ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Dental erosion is a condition that results from exposure of the enamel and dentin to non-bacterial acids of extrinsic and intrinsic origin, causing mineral loss on the surface of the tooth. Occupational exposure to sulfuric acid fumes has been described in association with dental erosion in battery manufacturing industry workers. Hence, this study aimed to assess the dental erosion among battery factory workers in HBL Power Systems Ltd, Hyderabad. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 90 battery factory workers (62 males and 28 females). Demographic data with regard to age, gender, and length of exposure were recorded. Clinical examination was done to assess dental erosion using the tooth wear index given by Smith and Knight. Data were statistically analyzed by using Fisher exact test. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 90 workers examined, 43.3% showed prevalence of erosion with higher occurrence rate in females (54%) than males (38.7%). 66.6% of affected workers had erosion score of 1, and 33.4% showed erosion score of 2 and 3. We also observed statistically significant highest prevalence and increased severity of dental erosion in workers with prolonged duration of employment (>11 years). Conclusion: The present study revealed increased prevalence of dental erosion among battery factory workers. Hence, it highlights the importance of protective measures with efficient surveillance and monitoring in the workplace environment.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Worldwide, dental caries is an endemic infection and a significant public health problem. Fluoride reduces caries by helping to prevent demineralisation, by remineralising early carious lesions, and by decreasing the activity and growth of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Fluoride intake above the optimal levels leads to a condition known as dental fluorosis, which causes hypo-mineralisation of the tooth. Some studies have revealed that the severity of fluorosis is directly proportional to caries, but some showed opposite results. Hence, with these contradicting results, this study was undertaken to identify the relationship between different grades of dental fluorosis, dental caries and the most common cariogenic bacteria S. mutans in saliva. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 subjects within 14- to 16-year age range were selected and categorised depending on the severity of fluorosis into three groups: group I (mild), group II (moderate) and group III (severe) based on modified Dean's fluorosis index criteria (1942). Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected using the oral rinse technique and processed for quantification of S. mutans using Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin Agar medium. The number of colony-forming units (CFUs) was determined using a colony counter and expressed as ≥102, ≥103, ≥104 and ≥105 CFUs per ml of the sample, in accordance with the scale recommended by the manufacturer (HiMedia Laboratories). The severity of the caries was measured using decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT). Results: Observations revealed that the overall DMFT was directly proportional to the level of S. mutans titres. It was observed that 67 to 73% of participants showed fewer colony counts (102 and 103) with minimal DMFT scores and 27 to 33% showed higher counts (104 and 105) with higher DMFT scores in all the groups. 105 CFUs of group III showed the highest mean DMFT scores (2.9) with an increased number of involved subjects than group II (2.3) and group I (1.5). In all, male participants had higher bacterial titres and DMFT scores than females. Conclusion: Fluoride in the drinking water served as anticariogenic agent regardless of the severity of fluorosis. Severe fluorosis with a higher incidence of caries and increased CFUs of S. mutans clearly indicates the importance of preventive measures and early treatment to reduce the severity of fluorosis and prevalence of dental caries.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The superiority of dentofacial structures as scientific identifiers, particularly in mass disasters is well known. Special techniques like rugoscopy are valuable not only in identification of skeletal remains but can also facilitate population differentiation, as few studies have shown. AIM: The present study is to classify and compare the differences in rugae shape in populations of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and to evaluate the discriminatory ability of rugae shape in population differentiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred maxillary casts from each group, equally divided between the sexes and in a narrow age range, were classified as per rugae shapes. The incidence of rugae shape was recorded and their association with ethnicity was tested using Chi-square analysis and step wise discriminant function analysis. All analysis was undertaken using SPSS 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA) and MS Excel Package. RESULTS: Straight and nonspecific rugae were most prevalent in Andhra Pradesh, whereas the wavy forms and unifications prevailed in Odisha. A hitherto unknown nonspecific "plaque pattern" was detected in considerable numbers in Andhra Pradesh population. The accuracy of the discriminant function analysis in differentiating the study populations was 93.5%. CONCLUSION: Significant differences in rugae shape between the two populations emerged that also allowed a fair differentiation, thus validating previous reports of a good discriminatory ability of rugae shapes. Perhaps, more studies in genetically diverse populations as in India could also unearth new rugae patterns and further the identification process.
