Assessing Angle's malocclusion among cleft lip and/or palate patients in Jammu.

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to examine the patients with abnormalities of cleft lip and/or palate and its association with different types of malocclusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was done among 168 patients with abnormalities of cleft lip and/or palate. Angle's classification of malocclusion was applied for assessment of occlusion as Class I, Class II, and Class III. The types of oral clefts classification such as cleft lip unilateral and cleft lip bilateral, cleft palate (CP), unilateral cleft lip with palate (UCLP) and bilateral cleft lip with palate (BCLP) was considered. Chi-square test was applied to analyze the data at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The study showed different categories of clefts patients as cleft lip (81), CP (31), and both cleft lip and palate (53). The occurrence of unilateral cleft lip (44) was maximum among the sample followed by UCLP (39), and bilateral cleft lip (31). Maximum subjects with Class II (10.7%) and Class III (4.9%) malocclusion were seen with unilateral cleft lip deformities. None of the patients with UCLP had Class III malocclusion. CONCLUSION: Cleft lip was the most commonly observed deformity and high frequency of Class II and III malocclusion was evident. Therefore, patients with such abnormalities should be screened timely.

Awareness of General Dental Practitioners about Oral Screening and Biopsy Procedures in Udaipur, India.

PURPOSE: Oral cancer presents with high mortality rates, and the likelihood of survival is remarkably better when detected early. The present study aimed to assess the awareness of general dental practitioners (GDPs) about oral screening and biopsy procedures in Udaipur, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 83 GDPs were surveyed using a self-administered structured questionnaire consisting of several mandatory and optional questions. The data were analysed and frequency distribution was performed. RESULTS: Most of the GDPs adequately performed complete oral cavity examinations and were aware of suspicious oral lesions, most common sites and risk factors for oral pre-cancer/cancer, but did not inquire about patients' tobacco/ alcohol consumption habits. Half of them referred lesions requiring biopsy to a specialist/higher centre rather than performing biopsies themselves, even after recognising the importance of biopsy as a diagnostic tool due to concerns of inadequate experience and instruments required. Varied results regarding selection of the appropriate site for biopsy and preservation of biopsied specimens were noted. CONCLUSION: Most of the GDPs were adequately aware of oral screening and biopsy procedures but felt reluctant to perform them, which suggests that dental education programmes are needed for GDPs in oral pre-cancer/cancer detection as well as screening and diagnostic procedures.

Calretinin as a diagnostic adjunct for ameloblastoma.

Background. Calretinin is a 29 kDa calcium-binding protein of the EF-hand family which is expressed in a variety of normal and tumorigenic tissues. Its expression in odontogenic epithelium during odontogenesis and in neoplastic odontogenic tissues has been demonstrated. Unicystic ameloblastoma poses a diagnostic challenge, as its histologic presentation can be sometimes mistaken for keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT). This study was performed to assess the usefulness of calretinin as a confirmatory marker for ameloblastic tissue. Methodology. Total of 40 cases: 16 unicystic ameloblastoma, 4 multicystic ameloblastoma, and 20 KCOT, were evaluated immunohistochemically for the presence, localization, distribution, and intensity of calretinin expression. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test to intercompare the expression between ameloblastoma and KCOT. Results. Sixteen cases of ameloblastoma (12 unicystic, 4 multicystic) showed positive calretinin staining of ameloblastic epithelium and only one case of KCOT was positive for calretinin, with the positivity restricted to the stellate reticulum like epithelium. Intercomparison between two groups revealed statistically significant difference (P = 0.000). Conclusion. Calretinin appears to be a specific immunohistochemical marker for neoplastic ameloblastic epithelium and may be an important diagnostic adjunct in the differential diagnosis of ameloblastoma and KCOT.

Prevalence of anterior teeth fracture among visually impaired individuals, India.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of anterior teeth fracture among visually impaired individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 103 blind individuals (70 males and 33 females), with age ranges from 10 years to 29 years, the survey was carried out according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and by using WHO classification for teeth fracture. All subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of whether they are partially sighted or totally blind. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, with keeping the level of significance at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of 34.95% of traumatic injuries to anterior teeth was found in the study population with no significant difference between both groups (P < 0.05). Female were having significantly more fracture than males (P < 0.005). Fall being indoor was the most common cause. Permanent maxillary central incisors were most commonly injured with injuries involving enamel and dentin being the most frequently observed. Increased overjet and inadequate lip coverage were significantly associated with the occurrence of trauma (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental injuries in a group of individuals with blind. This should alert caregivers to carry out a profound investigation of the events and suggest methods to reduce this type of morbidity.

A practicable approach for periodontal classification.

The Diagnosis and classification of periodontal diseases has remained a dilemma since long. Two distinct concepts have been used to define diseases: Essentialism and Nominalism. Essentialistic concept implies the real existence of disease whereas; nominalistic concept states that the names of diseases are the convenient way of stating concisely the endpoint of a diagnostic process. It generally advances from assessment of symptoms and signs toward knowledge of causation and gives a feasible option to name the disease for which etiology is either unknown or it is too complex to access in routine clinical practice. Various classifications have been proposed by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) in 1986, 1989 and 1999. The AAP 1999 classification is among the most widely used classification. But this classification also has demerits which provide impediment for its use in day to day practice. Hence a classification and diagnostic system is required which can help the clinician to access the patient's need and provide a suitable treatment which is in harmony with the diagnosis for that particular case. Here is an attempt to propose a practicable classification and diagnostic system of periodontal diseases for better treatment outcome.

Knowledge, attitude, behavioural response and use of preventive measures regarding pandemic H1N1 influenza outbreak among dental students in Udaipur city, India.

PURPOSE: To assess the knowledge, attitude, behavioural response and use of preventive measures regarding a pandemic H1N1 influenza outbreak among dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 448 dental students (118 in preclinical categories, 330 in clinical categories) were surveyed using a self-administered, structured questionnaire pretested through a pilot survey. RESULTS: Out of 448 dental students, 92.6% had heard about swine flu, whereas only 64.3% of them knew about the H1N1 virus. More than 50% of dental students showed a positive response towards swine flu attitude, and pandemic H1N1 influenza modified the behaviour of dental students. Respondents rated hand washing and face masks as the most effective measures for the prevention of pandemic influenza. CONCLUSION: Half of the dental students had enough information and showed a positive attitude towards a H1N1 pandemic influenza outbreak. However, the behavioural response of the participants was poor.

Oral hygiene and periodontal status among detainees in a juvenile detention center, India.

PURPOSE: To assess the oral hygiene and periodontal status and analyse the influence of age, education, institutionalization, type of visit and oral health behaviour on oral hygiene and periodontal status among detainees in juvenile detention center in Udaipur city, Rajasthan, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total sample comprised 223 subjects (67.7% male and 32.3% female) aged 6 to 18 years. Clinical examination included assessment of oral hygiene and periodontal status using OHI-S (Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified) and CPI (Community Periodontal Index), respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square, Student t-test and stepwise multiple linear and multiple logistic regression analysis were carried out to find the relation between oral hygiene/ periodontal status and different independent variables. RESULTS: The results showed that the oral hygiene status of detainees was poor, with only 28.1% of the subjects having good oral hygiene. Mean OHI-S scores were significantly associated with all independent variables. Overall periodontal disease prevalence was 80.2% with bleeding and calculus contributing a major part (71.9%). Stepwise multiple linear and logistic regression analysis revealed that oral hygiene practice and type of visit in the detention center were the best predictors for the oral hygiene index, and for periodontal disease it was oral hygiene practice alone. CONCLUSION: The findings confirmed that detainees in the juvenile detention center have poor oral hygiene and an increased prevalence of periodontal disease compared to that of similarly ages in the general population.

Teeth fracture among visually impaired and sighted children of 12 and 15 years age groups of Udaipur city, India--a comparative study.

AIM: To compare the prevalence of anterior teeth fracture among sighted and visually impaired children of 12 and 15 years ages in Udaipur city, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out among 508 children (83 visually impaired and 425 sighted children), which comprised of 55 males and 28 females among visually impaired and 348 females and 77 males among sighted. The survey was carried out using Andreasen's classification for teeth fracture. Data was analyzed using chi-square test, with keeping level of significance at P < 0.05. RESULTS: It was found that, visually impaired children (32.5%) had significantly higher percentage of teeth fracture than that of sighted children (9.6%) (P = 001). Males had significantly higher percentage of teeth fracture than females in both groups (P = 0.001). It was observed that overjet of more than 3.5 mm had significantly increased risk of sustaining traumatic dental injuries among visually impaired (70.4%) than that of sighted individuals (46.3%) (P = 0.043). However, fracture of teeth was independent of age groups and lip coverage. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in a group of individuals with visual impairment was higher than that of sighted. This should alert caregivers to carry out a profound investigation of the events and suggest methods to reduce this type of morbidity.

Prevalence of allergy to latex gloves among dental professionals in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.

PURPOSE: Nowadays, gloves are worn routinely by most general dental practitioners while treating patients, with latex being the most commonly used glove material worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of allergy to latex gloves among dental professionals of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 163 dental professionals (73% males and 27% females) were surveyed using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was comprised of a total of 12 items and gave information about the participants and their glove use, namely demographic profile, working habits and glove use, signs and symptoms related to glove use, any other type of allergy, as well as precautions taken to minimise it. The statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to compare frequency and percentage. The level of significance was set at P u 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 26 (16%) dental professionals reported allergy to latex gloves, of which females (27.3%) reported significantly greater allergy than males (11.8%) (P = 0.016). The number of years of glove use was significantly associated with allergy to latex gloves (P = 0.000). The prevalence of allergy to latex gloves was significantly greater for those who had allergy to pollen grains, foodstuffs and rubber dam, those who had asthma or history of eczema and those with family history of allergy. However, allergy to latex gloves was independent of age, type of gloves used, hours of use per day as well as number of patients seen per day. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed a high rate of allergy to latex gloves among dental professionals in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Public knowledge, attitude and behavioural changes in an Indian population during the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak.

BACKGROUND: Influenza A (H1N1) is the most recent of the pandemic diseases that has affected the world's population. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and behavioural responses of an Indian community toward Influenza A (H1N1). METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in Udaipur (Rajasthan, India) among 791 individuals (57% males and 43% females) from 23 July to 27 August 2009. Outcome measures were perceived seriousness of the disease, opinion about government and health authorities, perceived efficacy of various preventive measures, avoidance behaviours, and increased hygiene maintenance in relation to Influenza A (H1N1). RESULTS: Of 791 respondents, 83.1% had heard about Influenza A (H1N1), but 47.4% felt that they did not have enough information about the pandemic. Only 34.5% felt that their health would be seriously affected if they contracted Influenza A (H1N1). Over half of the respondents (59.6%) had no idea about the duration of the pandemic. Knowledge differed significantly according to gender, age groups, and educational status as well as working status; however, females had better attitude than males. Respondents rated face masks and vaccines as the most effective preventive measures. CONCLUSION: Results showed that in spite of having acceptable knowledge and attitude, behavioural response to Influenza A (H1N1) was poor. Therefore, increased efforts should be made by the government to understand what factors are associated with adaptive behaviour changes among the general public. Emphasizing the efficacy of recommended actions and the possible duration of the outbreak may further help to improve public compliance.