Characterization and serotype distribution of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans: Relationship of serotypes to herpesvirus and periodontal status in Indian subjects.

BACKGROUND: The virulence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) in any individual depends on the type of strain of this bacterium. To our knowledge, there have been no studies reported in Indian subjects about A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype occurrence, co-existence with herpes virus and the possible influence of such co-existence on periodontal pathology. METHODS: Subjects for this study were a subset of a larger study to identify the prevalence of A. actinomycetemcomitans in chronic periodontitis. A total of 63 subjects (12 periodontally healthy and 51 with chronic periodontitis) who were positive for A. actinomycetemcomitans were serotyped for strain-level identification. The presence of Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was tested in subgingival plaque samples by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: All five serotypes a to e were detected. Of the samples analyzed 38.09% harbored a single serotype, 36.5% had two serotypes, 6.3% demonstrated three and 4.7% demonstrated four serotypes. None of the samples showed presence of JP2 strain. Serotypes b, c, and e were most frequently identified in these individuals (46.03%, 36.5% and 38.09% respectively). Presence of serotypes b and c and absence of serotype d was associated with increased PD and CAL. Among 63 samples analyzed, 11 samples had CMV, four samples had EBV and nine samples had both these viruses. The PD and CAL were significantly higher (p = 0.04) when a combination of CMV and one of the serotypes was present indicating a pathological role of the coexistence. CONCLUSION: Multiple serotypes are associated with chronic periodontitis in Indians, however, JP2 strains are not detectable in this cohort. Presence of multiple serotypes and a combination of any serotype with herpesvirus is associated with greater severity of the disease.

Review of research designs and statistical methods employed in dental postgraduate dissertations.

CONTEXT: There is a need to evaluate the quality of postgraduate dissertations of dentistry submitted to university in the light of the international standards of reporting. AIMS: We conducted the review with an objective to document the use of sampling methods, measurement standardization, blinding, methods to eliminate bias, appropriate use of statistical tests, appropriate use of data presentation in postgraduate dental research and suggest and recommend modifications. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The public access database of the dissertations from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences was reviewed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and thirty-three eligible dissertations underwent preliminary evaluation followed by detailed evaluation of 10% of randomly selected dissertations. The dissertations were assessed based on international reporting guidelines such as strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE), consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT), and other scholarly resources. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data were compiled using MS Excel and SPSS 10.0. Numbers and percentages were used for describing the data. RESULTS: The "in vitro" studies were the most common type of research (39%), followed by observational (32%) and experimental studies (29%). The disciplines conservative dentistry (92%) and prosthodontics (75%) reported high numbers of in vitro research. Disciplines oral surgery (80%) and periodontics (67%) had conducted experimental studies as a major share of their research. Lacunae in the studies included observational studies not following random sampling (70%), experimental studies not following random allocation (75%), not mentioning about blinding, confounding variables and calibrations in measurements, misrepresenting the data by inappropriate data presentation, errors in reporting probability values and not reporting confidence intervals. Few studies showed grossly inappropriate choice of statistical tests and many studies needed additional tests. CONCLUSIONS: Overall observations indicated the need to comply with standard guidelines of reporting research.

Assessment of non-cavitated and cavitated carious lesions among 12- to 15-year-old government and private school children in Pune, Maharashtra, India.

PURPOSE: The present cross-sectional study was conducted to assess and compare the mean number of non-cavitated (initial lesions, IL) and cavitated carious lesions (WHO criteria) per child in the permanent dentition and to correlate it with the plaque index among 12- to 15-year-old government and private school children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 481 schoolchildren aged 12-15 years were selected randomly by multistage random sampling from two government and two private schools. Demographic details were collected at the time of examination. Baseline plaque scores were recorded using the Silness and Löe plaque index. Immediately after brushing and drying the teeth, cavitated lesions were recorded based on WHO recommendations and non-cavitated lesions were recorded using the IL criteria of Nyvad et al and Fyffe et al. RESULTS: The mean number of surfaces with cavitated and non-cavitated lesions for government school children was 2.13 ± 2.98 and 3.21 ± 2.97, respectively, and 1.24 ± 1.86 and 3.08 ± 2.33 for private school children, respectively. WHO + IL surfaces among private school children were 4.33 ± 3.48 and in government school children 5.35 ± 4.45. There was a positive correlation of plaque score with IL (r = 0.63) and WHO+IL (r = 0.73). CONCLUSION: Non-cavitated lesions are about twice as common as cavitated carious lesions in school children. Government school children had a higher number of cavitated and non-cavitated carious lesions when compared with private school children.

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding oral health among the rural government primary school teachers of Mangalore, India.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding oral health among the Rural Government Primary school teachers of Mangalore, Karnataka, India. METHODS: A self-administered close ended questionnaire consisting of 16 items was distributed among the rural primary school teachers of Mangalore (n=165). Comparison of knowledge and attitude amongst the 3 age groups was done with Kruskal Wallis test. Comparison of mean scores between the genders was done using Mann-Whitney-U test. Comparison of mean scores across four educational qualification groups was done using Kruskal Wallis test. RESULTS: Out of 165 primary school teachers to whom the questionnaires were sent, 153 responded, yielding a 92.7% response rate. Results showed that significant difference (p<0.01) was seen across the 3 age groups for the mean practice scores. There was significant difference between the genders with females scoring better for the mean knowledge, practice and the total scores. Educational qualification did not make any significant difference in the knowledge and practice on oral health. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that oral health knowledge was lacking among the primary school teachers of rural Mangalore, although practices were satisfactory. Oral health education program targeting only the teachers is of utmost importance in the light of the present study results.

Comparison of different screening methods in estimating the prevalence of precancer and cancer amongst male inmates of a jail in maharashtra, India.

AIM: To compare the effectiveness of self-examination, clinical examination and screening methods using 1% toluidine blue and Lugol's iodine in estimating the prevalence of lesions at risk of malignancy and oral malignant disease amongst the male inmates of Yerwada Central Jail, Pune. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study was carried out on male inmates in two phases. In the first phase self-examination and clinical examination was carried out on 2,257 male inmates. 164 suspicious cases were subjected to phase II of the study out of whom, 82 participants were screened with 1% toluidine blue and 2% Lugol's iodine followed by biopsy procedure. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity for self-examination with clinical examination was 92.2% and 96.6% respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) and positive (+LR) and negative likelihood ratio (-LR) for Toluidine Blue were 88.1%, 66.6% 97.1%, 30%, 2.63 and 0.17 respectively while for Lugol's Iodine they were 94.7%, 83.8%, 98.6%, 55.5%, 5.67 and 0.06 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of lesions at risk of malignancy and oral malignant disease by self-examination was 7.8% and by clinical examination was 6.3%. Self-examination is an effective tool in early detection of oral cancer. Use of Lugol's iodine as a screening tool for oral lesions is highly effective in inmate populations.

Students' perceptions of their education on graduation from a dental school in India.

This study was conducted with the purpose of assessing students' perceived learning experience at the time of graduation from a dental school in India. The domains appraised were undergraduate curriculum, student motivation and support services, institutional infrastructure, administrative services, components of teaching-learning programs, confidence level in carrying out specific clinical procedures, career choice, and postgraduate specialty preference after graduation. The authors surveyed forty-five dental interns at the end of their undergraduate course, a 100 percent response rate from the class. The results showed that over 95 percent of the graduates were satisfied with the curriculum and 60 to 95 percent reported that the various components of the teaching-learning process were adequate. Only 42 percent of the students were confident about setting up a practice; 65 percent wished to take a course on general dentistry; and 86 percent wanted to pursue postgraduate study. The principal conclusions were that although the program was satisfactory to the majority of participants, some areas of concern were identified that need improvement.

Qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal (OHRQoL) em pacientes usando aparelho ortodôntico fixo em Pimpri, Pune, Índia - um estudo transversal / Oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) amongst patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliance in Pimpri, Pune, India - a cross sectional study

Objective: To assess the prevalence of oral impacts on daily performances and influence of grades of malocclusion on OHRQoL in patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliance, and to assess the other potential factors (Gender, Socio-economic status, wiring technique of appliance, Operator choice) which are influencing the oral impacts in patients with fixed orthodontic appliance. Methods: 130 participants, 14-22 years old, were selected by convenience sampling from the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics of the Dental College, Pune and from three private practitioners. Only those wearing fixed orthodontic appliances since the past 6 months were included. Face to face structured interviews were conducted to collect information about impacts, using the Oral Impact on Daily Performances (OIDP). Pre-treatment casts of participants were examined to record the malocclusion status using Index of complexity, outcome and need (ICON). Comparison was done between OIDP and ICON scores, and other co-variables. Results: The prevalence of oral impacts was 86.92%. 55.35% of the participants had an impact on three or more daily performances, commonly eating, social contact, cleaning teeth, speaking (78.46%, 51.53%, 45.38%, and 40.76% respectively). Only ICON scores had an influence on OIDP scores (p less than 0.05). Conclusion: Severity of malocclusion has great impact on OHRQoL during fixed orthodontic treatment.

Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de impactos bucais no desempenho diário e a influência da gravidade da má oclusão na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal em pacientes usando aparelho fixo ortodôntico e avaliar os outros fatores potenciais (sexo, status sócio-econômico, técnica de construção do aparelho, escolha do operador), que influenciam o impacto odontológico em pacientes com aparelho ortodôntico fixo. Método: 130 participantes, de 14 a 22 anos de idade, foram selecionados por amostragem de conveniência, no Departamento de Ortodontia e Ortopedia Facial da Faculdade de Odontologia, Pune e em três consultórios privados. Apenas aqueles que utilizavam aparelhos ortodônticos fixos há pelo menos seis meses foram incluídos. Entrevistas face a face estruturadas foram conduzidas para coletar informações sobre os impactos, usando o Impacto Odontológico no Desempenho Diário, (OIDP). Modelos da fase pré-tratamento dos participantes foram avaliados para registrar a condição da má oclusão por meio do Índice de complexidade, resultado e necessidade (ICON). A comparação foi realizada entre os escores do OIDP e do ICON e outras co-variáveis. Resultados: A prevalência de impactos oral foi 86,92%. 55,35% dos participantes apresentaram um impacto em três ou mais desempenhos diários, comendo freqüentemente, contato social, limpando os dentes, falando (78,46%, 51,53%, 45,38% e 40,76%, respectivamente). Apenas os escores do ICON influenciaram nos escores do OIDP (p menor que 0,05). Conclusão: A gravidade da má oclusão tem grande impacto sobre a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal durante o tratamento ortodôntico fixo.

Correlation of awareness and practice of working postures with prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals.

Over the last 20 years, a great many innovations have been introduced that are designed to reduce laborious activities; however, an unexpected consequence of these developments is a trend toward a sedentary lifestyle and prolonged static postures that are accompanied by musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs have become a major issue of concern because the afflictions can be severe enough to disable professional careers. Although clinical dentistry is a field with immense potential for MSDs, only a few studies have investigated this issue. The present study was carried out addressing prevalence and awareness level of MSDs among 500 dental professionals from Central India. Also, the interrelationship between practices of working postures with occurrence of pain in different body parts were assessed using a structured questionnaire format. The results were statistically significant, and indicated that the prevalence of MSDs is high and that there is a dire need to enhance awareness regarding correct working postures. This study encompassed all factors that can be addressed as causes for MSDs among dentists.

Dental students research inventory: a questionnaire to assess research challenges and opportunities.

The aim of this study was to develop and test a questionnaire to measure the research challenges and opportunities faced by dental students. The initial part of the study dealt with designing, developing, and pilot testing of the questionnaire (Dental Students Research Inventory, DSRI), and the later part consisted of field testing. The validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the DSRI were performed to provide a standardized measure and an interpretation scale. The results showed good reliability and repeatability of the questionnaire, with a greater reliability observed in postgraduate students as compared to undergraduates. In the survey of regional dental colleges in India, 25 percent of the postgraduate and 35 percent of the undergraduate students reported that there was an overall lack of opportunities in conducting research. The DSRI questionnaire can be a good measure for understanding the challenges and opportunities faced by dental students while conducting and reporting research.