Estimation of copper in saliva and areca nut products and its correlation with histological grades of oral submucous fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to estimate the copper levels in saliva of patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and different areca nut products and its correlation with different histological grades of OSF. METHODS: The study comprised 60 individuals, 30 OSF patients and 30 non-OSF individuals. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected, and copper analysis was performed using colorimetric method. The commercial areca nut products used by the patients were acquired and subjected to copper analysis through the atomic absorption spectrophotometer method. Oral biopsies were performed for OSF patients for histopathological correlation. RESULTS: The mean salivary copper level was 27.023 µg/dl in OSF patients when compared with 8.393 µg/dl in non-OSF individuals (P < 0.005). The mean copper content in different areca nut products was 13.313 ppm (P < 0.005). Comparison of copper content in different areca nut products with salivary copper levels of OSF patients showed negative correlation (P < 0.853). Comparison of salivary copper levels between different histological grades of OSF yielded a statistically significant association between grades I and III (P < 0.005) and grades II and III OSF (P < 0.019). Comparison of copper content in areca nut products and different histological grades of OSF yielded weak negative statistical correlation (r = -0.116). CONCLUSION: Despite high copper content in areca nut products, the observations yielded a negative correlation with different histological grades of OSF. This further raises a doubt about the copper content in areca nut as an etiological factor for this crippling disease.

Periodontal status among tobacco users in Karnataka, India.

A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the prevalence of periodontal diseases among tobacco and non-tobacco users. A total of 2,156 dentate subjects were selected in the age group of 35-44 years through multi-stage sampling method. A total of 350 and 175 subjects were selected from household survey from each district in rural and urban areas. Subjects were interviewed for the tobacco usage status, followed by clinical assessment of periodontal status. Prevalence of calculus, periodontal pockets of 4-5 mm depth and loss of attachment of 0-3 mm and 4-5 mm was significantly more frequent among current tobacco users. The subject with smoking and chewing tobacco has an odds ratio (OR) 1.6 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.14-2.31) and OR 1.7 (95% CI 1.38-2.28) respectively. The findings contribute to the evidence of smoking as a risk factor for periodontal disease.

Oral manifestations associated with Novel Coronavirus Disease - 2019 (COVID-19): A questionnaire based hypothetical study.

Background: Since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in 2019, the virus has evolved drastically, presenting with sets of mutations that influence its properties, including transmissibility and antigenicity. The oral mucosa is postulated as probable portal entry and several oral manifestations have been identified, which places dental professionals in a position to recognize probable COVID-19 patients depending on oral signs and symptoms in the initial phases of the disease itself. As co-existing with COVID-19 seems to be a new reality, greater understanding is required regarding early oral signs and symptoms which can be predictors for timely intervention and prevention of complications in COVID-19 patients. The objective of the study is to identify the distinguishing oral signs and symptoms among COVID-19 patients and to establish possible correlation between severity of COVID-19 infection and oral symptoms. Methods: This study recruited 179 ambulatory, non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province's designated hotels for COVID-19 and home isolated patients from the same region using a convenience sample method. Data was collected by qualified and experienced investigators, including two physicians and three dentists, using a validated comprehensive questionnaire through telephonic interviews with the participants. The X 2 was used to assess the categorical variables, and odd's ratio was calculated to determine the strength of the association between general symptoms and oral manifestations. Results: Oral and nasopharyngeal lesions or conditions like loss of smell and taste, xerostomia, sore throat, and burning sensation were predictors of COVID-19-related systemic symptoms such as cough, fatigue, fever, and nasal congestion were identified to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study reveals the occurrence of olfactory or taste dysfunction, dry mouth, sore throat, and burning sensation along with COVID-19 generic symptoms, should be considered as suggestive yet not conclusive indicators of COVID-19.

Psychological Perceptions and Preparedness during Novel Coronavirus Disease - 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic - A Multinational Cross-sectional Study among Healthcare Professionals.

Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused serious repercussions both physically and mentally. The crisis has laid an enormous workload on the global healthcare fraternity. This article has attempted to study the emotional and psychological status of the medical and dental fraternity across seven Asian countries (India, Malaysia, the Gulf Cooperation countries (GCC) and, others) and also deduce the degree of mental preparedness as they spearhead the war against COVID-19. A cross-sectional, descriptive online survey was carried out among potential participants from online forums and other health-related social communities. Bivariate analysis with descriptive statistics was applied to decipher the results. A total of 788 complete responses were analyzed. The response rate was 77.1%. Results revealed the perception of the Healthcare Professionals about COVID-19 and its implications in their personal and professional lives. Many categories from psychological and emotional standpoints were analyzed. Older HCPs (above 35 years) reported high levels of stress at the workplace (p = 0.002). About 43.5% of the HCPs from India reported that they have not received any specialized training on containing COVID-19 or any contagious disease. Intense emotional stress was reported by the HCPs when colleagues get infected. The medical professionals (61.7%) exhibited more work stress compared to their dental counterparts. Analyzing the psychological and emotional status of HCPs is imperative especially in this COVID-19 situation. Similar analyses are crucial to gauge the quality of our healthcare system and take necessary actions like training the workforce, revamping the infrastructure, and regulating the workflow.

Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs of Paniya Tribes in Kerala.

INTRODUCTION: The tribal communities of Kerala have been largely left out of the gains of the Kerala model of development. AIM: The study was aimed to obtain baseline data of oral health status and treatment needs of Paniyas, in Kerala, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive population based survey of adult Paniya belonging to index age groups of 35-44 years and 65-74 years was conducted. The study population comprised of 420 subjects drawn from three talukas by stratified cluster sampling. Modified version of WHO Oral Health Assessment Form (1997) was used to assess the oral health status. RESULTS: Caries prevalence was 40%. The mean DMFT in the 35-44 years age group was 1.52±1.95 and in 65-74 age group it was 18.47 ± 13.10. Oral mucosal lesions were seen in 4.52% and 76.9% had periodontal disease. Tooth brushing was reported by 55.5% of the subjects. Paan chewing, with tobacco or without tobacco, habit was reported by 89.3%. Bi-variate analyses between the CPI scores and age groups showed high statistical significance. The maximum mean treatment requirement was for extraction (1.37 ± 4.01) and was observed in 65-74 age groups. CONCLUSION: The lack of basic oral health care access is important for high oral disease burden in these populations. Efforts are to be done for basic oral health care facility to these marginal populations.

Psychological perceptions and preparedness during novel coronavirus disease - 2019 (covid-19) pandemic - a multinational cross-sectional study among healthcare professionals

Abstract Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused serious repercussions both physically and mentally. The crisis has laid an enormous workload on the global healthcare fraternity. This article has attempted to study the emotional and psychological status of the medical and dental fraternity across seven Asian countries (India, Malaysia, the Gulf Cooperation countries (GCC) and, others) and also deduce the degree of mental preparedness as they spearhead the war against COVID-19. A cross-sectional, descriptive online survey was carried out among potential participants from online forums and other health-related social communities. Bivariate analysis with descriptive statistics was applied to decipher the results. A total of 788 complete responses were analyzed. The response rate was 77.1%. Results revealed the perception of the Healthcare Professionals about COVID-19 and its implications in their personal and professional lives. Many categories from psychological and emotional standpoints were analyzed. Older HCPs (above 35 years) reported high levels of stress at the workplace (p = 0.002). About 43.5% of the HCPs from India reported that they have not received any specialized training on containing COVID-19 or any contagious disease. Intense emotional stress was reported by the HCPs when colleagues get infected. The medical professionals (61.7%) exhibited more work stress compared to their dental counterparts. Analyzing the psychological and emotional status of HCPs is imperative especially in this COVID-19 situation. Similar analyses are crucial to gauge the quality of our healthcare system and take necessary actions like training the workforce, revamping the infrastructure, and regulating the workflow.

Resumo O novo Coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) tem causado sérias repercussões tanto físicas como mentais. A crise colocou uma enorme carga de trabalho sobre a comunidade global de saúde. O objetivo foi estudar o estado emocional e psicológico da comunidade médica e dentária em sete países asiáticos (Índia, Malásia, os países da Cooperação do Golfo (GCC) e, outros) e também deduzir o grau de preparo mental à medida que conduzem a guerra contra a COVID-19. Foi realizado um estudo transversal e descritivo online entre potenciais participantes de fóruns online e outras comunidades sociais relacionadas com a saúde. Foi aplicada uma análise bivariada com estatística descritiva para decifrar os resultados. Foram analisadas um total de 788 respostas completas. A taxa de resposta foi de 77,1%. Os resultados revelaram a percepção dos Profissionais de Saúde sobre a COVID-19 e as suas implicações na sua vida pessoal e profissional. Foram analisadas muitas categorias do ponto de vista psicológico e emocional. Os HCP mais velhos (acima de 35 anos) relataram níveis elevados de stress no local de trabalho (p = 0,002). Cerca de 43,5% dos HCP da Índia relataram não ter recebido qualquer formação especializada sobre a contenção de COVID-19 ou qualquer doença contagiosa. O estresse emocional intenso foi relatado pelos HCPs quando os colegas foram infectados. Os profissionais médicos (61,7%) exibiram mais stress de trabalho em comparação com os seus homólogos dentários. A análise do estado psicológico e emocional dos HCP é imperativa, especialmente nesta situação de COVID-19. Análises semelhantes são cruciais para avaliar a qualidade do nosso sistema de saúde e tomar as ações necessárias como a formação da força de trabalho, a renovação das infra-estruturas, e a regulação do fluxo de trabalho.

Validation of dental impact on daily living questionnaire among tribal population of India.

BACKGROUND: Oral conditions are known to affect various aspects of quality of life. Similarly, the social consequence of the quality of life in the day to day living is also equally important. Several studies have quantified the social consequences of diseases through activity limitations in people's daily living. The instruments which cover a broad spectrum of life are proposed to be compared with the clinical oral hygiene status of people from different social classes. AIM: To assess the validity of dental impact on daily living (DIDL) questionnaire measuring subjective dental problems and their impact in the day to day life among tribes of Wayanad. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DIDL questionnaire developed by Leao and Sheiham was used. We recorded the clinical oral health status using decayed, missing, filled, simplified oral hygiene index, and community periodontal index indices, to correlate the subjective findings of dental impact tribe to obtain construct validity of the questionnaire. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics and Spearman's correlation using IBM SPSS software version 20. RESULTS: In the study population of 250 participants, the majority of the participants were from the age group between 36 and 50 years (40%) and females were in the majority (64%). The clinical status of the participants was poor in the majority while their perceived impact in their day to day living was found to be relatively satisfied. The study results show the DIDL tool had weak validity in relation to the clinical status with relevance to the social status of Indian tribal population. CONCLUSION: The study result shows that there was insignificant and weak validity between the DIDL tool and the oral health status among these tribes who were from a low social class. This might be because their priority in life which is different from what a person from high social class. So the dental problem is ignored at the level of individual depending on his/her priority and at the community level by the policy makers.

The effect on the flexural strength, flexural modulus and compressive strength of fibre reinforced acrylic with that of plain unfilled acrylic resin - an in vitro study.

AIM: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the flexural strength, the flexural modulus and compressive strength of the acrylic polymer reinforced with glass, carbon, polyethylene and Kevlar fibres with that of plain unfilled resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 specimens were prepared and divided into 10 specimens each under 5 groups namely group 1- control group without any fibres, group 2 - carbon fibres, group 3- glass fibres, group 4 - polyethylene, group 5- Kevlar. Universal testing machine (Tinius olsen, USA) was used for the testing of these specimens. Out of each group, 5 specimens were randomly selected and testing was done for flexural strength using a three point deflection test and three point bending test for compressive strength and the modulus was plotted using a graphical method. Statistical analysis was done using statistical software. RESULTS: The respective mean values for samples in regard to their flexural strength for PMMA plain, PMMA+ glass fibre, PMMA+ carbon, PMMA+ polyethylene and PMMA+ Kevlar were 90.64, 100.79, 102.58, 94.13 and 96.43 respectively. Scheffes post hoc test clearly indicated that only mean flexural strength values of PMMA + Carbon, has the highest mean value. One-way ANOVA revealed a non-significant difference among the groups in regard to their compressive strength. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that carbon fibre reinforced samples has the greatest flexural strength and greatest flexural modulus, however the compressive strength remains unchanged.

Recurrent aphthous ulcers among tobacco users- hospital based study.

CONTEXT: Current evidence shows ambiguous relationship between tobacco use and the occurrence of aphthous. OBJECTIVES: We studied the relationship between the occurrence of recurrent aphthous ulcers and various forms of tobacco usage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital based case control study was carried out in a dental teaching hospital in Cochin, India. One hundred and two outpatient subjects (Males 56.9%) were identified having aphthous ulceration using Natha's diagnostic criteria and were classified as cases. One hundred and eight subjects (Males, 70.4%) with no aphthous ulceration were selected randomly as controls. Exposure ascertainment of tobacco usage was done by structured interview. RESULTS: The adjusted odd ratio was found to be 0.41 (95% CI 0.19-0.87) for tobacco usage and occurrence of aphthous ulceration compared to non tobacco users. The odds ratio of 0.41 for tobacco usage infers that subjects using tobacco were 59% less likely to have aphthous ulcerations compared to nontobacco users. CONCLUSION: The tobacco consumers have less frequency of aphthous ulceration compared non users.