The Association of Periodontal Disease with Low Birth Weight Infants: A Case Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between periodontal disease and low birth weight among pregnant women. METHODS: Data for this case-control study was collected from June 2019 till February 2020. All women in the Gynecology Department of Lady Willingdon Hospital, Lahore, who had delivered a baby within the last 24 h were invited to participate. Women who delivered babies less than 2.5 kg were considered as 'cases' (having low birth weight - LBW - infants) and those having babies of 2.5 kg or more were categorized as 'controls' (normal birth weight infants). The selected sample was matched for age, general health (indicated by mean upper arm circumference) and Hemoglobin levels. Intraoral examination was conducted and gingival color and appearance; calculus, bleeding on probing, CPITN (Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs) and CAL (clinical attachment loss) were recorded. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of LBW infants. The predictors were further confirmed by applying chi-squared test for categorical variables and independent sample T test for quantitative variables. RESULTS: A total of 60 cases and 120 controls were recruited. The logistic regression model suggested that CPITN score (OR 14.893, 95% CI 4.896, 45.301); CAL (OR 2.148, 95% CI 1.271, 3.631); calculus (OR 25.099, 95% CI 1.916, 328.771); mode of delivery (OR 0.175 95% CI 0.060, 0.514); and gingival recession (OR 0.237, 95% CI 0.078, 0.715) were significant predictors of LBW. CONCLUSION: Periodontal disease was found to be a significant predictor of LBW infants.

Oral Manifestations: A Reliable Indicator for Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

OBJECTIVES: This article identifies undiagnosed DM (UDM) cases in the Pakistani population by perceiving the signs and symptoms of DM and associating them with oral manifestations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients showing at least three or more classical or warning signs like polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and general weakness were considered UDM cases. Detailed oral examination for gingivitis, periodontitis, halitosis, xerostomia, and tongue manifestations was done followed by the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) analysis. RESULTS: Out of 5,878 patients, 214 UDM cases were identified, where 31.8% and 39.7% of the patients were diagnosed as prediabetics and diabetics, respectively, based on HbA1c analysis. Prevalence of gingivitis (97.6%), fissured tongue (91.8%), generalized periodontitis (85.9%), thick saliva (87.1%), xerostomia (84.7%), burning mouth syndrome (63.5%), yellow discoloration of tongue (57.6%), and ecchymosis/ulcers (43.5%) were more in diabetics as compared to prediabetic patients and normal population. CONCLUSION: The oral manifestations can be crucial for identifying UDM cases. Dentists can play a pivotal role by taking detailed history and thorough oral examination. If three or more symptoms as concluded above are present, an HbA1c analysis should be conducted to prevent preop and postop complications associated with DM.

Estimation of the risk of COVID-19 transmission through aerosol-generating procedures.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with the provision of multiple guidelines for the dental profession. All elective procedures were restricted, and only emergency procedures were performed. There was fear and anxiety among dentists while performing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), as they were considered to pose a high risk of COVID-19 transmission. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during AGPs, and to examine the association between risk severity and the number of AGPs performed per day. The efficacy of personal protective equipment (PPE) was also assessed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional cohort study was based on an online questionnaire form completed by 629 general and specialized dentists between January 1 and February 28, 2021. The collected data referred to the sources of COVID-19 infection, the type of PPE used and the number of AGPs performed each day by dental healthcare professionals (DHCPs). For each question, the absolute numbers of responses as well as percentages were calculated. RESULTS: Among the 629 DHCPs, 113 (17.97%) contracted COVID-19. The risk of contracting COVID-19 during AGPs was the same as in the case of non-AGPs, and the infection risk was not associated with the number of AGPs performed per day. The efficacy of a surgical mask with a face shield/eye goggles was higher in comparison with all other types of PPE. Differences in the infection risk across the different types of PPE used were statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of COVID-19 transmission during AGPs is the same as in the case of non-AGPs. Thus, restrictions on the performance of elective AGPs should be lifted. On the other hand, the best protection during AGPs is provided by a surgical mask with a face shield/eye goggles.

Knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of dentists working during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has immensely affected the world's population at physical and psychosocial levels. Dentists are no different from other healthcare providers, as they are equally if not more exposed to the threat of getting infected. OBJECTIVE: To assess the experience and behavior of public and private sector dentists practicing during the COVID-19 pandemic and their knowledge about it. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted online by sharing google forms through email, WhatsApp, and Facebook. The survey included questions on the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of dentists practicing during COVID-19. The data was interpreted by SPSS 24 using a chi-square test, and a value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A considerable number of general dentists (26.9%) and specialists (39.4%) adopted partial suspension of clinics. Restriction's ease allowed 50.2% of the clinicians to resume their duties. 67.9% of the patients were medicated online during the lockdown phase. There was no significant difference regarding years of experience and willingness to treat/care (p-value 0.648). Personal protective equipment (PPE) was readily available for use in public or private practices, and the respondents agreed with its efficacy in protecting the operators. Compliance with PPE wear was 50% in all the respondents. CONCLUSION: The psychosocial repercussion of the pandemic continues to affect dental practices. Our attitude needs to improve as far as PPE is concerned, with regular training workshops and continuous updates of the developing Knowledge on COVID-19.

Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Bone Healing in Immediate Implants Analyzed by Cone Beam Computerized Tomography: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The possibility of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the improvement of bone and adjacent tissue recovery has previously been validated. However, there is insufficient data supporting the use of platelet-rich plasma to improve the healing of bone and adjacent tissues around an implant in the oral cavity. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to observe the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) concentrate on marginal bone loss and bone density around immediate implant placement using Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT). This clinical study was conducted over a period of six months on 12 subjects, who were equally categorized into two groups. Group I was the control, whereas the subjects in Group II received PRP therapy at the surgical site. All subjects were given a standard treatment with a single implant system (DIO UFII hybrid sandblasted acid-etched implants). Inserted implants were analyzed through CBCT, and records were registered at baseline, at the 12th week before functional loading and the 26th week after functional loading. The bone loss was calculated at the proximal (mesial and distal) side of the implant and bone density at baseline, 12th week, and 26th week after implant placement. SPSS version 23.0 was used for statistical analysis of data. The changes in bone levels were measured and compared between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U test, with no significant difference. Bone density was analyzed by an independent sample t-test, p value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Again, no significant difference in bone density was observed between both groups at all three instances. Therefore, it can be concluded that local injection of PRP after immediate implant placement did not show any decrease in marginal bone loss or improvement in bone density. This trial is registered with NCT04650763.