Influence of bottled salad dressings on the development of enamel erosion in the presence or absence of salivary pellicle - An in vitro study.

Background: Acidic beverages are believed to elevate the risk of enamel surface erosion. In addition to the intake of soft drinks, the increased consumption of salad dressings has been linked to a higher prevalence of dental erosion. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the influence of bottled salad dressings on the development of enamel erosion in the presence or absence of pellicle through in vitro experiment. Methods: Preliminary pH and calcium analyses of solutions were performed. Highest pH and calcium content was found for sandwich spread i.e., 4.69 and 55.4 mg/100 g grams, respectively. Eighty tooth specimens (measuring 4 × 4 × 3 mm) were prepared from extracted human premolars and randomly assigned to four groups (group 1: orange juice; group 2: eggless plain mayonnaise; group 3: sandwich spread; and group 4: thousand island dressing) with 20 samples in each group. Ten tooth specimens from each group were immersed in 20 ml of the respective solutions for 5 min (control group). The remaining ten tooth specimens from each group were submerged in 5 mL saliva vials for 3 min to facilitate salivary pellicle formation before being immersed in their respective solutions for 5 min (saliva-covered group). Pre and post-experimental assessments of enamel roughness and hardness were conducted using a surface roughness tester and Knoop Hardness indenter, respectively. Results: Overall, enamel roughness was notably elevated in the control group, with the eggless plain mayonnaise (0.52 ± 0.38) and thousand island dressing groups (0.57 ± 0.29) showing a significant increase in surface roughness post-test (p = 0.05). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in the enamel roughness between the groups. On the other hand, regardless of the presence/absence of the salivary pellicle, a marked decrease in enamel hardness was observed among all groups except for group 3 (sandwich spread) with a mean score of 311.5 ± 82.6 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A significant increase in surface roughness and reduction in enamel hardness was observed with salad dressings. However, in vitro formed salivary pellicle showed a protective effect against tooth erosion.

Correlation of dental pain and pain catastrophizing with oral health status among physically disabled.

Background: Physical disability results in impaired mobility, leading to increased dependency on others and may also have a negative impact on ones general and oral health. Moreover, such individuals could be at a greater risk of being prone to chronic pain conditions. A person's ability to cope with pain is a consistent and one of the most important predictors of clinical outcome. Catastrophization is known to be a maladaptive coping behaviour that could negatively influence such outcomes. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 229 physically disabled individuals at Home for Disabled, Bansilalpet, Secunderabad. Extent of Physical disability was measured using Barthel index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL), type and severity of dental pain was assessed using the short form McGill Pain Questionnaire and catastrophizing using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Dentition status and periodontal status were assessed using the World Health Organization assessment form. Results: Caries prevalence of the population was 39.7% with a mean DMFT score of 2.8±4.09. Pain catastrophizing showed positive significant (p<0.05) correlation with sensory pain(r=0.182), visual analog scale(r=0.168), pain severity(r=0.161) and DMFT (r=0.4). It had significant negative correlation with ADL and bleeding gums. Conclusions: In this study it was apparent that irrespective of the dependency levels, dentition status had a significant effect on pain catastrophizing level of the individuals. Key words:Disability, Oral Health, Catastrophizing.

Dental teaching faculty involvement in research activities.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine personal and professional factors in determining the research activity and research culture among dental teaching faculty members in Hyderabad City, Telangana. Materials and Method: Two dental schools with ongoing dental undergraduate and postgraduate programmes were included in the study. The Research and Development (R&D) Culture Index Questionnaire comprising 16 items was employed for this study. Also, self-reported research activity undertaken in the past twelve months was recorded. The association of demographic variables and professionally related variables with the perception of R&D culture and participation in research activities was assessed using the Chi-square test. A P value was set at 0.05. Results: Of the one-hundred and fifteen faculty members who participated in the study, seventy-four (64.4%) worked in the government sector and forty-one (35.6%) in privately funded dental college. The mean age of the study population was 34.11 + 7.13 years. The majority of them presented a paper or poster at the conference (66.1%; 76) followed by publishing paper in peer-review journal (42.6%; 49) and grant application for research (6.1%; 7), and authoring of a textbook was undertaken by only 2.6% of the study population. Males (61.1%; P = 0.04) and those employed in private dental college (65.8%; P = 0.02) had significantly high levels of overall perception than their respective counterparts. Conclusion: Our study concludes that this study population has a positive perception (50.32 + 6.95) towards research with the majority of them having done a paper or poster publication (66.1%) in the last one year.

Association between intelligent quotient and oral health conditions among 13-15 year old intellectually disabled children.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the relationship between intelligence quotient and oral health conditions among intellectually disabled children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 13-15 year old intellectually disabled children at National Institute of Mental Health, Hyderabad. The survey comprised of classification of intellectually disabled children based on their intelligent quotient (IQ) levels along with clinical oral examination using World health organization (WHO) oral health assessment form (2013). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21.0. p<0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of study participants was 13.73 ± 3.04 years. Based on IQ levels, majority of the participants had moderate retardation (41.8%) and when oral health problems were compared, greater than 50% had gingivitis with mean DMFT scores of 2.48 ± 2.1. A significant higher mean DMFT scores were observed with profound retardation (4.74 ± 2.17) (p=0.000) whereas greater preponderance for oral health problems was observed among moderately retarded subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Overall majority of the study participants were moderately retarded children and had gingivitis. The higher mean DMFT score was observed with profound retardation with statistical significance. However, Greater percentage of oral health problems were among moderately retarded children. Hence intellectually disabled children should be encouraged to take care about oral health themselves under the guidance of their care takers.

Assessing Coronavirus Fear in Indian Population Using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale.

The current study aimed to determine the level of fear of COVID-19 among Indian residents using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and compare it with demographic variables. This cross-sectional online survey conducted among the Indian population employed a convenient snowball sampling technique. Age, gender, marital status, educational qualifications, health care worker status and state of residence were the demographic details (six items) collected. The seven-item FCV-19S was used to assess fear regarding COVID-19 on a five-point Likert scale. The mean score for the responses was calculated and compared based on demographic variables. A comparison of low and high levels of fear and a multiple logistic regression analysis of levels of fear with demographic variables were conducted. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study population comprised 45.6% (683) males and 54.4% (816) females, with approximately 68% belonging to the age group of 20-40 years. The overall mean score for the questionnaire was 18.00 + 5.68. A significantly higher number of the study population reported low fear (54.8%). Only gender (p = 0.08) and health care worker status (p = 0.02) revealed a significant difference based on the level of fear. Females, married status, lower educational status and being a health care worker displayed significantly higher odds for high level of fear compared to their respective counterparts in this study population. The findings of this study may help to identify the groups most at risk and formulate tailor-made intervention strategies to ensure their optimal health in this time of global crisis.

Association of oral health literacy with oral health behavior and oral health outcomes among adult dental patients.

AIMS: To evaluate the association of oral health literacy (OHL) with oral health behavior and oral health outcomes among dental patients in Hyderabad City. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional study among dental patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A convenience sample of 605 adults >18 years of age visiting the out-patient Department of Public Health Dentistry of Government Dental College and Hospital, Hyderabad, were recruited. The five-item scale developed by Ishikawa was used to measure communication and critical OHL. Socioeconomic status was assessed using Modified Kuppuswamy's scale and questions for oral health behavior included frequency of toothbrushing, frequency of dental visit, and reason for visit. Dentition status, periodontal status, and loss of attachment were recorded according to World Health Organisation Survey methods. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Frequency distribution was done and association between the variables and predictors (oral health behavior and oral health status) of OHL was calculated using odds ratio. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 31.5 + 11.2 years. None of the individuals' questions of OHL questionnaire had 50% response of strongly agree or agree. The oral health parameters of decayed and filled teeth emerged as a significant predictor for model 1 (adjusted by sex and age) and model 2 (adjusted by sex, age, and social class). Likewise, toothbrushing frequency was significantly associated with low OHL. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a high prevalence of low OHL in the study population, with decayed teeth and filled teeth and oral health behavior like toothbrushing only once as a significant predictor for low OHL.

Reconnoitering the association between body mass index and oral health among elementary school children in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and oral health status among elementary school children in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among elementary school children selected from government, private-aided and private-unaided schools in Hyderabad. A stratified cluster random sampling technique was used to select study participants. All parents were requested to be personally present on the day of examination. All eligible children were assembled in a hall and their height in inches and weight in kilograms were recorded by two calibrated investigators. The oral health status of children was assessed using a predesigned oral health assessment proforma. Plaque status was assessed using Sillness and Loe plaque Index and caries using decayed and filled teeth (dft) by a trained and calibrated investigator. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-one children (89 males and 82 females) were included in the present study. Mean plaque score was 1.4 ± 0.6 with no significant difference in the mean plaque score between children in three different categories of nutritional status (P = 0.07). Mean dft among primary teeth was 1.1 ± 1.1 with a significantly higher score among children who were malnourished (2.4 ± 0.9) compared to children who were overweight (0.9 ± 0.9) and normal (0.4 ± 0.6) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: BMI was negatively associated with caries experience in primary dentition with no association with plaque scores. Overweight children with malnutrition had significantly higher caries experience compared to children with normal BMI.

Antiplaque Efficacy of Tooth and Gums Tonic, Hiora-GA Gel, and Spirogyl Gum Paint in Comparison with Chlorhexidine M Gel: A Double-blind Randomized Control Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of three different herbal products (Tooth and Gums Tonic, Hiora-GA gel, and Spirogyl Gum paint) in reducing plaque, gingival inflammation and bacterial count in comparison with chlorhexidine M gel among participants with moderate to severe periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of eighty participants with moderate to severe periodontitis were initially recruited after obtaining their informed consent. All participants were offered scaling and polishing on the first visit to remove visible calculus. Then, these participants were randomly divided into four groups of twenty participants each using block randomization method. Participants in Group 1, 2, 3, and 4 were given chlorhexidine M gel, Hiora-GA gel, Spirogyl Gum paint, and Tooth and Gums Tonic, respectively. All participants were instructed to brush their teeth twice day with a soft bristled toothbrush and their regular fluoridated toothpaste. They were instructed to apply the respective gels twice a day according to the manufacturer's guidelines. The posttreatment follow-up examinations for gingival and plaque changes were assessed after 30, 60, and 90 days by three trained and calibrated investigators using gingival and plaque index. The investigators and statistician were blind about group allocation. The supragingival plaque samples were collected before and 90 days after treatment from the buccal surfaces of maxillary right first permanent molar of each participant for microbial analysis. RESULTS: The mean plaque, gingival scores significantly decreased at different intervals following intervention in all groups. The bacterial counts also significantly reduced postintervention with no significant difference in the efficacy of these products compared to chlorhexidine. CONCLUSION: All three herbal products were found to be effective when used along with oral prophylaxis. Hence, they can all be used as alternates to chlorhexidine in the management of periodontal diseases.

Oral health promotion among rural school children through teachers: an interventional study.

BACKGROUND: The lack of national oral health policy and organized school dental health programs in the country call for affordable, accessible, and sustainable strategies. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to compare the oral hygiene, plaque, gingival, and dental caries status among rural children receiving dental health education by qualified dentists and school teachers with and without supply of oral hygiene aids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This interventional study was conducted among 15-year-old children selected randomly from four schools in Nalgonda district between September 2009 and February 2010. Schools were divided into four different intervention groups. The intervention groups varied in the form of intervention provider and frequency of intervention one of which being the control group. The oral hygiene, plaque, gingival, and dental caries status was assessed at baseline and 6 months following the intervention. SPSS 16 was used for analysis. RESULTS: The preintervention and postintervention comparison within each group revealed a substantial reduction in mean oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) at postintervention compared to baseline in group 4 (1.26, 0.87, and 0.74, respectively) followed by group 3 (0.14, 0.37, and 0.12, respectively). The OHI-S, PI, and GI scores increased in group 1 (0.66, 0.37, and 0.34, respectively) and group 2 (0.25, 0.19, and 0.14, respectively). Mean decayed, missing filled surfaces score between the groups was not statistically significant at baseline and postintervention. CONCLUSION: The dramatic reductions in the OHI-S, PI, and GI scores in the group supplied with oral hygiene aids call for supplying low cost fluoridated toothpastes along with toothbrushes through the school systems in rural areas.

Malocclusion status among 15 years old adolescents in relation to fluoride concentration and area of residence.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the overall dental aesthetic index scores between rural and urban areas, males and females, and to correlate dental aesthetic index score with fluoride concentration in drinking water. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was cross sectional and conducted among 15 year old adolescents in the rural and urban areas of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India (an endemic fluoride belt). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six out of 59 mandals in Nalgonda district were first selected by simple random sampling technique. Then 24 secondary schools were selected from these six selected mandals. All eligible grade X children from these sixteen rural and eight urban schools, having different fluoride concentrations in drinking water, selected by simple random sampling, were considered for the study. Dentofacial anomalies with criteria of dental aesthetic index were used for assessing malocclusion. The information on the dietary habits, orthodontic treatment history, parafunctional habits, continuous residence etc., was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. The examination was carried out by three trained and calibrated dentists. The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) scores, in areas with below optimal, optimal and above optimal fluoride concentrations, between urban and rural areas were compared and analyzed using SPSS windows version 16. RESULTS: The mean DAI scores, for the rural and urban population were 21.37 ± 5.845 (mean ± SD) and 22.26 ± 6.115, for males and females, it was 20.86 ± 5.100 and 22.70 ± 6.713 respectively. The mean DAI scores in areas with below optimal, optimal and above optimal fluoride concentration were 23.42 ± 7.205 (mean ± SD), 20.85 ± 4.658 and 19.93 ± 4.312 respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and severity of malocclusion was more in urban than rural areas, more among females than males, and it decreased with increasing concentration of fluoride in drinking water.