Periodontal health status among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with age- and gender-matched controls.

Background: Periodontal disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) share a pathogenic mechanism that involves activating and using inflammatory cytokines and neutrophils, which generate pathological changes in various tissues with a chronic degenerative outcome. Aim: the aim of this study was to assess and compare the periodontal health status among COPD patients with age- and gender-matched controls. Materials and Methods: All the patients aged >30 years who were diagnosed with COPD by the physician were included as cases, while people who are apparently healthy and age and gender matched with cases were included as controls. Data on demographic details, socioeconomic status (Kuppuswamy scale), deleterious oral habits, and oral hygiene practices were obtained. The Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and the WHO basic oral health survey proforma (1997) were used to obtain the data on oral hygiene and periodontal status respectively. Results: Most cases had moderate COPD severity (58.25%). The overall mean OHI-S, CPI, and LOA were higher among cases (3.92 ± 0.95, 3.68 ± 0.60, and 2.33 ± 1.10, respectively) in comparison to controls. Further, among cases, the mean oral hygiene and periodontitis increased with increased severity of COPD. Although among both cases and controls, gender, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption influenced their periodontal status, significant odds of higher risk were seen only among cases. Further, subjects with COPD had higher odds of having poor oral hygiene, deeper pocket depths, and LOA. Conclusion: A strong association between COPD and periodontitis was observed. The oral hygiene and periodontal disease worsened with the severity of COPD.

Current realities of dental graduates about dental profession: Cross- sectional study future prospects of dental graduates

Purpose: Dentistry is specialized branch for head and neck region. In this field exponential growth in technology has taken place in the last few decades. At the same time dental graduates also increased. As the patient to doctor ratio has increased, it helped in offering services to the needy, but on the flip side, many qualified dentists are shifting careers due to multiple reasons. This study was conducted to know the awareness of dental graduates on their future prospects in pursuing the dental career. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among junior residents who attended the dental conference using a structured questionnaire. Questions are prepared in a customized form which elicits, knowledge and awareness of dental graduates on their future prospects among junior residents. Results: A total of 210 dental graduates/ junior residents participated in the study. Among them, nearly half of the sample, i.e. 42.4% of dental graduates are satisfied only 50% in pursuing dentistry. Most of the participants, i.e., 63.8% are willing to change the profession, while remaining one-third of the sample, i.e., 36.7% are willing to work in government sector. Only a few graduates, i.e. 22.4% of them were interested in teaching or academics. Conclusion: Even though most of the dental graduates were happy in pursuing dentistry, but most of them were willing to change the career option because of a stressful job timing with no expected fruitful returns in terms of income. This problem is also escalating because of fewer job opportunities.

Association between dental neglect and alexithymia among adult dental patients.

Aims: To show the association between dental neglect and alexithymia among adult dental patients. Settings and Design: At times, certain individuals with dental neglect may experience trouble in communicating and/or understanding information, ability to identify, and describe their feelings termed as alexithymia. Hence, recognition of alexithymia in a dental setting is important, because it worsens the dentist-patient relationship, especially among patients who neglect their dental health. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult patients (≥20 years). Patients received a questionnaire assessing dental neglect [six-item Dental Neglect Scale (DNS)], alexithymia [20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)], and demographic profile. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed with standard statistical software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 22). P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total sample of 1067 individuals comprising 553 (51.8%) females and 514 (48.2%) males with a mean age 35.33 ± 11.49 years participated in the study. Our findings showed that females had higher mean scores for both DNS and total TAS-20 and its factors. With increase in age and education, the mean scores of the DNS had significantly increased and mean scores of total TAS-20 and its factors had decreased with increase in age and education. Conclusion: The above study findings have supported the hypothesis that there is no association between dental neglect and alexithymia among adult dental patients.

Assessment of Periodontal Status Based on Carotid Artery Intima Media Thickness.

PURPOSE: Atherosclerosis is a devastating disease worldwide since it is the most frequent cause of myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure, peripheral vascular disease and perhaps dementia. There is a well-documented evidence supporting the association between clinical/subclinical atherosclerosis and periodontitis. Carotid intima media wall thickness (CIMT) is a histopathologically validated marker of atherosclerosis. This study's purpose was to assess periodontal status based on carotid artery intima media thickness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among subjects who visited the Care Hospital, Nampally Hyderabad for CIMT test. Oral hygiene status was evaluated using Simplified Oral Hygiene Index and periodontal health status was measured using modified World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment form, 1997. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. The proportions and mean scores were compared using chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Logistic regression analysis determined the relationship between periodontitis, as an independent variable and other variables with CIMT. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 600 individuals were classified based on CIMT thickness ≤ 1 mm (292; 48.6%) and CIMT > 1 mm (308; 51.3%) according to variables. Significantly higher mean scores were observed for all oral parameters among subjects with CIMT > 1 mm aged > 45 years and among males (p ≤ 0.05*). Logistic regression analysis showed that increasing age group, ie,> 45 years (OR 3.5), males (OR 2.02), university education (OR 2.99), no history of previous dental visit (OR 3.71); and visit ≥ 1 year (OR 0.76) and previous history of tobacco (OR 1.13) and alcohol use (OR 1.65), poor OHI-S (OR 8.00), Community Periodontal Index (CPI) with Code 3, 4 (OR 4.41) and loss of attachment (LOA) with Code 2 (OR 3.05) and Code 3 (OR 5.80) had significantly higher odds among individuals with subjects with CIMT > 1 mm compared to their counterparts (p ≤ 0.05*). CONCLUSION: The results of the study concluded that periodontal disease and poor oral hygiene were more severe among the subjects with CIMT > 1 mm. To halt the progression of increasing CIMT, preventive oral health programmes need to be integrated in the cardiac setting with established dental referral which can bring out positive health behaviours.

Assessment of dental satisfaction among school teachers in a metropolitan city.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dental satisfaction is a multi-dimensional concept, reflecting the total experience of health care and a major driving force of treatment seeking behaviour. At community level, school teachers, being the role model, also play a major role in public health. The aim of this study is to assess the dental satisfaction among school teachers in Hyderabad. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 515 private school teachers in Hyderabad. The survey tool used was Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ) developed by Davies and Ware (1982). Data was analysed with SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 22. RESULTS: The study comprised of 123 (23.9%) males and 392 (76.1%) females. Based on age, significant relation was found only for subscales 'access', 'quality' and 'general satisfaction' (P = 0.01, P = 0.04, P = 0.03 respectively). Though female subjects had higher mean scores for all subscales, significant difference was found only for subscales 'cost', 'quality', 'access total', 'general satisfaction', and 'overall Dental Satisfaction Index' (DSI) (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, P = 0.008, P < 0.001, P = 0.001 respectively). Subjects who had visited a dentist had higher mean scores and significant relation was found for subscales 'access' and 'general satisfaction' (P = 0.04, P = 0.04 respectively). Furthermore, subjects who visited a private practitioner had higher mean scores for most of the subscales. CONCLUSION: Female subjects, subjects who had dental visit and those who had visited a private practitioner had higher dental satisfaction. Moreover, age and recent dental visit did not show any effect on dental satisfaction.

Does smartphone addiction affect social interaction: a study among dental students in Hyderabad.

OBJECTIVE: Technology has revolutionized the way people communicate and changed communication in many ways. The evolution of the smartphone may shed some light on this. Though smartphones are user friendly, they can be detrimental to a user's health if they are used in an addictive manner. With easy accessibility to smartphones, dental students may fall prey to smartphone addiction (SA) which in turn may affect their social interaction. Therefore, this paper aimed to examine whether SA affects social interaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate dental students from five dental institutions in Hyderabad. Participants received a questionnaire assessing SA [15 item-Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale (SAPS-15)], social interaction [20 item-Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) ). The chi-square (χ2)-test was used to determine the association between SA and social interaction anxiety. p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study comprised 470 (30.7%) males and 1060 (69.3%) females. Multiple logistic regression revealed females [1.65; confidence interval (CI) = 0.88-1.88] and third year students (2.12; CI: 1.45-2.23) had significantly higher odds for social interaction anxiety (p ≤ 0.05*). CONCLUSION: Therefore, the present study supported the hypothesis that SA affects social interaction anxiety among undergraduate dental students.

Determinants of oral hygiene behaviour among patients with moderate and severe chronic periodontitis based on the theory of planned behaviour.

OBJECTIVES: Health interventions based on cognitive theories effectively bring about behaviour change. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the determinants of oral hygiene behaviour (OHB) based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) among patients with moderate and severe periodontitis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a 47-item self-report questionnaire to evaluate oral health knowledge (OHK), expected social outcomes (ESO) and OHB based on the variables of TPB [attitude (ATT), social norms (SN) and perceived behavioural control (PBC)] of patients with moderate and severe periodontitis. Analysis of variance was used for comparison between the parameters. Regression analyses identified the significant determinants of OHB. RESULTS: A total of 543 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included. ESO (B = 0.04) and OHK (B = 0.14) significantly predicted intention to perform OHB. None of the TPB variables significantly predicted OHB. Apart from ESO and OHK, which were significant predictors for both genders, ATT (ß = 0.22) additionally predicted OHB among men. Also, for university graduates, ESO (ß = 0.13) and OHK (ß = 0.17) significantly predicted OHB. Lastly, OHB showed a significant and positive correlation with all the parameters (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study concludes that the TPB model facilitates the evaluation of psychosocial determinants of OHB among patients with periodontitis. Also, a significant relationship between gender, OHB and variables of TPB further highlights the importance of patient-focused preventive oral health care education.

Determination and Comparison of Dermatoglyphic Patterns and Salivary Streptococcus mutans Counts and Its Correlation with Dental Caries among 3- to 6-year-old Children.

PURPOSE: To determine and compare the dermatoglyphic patterns and salivary Streptococcus mutans counts, as well as its correlation with dental caries among 3- to 6-year-old children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children 3 to 6 years old who had decayed/extracted/filled teeth (def) ≥ 5 were selected as the study group (n = 50) and those who had def = 0 were selected as controls (n = 50). Dermatoglyphics was recorded using the ink stamp-pad method. Salivary S. mutans levels were estimated by microbial culture of the collected salivary samples; for further confirmation, optochin and bacitracin antibiotic sensitivity tests were done. The chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U-test, independent Student's t-test, one-way ANOVA were used for comparison among the variables. Correlation was analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS: The study group showed a significantly higher mean number for whorls and S. mutans count, and the control group showed significantly higher ulnar loops and total ridge count. A positive and significant correlation was observed between mean def and S. mutans. Whorls showed a significant and positive correlation with caries and S. mutans, whereas ulnar loops and total ridge count showed a negative correlation. CONCLUSION: There was a strong correlation between dermatoglyphic patterns (especially ulnar loops, whorls and total ridge count), dental caries and S. mutans level.

Self reported behavioral and emotional difficulties in relation to dentition status among school going children of Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad, India.

BACKGROUND: Oral health has strong biological, psychological, and social projections, which influence the quality of life. Thus, developing a common vision and a comprehensive approach to address children's social, emotional, and behavioral health needs is an integral part of the child and adolescent's overall health. AIM: To assess and compare the behavior and emotional difficulties among 15-year-olds and to correlate it with their dentition status based on gender. Study Settings and Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire study among 15-year-old schoolgoing children in six private schools in Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The behavior and emotional difficulties were assessed using self-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The dentition status was recorded by the criteria given by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Basic Oral Health Survey Assessment Form (1997). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Independent Student's t-test was used for comparison among the variables. Correlation between scales of SDQ and dentition status was done using Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient method. RESULTS: Girls reported more emotional problems and good prosocial behavior and males had more conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems, and total difficulty problems. Total decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) and decayed component were significantly and positively correlated with total difficulty, emotional symptom, and conduct problems scale while missing component was correlated with the hyperactivity scale and filled component with prosocial behavior. CONCLUSION: DMFT and its components showed an association with all scales of SDQ except for peer problem scale. Thus, the oral health of children was significantly influenced by behavioral and emotional difficulties; so, changes in the mental health status will affect the oral health of children.

Correlation of sense of coherence with oral health behaviors, socioeconomic status, and periodontal status.

INTRODUCTION: The sense of coherence (SOC) has been suggested to be highly applicable concept in the public health area because a strong SOC is stated to decrease the likelihood of perceiving the social environment as stressful. This reduces the susceptibility to the health-damaging effect of chronic stress by lowering the likelihood of repeated negative emotions to stress perception. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The demographic data and general information of subjects' oral health behaviors such as frequency of cleaning teeth, aids used to clean teeth, and dental attendance were recorded in the self-administered questionnaire. The SOC-related data were obtained using the short version of Antonovsky's SOC scale. The periodontal status was recorded based on the modified World Health Organization 1997 pro forma. RESULTS: The total of 780 respondents comprising 269 (34.5%) males and 511 (65.5%) females participated in the study. A significant difference was noted among the subjects for socioeconomic status based on gender (P = 0.000). The healthy periodontal status (community periodontal index [CPI] code 0) was observed for 67 (24.9%) males and 118 (23.1%) females. The overall SOC showed statistically negative correlation with socioeconomic status scale (r = -0.287). The CPI and loss of attachment (periodontal status) were significantly and negatively correlated with SOC. CONCLUSION: The present study concluded that a high level of SOC was associated with good oral health behaviors, periodontal status, and socioeconomic status.