing the Tufts dataset to resize images to avoid computational complexities. Subsequently, the prediction of the defect in teeth is performed with the denoised encoder block in the residual U-Net model, in which a modified identity block is provided in the encoder section for finer segmentation on specific regions in images, and features are identified optimally. The denoised block aids in handling noisy ground truth images effectively. RESULTS: Proposed module achieved greater values of mean dice and mean IoU with 98.90075 and 98.74147 CONCLUSIONS: Proposed AI enabled model permitted a precise approach to segment the teeth on Tuffs dental dataset in spite of the existence of densed dental filling and the kind of tooth. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed model is pivotal for improved dental diagnostics, offering precise identification of dental anomalies. This could revolutionize clinical dental settings by facilitating more accurate treatments and safer examination processes with lower radiation exposure, thus enhancing overall patient care.

Parental Attitude and Awareness toward Preventive Dentistry in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Preventive oral health of a child is dependent on the parental knowledge toward caries control, care of deciduous tooth, use of space maintainers for malocclusion, and utilization of various procedures available for preventing oral diseases by oral health professionals. This study was aimed to assess the attitude and awareness of preventive dentistry among parents residing in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional, questionnaire study was conducted among 300 male parents. Questionnaire was sent through the use of social media, and responses were collected. RESULTS: Seventy-four percent of male Saudi parents were aware of prevention of oral diseases. 38.45% of male parents were aware of preventive dentistry procedure, but preventive dentistry utilization rate was seen among 6% population only. Attitude toward the prevention of oral disease was statistically not significant according to the age group and income but statistically significant according to education. The utilization of preventive procedures was significant according to education and income (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Awareness about preventive dentistry was more among Saudi parents but utilization rate was directly correlated to their education and income. After The utilization of preventive procedures was significant according to education and income (P < 0.05).

Effect of triphala mouthrinse on plaque and gingival inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of triphala mouthwash (TRP-MW) in being equally effective to chlorhexidine mouthwash (CHX-MW) in the treatment of plaque-induced gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic searches in MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL were conducted in databases up to April 2020. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing clinical efficacy of TRP-MW (test group) in comparison with CHX-MW in treating plaque-induced gingivitis were considered. The primary outcome was gingival index (GI), whereas the secondary outcome was plaque index (PI). RESULTS: Seven RCTs were included. All studies showed that TRP-MW administration was significantly effective as compared to CHX-MW in the treatment of plaque-induced gingivitis. Considering the effects of TRP-MW on clinical gingival inflammatory parameters, significant heterogeneity for both GI (χ2  = 72.77, P < .0001, I2  = 91.76%) and PI (χ2  = 153.67, P < .0001, I2  = 96.10%) was observed between both TRP-MW and CHX-MW groups. The overall mean difference for both GI (WMD = -0.29, 95% CI = -0.40 to -0.17, P < .001) and PI (WMD = -0.43, 95% CI = -0.54 to -0.31, P < .001) was statistically significant between TRP-MW and CHX-MW at follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: Triphala mouthwash seems to significantly improve the clinical gingival inflammatory parameters in plaque-induced gingivitis with equal clinical efficacy as CHX-MW. TRP is a cost-effective alternative and is easily available with limited side effects on periodontal tissues.

An In Vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficacy of Various Concentration of Eucalyptus globulus Leaf Extract on Periodontal Pathogens.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of various concentrations of Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract on periodontal pathogens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Matured, healthy and disease-free leaves of Eucalyptus globulus were collected. The leaves were washed under tap water and finally dried in an oven at a temperature of 45°C for 48 hours. The dried plants were ground in an electric blender to make them into a powder. The powder was mixed with 100% ethanol and kept it inside a shaker overnight at 35°C. The mixture was centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2,500 rpm. Three different concentrations (10%, 50%, and 100% v/v) were used as antibacterial agents. Chlorhexidine (0.2%) was considered as positive control and dimethyl formamide was considered as negative control against P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans. The disc diffusion method was used to determine the extract's antibacterial activity against the test organisms. A digital Vernier caliper was used to measure the diameter of antibacterial activity showing the zone of inhibition in millimeters. RESULTS: Eucalyptus globulus with 100% concentration showed a maximum zone of inhibition against A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis (5.38 ± 0.32 mm, 4.82 ± 0.11 mm) followed by 50% and 10% accordingly. The negative control of dimethyl formamide showed a zone of inhibition of 0.48 ± 0.96 mm and 0.63 ± 0.20 mm against A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis. The positive control of 0.2% chlorhexidine showed a zone of inhibition of 8.46 ± 1.02 mm and 7.18 ± 0.54 mm against A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis. The ANOVA test showed a highly significant antibacterial efficacy in 0.2% chlorhexidine and 100% concentration Eucalyptus globulus. CONCLUSION: A significant maximum zone of inhibition against A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis was showed by 100% concentration of Eucalyptus globulus. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Other than the systemic diseases treatment, Eucalyptus globulus also serves as an effective promising alternative to antibiotics in the prevention of oral infections because of the natural phytochemicals existing in them.

Assessment of Clinical Efficacy of Different Periodontal Dressing Materials on Wound Healing: A Comparative Study.

AIM: The present study aims to assess the efficacy of different periodontal dressing materials on wound healing clinically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 patients between the age group of 30-45 years, with chronic generalized periodontitis with loss of attachment of 3-6 mm, who require periodontal flap surgery, were screened to include in the study. Out of 45 subjects, 24 were males and 21 were females. The subjects were randomized into 3 groups as 15 in each. Group I: a collagen dressing, group II: light-cure dressing, and group III: non-eugenol-based dressing. The clinical parameters such as plaque index, vertical probing depth, pain, gingival index, and patient satisfaction were documented for all the three groups on the 7th and the 14th day. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to score the pain severity. The SPSS 20 software was used to analyze the data. The significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: The mean gingival index score reduced from 1.40 ± 0.14 to 1.10 ± 0.30 in group I, from 1.48 ± 0.01 to 1.26 ± 0.22 in group II, and from 1.58 ± 0.16 to 1.33 ± 0.10 in group III. The mean plaque index score reduced from 1.48 ± 0.56 to 1.18 ± 0.40 in group I, from 1.46 ± 0.01 to 1.24 ± 0.48 in group II, and from 1.42 ± 0.12 to 1.20 ± 0.20 in group III. There was a statistical difference found in all the three groups and between the groups from the plaque and gingival index scores. The probing depth comparison shows a significant difference in group I. Patient satisfaction was almost similar in all the groups. The pain index showed the reduction in the pain severity from the 7th day to the 14th day in all the subjects from all the three groups. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the periodontal wound covered with a collagen dressing material showed significant evidence to provide symptomatic relief and better healing to the patients compared to that of light-cure and non-eugenol periodontal dressing material.

Assessment of Microleakage Using Dye Penetration Method in Primary Teeth Restored with Tooth-colored Materials: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: The present study aimed to assess the microleakage in primary teeth restored with tooth-colored materials using the dye penetration method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 healthy primary molar teeth were included in this study and standardized class II mesio-occlusal cavities were prepared on the samples. Consequently, these teeth were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 20 each group) such as group I: nano-filled resin-modified glass-ionomer, group II: nanocomposite resin, and group III: Cention N. After completing all the restorations, the restored teeth were subjected to 100 cycles of thermocycling. Next, all the surfaces of the tooth, except the restoration and a 1-mm zone adjacent to the restoration's margins, were covered with two coats of nail varnish. The coated teeth were then submerged in a 0.5% basic fuchsin dye solution. The teeth were then sectioned along the center of each restoration mesiodistally. Each part was visualized under a stereomicroscope at ×40 magnifications to assess microleakage. RESULTS: Out of all the included restorative materials, the least microleakage was demonstrated by teeth restored by the nano-filled resin-modified glass-ionomer (RMGI) group (1.05 ± 0.21) followed by the Cention N group (1.84 ± 0.14) and the nanocomposite resin group (3.10 ± 0.03). A statistical method involving the analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant difference among the different restorative materials. Multiple comparisons among the restorative materials showed a statistically significant difference between groups I and II and groups II and III restorative materials (p < 0.05). The dye penetration score 1 was more [11(55%)] for the nano-filled RMGI group, score 3 was more [12(60%)] for the nanocomposite resin group, and score 2 was more [9(45%)] for the Cention N group. CONCLUSION: The present study showed significantly less microleakage associated with the nano-filled resin-modified glass ionomer group than nanocomposite resin and Cention N groups. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Since many years, dentists have encountered a challenging problem with cervical lesions. Thus, an interdisciplinary treatment approach is the appropriate option in the management of carious teeth that involve gingival recession and cervical extension.

Assessment of the Efficacy of Periodontal Tissue Regeneration using Non-resorbable and Bioabsorbable GTR Membrane-A Clinical Comparative Study.

AIM: The present study aims to assess the efficacy of non-resorbable and bioabsorbable guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane periodontal tissue regenerative methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty teeth taken from 20 patients (8 males and 12 females) within the age range of 20-55 years having chronic periodontitis were enrolled in this trial. All the enrolled patients underwent phase I therapy which included scaling and root planing performed in two sittings by a single practitioner. Patients who fulfilled the selection criteria entered the study and were randomly allocated to the three groups. Group I: control group, group II: patients who received a non-resorbable GTR membrane, and group III: patients who received a bioabsorbable GTR membrane. The clinical parameters that were documented at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively were the gingival index, plaque index, and probing depth (vertical and horizontal) for all the three groups. RESULTS: The mean gingival index score was 1.64 ± 0.32 in group III at baseline, which decreased to 1.20 ± 0.10 at 6 months postoperatively. The plaque index reduced from 1.36 ± 0.46 at baseline to 1.04 ± 0.01 at 6 months postoperatively. The vertical and horizontal probing depths demonstrated a statistically significant difference between all the three groups. CONCLUSION: The present study established that both membranes resulted in clinically and statistically significant improvements in the treatment of grade II furcation defects.

Influence of Motivation on Academic Performance among Dental College Students.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the influence of motivation on academic performance among dental undergraduate students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among a sample of 187 undergraduate dental students from the main dental colleges in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia using an electronic questionnaire. Students' academic performance was measured by their current grade point average (GPA). Motivation was assessed using the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), which is a self-report instrument designed to assess students' motivational orientations and learning strategies in college, including goals and value beliefs for the studied program (intrinsic, extrinsic goals orientation and task value), beliefs about their skills to succeed in their studies (control of learning beliefs, self-efficacy for learning and performance), and their anxiety about program tests. RESULTS: The results showed positive correlations between GPA and the motivation scale (r = 0.2296, p = 0.0019) and most of its subscales, including self-efficacy for learning performance (r = 0.2997, p = 0.0001), control of learning beliefs (r = 0.2305, p = 0.0021) and task value (r = 0. 2243, p = 0.0021). Test anxiety showed negative correlation with GPA (r = -0.1943, p = 0.0100). Compared to their counterparts, male students, students perceived to be from middle class families and students living with their families were consistently showing significant correlations between GPA and most of the motivation subscales. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that motivation for learning can influence the academic performance of dental students. This influence can be affected by factors such as sex, socioeconomic factors and family support of the students.

In Vitro Analysis of Different Polishing Systems on the Color Stability and Surface Roughness of Nanocomposite Resins.

AIM: To assess the different polishing systems on the color stability and surface roughness of nanocomposite resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 composite resin samples were fabricated. The Tetric N Ceram composite was compacted into the custom-made cylindrical metallic mold of internal diameter 6 × 6 mm. Based on the polishing system used, sixty samples were divided into three groups. Group I: Sof-Lex, group II: Shofu super-snap polishing disks, and group III: Astropol. The samples in each group were immersed in beverage, that is tea. Spectrophotometer was used to measure the color of the samples after staining period. And surface profilometer was used to measure all surface roughness. RESULTS: Of the three groups, Sof-Lex polishing group reported the least mean value of 0.458 ± 0.118 succeeded by Astropol polishing group (0.494 ± 0.121) and Shofu super-snap polishing group (0.540 ± 0.031) having the higher mean value. Statistically significant difference was found between the different polishing systems calculated by analysis of variance. And color change between the groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We conclude that a composite polished with Sof-Lex was a superior polish compared to Astropol polishing group and Shofu super-snap polishing group. There was only a minimal difference in the color stability of the composite between the groups. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Excellent finishing and polishing are the critical steps to enhance the esthetics and longevity of the composite restorations. High strength, fracture toughness, surface hardness, optimum polishability, and gloss are the functional properties which need assessment while a resin composite is used for restoration. How to cite this article: Dhananjaya KM, Vadavadagi SV, Almalki SA, et al. In Vitro Analysis of Different Polishing Systems on the Color Stability and Surface Roughness of Nanocomposite Resins. J Contemp Dent Pract 2019;20(11):1335-1338.