Evaluation of Usage of Different Diagnostic Aids for Oral Cancer by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: An Original Research.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess how oral and maxillofacial surgeons used various diagnostic tools for oral cancer. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional methodology was used, and a standardized questionnaire was given to oral and maxillofacial surgeons randomly chosen sample. The questionnaire gathered information on demographics and the use of diagnostic tools. Data analysis methods included Chi-square testing and descriptive statistics. Results: The study included 200 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in total. The most often used diagnostic tool (95%) was visual inspection, followed by toluidine blue staining (48%) and brush biopsy (32%). Less frequently used were newer methods like optical coherence tomography (12.5%) and autofluorescence imaging (15%). No significant correlations between demographic factors and patterns of use of diagnostic tools were found by Chi-square tests. Conclusion: The results show that oral and maxillofacial surgeons frequently use brush biopsy, toluidine blue staining, and ocular evaluation. However, there is a need for more widespread adoption of cutting-edge technologies. By removing obstacles and offering training opportunities, one can increase the use of diagnostic tools, improving patient outcomes and the diagnosis of oral cancer.

Effectiveness of Oral Health Education Interventions Using Braille on Oral Health among Visually Impaired Children: Proposal for a Systematic Review.

To assess how oral health education (OHE) techniques using braille affect visually impaired children's awareness of oral health, oral hygiene status and practices, plaque, gingival health, and dental caries status. From 2010 to 2020, a thorough literature search will be conducted for studies in the English language using PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Open Grey. Data extraction will be done after two reviewers extensively evaluate the papers for qualifying requirements. In accordance with the research designs, a quality evaluation of the chosen studies will be conducted. With the use of the program Review Manager 5.3, a meta-analysis will be completed.

Nutritional Status, Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries, and its Association among Preschool Children in Northeast India.

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a common public health problem in developing countries. Children with severe decay can also have altered eating habits and preferences. Therefore, ECC can influence nutritional health. Aim: The aim is to find the prevalence of ECC and nutritional status and to evaluate its association among preschool children in Northeast India. Study Design and Data Collection Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 preschool children aged 2-6 years. The sampling unit comprised the children attending the pediatric dentistry department of one dental college. Information regarding sociodemographic factors, child feeding habits, and child oral hygiene practices was obtained from the parents using a pretested questionnaire. Weight and height were evaluated to assess the nutritional status. The decay, missing, filled teeth index for primary teeth was used to determine the dental caries status. Results: The mean value of carious teeth for 384 children aged 2-6 years was 5.6 ± 2.43. Most kids who had caries (74.7%) belonged to the moderate category (dmft >7), followed by the low sort, which was 16.7%, and then by those in the higher class (8.6%). The body mass index (BMI) for age revealed that 5.2% were overweight, 15.1% were thin, and 8.3% were obese. Most of those with high caries (i.e., dmft >7) were underweight or in the normal weight category. Pearson correlation showed no significant correlation between ECC with BMI-for-age (r = 0.04, P > 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries among children below the age of 5 years in Imphal was high. The risk factors for ECC included age, low maternal education, improper feeding, and oral hygiene habits. However, the results revealed no significant relationship between ECC and BMI.

Oral hygiene negligence among institutionalized mentally disabled children in Mysore city-A call for attention.

BACKGROUND: Oral health is integral part of general health. In certain conditions especially among mentally disabled, oral health is neglected. Studies have shown that mentally disabled population has the risk of poor oral health. People with disabilities deserve the same opportunities for oral health and hygiene as those who are healthy, but sadly dental care is the most common unmet health care need of the disabled people. METHODOLOGY: This comparative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among institutionalized mentally disabled and normal children of age group 6-13 years in Mysore city. RESULTS: Majority of mentally disabled children, that is, 36.73% (n = 180), had poor oral hygiene when compared with normal children, that is, 9.18% (n = 45). This difference was statistically highly significant (P < 0.000). The significant differences in the gingival status and severity of mental disability were seen (P < 0.001). The result showed that the gingival health worsens with increase in the severity of mental disability. CONCLUSION: The present study showed the dental negligence among mentally disabled children where the parents, caretakers, and dentists are responsible. Oral health promotion programs should be conducted for special group children, their parents, as well as caretakers.

Correlations between gingival crevicular blood glucose and capillary blood glucose: A preliminary report.

INTRODUCTION: Oral health plays an important role for screening of many systemic diseases. Hence, dentists play an important role in screening for systemic diseases as well. Early diagnosis of any systemic diseases can prevent long-term complications. Diabetic is one of the common chronic diseases. Hence, the study had been undertaken to evaluate whether gingival crevicular blood (GCB) can be used to screen for diabetes during routine oral health checkups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analytical study included thirty participants who visited the Department of Periodontics, who fulfilled inclusion criteria and were willing to participate. Blood samples were collected by finger stick method and periodontal probing. The glucose levels of both the samples were estimated using glucometer and correlated the levels from both the methods. RESULTS: Correlation between capillary finger stick blood glucose and GCB glucose was high (0.97) and was significant at 0.01 level. CONCLUSION: Blood oozing during routine periodontal examination can be used for diabetes mellitus screening in dental office.

Oral health related knowledge, attitude, and practice among the pre-university students of Mysore city.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the oral health related behavior, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pre-university students of Mysore city. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1000 pre-university students of Mysore city. RESULTS: Statistical tests such as percentage distribution and Chi-square were used. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Most of the students (88%, n = 880) knew that dental health reflects on the general health. Eighty-nine percent (n = 890) of students were aware that sweets and sticky food cause dental decay. Majority of the students (90%, n = 900) agreed that they visited dentist only when they had pain and cleaned their teeth once daily using toothbrush and tooth paste in vertical and horizontal motion. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the students had good knowledge about the basic oral health measures necessary to maintain proper oral health, but their attitude and practices toward oral health was relatively poor.

Prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination among oral health care personnel in Mysore city, India.

BACKGROUND: The transmission of blood borne virus in health care workers is a potential occupational hazard to patients as well as to the Oral Health Care Personnel (OHCP). Hepatitis B remains a serious threat to dental team. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To assess the vaccination status and post vaccination antibody status of oral health care personnel against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. Descriptive Cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among the oral health care personnel of Mysore city. RESULTS: Out of 300 oral health care personnel 256 (85.4%) were vaccinated for HBV infection and 44 (14.6%) had not taken vaccination. Highest frequency of vaccination was seen among dentists and least amongst dental lab technicians and other workers. This difference was highly significant among the different occupation groups (p= 0.001). CONCLUSION: Majority of the OHCP of Mysore city have been vaccinated. Among them, dentists formed the majority group of vaccinated. But there was ignorance and less awareness regarding Hepatitis B vaccination among dental lab technicians and other workers like dental assistants and cleaning staff. Awareness amongst OHCPS against Hepatitis B vaccination has increased significantly over the years, but there are few who do not intend to get vaccinated.

Toothpaste Utilization Profiles among Preschool Children.

BACKGROUND: Oral healthcare for pre-school children is given due priority, as their oral health will determine the oral health status of future generations. Generally, the type, frequency and quantity of toothpaste used by children are based purely on parental preferences. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers of preschool children by using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty two percent (n=154) mothers started brushing their children's teeth more than one year after eruption of their teeth. A majority of the mothers used adult toothpaste to brush their children's teeth and supervised their children while brushing. Fiftytwo percent mothers were aware about presence of fluoride in tooth paste but its clinical significance. Half the mothers applied full length of tooth paste to their children's brushes and most mothers made their children brush their teeth twice daily. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, it appears that there is still much lack of awareness on the proper guidelines on the selection and usage of toothpastes in children. Dental professionals should use this knowledge to help and motivate parents to properly supervise and assist their children's brushing, with the goal of reducing the potential risk of fluorosis.

Oral health related quality of life.

Diseases and disorders that damage the mouth and face can disturb well-being and his self-esteem. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) is a relatively new but rapidly growing notion. The concept of OHRQOL can become a tool to understand and shape not only the state of clinical practice, dental research and dental education but also that of community at large. There are different approaches to measure OHRQOL; the most popular one is multiple item questionnaires. OHRQOL should be the basis for any oral health programme development. Moreover, research at the conceptual level is needed in countries where OHRQOL has not been previously assessed, including India.

Self-medication: A current challenge.

Self-medication is a global phenomenon and potential contributor to human pathogen resistance to antibiotics. The adverse consequences of such practices should always be emphasized to the community and steps to curb it. Rampant irrational use of antimicrobials without medical guidance may result in greater probability of inappropriate, incorrect, or undue therapy, missed diagnosis, delays in appropriate treatment, pathogen resistance and increased morbidity. This review focused on the self-medication of allopathic drugs, their use, its safety and reason for using it. It would be safe, if the people who are using it, have sufficient knowledge about its dose, time of intake, side effect on over dose, but due to lack of information it can cause serious effects such as antibiotic resistance, skin problem, hypersensitivity and allergy. There is need to augment awareness and implement legislations to promote judicious and safe practices. Improved knowledge and understanding about self-medication may result in rationale use and thus limit emerging microbial resistance issues. Articles which were published in peer reviewed journals, World Self-Medication Industry and World Health Organization websites relating to self-medication reviewed.

Current public health perspective of fluorosis mitigation project in Pavagada taluk, Karnataka.

BACKGROUND: Fluoride has become a recurring theme in discussing water issues in India. In Karnataka, where groundwater sources are concentrated with fluorides the impact is devastating. Dental and spine-related ailments are showing up in many cities and villages. Several villages in Pavagada taluk in Tumkur district have fluoride concentration 5 times more than the permissible level. The different aspects to the problem are many defluoridation interventions were failure. OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare fluoride level in water samples from Fluorosis mitigation project area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of municipal water were collected in sterile containers in an unannounced visit. All the samples of water were assigned a code so that those undertaking analysis would be blind to the source. Fluoride levels were determined by an ion-selective electrode (Orion 94-09) method. RESULTS: Mean fluoride level in the water samples collected in the project was 0.8 which was within the normal range. CONCLUSION: Even though the fluoride level was within the normal limits after implementation of flourosis mitigation project, ground reality was numbers of beneficiaries were less. Hence, proper planning and monitoring always becomes essential for any project to be successful.