Awareness-Knowledge and Practices of Dental Waste Management among Private Practitioners.

Background Dental wastes are materials that have been utilized in dental clinics, which are no longer wanted for use and therefore discarded. Improper disposal of these dental wastes can cause harm to the dentist, the people in immediate vicinity of the dentist. Objective The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices regarding Dental waste management among private practitioners. Method The study population included 186 private practitioners in three districts of Karnataka (Coorg, Mysore, Hassan), south India. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was distributed to assess the knowledge and practices regarding dental waste management. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the results. The data will be statistically analyzed using chi-square test, correlation. Result Out of 186 study subjects, 71(38%) were females and 115(62%) were males, Chisquare analysis showed highly significant association between qualification of the study participants and their knowledge, practice of dental waste management. A statistically significant (0.0001) correlation was found between the knowledge and practice scores. Conclusion There was a lacunae of knowledge regarding proper biomedical waste disposal among the participants. In order to fill this vacuum CDE (Continuing Dental Education) programs have to be conducted in pursuance to maintain health of the community.

Pathological evaluation for sterilization of routinely used prosthodontic and endodontic instruments.

BACKGROUND: In daily practice of dentistry, we use same instruments on many patients. Before use, all instruments must be cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized to prevent any contamination. Pre-cleaning and sterilization of some devices can be difficult because of their small size and complex architecture. Dental burs and endodontic files are such instruments. Dental burs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, all with highly complex and detailed surface features. AIM: To determine the effectiveness of various disinfectants and sterilization techniques for disinfection and resterilization of dental burs and endodontic files. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials used for the study were dental burs and endodontic files. Disinfectants used were Quitanet plus, glutaraldehyde, glass-bead sterilizer, and autoclave. The sterility of used dental burs and endodontic files was analyzed. Burs and files that had been used were pre-cleaned, resterilized, and then tested for various pathogens. Each item was transferred by sterile technique into Todd-Hewitt broth, incubated at 37°C for 72 h, and observed for bacterial growth. RESULTS: The present study shows that the endodontic files and burs sterilized by autoclaving and glutaraldehyde showed complete sterilization. Burs and files immersed in glutaraldehyde (2.4%) for 12 h showed complete sterilization, whereas Quitanet plus solution and glass-bead sterilizer showed incomplete sterilization. CONCLUSION: The present study results indicate that autoclaving and glutaraldehyde (2.4%) showed complete sterilization. Other methods cannot be relied upon for sterilization.

Effect of Neem containing Toothpaste on Plaque and Gingivitis--A Randomized Double Blind Clinical Trial.

AIM: The present study was designed to assess the effect of toothpaste containing neem on plaque and gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized, double blind clinical trial was designed. Thirty first year dental students volunteered to participate in the study. Neem containing tooth paste was used as an intervention. Clinical examination was carried out using Silness and Loe plaque index (PI) and Loe and Silness gingival index (GI). Independent t-test and paired t-test was used for the intergroup and the intragroup comparison. RESULTS: Out of 30 participants, 22 (73.3%) were females and eight (26.7%) were males. A statistically significant difference was found between the test and control group after intervention with respect to the PI and GI. CONCLUSION: Neem containing toothpaste can be used as an adjunct for maintenance of oral hygiene. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Regular brushing with neem toothpaste might act as an adjunct to maintenance of good oral hygiene, and thus improve oral health.

Association of ABO Blood Group and Rh factor with Periodontal Disease in a Population of Virajpet, Karnataka: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to determine whether there was an association between periodontal diseases and ABO blood groups. MATERIALS & METHODS: An epidemiological study was was carried out on 220 subjects who were randomly selected from individuals referred for periodontal treatment or for other reasons regarding Oral health at Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences. RESULTS: The findings of our study revealed that subject's blood group O (65.8) and Rh positive (73.33%) had a greater propensity for periodontitis. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study revealed blood groups and Rh factor can act as a determinant of periodontitis. How to cite this article: Vivek S, Jain J, Simon SP, Battur H, Supreetha S, Haridas R. Association of ABO Blood Group and Rh factor with Periodontal Disease in a Population of Virajpet, Karnataka: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Int Oral Health 2013; 5(4):30-34.