Dental Biofilm Accumulation and Gingival Health of Teeth with Fixed Single Prosthesis Fabricated by Various Prosthetic Materials.

Background Periodontal health plays an important role in maintaining the health of natural teeth as well as in the success of all dental procedures. Fixed single prosthesis (dental crown) can be fabricated with different types of prosthetic restorative materials like Metal, Ceramic, Ceramic fused to metal. These different materials have different affinity for plaque accumulation leading to the development of gingival inflammation and periodontal disease. Objective To determine the amount of Plaque accumulation and gingival health of teeth with a fixed single prosthesis fabricated by various Prosthetic materials. Method This quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out from July 2021 to March 2022. The patients who visited the hospital after six months of use of the prosthesis enrolled and were categorized into three groups according to the material used for the prosthesis metal, ceramic, and metal-ceramic. The periodontal condition was assessed using the plaque index and gingival index. Result A total of 136 patients (78 female and 58 male) were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 39.44 ± 16.23 years (Range 19 - 70 years). There were 47 patients with ceramic crowns, 39 patients with metallic, and 50 patients with metal ceramic crowns. The mean plaque index of metal, ceramic, and metal-ceramic crowns was found 1.15 ± 0.546, 0.86 ± 0.479, and 0.93 ± 0.498 respectively. Similarly, the mean gingival index of metal, ceramic, and metal-ceramic crown were 1.22 ± 0.56, 0.91 ± 0.48, and 1.09 ± 0.55 respectively. Conclusion The dental biofilm (plaque) accumulation and hence gingival inflammation is less in ceramic crowns than in metal and metal-ceramic crowns.

Self-assembled hierarchical nanostructures composed of novel chalcopyrite nanosheets for photovoltaic properties.

Self-assembled nanostructures of CulnGaSe2 (CIGS) comprising of nanosheets with sheet thickness of 20 nm have been developed via one-step electrochemically alloying technique. These self-assembled nanoplates exhibit highly intersecting behavior and transform from CuSe to CIGS as the reduction potential was varied. The morphological analysis indicated that the process resulted in a progression of crystallites to a series of heavy dense intersecting nanoplates. Further analyses revealed that the nanostructures keep their integrity on heat treatment. The structure confirms the inclusion of Indium and Gallium at higher reduction potentials and its transition from pseudoamorphous to polycrystalline structure. A strong correlation between reduction potential, and the composition was established. The spectroscopic and optical spectra clearly prove that the direct band gap for the as-grown and annealed thin films, and appropriate for solar cell applications. These self-assembled dense interweaved nanoplates structure have not been observed previously in CIGS semiconductor system and have potential implications forenergy applications.

Prevalence, Extent, and Severity of Oral Health Impacts Among Adults in Rural Karnataka, India.

INTRODUCTION: Oral health affects quality of life. Many studies have investigated the factors associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Little is known about OHRQoL of adults living in rural and remote areas of India, where many have lower levels of education and limited availability of oral health care services. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence, extent, and severity of OHRQoL impacts associated with psychosocial factors, functional dentition, and patterns of dental visits among rural Indian adults between the ages of 35 and 54 y. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a multistage stratified sampling strategy targeting 35- to 54-year-olds. Interviews and oral examinations were performed to collect data on sociodemographic variables, Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), patterns of dental visits, stress, tobacco and alcohol use, and dentition status. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were done to determine the factors associated with prevalence, extent, and severity of OHIP-14 using SAS version 9.3. RESULTS: There were 873 participants. Prevalence, extent, and severity of OHIP-14 were 13.4%, 0.5 (0.4-0.7), and 11.8 (11.2-12.5), respectively. The OHIP-14 impacts reported were not severe and mostly affected physical functioning. Levels of education, income, and number of functional teeth (FT) were inversely associated and last dental visit within the previous year was positively associated with prevalence, extent, and severity of OHIP-14. The prevalence of 1 or more oral health impacts was nearly 13% among rural middle-aged adults in India. CONCLUSIONS: Low socioeconomic conditions, dental visits, and FT ≤19 were positively associated with prevalence, extent, and severity of oral health impacts. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: This article provides data regarding OHRQoL of people in rural areas of a developing country. The study was intended to determine the factors associated with OHRQoL in rural people who are less educated and living in areas with minimal oral health care facilities. The findings of this study could potentially facilitate further research and health promotional activities for rural people of developing countries.

Synthesis and magnetic characterizations of La(1-x)Sr(x)MnO3 nanoparticles for biomedical applications.

The La(1-x)Sr(x)MnO3 (LSMO) nanoparticles have been synthesized by citric gel process followed by ball milling method. These nanoparticles demonstrated high crystalline quality. Nanoparticle size was further decreased by ball milling technique as observed by the field-emission scanning electron microscopic studies. The ball milled and silica coated LSMO nanoparticles show magnetic transition at about 370 K with a superparamagnetic properties. The ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectra analysis of LSMO nanoparticles shows large FMR linewidth due to the surface strain of the nanoparticles. Both magnetization and FMR studies demonstrate that the LSMO nanoparticles are highly anisotropic. The toxicity of the nanoparticles was studied for safe biomedical applications. Measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MTT assay results show that LSMO nanoparticles are relatively nontoxic and the toxicity is further reduced by SiO2 coating. These results are very important for applications in the field of biotechnology.

Acquaintance with the actuality: community diagnosis programme of Kathmandu Medical College at Gundu village, Bhaktapur, Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: In Nepal, various field programs such as community diagnosis programmes (CDP) have been initiated to make the education of doctors, nurses and dentists more community oriented and relevant and suited to the health care scenario. Community diagnosis refers to the identification and quantification of the health problems in a community and identification of their correlates for the purpose of defining those individuals or groups at risk or those in need of health care. The article presents the main activities of community diagnosis as a core component of community-based education for the medical students at Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal. METHODOLOGY: A 4 weeks' Community Diagnosis Programme was conducted by MBBS II students (9th Batch) of the Kathmandu Medical College under the supervision of the Department of Community Medicine in November 2006 in the rural community of Gundu VDC (village development committee). The tools used included pre-tested questionnaires, weighing machines, measuring tapes, stethoscopes and sphygmomanometers. After the data collection and compilation, the students presented their findings in oral presentations, accompanied by a written report, including essential recommendations for improving the health status of these communities. RESULTS: The students benefited from the necessary process of integrating clinical skills and a public health approach, so as to enhance their epidemiological thinking and be of greater use to the communities where they will practice. The community also benefited by achievement of behavioral changes leading to healthier lifestyles and increased awareness of health-related matters and their role in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: CDP is a way to practically demonstrate that the link between a medical college and society is possible. That is, a medical college can serve the community and thus society, with specific activities to improve health and the skills of students who will serve as future health professionals.

Does a facilitated pathway improve access to dental services for homeless and disadvantaged adults?

Access to dental care is poorer for people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage due to barriers such as lengthy waiting lists, lack of transport, lack of information and fear of authorities and treatment. This study aimed to evaluate a system integration model for oral health care for clients of homeless services in Brisbane, Australia. This model aimed to provide a facilitated access pathway between homeless community organisations and a public dental service to improve access to dental care. Participants were adult (≥18 years) clients Brisbane homeless community organisations. Those who participated in the intervention evaluation completed a questionnaire, had their oral health screened and followed up for feedback at their dental appointment. Seventy-six clients of community organisations in Brisbane participated in the intervention and its evaluation. Fear was a barrier to accessing dental services for 23% (n = 18). Attendance to the subsequent appointments at the public dental clinic was high, with 85% (n = 64) attending their first appointment. A higher proportion of participants who had surgical and prosthodontic treatment needs at the screening did not attend their appointment compared to those with other needs. Overall the model piloted in this study had positive outcomes; with high attendance rates to the dental facility and positive experiences by participants.

Managing the oral side-effects of medications used to treat multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Many medications used to manage multiple sclerosis (MS) affect oral health. This review aimed to identify the oral side-effects of the current drugs recommended in Australia to treat MS and make dental practitioners aware of the range of symptoms. METHODS: The Australian Therapeutic Guidelines and the Australian Medicines Handbook were searched for medications used to treat MS. For each medication, the generic name, class, route of administration, dosage and drug company reported side-effects were extracted from the online Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMs) database. Meyler's Side-effect of Drugs Encyclopaedia was used to identify any additional oral adverse reactions to medications used to treat MS. RESULTS: Fourteen drugs were identified for the treatment of MS progression and 13 drugs for the treatment of MS symptoms. For these medications, 18 oral side-effects were documented: xerostomia was the most common, followed by dysgeusia, dysphagia, mouth ulceration and sinusitis. Anticholinergic drugs caused xerostomia while immunosuppressants resulted in more infection-related side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: Dental practitioners should be aware of the range of symptoms likely to be reported by this population. Clinicians are encouraged to continue providing dental care for their patients who develop MS and refer complex cases to specialists.

Atraumatic restorative technique: case report on dental management of a patient with Moebius syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Clinical challenges associated with Moebius syndrome, a rare congenital neuromuscular disorder, include orofacial anomalies like microstomia, limited mouth opening and severe gag reflex. METHODS: This case report presents the dental management of an anxious female with Moebius syndrome. For restorations, atraumatic restorative technique (ART), using glass ionomer cement was used with hand instruments. RESULTS: All necessary dental treatment was completed in the dental chair, thus avoiding the need for a general anaesthetic, and associated complications with airway management due to orofacial abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: ART is an appropriate technique for people with microstomia and/or limited mouth opening, such as those with Moebius syndrome. The application of ART can be extended to other special needs patients (people with physical and intellectual disabilities, extreme anxiety, needle phobia and the frail elderly in aged care facilities), where access or cooperation is difficult or limited.

Graphite-mixed CaSo4: Dy teflon TLD discs for beta dosimetry.

The thickness of commonly employed thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDS) is responsible for the problem of energy dependence in beta dose estimation in situations where this thickness is comparable to the range of beta particles in the TLD material. The effective thickness of solid TLD discs can, however, be reduced by use of some additives which would reduce their transparency to the TL light. The incorporation of various amounts of graphite powder into 0-8 mm thick CaSO4: Dy Teflon TLD discs has been investigated. This has considerably reduced their energy dependence for beta rays with Emax values ranging from 0-4 MeV to 2-27 MeV. Addition of graphite also results in sharp glow curves thereby minimizing the heating time during TL measurements. Significantly, graphite was also found to reduce the non-radiation-induced TL signal and this helps in low dose measurements.

X- and gamma-ray response of the TLD badge based on CaSO4:Dy Teflon TLD discs.

A TLD badge based on CaSO4: Dy Teflon TLD discs has been designed for personnel monitoring of radiation workers encountering X-rays of effective energies above 20 keV. The badge had two Teflon TLD discs, one of which is used bare (without any filter) and other which is used with a metal filter. By taking into account the TL readout of both of these discs, the problems of photon energy dependence as well as directional dependence of the badge have been reduced to a minimum. The uncertainty due to photon energy dependence above 29 KeV (eff.) was found to be within a value of +/- 15% (at an angle of incidence of 45 degrees). The directional dependence of the badge is within +/- 30% in the energy range from 35 KeV to 1.25 MeV. The badge is designed so as to provide approximate information on the effective photon energy of the X-ray exposures.

Calibration of TLD badges for photons of energy above 6 MeV and dosimetric intricacies in high energy gamma ray fields encountered in nuclear power plants.

CaSO4:Dy and LiF TLDs do not exhibit photon energy dependence beyond +/-55% for photons in the energy range from 1 MeV to about 7 MeV. However, when sandwiched between metal filters or used in TLD badge holders having metal filters, the response changes for irradiation from high energy photons as compared to that from 60Co gamma rays (generally used for reference calibrations). This effect is about the same for both the lower atomic number TLD (LiF) and higher atomic number TLD (CaSO4:Dy). For TLDs held on the surface of the phantom and irradiated in collimated photon beams, the response of TLDs without any filter or those under the open window of the TLD badge is considerably reduced due to insufficient build-up to high energy photons, whereas for uncollimated radiation fields from power reactors, an over-response is observed. It is observed that the use of inappropriate encapsulation of dosemeters would cause a significant error not only in the estimation of doses due to penetrating radiations but also in the estimation of beta doses in the mixed fields of beta radiation, high energy gamma rays and high energy electrons often encountered in the fields of pressurised heavy water reactors.

Access to dental care among adults with physical and intellectual disabilities: residence factors.

BACKGROUND: There is limited information about access and barriers to dental care among adults with disabilities. METHODS: A mailed questionnaire survey of carers of 18-44-year-old South Australians with physical and intellectual disabilities (care recipients; n = 485) in family homes, community housing and institutions. Bivariate associations were tested using chi-square tests. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for irregular dental visits (IDV). RESULTS: Carers from family homes and community housing were more likely to report problems in obtaining dental care than those at institutions (p < 0.001). Lack of dentists with adequate skills in special needs dentistry (SND) was the most frequently reported problem for carers from family homes and community housing. IDV were less likely (p < 0.01) for care recipients in institutions and community housing than in family homes. After adjusting for care recipients' age, gender and disability, odds of IDV was lower in community housing (OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1, 0.3) and in institutions (OR = 0.1, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.3) relative to family homes. CONCLUSIONS: Care recipients in institutions and community housing had better access to dental care than those at family homes. The shortage of dentists in SND and treatment costs needs to be addressed.

Health profile of school children in Bhaktapur.

OBJECTIVES: To find out the existing common health problems among school children and to arouse health consciousness among the children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the students studying in Mandev Amrit Smriti School, Jhaukhel VDC of Bhaktapur District were included in the sample. The methods used were the interview, clinical history and check-up for provisional diagnosis. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to record information regarding name, age, sex, standard in which s/he was studying, physical examination/personal hygiene, anthropometric measurements, clinical findings, provisional diagnosis etc. The medical instruments used in the survey were: weighing machine, measuring tape, and thermometer. Common medicines like Jeevanjal packets, Albendazole tablets for deworming, Metron, amoxicillin, paracetamol, Tagyl etc were also distributed to the needy students. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The physical examination of all 118 students in age group ranging from 3 to 13 years of Mandev Amrit Smriti School situated at Jhaukhel VDc of Bhaktapur district was carried out. Thirteen health related problems were detected in this study. The most important three problems were ear problems (22.03%), worm infestation (16.10%) and dental caries (13.56%). Thus school health education should mainly aim at these problems and the care and cleanliness of ears and teeth by proper and regular brushing should be stressed. Applying Water low classification, 33% males were found normal as per their weight for age. 61.9% males were stunted and 4.8 % males were wasted. Likewise, 54.6% females were found normal as per their weight for age. 43.6% females were stunted and 1.8 % females were wasted.