ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dental caries is one of the most common health problems in the world. Probiotics are one the various preventive methods to reduce dental caries. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of probiotic ice cream and drink on salivary Streptococcus mutans levels in children of 6-12 years age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A three phase study was carried out in children (n = 50) of 6-12 years age with zero decayed missing filled teeth (dmft)/DMFT. They were randomly divided into two equal groups. Saliva samples were collected before the consumptions of probiotic ice cream and probiotic drink. Colony count obtained was recorded as baseline data. For both groups probiotic ice cream and drink was given randomly for 7 days and a washout period of 90 days were given and then the saliva samples were collected and colony counting was done. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was performed using Student's paired t-test and multiple comparisons by Tukey's honest significant difference test which showed, there is a significant reduction in salivary S. mutans level in both groups after 7 days period. However, after washout period only probiotic ice cream showed reduction whereas drink did not. Also, there was no significant difference between probiotic ice cream and drink. CONCLUSION: Probiotic organisms definitely have a role in reducing the salivary S. mutans level and ice cream would be a better choice than drink. However, the prolonged use of the agents and their effects on caries is still to be determined.
ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study is to compare the oral hygiene status among institutionalized visually impaired children of age between 6 and 20 years given with Braille and audio instructions in Raichur city of Karnataka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 children aged between 6 to 20 years were included in this study from a residential school for visually impaired children. These children were randomly divided into two equal groups. One group was given oral hygiene instructions by audio recordings and another written in Braille and were instructed to practice the same. After three months time the oral hygiene status and dental caries experience was recorded and compared using patient performance index. Statistical analysis was done by student paired t test and multiple comparison by Tukey's HSD (honest significant difference) test. RESULTS: The mean PHP (Patient Hygiene Performance) score of group A at baseline was 3.88 compared to 3.90 of group B. At 7 days PHP score of group A and group B was 3.42 and 3.45 respectively. At 3 month PHP score of group A and group B was 2.47 and 2.86 respectively. Even though over a period of time the mean score of PHP index reduced the score comparison between the 2 groups were statistically non significant. In group A the mean difference of PHP score between baseline and 7 days was 0.46, between baseline and 3 months it was 1.40. The PHP score between 7 days and 3 months was 0.94. All the above values were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Effective dental health education method has to be instituted for visually impaired children. The present study shows improvement of oral health status in both the study population by decrease in the mean plaque score. Hence continuous motivation and reinforcement in the form of Braille and audio instruction is beneficial to achieve good oral hygiene levels in visually impaired children.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The overall health, well-being, education, learning abilities, development of children, families, and communities can be affected by oral health. However in the developing nations, the importance of oral health in comparison to general health is minimal. The objective was to evaluate and compare the oral health problems in relation to general health problems of the same children by a group screening method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 592 children in the age group of 10-14 years were selected from class 6 to 10, the focus initially was on general health screening, vision screening, oral health screening, tonsillar, and auditory screening of students. Among these children, 296 individuals were apparently healthy with no undiagnosed health aliments; the remaining children were having some health problems. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test. RESULTS: About 50% of children were apparently healthy, 19.9% had oral health problems, which was considerably higher than other health problems. The general health problems were 15.20%. CONCLUSION: By conducting such a study, we can know that the awareness and identification of other health problems are in urban school children is higher than the oral health problems. This recommends promoting awareness on the oral health and importance of regular dental check-up in children.
