The effect of photodynamic therapy on the salivary flow rate, IgA concentration and C-reactive protein levels in active smokers: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the salivary flow rate, secretory immunoglobulin A, and C-reactive protein levels in active smokers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study is a prospective case-control study. Twenty active smokers were allocated to two groups randomly of ten participants each: the experimental group was irradiated while the control was exposed to sham irradiation by turning off the equipment. In the experimental group, methylene blue mediated PDT was applied both intra- and extra-orally over the major and minor salivary glands using a diode laser. 780 nm wavelength and 4 J/cm2 of energy were used to irradiate the 10 points of major salivary glands (6 for parotid and 2 for submandibular glands and 2 for sublingual glands). On the other hand, 660 nm was used to apply 10 J/cm2 of energy over the minor salivary glands at numerous points. The samples of the stimulated and unstimulated saliva were collected from both groups to assess the SFR. ELISA method was used to assess the level of salivary IgA levels, statistical analysis was done using a one-way ANOVA, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The results showed a significant increment in salivary and secretory immunoglobulin A levels of subjects undergone photodynamic therapy. C-reactive protein levels were significantly decreased in subjects exposed to irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study concludes that photodynamic therapy significantly improves the salivary flow rate, secretory Immunoglobulin A, and oral health quality of life in smokers. The inflammatory salivary marker C-reactive protein, which is usually raised in smokers, is also reduced.

Emotional intelligence and perceived stress among female dental students at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the emotional intelligence and identify the perceived sources of stress among female dental students and interns at King Khalid University College of Dentistry (KKUCOD), to investigate whether specific stressors were related to the year of study and gender, and to evaluate the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived stress (PS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total of 150 female undergraduates from 5th and 6th years and dental interns were invited to complete a questionnaire using face-to-face interview. Data on EI was collected using a scale developed by Schutte et al. while a modified version of the Dental Environment Stress (DES) was applied to assess the stress perceived by dental students. RESULTS: 120 students agreed to join the study with a response rate of 84%. Mean EI score for the sample was 120 (SD = 11.56), and the mean PS score was 70.37 (SD = 16.19). One-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference between different age groups and the educational, environmental score (P < 0.05). Correlational analysis showed that the PS scale and its factors correlated positively with each other (P < 0.01) and directly with the total EI score (P > 0.01); except for the living accommodation factor, negative correlations with overall EI score were significant. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that female interns and undergraduate students in clinical years of study at College of Dentistry reported higher EI and PS. The educational environmental score was found to be significantly different among different age groups. In contrary to most published literature, a direct association between EI and PS scores was found, except for the living accommodation factor. This might be attributed to the fact that the study was conducted 1 month prior to final exams. Living accommodation, personal factors, educational environment, academic work and clinical factors were identified as significant predictors of PS.