Effectiveness of basic life support training course intervention among dental practitioners and students - An experimental study.

Aim: To determine the level of knowledge and skill of basic life support (BLS) among undergraduate, postgraduate students, and general practitioners with and without regular attendance of the BLS Healthcare Provider course. Methodology: The study was carried out at two intervals with two groups. A random sample involving undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and dental professionals was selected for both study groups. Group 1 with 440 participants had not attended BLS for Healthcare Providers Course in the last two years. Group 2 with 410 participants had attended the BLS for Healthcare Providers course regularly once a year. First, participants in Group 1 were evaluated using an MCQ test with 30 questions about their knowledge and skills in BLS. Then, a well-trained BLS instructor team from Dental College & Hospital offered BLS healthcare provider courses to students and dentists. Subsequently, Group 2 participants who had completed a BLS course for healthcare providers last year were also assessed for their knowledge and skills in BLS using another MCQ test. Results: The marks obtained in the tests were tabulated and analyzed. To determine the association between variables with respect to mean knowledge score, t-test was employed. Multiple group comparison was made using analysis of variance and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The group 1 participants score a mean of 5.7 marks against the Group 2 with a mean score of 27.4 marks out of 30 marks. Knowledge and skill in BLS skills among those in Group 1 without prior BLS training was mainly low. Dental practitioners performed marginally better than students in both groups. Conclusions: Based on the results, we make the following observations. With the introduction of BLS training into the academic curriculum and routine BLS hands-on workshops, all healthcare providers will be familiar with the BLS skills to effectively manage the life-threatening emergencies.

Evaluation of Soft Tissue and Airway Changes in Individuals Treated with Mini-Implant Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE).

INTRODUCTION: Mini-implant assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) is gradually becoming the treatment of choice to correct the transverse dimension, exceeding the limitations of conventional RME devices. One of the key factors for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning apart from a stable occlusion is a balanced and aesthetic facial profile that is influenced by maxillary expansion. Similarly, it also affects the anatomy and physiology of the nasal cavity since nasal airflow is a continuous stimulus for lowering of the palate and for lateral maxillary growth. Hence, there is a need to conduct further research on the effects of MARPE on the facial soft tissues as well as the airway, enabling the orthodontist to reach a more accurate diagnosis as well as aid in the treatment planning process. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This retrospective three-dimensional study was planned and designed with the objective of measuring facial soft tissue and airway changes in individuals treated with mini-implant assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) using CBCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on CBCT records of 10 patients in the age group of 18-30 years. These records were then imported into Romexis software and calibrated. The facial soft tissue and airway parameters were measured for each individual at selected landmarks and compared before and after expansion. RESULT: Statistically significant differences in the soft tissue parameters were observed, which included an increased H-angle, increased soft tissue subnasal to H-line and a decreased soft palate surface area after MARPE.

The morphology of sella turcica in cleft and non-cleft individuals.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyze the morphology and expedient the linear dimensions of Sella Turcica among cleft and non-cleft Indian individuals, and then to determine whether differences exist between different study groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lateral cephalogram of 300 patients (150 cleft and 150 non-cleft), aged 18 to 30 years who reported for various treatments of malocclusions were studied. RESULT: The normal morphology of the sella turcica were seen in 85 of the 150 non-cleft individuals which was highest (56.66%) in the non-cleft group, however in the cleft group it was seen in only 16 of the 150 individuals (10.6%). Sella turcica bridge were seen in 10% of the non-cleft subjects, whereas in the cleft group it was seen in 38% of the individuals. A significant difference was seen in the linear measurements of the sella turcica of cleft and no-cleft individuals. CONCLUSION: The normal morphology of the sella turcica was seen in the majority of the non-cleft individuals. The cleft individuals showed an increased incidence of sella turcica bridging with reduced linear measurements of the sella as compared to the non-cleft individuals.

Human immunodeficiency virus associated plasmablastic lymphoma: A case report.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is the third common malignant lesion of the oral region. Plasmablastic lymphomas are rare, aggressive neoplasms occurring mostly in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individual which accounts for approximately 2.6% of all NHL. It usually presents as a diffuse growth and with diffuse pattern of histological presentation. It is very difficult to differentiate this lymphoma from other NHL. Immunohistochemical evaluation of various markers is an important criteria of the diagnostic protocol. Here, we describe a case of plasmablastic lymphoma in a 50-year-old female HIV-infected patient. The diagnosis was based on histopathological examination and immunophenotyping.

Immunohistochemical analysis of angiogenesis by CD34 and mast cells by toluidine blue in different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Angiogenesis is a complex event mediated by angiogenic factors released from cancer cells and immune cells. It has been reported to be associated with progression, aggressiveness and metastases of various malignant tumors including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Similarly, mast cells have also been reported to play a role in tumor progression and metastases by promoting angiogenesis. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to compare microvessel density (MVD) and mast cell density (MCD) in different histological grades of OSCC in comparison with normal oral mucosa (NM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparison of MVD by CD34 and MCD by toluidine blue among different histological grades of OSCC and in NM as controls. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The results were analysed using "t" test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation co-efficient. RESULTS: The mean MVD was higher in different grades as compared to normal mucosa. Intergroup comparison of increase in MVD between different grades of OSCC was not found to be highly statistically significant. Pearson's correlation between MVD and MCD revealed a linear increase in MVD as the MCD increased, suggestive of a positive correlation. CONCLUSION: There was significant correlation found between MVD and MCD which was in agreement that mast cells promote tumor progression through upregulation of angiogenesis.