Appraisal of Periodontal Condition amongst Leather Manufacturing Plant Workers in Central India: A Prevalence Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the periodontal status among the leather factory workers in Dewas and to provide a baseline data for the oral health care and promotion programs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 850 study population was considered for examination, and the age ranged from 20 to 60 years. All those factory workers with low socioeconomic status and poor background were considered. The data were collected by means modified World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment 1997 Performa and clinical examination with the use of the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Statistical analyses were used: chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The sociodemographic characteristics were found to be significantly associated with the periodontal status in the study population (p ≤ 0.05). Mean number of loss of attachment (LOA) 0 sextants was 3.55 ± 2.35, LOA 1 was 0.935 ± 1.3, LOA 2 was 0.414 ± 0.8, LOA 3 was 0.529 ± 0.94, and LOA 4 was 1.24 ± 0.04; all the parameters showed statistically significant difference (p=0.001) except LOA 1 and LOA 2. CONCLUSION: The periodontal health status of the factory workers is poor. Factors associated with high prevalence of periodontal disease could be the following: a high rate of tobacco consumption and not cleaning their teeth at all along with other associated factors like stress, poor oral hygiene, etc.

Middle ear infection in children and its association with dental caries.

INTRODUCTION: Middle ear infection affects mostly infants and children, associated with elevated level of S. mutans, which increases the chances of developing caries. AIM: To evaluate the difference in level of Streptococcus mutans between normal children & children affected by middle ear infection. METHOD: This descriptive study was carried out on 120 children aged 5 years and younger. They were selected randomly from schools and medical hospitals. S. mutans was counted from saliva sample and a questionnaire was given to be filled by their parents about the feeding method, pattern and specific childhood illness. RESULT: Out of 120 children examined, 62 were boys and 58 were girls. Mean CFU in middle ear infection group was 5.60+9.53, whereas in children with no middle ear infection it was 1.70+3.34. Unpaired 't' test revealed statistically significant difference among the two groups (p value = 0.001). CONCLUSION: S. mutans count was comparatively higher in children having middle ear infection rather than non-infected children, which may cause dental caries in the future.

Effect of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate as a remineralizing agent - An In Vivo study.

INTRODUCTION: Demineralization and remineralization have a crucial impact on the hardness and strength of teeth. Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) Trident white chewing gum has anticariogenic property and also stimulates saliva, which buffers the oral cavity and promotes remineralization. Trident sugar-free gum, therefore, is an excellent delivery vehicle for promoting enamel remineralization. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to show that CPP-ACP-containing chewing gum would increase the level of calcium concentration of saliva, thereby supplying calcium and phosphorus to whole dentition for a prolonged period and aid in remineralization of tooth surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vivo nonrandomized clinical trial study was carried among 60 children. Unstimulated saliva from each 60 selected participants was collected. Then each participant was given two pellets of chewing gum containing CPP-ACP and asked to chew for a period of 20 min, after which saliva samples were again collected from each participant. The study was carried out for 15 days, and at three intervals, calcium and phosphorus levels were assessed using affiliated reagent kits and spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Significant difference was found in the calcium and phosphorus concentration of saliva before and after chewing CPP-ACP-containing chewing gum. When post calcium and phosphate levels were analyzed among different time intervals, a highly statistically significant difference was observed (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Clinical trial study shows that chewing sugar-free gum containing CPP-ACP can be regarded as an additional caries prevention tool.

Knowledge and practice of, and attitudes toward, pulp therapy in deciduous teeth among pediatric dentists in India.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge and practice of, and attitudes toward, pulp therapy in deciduous dentition among pediatric dentists. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational survey was conducted using a closed-ended, multiple-choice questionnaire evaluating the knowledge and practice of, and attitudes toward, pulp therapy in deciduous dentition, which was formulated and sent to 360 pediatric dentists across India. Descriptive statistics were done, followed by χ2 -test to test the association between years of experience and the questionnaire items. RESULTS: A total of 3.5% of pediatric dentists performed their treatment using a rubber dam in all cases; 30% preferred to use local anesthesia prior to indirect pulp therapy (IPT). Traditional indirect pulp capping was preferred to IPT, and only 48% of them believed in not removing it completely. Pulpotomy was preferred over IPT (70%) when there was a probability of pulp exposure following complete caries excavation. Calcium hydroxide, along with iodoform, was the material of choice for the obturation of primary teeth (73.5%). A stainless steel crown was placed after pulp therapy in the primary tooth (86.3%). Most dentists believed requested immediate and 3-month follow up. CONCLUSION: The survey helps in assessing whether our views or approaches are in line with recent trends.

Giant Osteosarcoma of the Mandible.

Osteosarcoma is a rare primary malignant bone tumor with considerable variations not only in clinical and histologic appearance, but also in the course and prognosis of the disease. It mainly occurs in the metaphyseal region of long bones. Jaw osteosarcomas are relatively rare as compared to those occurring in long bones and share similar histopathologic features, but biologically behave in a different manner. Early diagnosis and complete resection of the lesion are necessary for better prognosis. This report highlights an aggressive and fatal case of mandibular osteosarcoma in a 23-year male patient, which, if diagnosed earlier, would have added some valuable years to the patient's life.

Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries among visually impaired children attending special schools of Chhattisgarh.

BACKGROUND: Studies on dental trauma of the normal population have been carried out in the past; however, limited data are available on dental trauma of the handicapped population, especially visually impaired children in Chhattisgarh, India. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in visually impaired children in relation to age, cause, and place of injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Epidemiological study was carried out among 400 children from various special schools of visually impaired children of Chhattisgarh followed by school dental checkup camps. All the children completed a questionnaire related history of trauma, cause, and place. The prevalence of TDIs in each special child was recorded based on the Epidemiological classification of TDIs by the WHO and was modified by Andreasen et al. (2007). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 17. The level of significance was fixed at P ≤ 0.05. Association between categorical variables was done using Chi-square test. RESULTS: The results showed that out of 400 children, 39% suffered from TDIs. Permanent maxillary central incisors were most commonly injured teeth with injuries involving enamel (53%) being most frequently observed. Increased overjet and inadequate lip coverage were significantly associated with the occurrence of trauma. CONCLUSION: As blind children are at the risk of multiple TDI, it is necessary to create awareness, health education, and periodic screening for appropriate management.

Association between Chewing Side Preference and Dental Caries among Deciduous, Mixed and Permanent Dentition.

INTRODUCTION: Chewing Side Preference (CSP) is said to occur when mastication is recognized exclusively/consistently or predominantly on the same side of the jaw. It can be assessed by using the direct method - visual observation and indirect methods by electric programs, such as cinematography, kinetography and computerized electromyography. AIM: The present study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of CSP in deciduous, mixed and permanent dentitions and relating its association with dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional observational study, 240 school going children aged 3 to 18years were randomly allocated to three experimental groups according to the deciduous dentition, mixed dentition and permanent dentition period. The existence of a CSP was determined using a direct method by asking the children to chew on a piece of gum (trident sugarless). The Mann Whitney U-test was used to compare the CSP and also among the boys and girls. The Spearman's Correlation Coefficient was used to correlate CSP and dental caries among the three study groups and also among the groups. RESULTS: CSP was observed in 69%, 83% and 76% of children with primary, mixed and permanent dentition respectively (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant association between the presence of CSP and dental caries among the three study groups. CONCLUSION: There was a weak or no correlation between gender and distribution of CSP and between presence of CSP and dental caries.