Distribution of dental practices in Jazan of Saudi Arabia: a GIS-based approach.

BACKGROUND: Jazan region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has been extensively studied regarding access to dental care services, but there is currently no specific study on the distribution of public (primary healthcare centres (PHCs) and hospitals) and private dental healthcare facilities in the area. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution of public and private dental care facilities in the Jazan region in relation to the population distribution in each governorate of the region. METHODS: The most up-to-date, easily accessible, and anonymous data and information were used for this investigation. The Ministry of Health's (MOH) Statistical Yearbook 2020 and interactive map were used to identify the locations of healthcare facilities. These locations were plotted on a map using Google Maps, and the data was converted to longitude and latitude with 90% level building accuracy. QGIS's integrated database was used to develop buffer zones and perform attribute analysis. The data was then exported for analysis in Microsoft Excel, where healthcare facility-to-population ratios were determined. RESULTS: In Jazan region, consisting of 17 governorates and a population of 1,726,739, there were 275 public and private dental clinics, with a ratio of one dental clinic per 6,279 people in terms of general health services. Only 12.4% of these clinics were located beyond 20 km of the city centre, serving approximately 70% of the region's population. CONCLUSION: The uneven distribution of dental clinics in the Jazan region has hampered access to dental treatments and has led to a significant burden on dental health facilities, reducing the quality of care available in the region. Mapping the distribution of MOH, private, and other health facilities, as well as the burden of oral disease in the Jazan region, is necessary for further research.

Analytical Study Of Salivary Mmp-12 Expression In Oral Submucous Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is majorly a pathology pertaining to Asian population, reported most in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Taiwan. Equilibrium existing between Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) & tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases is imperative for the normal integrity of connective tissues. However, this mechanism is disturbed in the presence of OSF, resulting in an increase in the extracellular matrix. METHODS: It is an analytical study including two groups with a total of 60 participants. The first group consists of 30 healthy participants and the other group consists of 30 patients presenting with oral submucous fibrosis. Collected samples of saliva were stored at -80 °C after centrifugation. For ELISA investigation, the procedure was performed as per manufacturer's instruction. Salivary matrix metalloproteinases- 12 concentration was estimated with the help of a standard curve. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Mann Whitney test was applied to determine the difference existing in Matrix metalloproteinases- 12 levels between healthy and oral submucous fibrosis participants. p-value <0.05 was contemplated as significant. RESULTS: Statistical investigation indicated significant difference in Matrix metalloproteinases- 12 levels between Oral submucous fibrosis and healthy group (p<0.05). Saliva samples obtained from oral submucous fibrosis patients demonstrated raised concentrations of Matrix metalloproteinases- 12 as compared to healthy participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates significant upsurge in Matrix metalloproteinases- 12 expression in samples of saliva obtained from oral submucous fibrosis patients as compared to healthy individuals. Therefore, salivary Matrix metalloproteinases- 12 could serve as a useful diagnostic marker for OSF.

Association between Interleukin-1ß Gene Polymorphism and Chronic Periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: Periodontitis is a pathological condition of the oral cavity, originating from multiple factors, including microbial, environmental and genetic factors. The vulnerability to several pathologies has been studied with the relationship to genetic polymorphisms, and one of the most prominent is the single nucleotide polymorphisms throughout the genome. The study aimed to find out the association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of interleukin-1ß +3954 gene with chronic periodontitis (CP) in Pakistan MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences. DNA was extracted from the blood and amplified by using conventional polymerase chain reaction of respective genes followed by sequencing. Mann-Whitney test accessed the difference of clinical parameters between cases and controls, and Fisher's exact test was applied to access the association of alleles between subjects. Data entered and analyzed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in clinical parameters in cases and controls (p < 0.001). In the IL-1ß +3954 gene, T alleles were significantly higher in cases as compared with controls (p < 0.001). Genotype CC was significantly dominant in the controls and genotype CT and TT in patients (Chi-square = 19.83, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Within the study's limits, IL-1ß +3954 gene polymorphism is associated with periodontitis and is expected to be among the several causes of respective pathology in Pakistan's population.

Estimation of salivary matrix metalloproteinases- 12 (MMP- 12) levels among patients presenting with oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a global threat and accounts for approximately 90% of malignant oral lesions. The emergence of oral carcinoma is linked to precancerous lesions, which act as precursors of the disease. Matrix metalloproteinases appear to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of both precancerous conditions and oral malignancies due to their participation in remodeling of the extracellular matrix. METHODOLOGY: This is an analytical study conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences, Pakistan. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from healthy, oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. The level of MMP-12 was estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. One-way Analysis of variance was run to determine if MMP-12 levels differ between the three groups, which was preceded by post hoc Tuckey test. MMP-12 cut off values were determined using Receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: A significant difference in salivary MMP-12 expression was observed in OSF and OSCC (p < 0.001). The expression of salivary MMP-12 was higher in OSF and OSCC patients as compared to the healthy group (p < 0.001). The mean MMP-12 expression in OSCC appeared higher than in OSF cases (p < 0.05). MMP-12 value of [Formula: see text] 4.05 ng/ml and [Formula: see text] 4.20 ng/ml is predictive of OSF and OSCC respectively, with 100% sensitivity and specificity (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased expression of MMP-12 appears as the healthy patient advances to OSF and OSCC. The study results also demonstrate higher MMP-12 expression in OSCC patients as compared to OSF. Therefore, the estimation of salivary MMP-12 serves as a valuable non-invasive early diagnostic tool in diagnosing oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

COVID-19 and Dental Education in Pakistan.

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 6 million people globally; and changed the dynamics of the entire world. In March 2020, novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). In Pakistan, the first case of COVID-19 was reported on 26th February, 2020. The virus is highly contagious and spreads mainly by aerosols. Its major symptoms include sore throat, cough, high-grade fever, anosmia, etc. Like other countries, it has also affected all fields of life in Pakistan, but its impact on dental education and dentistry has been particularly devastating. Dental institutes are at particularly high risk for infection transmission through their aerosol-generating dental procedures. In the scenario of a lockdown, dental students are suffering a lot and the dental colleges and faculties must try their best to overcome this situation. This article aims to review the challenges faced by dental community to carryout teaching and training in dental education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Words: COVID-19, Dentistry, Education, Pakistan, Pandemic.

Pakistan: country report on children's environmental health.

Pakistan is a developing country with an estimated population of 220 million, and among them 34% are children. Due to the lack of a proper health care system, particularly in rural areas, children are prone to many environmental hazards. This paper reports about the different environmental health issues faced by children in Pakistan and was presented at the Regional Meeting on Children's Environmental Health at the Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand in May 2019. Pakistan is among those countries where polio is still present due to misconceptions, hard-to-reach areas, war zones, political uncertainty, etc. Extensively drug-resistant typhoid is broadly spreading in Pakistan, and this is a very serious concern over antibiotic failure around the world. Pakistan was long considered a region with a low prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, but now the disease is spreading at an alarming rate. Globally, Pakistan has the third highest burden of maternal, fetal and child mortality. In the last 10 years or so, around 10,000 cases of dengue have been reported with around 800 deaths, including children. Other issues related to children's environmental health in Pakistan include cholera because of poor sanitation and hygiene, respiratory disease due to pollution, exposure to pesticides, diarrhea, occupational hazards as a result of child labor, etc.