Prevalence of Spaced and Non-Spaced Dentition and Occlusal Relationship of Primary Dentition and its Relation to Malocclusion in School Children of Davangere.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was carried to determine the relation of spacing, closed dentition, and occlusal relation with malocclusion in the primary dentition in children during deciduous dentition period among school children of Davangere. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 945 school children all having deciduous teeth were included in the study. Informed consent for the child's participation is taken from the school principal. The dentition was examined under natural daylight, and the data was recorded. All the school children were screened for spaced and non-spaced dentition, molar and canine relationship. RESULTS: The results concluded that most of the children showed spaced dentition (82.1%) when compared to non-spaced dentition (17.9%) with males shown more spaced dentition than compared to females. Among all children examined for molar and canine relation, flush terminal molar relation (65%) showed highest among all molar relation followed by mesial step (31%) and distal step (4%), and Class I canine relation (90%) was significant followed by Class II (6%) and Class III canine relation (4%). No significant difference was seen between right and left side. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that determining the malocclusion and its correction at an early age helps in preventing a future complication in permanent dentition since stable primary occlusion leads to ideal occlusion in permanent dentition. Spacing, i.e., primate and physiologic space with the terminal molar relation in primary dentition indicates proper alignment of the permanent dentition.

Cu-sil dentures - a novel approach to conserve few remaining teeth: Case reports.

The present prime concern in dentistry is on preservation of remaining natural teeth. Presence of few teeth in oral cavity help in preserving alveolar ridge integrity, maintain the proprioception, and gives psychological benefit to the patient. Transitional denture provides us with alternative treatment plan for the patients willing to replace their missing teeth while retaining their very few remaining teeth. A relatively newer type of transitional denture is Cu-sil denture. A Cu-sil denture is a denture with holes, lined by a gasket of silicone rubber, the holes thus providing space for remaining natural teeth to emerge into the oral cavity through the denture. Cu-sil denture is the simplest removable partial denture, but its fabrication requires special armamentarium and material. This case report represents a simple chairside technique to fabricate Cu-sil dentures in usual dental set-up.

Knowledge and Perceptions Regarding Nicotine Replacement Therapy among Dental Students in Karnataka.

BACKGROUND: Organized dentistry has recognized the role of oral health professionals in discouraging tobacco use. Unexplored level of knowledge regarding the benefits and prescription of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) have aroused interest among us which initiated us to assess the knowledge and perception of dental students toward NRT among various dental colleges in Karnataka, South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire survey was done among 16 selected colleges in Karnataka. It was distributed for 3(rd) year, final year, and interns. The study group provided answers to 14 item close-ended questionnaire. The first dimension obtained information on sex, age, course and year of study, and other dimension on forms in which NRT's are supplied, effectiveness of NRT's, side effects of NRT's, rate of success of NRT's, electronic cigars, and recommendations of NRT's. Statistical analysis was done using frequency distribution of responses. RESULTS: A total of 1984 undergraduate students from Dental Colleges in Karnataka responded to the questionnaire. Most of the students were unaware about NRT term and its forms. Most of the students were aware about the effectiveness of NRT's (54%) for the rescue of the smokers to quit and felt transdermal patch (42%) could be the most effective way for smokers to quit followed by chewing gums, respectively. More than half of the respondents (53.5%) were unaware of E-cigar's and also felt that NRT's and Counseling cumulatively can contribute for cessation of the tobacco habit. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of dental students in this part of the country were unaware about NRT.

Knowledge and attitude regarding management of tooth avulsion injuries among school teachers in rural India.

OBJECTIVES: Traumatic dento-alveolar injuries are frequent in children and adolescents, affecting teeth, their supporting structures, and adjacent soft tissues. Because school teachers are likely to be in contact with the child soon after injury, it is important to ascertain their knowledge and attitude about this. AIM: The study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of school teachers in Coorg with regard to immediate management of avulsed teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among school teachers in Coorg district. A self-administered questionnaire containing 16 questions was given to a sample of 600 school teachers. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics and independent sample t-test were used for analysis. Only 24.7% teachers thought the tooth was important and wanted to search for the avulsed tooth. Regarding the knowledge about replantation of tooth, 25.7% teachers knew that a fallen tooth can be placed back in the socket. Extraoral time for replantation of the tooth that was opted by 44 teachers (30.3%) was ≤30 min. CONCLUSION: This survey reflected the lack of experience and inadequate knowledge regarding dental trauma management among school teachers in Coorg. The implications of this study are directed toward education of these school teachers who are involved in the supervision of children in schools.

Impact of caries prevalence on oral health-related quality of life among police personnel in Virajpet, South India.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the impact of caries prevalence on oral health-related quality of life among police personnel in Virajpet, South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Police personnel were randomly selected from the 296 police staff working in Virajpet, India. They were invited for a dental examination and a questionnaire survey. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect their demographic information, and to determine the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Caries experiences of the participants were recorded as per the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (1997). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare within-group differences of the selected sociodemographic factors and the Chi-square analysis was used to explore the association between the variables. RESULTS: All the 172 invited participants joined this study. Their mean age was 38.02 ± 9.08 years. There was no significant difference in oral health-related quality of life scores according to gender and age. The prevalence of dental caries was found to be 78% in the current study. Data analysis showed that there was no statistically significant association between the oral health-related quality of life scores and caries prevalence. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that there was no association between the oral health-related quality of life and caries prevalence among the police personnel in Virajpet.

Effect of aqueous and alcoholic licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract against streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus acidophilus in comparison to chlorhexidine: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Glycyrrhiza (licorice) an herb, which has medicinal value and was used in ancient times as a remedy for a great diversity of ailments and sweetener. Roots of Glycyrrhiza contain a high concentration of saponin and glycyrrhizin, which are supposed to be sweetening agents. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of aqueous and alcoholic licorice root extract against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus in comparison to chlorhexidine (CHX). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the first part of the study, various concentrations of aqueous and ethanolic licorice extract were prepared in the laboratory of Pharmacy College. It was then subjected to microbiological assay to determine its zone of inhibition using agar disk diffusion test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using serial broth dilution method against S. mutans and L. acidophilus. CHX was used as a positive control. RESULTS: MIC of aqueous and ethnolic licorice root extract against S. mutans and L. acidophilus were 25% and 12.5%, respectively. Mean zone of inhibition of the aqueous and alcoholic licorice extracts against S. mutans at 48 h were 22.8 mm and 26.7 mm, respectively. Mean zone of inhibition of the aqueous and alcoholic licorice extracts against L. acidophilus at 48 h were 14.4 mm and 15.1 mm, respectively. Mean zone of inhibition of the CHX against S. mutans and L. acidophilus at 48 h was 20.5 and 13.2, respectively. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect shown by alcoholic licorice root extract against S. mutans and L. acidophilus was superior when compared with that of aqueous form and CHX.

Total Salivary Anti-oxidant Levels, Dental Development and Oral Health Status in Childhood Obesity.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to assess the total antioxidant levels, dental development, and oral health status in childhood obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 children aged 6-12 years consisting of both genders from different school along Coastal Karnataka, India were part of the study and were categorized into obese/overweight, and normal children based on body mass index for age and sex. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels determined by phosphomolybidic acid and spectrophotometric method were considered. Oral hygiene index-simplified, modified gingival index and dentition status index were used to analyze oral health status. Dental development was assessed using a clinical method and correlated with standard chronology of human dentition. RESULTS: Levels of the total salivary antioxidants were increased in the study group which is very highly significant when compared with control group, oral health status in both the study group and control group was good. Number of children in study group showing accelerated dental development is relatively less when compared with control group, but is not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Salivary TAC was significantly high in overweight and obese children than their normal counterparts. Prevalence of dental caries was high in obese/overweight children when compared to normal children.

Effect of aqueous and alcoholic Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) extracts against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus in comparison to chlorhexidine: An in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: Stevia (S. rebaudiana) a herb which has medicinal value and was used in ancient times as a remedy for a great diversity of ailments and sweetener. Leaves of Stevia contain a high concentration of Stevioside and Rebaudioside which are supposed to be sweetening agents. AIM: To compare the efficacy of aqueous and alcoholic S. rebaudiana extract against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus in comparison to chlorhexidine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the first part of the study, various concentrations of aqueous and ethanolic Stevia extract were prepared in the laboratory of Pharmacy College. It was then subjected to microbiological assay to determine its zone of inhibition using Agar disk diffusion test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using serial broth dilution method against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Chlorhexidine was used as a positive control. One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was used for multiple group comparisons followed by Tukey post hoc for group wise comparisons. RESULTS: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of aqueous and ethnolic Stevia extract against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus were 25% and 12.5% respectively. Mean zone of inhibition of the aqueous and alcoholic Stevia extracts against Streptococcus mutans at 48 hours were 22.8 mm and 26.7 mm respectively. Mean zone of inhibition of the aqueous and alcoholic Stevia extracts against Lactobacillus acidophilus at 48 hours were 14.4 mm and 15.1 mm respectively. Mean zone of inhibition of the chlorhexidine against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus at 48 hours was 20.5 and 13.2 respectively. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect shown by alcoholic Stevia extract against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus was superior when compared with that of aqueous form and was inferior when compared with Chlorhexidine.

Oral Health Literacy and Oral Health Status among Adults Attending Dental College Hospital in India.

BACKGROUND: Low health literacy is one among many reasons why preventable diseases remain so common and why people often do not adopt healthy practices. It is important to detect patients with inadequate oral health literacy (OHL) and to improve the level of communication between the provider and the patient. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between OHL with selected socio-demographic variables and oral health status among adults in Virajpet, Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A convenience sample of 187 subjects from the out-patient department of Coorg-Institute of Dental Sciences Hospital administered the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (REALD-30). The demographic variables and the oral health status were recorded for every participant using World Health Organization oral health survey proforma (1997). Data were analyzed using t-tests, analysis of variance, correlations and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The associations between REALD-30 scores and gender, age, and ethnicity were not statistically significant. Significant associations were found between REALD scores and the following oral-health related variables: Temperomandibular joint problems, prevalence of prosthetic need, CPI (Community Periodontal Index) and loss of attachment scores. REALD-30 scores were negatively correlated with DMFT (Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth) scores and DAI (Dental Aesthetic Index) scores. CONCLUSION: OHL was not associated with sex, age, or ethnicity in this sample of the Virajpet population. OHL was associated with oral health status. Lower OHL was associated with poorer oral health status. OHL instruments can be considered to be included as screening tools to identifying individuals or groups with poor oral health outcomes.