Clinical and histopathological correlation of oral malignancy and potentially malignant disorders based on a screening program at high-risk population in Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: There is a high incidence of oral cancer and oral potential malignant disorder observed in southeast Asian countries such as India. Our study aimed to assess the correlation between screening and histopathological diagnosis and to predict the specificity and sensitivity of chair-side/field-based assessment of the oral lesion. Materials and methods: A total of 40,852 subjects aged between 20 and 60 years were screened in the 1st phase of the study, suspected lesions were stained with toluidine blue (Manufactured by Otto Chemicals private limited, India) at two time points, those who stained positively during the two points were taken up for biopsy. Provisional diagnosis was later correlated with histopathological diagnosis. Results: Subjects who underwent biopsy had a mean age of (49.01 ± 9.8 years), Leukoplakia (1.5%) was the most common lesion observed among tobacco users, interestingly it had the least correlation (39.6%) in diagnosis, Overall sensitivity (88%) and a positive predictive value (80%) was high for clinical diagnosis of OPMD in our study. Conclusion: Correlation of clinical and histopathological diagnosis observed in our study confirms higher yield of true positives while screening in remote and vulnerable populations, which would assure a better quality of life for these subjects.

Andersen health care utilization model: A survey on factors affecting the utilization of dental health services among school children.

BACKGROUND: Children's quality of life, academic performance, and future achievement can all be negatively affected by poor dental health. The present study aimed to assess the need for dental health services and the factors influencing their utilization using the Andersen health care utilization model among school children. METHODS: The current cross-sectional study was conducted among schoolchildren aged 13 to 15 in Bangalore, India (n = 1100). A questionnaire was developed using the concepts of the Andersen healthcare usage model. The parents of the children filled out the questionnaire. The factors were investigated using bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: About 78.1% of the children did not utilize dental health services. Regarding the reasons for not visiting a dentist, 65.8% said they did not have a dental problem, and 22.2% said they could not afford it. Bivariate analysis showed that age, gender, education level, occupation of the family's head of household, monthly family income, socioeconomic status, perceived oral health problems, accessibility of dental health facilities, and parental attitudes toward their children's oral health were significantly associated with using dental health services (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed dental health service utilization was directly related to age (OR = 2.206), education, family size (OR = 1.33), and brushing frequency twice a day (OR = 1.575) with no significant relationship between distance to reach the dental facility, the number of dental visits, and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: Dental health service utilization was low in the past year. The age, number of family members, parent's education level, travel time to the dental facility, the child's oral health behaviors, and positive parental attitude all play a role in a children's utilization of dental health service.

Knowledge and attitude of dental professionals toward COVID-19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a life-threatening global pandemic. The dental profession is considered a high-risk group in the transmission of the responsible virus. Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude among dental professionals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of dental graduates, interns, postgraduates, and dental faculty from May to July 2020. A standardized questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge and attitude of 650 participants. The questionnaire comprised 14 questions to assess general knowledge about COVID-19, 11 questions regarding knowledge about prevention of COVID-19 in dental practice, and 10 questions regarding the attitude toward preventing COVID-19. Results: Among the study population, only 376 (57.8%) knew the causative virus for COVID-19. Only 425 (65.3%) knew about rinsing the mouth with an antimicrobial solution or 1% hydrogen peroxide before the dental procedure. Regarding the hand hygiene guidelines, 357 (54.9%) had knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and 377 (58.0%) about World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. At the time of our survey, 72% of the participants showed sufficient knowledge, while 28% had low or insufficient knowledge about COVID-19. Conclusion: While there was a lack of knowledge among dental professionals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia about COVID-19, there was an excellent positive attitude toward preventing disease. Greater awareness is needed to control the spread of this disease.

Twelve-month evaluation of the atraumatic restorative treatment approach for class III restorations: An interventional study.

BACKGROUND: Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) may be appropriate for populations without accessibility and affordability. More data are required regarding the success rate of ART in anterior teeth. AIM: To evaluate the clinical performance of restoring class III cavities in anterior teeth of permanent dentition using the ART approach. METHODS: A longitudinal interventional field study was carried out at two rural primary health centers, Tumkur district, India. A total of 54 teeth in 39 patients were evaluated for the survival rate of class III restorations in permanent anterior teeth using the ART approach in children and adult populations. Evaluation of ART restoration was carried out using Frencken J criteria, the mean procedure time, patient acceptance and reported pain severity during the ART approach were evaluated using a visual analog scale. Calculation of the cost of ART was also performed. RESULTS: The mean time taken to perform the ART procedure was 14.79 ± 5.8 min with the majority of patients reporting only mild pain. At 6 mo follow-up, 72.2% remained in a good state, but this reduced to 27% at 12 mo. The cumulative survival rate of the restorations was 94.4% at 6 mo and 80.9% at 12 mo follow-up. Estimation of the direct cost for a single class III restoration was 186.50 INR (2.64 USD). CONCLUSION: ART may be a good comprehensive option for basic oral health care for underserved or inaccessible populations, and preventive care for patients.

Association of Periodontitis With Metabolic Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.

AIM: This study was undertaken to assess the association between periodontitis and metabolic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was designed among 100 cases as patients with metabolic syndrome aged 35-74 years, and age- and sex-matched 100 controls as apparently healthy relatives or friends accompanying the cases visiting the diabetic outpatient department at Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, using convenience sampling method. Information related to diabetes, hypertension, and oral hygiene practices was collected. Periodontal health status was measured using community periodontal index. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed based on the criteria of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for analysis. RESULTS: Significantly more number of cases had shallow pockets 4-5 mm, deep pockets ≥ 6 mm, and also more number of loss of attachment code 1, code 2, code 3, and code 4 compared to controls. Bivariate analysis showed significant association between metabolic syndrome and body mass index, smoking, and tobacco chewing. The association between periodontitis and metabolic syndrome was significant with increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome among the subjects with community periodontal index code 3 and code 4 (odds ratio [OR] = 17) and among the subjects having loss of attachment code 1, code 2, code 3, and code 4 (OR = 12). Association remained significant even after adjustment with other variables (adjusted OR = 6). CONCLUSION: This study showed significant association between periodontitis and metabolic syndrome. Further prospective and randomized control trials are recommended to assess causal association between these two diseases.

Microwave-assisted tissue processing, fixation and staining in tissues of different thicknesses: A comparative study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The study aimed at assessment of microwave assisted tissue fixation, processing and staining and to determine if it can replace standard formalin fixed paraffin embedded processing in tissues of different thickness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens from buccal mucosa and gingiva was used in the study and were divided into three different thickness and was fixed, processed and stained according to conventional method and with a use of kitchen microwave oven respectively. The present study is the first of its kind where oral tissues was fixed, processed and stained with a kitchen microwave in three different thickness. The results obtained was statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21.0 software. RESULTS: The new technique of fixation, tissue processing and staining using a microwave employed in the present study represented a major change from conventional method and achieved significant reduction in time taken. CONCLUSION: The ease of application and speed of this technique significantly reduced turnaround time in diagnostic labs.

Autosomal dominant mutation of MSX1 gene causing tooth and nail syndrome.

Tooth and Nail Syndrome or Nail Dysplasias with Hypodontiaor Witkop´s Syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition present at birth and improves by age. An early diagnosis is essential to avoid future functional, aesthetic, and psychological problems. Here we report two classic cases with brief clinical, radiological and genetic investigation along with a brief review of literature.

Impact of electronic cigarette smoking on the Saudi population through the analysis of literature: A systematic review.

Tobacco usage is harming the health, the treasury and the spirit of Saudi Arabia. Every year, more than 7000 of its people are killed by tobacco-caused diseases. Still, more than 20,000 children and 3,352,000 adults continue to use tobacco each day. Likewise, the usage of electronic (e)-cigarette is also increasing; this could be because of the publicity and marketing strategies adopted by the manufacturers of these products which are attracting the younger population. This review was taken up to determine the usage and attitude toward e-cigarette smoking among the Saudi population through the analysis of literature. This review identified peer-reviewed articles using several search terms and databases from 2010 to 2018. PubMed, ISI-Web of Science, Medline and Google Scholar were searched using the following alternate terms for e-cigarettes: electronic cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems following which hand search was conducted through the reference list of articles. The search results only found descriptive data on these e-cigarettes among the Saudi population. This literature review reported that the usage of these e-cigarettes was high among this population and recorded a wide variety of reasons for using e-cigarettes. Reducing tobacco use, considering e-cigarette as less harmful, less addictive, for pleasure and peer influence, lower cost and curiosity were the most commonly reported reasons. Recognizing the dangerous impact of smoking and usage of other type of tobacco, the aggressive marketing of these e-cigarettes needs to be controlled.

Tobacco Usage and Attitude towards Tobacco Cessation among Prisoners in India - A Cross Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco is a highly addictive substance. Tobacco usage is considered one of the main causes responsible for the death of adults worldwide, with 4.9 million deaths occurring worldwide each year. And if the current tobacco usage patterns continue, it will cause some 10 million deaths every year by 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out among 566 prisoners of central prison Bangalore, who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a questionnaire and nicotine dependence was assessed using fagerstrom questionnaire. RESULTS: The study group was categorized based on the age, gender, imprisonment status and education. In this study, 87.5% subjects were smokers, and 15.9% were smokeless tobacco users. 69.1% mentioned they use more tobacco daily during incarceration than at liberty. 87.1% agreed with the fact that "prison stress" was a factor enhancing the need for tobacco usage. 69.1% mentioned as lack of freedom, 77.4% mentioned boredom as factors enhancing need for tobacco usage while imprisoned. While 69.9% mentioned stress as a factor that trigger tobacco usage at liberty. 69.6% mentioned that they had never attempted to quit tobacco. Fagerstrom scale for level of nicotine dependence smoking showed that for smoking form 62.7% were at very high dependence and for smokeless form 64.4% were at very high dependence. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest many implications for policy relevance, since the findings indicate the sales of tobacco products in the prison canteens.