Oral hygiene negligence among institutionalized mentally disabled children in Mysore city-A call for attention.

BACKGROUND: Oral health is integral part of general health. In certain conditions especially among mentally disabled, oral health is neglected. Studies have shown that mentally disabled population has the risk of poor oral health. People with disabilities deserve the same opportunities for oral health and hygiene as those who are healthy, but sadly dental care is the most common unmet health care need of the disabled people. METHODOLOGY: This comparative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among institutionalized mentally disabled and normal children of age group 6-13 years in Mysore city. RESULTS: Majority of mentally disabled children, that is, 36.73% (n = 180), had poor oral hygiene when compared with normal children, that is, 9.18% (n = 45). This difference was statistically highly significant (P < 0.000). The significant differences in the gingival status and severity of mental disability were seen (P < 0.001). The result showed that the gingival health worsens with increase in the severity of mental disability. CONCLUSION: The present study showed the dental negligence among mentally disabled children where the parents, caretakers, and dentists are responsible. Oral health promotion programs should be conducted for special group children, their parents, as well as caretakers.

Evaluation of chemokines in gingival crevicular fluid in children with band and loop space maintainers: A clinico-biochemical study.

BACKGROUND: Chemokines are pro-inflammatory cells that can be induced during an immune response to recruit cells of the immune system to a site of infection. AIM: This study was conducted to detect the presence of chemokines, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), and 1ß (MIP-1ß) and estimate their levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in children with band and loop space maintainers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MIP-1α and MIP-1ß levels were estimated in GCF samples from twenty healthy children and twenty children with band and loop space maintainers. Periodontal status was evaluated by measuring gingival index, plaque index, and Russell's periodontal index. The GCF samples were quantified by ELISA, and the levels of MIP-1α and MIP-1ß were determined. RESULTS: The mean MIP-1α concentrations in healthy children and those with space maintainers were 395.75 pg/µl and 857.85 pg/µl, respectively, and MIP-1ß was 342.55 pg/µl and 685.25 pg/µl, respectively. MIP-1α and MIP-1ß levels in GCF from children with space maintainers were significantly higher than in the healthy group, and statistically significant difference existed between these two groups. CONCLUSION: MIP-1α and MIP-1ß can be considered as novel biomarkers in the biological mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of gingival inflammation in children with space maintainers.

Evaluation of chemokines in gingival crevicular fluid in children with dental caries and stainless steel crowns: A clinico-biochemical study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to detect the presence of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) and MIP-1ß and estimate their levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in children with dental caries and stainless steel crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 children with primary dentition were selected and categorized into four groups with twenty in each group; Group 1 - healthy subjects, Group 2 - dental caries, Group 3 - dental caries involving the pulp, and Group 4 - stainless steel crowns. GCF samples were collected by an extra-crevicular method with microcapillary pipettes. The GCF samples were quantified by ELISA and the levels of MIP-1α and MIP-1ß were determined. RESULTS: MIP-1α and MIP-1ß were detected in all the samples. Highest mean concentration in GCF was obtained for Group 3 followed by Groups 2 and 4 while the lowest concentration was seen in Group 1. This suggests that MIP-1α and MIP-1ß levels in GCF increased proportionately with the inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: GCF serves as a noninvasive diagnostic fluid to measure biomarkers released during dental caries initiation and progression. MIP-1α and MIP-1ß chemokines can be considered as novel biomarkers, in biological mechanism underlying the pathogenesis and inflammation in children with dental caries and stainless steel crowns.

Giant Cell Fibroma in a Paediatric Patient: A Rare Case Report.

Giant cell fibroma is a form of fibrous tumour affecting the oral mucosa. Its occurrence is relatively rare in paediatric patients. Clinically it is presented as a painless, sessile, or pedunculated growth which is usually confused with other fibrous lesions like irritation fibromas. Here we are presenting a case where a seven-year-old male patient reported with a painless nodular growth in relation to lingual surface of 41 and 42. Considering the size and location of the lesion, excisional biopsy was performed and sent for histopathological analysis which confirmed the lesion as giant cell fibroma.

Oral health related knowledge, attitude, and practice among the pre-university students of Mysore city.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the oral health related behavior, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pre-university students of Mysore city. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1000 pre-university students of Mysore city. RESULTS: Statistical tests such as percentage distribution and Chi-square were used. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Most of the students (88%, n = 880) knew that dental health reflects on the general health. Eighty-nine percent (n = 890) of students were aware that sweets and sticky food cause dental decay. Majority of the students (90%, n = 900) agreed that they visited dentist only when they had pain and cleaned their teeth once daily using toothbrush and tooth paste in vertical and horizontal motion. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the students had good knowledge about the basic oral health measures necessary to maintain proper oral health, but their attitude and practices toward oral health was relatively poor.

Prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination among oral health care personnel in Mysore city, India.

BACKGROUND: The transmission of blood borne virus in health care workers is a potential occupational hazard to patients as well as to the Oral Health Care Personnel (OHCP). Hepatitis B remains a serious threat to dental team. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To assess the vaccination status and post vaccination antibody status of oral health care personnel against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. Descriptive Cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among the oral health care personnel of Mysore city. RESULTS: Out of 300 oral health care personnel 256 (85.4%) were vaccinated for HBV infection and 44 (14.6%) had not taken vaccination. Highest frequency of vaccination was seen among dentists and least amongst dental lab technicians and other workers. This difference was highly significant among the different occupation groups (p= 0.001). CONCLUSION: Majority of the OHCP of Mysore city have been vaccinated. Among them, dentists formed the majority group of vaccinated. But there was ignorance and less awareness regarding Hepatitis B vaccination among dental lab technicians and other workers like dental assistants and cleaning staff. Awareness amongst OHCPS against Hepatitis B vaccination has increased significantly over the years, but there are few who do not intend to get vaccinated.

Comparative evaluation of sealing ability of four different restorative materials used as coronal sealants: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the sealing ability of glass ionomer cement (GIC), composite resin, gray mineral trioxide aggregate (GMTA) and white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) when placed coronally as double - sealing material over gutta-percha in root canal treated teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 70 freshly extracted human single rooted teeth were cleaned, shaped and obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus. The gutta-percha was reduced to a depth of 4 mm from the cemento enamel junction using hot plugger and standardized access cavities with 4 mm depth were prepared at the coronal ends of the roots. The specimens were randomly divided into four groups containing 15 teeth each depending on the restorations they received in the coronal cavity. A positive control group of five teeth received no restorative barrier over gutta-percha. All root surfaces were covered with two coats of nail varnish, leaving only the access openings uncovered except teeth in the negative control group, which were completely covered with nail varnish. All teeth were immersed in India ink, cleared and observed under stereomicroscope for the depth of dye penetration. RESULTS: The results were tabulated and analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple comparison between each group was carried out using Mann-Whitney test. The groups sealed with GMTA and WMTA showed least dye penetration than other groups and the difference was statistically significant. Highest dye penetration was seen with groups sealed with GIC and was statistically significant compared with other three groups. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the GMTA and WMTA provided significantly better coronal seal when compared to other two restorations. The composite resin also showed significantly better seal than the unsealed group and the group sealed GIC, which showed highest leakage that was equivalent to that of unsealed group.

Shear Bond Strength of Repaired Composites Using Surface Treatments and Repair Materials: An In vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Enhancement of bond strength between new and old composite usually requires increased surface roughness of old composite to promote mechanical interlocking and subsequent coating with bonding agents to improve surface wetting and chemical bonding. So this study was carried out to evaluate and compare the effects of different surface treatments and repair materials on the shear bond strength (SBS) of composite repairs The mode of failure of repaired composites whether cohesive or adhesive was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The substrates for 60 composite specimens were fabricated and aged with water treatment and subjected to various surface treatments. The surface treatment regimens used in the study were: No surface treatment, abraded with diamond bur, air abraded (sandblasted) with 50 µ aluminum oxide particles. Specimens were then repaired with fresh composite using either Clearfil(™) repair or all-bond two adhesive systems. Specimens were water stored, thermocycled and tested for SBS using universal testing machine. Fractured specimens were then examined under stereomicroscope to determine the mode of failure. RESULTS: It was clearly showed that surface roughening of the aged composite substrate with air abrasion, followed by the application of Clearfil(™) repair adhesive system (Group IIIa) yielded the highest repair bond strength (32.3 ± 2.2 MPa). CONCLUSION: Surface treatment with air abrasion followed by bonding with Clearfil(™) repair adhesive system can be attempted clinically for the repair of composite restorations.

A survey on oral health status and treatment needs of life-imprisoned inmates in central jails of Karnataka, India.

BACKGROUND: The prison population is a unique and challenging one with many health problems, including poor oral health. In a developing country like India, oral health problems of the prisoners had received scant attention. OBJECTIVES: To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of life imprisoned inmates and to know the existing oral health care facilities available in central jails of Karnataka. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY DESIGN: Cross sectional survey PARTICIPANTS: A systematically selected sample of 800 life imprisoned inmates, were interviewed and examined using modified WHO oral health assessment proforma (1997). RESULTS: The prevalence of caries was 97.5% mean Decayed Missing Filled Teeth(DMFT) was 5.26; Majority of the study population had Community Periodontal Index(CPI) score of 2, whereas 21.6% had at least one sextant with a CPI score of 4. 41.1% prisoners were severely affected with loss of attachment. 8.8% inmates had dentures. Oral sub mucous fibrosis was observed among 9.9% of prisoners. 97.4% of the subjects needed oral hygiene instruction, 87.6% needed restoration, 62.1% extraction of teeth and 32.2% needed prosthesis. Bangalore and Mysore central jail had oral health care facilities on regular basis. CONCLUSION: This study emphasises the need for special attention from government and voluntary organisations to improve the oral health of inmates.

A rare presentation of mucocele and irritation fibroma of the lower lip.

The effects of chronic local irritation have been seen commonly in the form of fibroma or mucocele in children. We report a nine year old girl with the chief complaint of multiple swellings in the lower lip which was diagnosed both clinically and histologically as fibroma and mucocele. Surgical excision was done under local anesthesia with no post-operative complications. To our knowledge there was no other occurrence, either at the same site or at different locations, involving these two lesions in the oral mucosa.