Knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental health professionals toward dental impression disinfection protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia- a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the updated guidelines on dental impression disinfection protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, adherence to such procedures has not been studied among dental health professionals in Saudi Arabia. Understanding DHPs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 is crucial in assessing a willingness to adhere to the recommendations provided by health authorities in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 via dental impressions impacting patient safety and infection control measures. Hence, this study aimed to assess dental health professionals' (DHPs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward dental impression disinfection protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted from 14 December 2022 to 21 March 2023 among practicing dentists, dental assistants (DA), dental laboratory technicians (DT), and dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia. A validated and reliable questionnaire that consisted of 38 items along with demographic variables was prepared to collect the data. Using Google Forms, a questionnaire link was prepared and shared on the social media platforms of DHPs in Saudi Arabia. A descriptive analysis was conducted to report the percentages and frequencies. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were analyzed using an Independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation tests. RESULTS: A total of 718 DHPs voluntarily participated in the survey. Most of the DHPs exhibited average knowledge 392 (54.6%), neutral attitudes 393(54.7%), and adequate 549 (76.5%) practice towards dental impression disinfection protocol. The mean knowledge score differed significantly across nationality (p = 0.013), type of DHPs (p < 0.001), qualification (p = 0.045), and experience (p = 0.028) of the study participants. Significant differences in attitude towards impression disinfection were observed in different age groups (p = 0.002), qualifications (p = 0.015), and experiences (p = 0.024) of the DHPs. Similarly, practice varied across different age groups (p = 0.010), nationality (p = 0.013), type of DHPs (p = 0.019), qualification (p = 0.044), experience (p = 0.041), and COVID-19 Infection (p = 0.006). Moreover, a significant positive correlation between knowledge-attitude (r = 0.258, p < 0.01), knowledge-practice (r = 0.283, p < 0.01), and attitude-practice (r = 0.196, p < 0.01) was observed. CONCLUSION: DHPs considered in this study demonstrated average knowledge and attitudes toward impression disinfection, requiring improvement through continuous dental education and training. However, they displayed acceptable dental impression disinfection practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is highly recommended that continuing education programs should mainly reinforce the knowledge of sodium hypochlorite, iodophor, and phenolics and their concentrations to be used as an impression disinfectant. Additionally, it should focus on techniques of disinfecting elastomeric, hydrocolloid, zinc oxide and eugenol, and impression compound materials to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 based on Saudi ministry of health guidelines.

Comparative Assessment of Oral Health Attitudes and Behaviors of First-Time and Previous Dental Patients Undergoing Exodontia Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Private Dental Clinics in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

Background: The COVID-19 lockdown affected oral health behaviors. This study aims to assess and compare the oral health attitudes and behaviors of first-time and previous patients undergoing dental extractions during the COVID-19 pandemic at private dental clinics in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients aged 18-65 years undergoing dental extractions at private dental clinics in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Four hundred and eighty patients were selected using a convenient sampling methodology. A structured, close-ended questionnaire investigated demographic information, tooth extraction attendance, and oral health attitudes and behaviors using 20 items Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory (HUDBI). Results: A total of 480 exodontia patients [282 (58.8%) males and 198 (41.2%) females] participated in this study. All patients used a stiff-bristled toothbrush and were concerned about their teeth' color and bad breath. Similarly, all the participants did not feel brushed unless they used strong strokes, and the dentist told them to brush very well. An overall mean HUDBI score of 6.34±1.12 was observed. Patients with a primary education (5.61±0.79), income ≤5000 SAR (6.00±0.92), residing in rural areas (5.84±0.93), and government employees (5.62±0.96) exhibited lower HU-DBI scores compared to their counterparts. The study revealed a significant variation in HUDBI scores across different demographic factors, including education, income, residence, occupation, and reason for extraction (p<0.001). The HUDBI score of first-time attendees to dental extraction (5.88±1.03) was found to be significantly poorer than to those of previous attendees (6.63±1.09), (p<0.001). Conclusion: Patients who underwent dental extractions at private dental clinics in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, during the post-lockdown COVID-19 pandemic exhibited average oral health attitudes and behaviors. Oral health attitudes and behaviors differed by socioeconomic status. Patients undergoing dental extractions for reasons other than dental caries and periodontal diseases and first-time attendees demonstrated poor oral health attitudes and behaviors.

Long term remineralizing effect of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate in white spot lesions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: White spot lesions (WSLs) appear as white, opaque areas on the teeth and are caused by a demineralization of the enamel. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine whether casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) has beneficial effects on WSLs and provides remineralizing benefits that are superior to those of placebo or no treatment. METHODS: Following a thorough analysis of the literature across major online sources, 103 papers - 54 of which underwent in-depth evaluation - were found. We used inclusion and exclusion criteria to choose research articles that were appropriate for our review. RESULTS: 10 papers met this review's requirements and were subsequently included. As compared to the controls, CPP-ACP demonstrated increased efficacy in treatment of WSLs in terms of remineralisation and other parameters which included microhardness tests and enamel surface roughness. The forest plots present the results of meta-analyses comparing the effect of CPP-ACP versus control/other agents on white spot lesions (WSLs). In terms of odds ratios (OR), CPP-ACP showed a small increase in the odds of WSLs compared to control/other agents. In-vitro studies showed no significant difference in relative risk (RR) between CPP-ACP and control/other agents. Randomized control trials indicated a small increase in the risk of WSLs with CPP-ACP treatment, but the overall effect was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: There was evidence to support the use of CPP-ACP over other agents for WSL prevention or treatment, but further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride on Bacterial Biofilms-A Review including In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Caries/carious lesions are a growing concern among the general population across the world, and different strategies are evolving to combat the bacterial invasion that resultantly leads to caries. In this systematic review, we are looking to analyse the role of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on the growth of bacterial biofilms. The search strategy for the studies to be selected for the review was initiated by a search across multiple databases, which ultimately yielded 15 studies that were in accordance with our objectives. The reviewed articles indicate a very clear correlation between the usage of SDF and the decrease in bacterial biofilms, which are limited not just to one or two but multiple bacterial species. As shown by the events favoring SDF's odds ratio of 3.59 (with a 95% confidence interval of 2.13 to 6.05), a risk ratio of 1.63 (1.32 to 2.00), and a risk difference of 0.28 (0.16 to 0.40), there was strong evidence that SDF is a successful treatment for reducing bacterial biofilms in dental practice. This study offers substantial proof that SDF works well to reduce bacterial biofilms in dentistry practices. We advise further investigation to examine the potential of SDF as a standard therapy choice for dental caries and related conditions given the obvious relationship between the use of SDF and the reduction in bacterial biofilms.

Comparison of Salivary Secretion, pH, and Buffer Capacity Between COVID-19 Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Child Patients Visiting Dental Clinics of University Hospitals in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

Objective: This study aimed to assess and compare the salivary secretion, pH, and buffer capacity between COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated child patients visiting the clinics of private university dental hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is the first comparative assessment of salivary parameters between unvaccinated and COVID-19-vaccinated child patients. The study sample comprised COVID-19 unvaccinated (n = 66) and vaccinated (n = 66) pediatric dental patients aged 4-12 years seeking dental care in clinics of private university hospitals. Paraffin-stimulated saliva was collected from unvaccinated and vaccinated study participants, and the amount of saliva secreted per minute was noted. Salivary pH and buffering capacity (by 5 mmol Hydrochloric acid titration) were measured using a benchtop digital pH meter. The data obtained were compared between unvaccinated and vaccinated participants using an independent t-test. Results: The results showed a significantly higher salivary secretion rate in unvaccinated than vaccinated study participants (0.83 ± 0.24 mL/min vs 0.67 ± 0.24 mL/min, p = 0.001). Similarly, unvaccinated subjects compared to vaccinated subjects exhibited a significantly higher pH (7.33 ± 0.39 vs 7.04 ± 0.46, p < 0.001) and buffering capacity (6.31 ± 1.55 vs 5.40 ± 1.22, p < 0.001). Moreover, unvaccinated females demonstrated a significantly higher salivary secretion (0.87 ± 0.23 vs 0.71 ± 0.25, t = 2.627, p = 0.011) and buffering capacity 6.19 ± 1.52 vs 5.34 ± 1.25, t = 2.404, p = 0.019) than vaccinated females. Similarly, unvaccinated male exhibited significantly higher salivary secretion (0.80 ± 0.25 vs 0.64 ± 0.23, t = 2.670, p = 0.009), salivary pH (7.39 ± 0.45 vs 6.94 ± 0.41, t=4.309, p<0.001) and buffering capacity (6.42 ± 1.60 vs 5.45 ± 1.21, t = 2.875, p = 0.005) than the vaccinated male subjects. Conclusion: The vaccinated subjects showed a significantly lower mean salivary secretion, pH, and buffering capacity than unvaccinated participants. Hence, COVID-19 vaccination is likely to affect salivary parameters among pediatric patients.

Dental Professional's Knowledge, Preventive Awareness and Attitude Towards COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to assess the dentist's knowledge, preventive awareness, and attitude towards COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess dental professionals' knowledge, preventive awareness, and attitude towards dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. STUDY SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study participants consisted of dental professionals working in government, private and academic sectors in Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire (Whatsapp and Twitter) was sent to dental professionals in July 2020. The questionnaire consisted of questions on dental professional's demographic variables, their knowledge of the incubation period, the symptoms, mode of transmission, preventive awareness of COVID-19, and their attitude toward treating patients with COVID-19. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied to compare mean ranks and a p<0.05 is considered statistically significant. RESULTS: This study included a total of 356 dental professionals (dentists and dental students) aged 22-60 years (mean±SD, 32.14±7.48 years). Majority of the participants were graduates/general practitioners (GP) 145 (40.7%), followed by post graduate (PG) student 108 (30.3%), undergraduate students 23 (6.5%) and specialist 80 (22.5%). Dental professionals showed a high level (>90% correct responses) of knowledge of COVID-19 except for the infection among comorbid patients 283 (79.5%) and incubation period of COVID-19, 164 (46.1%). An overall high knowledge of COVID-19 (87.26%), preventive awareness (88.64%) and a positive attitude (65.26%) towards dental care were observed among the study participants. The mean knowledge ranks differed significantly in different genders (p=0.029) and marital status (p=0.023), whereas preventive awareness differed significantly across various qualifications (p=0.004). The mean attitude rank was significantly higher among Saudi (182.29) compared to non-Saudi (141.36) study participants (p=0.025). CONCLUSION: The dental professionals participated in this study demonstrated adequate knowledge of symptoms, preventive awareness, and a positive attitude towards dental care of the COVID-19 infected patients.

Validation of Arabic version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey Scale (DFS) and combined self-modified version of this two scales as Dental Fear Anxiety Scale (DFAS) among 12 to 15 year Saudi school students in Riyadh city.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), and a combined self-modified version of these scales and Dental Fear and Anxiety Scale (DFAS). We also aimed to assess the impact of dental fear and anxiety among Arabic-speaking 12-15-year-old Saudi students on their quality of life by correlating MDAS, DAS, and DFAS scores with other demographic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 individuals (250 male and 250 female) in Riyadh city using a questionnaire. An unpaired t-test was used to check the mean difference between anxiety score among males and females, and one-way analysis of variance was used to check the mean difference between percentage anxiety score among different visit groups. Scheffe post hoc test was used to check the pairwise difference between the groups, and Cronbach's alpha was used to measure internal consistency of the questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall mean percentage DAS score was 51.1640 + 6.87358 and 55.2080 + 8.52805 for male and females, respectively. The overall mean percentage MDAS score was 51.6640 + 10.9478 and 58.3200 + 11.62990 for males and females, respectively. The overall mean total score was found to be 64.4080 + 11.80776 and 100.4680 + 12.34840 for males and females, respectively. All the above results were statistically significant by 5% (P < 0.001). Cronbach's alpha score for MDAS and DAS was found to be 0.843 and it was 0.960 for DFAS. It was found that removal of any item would have decreased the overall consistency, which indicated a high level of internal consistency for our scales. CONCLUSION: Saudi Arabian version of Arabic version of MDAS, DAS and DFAS have shown high validity and reliability, and can be used to assess the dental patient's anxiety and fear.

Factors Affecting Access to Oral Health Care among Adults in Abha City, Saudi Arabia.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the self-reported access problems to dental care among adults in Abha city, KSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was carried out among adults in Abha city, Saudi Arabia. A structured, close-ended, self-administered questionnaire elicited the access and utilization of dental care among a sample of adults. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 statistical software. The descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed to predict the variables associated with access and utilization of dental care. RESULTS: A total of 499 adults (male = 270, female = 229) participated in the study. More than half (289, 57.9%) of the participants utilized dental services and emergency services (283, 56.7%) were the most common reason to visit dentist. For most of the participants (281, 57.1%), the last dental visit was less than 1 year. Majority (409, 82%) of the participants self-funded for their treatment in private dental clinics (382, 76.6%). More than half (258, 51.7%) of the participants received restorative treatment during their last visit to dentist. Cost (39.1%) and lack of time (28.7%) were the main barriers to accessing dental care. Education and income were all involved in predicting nonutilization of dental services among the study participants. CONCLUSION: Access to and utilization of dental care are the multidimensional concepts influenced by many factors. Cost and lack of time were the predominant barriers to utilization of dental services. Access to dental care is a multidimensional issue with education and income, were considered as the significant predictors of nonutilization of dental services. Similarly, income and transportation problems significantly predicted the use of private dental services. Marital status, transportation problem, health problems, and difficulty in movement were all concerned with multiple barriers to accessing dental services among the study participants.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Elderly People with Edentulous Jaws in Hafar Al-Batin Region, Saudi Arabia.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among elderly people aged 65 and above years from Hafar Al-Batin area, Saudi Arabia, by utilizing Arabic version of Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI-Ar). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study undertaken from October 2017 to December 2017. A convenience sampling methodology was employed to select the elderly patients aged ≥65 years attending dental clinics of primary health-care centers in five different regions of the Hafar Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia. OHRQoL of the participants was measured using the Saudi Arabian version of GOHAI-Ar. The oral examinations performed to record a total number of remaining natural teeth, complete and removable partial dentures, and fixed partial dentures. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. RESULTS: A total of 200 elderly participants (M = 157 and F = 43) having mean age (± standard error [SE]) was 69.26 (±0.34) years, participated in the study. Mean ± SE of GOHAI-Ar was 27.68 ± 0.54, physical function 9.12 ± 0.26, pain and discomfort (6.87 ± 0.18), and psychological discomfort (11.69 ± 0.25). Remaining natural teeth and prosthodontic status significantly correlated with pain and discomfort. The presence of prosthesis was found to influence the psychological function. Gender and prosthodontic statuses were found to have significant correlation with OHRQoL. CONCLUSION: Poor OHRQoL among elderly from Hafar Al-Batin city was found, and presence dental prosthesis showed a positive impact on OHRQoL.

Recent advancements in fluoride: A systematic review.

To review advancements of fluoride in dentistry, a search of 21 electronic databases and World Wide Web was conducted. Relevant journals were hand searched and further information was requested from authors. Inclusion criteria were a predefined hierarchy of evidence and objectives. Study validity was assessed with checklists. Two reviewers independently screened sources, extracted data, and assessed validity. Fluoride has become an important tool in preventive dentistry. Current research is focused on the development of strategies to improve fluoride efficacy. Fluoride therapy in the form of varnish, gel, mouth rinse, or toothpaste has been used extensively as a caries-preventive intervention for over three decades. The purpose of this review is to inform the reader about new research related to the use of fluoride for the prevention of dental caries.

Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs of Police Personnel in Mathura City.

BACKGROUND: All men are born equal and are endowed by their creator with some basic rights. As the military is to defend the country from external threats, so is the police for maintenance of the internal peace of the community. The irregular shifts in their work schedule lead to neglecting or skipping of their regular diet and indulging into adverse habits. It is the responsibility of the society to safeguard the health of their defenders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 475 central reserve police personnels in Mathura city. Consent was obtained from the concerned authorities and the subjects were clinically examined using WHO 2013 "Oral Health Assessment Form." RESULTS: This study revealed that 99.6% subjects were males, 62% subjects were of 21-35 years age group, mean dentition status was found to be 0.66 ± 2.08 and, most of the subjects needed prompt treatment including scaling. CONCLUSION: Police personnels provide a unique opportunity to study a large population from diverse geographic backgrounds. Prevention oriented health education lectures should be delivered and possibly, should also form part of their training curriculum.

Ayurveda in Dentistry: A Review.

Ayurvedic medicine was considered to be world's oldest medical system, which was originated in India dating back over thousands of years. There was a long history regarding plants for the improvement of dental health and oral hygiene. To study various plants and their products as effective medicines in the treatment of various ailments since ancient times. Data were performed in PubMed Central and Cochrane library using MeSH Terms - Dentistry, Herbal Medicine, Periodontitis. A total of 142 relevant articles were found in 2013 and 2014 followed by case reports. Various studies have mentioned the uses of herbs, which are found to be statistically significant in treatment and management of oral diseases. Current researches showed that herbal extracts are effective because of the interaction with specific chemical receptors within the body. Nowadays, there has been a sudden increase in the use of herbal extracts or plant products as an alternative approach to modern day medicines.

Dental Caries Status and Oral Hygiene Practices of Lock Factory Workers in Aligarh City.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate the oral hygiene practices and dental caries status of lock factory workers in Aligarh city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: WHO Oral Health Assessment form (2013) was used to collect data from each subject. A total of 850 subjects constituted the final sample size. Information was obtained regarding the oral hygiene practices and clinical examinations were conducted. Descriptive analysis was done and the data were analyzed using Chi-square test. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries was 46.5%. Almost half of the workers i.e., 456 (53.6%) used brush to clean their teeth. Majority of the subjects i.e., 784 (92.2%) cleaned their teeth once a day. It was found that 466 (54.8%) used toothpaste for maintaining oral hygiene. Almost half of the subjects consumed tobacco in form of gutkha, cigarette, and in multiple forms. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that dental caries and poor oral hygiene are major public health problems among the factory workers. Primary oral health-care programs like dental screening and oral health education at regular intervals should be made mandatory, which will help to prevent accumulation of health-care demands of the factory employees.

Evaluation of knowledge and attitude of school teachers about emergency management of traumatic dental injury.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are widespread in the population and are a serious dental public health problem among children. Dental trauma may cause both functional and esthetic problems, with possible impacts on the patient's quality of life. AIM: To investigate teacher's knowledge and attitudes of Mathura city about emergency management of TDIs in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 352 teachers from total 23 schools of Mathura city were included in the study. Data were collected through a survey, which included a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three major parts containing multiple-choice questions. RESULTS: Among the teachers 51.1% were males and 48.9% were females. Majority of the respondents, that is, 33.5% were between 31 and 40 years of age. Most respondents (34%) had more than 10 years of teaching experience. Majority of the teachers (39.2%) had educational qualification other than B.Ed. and M.Ed. degrees. Physical education teachers comprised the largest group of school teachers. Regarding knowledge and attitude, the teachers with 10-20 years of teaching experience, physical education teachers, and the teachers other than B.Ed. and M.Ed. qualifications had given more correct answers to the questions when compared with other groups. CONCLUSION: For the teachers having a low level of knowledge, there is a need for greater awareness to improve teachers' knowledge and attitudes related to the emergency management of TDIs in children by organizing educative and motivational programs.

Mutans streptococci estimation in saliva before and after consumption of probiotic curd among school children.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization, probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts and confer a health benefit to the host. Use of probiotics in children to improve oral health may lead to non-pathogenic bacteria replacing cariogenic bacteria. Dairy foods like cheese, curd, and milk are considered useful vehicles for probiotic bacteria. AIM: To compare the levels of salivary mutans streptococci before and after consumption of probiotic curd. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty school children of Mathura city who were caries free, in the age group of 12-14 years, were selected and divided equally into group I and II which were given 200 ml probiotic curd and normal curd for 7 days, respectively. Assessment of saliva samples was done at baseline, 1 h after consumption, and on the 7(th) day. Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin Agar was used for analysis. The number of colonies was counted and subjected to statistical analysis using unpaired Student's t-test. RESULTS: The study showed mark reduction in salivary mutans streptococci counts in saliva after 1 h and on the 7(th) day in the probiotic group. Results were found to be statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) when the differences in the reduction of mutans streptococci counts with probiotic curd and normal curd at 1 h and on the 7(th) day were compared. CONCLUSION: Pathogenic microorganisms could be displaced by probiotic bacteria. Thus, use of probiotic products could be exploited for the prevention of enamel demineralization.

Comparison of root canal sealer distribution in obturated root canal: An in-vitro study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endodontic sealer is currently regarded with such importance in the root canal treatment that it is often considered to be more important than the core obturating material itself. Sealer with the least film thickness is favorable for minimizing microleakage. The aim of the study is to compare sealer distribution in root canal using three different sealers with three different obturation techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AH plus, Fuji-1, Tubliseal Extended Working Time (EWT) was placed into the prepared root canals of 90 maxillary central incisors using a lentulospiral. Thereafter, the canals were obturated using three different gutta-percha root filling techniques (single cone, lateral condensation, vertical condensation). Horizontal sectioning was carried out at 3 mm and 6 mm from the apex with a diamond disk. The two specimens thus obtained were examined for sealer distribution using a stereomicroscope and the percentage of sealer coating the perimeter (PSCP) was calculated using a digital imaging system. RESULTS: A significant difference existed in the mean PSCP values of three different sealers (P < 0.000), where Tubliseal (EWT) had the highest PSCP values followed by the AH plus and Fuji-1. Also, between techniques, differences were observed (P < 0.00), where a single cone technique had the highest mean values followed by lateral condensation and vertical condensation. Between the 3 mm and 6 mm sections a non-significant difference was observed (P < 0.945). CONCLUSION: Tubliseal EWT showed highest PSCP value and Single cone technique showed the higher PSCP value then lateral and vertical condensation technique at 3 mm and 6 mm sections.

Salivary fluoride levels after toothbrushing with dentifrices containing different concentrations of fluoride.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the salivary fluoride levels after toothbrushing with dentifrices containing 458 ppm and 1000 ppm of fluoride and to compare salivary fluoride levels of two dentifrices at different intervals of time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 50 children in the age group of 6-12 years were selected. The individuals were randomly divided into two groups using either 458 ppm or 1000 ppm fluoride dentifrice, respectively. Whole saliva samples were collected prior to brushing, immediately after brushing, and at subsequent intervals after brushing into sterile test tubes. RESULTS: Data collected were evaluated using unpaired t-test. Salivary fluoride level following the use of 458 ppm fluoride dentifrice was significantly lower than the level found following the use of 1000 ppm dentifrice, but the levels were above the baseline values even after 1 h. CONCLUSION: There was considerable salivary fluoride retention after brushing with fluoride dentifrices.

Prevalence of dental caries among school children of Bharatpur city, India.

BACKGROUND: Healthy teeth and oral tissues and the need for oral health care are important for any section of society. Dental caries is an infectious microbial disease of multifactorial origin in which diet, host, and microbial flora interacts over a period of time in such a way so as to encourage demineralization of the tooth enamel with resultant caries formation. Dental caries, the product of man's progress towards civilization, has a very high morbidity potential and thus, is coming into focus of the mankind. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of dental caries among 12-15 year old government and private school children of Bharatpur city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out on total 1400 school children, of which 700 school children were from government schools and 700 were from private schools. Simple random sampling methodology was used to select the sample. The subjects were examined for dental caries according to WHO 1997 assessment form. Significant Caries Index was also used to assess the prevalence of dental caries. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries was found higher among government school children, that is, 53%, when compared to private school children, that is, 47% and this difference was found to be statistically significant. The mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth were found to be higher in government school children (7.61 ± 2.86) as compared to private school children (4.76 ± 2.42). CONCLUSION: Dental caries was found to be the major public health problems among both the government and private school children of Bharatpur city, which need immediate attention. Regular dental checkups and practice of routine oral hygiene procedures will enable them to lead a healthier life.

Identification of sex using lip prints : A clinical study.

AIM: To determine the sex of an individual from the configuration of lip prints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 200 first to final year BDS students of K. D. Dental College and Hospital, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India. All the subjects (females = 100, males = 100) belonged to the age group of 17-26 years. Non-glossed lip stick color, white bond paper, cellophane tape, scissors, and magnifying lens were used for identification. Length and thickness of the upper and lower lips were measured with sliding calipers. For all the lip prints, the thickness of the lip was measured at the center of the lip. RESULTS: Overall accuracy by the examiner was found to be 81% (out of 200 participants, 162 were diagnosed correctly) and distribution of lip patterns showed a statistically significant difference between the genders (P ≤ 0.05). For the upper lip, the average difference in lip thickness found between males and females was 3.8 mm. However, the average difference for the lower lip between males and females was 2.9 mm. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the lip prints of the subjects did not match with each other. The study reveals that lip prints behold the potential of determination of the sex of the person.