RESUMO
Background and Objectives: Oral health is an integral part of general health. Providing oral health care facilities and creating awareness about the oral health problem in under-served children and communities may lead to a better oral-health-related quality of life of the individual. The present study aims to assess and compare the oral health status and treatment needs of 12- and 15-year-old children residing in tribal welfare hostels and other private hostels of Bhopal district, Madhya Pradesh. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive cross-sectional study consisted of a total sample size of 800 children, 400 in each group (tribal welfare hostel and private hostel groups). Oral health status and treatment needs were assessed using World Health Organization proforma 1997. Oral health behavior including health of teeth and gums, oral hygiene aids, brushing frequency, consumption of sweets in between meals, and present general and oral health was assessed. Utilization of dental services was also assessed using a pre-designed questionnaire, which was completed by the study participants. Results: Statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-square test. Significant differences were noted between the groups in regarding oral health behaviors and visit to a dentist during the past 12 months (P = 0.002*), which were lower in tribal children. Tribal children were having higher dental fluorosis as compared to the private hostel children (P = 0.043*). Decay in permanent teeth (P = 0.006*) and missing of permanent teeth (P = 0.05*) were higher among tribal children. Conclusion: The present study revealed a poor oral health status and treatment needs of tribal children. Tribal children were having higher dental fluorosis as compared to the private hostel children. Decay in permanent teeth and missing of permanent teeth were higher among tribal children. Oral health behaviors and utilization of dental services were lower in tribal children. Good oral health has a definitive influence on general health and thus contributes to self-image and social interaction.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by intermittent complete and partial airway collapse, resulting in frequent episodes of apnea and hypopnea. The Berlin questionnaire (BQ) is a simple, inexpensive instrument used to screen for OSA, which is about risk factors for sleep apnea, namely, snoring behavior, daytime sleepiness or fatigue, and the presence of obesity or hypertension. This 10-question test has since then become well known for its accuracy in predicting the presence of sleep apnea in patients. Cephalometry is a relatively inexpensive method and it permits a good assessment of the soft tissue elements that define the soft palate and its surrounding structures. Therefore, the present study aims to study the morphology of the soft palate using lateral cephalometry and classify it into various types. And to identify the individuals with OSA syndrome through a particular type of soft palate and correlate it with the BQ. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology of D.Y.Patil Dental College, Pune. About 150 subjects for the study were selected by random sampling from the outpatient department of Oral Medicine and Radiology and the patients were referred from the orthodontics department. Lateral cephalograms were assessed for soft palate morphology types, and all participants filled the BQ. A Chi-square test was applied. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Among six types of the soft palate, the maximum number of participants had type 2 (rat-tail type) of the soft palate (26.0%). A highly significant association was found between the BQ (positive and negative response) and soft palate morphology types (i.e., P < 0.01). A maximum number of participants who responded to the BQ had type 5 (S type) of the soft palate (76.47%). CONCLUSION: The type 2 (rat-tail) soft palate was the most frequent type, while the type 4 (straight-line) shape was the least common among all the six types. The persons with type 5 (S-shape) soft palate responded more positively to the BQ as compared to other types of soft palate. This shows that a particular type of soft palate could be responsible for causing OSA syndrome. Clinical Significance: Lateral cephalogram and BQ, which are relatively inexpensive and widely available, can be used in resource-limited and thickly populated countries like India to correctly identify patients with OSA syndrome.
