Prevalence of dental caries among male students aged 15-17 years in southern Asir, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries had been studied by several studies in Saudi Arabia among different age groups and at various places. According to World Health Organization (WHO), assessment of caries at 15 years of age is more meaningful. The objective of this survey was to assess the prevalence of dental caries among 15-17-year teenage students in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Results of the present study can be used as baseline data for future oral health interventions for the population. METHODS: A stratified cluster random sampling was followed in selecting the students. The clinical data was collected using dentition status component of WHO oral health assessment form 2013. Five investigators were trained and calibrated with 20 subjects for two successive days (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.91). Data was analyzed for descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare the DMFT scores. RESULTS: Prevalence of dental caries among the study population was found to be 72.9%. The DMFT scores were found to be highest in the posteriors (90.7%). First permanent molar was the most common tooth affected by dental caries in all quadrants. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that there is a high prevalence of dental caries among students aged 15-17 years in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Caries prevalence was highest in mandibular posterior segments, however, it was lowest in mandibular anterior segments. There is an urgent need for both preventive and curative dental health services in the region. It is recommended that a coordinated school dental program may be initiated in the area.

Oral rehabilitation of Parkinson's disease patient: a review and case report.

Parkinson's disease is usually seen in adults in their middle and late ages. Most people with this disease are less likely to opt for dental treatments unless it is an acute condition. Tremors caused by Parkinson's disease can make dental appointments, especially prolonged treatments, a challenge. The case presented here was successfully treated with an immediate denture for the partially edentulous maxillary and mandibular arches. Early morning brief appointments were given for the procedure. Patient was instructed to take the prescribed parkinsonism medications 60 to 90 minutes before the appointment to utilize the advantage of its peak response. Sympathetic and caring approach towards the patient was employed to reduce his anxiety during the procedures. Some modification of technics and materials was adopted to suit the special situation.

Radiation risk assessment in professionals working in dental radiology area using buccal micronucleus cytome assay.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of micronuclei (MN) in buccal mucosal cells of professionals working in radiology area to determine the risk of stochastic effects of radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the professionals and students working in King Khalid University - College of Dentistry radiology area were included in the Risk Group (RG = 27). The Control Group (CG = 27) comprised of healthy individual matching the gender and age of the RG. Buccal mucosal scraping from all the 54 subjects of RG and CG were stained with Papanicolaou stain and observed under oil immersion lens (×100) for the presence of micronuclei (MN) in the exfoliated epithelial cells. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the incidence of MN in RG and CG (p = >0.05) using t-test. CONCLUSION: Routine radiation protection protocol does minimize the risk of radiation induced cytotoxicity, however, screening of professionals should be carried out at regular intervals.

The prevalence of fifth cusp (cusp of carabelli) in the upper molars in Saudi Arabian school students / Prevalencia de la cúspide mesiopalatina de los molares superiores (tubérculo de carabelli) en estudiantes secundarios de Arabia Saudita

The cusp of carabelli trait was first described by Carabelli in 1842. If present, it is seen on the mesial aspect of the mesiopalatal cusp of the deciduous maxillary second molar or permanent maxillary first, second and third molar. The level of expression varies from a mere pit or groove to a well developed cusp. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of this trait in Abha Secondary School boys in the age range of 15-20 years. 917 subjects without caries or fillings (or missing) in permanent upper first (16/26) and second molars (17/27) were selected out of the 3408 students examined. The trait was recorded as present or absent in 16/26 and 17/27 only as most of the students had erupted premolars and unerupted third molars. The trait was present in 41.7 percent of the population out of which 82.2 percent were seen on 16/26 bilaterally. It showed more predilection to permanent maxillary right first molar ­ 39.4 percent than permanent maxillary left first molar ­35.8 percent. Only 3.1 percent of the population had the trait on 17/27. These results are in contrast with the prevalence studies carried out in Riyadh - 57.6 percent and Jeddah - 58.7 percent. Nevertheless, it places the Saudi population in moderate CT prevalence group.

La cúspide o tubérculo de carabelli, fue descrita por primera vez por Carabelli en 1842. Si está presente, se observa en la cara mesial de la cúspide mesio-palatina del segundo molar superior permanente o temporal, segundo y tercer molar permanentes. El nivel de expresión varía desde una simple fosa a una cúspide bien desarrollada. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia de este tubérculo en los alumnos de escuelas secundarias de Abha en el rango de edad entre 15-20 años. 917 sujetos sin caries ni obturaciones (o extracción) en los primeros (16/26) y segundos (17/27) molares maxilares permanentes fueron seleccionados entre 3408 alumnos examinados. El tubérculo se registró como presente o ausente en 16/26 y 17/27 de los molares, la mayoría de los estudiantes tenían erupcionados los premolares y no erupcionados los terceros molares. El tubérculo estuvo presente en el 41,7 por ciento de la población estudiada, fuera de la cual se observó en el 82,2 por ciento sobre 16/26 bilateralmente. Hubo mayor predilección por el primer molar permanente del lado derecho, un 39,4 por ciento, en comparación al lado izquierdo, 35,8 por ciento. Sólo el 3,1 por ciento de la población tuvo el tubérculo sobre 17/27. Estos resultados contrastan con los estudios de prevalencia realizados en Riyadh con 57,6 por ciento y Jeddah con 58,7 por ciento. Sin embargo, coloca a la población de Arabia Saudita en el grupo de moderada prevalencia del tubérculo de carabelli.

The antimicrobial effect of 0.1 ppm ozonated water on 24-hour plaque microorganisms in situ.

Ozone is a known oxidant present in the atmosphere and is commercially produced by simple ozonizer machines. It is a powerful antimicrobial agent in its gaseous and aqueous forms. Ozone readily dissolves in water and retains its antimicrobial property even in the dissolved state. In this study, the effect of 0.1 ppm ozonated water was analyzed on 24-hour supragingival plaque (SP) samples in situ. SP was collected from the two most posterior teeth in the contra-lateral quadrants before and after a 30-second rinse with either distilled water (control group) or 0.1 ppm ozonated water (test group). The plaque was used to count the number of total bacteria, total anaerobic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans on selective agar media. The statistical analysis of the number of colony forming units (CFUs) obtained demonstrated a significant antimicrobial effect of ozonated water on the total bacteria (p = 0.01) and anaerobes (p = 0.02). A reduction in the post-rinse CFU count for Streptococcus mutans was also observed, but the effect was not statistically significant (p = 0.07). The Candida species was only grown from one sample. Ozonated water at the 0.1 ppm concentration was effective in reducing the load of 24-hour plaque bacteria, but it did not eliminate them completely.

The antimicrobial effect of 0.1 ppm ozonated water on 24-hour plaque microorganisms in situ

Ozone is a known oxidant present in the atmosphere and is commercially produced by simple ozonizer machines. It is a powerful antimicrobial agent in its gaseous and aqueous forms. Ozone readily dissolves in water and retains its antimicrobial property even in the dissolved state. In this study, the effect of 0.1 ppm ozonated water was analyzed on 24-hour supragingival plaque (SP) samples in situ. SP was collected from the two most posterior teeth in the contra-lateral quadrants before and after a 30-second rinse with either distilled water (control group) or 0.1 ppm ozonated water (test group). The plaque was used to count the number of total bacteria, total anaerobic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans on selective agar media. The statistical analysis of the number of colony forming units (CFUs) obtained demonstrated a significant antimicrobial effect of ozonated water on the total bacteria (p = 0.01) and anaerobes (p = 0.02). A reduction in the post-rinse CFU count for Streptococcus mutans was also observed, but the effect was not statistically significant (p = 0.07). The Candida species was only grown from one sample. Ozonated water at the 0.1 ppm concentration was effective in reducing the load of 24-hour plaque bacteria, but it did not eliminate them completely.

Fused double supernumerary premolars of the mandible: a rare case.

The incidence of nonsyndromic supernumerary premolars is rare. Supernumerary premolars are likely to undergo pathological changes. The most commonly encountered complications with these teeth are dentigerous cyst and root resorption of the adjacent tooth. This paper is about impacted double fused supernumerary premolars in the right mandiblular body associated with an impacted first premolar in a 17-year-old male. Under local anesthesia, the supernumerary premolars and the impacted permanent first premolar were surgically removed. Early diagnosis followed by an appropriate treatment at the right time will result in favorable prognosis in such cases.