Effect of e-learning methods on Dental education: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: The progress in the usage of technology in hardware, software, and cost-effective Internet connectivity enable the availability of science-related information and its usage in all the developing countries. Hence, in this practical world, there should be a need to implement effective and affordable dental education strategies to attain oral health for all in the coming years. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to reduce the need to teach theory-based, on-site classes, e-learning came into existence. E-learning for dental education may alleviate the burden of severe health worker shortages and deliver affordable access to high-quality dental education. METHODOLOGY: Evaluation and assessment methods were done to know the effectiveness of e-learning in dental education by conducting continuing dental education on newer materials and methods, assignments/formative assessments and by open discussions of case descriptions and their treatment modalities through Edmodo app in our dental institute. Effect on knowledge, skills, attitudes, and satisfaction levels of dental students compared to other traditional methods. RESULTS: Dental e-learning has the capacity to develop into a leading-edge to strengthen clinical training skills among dental students by conducting continuing dental education, assignments, formative assessments, case descriptions, and their treatment modalities through e-learning are the best ways to improve quantity and quality in dental education. CONCLUSION: The probable prospective of e-learning could be innovative or revolutionary because this helps in both theoretical-related and clinical-related advancements, and it is possible only with e-learning in developing countries to meet the quality in education.

Epidemiological study of odontogenic tumours: An institutional experience.

Epidemiological studies on odontogenic tumours conducted in different parts of the world emphasised variation in incidence and distributional pattern. Such epidemiological studies are obscured in Southern state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Present study was conducted at an institutional setup in South Indian population to assess the demographic data of odontogenic tumours. The retrospective study, which included all the odontogenic tumours from the archives of department of oral pathology, Dental teaching and Research Institution in southern part of India. Cases were selected based on the classification of WHO 2005 histopathological typing for odontogenic tumours and the assessment year considered was from 2002 to 2014. Demographic data was analysed for these tumours. Results were analysed using Chi-Square Test. Incidence of the odontogenic tumours was found to be 2.17%. Peak age incidence was recorded highest in third and fourth decade of life. Males were commonly involved [59%] with the male to female ratio of 1.43:1. Posterior mandible [53.4%] was the chief anatomical location involved with the tumours. Considering the individual lesions, Ameloblastoma [49%] was found to be more frequent, followed by Keratinizing cystic odontogenic tumour [32%], Odontome [6.2%], Adenomatoid odontogenic tumour [5.5%], Odontogenic myxoma [2.4%], Ameloblastic fibroma [0.6%], Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour [1.8%] and Squamous odontogenic tumour [1.2%]. The total frequency of odontogenic tumours was 2.17%. Ameloblastoma and Keratinizing cystic odontogenic tumours were the predominant tumours, demonstrating significant regional and geographic variation.

Palatal changes of reverse smokers in a rural coastal Andhra population with review of literature.

AIM: To investigate and record the palatal changes in individuals habituated to reverse chutta smoking in rural coastal Andhra population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty individuals out of whom 47 females and 13 males habituated to reverse smoking with no other tobacco and alcohol habits and no other systemic disturbances were selected. The palatal changes were recorded by six examiners. Database were searched for the following terms "reverse smokers," "nicotina palatini" and "palatal lesions." RESULTS: The mean and percentage prevalence of the each lesion recorded and agreed by six examiners among 60 subjects showed presence of 87.77% hyperpigmented areas, 64.44% depigmented areas, 51.66% excrescences, 32.22% potentially malignant lesions and 9.72% frank ulcerations. CONCLUSION: Reverse smoking is an endemic tobacco habit still practiced in the coastal rural Andhra Pradesh. It is a well-established and socially acceptable habit among adult females. The changes recorded clinically shows characteristic features that are unique among this population group.

Molecular detection and corelation of Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque and gastric biopsies of dyspeptic patients.

UNLABELLED: Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophilic organism, which colonizes in the gastric mucosa. Its role in etiology and development of acute and chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases is scientifically proved. Oral cavity especially supragingival, subgingival plaque and so forth simulate the same microaerophilic environment favorable for the growth of this bacterium. AIM: Detection of H. pylori simultaneously in the oral cavity and gastric mucosa of patients suffering from gastric pathologies. OBJECTIVES: To detect H. pylori in the oral cavity and gastric mucosa using endoscopy, urease test and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (urease A gene). Determining its association and corelation with patient demographics, oral hygiene maintenance and periodontal disease status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endoscopic examination, oral findings oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S) and community periodontal index and treatment needs (CPITN) indices were recorded. Antral biopsies and supragingival plaque samples were taken from 56 dyspeptic adult patients. The collected samples were subjected to histological examination, urease broth test and urease A gene amplification using real-time PCR. RESULT: H. pylori was detected in the supragingival plaque of individuals with H. pylori-induced gastric diseases using rapid urease test and real-time PCR analysis. Occurrence of same strain of H. pylori simultaneously in plaque and gastric mucosa was observed. Positive correlation was obtained between the collected indices and quantity of H. pylori colonization.

Characteristics of palatal rugae patterns in west godavari population of India.

UNLABELLED: Palatal rugae refer to the ridges on the anterior part of the palatal mucosa, each side of the median palatal raphe and behind the incisive papilla. Various studies on different populations have reported unique rugal patterns within each population. AIM: To study, analyse and report the significant palatal rugae patterns among West Godavari District population and compare with the patterns reported in the literature, which can aid as an additional method of identification in cases of crime or mass disasters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pre-orthodontic casts of 100 samples (50 males and 50 females) were selected. The method of identification of the rugae pattern used was that of Thomas et al (1983) which includes the number, shape and unification patterns of rugae. The different types of rugae between males and females were statistically analyzed and compared with other population studies in the literature. RESULTS: A statistically insignificant (p>0.05) higher mean primary rugae scores was found in males (7.48±2.45) while secondary (3.38±2.02) and tertiary (2.56±1.84) rugae were more among females. Both genders showed predominance in wavy (males = 4.82±1.91 and females = 4.74±1.98) type of distribution.Commonly observed pattern in the mode of unification was converging (58%) in males and diverging pattern (62%) among femaleswhich was statistically significant (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: The findings showed a specific rugae pattern in this group when compared to other populations reported in the literature. Palatal rugae patterns are definitely associated with regional variation and can aid as an additional tool in forensic identification procedures.