Efficacy, Safety and Patient Preference of Knotted Floss Technique in Type II Gingival Embrasures.

Purpose: The purpose of this crossover clinical trial was to compare the changes in scores of plaque biofilm accumulation, gingival inflammation, gingival bleeding and gingival trauma in patients who used conventional flossing (CFt), knotted floss (KFt) and an interdental brush (IBt) for 6-weeks each in Type II gingival embrasures.Methods: Sixty healthy, tooth-brushing adults with at least one Type II gingival embrasure were randomly assigned to perform any of above interdental cleaning techniques in each phase of six weeks. Crossover to another technique was undertaken after washout of 2 weeks. Test-sites were scored at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks for Rustogi Modification of Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI), Modified Gingival Index (MGI), Modified Papillary Bleeding Index (MPBI), and Carter-Hanson scoring for gingival trauma. Acceptability of each technique was evaluated by subjects' responses to the post-trial questionnaire.Results: Analysis of data showed a significant improvement in RMNPI, MGl and MPBI scores within all three groups over the time-period of 6-weeks from baseline. RMNPI and MGI scores were significantly more in the CFt group when compared to KFt and IBt and there was no difference in KFt and IBt. Additionally, no significant gingival trauma was recorded in any test group. Equal percentages of participants selected KFt or IBt for its ability to clean and preference to continue to use.Conclusion: Use of a KFt and IBt are statistically similar in safety and efficacy for reducing plaque biofilm accumulation, gingival inflammation, and bleeding in Type II gingival embrasures, when either is used as an interdental cleaning aid in conjunction with regular tooth-brushing. KFt and IBt demonstrated better efficacy than CFt.

Efficacy, Safety and Patient Preference of Knotted Floss Technique in Type I Gingival Embrasures.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the knotted floss (KF) technique with respect to plaque biofilm accumulation, gingival inflammation, bleeding, trauma, and patient preference when used in Type I gingival embrasures, in a crossover-comparison with a conventional flossing (CF) technique.Methods: Thirty healthy, non-flossing adults with at least one Type I gingival embrasure participated in this two-treatment-phase, crossover study. Each subject was randomly assigned to perform either KF or CF technique in the first 6-weeks, and the comparative technique in the second 6-weeks, with a 2-week washout phase in-between. Test-sites were scored at baseline, 2-weeks, 4-weeks, and 6-weeks using the Rustogi Modification of Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI), Modified Gingival Index (MGI), Modified Papillary Bleeding Index (MPBI), and the Carter-Hanson et al., scoring method for gingival trauma. A 3-factor analysis of variance was performed on the data to rule out treatment sequencing as a significant factor. Data was analyzed for differences between groups at respective time points using the student t-test and the paired t-test was used for changes within groups over time (p ≤ 0.05).Results: Analysis of data showed a statistically significant improvement in RMNPI, MGl and MPBI scores within both flossing groups over the period of 6-weeks from baseline. The RMNPI scores were significantly less in the KF group at 2, 4, and 6 weeks when compared to the scores between the KF and CF treatment groups. No significant gingival trauma was recorded in either treatment group. Seventy-five percent of the subjects completing the study, chose KF when asked about their preferred flossing technique with respect to its ability to clean interdentally, while 71% chose KF as the flossing technique that they were willing to continue to use.Conclusion: KF is as effective and safe as an inter-dental oral hygiene technique for reducing plaque biofilm and gingival inflammation and bleeding, as compared to CF in Type I gingival embrasures, when both were used in conjunction with regular tooth-brushing. KF was shown to be better than CF in in terms of improved plaque biofilm scores.

Assessment of Oral Health Related Quality of Life Among the Institutionalised Elderly in Delhi, India.

PURPOSE: To assess the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among older people residing in old-age homes in Delhi, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral health related quality of life was measured by using the Hindi version of Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) which was tested for its reliability and validity. Sociodemographic data were collected and questions regarding the self-perception of general health, oral health and perceived need for dental treatment were put forward. Clinical assessment was also performed. RESULTS: The mean additive-GOHAI score of the study population was found to be 41.57 ± 6.07. Statistically significant associations were found between GOHAI and perceived measures. GOHAI scores decreased with a decrease in the number of teeth present and a decrease in the number of teeth having coronal and root caries. Those subjects who were in need of multi-unit prostheses or full prostheses had significantly poorer OHRQoL compared to those without any prosthetic need or need of single-unit prostheses. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the extent of dental problems in old-age home residents and may help to plan appropriate preventive measures.

Periodontal status and oral health-related quality of life in elderly residents of aged care homes in Delhi.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to explore the associations between clinical periodontal findings and oral health-related quality of life in elderly people residing in the aged care homes of Delhi, India. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 500 residents of aged care homes across Delhi. Data were collected by carrying out clinical oral examinations and by filling a self-administered questionnaire. Oral health-related quality of life was assessed by a pretested Hindi version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI-Hi). Periodontal status was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index - CPI, and loss of attachment and tooth mobility was assessed using a modified Miller's index. RESULTS: Of a total of 500 participants, 221 (44.20%) were men and 279 (55.80%) were women The mean additive score GOHAI score was 41.57 ± 6.07 and the mean number of negative impacts or mean simple count GOHAI score was 6.27 ± 1.54. Mean GOHAI scores were significantly higher among men than women, and were found to be decreasing continuously with the increasing age categories. Tooth mobility and loss of attachment scores were found to be significantly associated with oral health-related quality of life, whereas Community Periodontal Index scores showed a negative correlation with it. CONCLUSION: The geriatric population, especially those in aged care homes, is a special need group because of their inability to access dental care rather than some particular feature of their oral or general health The findings of the present study point to a need to improve access to oral healthcare for this elderly population.

Preliminary Clinical Evidence of the Antiplaque, Antigingivitis Efficacy of a Mouthwash Containing 2% Green Tea - A Randomised Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of a mouthwash containing 2% green tea as compared to a placebo mouthwash for the control of plaque and gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted on 110 male subjects 18-60 years of age. The inclusion criteria were having a minimum of 20 sound natural teeth, a plaque index (PI) of at least 1.5 and a gingival index (GI) of at least 1.0. The subjects were randomised into two parallel groups, test and control. Subjects in the test group and control group were instructed to rinse twice daily for 1 min with 10 ml of test (mouthwash containing 2% green tea) and placebo mouthwash, respectively. After 28 days of using the mouthwash, inter- and intragroup differences for mean plaque index and gingival index scores were analysed. RESULTS: There was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in mean GI and PI scores among the test group from baseline to 28 days, whereas it was not significant in the control group. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction was found in the mean difference in GI scores in the test group (0.67 ± 0.22) as compared to the control group (0.05 ± 0.11) and a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction was observed in the mean difference in PI scores in the test group (1.65 ± 0.68) compared to the control group (0.45 ± 0.99). CONCLUSION: The results showed that the green tea mouthwash was effective in the reduction of plaque and gingivitis scores.

Usage of betel quid, areca nut, tobacco, alcohol and level of awareness towards their adverse effects on health in a north Indian rural population.

AIM: To assess the overall prevalence of betel quid, areca nut, tobacco and alcohol use in the rural population of Muradnagar tehsil of Ghaziabad district and their awareness level towards adverse effects of these habits on general as well as oral health. METHODS: A total of 422 persons from 63 households of four (4) villages were enrolled for the participation in the study. A preformed, pretested questionnaire was used to collect the information on prevalence of risk behaviours of chewing tobacco, areca nut, betel quid, smoking and alcohol consumption. RESULTS: 72.5% of respondents reported indulgence in one or more habits of chewing areca nut, betel quid, tobacco, smoking and alcohol consumption. Smoking tobacco was the most common type of adverse habit in males while chewing tobacco in females. 26% of respondents believed that the community residents would quit the habit only if they personally experience any health problem due to the habit. CONCLUSION: In spite of being aware of risk of having multiple health problems, a major proportion of respondents were using betel quid, areca nut, tobacco and alcohol.

Prevalence of Various Orofacial Pain Symptoms and Their Overall Impact on Quality of Life in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a major public health problem and is the most commonly reported symptom of oral and dental disease that has a significant impact on both individual and community. The present study was prevalence of various orofacial pain symptoms and their overall impact on the quality of life in a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out in the outpatient department of the Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bangalore. The severity of the chronic orofacial pain symptoms was assessed using the Chronic Pain Grade Questionnaire by Von Korff. RESULTS: The results showed that toothache (57.6 %) was the most commonly reported symptom and burning mouth sensation (6.4 %) was the least commonly reported. Majority of the patients had grade 3 level of pain-related disability (34.8 %) followed by grade 2 (26.8 %), grade 1 (22.4 %) and grade 4 levels (16 %). The mean pain intensity was reported to be more among females and maximum among patients with facial pain. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that orofacial pain symptoms have a significant impact on the patients suffering from it. Therefore, proper measures should be taken for the management of the patients with these symptoms and associated conditions.

Estimation of stature in a young adult indian population using the Carrea's index.

The stature or height of an individual is useful for assisting in forensic identifications. Teeth can act as a valuable tool for stature estimation when only the skull is available. Carrea's index estimates the stature of a person from the dimensions of lower anterior teeth. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of the Carrea's index in an Indian population. Data was collected from plaster models of 125 undergraduate students for examination. Each hemiarch was considered separately equaling 250 inferior hemi-arches, which were divided according to the dental alignment into normal, crowded and diastema and the measurements (Arch and Chord) were made with a 'divider caliper'. A statistically significant difference between the types of dental arch was obtained for both males and females with regards to the different dental alignments; where normal dentition (94.03%) obtained the highest success rates for males and crowded dentition (87.87%) for females. Statistically significant differences were also found between the types of arches for both right and left side (p < 0.001; p=0.004). The presence of diastema reduced the success rates when compared in terms of both sex and side of the arch. It was concluded that the Carrea ́s index is a reliable method for height estimation in arches with normal and crowded dentitions, useful for both sexes, and for both right and left side of the arch. However, the method was not reliable for hemiarches with a diastema.

Knowledge and Attitude of Faculty Members Working in Dental Institutions towards the Dental Treatment of Patients with HIV/AIDS.

Background. Dentists have an ethical responsibility to provide treatment to HIV-infected patients, particularly because oral lesions are common among these patients. However, there are no official guidelines as to how to treat people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA) or how to screen for potentially infectious people. Materials and Method. A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire based study which assessed the knowledge and attitude of the faculty members towards the treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS was carried out in the Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences, Faridabad, and Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi. Results. The willingness to treat patients with HIV was found to be 86.0% among the faculty members in the present study. The majority (79%) of the faculty members thought that treating an HIV-positive patient is ethical responsibility of the dentist. There was a positive attitude (88.0%) among faculty members that routine dental care should be a part of the treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS. Conclusion. The level of knowledge regarding HIV and AIDS was acceptable in the present study. However, continuing dental education (CDE) programmes should be conducted on a regular basis for updating the knowledge level of the faculty members towards the dental treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS patients.