Antibacterial Efficacy of Mouthwash Prepared from Pomegranate, Grape Seed and Guava Extracts against Oral Streptococci: An in Vivo Study.

BACKGROUND: Pomegranate, Grape seed and Guava extracts have much been reviewed in Ayurveda and has been proven to have antibacterial action Aim: The objective of the study is to investigate and compare the mouthwash prepared from pomegranate, grape seed and guava extracts on salivary streptococci levels at the end of 48 hr and 7 days, of twice a day usage. STUDY DESIGN: 40 school going children aged 8-10 yrs, randomly allocated into 4 groups (n=10 for experimental group) were asked to rinse with a) Mouthwash prepared from Pomegranate extract, 15 ml twice a day b) Mouthwash prepared from Grape seed extract, 15 ml twice a day, c) Mouthwash prepared from guava extract, 15 ml twice a day, d) Control- Distil water, twice a day. The oral streptococci colony forming units/ml (CFU/ml) was assessed by inoculating the salivary samples on blood agar media at the end of 48 hrs, and 7 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: the aqueous extracts of the chosen herbal plants showed an acceptable antibacterial efficacy against oral streptococci.

Denture Hygiene Knowledge and Practices among Complete Denture Wearers attending a Postgraduate Dental Institute.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the denture hygiene knowledge and practices among patients using complete dentures attending a postgraduate dental hospital in Jabalpur city. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between hygiene knowledge and practices to the denture wearer's gender, education, and income. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire involving the complete denture patients attending the Department of Prosthodontics. The study subjects were randomly selected by recruiting old dentures wearers visiting the Department of Prosthodontics for a recall visit or for new dentures on the odd dates of the month. All subjects signed an informed consent before filling the questionnaire. The institutional review committee approved the study. Descriptive statistics included computation of frequencies and percentages. Nonparametric test, namely, chi-square test, was used for further data analysis; p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 530 individuals were approached for participation in our survey, 30 (5.66%) subjects declined to participate. The results showed that 195 (39%) subjects were wearing the same dentures for more than 5 years. In this study, 51 (10.2%) subjects reported never having been advised by their dentists as to how to clean their dentures. Among all the subjects interviewed, 264 (52.8%) reported to clean the oral tissues daily. This study disclosed that 66 (13.2%) of the subjects usually slept with their dentures. Maximum subjects in illiterate group had experienced bad breath sometimes when compared with subjects in postgraduate group (χ2 = 47.452, p < 0.001). There was a significant difference for method of denture cleaning according to gender (χ2 = 101.076, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The majority of the denture wearers have limited knowledge of denture cleansing and oral hygiene practices. Hygiene habits and practices may not always present a positive correlation with the gender, educational level, and income of the subjects. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Periodic recall for evaluation of denture and mucosal surfaces along with reinforcement of denture hygiene instructions will go a long way in helping the patients reap maximum benefits out of their prostheses.

Self-medication Practice Amongst Patients Visiting a Tertiary-care Dental Hospital in Central India.

PURPOSE: To assess self-medication practice-related awareness for correct usage and its association with demographic factors among patients reporting to a dental college. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 300 patients reporting to the People's College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, India. Only patients ≥ 18 years of age were included and consenting participants anonymously completed the questionnaire, with incomplete questionnaires being excluded from the study. The semi-structured questionnaire containing both open- and closedended questions was prepared in the local language and included demographic data, name of self-medication, frequency of self-medication, periods of illness, duration, dose, frequency of drug administration, symptoms for which drugs were used, satisfaction with healthcare facilities, source of information for self-medication, presence of chronic illness, adverse effects to self-medication seen in patients and drug interactions. The unpaired t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A significant association was seen between education and self-medication. It was observed that the subjects who fell ill more frequently consumed medications on their own more often. Medications were most commonly taken for cough, cold and fever. The most preferred medicine was paracetamol. Most of the subjects found the medicines effective in helping them relieve their symptoms. However, not even half of the subjects were aware of the dose, duration, side-effects or interactions of medicines. There was a significant association between knowledge about side-effects and side-effects experienced from medication. A significant association was also seen between knowledge about side-effects and frequency of self-medication. CONCLUSION: Self-medication and non-doctor prescribing are relatively common in Bhopal. Knowledge regarding the appropriate usage of medication is inadequate. Education to help patients decide on the appropriateness of selfmedication is required.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards COVID-19 Pandemic among Patients Attending Dental Outpatient Department of M.G.M. Medical College and Hospital, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India.

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an extremely contagious illness that spreads mostly via the dentistry practice. Patients in need of dental care are at a higher risk of becoming infected with and becoming carriers of the illness. Aim: To assess the COVID-19-related knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of patients visiting dental outpatient department of M.G.M. Medical College and Hospital, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients visiting dental outpatient department of M.G.M. Medical College and Hospital, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India were included. The questionnaire had four sections including demographic information, knowledge, attitudes, and practice in relation to COVID-19. Along with computation of descriptive statistics, data analysis was performed using unpaired t-test. Results: A total of 332 people took part in the research. The female respondents were higher in number (53.01%) and the highest percentage of the respondents belongs to the age group 18-40 years (55.72%). Nearly, 98% of respondents were vaccinated. The highest percentage of KAP level was recorded for knowledge (74.95%) followed by that of attitude (50.84%) and practices (37.05%). Conclusion: While respondents' overall knowledge was high but their enthusiasm for taking preventative measures was low, and their efforts to stem the pandemic were lagging at best. Future campaigns should focus more on reaching out to marginalized populations, such as those with less education or higher poverty rates.

Submergence of vital roots for the preservation of residual ridge: a clinical study.

PURPOSE: To test the value of submerging vital roots for the preservation of the residual ridge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 10 patients whose bone height on both submerged and control sites was measured with the help of OPG tracings and the use of grids, from the immediate post-operative period to 3 months, 6 months and 9 months post-operatively. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The amount of bone loss was significantly greater in the control area in comparison to the submerged area from the immediate post-operative period to 3 months, 6 months and 9 months post-operatively. CONCLUSION: Although the retained roots do not prevent the resorption of residual ridge, they aid in decreasing the resorptive pattern, thereby preserving the residual ridge to some extent. This may be an expedient and inexpensive way to preserve residual ridge, requiring minimal specialised training.

Effects of pH and Time on Nickel Ion Release from Pediatric Stainless-Steel Crowns: An In-Vitro Comparative Study.

Background: Frequent use of stainless-steel crowns in pediatric dentistry has led to concerns that heavy metals in the crowns could be released into the mouth and potentially trigger allergic reactions. Of these constituents, nickel is known to be a common cause of hypersensitivity reactions. Aim: To evaluate and compare nickel ion release from pediatric stainless-steel crowns of 3M ESPE and DNTO Kids Crown at pH levels of 4.3, 5.5, and 6.3 for days 1, 7, 15, and 30. Methods: In this in-vitro study, nickel ion release (in PPM) from stainless steel crowns of 3M ESPE (n = 60) and DNTO Kids Crown (n = 60) in artificial saliva of pH 4.3, 5.5, and 6.3 on days 1, 7, 15, and 30 was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry at Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way and three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by least significant difference post hoc test and Spearman's rank order correlation. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In both groups (3M ESPE and DNTO Kids Crown), a significantly higher amount of nickel ion release was observed at pH 4.3. Among different time intervals, significantly maximum nickel ion release was observed on day 7. Nickel ion release from DNTO Kids Crowns was significantly higher than 3M ESPE at all the pH levels and time intervals. Conclusions: The pH of artificial saliva and nickel ion release is inversely related. The manufacturing process may affect the biodegradability of stainless-steel crowns. The maximum average nickel ion release from stainless steel crowns is below the recommended dietary intake but sufficient to cause allergic reactions.

Detection of Red complex bacteria, P. gingivalis, T. denticola and T. forsythia in infected root canals and their association with clinical signs and symptoms.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the association between endodontic clinical signs and symptoms and the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia employing polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microbial samples were obtained from 60 cases with necrotic pulp with primary teeth infections. DNA extracted from samples were analyzed for endodontic pathogens by using species-specific primers. RESULTS: P. gingivalis/T. denticola were detected in 15 symptomatic teeth associated with periapical lesions. T. forsythia/T. denticola were found in 16 symptomatic teeth associated with pain and swelling. P. gingivalis was detected in 9 teeth which were associated with pain, 2 with tenderness on percussion, and 15 with periapical lesions. Statistically significant associations were found between T. forsythia as well as T. denticola in relation to clinical findings of pain and swelling. (P < 0.05). Red complex bacteria showed no statistical significant association with the presence of signs and symptoms. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of P. gingivalis, T. denticola, and T. forsythia suggested association of these bacteria with symptomatic infected pulp and periradicular diseases.

Adverse health effects and unhealthy behaviors among dental undergraduates surfing social networking sites.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the relationships between adverse health effects and unhealthy behaviors among dental undergraduate students surfing social networking sites (SNSs). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the associations between adverse health effects and unhealthy behaviors with social networking usage among dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a private university in Madhya Pradesh (India) among 300 dental undergraduate students. A self-administered questionnaire was used. It included questions on sociodemographical data, pattern of social networking use, social relationship, unhealthy behaviors, and health effects. RESULTS: The mean age was 21.5 (±2.3) years. The average daily SNSs surfing hours were 3.5 (±1.8). Significant associations were found between average hours of social networking and the following factors: isolation from family members and society, refusing to answer calls, musculoskeletal pain, headache, and eye irritation (P < 0.001). The average hours spent on social networking were significantly associated with holding urination and defecation while online, surfing SNSs until midnight, and postponing, forgetting, or skipping meals (P < 0.001). Cohen's effect size value between adverse health effect and social networking hours were 0.78, 0.86, 0.82, 0.86, and 0.81 for back pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, headache, and eye irritation, respectively. The effect size value between health-related behaviors and social networking hours were 0.72, 0.62, 0.72, 0.71, and 0.84 for holding urine, holding defecation, postponing meal, skipping meal, and social networking until midnight, respectively. Gender-wise comparison for social networking hours showed a low practical significance (d = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The average hours spent on social networking were associated with adverse health effects and unhealthy behaviors among dental undergraduate students, as well as social isolation from the family and society.

Frequency of Addictive Habits and its Association with Oral Diseases Among a Cross Section of Indian Police Personnel Connotation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of adverse addictive habits, specially alcohol and tobacco usage, among police personnel of Bhopal City, Central India and its association with the frequency of oral mucosal lesions and periodontal diseases. STUDY DESIGN: Across-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Bhopal City, Capital of Madhya Pradesh State, Central India, from February to April 2013. METHODOLOGY: All the police personnel posted at various police stations were interviewed and clinically examined. Police personnel who did not cooperate or were not willing, were excluded from the study. Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical variables. RESULTS: Atotal of 781 subjects were interviewed for the various forms of adverse habits, followed by clinical assessment of oral mucosal lesions and periodontal status using WHO 1997 criteria. The mean age of study subjects was 40.58 ±9.84 years. Usage of tobacco was found among 55% and only 1.3% of subjects consumed alcohol. The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions and periodontal diseases was significantly higher among tobacco users. CONCLUSION: There was high usage of tobacco among police personnel in Bhopal City, India with a detrimental effect on oral health.

Knowledge of evidence-based dentistry among academic dental practitioners of Bhopal, India: a preliminary survey.

This study aimed to characterize the knowledge of evidence-based dentistry (EBD) among dental faculty members in the city of Bhopal in central India. A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered at two dental colleges in Bhopal City. All dental faculty members who were present on the day of the study and who agreed to participate were included in the study. A total of 50 dental faculty members returned the questionnaire. Six Likert-type questions were asked, and the percentages of various responses were used for analysis. Sixteen faculty members (32.0%) strongly agreed that EBD is a process of making decisions based on scientifically proven evidence. Fifteen faculty members (30.0%) strongly disagreed or disagreed with the item stating that the best and quickest way to find evidence is by reading textbooks or asking experienced colleagues. Thirteen faculty members (26.0%) strongly agreed that EBD allows dentists to improve their scientific knowledge and clinical skills. It is recommended that EBD be included in undergraduate and postgraduate curricula and in intensive continuing dental education programs that are conducted for dental faculty members.

Awareness, Attitude and Barriers Towards Evidence Based Dental Practice Amongst Practicing Dentists of Bhopal City.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence based dental practice is said to be the recent best approach to provide treatments or interventions, methodically proven to be safe and sound, efficient and cost effective. So, for providing quality dental care, clinical expertise, research evidence and patient's preferences all should be given equal importance. AIM: To assess the awareness, attitude & barriers of evidence-based dental practice (EBDP) amongst dentists of Bhopal city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The target population of this cross-sectional study involves dentists of Bhopal city. Two hundred fifty private dentists of Bhopal were selected using convenience sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire containing 15 questions for assessing Knowledge, attitude, practice & barriers in Evidence based practice. Chi-square, t-test & one-way ANOVA were applied for data analysis and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study revealed that dental practitioners had low knowledge about evidence based dental practices but they showed positive attitude towards adopting it in their future practice. There exist certain barriers in practice of evidence based dentistry. CONCLUSION: Including evidence based dental practice teaching in dental curriculum may prove to be a significant step in effective and efficient dental care delivery to the patients. Barriers in evidence based practice needs to be identified & eliminated.

Association of pregnant women periodontal status to preterm and low-birth weight babies: A systematic and evidence-based review.

The mouth serves as a mirror to general health and also as a portal for disease to the rest of the body. Since the old wives' tale of "the loss of a tooth for every pregnancy", oral health during pregnancy has long been a focus of interest. In the past decade, there has been mounting scientific evidence suggesting that periodontal disease may play an important role as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Considering all the above stated factors this systematic review is aimed to focus on the association of periodontal diseases to preterm and low-birth weight (LBW) babies. In view of the large body of literature the review is limited to studies identified by computer searching. Hand searching of journals and gathering of unpublished reports and conference proceedings was outside the scope of the review. The PubMed database was searched using the search terms: periodontitis, preterm, LBW. The titles, authors, and abstracts from all studies identified by the electronic search were printed and reviewed independently on the basis of keywords, title and abstract, to determine whether these met the inclusion criteria. The electronic search identified 68 papers. After review of the study title, keywords and abstracts, 62 papers were identified potentially meeting inclusion criteria. Generally, all the studies reviewed in the paper suggest that periodontal disease may be a potential risk factor for preterm LBW babies.

Age estimation of indian adults from orthopantomographs.

The aim of this study was to develop a method for estimating the chronological age of Indian adults based on the relationship between age and various morphological variables of canine teeth, obtained using orthopantomographs. Orthopantomographs of 120 selected patients were digitized, and radiographic images of the right maxillary canine in each case were processed using a computer aided drafting program. Pulp/tooth area ratio, pulp/root length ratio, pulp/tooth length ratio, pulp/root width ratio at the cemento-enamel junction level, pulp/root width ratio at midroot level, and pulp/root width ratio at the midpoint between the cemento-enamel junction and the midroot of the canine were calculated by measuring various features on the images. Pearson's correlation, multiple linear regression, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis. Regression equations were developed to estimate age from morphological variables. The observed minus the estimated age in the total study sample ranged from -2.2 to +1.5 years, in males from -0.9 to +0.8 years, while in females it was from -1 to +0.8 years. Differences between observed and estimated ages of subjects were not statistically significant. In conclusion there is a linear relationship of pulp/root width ratio at mid-root level and pulp/tooth area ratio of the right maxillary canine with chronological age in the Indian population. Age of subjects can therefore be estimated with a good degree of accuracy using regression equations.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding infection control measures among dental students in Central India.

A questionnaire study was conducted among 245 dental students from Bhopal city, Central India, to determine their level of knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding infection control measures and if any correlation exists among the knowledge, attitudes, and practice scores. The self-administered questionnaire consisted of three parts: knowledge, attitudes, and practice. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean of knowledge, attitudes, and practice scores and Kendall's test to compute the correlation between knowledge, attitudes, and practice scores. A p value of ≤0.05 was considered significant for all statistical analyses. We found that 61.2 percent of the dental students had not been vaccinated with hepatitis B. Use of face mask, gloves, eyewear, and protective clothing as standard infection control measures was practiced only by two students. Mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 3.75 (1.01), 3.40 (0.75), and 3.35 (1.04), respectively. Significant linear correlation was seen between attitude and practice scores (r=0.20, p≤0.01). The level of knowledge and practice of infection control measures was poor among dental students. The attitude towards infection control measures was positive, but a greater compliance was needed. We recommend rigorous training on infection control measures prior to graduation and mandatory hepatitis B immunization of students before exposure to clinical practice.

Tobacco cessation and counseling: a dentists' perspective in Bhopal city, Madhya Pradesh.

INTRODUCTION: Dental team has high potential to help smokers to better oral/general health but to achieve this; they need to be clear about their role. Considering the importance of tobacco cessation, the authors carried out this study aimed at assessing the role, knowledge, current practices, different barriers, and tools to overcome the same as perceived by dentists in Bhopal city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-administered structured, coded questionnaire was distributed to 200 private practitioners and the teaching staff in all the dental colleges in Bhopal city. RESULTS: Out of 200 dentists to whom questionnaire was administered, 168 responded within a week's time resulting in a high response rate of 84%. A total of 97% of the dentists agreed that it is the duty of every dentist to advice patients about tobacco cessation. A total of 58% strongly agree that formal training will be an effective tool to provide the guidelines to dentists in tobacco cessation and counseling. CONCLUSION: Monitoring of effective planning and execution of these programs by appropriate authorities at regular intervals is vital for successful achievement of the goal of "Tobacco Free Society."

Age estimation of indian adults from orthopantomographs

The aim of this study was to develop a method for estimating the chronological age of Indian adults based on the relationship between age and various morphological variables of canine teeth, obtained using orthopantomographs. Orthopantomographs of 120 selected patients were digitized, and radiographic images of the right maxillary canine in each case were processed using a computer aided drafting program. Pulp/tooth area ratio, pulp/root length ratio, pulp/tooth length ratio, pulp/root width ratio at the cemento-enamel junction level, pulp/root width ratio at midroot level, and pulp/root width ratio at the midpoint between the cemento-enamel junction and the midroot of the canine were calculated by measuring various features on the images. Pearson's correlation, multiple linear regression, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis. Regression equations were developed to estimate age from morphological variables. The observed minus the estimated age in the total study sample ranged from -2.2 to +1.5 years, in males from -0.9 to +0.8 years, while in females it was from -1 to +0.8 years. Differences between observed and estimated ages of subjects were not statistically significant. In conclusion there is a linear relationship of pulp/root width ratio at mid-root level and pulp/tooth area ratio of the right maxillary canine with chronological age in the Indian population. Age of subjects can therefore be estimated with a good degree of accuracy using regression equations.

Laboratorial evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of herbal dentifrices commercialized in India / Avaliação laboratorial da eficácia antimicrobiana de dentifrícios herbais comercializados na Índia

Objective: The purpose of this in vitro study to evaluate antimicrobial efficacy of commercially available herbal dentifrices in comparison with conventional dentifrices against seven oral microbes, namely, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus salivarius, Actinomyces viscosus, Candida albicans, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Materials and methods: Antimicrobial properties of dentifrices were evaluated by measuring zone of inhibition at 48h on blood agar plates inoculated with microbial strains, using disc diffusion method. Each dentifrice was tested in 100% and 50% concentration. Sterile distilled water was used as control. One way Analysis of Variance followed by Tukey post hoc was used for multiple group comparisons. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In both, 100% and 50% concentrations maximum zone of inhibition was observed with Smyle™ herbal toothpaste followed by Himalaya herbals™ dental cream. Conclusion: Antimicrobial activity of Smyle™ herbal toothpaste is the best against microorganisms tested in present study.

Objetivo: O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar a eficácia antimicrobiana de dentifrícios herbaiscomerciais e convencionais contra sete micro-organismos: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus salivarius, Actinomyces viscosus, Candida albicans, and Lactobacillusacidophilus. Materiais e métodos: Propriedades antimicrobianas dos dentifrícios foram avaliadas a partir damedição da zona de inibição utilizando o método de difusão em disco após 48h em placas de ágar sangue inoculadascom as cepas microbianas. Cada dentifrício foi testado nas concentrações de 100% e 50%. O controleconsistiu em água destilada estéril. As comparações entre grupos foram realizadas por ANOVA a um critério eteste de Tukey post hoc, ambos com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Em ambas as concentrações de100% e 50%, a zona de inibição máxima foi observada para o dentifrício herbal Smyle® seguido do dentifrícioherbal Himalaya herbals®. Conclusões: O dentifrício herbal Smyle® apresentou o melhor resultado contra osmicro-organismos avaliados no presente estudo.