Mean Distance of Mental Foramen from Inferior Border of Mandible among Patients Visiting the Outpatient Dental Department in a Tertiary Care Centre.

Introduction: Among many anatomical landmarks in the human skull, the mental foramen is a stable landmark on the mandible. The diverse morphology of the mandible indicates the specific characteristics of such anatomical structures in each individual. The aim of this study was to find out the mean distance of mental foramen from the inferior border of the mandible visiting the Outpatient Dental Department in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients undergoing orthopantomogram in the Outpatient Dental Department of a tertiary care centre from 3 February 2022 to 31 July 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee. The patients with complete denture in the region of measurements were included in the study. A convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 207 patients, the mean distance from the inferior border of the mandible to the lower border of the mental foramen was 11.83±1.83 mm (11.58-12.07, 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The mean distance of mental foramen from the inferior border of the mandible was found to be similar to other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: gender; mandible; mental foramen.

Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders among Patients Attending the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology of a Tertiary Care Dental Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Despite oral cancer being a common cancer in Nepal, little is known about oral potentially malignant disorders which have a high likelihood of malignant transformation. This study aims to find out the prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders among patients attending the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology of a tertiary care dental hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 611 patients from 14th January, 2021 to 15th July, 2021 at the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology of a tertiary care centre after receiving ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 2306202002). Convenience sampling was done. Patients aged 18 years and above were enrolled into the study. Follow-up cases and patients requiring emergency treatment were, however, excluded. All demographic data, cancer and dietary history and clinical examinations were recorded. Descriptive analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22.0. Point estimate was done at a 95% Confidence Interval for frequency and percentages for binary data. Results: Among 611 total participants, the prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders was found to be 26 (4.25%) (2.65-5.85 at a 95% Confidence Interval), where males were 19 (73.07%), females were 7 (26.92%), and 23 (88.46%) of them had history of consuming various forms of tobacco, areca nut, and alcohol. Conclusions: The prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders in this hospital-based study was found to be lower than previous studies conducted in similar settings. Keywords: Nepal; oral cancer; prevalence; tobacco.

Orofacial Herpes Zoster Infection in Dental practice: A Case Report.

Herpes zoster infection, commonly known as Shingles, is caused by reactivation of the Varicella-Zoster virus which may have remained latent in the dorsal root ganglia. HZI is characterized by prodromal symptoms of unilateral deep aching, burning pain followed by a maculopapular rash, vesicular eruptions, ulcers, and scab formations over the affected nerve distribution. The ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve is more commonly involved in HZI than maxillary and mandibular branches; in particular, the maxillary involvement is rare. This is a case report of HZI in a 65-years-old male patient involving the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prompt use of antivirals in managing orofacial HZI in dental practice.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus in cows and unpasteurized cow milk from Norway.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is recognized as the most important zoonotic tick-transmitted virus in Europe. TBEV is mainly transmitted to humans through bites from TBEV-infected ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus). However, alimentary infection after consumption of unpasteurized milk and cheese from domestic ruminants has been reported. There is little information about TBEV in ruminants in Norway. The objectives of this study were to analyse unpasteurized cow milk for TBEV RNA and to study the presence of IgG antibodies to TBEV in the same animals. A total of 112 milk and blood samples were collected from cows from five different farms spread from southern to northern Norway. The milk samples were analysed by an in-house reverse transcription (RT) real-time polymerase chain reaction and confirmed by pyrosequencing. Serum samples were screened by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and verified by a TBEV-specific serum neutralization test. We found TBEV RNA in unpasteurized milk collected from farms in the municipalities of Mandal, Skedsmo and Brønnøy in 5.4% of the tested animals. Specific antibodies to TBEV were only detected in Arendal, where 88.2% of the tested animals were positive. Further studies on milk containing TBEV RNA should be performed to conclude if TBEV found in unpasteurized milk in Norway is infectious, which could be of great importance in a One Health perspective.