The credibility of dental pulp in human blood group identification.

BACKGROUND: The identification of unknown individual has always been of paramount importance to the society. Blood groups are excellent aids to these pursuits. Dental tissue acts beneficial because tooth is the hardest of all human tissues, and they can be preserved intact for a long period of time after the death of the individual. Hence, this study is conducted to evaluate the role of dental pulp in identification of human blood group. AIM: To determine the ABO blood grouping from the pulpal tissue of an extracted tooth and to correlate the same with blood group details obtained from the study subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted on a sample of thirty extracted teeth. The teeth were stored dry for 2 months. An attempt to establish the blood group from pulp was made by absorption-elution method. The collected data were coded, and statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS Version 20). Cronbach's alpha was applied to check the reliability of the absorption-elusion method in the detection of blood group from dental pulp. RESULTS: Blood groups obtained from the pulp were compared with those obtained from the study subjects. Blood group establishment from dental pulp using absorption-elusion method had a good internal consistency in comparison with the conventional Karl Landsteiner's blood typing method. This study showed that pulp tissue is a reliable method to detect blood groups of individuals. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that dental pulp can be used to establish identity, where teeth happen to be the only remnants available for personal identification.

Frequency of Addictive Habits and its Association with Oral Diseases Among a Cross Section of Indian Police Personnel Connotation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of adverse addictive habits, specially alcohol and tobacco usage, among police personnel of Bhopal City, Central India and its association with the frequency of oral mucosal lesions and periodontal diseases. STUDY DESIGN: Across-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Bhopal City, Capital of Madhya Pradesh State, Central India, from February to April 2013. METHODOLOGY: All the police personnel posted at various police stations were interviewed and clinically examined. Police personnel who did not cooperate or were not willing, were excluded from the study. Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical variables. RESULTS: Atotal of 781 subjects were interviewed for the various forms of adverse habits, followed by clinical assessment of oral mucosal lesions and periodontal status using WHO 1997 criteria. The mean age of study subjects was 40.58 ±9.84 years. Usage of tobacco was found among 55% and only 1.3% of subjects consumed alcohol. The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions and periodontal diseases was significantly higher among tobacco users. CONCLUSION: There was high usage of tobacco among police personnel in Bhopal City, India with a detrimental effect on oral health.

The Impact of Body Mass Index on Oral Hygiene Practices of Adolescents in Bhopal City, India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of Body Mass Index (BMI) on oral hygiene practices of adolescents in Bhopal City, India. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Arts College, Bhopal, from February to March 2014. METHODOLOGY: Aconvenience sample of 17 - 23 years college-going adolescents from Arts College, Bhopal city was selected for the study. Self-reported questionnaire for adolescents to assess BMI and oral hygiene attitude, knowledge and practices was used. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were applied. RESULTS: Out of the total study population, 53.54% (n=166) were males and 46.45% (n=144) were females. Two hundred and six (66.45%) were of optimal weight, 27.74% (n=86) were underweight and only 4.52% (n=14) were overweight. There was a significant association between BMI and oral hygiene practice of toothbrushing (p < 0.001) and mouth rinsing (p=0.001) among both male and female subjects. CONCLUSION: Hence, BMI is significantly associated with the oral hygiene practices of adolescent population. There is growing interest in the relationship between BMI and oral health because both are significant public health concerns. These public health problems are related to common lifestyle factors such as unhealthy eating habits and smoking among children. These maladapted habits track into later life as predictors of increased BMI and oral health problems. Hence, it is required that the dentists are aware of the influence of body mass Index and lifestyle on oral health practices among children and adolescents.

Knowledge of evidence-based dentistry among academic dental practitioners of Bhopal, India: a preliminary survey.

This study aimed to characterize the knowledge of evidence-based dentistry (EBD) among dental faculty members in the city of Bhopal in central India. A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered at two dental colleges in Bhopal City. All dental faculty members who were present on the day of the study and who agreed to participate were included in the study. A total of 50 dental faculty members returned the questionnaire. Six Likert-type questions were asked, and the percentages of various responses were used for analysis. Sixteen faculty members (32.0%) strongly agreed that EBD is a process of making decisions based on scientifically proven evidence. Fifteen faculty members (30.0%) strongly disagreed or disagreed with the item stating that the best and quickest way to find evidence is by reading textbooks or asking experienced colleagues. Thirteen faculty members (26.0%) strongly agreed that EBD allows dentists to improve their scientific knowledge and clinical skills. It is recommended that EBD be included in undergraduate and postgraduate curricula and in intensive continuing dental education programs that are conducted for dental faculty members.

Dental trauma and mouthguard awareness and use among contact and noncontact athletes in central India.

We investigated the associations of mouthguard awareness and use with the rate and type of orofacial trauma during sports activities among professional athletes. In this cross-sectional study of athletes aged 12 to 22 years who trained for participation in national and international competitions, data were collected by using a questionnaire and a clinical examination that included an index of dental injury. There were significant differences in mouthguard awareness and use and injury rates, i.e., athletes who did not wear mouthguards had more injuries. Traumatic injuries to teeth were significantly more frequent among contact athletes (15; 9%) than among noncontact athletes (4; 2.5%). Limited mouthguard awareness could be due to lack of information and education on dental injuries and their prevention.

The oral health status of patients with renal disease in central India: a preliminary study.

AIM: To compare prevalence of caries and periodontal disease amongst patients on renal dialysis with healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted amongst 30 cases and 30 controls. Patients who were diagnosed with renal disease were included as cases and systemically healthy individuals as controls. Patients' perceptions of oral health were recorded using structured questionnaires. The WHO proforma (1997) was used to record the periodontal condition, caries status and the treatment need of each group. RESULTS: The number of people affected by periodontal disease (bleeding and calculus) was significantly higher amongst people with renal disease compared with controls (p < 0.05) and also mean caries prevalence amongst the cases was significantly higher compared with controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence for greater periodontal disease amongst patients with renal disease as compared with healthy individuals.