Forensically Valuable Odonatological Records Documentation in an Era of Electronics: How Aware Are the Dental Fraternity?

Background: Forensic odontology plays a pivotal role in the identification of victims in mass disasters with the help of "Preserved dental records" available to general dental practitioners (GDPs). Comparison of dental data obtained from the deceased person with dental data obtained by the dentist from the person's file is a primary method of identification through dental evidence. Aim: We explored the practice of maintaining dental records among GDPs, as well as their knowledge of legal regulations and the application of dental records in forensic odontology. Materials and Method: Two hundred fifty dentists participated in an online survey. Questions covered general information on dentists, maintenance of dental records, and knowledge of legal requirements and forensic odontology. Results: Overall, 85.2% of dentists obtain and archive written informed consent, while 73.2% retain records in the form of dental cast. Generally, non-carious dental lesions and developmental dental anomalies were not recorded. About 90.8% of dentists use Fédération Dentaire Internationale (FDI) notation. Conclusion: The survey revealed different practices in the maintenance of dental records, including significant flaws and a lack of awareness of their forensic importance. This obvious need for additional education on the proper maintenance of dental records could be met by including forensic odontology in compulsory undergraduate courses and postgraduate dental education. Establishing national and international standards in dental charting would comply with contemporary trends in health care and the requirements of forensic expertise.

A clinic-pathological research explored the significance of ascorbic acid and iron levels in serum and saliva in premalignant disorder patients at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Context: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), or OSMF, is a well-known, potentially premalignant condition of the oral cavity. Monitoring OSMF widespread effects necessitate interventions in at-risk individuals, ideally before the disease becomes aggressive. Ascorbic acid and iron, for instance, are significant micronutrients in the pathogenesis of OSMF. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the significance of ascorbic acid and iron levels in serum and saliva in patients with premalignant disorder (OSMF) and to correlate variations in ascorbic acid and iron levels with histopathological grading. Settings and Design: The present study was conducted on 195 patients over a period of 10 months. Subjects and Methods: These patients were divided into two groups, Group I (n = 88, Control), Group II (n = 107, clinically diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed cases of OSMF). Serum and salivary ascorbic acid were analyzed by the dintrophenyl hydrazine method, whereas serum and salivary iron were analyzed by the dipyridyl method. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired t-test and Fisher test were used to compare between the mean and to find the level of significance P value. Results: The serum and salivary ascorbic acid levels consistently decreased with the progression of histopathological grading of OSMF. Serum and salivary iron levels were also decreased in OSMF patients, and it came as significant. Conclusions: Excess collagen synthesis during OSMF may have been promoted with ascorbic acid and iron. As a reason, serum and salivary monitoring may be significant in detecting and diagnosing OSMF early on.

Awareness of Indian government initiated social security schemes utilization among villagers of Kanpur rural region: An evaluative cross sectional study.

Context: In India, the use of social security schemes by the rural population has not been evaluated with much consideration. The awareness of these social security programs plays a vital role in their use. Aims: This research was conducted to evaluate the awareness among the rural population regarding government-initiated social security schemes and to provide recommendations based on the results of the study. Settings and Design: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural health care center. Methods and Material: A sample of 250 individuals in the rural health care center of a dental college was subjected to a questionnaire regarding the awareness of the government-launched social security schemes-Sukanya Samridhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Statistical Analysis Used: The study data were analyzed by Epi Info™ 7 software package. Descriptive statistics were assessed and differences between the two groups were compared using the Chi-square test and the P value of < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: In the present study, 212 rural people were aware of any one of the recently initiated social security schemes, and the awareness level of these social security schemes was higher in those with age more than 30 years, males, literates, and classes 3 and 4 economic groups of population. Conclusions: The rural population's knowledge of the government's social security schemes is strong, and it is affected by people's age, gender, literacy level, and socioeconomic status.

A biochemical research focused on the association of the levels of oxidative stress and nitric oxide with premalignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Context: The reactive oxygen species such as superoxide radicals (O2 •), hydroxyl radicals (OH•), and hydrogen peroxide play a vital role in the pathogenesis of human cancer development and have become one of the areas of key interest in the field of biochemical analysis. Aims: The present study was designed to determine the significance of oxidative stress and levels of nitric oxide (NO) in patients with premalignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), by evaluating the levels of lipid peroxidation products, antioxidants, and NO products. Settings and Design: The present study was conducted on 280 patients for 2 years. These patients were divided into 4 groups, Group I (n = 70, control), Group II (n = 70, oral submucous fibrosis), Group III (n = 70, OSCC), and Group IV (n = 70, OL). Subjects and Methods: The levels of lipid peroxidation products, antioxidants, and NO products were determined by colorimetric methods. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired t-test was used to compare the mean. Results: Lipid peroxidation products such as lipid hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde and NO products such as nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-), and total nitrite (TNO2-) were significantly elevated, whereas enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants were significantly lowered in OSCC, oral submucous fibrosis, and oral leukoplakia when compared to normal healthy participants. The P values were calculated and came as statistically significant (<0.05). Conclusions: Antioxidant enzyme impairment and NO status may be considered as one of the factors responsible for oral cancer pathogenesis and may serve as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for minimizing malignant transformation in oral premalignant disorders.

Pulmonary function test: A critical domain in oral submucous fibrosis patients.

INTRODUCTION: The study aims to measure and compare pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients (smokers/nonsmokers) and normal individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 150 participants that comprised 50 nonsmoker OSMF patients, 50 OSMF patients who smoke as well, and 50 patients with no deleterious habits. Spirometer was used to assess PFT. RESULTS: Results showed that a significant P value was obtained for forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and also for the predicted values of FEV, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, and MVV in OSMF (smokers/nonsmokers) study groups. CONCLUSION: Thus, the decrease in pulmonary function can be an alarming sign for restrictive type of pulmonary disease.

Non-specific Chief Complaints Among Oral Submucous Fibrosis Patients at Outpatient Department and Pan Shop at Rural Region in India.

AIM: The first communication with a healthcare professional is critical for determining the correct diagnosis, particularly when it comes to patients' description of symptoms. This study aimed at exploring the primary symptoms observed in oral submucous fibrosis patients with non-specific complaints visiting outpatient department and pan shop at Kanpur, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study involving a two-stage sampling to select clinically diagnosed oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) patients from the outpatient department and pan shop customers (PSCs) at rural healthcare centers. A total of 321 participants were selected based on convenience sampling. Patient demographics, history of relevant habits with a period, and socioeconomic status were all documented. The extent of mouth opening was used to grade OSF cases. Data were analyzed using MedCalc Version 19.7.2 with χ2, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and t-tests used, as appropriate, to calculate P-values. RESULTS: Out of the 184 OSF-OPD patients, only 59 (32.06%) described relevant disease symptoms of OSF: in stage III, 28.5% or stage IV, 38.7%. One hundred and twenty-five patients (67.93%) reported chief complaints (CCs) unrelated to OSF, and all of these cases were diagnosed with an early stage of OSF (stage I: 72.41% and stage II: 61.53%). Out of the total 137 PSCs, 74 PSCs have had prior dental consultations, but only 44 (32.11%) people had sought medical help because of OSF-related CCs. CONCLUSION: A limited number of studies were conducted in this area, particularly in the rural population of central India. Our study found that considerable amount of main complaints from OSF patients was unrelated to their symptoms. There is insufficient knowledge of OSF symptoms among rural population, which further restricts early detection of the disease.

Alveolar Osteonecrosis and Tooth Exfoliation in Herpes Zoster: A Rare Pediatric Case Report and Review of Literature.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is an envelope, spherical, 150-200 nm in diameter virus, with the single, linear, double-stranded DNA molecule, 125,000 nt long. It belongs to the genus Varicellovirus, family. How to cite this article: Singh G, Mehrotra A, Garg K, et al. Alveolar Osteonecrosis and Tooth Exfoliation in Herpes Zoster: A Rare Pediatric Case Report and Review of Literature. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(S-1):S106-S109.

Is safeguard compromised? Surgical mouth mask harboring hazardous microorganisms in dental practice.

CONTEXT: Dental personals are more prone to acquire infections through saliva and aerosols. Surgical masks (SMs) are used by dental professionals to reduce microorganism shedding from the mouth, nose, and face of the patient. AIMS: This aim of the study is to assess the bacterial and fungal presence and their prevalence over the contaminated surgical mask in dental practice. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was conducted with sample size 240 used surgical masks collected from 130 dental personnel. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted with analysis involved inoculation of external and internal surfaces in an enrichment media for isolation of bacteria and fungi. Group of isolated bacteria and fungi were preliminarily identified by morphology and using Gram's stain and lacto-phenol cotton blue mediums. Data were analyzed using paired t-test; the significant level of P < 0.050. RESULTS: Microbiological analysis of samples revealed bacteria Staphylococci 26.35% as a predominant species followed by Pseudomonas 17.82% and Streptococci 15.50%. Aspergillus fungal species was also present in 6.97%. Mean ± SD of bacterial and fungal contamination on inside/outside area of the used masks was 48 ± 26 and 180 ± 110 cfu/ml/piece and 14 ± 6 and 32 ± 13 cfu/ml/piece, respectively, P < 0.001. The used surgical masks from dental department personnel working outpatient dental department had relatively higher bacterial and fungal contamination than the other dental departments. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce a load of microorganism contamination in the clinical environment, more awareness campaigns should be implemented in daily routine and air quality of dental departments should be improved with necessary protective measures.

Effectiveness of single use over multiple use toothbrushes on negative oral microflora of plaque.

CONTEXT: Role of toothbrush in decreasing oral microflora. AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness and compare the negative oral microbial flora of dental plaque after the use of a self-contaminated multiple use toothbrush and that of a single-use toothbrush. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Sixty healthy individuals without any systemic conditions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study conducted with 60 participants who were free from any systemic or oral disease and without any adverse habits. In these participants, plaque samples were collected after 1 month use of a self-contaminated multiple use toothbrush. Each participant was given a set of 30 new toothbrushes and a toothpaste tube and instructed to use one toothbrush everyday and discard it after use. The plaque samples were collected on seven days interval and cultured on Mitis Salivarius agar. The colonies were identified and their count was recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Student t test was applied. RESULTS: Streptococcus mutans, S. sanguis, S. milleri, and Candida were identified from the samples. A highly marked decrease in their numbers was found after the use of a single-use toothbrush over multiple use toothbrushes. CONCLUSIONS: As a self-contaminated multiple use toothbrushes can aid microorganisms to grow rapidly into the oral cavity, it may be preferable to change the toothbrush as frequently as possible.