Determinants of Iranian dentists' behaviour regarding infection control.

AIM: To evaluate the determinants of Iranian dentists' behaviour regarding infection control (IC). DESIGN: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey. SETTING: Iranian general dental practitioners (GDP) participating in a national dental congress. METHODS: The GDPs filled in a self-administered questionnaire containing questions regarding their attitudes towards and their behaviour on several aspects of IC. Background factors included GDP's year of birth, gender, and work-related factors. Statistical evaluation employed the Chi-square test, Cronbach alpha, and regression analysis. RESULTS: In total, 479 GDPs returned the questionnaire. Their mean age was 38.6years (SD=9.4) and 53% were men. The vast majority of the GDPs had positive attitudes towards the inquired after IC criteria with no statistical difference based on the GDP's background characteristics. Of all respondents, >70% reported that they inform the laboratory about the infection status of the sent items, disinfect impressions before sending to the laboratory, and wash patients' mouths before working with high-speed or ultrasonic devices. Adherence to all the studied IC criteria was reported by 10% of the respondents; more frequently by younger GDPs and those with fewer experience years (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Greater emphasis on infection control programmes in dentists' education is called for especially in continuing education.

Efficacy of Elaeagnus angustifolia Topical Gel in the Treatment of Symptomatic Oral Lichen Planus.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine efficacy of 19% Elaeagnus angustifolia (EA) topical gel in the treatment of symptomatic oral lichen planus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with symptomatic oral lichen planus referring to the Department of Oral Medicine, Fac-ulty of Dentistry at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were asked to participate in the study. Twenty-eight pa-tients who were histopathologically diagnosed with lichen planus were divided into two groups (15 in the case and 13 in the control groups). The subjects were randomly assigned to either topical gel of EA or placebo in a double-blind manner. They were then instructed to apply the medication on dried lesions three times daily. Pain and size of the lesions were evaluated after 2 weeks. Data were analyzed by SPSS 12.0 software, using t-test, paired t-test, Fisher's exact test and chi-square test. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (m/f: 7/21) with symptomatic oral lichen planus participated in the study. Fifteen patients (m/f: 4/11) received E A gel and 13 patients (m/f: 3/10) received placebo. There was a 75% decrease in pain (33.3% in the case and 7.7% in the control groups), and a decrease of 50% in size (33.3% in the case group) and 75% only in 7.6% of the case group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that 19% EA gel is efficient in the treatment of symptomatic oral lichen planus, with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, as well.

A study of the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and recurrent aphthous stomatitis using a urea breath test.

AIM: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common, well-known pathogenic agents in the development of peptic ulcers. Some investigators have shown a relationship between H. pylori and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). However, this relationship is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the association between H. pylori and RAS using the urea breath test (UBT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-three patients with RAS and 44 non-RAS controls were evaluated. There were no differences in gender or age in the two groups. The UBT was used to detect H. pylori infection. Data were analyzed using the Chi Square Test. RESULTS: Sixteen individuals in the RAS patients (37.2%) and 14 individuals in the control group (31.8%) had a positive breath test. The difference was not considered statistically significant (p=0.597). CONCLUSION: In the present study no statistically significant difference was found between frequency of a positive UBT in the RAS patients and the control group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Since the probability of a positive test was higher in the more severe cases this factor needs to be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of RAS.

Assessment of oral malodor: a comparison of the organoleptic method with sulfide monitoring.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to measure the oral malodor of volunteers by means of a subjective organoleptic method and a sulfide monitor as well as to evaluate the diagnostic value of the Halimeter in the diagnosis of halitosis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sulfide monitoring and organoleptic oral malodor assessment methods were performed on 77 volunteers (51 females, 26 males) selected from academic staff, students, clerks, and patients of the Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Dental School. The organoleptic method of assessment and sulphide monitoring were conducted by three calibrated judges. The Kendall's tau-b correlation analysis was used to calculate correlation coefficients between the sulfide monitor and organoleptic scores. RESULTS: The Kendall's correlation coefficient between sulfide monitoring and organoleptic scores was 0.493 (p<0.001). Sensitivity and specificity were assessed to be 61.1% and 87.8% respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value (NPV) were 81.5% and 72%, respectively. The intra-class correlation coefficient for the three episodes of monitoring was calculated as 97%. CONCLUSION: Use of a sulfide montoring device in conjunction with the organoleptic method is an effective strategy for diagnosing oral malodor. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Because of its small size and simplicity of handling the Halimeter sulfide monitor is convenient to use. This method of evaluation of patients for oral malodor is capable of differentiating normal patients (such as with Pseudohalitosis and halitophobia) from the others and for halitosis screening along with other techniques such as the organoleptic method. However, when used alone, it may lead to a misdiagnosis of some cases in terms of intensity.