Efficacy of triphala extract and chlorhexidine mouth rinse against plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation among female undergraduates: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To know the efficacy of Triphala extract and Chlorhexidine mouth rinse against plaque and gingival inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double blinded parallel arm randomised control trial was done among 60 participants aged 18-24 years. Participants were randomly allotted to three groups with 20 participants in each group of 0.6% triphala, 0.12% chlorhexidine and control group. Study was done in 2 phases of 21 days duration. During the experimental period, participants rinsed with the allocated mouth rinse 10ml twice daily for 30 seconds without any supervision. The plaque and gingival status were assessed using Silness and Loe and Loe and Silness at baseline and end of the phase. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The results were analysed using ANOVA(Analysis of Variance), Wilcoxon sign rank test and post hoc test with significant level at P value < 0.05. RESULTS: Triphala and Chlorhexidine showed significant reduction in plaque and gingival scores as compared to Control group (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between the plaque and gingival scores obtained with triphala extract and chlorhexidine mouth rinse. CONCLUSION: Triphala extract mouth rinse was effective in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation with reported no side effects.

Root caries among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients visiting a hospital.

The relationship between diabetes and root caries has not received much attention in the literature; therefore the objectives of the present study were to assess the root surface caries among type 2 diabetic patients and the factors affecting root surface caries. A hospital based cross-sectional study was done among type 2 diabetics visiting a medical hospital in Bangalore. Those who had been diagnosed from at least past 5 years and were above 35 years of age were included. Among the 400 study subjects, root caries were present among 42% of the subjects. There was a statistically significant association for the presence of root caries and age (p = 0.00023), presence of periodontal pockets (p = 0.0004) and presence of loss of attachment of more than 3 mm (p < 0.0001). These findings indicate that there is a need for implementation of caries preventive measures with increasing age, and among those with compromised periodontal status among those suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Survey of patient opinion on tobacco cessation counseling and services in a dental teaching institution and hospital.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the opinion of dental patients who use tobacco towards receiving tobacco cessation counseling and services in a dental college and hospital setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive survey method using a structured questionnaire was used in this study. Participants were patients attending The Oxford Dental College, Hospital, and Research Center, Bengaluru, India. Each patient in the clinic waiting room was asked by the investigator to complete a 29-item self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis using Fisher's exact tests were used for statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent (n = 770) of tobacco users had previously attempted to quit tobacco and 95.7% were willing to quit. Sixteen percent (n = 132) of respondents reported that they currently used tobacco. About 83% of tobacco users agreed that the student dentist should ask patients whether or not they use tobacco, 79.4% agreed that the student dentist should advise tobacco users to quit, and 81.4% agreed that student dentists should offer information on quitting tobacco to patients who want to quit. Only 12.5% (n = 100) of the patients who use tobacco were aware of the community resources available to quit tobacco. CONCLUSION: This study shows that patients expect and felt comfortable with receiving tobacco cessation counseling services by oral health professionals in a dental hospital setting.

Assessment of noise levels of the equipments used in the dental teaching institution, Bangalore.

CONTEXT: In dental practical classes, the acoustic environment is characterized by high noise levels in relation to other teaching areas, due to the exaggerated noise produced by some of these devices and use of dental equipment by many users at the same time. AIMS: To measure, analyze and compare noise levels of equipments among dental learning areas under different working conditions and also to measure and compare noise levels between used and brand new handpieces under different working conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Noise levels were measured and analyzed in different dental learning areas that included clinical, pre-clinical areas and laboratories selected as representatives of a variety of learning-teaching activities. The noise levels were determined using a precision noise level meter (CENTER® 325 IEC 651 TYPE II) with a microphone. The mean of the maxima was determined. The data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed using t tests. RESULTS: The noise levels measured varied between 64 and 97 dB(A).The differences in sound levels when the equipment was merely turned on and during cutting operations and also between used and brand new equipments were recorded. The laboratory engines had the highest noise levels, whereas the noise levels in high-speed turbine handpieces and the low-speed contra angle handpieces were decreased. CONCLUSION: The noise levels detected in this study are considered to be close to the limit of risk of hearing loss.