An epidemiological study to determine the prevalence and risk assessment of gingivitis in 5-, 12- and 15-year-old children of rural and urban area of Panchkula (Haryana).

OBJECTIVE: The aim and objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and severity of gingivitis and evaluate the factors associated with gingivitis in children residing in rural and urban areas of Panchkula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was carried out on a sample of 1269 school children, aged 5, 12 and 15 years, randomly selected from the rural and the urban schools of Panchkula and gingival index was recorded as devised by Loe and Silness (1963) to assess the severity of gingivitis. A standardized questionnaire was self prepared, which was filled by the examiner prior to the clinical examination. The data were subjected to SPSS, version 13, and statistically analyzed using Chi test, F test, ANOVA test. RESULTS: In the age group of 5 years, the children affected with gingivitis in the rural and the urban areas were 67 and 33%, respectively, which was statistically highly significant (P = 0.0001). In the age group of 12 years, the children affected with gingivitis in the rural and the urban areas were 94 and 92%, respectively (P = 0.537), whereas in 15-year olds, the children affected with gingivitis in the rural and the urban areas were 98 and 64%, respectively (P = 0.0001). The children who brushed once a day had higher prevalence of gingivitis as compared to children who brushed more than once per day in all the age groups. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the percentage of children affected with gingivitis was significantly higher in the rural areas in 5- and 15-year-old children, but this trend was not seen in 12-year age group, reflecting the lack of awareness in rural areas.

Ascorbic acid deficiency: a case report.

Scurvy is well known since ancient times, but it is rarely seen in the developed world today owing to the discovery of its link to the dietary deficiency of ascorbic acid. It is very uncommon in the pediatric population, and is usually seen in children with severely restricted diet attributable to psychiatric or developmental disturbances. The condition presents itself by the formation of perifollicular petechiae and bruising, gingival inflammation and bleeding, and, in children, bone disease. We report a case of scurvy in a 10-year-old developmentally delayed boy who had a diet markedly deficient in vitamin C resulting from extremely limited food choices. He presented with debilitating bone pain, inflammatory gingival disease, and perifollicular hyperkeratosis. The diagnosis was made based on clinical and radiographic findings. The importance of diet history is emphasized. We present this case with the aim to help the clinician identify scurvy and implement treatment for a potentially fatal but easily curable disease.

Talon cusps, macrodontia, and aberrant tooth morphology in Berardinelli-Seip syndrome.

Berardinelli-Seip syndrome is a congenital form of generalized lipodystrophy, transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. It is well documented in medicine and skin. It is a rare disorder caused by mutations of AGPAT2 gene or BSCL2 gene. We present an interesting case of Seip-Berardinelli syndrome in female siblings aged 12 years and 14 years who presented with endocrine disturbances along with dental manifestations including talon cusps, macrodontia, aberrant tooth morphology, and severe generalized crowding. The presence of such dental abnormalities may represent an interesting association with endocrine disturbances. Such cases require thorough investigations and appropriate treatment.