Prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder and Its Impact on Routine Activities Among Dental Students in Belagavi, India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND:  Internet gaming has gained popularity since the millennium, greatly expanding both the game industry and the player base. Moreover, internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a condition included in the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5) for further study. AIM: To assess the prevalence of IGD and its association with physical symptoms among dental students in Belagavi, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 dental students, chosen through simple random sampling. Data were gathered using a pre-validated, closed-ended questionnaire, incorporating the 9-item DSM-5 short version. The questionnaire was administered to undergraduate students during theory classes and collected after 10 minutes, while postgraduate students received it in their respective departments. To identify significant differences, Chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were applied, with statistical significance established at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 385 responses were collected, comprising 86 males (22.3%) and 299 females (77.7%). Among the respondents, 28 (7.2%) were diagnosed with IGD, while 123 (31.8%) were identified as risky gamers. Significant differences were found between disordered, risky, and normal gamers concerning sleep-related problems (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of IGD and risky gamers was 7.2% and 31.8% respectively. There was a significant association between disordered, risky, and normal gamers with daily routine activities.

Clinical and microbial evaluation of mouthwash containing Achyranthes aspera and Trachyspermum ammi: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

Objectives: Achyranthes aspera (Apamarga) and Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) have been used in many clinical conditions, and it displays valuable properties as an alternative to Chlorhexidine (CHX) in the management of gingivitis. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effect of Achyranthes aspera and Trachyspermum ammi (AA + TA) based herbal mouthwash, 0.2 % CHX, and placebo mouthwash on gingival health, plaque control and antibacterial activity against specific periodontal pathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia) using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Methods: This was a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial involving 108 children with plaque-induced gingivitis who were randomly assigned to three groups of 36 children each: Group A, AA + TA mouthwash; Group B, CHX mouthwash; and Group C, placebo mouthwash. Gingival index and plaque index were recorded at baseline, 7th and 21st day. RT-PCR was employed to determine the bacterial counts of each plaque sample at baseline and after 21 days. Results: All three groups exhibited a gradual and significant reduction in both gingival and plaque scores from baseline to days 7 and 21. However, the placebo group did not demonstrate a significant difference in scores between days 7 and 21. Furthermore, a significant reduction in bacterial counts of P. gingivalis and T. forsythia was observed in the groups receiving CHX and AA + TA mouthwash after 21 days of intervention compared to the placebo group. Conclusion: AA + TA mouthwash demonstrated non-inferiority in anti-gingivitis and anti-plaque properties compared to CHX, suggesting its potential suitability as an alternative to CHX when used in conjunction with mechanical plaque control measures.

Effectiveness of spaced repetition learning using a mobile flashcard application among dental students: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dental education in India predominantly relies on traditional lecture-based learning (LBL), which may hinder student engagement and learning outcomes. To address these limitations, innovative learning methodologies, such as spaced repetition learning (SRL), are imperative. SRL prioritizes active recall and can enhance long-term knowledge retention. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of SRL delivered through a mobile flashcard application, in enhancing knowledge retention among dental undergraduates. METHODS: This single-blind randomized controlled trial (CTRI/2023/10/059347), conducted in Belagavi, India, involved 90 dental students who were equally distributed into control (LBL) and test (lecture followed by SRL demonstration) groups after randomization. Rigorous expert review ensured the quality of PowerPoint presentation and mobile flashcard contents. Knowledge assessments were conducted at baseline, first, and third months using a validated and reliable questionnaire. A perception survey on learning techniques was administered after the first month. Analysis methods included descriptive analysis, Pearson's chi-square test, independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni's post hoc test. RESULTS: The pre- and post-intervention knowledge showed no significant differences, but the SRL group exhibited significantly higher retention at both first month (p ≤ 0.001) and third months (p ≤ 0.001) than the LBL group. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant pairwise differences in mean knowledge scores in SRL group. Students had significantly favorable perception toward SRL than LBL group. CONCLUSION: SRL delivered through mobile flashcards significantly enhances knowledge retention compared to LBL among dental students. Positive student perceptions support SRL's integration into dental curricula, with implications for improving knowledge retention among them.

Dental caries, oral hygiene status and deleterious habits among migrant construction workers of Belagavi, India.

Background: Occupation significantly influences oral health, with factors like the work environment, stress levels, access to dental care, and job-related habits playing crucial roles. The oral health of construction workers, especially migrant workers, is a noteworthy concern. Understanding the oral health of this population is crucial for enhancing their quality of life through various means. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dental caries, oral hygiene status, and deleterious habits in this occupational group of Belagavi district, Karnataka. Materials and methods: Study design was cross-sectional in nature. Before commencement of the study a pilot study was conducted. Multi-stage random sampling technique was employed, and 610 participants were recruited for the study. Trained and calibrated examiners recorded WHO dentition status and treatment needs (2013) and Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S). Collected data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of dental caries among construction workers was significantly high (81%), and poor oral hygiene was observed among 36.9% of them. The prevalence of smoking, the tobacco chewing habit, and alcohol consumption among the construction workers was found to be 21.6%, 59.9%, and 37.3%, respectively. The dependence of OHI-S and DMFT on predictors (age, gender and deleterious habits) was found to be 21.5% and 39.6%, respectively. Conclusions: Migrant construction workers in Belagavi had a high caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene status, and a high prevalence of deleterious habits such as tobacco use. These results emphasize the necessity of awareness and dental health education programs to improve the oral health of construction workers.

Oral Hygiene Status, Salivary and Microbiological Parameters Among Visually Impaired and Normal-Sighted Children After Specialized Oral Health Education: An Interventional Study.

Aim and objectives To assess oral hygiene status and salivary and microbiological parameters among 12 to 15-year-old visually impaired and normal-sighted children before and after oral health education (OHE). Methodology An interventional study was conducted among 25 visually impaired children (Group A) and 25 normal-sighted children (Group B) in the age range of 12 to 15 years. Simple random sampling was used to select the study participants. A questionnaire was designed to record socio-demographic data and the dietary habits of the children on pre-decided days. The oral hygiene practices and the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index were recorded, and salivary physicochemical parameters for all the selected children were evaluated, followed by saliva collection for microbial analysis. After baseline assessment, the Audio-Tactile Performance technique for Group A and the animated visual performance technique for Group B children were used to impart OHE. Periodic assessments of salivary parameters were conducted at one-month and three-month intervals. Unpaired T test/Mann-Whitney U test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Friedman test, followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test were carried out to determine the difference between and within groups, respectively. All statistical tests were performed at a significance level of 5%. Results Group A demonstrated a greater change in salivary pH (6.20 ± 0.41 to 6.96 ± 0.20), salivary buffering capacity (5.80 ± 0.82 to 7.20 ± 0.65), and Streptococcus mutans count (9.36 ± 0.41 to 8.7 ± 0.45 x 104 CFU/mL) when compared to Group B. Group B demonstrated a greater Lactobacillus acidophilus count reduction (7.96 ± 0.66 to 7.50 ± 0.64 x 104 CFU/mL) when compared to Group A. Conclusion The appropriate use of specialized OHE holds particular significance in the improvement of oral hygiene status and salivary parameters, along with a reduction in the bacterial count in both visually impaired children and normal-sighted children.

Awareness and Perception of Dental Undergraduates in Belagavi District Towards the Newly Proposed National Exit Test for India.

BACKGROUND:  The National Dental Commission Bill of 2023 introduced the National Exit Test (NExT) as a common final examination for all dental graduates in India, granting them the license to practice. This study evaluated dental undergraduates' awareness and perceptions of the newly proposed NExT. METHODS:  A self-administered questionnaire in English comprising 23 close-ended questions was used to assess the awareness and perception of the students. A pilot study was conducted to determine the sample size, and 510 students were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The survey was administered to students ranging from 1st to 4th-year undergraduates and interns from two dental colleges in the Belagavi District, India. The questionnaire demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.86) and a content validity ratio 0.82. RESULTS:  Interns had the highest mean awareness (39.56 ± 8.99) and perception (40.87 ± 5.56) scores, whereas first-year students had the lowest, with statistically significant differences among the groups (p ≤ 0.001). Although 81% of students were aware of NExT in India, only 17.3% found it student-friendly. A positive correlation was seen between the perception and awareness scores (r = + 0.242; p ≤ 0.001). The dependence of awareness and perception scores on predictors such as age, gender, and year of study were 16.7% and 15.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION:  Interns displayed a positive perception and higher awareness of NExT, whereas first and second-year dental students exhibited lower awareness and apprehensive perceptions. The introduction of NExT promises to enhance the overall quality of dental education on a national scale by providing high-quality care to patients.

Comparison of the effectiveness of Morus alba and chlorhexidine gels as an adjunct to scaling and root planing on stage II periodontitis - A randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess and compare the effect of Morus alba and chlorhexidine gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in treating stage II periodontitis. METHODS: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 180 patients with stage II periodontitis who received full-mouth SRP. They were randomly assigned to receive chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) gel, Morus alba (MA) and placebo gel for Groups A, B and C, respectively, at the baseline, 15 days and 30 days. Plaque index (PI), Gingival index (GI), periodontal pocket depth (PPD) and quantitative analysis (culture) of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia were assessed at baseline and 45 days. Analysis of variance was used to compare the significant difference in PI, GI, PPD and microbiological parameters between the three groups after the intervention, followed by post hoc Mann-Whitney U and Tukey's HSD test for clinical and microbiological parameters, respectively. RESULTS: Intergroup comparison of the PI, GI and microbiological parameters between the MA and CHX groups at the end of 45 days did not show a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05), whereas a statistically significant difference was observed for PPD between MA and CHX groups with the mean difference of 0.18 mm (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Morus alba gel was found to be effective in decreasing PPD. However, there was no difference between Morus alba and chlorhexidine gel as an adjunct to SRP in treating stage II periodontitis.

Assessment of potential antimicrobial activity of Ocimum basilicum extract and chlorhexidine against Socransky's complex pathogens of oral cavity: An in vitro study.

Background and Objective: Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease initiated by periodontal pathogens and progresses further in destruction of periodontium. Hence, the objective of this study was to test the efficacy of Ocimum basilicum seeds extract on periodontal pathogens. Materials and Methods: O. basilicum seeds were authenticated from a recognized taxonomist. They were coarsely powdered; ethanol-based extract preparation was done by the Soxhlet method and aqueous-based extract by hot infusion procedure. Extracts so obtained were assessed for minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, zone of inhibition, and time-kill assay of O. basilicum seeds extract on periodontal pathogens, and comparatively evaluated the effectiveness against 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate in triplicates. Kruskal-Wallis Test was employed wherein the statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The concentration of O. basilicum ethanolic extract against periodontal pathogens was determined to be 10 mg/ml, whereas 4.7 mg/ml of aqueous extract was proven effective against periodontal pathogens. Similarly, aqueous extract of O. basilicum developed a wider zone against periodontal pathogens compared to ethanol-based O. basilicum extract. Statistically significant difference found in the effectiveness between both extract and CHX. Conclusion: The antibacterial activity was evident in both the extracts of O. basilicum against anaerobic periodontal pathogens. However, it was more pronounced in aqueous extract, but lower compared to CHX.

Dental curriculum reform in India: Undergraduate students' awareness and perception on the newly proposed choice based credit system.

Background: Dental education plays a crucial role in producing competent dental professionals who can cater to the diverse needs of patients. This study aimed to assess the awareness and perception of the newly proposed Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) by the Dental Council of India (DCI) among dental undergraduate students in Belagavi City, India. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional design and was conducted among undergraduates and interns of two dental colleges in Belagavi, India. A pilot study was conducted, which was followed by sample size estimation. A total 480 participants were recruited by simple random sampling technique. The questionnaire used was self-administered and comprising 23 close-ended questions in English, for which the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be 0.85, with an 84% score for face validity and a content validity ratio of 0.78. Results: The mean awareness and perception scores were highest among interns, while it was lowest among the first years. Majority of the study participants (62.7%) were unaware of this new curriculum whereas almost half (49%) of them found it to be student-friendly. A positive correlation was seen between the perception and awareness scores (r = +0.270, P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that a significant proportion of dental undergraduates lacked awareness regarding the implementation of the new curriculum, however they had a positive outlook towards it. The adoption of this model appears to be a promising initiative towards enhancing the quality of dental education at a national level.

Risk of periodontitis & dental caries among 35 to 44 year old diabetic individuals: A case control study.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the age group of 35-44 years for surveillance of oral health conditions in adults. There is a growing incidence of early onset of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) worldwide. Objective: This study was conducted to find the strength of association between dental caries and periodontitis in patients with T2DM. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study conducted among 35-44-year-old patients with T2DM (n = 185) reporting to various hospitals of Belagavi city and controls (n = 185), who met the inclusion criteria. Group matching was done for age and gender. The study participants were interviewed for their sociodemographic details, relevant medical history, oral health behaviors, and dietary behaviors using a self-designed questionnaire. Dental caries and periodontal status were recorded using the WHO criteria, 2013. Results: The mean decayed missing filled teeth was significantly higher among controls than cases (P = 0.006). A significantly higher number of cases had periodontal pockets (crude odds ratio: 6.6) as compared to controls. Regression analysis showed that loss of attachment was significantly associated with T2DM (adjusted odds ratio: 5.9, 95% confidence interval: 2.81-6.89). Conclusion: Periodontitis was found to be associated with T2DM. However, no such association was found between dental caries and T2DM.

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Essential Oils and Their Combination Against Microorganisms Associated With Postradiation Therapy in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: An In Vitro Study.

Background Head and neck cancer ranks as the sixth most common cancer globally. Reduced saliva production brought on by postradiation therapy upsets the delicate balance between bacterial load and a weakened immune system. Oral hygiene is commonly neglected in patients who have undergone radiotherapy and they often develop dry mouth, mucositis due to radiation therapy, etc., as side effects. Despite being a part of the current standard, chlorhexidine carries numerous disadvantages such as taste alteration, teeth staining, and dry mouth. An extensive review of the literature demonstrates the antibacterial properties of essential oils (EOs) derived from plant materials, which may be able to prevent the development of such opportunistic microorganisms in the oral cavity. Methodology The cinnamon bark EO and Cajeput EO were procured and checked for their solubility. The final ratio at which the oils were found to be soluble was the 1:1 (w/v) ratio. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cinnamon bark oil (Cinnamomum verum) and Cajeput oil (Melaleuca leucadendron) against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans was determined by serial dilution method using Resazurin dye, and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was done by a spread plating method. The polyherbal mouthwash was subjected to cytotoxicity assay against human gingival fibroblasts. All the experiments were performed in triplicates. Results The overall results showed that cinnamon bark EO had the strongest efficacy against S. aureus (0.33 ± 0.14 mg/mL) and E. faecalis (0.41 ± 0.14 mg/mL), but not against C. albicans (2.85 ± 2.11 mg/mL). Cajeput EO showed the least efficacy against all the groups; whereas the combination of EOs proved to be the most efficacious and showed good antimicrobial activity against these most commonly encountered microorganisms in head and neck cancer postradiotherapy. Conclusions Cinnamon and Cajeput EOs in combination proved to be effective in this in vitro study against the most common microorganisms encountered in patients with head and neck cancer postradiotherapy and are comparable to 0.2% chlorhexidine.

Prevalence of dental caries, oral hygiene status and treatment needs among seafarers and trainee sailors in the state of Goa, India: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The fixed regimen and strict dietary habits of seafarers and trainee sailors, make them susceptible to several oral diseases. The aim of the study was to assess prevalence of dental caries, oral hygiene status and treatment needs among seafarers and trainee sailors in the state of Goa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out from January 2023 to March 2023. After a pilot study, convenience sampling technique was employed to recruit 261 participants. The investigators were standardized and calibrated to record World Health Organization Oral Health Assessment Form (1997) and Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S) which were instrumented in the study. Intra-examiner and inter-examiner reliability scores were recorded using kappa statistics (0.81, 0.83) and (0.83, 0.85), respectively. The data was analysed using descriptive analysis, chi-square test, Mann- -Whitney U test and multivariate linear regression analysis at statistical significance (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The mean ages of seafarers (n = 133) and trainee sailors (n = 128) were 36.41 ± 6.40, and 25.36 ± 7.39, respectively. The prevalence of dental caries among seafarers and trainee sailors was determined to be 59% and 78%, respectively (p = 0.01). The mean OHI-S score of seafarers (1.31 ± 0.68) and trainee sailors (1.53 ± 0.82) was statistically significant (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Seafarers and trainee sailors demonstrated high caries prevalence and poor oral hygiene status due to their distinctive lifestyle, representing a vulnerable community in terms of oral health.

Comparative Evaluation of Abrasiveness among Three Dentifrices: An In Vitro Study.

Aim: A lot of herbal and medicated toothpastes having natural and antisensitivity properties are creating niches for themselves in the market. However, toothpaste containing high content of abrasives can be harmful to the teeth. The present in vitro study was conducted to assess the abrasiveness of three commercially available dentifrices on human-extracted anterior teeth on sound and demineralized enamel. Materials and methods: A total of 42 freshly extracted teeth were mounted on acrylic resin and randomly divided into three groups (group I, Colgate; II, Glister; and III, Dant Kanti). Each group consisted of one test tooth (partially) and one control tooth (completely) covered with nail varnish. The study had two phases. Phase 1-baseline average roughness (Ra) value was assessed with a profilometer of all the samples. Phase 2-further, teeth were immersed in the demineralizing solution for 4 days to allow the formation of an artificial carious lesion. Tooth brushing was performed by a customized automated toothbrushing model on all the teeth for 28 days. Ra value was again evaluated with Profilometer. Result: Data were analyzed, and a statistically significant result was observed with demineralized teeth in all three groups (p = 0.005). The intragroup comparison showed a significant difference with demineralized teeth of Colgate and Dant Kanti, (p =0.018) and (p =0.027), respectively. However, there was no significant difference in demineralized teeth of glister and sound teeth of all three groups. Conclusion: Glister was found to be the least abrasive of all three toothpastes, followed by Dant Kanti and Colgate. Clinical relevance: The particle size of the ingredients used in manufacturing toothpaste can lead to abrasion of the teeth.This, in combination with the hard bristles, can cause more harm to the teeth than good. The current study has compared the abrasive potential of three commercially available kinds of toothpaste. Hence daily use of these commercially available dental products should be used cautiously. How to cite this article: Priyam S, Sankeshwari R, Jalihal S, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Abrasiveness among Three Dentifrices: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(2):264-269.

Impact of dental caries and periodontal disease on oral health-related quality of life among the Karnataka State Reserve Police Personnel in Belagavi, India.

Introduction: The Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) is a state-level police force in India. Good Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) among them is quintessential for the welfare of the society. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of dental caries and periodontal disease on the OHRQoL among the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) stationed in Belagavi, India. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with a total sample size of 720. The personnel were recruited by simple random sampling. The Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP 14) was used to assess OHRQoL in 7 domains. The intra-examiner reliability for World Health Organisation (WHO) oral assessment form 2013 was assessed using Kappa statistics and was found to be 0.86. Dentition and periodontal status were recorded using the same. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's coefficient of correlation and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Physical pain and psychological discomfort had the highest mean scores among the seven domains of OHIP-14. Constables had higher mean OHIP-14 scores among the study population. A significant positive correlation was found between oral health parameters with the domains of OHIP-14. The highest dependence on the socio-demographic and oral health predictors were found in the domains of physical pain (44.2%), psychological discomfort (38.3%), and physical disability (30.5%). Conclusions: The study revealed that dental caries and periodontal disease had a significant impact on OHRQoL among reserve police personnel and the OHRQoL was poor particularly among the lower ranked personnel.

Unleashing the most effective oral health education intervention technique for improving the oral hygiene status and oral health knowledge in visually impaired young individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Appropriate oral health education (OHE) plays a vital role in prevention of oral diseases and would bridge the gap between dentists and visually impaired individuals. Hence, this systematic review was planned with an aim to evaluate effectiveness of various OHE techniques on the oral hygiene status and oral health knowledge of visually impaired young individuals. An electronic search extended to September 30, 2020 was conducted on PubMed, Wiley, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Cochrane library, EBSCO, and Google Scholar. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies using a two-stage process; data were extracted according to PRISMA statement. Risk of bias assessment of selected studies was executed according to the study designs. Meta-analysis using the random-effects model was conducted for the outcomes for all oral health education techniques using STATASE 16.1 software. Hand and electronic search identified 3829 articles. After screening for titles and duplicates, 37 articles were retrieved, which were screened through abstract and full text. Of the 37 articles, 17 articles were included for qualitative synthesis, and out of that, 13 were for meta-analysis. Ten variations in oral health education (OHE) techniques were used in the included 17 studies to impart oral health education to visually impaired young individuals. Overall, all OHE techniques demonstrated a positive impact on oral hygiene status. The pooled overall cumulative mean difference of the oral hygiene status after imparting education in ATP, Audio, and Braille was 1.33 [1.06, 1.59], 1.76 [1.11, 2.42], and 1.96 [1.40, 2.55], respectively. An appropriate OHE technique boosts confidence in visually impaired young individuals, making the learning process an enjoyable experience. Use of either Braille or the ATP OHE technique was found to be a reliable and useful method to improve oral hygiene of visually impaired young individuals.

Effectiveness of various irrigant activation techniques on the penetration of sodium hypochlorite into lateral canals of mature permanent teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This review aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of various irrigant activation techniques (IATs) on the penetration of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) into the lateral canals of mature permanent teeth. Methods: Electronic databases including MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify laboratory studies evaluating the penetration of NaOCl into lateral canals following the use of apical negative pressure irrigation (ANP), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), sonic irrigation (SI), and/or manual dynamic activation (MDA) techniques. Meta-analysis was performed for individual IATs in comparison with CNI into the lateral canals of both straight and curved root canals. On the basis of the previous literature and parameters, the risk of bias of the selected studies was evaluated with the help of a customized tool. Results: Of the 983 records screened, 12 studies were selected to include in the systematic review, and 10 studies were selected for the meta-analysis. The total quality assessment across the included studies indicated a high quality (83.3%). Overall, the meta-analysis demonstrated IATs had significant improvement in the penetration of NaOCl into the lateral canals of straight canals (34.3%) over CNI. The subgroup analysis of individual IATs demonstrated PUI (60.9%) to be superior in the penetration into lateral canals of straight canals. Conclusions: IATs improved the irrigant penetration into lateral canals and therefore their use during routine endodontic practice is recommended. In straight canals, PUI is the most effective IAT followed by ANP, SI, and MDA techniques.

Comparative Efficacy of Different Irrigant Activation Techniques for Irrigant Delivery Up to the Working Length of Mature Permanent Teeth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review aims to establish whether various irrigant activation techniques (IATs) result in greater penetration of irrigant up to the working length. The MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched to determine the difference in irrigant penetration depth in the main canal following the use of manual dynamic activation (MDA), sonic irrigation (SI), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), and apical negative pressure irrigation technique (ANP) in comparison with conventional needle irrigation technique (CNI) in mature permanent teeth. Meta-analysis was performed for straight canals as well as curved canals in addition to subgroup analyses for a) Individual IATs in comparison with CNI, b) Comparison of PUI v ANP and SI v ANP in the straight canals, c) comparison of different IATs performed in straight and curved canals. The outcome was presented as effect size: standardized mean difference (SMD) and percentage difference (% diff) of irrigant penetration up to the working length (WL) alongside 95% confidence intervals using chi-square analysis. Of the 840 records screened, 20 studies were included in the systematic review and 17 studies were included in the meta-analysis. It revealed IATs had significant improvement in irrigant delivery up to the WL in straight (% diff: 51.94%, 95% CI: 39.20-64.67%) and curved canals (SMD: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.64-1.52) over CNI. The subgroup analysis revealed ANP was the most effective and significant technique followed by PUI, SI and MDA techniques in straight canals (% diff: 91.70%, 95% CI: 75.63-107.77%) and curved canals (SMD: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.77-2.13). IATs improve irrigant penetration when compared to CNI technique. In both straight and curved canals, ANP is the most effective in delivering the irrigant up to the WL followed by PUI, SI and MDA techniques. Hence adaptation of recent IATs in routine endodontic practice is recommended. (EEJ-2022-03-036).

Pediatric Dental Fluorosis and Its Correlation with Dental Caries and Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study among Preschool Children Living in Belagavi.

AIM: This study aims to assess the prevalence of dental fluorosis and its association with dental caries, oral health behaviors, oral-health-related quality of life and parents' perceptions among preschool children in the 3-5-year-old preschool children living in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, a non-endemic fluorosis region. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 1200 individuals of the preschool population from 48 government-sponsored child-care development centers in Belagavi, Karnataka, over a three-month period. They were examined following the Dean's fluorosis index (1942) and dmft (decayed, missed, and filled) scores of the participants were also recorded. Parents' perception of oral health was assessed using the self-administered Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). SPSS software (version 20) was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square test computed categorical data. One-way ANOVA test was used for multiple group comparisons. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 1200 children examined, 10 (0.83%) children exhibited dental fluorosis. Of the 10 children having fluorosis, six had fluorosis present on two or more of their primary teeth, and four had fluorosis on four or more teeth. The mean dmft score was 3.01 ± 1.38 to 3.60 ± 1.72 in 3-5-year-old children, respectively, with statistical significance difference (p < 0.001). The mean score of oral health-related quality of life was 10.74 ± 2.06, which was significantly correlated to the child's age and parents' education level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study shows a negligible amount of prevalence of dental fluorosis in the non-endemic fluorosis residential district. It also elucidates that children from lower and lower-middle socioeconomic status are more prone to suffer from dental fluorosis as compared to other groups. The mean score of ECOHIS increased proportionally with the caries experience, indicating a significant relationship between the dmft and ECOHIS score. Deciduous dentition fluorosis is often neglected, especially in areas that are not considered endemic for fluorosis and with only optimum fluoride levels in their groundwater, which supports the disease's nature as multi-factorial and shows that a broader perspective is of prime importance to assess, diagnose, and prevent dental fluorosis among the preschoolers, thereby appraising their overall health and hygiene status.

Evaluation of a "Picture Assisted Illustration Reinforcement" (PAIR) System for Oral Hygiene in Children with Autism: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study evaluated the potential of a novel pre-validated "Picture Assisted Illustration Reinforcement" (PAIR) communication system and conventional verbal techniques for Oral Health Education (OHE) in terms of dentition status, gingival health, oral hygiene status, and practices in 7- to 18-year-old children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A double-blind randomized controlled trial was undertaken in a school for children with autism from July to September 2022. A total of 60 children were randomly assigned into two groups: a PAIR group (n = 30) and a Conventional group (n = 30). Cognition and pre-evaluation of all the children were assessed by standardized scaling measures. A pre-validated closed-ended questionnaire was administered to caregivers of both groups. At a 12-week post-intervention, a clinical examination was performed using the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment form 2013, gingival and Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S). The gingival scores in the PAIR group (0.35 ± 0.12) exhibited a statistically significant decline in scores as compared to Conventional group (0.83 ± 0.37), p = 0.043. Meanwhile, the oral hygiene scores in the PAIR group and Conventional group were 1.22 ± 0.14 and 1.94 ± 0.15, respectively (p < 0.05). A significant improvement in oral hygiene practices was observed in the PAIR group. Incorporating the PAIR technique resulted in significant progress in child cognitive ability and adaptive behavior, which reduced gingival scores and improved oral hygiene scores, consequently improving oral hygiene practices among children with ASD.

Prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease among transgenders in Belagavi district, Karnataka, India: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To assess the oral health practices and the prevalence of dental caries, and periodontal disease among transgenders. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was conducted on a sample of 180 participants from the transgender community in Belagavi district over a course of two months. A trained and calibrated examiners recorded oral health status according to WHO dentition status and treatment needs (1997) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) under the supervision of the subject expert. Chi-square test, spearman's rank correlation coefficient test, multiple linear regression and logistic regression were applied. The statistical significance was set at p ≤ .05 for all the tests. The prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease among transgenders was 72.2% and 92.2%, respectively. A positive linear correlation and a significant relationship was found between the oral hygiene practices/deleterious habits and dental caries among the transgenders. Multiple linear regression model revealed that the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease was significantly associated with age and oral hygiene practices. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental caries and periodontal diseases among transgenders was high. These results may be of use to promote oral health promotion and establishing a paradigm for dentists to work toward improving oral health.