Evaluation of the Efficacy of G32 (Commercially Available Ayurvedic Preparation) in Reducing Halitosis - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Oral malodour is a social malady affecting people of all the age groups. Effective management of oral malodour is the key to improve the quality of life of such people. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of ayurvedic medication, G32 in controlling oral malodour and comparing the effects with Chlorhexidine (CHX). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single blind randomized controlled trial with parallel study design conducted at a hospital in the city of Udupi in Southern India. A total of 40 patients suffering with oral malodour, aged 17-35 years, were included in this trial. After inclusion into the study, the subjects were examined twice, with a one-week interval between both examinations. Volatile Sulphur Compounds (VSCs), gingival, plaque and tongue coating scores were assessed at both examinations. Subjects were randomly allocated to G32 group - ayurvedic formulation (intervention group) and CHX group (control group), and were provided with the respective formulations enough to be used twice daily for a period of one week. The difference between the mean scores of VSCs, plaque, and gingivitis and tongue coating were compared within the intervention and control groups, respectively, using paired t-test. RESULTS: Both test and control groups showed a significant reduction in VSCs, plaque and gingivitis levels. The percentage reductions in VSCs, plaque and gingivitis were found to be similar among the two groups. There was no significant difference between the preintervention and postintervention scores in both the groups. CONCLUSION: G32, an ayurvedic medication, can be an effective tool to deal with oral malodour.

LED fluorescence microscopy: Novel method for malaria diagnosis compared with routine methods.

Rapid and accurate diagnosis of malaria is the need of hour for effective management and controlling drug resistance. The conventional and gold-standard method, Light microscopy (LM), is time-consuming, requires trained staff and well-maintained equipments. The newly developed, rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) are fast and reliable, but give only qualitative results, are expensive and have short shelf life. Light Emission Diode fluorescence microscopy (LED FM) may provide a reliable alternative which can be used for routine diagnosis. In order to assess the effectiveness of LED fluorescence microscopy in malaria diagnosis, a cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Mumbai. 2-3ml of blood of 300 patients, who were clinically suspected of having malaria but were not on anti-malarial treatment, was collected in EDTA vials. These specimens were processed to diagnose malaria by three methods, namely-Peripheral smear examination with LM, Peripheral smear examination with LED FM and RDT. The results of all the 3 tests were compared, taking Light Microscopy as the gold standard method. Of the 300 specimens, LM, LED FM and RDT reported 111 (37%), 86 (28.67%) and 107 (35.67%), respectively, as positive. The sensitivity and specificity were respectively 71.2% and 96.3% for LED FM and 91% and 96.8% for RDT. Of the LM positive cases, 53 (47.75%) had parasitic index (PI) <1% and 58 (52.25%) had PI ≥1%. LED FM was found to be only moderately sensitive but highly specific in comparison to Light microscopy. In order to improve the performance of this technique, more precise training in fluorescence staining and reading of the slides, will be required.

Personality and psychological factors: effects on dental beliefs.

BACKGROUND: Dental treatment can be highly unpleasant for anxious patients. Despite all advancements, dental anxiety continues to upset the dentist-patient relationship. The psychological factors like individual personality and familial and peer influence may alter the dental beliefs of a patient. AIM: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among young adolescents to investigate the relationship among various psychological factors and the dental beliefs of an individual. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among higher secondary school children, aged 15-17 years in Udupi district. The dental anxiety of the participants was measured using Modified Dental Beliefs scale and the personality traits were assessed using the Ten-Item Personality Inventory. Pearson's correlation and chi-square analysis were performed among these scales. Independent t-test was performed to compare dental anxiety scores with different socio-demographic and psychological characteristics. RESULTS: In all 198 students, with a mean age of 16.6 years, completed the questionnaire. A majority of the participants had lower MDBS scores. The personality traits like Emotional Stability and Openness to New Experiences showed a negative correlation with the Dental Belief scores. Apart from these, the experience at first dental visit and peer support also affected the dental beliefs of the adolescents. CONCLUSION: Various psychological traits of adolescents influence their dental anxiety.

Dental practitioners self reported performance of tobacco cessation counseling interventions: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and behaviors of the practicing dentists regarding tobacco cessation counseling (TCC) in Chhattisgarh state and also the barriers that prevent them from doing so. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted among dental practitioners of Raipur district, Chhattisgarh state (India). The sampling frame was registration with the State Dental Council and practicing in Raipur district. A questionnaire was personally administered and the practitioners were given explanations regarding how to complete it. Only descriptive statistics were calculated (SPSS version 16 for Windows). RESULTS: Based on the responding dentists' self reports, 76% were not confident in TCC, 48% did not assume TCC to be their responsibility, 17% considered that it might have a negative impact on their clinical practice, whereas 24% considered it might take away precious time from their practice, 25% considered TCC by dentists to be effective to a considerable extent and 80% considered TCC activities are not effective due to lack of formal training, 69% considered dental clinics as an appropriate place for TCC but 82% thought there must be separate TCC centre and 100% of the dentists wanted TCC training to be a part of practice and that it should be included in dental curriculum. Some 95% of them were of the view that tobacco products should be banned in India and 86% responded that health professionals must refrain from tobacco habits so to act as role models for society. CONCLUSIONS: Dental professionals must expand their armamentarium to include TCC strategies in their clinical practice. The dental institutions should include TCC in the curriculum and the dental professionals at the primary and the community health care level should also be trained in TCC to treat tobacco dependence.