Clinical effects of Bifidobacterium as a probiotic on oral health: A systematic review.

Background: The burden of oral diseases is increasing, which constitute a major public health problem. The use of probiotics as an adjuvant, along with routine dental care practice by an individual, can produce additional benefits in the maintenance of one's oral health. The study aimed to investigate the effect of Bifidobacterium as a probiotic on oral health. Material and Methods: Six databases and registers were searched from the start of the database to December 2021 without any restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the clinical effects of Bifidobacterium as a probiotic on oral health were included in the study. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to conduct this systematic review. The included studies were analyzed for the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trial (RoB 2) tool as well as quality of available evidence using GRADE criteria. Results: From the 22 qualified studies, four studies showed non-significant results. There was a high risk of bias in 13 studies and some concerns of bias in nine studies. No adverse effects were reported, and the quality of available evidence was moderate. Conclusion: The effect of Bifidobacterium on oral health is questionable. Further high-quality RCTs are required on the clinical effects of bifidobacteria and also the optimum level of probiotic needed, and ideal mode of administration to provide oral health benefits. Furthermore, synergistic effects of the combined use of various strains of probiotics need to be studied.

Assessment of Oral Health Care-Related Expenditure among People of Kerala: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Oral health is an effective unit of general health. Dental caries and periodontal diseases are considered to be the major diseases present in modern times. Over the decades, the idea of maintaining effective oral health and interest in oral health prevention measures has diminished; thus increasing the cost of health care. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to estimate the household expenditure on oral health care among people residing in Kerala, India. Materials and Methods: Five hundred participants were surveyed who were residents of Kerala. A self-administered questionnaire that was tested and validated was used to assess the cost of oral health care. Data collected were analyzed using software for IBM SPSS version 23 for Windows (New York, USA). Results: Of 500 people, 37% are men and 63% are women. 100% of people reported using a toothbrush as an oral hygiene aid. 65% of households reported changing toothbrush for 3 months or more, while 35% of families changed for 1 month or less. Significant statistically weak correlation was observed when education, employment, and income were compared to the annual expenditure on dental care. Furthermore, there has been a moderately strong correlation observed between the socio-economic status of families and the annual cost of dental care. Conclusion: People should be aware of preventive oral hygiene aids, and appropriate policies should be formulated which will ultimately result in decreased expenditure on a curative aspect of the dental disease.

Relationship between dental anxiety with dental caries and periodontal disease among army recruits in Bangalore city - A cross sectional study.

Introduction: Dental anxiety can affect the dental health status of an individual leading to avoidance behavior, poor oral hygiene and periodontal health and delay in seeking necessary treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dental anxiety in army recruits in Bangalore city and to explore the relationship of dental anxiety with dental caries and periodontal disease among army recruits in Bangalore city. Methodology: The total population of the army recruits in Army Service Corps Center and College was around 1000. General information included name, age, sex educational qualification, address, number of dental visits and age of first visit. The closed ended multiple-choice questionnaire consisting of 4 questions based on previous dental experience given by Corah was used to assess the anxiety level of the individual. Clinical examination of dental and periodontal health was noted using Decayed, Missing, Filled and Surface (DMFS) Index and Community Periodontal Index and Treatment Needs (CPITN) Index. Results: The mean Dental Anxiety Scale score was 9.64 with a standard deviation of 3.6. Of the 836 participants in the study, 444 (53.1%) reported no dental anxiety at all. Two hundred and sixty-three (31.5%) were moderately dental anxious (scoring 9-12), 10.4% were highly anxious (scoring 13-14) and 5% were severely anxious (scoring 15-20). Anxious individuals had poorer periodontal health necessitating treatment compared to nonanxious individuals. The mean DMFS of the study population was highest among those having high and severe dental anxiety (mean DMFS = 11.0 and 12.59, respectively) which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study showed a prevalence of dental anxiety of 47%. Impact of dental anxiety on oral health was found to be obvious as higher DMFT/DMFS was evident among dentally anxious subjects; dental anxiety also showed a strong association with higher CPITN scores.

Awareness about oral cancer among nonhealth professional students - A cross-sectional study in Bengaluru city.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oral cancer is one of the most life-threatening conditions, early diagnosis of which greatly increases the probability of cure and survival rates. Knowledge regarding risk factors and early signs among the nonhealth professionals which help in early detection prevention and of the disease. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the awareness about tobacco use among nonhealth professional students in Bangalore city. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire study was conducted to assess the knowledge and awareness about oral cancer among 800 nonhealth professional students in Bengaluru city. A self-administered questionnaire containing 26 questions pertaining to awareness, signs, symptoms and risk factors of tobacco use was administered to the students. RESULTS: The results revealed that the majority of the students (55.5%) were aware about oral cancer but have less knowledge in terms of its signs and symptoms of oral cancer. The main source for information pertaining to oral cancer was obtained from mass media, i.e., TV, radio and social media (21.5%). CONCLUSION: The study reveals that there is a need for education and raise awareness about oral cancer among nonhealth professional students.

Dental Caries, Body Mass Index, and Socioeconomic Status among Preschoolers in Private Preschools and Anganwadi Centers in Bengaluru City: A Comparative Study.

AIM: Preschool is the time when deleterious oral habits, caries pattern, and risk factor are established and is the time to intervene and establish healthy trends which can have a lifelong influence. Individuals living in various socioeconomic conditions have an assortment of hazard factors that impact oral well-being. This work was conducted to study the prevalence of dental caries, body mass index (BMI), and socioeconomic status (SES) among preschoolers in private preschools and Anganwadi centers within Bengaluru. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Anganwadis and preschools in Bengaluru city. About 800 students were selected by stratified cluster sampling technique. Written informed consent was obtained before the start of the study. Study proforma was used for the recording of sociodemographic details, anthropometric measurements, decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft), and decayed, missing and filled surfaces (dmfs) index scoring. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: The mean dmf (t) score in Anganwadi children was 1.60, whereas in private preschool children mean dmf (t) was 1.16. The mean dmf (s) score in Anganwadi children was 3.05, whereas in private preschool children mean dmf (s) was 1.76. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to dmf (s) score (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: It was found that there is an association between dental caries, BMI, and SES among Anganwadi children when a linear correlation was done. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dental caries can cause serious physical and mental problems in children which affects their quality of life. These problems have their root cause from childhood and are related to their BMI and SES. This can be prevented by giving proper health education and dietary advice to parents. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Sukumaran N, Sharma V, Bhat PK. Dental Caries, Body Mass Index, and Socioeconomic Status among Preschoolers in Private Preschools and Anganwadi Centers in Bengaluru City: A Comparative Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(6):630-634.

Assessment of oral mucosal conditions among beedi workers residing in beedi workers colonies in Karnataka, India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Beedi workers are an important part of our society. Due to their occupation of beedi making, they face different types of health hazards. This study was undertaken to assess the oral mucosal conditions among beedi workers residing in beedi workers' colonies in Karnataka. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 700 beedi workers in the age group of 18-60 years residing in five beedi workers' colonies in Karnataka. The information was recorded regarding personal history by personal interview by the investigator. The clinical examination was done using WHO 1997 "Oral Health Assessment Form." Significance is assessed at 5% level of significance. RESULTS: It was found that 26.9% of study population had different oral mucosal lesions. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The present study showed that oral mucosal conditions of beedi workers residing in beedi workers' colonies in Karnataka were relatively poor.

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.