Assessment of dental caries based on ICDAS and WHO criteria: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft) index recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which measures the prevalence of caries based on the presence of cavitated caries lesions, is the most used dental caries index in epidemiological studies. Early diagnosis of noncavitated carious lesions enables preventive measures, which has the potential to prevent dental caries-related morbidity and reduce the financial burden associated with restorative or rehabilitative dental care. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) incorporates both the cavitated and noncavitated carious lesions with acceptable reliability. AIM: To compare dental caries prevalence based on ICDAS II and WHO criteria. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 362 children visiting People's Dental College and Hospital, Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal to study dental caries prevalence based on the ICDAS II and WHO criteria. RESULTS: Among the study population, 290 (90.34%) and 169 (68.42%) children had dental caries in primary and permanent teeth according to the ICDAS II criteria, whereas according to WHO criteria, 267 (83.18%) and 107 (43.32%) had dental caries in primary and permanent teeth, respectively. The prevalence of dental caries was significantly higher (p < .001) according to ICDAS II criteria than the prevalence based on WHO criteria in both dentitions. CONCLUSION: This study showed a significant difference in dental caries prevalence between the ICDAS II and WHO methods of caries diagnosis. The presence of noncavitated carious lesions was alarming. To enable detection of early/noncavitated carious lesions, ICDAS II rather than WHO criteria of caries diagnosis may be a more a valuable tool.

Impact of sociodemographic factors, duration of edentulism, and medical comorbidities on the mental attitudes of individuals with complete edentulism.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Understanding the attitude of elderly patients is important for successful complete denture therapy. However, data regarding the impact of sociodemographic factors, impact of medical comorbidities, and duration of edentulism on the mental attitudes of such patients are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to explore the association of sociodemographic factors, duration of edentulism, and medical comorbidities on the attitudes of completely edentulous patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 125 completely edentulous patients visiting the Department of Prosthodontics, Nepal Medical College from August 2020 to October 2020. General information including age, sex, education level, medical history, and duration of edentulism were collected during a routine clinical evaluation. The mental attitudes of the participants were categorized according to M.M. House Classification into philosophical mind, exacting mind, hysterical mind, or indifferent mind. The participants were categorized into 3 age groups: 45 to 54 years, 55 to 64 years, and 65 years and above. Similarly, they were divided into 3 categories depending upon the duration of edentulism: 0 to 2 years, 2 to 5 years, and more than 5 years. Data were entered in a statistical software program for descriptive analysis using frequency distributions, and the chi-square statistical test and the Freeman-Halton extension of the Fisher exact test were used to determine the association between categorical variables. RESULTS: The highest number of participants was in the philosophical category (34.4%) with the fewest in the hysterical group (12%). Men had more philosophical and indifferent attitudes, whereas women were more exacting (P<.001). Those with a recent history of extraction had an increased exacting attitude (P<.001). The respondents without any comorbid diseases were more philosophical, whereas a higher percentage of respondents with different comorbid conditions were assessed to be in the hysterical category (P<.001). Significant relationships were not found between mental attitude and educational status or age (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic factors, duration of edentulism, and existing comorbidities had a significant impact on the attitudes of edentulous patients. The role of these factors should be assessed during the appraisal of the mental attitudes of edentulous patients.

Dental Caries among Adult Population of a Municipality: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Oral disease as a public health problem poses a serious burden globally. The most common oral disease affecting adults is dental caries followed by periodontal disease leading to tooth loss. Early detection of dental caries can help reduce the severity and prevent further complications. This study aimed to ind out the prevalence of dental caries among adult population of a municipality. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among adults attending ive different dental camps in a municipality from 1 April 2022 to 2 June 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 060-078/079). Convenience sampling method was used. The prevalence of dental caries was determined by dentition status adopted from basic oral health surveys recommended by World Health Organization. Point estimate and 95% Conidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 239 adults, 138 (57.74%) (51.48-64, 95% Conidence Interval) had dental caries. Conclusions: The prevalence of dental caries among adults in the municipality was lower than in similar studies done in similar settings. Keywords: cross-sectional study; dental decay; prevalence.

Awareness of aerosol-related transmission of COVID-19 among the dentists of Nepal.

OBJECTIVE: To access the awareness of dental practitioners of Nepal towards COVID-19 transmission through aerosols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 384 dentists from all over Nepal and was conducted for a period of 3 months. A self-reported online questionnaire was developed using Google forms and the link was shared. It emphasized the awareness related to the aerosol and ventilation system in their daily practices was prepared. The data were analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 software. RESULTS: The majority of participants were female 52.9% (n = 203) and within the age groups of <30 years 57% (n = 219). Participants from Bagmati Province were 60.4% (n = 232), with least from Sudurpaschim Province 0.5% (n = 2). 60% of participants provided only emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic and few (7%) provided consultations via telephone. The current ventilation system used was a well-ventilated room with open windows 65.4% (n = 251). However, 52.8% (n = 203) preferred specialized operatory incorporating high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and ultraviolet (UV) light. More than 60% of respondents were unaware of the particle size of the aerosol. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results signify the need for the proper ventilation system with appropriate air filtration systems in dental clinical setups.

Dental Floss Prescription Pattern among the Dental Interns of Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Periodontal disease is regarded as one of the preventable diseases. It can be prevented through effective plaque control measures that require mechanical instrumentation with various surgical or non-surgical periodontal therapies as well as daily oral hygiene measures. Dental professionals must be competent enough to promote good oral health by educating patients with daily oral hygiene practice measures. In this regard, the study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice behaviour for using as well as prescribing dental floss among the dental interns of Nepal. METHODS: An online questionnaire consisting of two sections; the first comprised of the socio- demographic and professional aspects and the second consisted of questions related to knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the use of dental floss, and its prescription was prepared using Google forms and the link was shared. The data were analysed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software. RESULTS: In this study, the participants were familiar with the dental floss, but many lacked awareness regarding its proper use. Ninety-nine (64.3%) of the participants personally used dental floss. Only six (3.9%) never prescribed it to their patients. Among those who prescribed, only 37 (25%) always demonstrated the techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that many participants used dental floss, however, educating and recommending the patient about it was comparatively low. This emphasizes the need to increase the awareness and use of interdental aids among dental interns to provide good oral self-care practices for the patient.

Sub Sinus Ridge Height at First Molar Region- A Panoramic Radiograph Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Among various replacement options available for maxillary molars, implants necessitate the need to examine available ridge height and width. Panoramic radiographs (orthopantomograms) are routinely used for preliminary determination of ridge height which is helpful in communicating with patients regarding treatment needs and options. This study was designed with the aim to assess the sub sinus ridge height at dentulous and edentulous first molar sites. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to November 2019 among patients visiting the dental college. The orthopantomograms of 455 patients were prospectively collected and analysed using Carestream imaging software (version 7.0.0). Distance from alveolar crest to maxillary sinus was measured in first molar region. RESULTS: Mean minimal sub sinus ridge height at non-missing maxillary first molar site was 8.16 ± 2.6 mm, whereas for missing maxillary first molar site it was 5.25 ± 2.28 mm and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Statistically significant difference among the age groups and minimum subsinus ridge height (p<0.001) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Missing maxillary first molar sites may often require vertical bone augmentation with direct sinus lifting procedures if it has to undergo replacement with dental implants in the representative Nepalese population.