Oral rinse-based cytology and conventional exfoliative cytology: a comparative study.

CONTEXT: Simple screening test for resource-challenged areas. AIMS: To compare specimen adequacy and diagnostic agreement between oral rinse-based smears and conventional smears in oral cancer, oral leukoplakia, and normal controls. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Twenty-five histologically confirmed cases of oral cancer, 29 clinically diagnosed cases of oral leukoplakia, and 54 normal controls were subjected to the oral rub-and-rinse technique and the conventional exfoliative cytology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Smears were consequently stained with the Papanicolaou (PAP) stain and were examined independently by two different cytopathologists in a double-blind fashion. The results were classified as: Negative, atypical, positive, and unsatisfactory. Furthermore, they were compared, to assess the sample adequacy, cellular distribution, staining, leucocytes/inflammation and cellular clarity in both the smears. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi square test and Wilcoxon-matched pairs signed rank test (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Among the cancer cases, 84% showed positive, 8% atypical, and 8% unsatisfactory, after using the conventional technique, whereas, the oral rinse technique showed 80% positive, 16% atypical, and 4% unsatisfactory cases. The conventional technique showed 44.82, 37.93, and 6.89% and the oral rinse technique showed 48.27, 31.03, and 20.68% negative, positive, and atypical cases, respectively, among the leukoplakia cases. Among the normal controls, 9.26 and 90.74% and with the oral rinse technique 3.70 and 96.29% showed atypical and negative cases with the conventional technique. Sample adequacy and cellular clarity showed a statistically significant difference between both techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Both smears were diagnostically reliable, however, the oral rinse-based method showed an overall improvement in sample adequacy and cellular clarity.

Assessment of periodontal health status among prison inmates: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: The prison population is a challenging one with many health problems, including oral health. In a country like India the information regarding the status of periodontal health in prisoners is scant. AIM: To assess the periodontal status of the jail inmates at Mangalore District Jail. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY PARTICIPANTS: A Randomly selected sample of 82 male inmates of age group 18-60 years were examined using community periodontal index (CPI) and loss of attachment from modified WHO oral health assessment proforma (1997). RESULTS: The prevalence of periodontal disease was 97.5%. Majority of the study population had CPI score of 2 and 1. Majority of the prisoners were severely affected with loss of attachment with 35% had loss of attachment more than 3 mm. CONCLUSION: As there are no oral health care facilities available in the prison set up, this study emphasizes the need for special attention from government and voluntary organizations to provide the oral health care services to inmates and improve the overall health status of the prisoners.

The Self-Reported Knowledge, Attitude and the Practices Regarding the Early Detection of Oral Cancer and Precancerous Lesions among the Practising Dentists of Dakshina Kannada-A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is one of the leading causes of mortality in India. The screening and the early detection of the premalignant and malignant lesions are the only means for controlling the disease. General dental practitioners can play a great role in this direction. The objective of the present study was to assess the self-reported knowledge, attitude, as well as the practices concerning the early detection of oral cancer among the dentists of Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: About 200 clinicians (BDS/MDS) were randomly selected for an 18 itemed questionnaire survey. The aspects which were enquired into were the usage of exfoliative cytology in their clinical practice, the recent attempts which are made by dentists at updating their knowledge on oral cancer, their practical approaches towards the screening for oral premalignant diseases, etc. RESULTS: Over 98% of the dentists reported to have not performed exfoliative cytology in their clinics. However, 85% had attended education programs on oral cancer. About 72% felt the need to be trained and they welcomed the suggestion of conducting practical workshops in this direction. 29.5% conducted biopsies when they encountered suspicious looking lesions, but only 13% counseled such patients for the habit cessation. 86% felt the need for Oral Pathology consultants in their clinics. CONCLUSION: This pilot survey identified an existing gap in the knowledge and practices among physicians and dentists and this emphasises the need to increase the numbers of oral cancer detection workshops which are held among the professional groups.

Oral rinse as a simpler approach to exfoliative cytology: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Oral rinse is a novel method that can be used to detect dysplasia in potentially malignant disorders and malignant oral lesions in resource challenged areas. A study was undertaken to compare the quality of the normal smears prepared with the oral rinse and that of the wooden tongue spatula. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred five normal subjects were selected for the study. Two smears were prepared from clinically normal mucosa using an oral rinse and further two smears were scraped from clinically normal buccal mucosa using a wooden spatula. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The smears were graded for cell yield, dispersion and cellular clarity on a three-point scale by two observers. The results were analyzed using Mann Whitney non parametric test. RESULTS: The Oral rinse was found to be significantly more efficient than the wooden spatula, in terms of cell yield (p<0.0001), cell dispersion (p =.0052) and cellular detail (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The study showed that the Oral rinse is an effective method for use in exfoliative cytology of normal oral mucosa.

"Tetracycline hydrochloride chemical burn" as self-inflicted mucogingival injury: A rare case report.

Injuries to oral soft tissue can be accidental, iatrogenic, and factitious trauma. Chemical, thermal, and physical agents are the main causative agents for oral soft-tissue burns. The present case describes the chemical burn of oral mucosa caused by tetracycline hydrochloride and its management. Diagnosis was made on the basis of definitive history elicited from the patient. The early detection of the lesion by the patient and immediate institution of therapeutic measures ensure a rapid cure and possible prevention of further mucogingival damage. In addition, we believe that proper guidance and education of the patient is an important prophylactic measure in preventing this self-inflicting injury.