Impact of Menopausal Duration on Salivary Flow Rate, Tooth Loss, and Oral Health-related Quality of Life in Indian Communities.

Background: Diminishing hormonal levels after menopause evoke physiological changes in a woman's body. Their effects on the oral cavity are noteworthy, considering symptoms of dry mouth, altered taste perceptions, and tooth loss that may be attributed to reduced salivary flow and alveolar density changes. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess changes in salivary flow rate, tooth loss, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) as menopausal duration increased. Materials and Methods: A total of 327 women fulfilling the eligibility criteria were chosen from two villages in the Mysuru district, Karnataka. They were categorized into three groups based on menopausal durations. Salivary flow rates, number of teeth lost, and OHRQoL after menopause were assessed and compared at different menopausal durations. Sociodemographic characteristics and oral hygiene practices were recorded to identify potential confounders. Results: Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between menopausal duration and salivary flow rates (adjusted odds ratio = 2.269). However, no such associations were observed with tooth loss and OHRQoL. Conclusion: Menopausal duration significantly affects salivary flow rate. Its influence on tooth loss and OHRQoL is, however, less evident. Although strong associations cannot be established, the inevitability of the menopausal state advocates consideration of other major yet modifiable factors to improve oral health.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of green tea mouth rinse on oral halitosis, tongue coating, and plaque accumulation in comparison with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth rinse - A double-blind randomized control trial.

Background: Green tea (Camellia sinensis) mouth rinse is found effective in reducing periodontitis. However, studies evaluating the effectiveness of green tea extracts in reducing oral halitosis and tongue coating on Indian population were scanty. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of green tea-based mouth rinse in comparison with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse in reducing dental plaque, tongue coating, and halitosis among human volunteers. Materials and Methods: This was a parallel-arm double-blind randomized controlled trial conducted in two residential hostels in Mysuru city over 21 days. 90 adult participants were recruited and randomized into three groups: Group A: mouth rinse containing saline, Group B: 5% C. sinensis mouth rinse, and Group C: 0.2% chlorhexidine diluted to with equal quantity of water. Preintervention prophylaxis was done; tongue coating and oral halitosis scores were recorded and compared between the groups at baseline and after 21 days. Results: The mean plaque buildup at postintervention was highest in Group 1 (2.45 ± 0.38) followed by Group 3 (1.18 ± 0.12) and Group 2 (1.08 ± 0.11) in the descending order. The mean oral halitosis score was highest in Group 1 (3.00 ± 0.79) followed by Group 3 (1.53 ± 0.50) and Group 2 (1.50 ± 0.50) in the descending order. The mean tongue coating score was highest in Group 1 (1.17 ± 0.47) followed by Group 2 (0.75 ± 0.36) and Group 3 (0.69 ± 0.34) in the descending order. Conclusion: Five percent C. sinensis mouth rinse is as effective as commercially available 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash in reducing plaque deposition, tongue coating, and oral halitosis.

Evaluating the efficacy of handwashing demonstration on hand hygiene among school students - An interventional study.

BACKGROUND: Washing of hands and maintenance of appropriate hand hygiene plays a significant role in preventing the spread of many communicable diseases. However, literature demonstrating the efficacy of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended handwashing procedure among schoolchildren in India is scanty. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess hand hygiene efficacy through graphical assessment technique utilizing ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive fluorescent lotion before and after handwashing demonstration among students aged 12-18 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an interventional study carried out over a period of 5 days among 21 schoolchildren aged 12-18 years in their respective school premises. Participants were requested to rub their hands with an UV-sensitive fluorescent lotion and then wash them. Hands were air-dried and examined under UV rays for blue light emission in a dark room. Emission of blue light highlighted parts of hand where lotion is still present and area not washed properly. Such areas were painted with nontoxic skin-friendly paints. Painted hands were imprinted over graph papers. Hand hygiene demonstration was provided to the participants as per the WHO guidelines by qualified public health dentists using audiovisual aids. Postintervention, the procedure followed at baseline was adopted to obtain imprints of uncovered (not covered during hand hygiene process) parts of hands. The mean percentage of uncovered parts of hand was assessed and compared between baseline and postintervention. RESULTS: The overall mean percentage score of uncovered hand area significantly reduced from 73.90 ± 19.81 mm2 at baseline to 20.05 ± 17.0 mm2 after demonstration of proper hand hygiene guidelines (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Hand hygiene demonstration by qualified public health dentists using audio-visual aids has significantly contributed to improving their hand hygiene practice.

"Is powered toothbrush better than manual toothbrush in removing dental plaque?" - A crossover randomized double-blind study among differently abled, India.

BACKGROUND: Although mechanical plaque removal is an effective method, powered toothbrushes are specially designed to benefit differently abled. Literature comparing plaque removal efficacy between manual and powered toothbrushes among differently abled is sparse. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-over, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in differently abled institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty differently abled participants were randomly assigned to two groups of ten participants. Plaque removal efficacy of battery-operated powered toothbrush was compared with manual toothbrush in a single brushing on the 8th day. After a washout of 1 week, groups were switched. Assessment of plaque scores was done using Turesky's modification of Quigley-Hein plaque index. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Difference in plaque score between pre- and post-brushing in each group was compared using paired sample t-test. RESULTS: In the pooled data analysis combining the results of Phase I and II, mean pre- and post-brushing plaque scores with manual toothbrush was 2.26 ± 0.4 and 1.93 ± 0.5, respectively, while with powered toothbrush, it was 2.21 ± 0.4 and 1.96 ± 0.4, respectively. However, difference in mean plaque reduction between manual and powered toothbrushes was not significant. CONCLUSION: Manual toothbrushes were equally effective compared to powered toothbrushes. Long-term studies precisely documenting cost-effectiveness and participant perception in the ease of use are recommended to validate our results.

Oral health promotion among rural school children through teachers: an interventional study.

BACKGROUND: The lack of national oral health policy and organized school dental health programs in the country call for affordable, accessible, and sustainable strategies. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to compare the oral hygiene, plaque, gingival, and dental caries status among rural children receiving dental health education by qualified dentists and school teachers with and without supply of oral hygiene aids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This interventional study was conducted among 15-year-old children selected randomly from four schools in Nalgonda district between September 2009 and February 2010. Schools were divided into four different intervention groups. The intervention groups varied in the form of intervention provider and frequency of intervention one of which being the control group. The oral hygiene, plaque, gingival, and dental caries status was assessed at baseline and 6 months following the intervention. SPSS 16 was used for analysis. RESULTS: The preintervention and postintervention comparison within each group revealed a substantial reduction in mean oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) at postintervention compared to baseline in group 4 (1.26, 0.87, and 0.74, respectively) followed by group 3 (0.14, 0.37, and 0.12, respectively). The OHI-S, PI, and GI scores increased in group 1 (0.66, 0.37, and 0.34, respectively) and group 2 (0.25, 0.19, and 0.14, respectively). Mean decayed, missing filled surfaces score between the groups was not statistically significant at baseline and postintervention. CONCLUSION: The dramatic reductions in the OHI-S, PI, and GI scores in the group supplied with oral hygiene aids call for supplying low cost fluoridated toothpastes along with toothbrushes through the school systems in rural areas.

A knowledge, attitude, and practices study regarding dental floss among dentists in India.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge, attitude, self-reported practices, and prescription patterns regarding dental floss amongst a select population of dentists in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pretested 30-item questionnaire was self-administered by authors to the dental faculty and postgraduate students in dental schools in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). Nine dental institutes were selected by simple random sampling procedure among 15 institutions and a total of 255 dentists were included in the study. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data obtained were analyzed by SPSS version 18. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies were calculated and Pearson's Chi-square test was used with P value fixed at 0.05. RESULTS: There was lack of adequate knowledge regarding dental floss, among dentists in India. 78% of the dentists responded that the routine use of dental floss was necessary for good periodontal health. Majority of the dentists cited lack of awareness, availability, and cost as the major factors affecting floss usage. Lack of training in the dental education programs may have an impact on the prescription patterns as well. 15.3% of those surveyed do not use floss at all. 63.9% of the dentists prescribed floss routinely to their patients and considered factors like education, occupation, and socioeconomic status of the patient before prescribing dental floss. CONCLUSION: Health education programs regarding dental floss are necessary to create awareness among the general population and adequate training at undergraduate level is also essential to increase the prescription practices. Dentists should practice recommended oral self-care and act as role models.