Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices of tobacco cessation counselling and nicotine replacement therapy among dental professionals.

Background: Establishment of Tobacco Cessation Centres across all dental institutions has been made mandatory by the Dental Council of India. To make it a success, adequate knowledge and training, positive attitude and practices are expected by the dental health care professionals. Our study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of dentists towards Tobacco Cessation Counselling (TCC) and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). Materials and Methods: 200 participants (60 faculty members, 20 postgraduate students and 120 interns) participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-designed questionnaire of 27 questions was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of the participants regarding TCC and NRT. A descriptive analysis of the data was done. Frequency and percentage were calculated for each variable. The data were processed and analysed using SPSS software version 19-SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA. Results: 22% candidates were trained for TCC as opposed to 78% candidates who didn't have an idea about it. 65% participants knew about various agents which are used for NRT but many did not know how to prescribe them. 83.5% were not willing to spare time for tobacco cessation in their private practice. Only 12% were currently practising TCC or NRT at workplace. Conclusion: Inclusion of TCC in the undergraduate curriculum, training and updating of dental faculty and students regarding TCC and NRT will help in serving the noble cause.

Retention of Various Luting Agents Used with Implant-Supported Crowns.

BACKGROUND: Implant supported crowns can either be screw retained or cement retained. Recent advances in implant dentistry has improved the longevity of the implant restoration and has placed importance on esthetics and function. Cement retained restoration has added advantage of superior esthetics and is preferred by the clinician. However, selecting the ideal type of cement for luting implant supported crown has been a topic of debate. METHODOLOGY: A study was conducted at ESIC Dental College & Hospital, Kalaburagi to determine the retentive ability of three different luting agents. 30 samples were divided into three groups and luted with Zinc phosphate, Zinc Polycarboxylate and Glass ionomer cement. The retentive strength was evaluated using universal testing machine. RESULTS: Results proved that zinc poly carboxylate cement had the highest retentive value followed by glass ionomer and zinc phosphate.

Gingival Crevicular Blood Glucose Levels: Is it a Reliable Tool for Screening Diabetes in a Dental Office?

AIM: Periodontal disease is associated with gingival bleeding. Thus, the present study was aimed towards evaluating, whether the blood oozing during routine periodontal examination can be used for evaluating blood glucose levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients reporting to Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, within the age group of 25-55 years were enrolled. In fasting condition, gingival crevicular blood (GCB), finger-stick blood (FSB) was measured using a glucometer and venous blood (VB) glucose values were measured in the laboratory with glucose oxidase method. All the parameters thus recorded were then subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: When compared, the GCB glucose values, VB glucose values and the FSB glucose values measured with glucometer in the diabetic and nondiabetic group were found to be highly statistically significant (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Gingival crevicular blood collected during diagnostic periodontal examination can provide a valid and acceptable source for measuring blood glucose levels using a glucometer. In addition, the technique described is quick, safe, easy to perform and more acceptable to the patients. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dental surgeon can play an active role in screening of patients for glucose levels during routine periodontal examination and help to increase the frequency of diabetes screening in dental offices especially in undiagnosed diabetic cases which can be referred to the physician for appropriate management of the condition.

Comparison of Lip Print Patterns in Two Indian Subpopulations and Its Correlation in ABO Blood Groups.

BACKGROUND: The study of lip-print pattern (cheiloscopy) is a scientific method for personal identification and plays a major role in forensic and criminal investigations. OBJECTIVE: To compare the lip print patterns in Kerala and Maharashtra population and correlate between ABO blood groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred subjects, 100 from Maharashtra and 100 from Kerala were considered for the study. Lip prints were recorded, analyzed according to Tsuchihashi classification. The lip print patterns were compared in the two populations, correlated in ABO blood groups. The data obtained was statistically analyzed with SPSS software using chi-square test. RESULTS: In our study, predominant lip print pattern observed in Kerala population was type IV (53%) and Maharashtra population was type II (42%). The difference between the two population was statistically significant (p<0.001). Subjects with A+ and O- blood groups had type II lip print predominance. Subjects with B+, AB+ and O+ blood groups had type IV predominance. The lip print patterns do not show any correlation in ABO blood groups. CONCLUSION: Lip prints are unique to each individual and are different even in two persons. Lip print patterns were different in the two sub populations studied, and they showed no correlation in ABO blood groups.

Progressive hemifacial atrophy.

Progressive hemifacial atrophy, also known as Parry-Romberg Syndrome, is an uncommon degenerative and poorly understood condition. It is characterized by a slow and progressive but self-limited atrophy affecting one side of the face. The incidence and the cause of this alteration are unknown. A cerebral disturbance of fat metabolism has been proposed as a primary cause. Possible factors that are involved in the pathogenesis include trauma, viral infections, heredity, endocrine disturbances and auto-immunity. The most common complications that appear in association to this disorder are: trigeminal neuralgia, facial paresthesia, severe headache and epilepsy. Characteristically, the atrophy progresses slowly for several years and, it becomes stable. The objective of this work is, through the presentation of a clinical case, to accomplish a literature review concerning general characteristics, etiology, physiopathology and treatment of progressive hemifacial atrophy.