Knowledge, attitude, and implementation of nicotine replacement therapy by dental and medical interns in Davangere city: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: One of the prime causes of illness and premature death is smoking. Almost 50% of smokers attempt to quit the habit; however, at most, 2%-3% achieve success. The rationale is that innumerable withdrawal attempts are unplanned, and the most effective cessation aids are unacquainted. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is the most common cessation aid. Furthermore, motivation from dental and medical professionals can be effective for patients to quit smoking. The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the implementation of NRT among dental and medical interns in Davangere city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted, which included 442 dental and medical interns from two dental and two medical colleges in Davangere city, Karnataka. The questionnaire included multiple-choice questions regarding knowledge, attitude, and implementation of NRT. The response rate of interns was 93.67%. RESULTS: Among dental and medical interns, there was no statistically significant difference in knowledge about NRT with P = 0.976 (P > 0.05). However, a statistically significant difference existed regarding attitude and implementation in the interns about NRT among dental and medical interns with P = 0.001 (P < 0.05). Among dental and medical interns, dental interns had a positive attitude and implementation toward NRT than medical interns. CONCLUSION: The overview implicated that the dental interns had better vision than medical interns; however, both the groups' comprehension concerning NRT is scanty and advocates education about the fundamentals of NRT either via workshop or by continuing dental education programs.

Comparative clinical evaluation of glycosylated haemoglobin level in healthy and chronic periodontitis patients: A chairside diagnostic method.

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level can consequently be interpreted as an average of the blood glucose present over the past 3-4 months. Periodontitis is associated with glycemic control in patients with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of HbA1c in healthy and periodontitis patients who were previously not diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 patients were selected for study and divided into two groups. Group 1 included patients with a healthy periodontium, and Group 2 included patients suffering from chronic periodontitis. Finger stick blood was collected by special collection unit (A1CNOW+® Bayer Health Care, Tarrytown New York, USA), for estimating level of HbA1c. RESULT: Both groups showed similar HbA1c levels clinically with slight increase in levels in the test group, but was statistically significant (test--5.66 ± 0.35%, control--5.17 ± 0.3% P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Indians are at a high-risk of developing periodontitis and diabetes. These data suggest a possible link between periodontitis and glycemic control in nondiabetic individuals, periodontal disease may be a potential contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Prevalence of gingival biotype and its relationship to clinical parameters.

INTRODUCTION: The dimensions of gingiva and different parts of the masticatory mucosa have a profound impact in periodontics as it governs the way; the gingival tissue reacts to various physical, chemical, or bacterial insults. The purpose of the following study was to assess the gingival thickness (GT) and correlate it to gender, presence of recession, and width of keratinized gingiva (WKG) in a subset of the Indian population. METHODS: A total of 400 subjects in the age range of 20-35 years (200 males and 200 females) were included in the study. Clinical parameters such as probing depth, recession depth, WKG, and GT were recorded for all the patients. RESULTS: The prevalence of thin biotype was 43.25%, and that of thick gingival biotype was 56.75%. The mean GT of central incisor, lateral incisor, and canine in Group I was 1.11 ± 0.17, 1.01 ± 0.16, and 0.82 ± 0.17 mm, respectively. No significant association was observed between the gender and the presence of gingival recession to GT. The mean WKG of central incisor, lateral incisor, and canine in Group I was 4.38 ± 1.18, 5.18 ± 1.25, 4.16 ± 1.16 mm, respectively. A positive correlation exists between WKG and the GT (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the prevalence of thick and thin gingival biotype is 56.75% versus 43.25%, respectively, and there is no significant relationship between age, gender, and the presence of recession to gingival biotype. A positive correlation exists between WKG and the GT.

Amnion membrane for coverage of gingival recession: A novel application.

INTRODUCTION: Amnion allograft has been used in the field of medicine for its exceptional wound-modulating properties. However, in the field of dentistry, only a limited number of reports have explored its potential in healing of oral wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Amnion allograft in conjunction with coronally advanced flap has been used in the management of gingival recession. RESULTS: A complete coverage along with excellent esthetics and an improvement in gingival biotype was observed at 6 months postoperatively. DISCUSSION: Because of its inherent wound-modulating properties, amnion allograft may be used to enhance periodontal wound healing and enable tissue regeneration such as that in the coverage of gingival recession. CONCLUSION: Amnion allograft may provide an alternative to other conventional methods of treating gingival recession.

Clinical evaluation of regenerative potential of type I collagen membrane along with xenogenic bone graft in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects assessed with surgical re-entry and radiographic linear and densitometric analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of periodontal therapy is to restore the tooth supporting tissues lost due to periodontal disease. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of combination of type I collagen (GTR membrane) and xenogenic bone graft with open flap debridement (OFD) in treatment of periodontal intrabony defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty paired intrabony defects were surgically treated using split mouth design. The defects were randomly assigned to treatment with OFD + collagen membrane + bone graft (Test) or OFD alone (Control). The clinical efficacy of two treatment modalities was evaluated at 9 month postoperatively by clinical, radiographical, and intrasurgical (re-entry) parameters. The measurements included probing pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession (GR), bone fill (BF), bone density (BD) and intra bony component (INTRA). RESULTS: The mean reduction in PD at 0-9 month was 3.3±0.82 mm and CAL gain of 3.40±1.51 mm occurred in the collagen membrane + bone graft (Test) group; corresponding values for OFD (Control) were 2.20±0.63 mm and 1.90±0.57 mm. Similar pattern of improvement was observed when radiographical and intra-surgical (re-entry) post operative evaluation was made. All improvement in different parameters was statistically significant (P< 0.01). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Treatment with a combination of collagen membrane and bone graft led to a significantly more favorable clinical outcome in intrabony defects as compared to OFD alone.