Algal biomass as a source for novel oral nano-antimicrobial agent.

In the present study, sulphated polysaccharide Ulvan from Ulva lactuca was used for the synthesis of biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs) conjugate and Mouth rinse was prepared using this conjugate. The synthesis of nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-Visible spectrophotometry and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). TEM showed that the average size of the nanoparticle was 85 nm and spherical in shape. Furthermore, nanoparticle conjugates were evaluated for cell viability using MTT assay 3T3-L1 cell line and at 30 µl/ml showed 34% cell viability. The antimicrobial activity of SeNPs mouth rinse was tested against oral pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus, and Candida albicans and it was effective against all tested microorganism at the concentration of 100 µl/ml. The present study has shown that Ulvan from algal biomass can be a safe and effective source for the development of oral nano-antimicrobial agents.

Comparison of the effectiveness of three different desensitizing toothpastes in reducing dentin hypersensitivity: A 4-week clinical study.

AIM: To compare the effectiveness of three different desensitizing toothpastes containing potassium salt, natural ingredients, and 8% arginine in reducing dentin hypersensitivity (DH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 4-week study was conducted on 45 adult patients suffering from hypersensitivity associated with cervical abrasion of two or more teeth anterior to the molars. Patients were divided into three toothpaste groups as follows: Group I: potassium salt, Group II: herbal desensitizing paste containing natural ingredients, and Group III: 8% arginine. Using tactile stimulus and air stimulus, the sensitivity scores were recorded using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline, immediately after application, after 1 week, after 2 weeks, and after 4 weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: One-way ANOVA test and post hoc Tukey's test were used, and P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Group III showed significantly better reduction in DH at all time intervals when compared with Group I. Group III was significantly better than Group II at 1, 2, and 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: Desensitizing toothpaste containing 8% arginine was found to be the most effective in the reduction of DH after a single application up to a period of 4 weeks followed by herbal desensitizing toothpaste and potassium salt-containing toothpaste.

Case-based learning: A study to ascertain the effectiveness in enhancing the knowledge among interns of an Indian dental institute.

OBJECTIVE: Time and again, it has been shown that active learning promotes critical thinking, and this environment has to be fostered in dental education too. Therefore, the present study was carried out with an aim to know the effectiveness of case-based learning (CBL) in enhancing the knowledge of dental interns of a dental institute in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This pre-post single-blinded, experimental study was conducted in two sessions on a purposive sample of 45 dental interns who gave informed consent. The interns answered a pretest questionnaire comprising questions related to their knowledge of hyperplastic tissue in complete denture patients. The interns were randomly allocated into three subgroups for thorough discussion. Each group viewed all three parts of a case related to hyperplastic tissue and presented the case in the presence of a facilitator. The facilitator discussed the subject with the three subgroups. A post-test was conducted immediately, and the results were compared with the pretest. The facilitator explained about hyperplastic tissue with an audio-visual aid after the post-test was administered. The perception of interns toward CBL was assessed by a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: On analysis, the comparison of the overall knowledge scores pre- and post-CBL showed a statistically significant increase from 9.8 ± 2.14 to 12.6 ± 1.37 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CBL proved to be effective in enhancing the knowledge of dental interns.

Usage of complementary and alternative medicine: A survey among Indian dental professionals.

OBJECTIVE: CAM therapies are used along with standard medical care. Though there are various medical evidences to prove the effectiveness of CAM therapies in managing medical problems, the evidence for the dental application are still lacking in India. This could be attributed to the non-availability or the insufficient knowledge regarding the use of CAM in dentistry. Hence it is necessary to obtain the baseline knowledge regarding the use of CAM therapies among dentists. METHOD: Cross sectional questionnaire based survey. RESULTS: There were mixed attitudes towards CAM approaches in dental practices. Lack of clinical knowledge and exposure during their graduation and inadequate scientific evidence can be attributed to their hesitation in practicing the CAM. CONCLUSION: Though interested, dental practitioners were still cautious in putting CAM into clinical practice. Only very few dentist used CAM therapies and they limited their use to topical application for oral problems.

Perception and knowledge of dental interns toward interdepartmental coordination for successful prosthodontic treatment: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The graduating dentist should be trained in providing treatment utilizing the interdisciplinary approach because of the rapid advancements and increase in patient expectations, which demands for collaboration between the different specialists. PURPOSE: A pilot study was undertaken with an aim to assess the perception and knowledge of dental interns toward interdepartmental coordination for successful prosthodontic treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Dental interns from two dental colleges in Sangli (India) participated in the study. A 24-item self-administered, structured closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect the data. Four questions assessed the perception and 20 questions assessed the knowledge, which were based on the four domains viz.: General, Endodontics, Orthodontics, and Prosthodontics. They were framed from case scenarios reporting to the Department of Prosthodontics, which required interdepartmental consultation. The questionnaire was validated before its application and reliability were also assessed. The final score for each question was calculated based on the correct responses. Descriptive analysis was calculated using the frequencies, percentages, and mean values by using SPSS 16 software. RESULTS: Among 117 interns who participated in the study, 79.5% reported that they lacked training in an interdisciplinary approach. Approximately, 96% reported that the curriculum should be designed to include interdisciplinary training. Nearly, 88% reported that specialist from different specialty should be posted in one interdisciplinary department. Around 60% reported that they did not have the confidence of treating the patient as a whole. When the overall mean scores were considered, the highest scores were obtained for the general domain (95.3) and the lowest for the prosthodontic domain (83.6). CONCLUSION: The dental interns perceived that they lacked training in interdisciplinary approach, and the curriculum should include interdisciplinary training.

Knowledge and awareness of dental trauma among Indian nurses.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding the emergency management of dental traumatic injuries among the present and prospective nurses of KLE Institute of Nursing Sciences and Hospital, Belgaum, India. METHODOLOGY: A 15-item questionnaire regarding the clinical situation of tooth avulsion inquiring nurses' knowledge was administered to 308 nursing professionals, includes nursing interns and staff nurses. RESULTS: Out of 300 respondents, only 2.2% knew about the storage medium used for storing avulsed tooth. Majority of the participants accepted that they had no knowledge regarding the emergency management of dental traumatic injuries and also that no training had been given to them about this. CONCLUSION: As nurses stand on the front lines of responding to emergency, it is essential that they also possess adequate knowledge about dental traumatic injuries and its emergency management. As the findings of our study revealed poor knowledge about emergency management of dental trauma, it is concluded that there is a need for mass educational campaign to broaden the nurses' knowledge about this.

Aesthetic perceptions regarding fluorosis by children from an area of endemic fluorosis in India.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the perceptions of and concerns regarding dental fluorosis among 12-15 year-old schoolchildren in an area where fluorosis is endemic and to find any association with Tooth Surface Index of Fluorosis (TSIF) scores. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: A cross sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: 316 children aged 12-15 years with varying level of dental fluorosis selected from 696 children screened for fluorosis. METHODS: The study was undertaken in three villages in rural Gadag, Karnataka, India, with fluoride levels in the drinking water ranging from 2.2 to 4.5 ppm as estimated by the SPADNS spectrophotometric method. Children's fluorosis was assessed under natural lighting conditions on the labial surface of upper anterior teeth using the TSIF 8-point scale. A self-administered questionnaire assessed knowledge, perceptions and concerns. Data were analysed by frequency distributions and Spearman's correlation coefficients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Aesthetic perceptions and TSIF scores. RESULTS: The children were aware of the fluoride presence and its health effects. TSIF scores correlated with: the appearance of front teeth (r = 0.135, p = 0.015); feeling fluorosis would hinder smiling (r = 0.116, p = 0.040); feeling distress due to fluorosis (r = 0.111, p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Children were aware of fluoride and its health effects. They also perceived dental fluorosis as an aesthetic problem.