Application of Willems Method as an Age Estimator in Early Adolescents of Bangalore Population.

INTRODUCTION: Dental age (DA) assessment is a reliable method for chronological age (CA) estimation used for criminal, forensic, and anthropologic purposes. Age estimation also provides valuable information when the birth date is unavailable, as in case of migrants. Furthermore, the CA of living people is important for employment and marriage purpose. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study is to check the reliability of the Willems method in the population of Bangalore. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 205 (109 boys and 96 girls) participants by their radiographic records in the department of forensic odontology using modified Demirjian's method by Willem et al. RESULTS: A total of 205 subjects were selected for the study, among which 109 (53.2%) were boys and 96 (46.8%) were girls. The mean CA was 12.23 ± 1.75 and the mean DA was 12.20 ± 1.99. Willems method seems to be reliable in estimating DA in Bangalore populations. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the Willems method gave near precise estimation of the CA.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Digital Imaging and Cone Beam Computed Tomography among Dental Practitioners in North Karnataka, India.

INTRODUCTION: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has one of the most important roles for diagnosis in dentistry. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge and awareness toward the scope of digital imaging and CBCT, among dental practitioners in North Karnataka regions such as Bidar and Raichur city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire study was carried out among 200 dental practitioners of North Karnataka (Bidar and Raichur). A specially designed structured questionnaire (13 in number) was administered to assess the knowledge of digital imaging and CBCT. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient test, and any P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 200 dentists were selected for the study, among which 93.5% were reported that digital imaging is the most useful method compared to conventional method. About 91.0% of the dentists were aware of CBCT. Of 91.5% of the dentists preferred CBCT for three-dimensional imaging in the head and neck region. Among all, majority of dentists reported that all types of radiography will be used in digital imaging (45.0%). CONCLUSION: The current study showed that knowledge of dentist regarding digital imaging and CBCT was not satisfactory; therefore, participants require an understanding of the concepts behind CBCT and related technologies, making appropriate training essential for every member of the dental team.

Occurrence of micronuclei in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells in mobile phone users: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: The use of mobile phones has increased enormously all over the world especially among young people. This technology is based upon electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range [radiofrequency (RF) waves and microwaves]. The radiation frequency and modulation standards vary in the range of 300-2100 MHz, depending on the region in the world. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To detect the presence of micronuclei in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells of mobile phone users as well as to carry out a quantitative analysis of micronuclei in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells of mobile phone users. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 100 individuals, out of which 50 were included under the test group and 50 under the control group. Buccal mucosal smears were obtained from each subject. Staining was done using papanicuolau (PAP) stain and the slides were examined for the presence of micronuclei. RESULTS: The mean duration of mobile phone usage in years was 5.32 years for the exposed and 2.42 years for the control. Mean duration of mobile phone usage per day in the test group was 94.8 min and 12.4 min in the control group. The frequency of micronucleated cells (MNC) in test and control groups ranged from 0 to 16 and 0 to 2 respectively. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using Student t-test and significant results were obtained at 0.0001 level. CONCLUSION: Our study concluded that there is an increased frequency of micronuclei in mobile phone users which is related to carcinogenesis.

Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs of 12-year-old School Children among Urban and Rural Areas of Raichur Taluk, Karnataka, India.

INTRODUCTION: Oral health is an integral part of general health. Oral health status has a direct impact on general health, and conversely, general health influences oral health. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to assess oral health status and treatment needs of 12-year-old school children among urban and rural areas of Raichur Taluk, Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1240 school children in the age group of 12 years from urban (620) and rural (620) areas of Raichur Taluk, Karnataka, India. Oral health status was assessed using the World Oral Health assessment form 1997. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries in urban and rural areas of school children was 63.5% and 64.5%, respectively. The mean decayed teeth, missing teeth, filled teeth, and decay, missing, filled teeth of school children in Raichur Taluk were 1.15 ± 1.20, 0.0, 0.03 ± 0.23, and 1.19 ± 1.21, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for preventive and curative oral health services and should be made integral to other health programs. Oral health promotion strategies need to be implemented to improve the oral health of primary school children. Health education should be given regarding the prevention of dental caries by maintaining good oral hygiene.

Are Tooth Prints a Hard Tissue Equivalence of Finger Print in Mass Disaster: A Rationalized Review.

Personal identification methods may not be efficient when bodies are decomposed, burned, in cases of mass disasters when soft tissue cannot provide reliable information or has been lost. Various methods currently employed in forensic odontology for personal identification include comparing with antemortem dental charts, rugoscopy, denture labeling, DNA analysis from dental pulp, bite mark analysis, etc., Recently, there is growing interest in the study of enamel rod end patterns. These enamel rod end patterns are termed as "Tooth prints" and the study of these prints is known as "Ameloglyphics" (amelo: Enamel, Glyphics: Carvings). This review encompasses about the basis of using enamel rod end patterns, methods of obtaining the patterns and further suggests these tooth prints as an analogy to finger print in personal identification in mass disasters.