Survey of patient opinion on tobacco cessation counseling and services in a dental teaching institution and hospital.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the opinion of dental patients who use tobacco towards receiving tobacco cessation counseling and services in a dental college and hospital setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive survey method using a structured questionnaire was used in this study. Participants were patients attending The Oxford Dental College, Hospital, and Research Center, Bengaluru, India. Each patient in the clinic waiting room was asked by the investigator to complete a 29-item self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis using Fisher's exact tests were used for statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent (n = 770) of tobacco users had previously attempted to quit tobacco and 95.7% were willing to quit. Sixteen percent (n = 132) of respondents reported that they currently used tobacco. About 83% of tobacco users agreed that the student dentist should ask patients whether or not they use tobacco, 79.4% agreed that the student dentist should advise tobacco users to quit, and 81.4% agreed that student dentists should offer information on quitting tobacco to patients who want to quit. Only 12.5% (n = 100) of the patients who use tobacco were aware of the community resources available to quit tobacco. CONCLUSION: This study shows that patients expect and felt comfortable with receiving tobacco cessation counseling services by oral health professionals in a dental hospital setting.

Caries experience in 15-year-old school children in Bangalore with inherited taste sensitivity levels to 6-n-propylthiouracil: an observational study.

AIM: The relationship between sugar consumption and caries has been researched extensively for many years. The individual drive for the consumption of sweet food is controlled by a variety of biologic, psychologic, and sociologic factors. Sweet preference has been linked to bitter taste sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil, a heritable trait. The present study investigates the association between inherited taste sensitivity to 6-n-popylthiouracil and dental caries experience in 15-year-old school children. METHODS: Two hundred 15-year-old school children from randomly selected schools in Bangalore, India, participated in the study. Data were collected regarding demographic factors and socioeconomic status by personal interviews with the children. Sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil was determined using Tepper filter paper method, and the responses were recorded on the labeled magnitude scale. Each child was examined thoroughly for oral hygiene status and caries experience. Appropriate statistical tests, such as chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and Kruskal-Wallis test, were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Non-tasters were significantly associated with caries experience (P < 0.001). The decayed component in non-tasters (3.43 ± 2.18) was statistically significant when compared to tasters (2.86 ± 1.58 medium tasters, 1.50 ± 0.55 supertasters). CONCLUSIONS: After all associated factors were controlled, 6-n-propylthiouracil taste status was the only independent variable significantly related to overall caries experience.

Probiotics in dentistry: review of the current status / Probiótica em odontologia: revisão do estado atual da questão

Objective: The aim of this comprehensive review is to present an update about the current status ofprobiotics in terms of its application in the fi eld of dentistry. Background: The concept of administrationof benefi cial bacteria with a view to replace harmful microbes with useful ones has been revived bythe probiotic concept. The main fi eld of research has been in the gastrointestinal tract. However, pastfew years has seen investigation of probiotics from the oral health perspective. Probiotic approach hasshown promising results in oral cavity with respect to control of chronic disease such as dental caries,periodontitis, and recurring problems like halitosis and candidial infections. Control of biofi lm formationon voice prosthesis has also been documented. Conclusion: Despite the immense potential of probiotics,data is still defi cient on the probiotic action in the oral cavity. Further double-blind, randomized,placebo-controlled trials are needed before any concrete clinical recommendations can be made.

Objetivo: O objetivo desta revisão compreensiva é apresentar uma atualização (estado da arte) dos conhecimentosa respeito da probiótica, em termos de sua aplicação no campo da odontologia. Fundamento: O conceito da administraçãode bactérias benéfi cas com a intenção de substituir micróbios patogênicos foi redescoberto pelo conceitode probiótica. Seu principal campo de pesquisa tem sido no trato gastrointestinal. Entretanto, nos últimos anos a probiótica tem sido investigada pela perspectiva da saúde bucal. A abordagem probiótica tem mostrado resultadospromissores em doenças crônicas, tais como a cárie dentária, a periodontite e problemas recorrentes como halitosee infecções por Cândida. O controle da formação de biofi lme em próteses auxiliares da fonação tem sido bem documentado.Conclusão: Apesar do grande potencial da probiótica, os dados ainda são escassos a respeito da açãoprobiótica na boca. Estudos duplo cegos, randomizados e com controle por placebos ainda são necessários antes querecomendações clínicas possam ser feitas.