Evaluation of the Dentinal Shear Bond Strength and Resin Interface in Primary Molars after Pre-Treatment with Various Dentin Bio-Modifiers: An In Vitro Study.

Dentine adhesives have demonstrated great success with permanent teeth. Though the results in primary teeth are not well documented, some studies have demonstrated lower values of bond strength in primary teeth than those found in permanent teeth. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the effect of grape seed extract (6.5%) (Herbal Bio Solutions, Delhi, India), glutaraldehyde (5%) (Loba Chemie PVT. LTD., Mumbai), hesperidin (0.5%) (Herbal Bio Solutions, Delhi, India), and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (tooth mousse) (GC Corporation, Alsip, IL, USA) on the shear bond strength of dentine of primary teeth and to evaluate the resin tags at the resin tooth interface. Seventy-five caries-free human primary molars were collected, and their occlusal surfaces were ground flat. Dentin surfaces were etched using phosphoric acid. Then teeth were randomly assigned in sequential order to five groups according to the dentinal treatment method: Group I (Control group) (no treatment), Group II (5% glutaraldehyde), Group III (6.5% grape seed extract), Group IV (0.5% hesperidin), and Group V (CPP-ACP). Ten teeth from each group were assigned for Shear Bond Strength and five for SEM analysis. ANOVA and a post hoc least significant difference test (p < 0.05) were used for statistical analysis of the collected data. The grape seed extract group showed significantly increased shear bond strength than the control group (p < 0.05), and the mean length of resin tags in different dentine bio modifiers groups was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). The use of dentin bio modifiers such as 5% glutaraldehyde, 6.5% grape seed extract, 0.5% hesperidin, and CPP-ACP in the bonding process for primary teeth did not improve the dentinal bond strength.

Disinfection Efficacy of Laser Activation on Different Forms and Concentrations of Sodium Hypochlorite Root Canal Irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis in Primary Teeth.

Photoactivated disinfection with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) has improved primary root canal treatment outcomes. This in vitro study aims to assess and compare the disinfecting efficacy of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite gel, without laser activation and accompanied by laser activation, on Enterococcus faecalis-contaminated primary teeth root canals. After one month of incubating extracted teeth specimens with E. faecalis, 36 specimens were randomly divided into two groups: Group A (conventional method without laser-activated irrigation) and Group B (with laser-activated irrigation). Each group was further divided into three subgroups, with six samples in each subgroup. Subgroup 1 received irrigation with normal saline, Subgroup 2 with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution, and Subgroup 3 with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite gel. Diode laser activation at 810 nm was used in Group B. Bacterial colony counts were measured before and after the intervention. Student's t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Microbial analysis revealed no bacterial growth in samples irrigated with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite gel activated with the laser. Activation with the laser significantly (p = 0.02) improved the disinfection ability of the irrigant compared to the non-activation group. The disinfection ability of sodium hypochlorite gel was better than that of saline (p = 0.02); however, it was comparable to that of sodium hypochlorite solution (p = 0.67). Conclusion: Root canal irrigation with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite gel activated with an 810 nm diode laser resulted in complete eradication of Enterococcus faecalis, indicating its effectiveness as an endodontic disinfection treatment modality.

Prevalence of bone loss surrounding dental implants as detected in cone beam computed tomography: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of crestal, and apical bone loss (CBL & ABL) associated with dental implants in CBCT scans. The second objective was to assess the radiographic stage of implant disease and the visible predisposing factors. Materials and Methods: The CBCT scans that were taken from January 2015 to January 2022 in King Saud Medical City were screened to examine the marginal and periapical condition of dental implants. Information related to demographic variables, stage of bone loss, and radiographically evident predisposing factors were collected. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: In total, 772 implant scans were analyzed. The prevalence of crestal bone loss and apical bone loss around the implants were 6.9% and 0.4% respectively. The amount of bone loss was moderate in 52.8% of cases of CBL and 100% mild in cases of ABL. The risk factors for CBL were patient age (p < 0.001), implant location (p < 0.001), bone loss in proximal teeth (p < 0.001), and adjacent edentulous sites (p < 0.001). The risk factors for ABL were adjacent periapical infection (p < 0.001) and endodontic therapy (p = 0.024). Conclusion: The prevalence of CBL and ABL was low. The CBCT can be used as a diagnostic tool for studying the prevalence of bone loss associated with peri-implant disease and relevant risk factors. The implantation of CBCT to evaluate the success and the prognosis of dental implants or the treatment of peri-implant diseases can be further considered in future research.

Effectiveness of various irrigant activation techniques on the penetration of sodium hypochlorite into lateral canals of mature permanent teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This review aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of various irrigant activation techniques (IATs) on the penetration of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) into the lateral canals of mature permanent teeth. Methods: Electronic databases including MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify laboratory studies evaluating the penetration of NaOCl into lateral canals following the use of apical negative pressure irrigation (ANP), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), sonic irrigation (SI), and/or manual dynamic activation (MDA) techniques. Meta-analysis was performed for individual IATs in comparison with CNI into the lateral canals of both straight and curved root canals. On the basis of the previous literature and parameters, the risk of bias of the selected studies was evaluated with the help of a customized tool. Results: Of the 983 records screened, 12 studies were selected to include in the systematic review, and 10 studies were selected for the meta-analysis. The total quality assessment across the included studies indicated a high quality (83.3%). Overall, the meta-analysis demonstrated IATs had significant improvement in the penetration of NaOCl into the lateral canals of straight canals (34.3%) over CNI. The subgroup analysis of individual IATs demonstrated PUI (60.9%) to be superior in the penetration into lateral canals of straight canals. Conclusions: IATs improved the irrigant penetration into lateral canals and therefore their use during routine endodontic practice is recommended. In straight canals, PUI is the most effective IAT followed by ANP, SI, and MDA techniques.

Pediatric Dental Fluorosis and Its Correlation with Dental Caries and Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study among Preschool Children Living in Belagavi.

AIM: This study aims to assess the prevalence of dental fluorosis and its association with dental caries, oral health behaviors, oral-health-related quality of life and parents' perceptions among preschool children in the 3-5-year-old preschool children living in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, a non-endemic fluorosis region. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 1200 individuals of the preschool population from 48 government-sponsored child-care development centers in Belagavi, Karnataka, over a three-month period. They were examined following the Dean's fluorosis index (1942) and dmft (decayed, missed, and filled) scores of the participants were also recorded. Parents' perception of oral health was assessed using the self-administered Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). SPSS software (version 20) was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square test computed categorical data. One-way ANOVA test was used for multiple group comparisons. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 1200 children examined, 10 (0.83%) children exhibited dental fluorosis. Of the 10 children having fluorosis, six had fluorosis present on two or more of their primary teeth, and four had fluorosis on four or more teeth. The mean dmft score was 3.01 ± 1.38 to 3.60 ± 1.72 in 3-5-year-old children, respectively, with statistical significance difference (p < 0.001). The mean score of oral health-related quality of life was 10.74 ± 2.06, which was significantly correlated to the child's age and parents' education level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study shows a negligible amount of prevalence of dental fluorosis in the non-endemic fluorosis residential district. It also elucidates that children from lower and lower-middle socioeconomic status are more prone to suffer from dental fluorosis as compared to other groups. The mean score of ECOHIS increased proportionally with the caries experience, indicating a significant relationship between the dmft and ECOHIS score. Deciduous dentition fluorosis is often neglected, especially in areas that are not considered endemic for fluorosis and with only optimum fluoride levels in their groundwater, which supports the disease's nature as multi-factorial and shows that a broader perspective is of prime importance to assess, diagnose, and prevent dental fluorosis among the preschoolers, thereby appraising their overall health and hygiene status.

Evaluation of a "Picture Assisted Illustration Reinforcement" (PAIR) System for Oral Hygiene in Children with Autism: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study evaluated the potential of a novel pre-validated "Picture Assisted Illustration Reinforcement" (PAIR) communication system and conventional verbal techniques for Oral Health Education (OHE) in terms of dentition status, gingival health, oral hygiene status, and practices in 7- to 18-year-old children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A double-blind randomized controlled trial was undertaken in a school for children with autism from July to September 2022. A total of 60 children were randomly assigned into two groups: a PAIR group (n = 30) and a Conventional group (n = 30). Cognition and pre-evaluation of all the children were assessed by standardized scaling measures. A pre-validated closed-ended questionnaire was administered to caregivers of both groups. At a 12-week post-intervention, a clinical examination was performed using the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment form 2013, gingival and Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S). The gingival scores in the PAIR group (0.35 ± 0.12) exhibited a statistically significant decline in scores as compared to Conventional group (0.83 ± 0.37), p = 0.043. Meanwhile, the oral hygiene scores in the PAIR group and Conventional group were 1.22 ± 0.14 and 1.94 ± 0.15, respectively (p < 0.05). A significant improvement in oral hygiene practices was observed in the PAIR group. Incorporating the PAIR technique resulted in significant progress in child cognitive ability and adaptive behavior, which reduced gingival scores and improved oral hygiene scores, consequently improving oral hygiene practices among children with ASD.

Effectiveness of a Visual Interactive Game on Oral Hygiene Knowledge, Practices, and Clinical Parameters among Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a novel interactive game-based visual performance technique (IGVP) and conventional oral health educational (OHE) talk on plaque control, gingival health, and oral hygiene knowledge and practices in 12−15-year-old schoolchildren. A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was undertaken in a private primary school in Belagavi, Karnataka, India. A total of 100 children aged 12−15 years were randomly assigned to either a conventional OHE talk (control group, n = 50) or the IGVP technique (test group, n = 50), using a computer-generated table of random numbers. A self-designed, pre-validated closed-ended questionnaire was collected from both groups, followed by clinical examination carried out using gingival and plaque index, pre- and post-intervention, at three months follow-up. There was a significant reduction in the mean gingival score and plaque score in the test group after intervention, indicating a 58.7% and 63.4% reduction, when compared to the control group, which had a 2.8% and 0.7% reduction, respectively (p < 0.001). The test group showed a significant increase in the percentage of knowledge gained (22.4%), compared to control group (7.8%). The IGVP technique proved to be more effective than a conventional OHE talk in the reduction of the plaque score, gingival score, and in the improvement of the knowledge of oral hygiene maintenance and its application.

Impact of the Visual Performance Reinforcement Technique on Oral Hygiene Knowledge and Practices, Gingival Health, and Plaque Control in Hearing- and Speech-Impaired Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of oral health education (OHE), incorporating a novel pre-validated visual performance reinforcement (VPR) technique and sign language, on gingival health, plaque control, and oral hygiene knowledge and practices in 12 to 15-year-old hearing- and speech-impaired adolescents. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in a government school for deaf children in Belagavi, Karnataka, India. A total of 80 adolescents, aged 12-15 years, were randomly assigned, using a computer-generated table of random numbers, into two groups: Group A receiving the VPR technique (n = 40), and Group B receiving sign language (n = 40). A specially designed pre-validated closed-ended questionnaire was administered to both groups, followed by clinical examination to obtain the gingival and plaque index, before intervention and at a 16-week follow-up period. Group A showed a significant increase in the knowledge gained when compared to Group B. Similarly, a significant improvement in oral hygiene practices was also observed in Group A. However, at the 16-week follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences in gingival and plaque scores between the groups. OHE using the VPR technique can be as effective and satisfactory as sign language in the reduction of gingival and plaque scores and in the improvement of knowledge and its application in oral hygiene maintenance among hearing- and speech-impaired adolescents.

Reasons for Widespread Aspiration of Esthetics Veneers "Hollywood Smile": A Survey among Five Gulf Countries.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the factors that determine the aspiration for "Hollywood smile" among the residents in five Gulf countries. Materials and Methods: A survey was conducted among subjects aged 18-60 years. A self-designed 19 items questionnaire was prepared which consisted of multiple choices and open-ended questions. The first part of the survey included demographic questions. The second part included questions related to Hollywood smile. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the association between different variables was assessed by Chi-square test where P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 2061 subjects participated in the survey. The majority of participants were females (76.81%), 97.28% of them were aware of the term "Hollywood smile," and social media was the source of information. Statistically significant difference was noted among participants who underwent treatment according to residency place, age, educational level, and socioeconomic status (SES) and participants who were willing to undergo treatment in future according to gender, age, and SES. Conclusion: Subjects of younger age, higher education level, and higher SES underwent treatment. However, 23.83% of people were willing to undergo treatment. This reflects the increasing demand for esthetic treatment in future.

Comparison of Retention between Conventional and Nanofilled Resin Sealants in a Paediatric Population: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: This study compared conventional-resin-sealant versus nanofilled-sealant retention at different intervals. Methods: A double-blinded split-mouth randomized control trial was performed on sixty-two children aged from six to nine years. Participants with one pair of contralateral permanent first molars with deep fissures or noncavitated carious lesions were randomly selected for sealant application. Conventional resin sealant was applied on one molar and nanofilled sealant on the contralateral molar. Evaluations were performed at one, three, six, twelve and eighteen months to check for retention. The chi-squared test, McNemar test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Friedman test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Conventional resin sealant showed complete retention in 91.4%, 86.2%, 74.1%, 62.1% and 55.2% of the teeth, and nanofilled sealant showed complete retention in 89.7%, 81%, 77.6%, 69% and 67.2% of the teeth, at the end of 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months evaluation, respectively. Each sealant exhibited a statistically significant change (p < 0.05) in the retention rate during the evaluation period. However, when both the sealants were compared with each other, there was no statistically significant difference in any phase. At the end of 18 months, caries development was observed in 13.8% of the teeth sealed with conventional sealant, and in 10.3% of the teeth sealed with nanofilled sealant. Conclusion: At eighteen months, the nanofilled resin sealant exhibited complete retention in 12% more teeth than the conventional sealant. However, the difference was not statistically significant. The nanofilled resin sealant yielded an acceptable performance in sealing the occlusal pits and fissures of mandibular permanent first molars, compared to conventional pit-and-fissure sealants.

Assessment of Parental Knowledge towards Space Maintainer as an Essential Intervention after Premature Extraction of Primary Teeth.

This study assessed parents' knowledge about space maintainers as an interceptive strategy after premature loss of primary teeth. Methods and Material: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 600 parents; 456 (76%) were females, and 144 (24%) were males, recruited from an outpatient dental clinic at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of two sections; the first section collected sociodemographic data of participants, and the second section gathered parental knowledge of space maintainers. The research ethics committee granted ethical approval, and informed consent was obtained before participation. Results: 600 parents participated in this study. The total mean knowledge score regarding space maintainers was 7.97 ± 3.38. The mean knowledge score was 7.06 ± 2.99 for male parents and 8.26 ± 3.45 for female parents. The difference in the mean knowledge score between female and male parents was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference in the knowledge score and parents' age groups, with parents having the highest knowledge in the 30−40 age group (p = 0.0197). There was a positive correlation between knowledge scores and the number of children. Parents with one child showed less knowledge than those with two to four children (p = 0.0121). Conclusions: Participants' knowledge regarding space maintainers was 49.8%, which is considered inadequate. It was deemed essential to increase knowledge among parents about space maintainers as an interceptive approach after premature loss of primary teeth.

Comparison between water flosser and regular floss in the efficacy of plaque removal in patients after single use.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare water flosser and regular floss in the efficacy of plaque removal in patients after single use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare the plaque removal efficacy of water flosser and regular floss. Eighty three subjects who met the inclusion criteria were recruited from dental clinic. Silness and Löe plaque index was measured for all the subjects prior to and after the intervention by an examiner who was blind to the type of aid used. The type of floss used was randomly assigned to each side of the oral cavity; unflavored waxed regular floss (oral B) used on one side, while a water flosser (Waterpik® Cordless Plus Water Flosser) was used on the other side. A trained investigator used either unflavored waxed regular floss or water flosser as assigned. Paired t-test was used to compare between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean plaque scores at baseline were 1.10(±0.38) and 0.94(±0.38) respectively for regular floss and water flosser. The mean plaque scores were 0.12(±0.13) and 0.12(±0.15) respectively for regular floss and water flosser. There was no statistically significant difference in the plaque scores (p = 0.58) between the groups after the use of respective interdental aids. There was a statistically significant difference in the plaque scores before and after use of interdental aids for both the groups (p < 0.001). Reduction in plaque scores for regular floss and water flosser groups was 89.09% and 87.23% respectively. CONCLUSION: The results showed that water flosser was as efficient as regular floss in removing interdental plaque on single use. Water flosser could be recommended for subjects lacking manual dexterity, by care takers for better plaque control and subjects with fixed prostheses or undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Efficiency of Using Different Greater Taper Gutta-Percha Cones in Continuous Warm Vertical Condensation: An Ex Vivo Study.

AIM: The aim of this ex vivo randomized study is to evaluate the efficiency of gutta-percha cones that match a nickel-titanium instrumentation system and nonmatching greater taper cones, when used with continuous warm vertical condensation technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six straight canals were prepared using ProTaper Next files, and the apical third was obturated using either ProTaperNext cones (group A), ISO uniform greater taper cones (group B), or nonstandardized cones (group C). Cone adaptation time was quantified by the number of required modifications. Micro-computed tomography was used to measure voids and sealer percentage. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding void volume (p = 0.666), percentage (p = 0.379), and the number of modifications (p = 0.757). Sealer percentage, however, was significantly lower in group B when compared to group A (p = 0.0194). CONCLUSION: In straight canals, matching gutta-percha cones were not associated with significantly better obturation or saving time to fit the cone. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Using gutta-percha cones that do not match a nickel-titanium instrumentation system to obturate the straight canals with continuous warm vertical condensation technique is as efficient as using matching cones in terms of obturation quality and ease of cone fit.

Impact of Self-Perceived Dental Esthetic on Psycho-Social Well-Being and Dental Self Confidence: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Female Students in Riyadh City.

PURPOSE: To assess the self-perceived psychological impact of dental aesthetics among female university students and its relationship to various sociodemographic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 2400 female students from various departments of selected private and public universities in Riyadh City. Participants completed an Arabic translated version of the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetic Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and a short demographic sheet. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the sample's sociodemographic characteristics as well as the mean PIDAQ scores. Bivariate analysis (ANOVA) and linear regression were used to investigate the impact of the sociodemographic factors on the mean PIDAQ scores. RESULTS: The pilot test revealed the instruments' conceptual equivalence, semantic equivalence and ease of comprehension. Cronbach's alpha was 0.81, indicating good internal consistency. The total sample was 1845 with a mean age of 20.74 years. The total mean score for the (PIDAQ) was 58.10 (SD=11.41). Significant differences were detected between different university affiliation in the dental self-consciousness (<0.0001), social (<0.0001) and psychological impacts (0.0256) and the total PIDAQ scores (0.0024). Significant differences were also detected between different disciplines in the dental aesthetics (0.0110) and social (0.0195) domains as well as the total PIDAQ scores (0.0144). College level was also a significant factor where middle students were significantly impacted socially (0.0026) compared to junior level students. As for the impact of income, those with the highest income displayed greater social impact (0.0039), psychological impact (0.0046) and impact on aesthetic attitude (0.0037) when compared to students with lower income levels. CONCLUSION: Dental aesthetics was found to affect the psychological well-being of the subjects. University affiliation, faculty affiliation, college level, and level of income were all factors that significantly affected self-perceived aesthetics and psychosocial well-being.

Dental Caries and Its Association with Body Mass Index among School Children of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the relationship of dental caries with obesity among Saudi Arabian population. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the association of obesity with dental caries among school children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among 12- and 15-year-old government school children of Riyadh. A total of 2247 children were examined from 24 schools of Riyadh. Caries status (decayed, missing, and filled teeth [DMFT]) was recorded according to World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Survey 2013. Height and weight measurements were recorded after clinical examination. According to body mass index (BMI) percentiles, the children were classified as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Chi-square test was used to find association between variables for categorical data. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) was calculated for continuous measurements and to find the difference between the groups unpaired t test/analysis of variance was used. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Dental caries prevalence was 83.7% and mean DMFT was 5.31 ± 3.88 in the study population. A statistically significant difference was found for mean decayed, mean filled teeth, and overall mean DMFT between 12 and 15 years old (P < 0.001), but not for mean missing teeth (P = 0.137). There was no association between BMI categories and mean DMFT for both the age groups. CONCLUSION: The dental caries was found to be high among the study subjects compared to WHO norms. Older children had higher DMFT values than the younger children and there was no association between dental caries and BMI.

Prevalence of Dental Caries Among Primary School Children of India - A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: In India, the trend indicates an increase in oral health problems especially dental caries, which has been consistently increasing both in prevalence and in severity. Children of all age groups are affected by dental caries. It becomes imperative to collect the data on prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs to provide preventive care. AIM: To assess the prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs of 6-11years old Indian school children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Sampling frame consisted of 6-11years old primary school children. Study sample consisted of 13,200 children selected from 10 talukas of Belgavi District, Karnataka, India. Clinical examination for dmft and DMFT was carried out in the school premises by five teams, each consisting of one faculty, three postgraduate students and five interns from the KLE VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India. The examiners were trained and calibrated by the principal investigator. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square and t-test. RESULTS: The overall caries prevalence was 78.9%, mean dmft was 2.97±2.62 and mean DMFT was 0.17±0.53. The decayed teeth component was the principal component in both dmft and DMFT indices. The mean dmft in boys was higher compared to girls and it was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study provided us with the baseline data, using which treatment was provided to all the children screened. The children were provided treatment at the camp site/dental hospital/satellite centers and primary health care centers according to the facilities available.

Use of PowerPoint presentation as a teaching tool for undergraduate students in the subject of gerodontology.

AIM: Though different teaching learning media have been employed in the instruction of geriatric dentistry, their efficacy has not been adequately evaluated. This study was conducted with the aim to determine the efficacy of a PowerPoint presentation in teaching gerodontology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective follow-up study using a pre- and post-intervention assessment. A pilot study was conducted on the final year students to check the feasibility of the study. A convenience sampling procedure was used. All interns (n = 80) of the Modern Dental College and Research Centre, Indore, India were invited to participate. Interns completed a 24-item questionnaire documenting their current knowledge on gerodontology. One week after a 30 min PowerPoint presentation on gerodontology, the same interns completed the same questionnaire again, providing an indication of the efficacy of the learning tool. Paired t-test and McNemar test were employed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed in pre- and post-intervention scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that PowerPoint presentation can be used as an effective tool for improving the knowledge regarding gerodontology.

Awareness regarding oral cancer and oral precancerous lesions among rural population of Belgaum district, India.

Belgaum district of Karnataka state is well known for high production and consumption of tobacco in Southern India. This study aimed to investigate the rural population's awareness of oral cancer, precancerous lesions and their risk factors. Data were collected via face to face interviews using a pretested and validated questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised two parts: part one had questions concerning socio-demographic data and part two consisted of 25 questions pertaining to people's attitudes to and awareness of risk factors for oral cancer and precancerous lesions. One researcher interviewed participants and recorded the responses verbatim. Of the participants, 17% identified all the symptoms of oral cancer and 27.8% identified all the symptoms of oral precancerous lesions. Approximately 90% of the participants had never noticed statutory warnings on tobacco and alcohol products. Awareness was especially poor in people of lower socio-economic status. This study highlights a need for education concerning the risk factors for oral cancer, its clinical manifestations and the impact of adverse habits on long term health. Health education campaigns emphasizing oral cancer need to be integrated with broader public health messages.

Prevalence of dental caries and its relationship with trace elements present in drinking water among 12 year old children in rural areas of andhra pradesh, india

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship of trace elements present in drinking water and dental caries in children aged 12 years in rural areas of Andhra Pradesh India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 451children aged 12 years. Clinical examination was carried out and caries experience was recorded. Drinking water samples were collected and subjected to trace element analysis using ICP-MS equipment. Oneway ANOVA, Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and Multiple Logistic Regression were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant relation was found between caries and trace elements like Vanadium (p<0.001), strontium (p<0.001) and lead (p<0.01) in the drinking water. CONCLUSION: It may be postulated from this study that a mixture of trace elements such as fluorine, strontium, boron, and molybdenum may work together to retard caries.

Perception of health care providers toward geriatric oral health in Belgaum district: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To access knowledge and practices related to the oral health of geriatrics among the health care providers practicing in urban and rural areas. BACKGROUND: Older adults have identified a number of barriers that contribute to lack of dental service use. However, barriers that clinicians encounter in providing dental treatment to older adults are not as clear-cut. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 236 health professionals (of allopathy, ayurveda, and homeopathy) from urban and rural areas were assessed by means of structured questionnaire related to oral health practices and beliefs. RESULTS: Doctors practicing in urban areas assessed dental care needs more frequently (P = 0.038) and performed greater practices related to oral health of geriatrics (P = 0.043) than the doctors practicing in primary health care (PHC) centers (rural) (P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Owing to the relative lack of knowledge among rural practitioners, there is a need to integrate primary health care with oral care in rural areas.