Control Of Oral Diseases Research Articles

A protocol for an overview of systematic reviews to map photodynamic inactivation evidence in different dental specialties.

This is a protocol for an overview to summarize the findings of Systematic Reviews (SR) dealing with Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) for control of oral diseases. Specific variables of oral infectious will be considered as outcomes, according to dental specialty. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), MEDLINE, LILACS, Embase, and Epistemonikos will be searched, as well as reference lists. A search strategy was developed for each database using only terms related to the intervention (PDI) aiming to maximize sensitivity. After checking for duplicate entries, selection of reviews will be performed in a two-stage technique: two authors will independently screening titles and abstracts, and then full texts will be assessed for inclusion/exclusion criteria. Any disagreement will be resolved through discussion and/or consultation with a third reviewer. Data will be extracted following the recommendations in Chapter V of Cochrane Handbook and using an electronic pre-specified form. The evaluation of the methodological quality and risk of bias (RoB) of the SR included will be carried out using the AMSTAR 2 and ROBIS. Narrative summaries of relevant results from the individual SR will be carried out and displayed in tables and figures. A specific summary will focus on PDI parameters and study designs, such as the type and concentration of photosensitizer, pre-irradiation time, irradiation dosimetry, and infection or microbiological models, to identify the PDI protocols with clinical potential. We will summarize the quantitative results of the SRs narratively.

Towards the integration of prevention and control of oral diseases within child primary healthcare: The case of Peru.

The Peruvian public health norm of primary healthcare (PHC) for growth and development medical check-ups (CRED, Spanish acronym) of children under 5 years of age was updated in 2017 with the inclusion of interdisciplinary prevention and control actions for oral diseases, such as dentist referral. The aim of this study was to explore the association between CRED and oral health services utilization (OHSU), throughout the heterogeneous Peruvian territory. A population-based cross sectional study was conducted using the 2021 Demographic and Family Health Survey of Peru and included data from 15 836 children aged 12-59 months. Poisson generalized linear models were used to evaluate the association between any CRED and OHSU, in the 6 months prior to the survey, including sociodemographic characteristics of the children and their mothers as confounding variables. A possible effect modification by natural region of residence (Metropolitan Lima/rest of the Coast/Highlands/Jungle) was evaluated. To examine the robustness of the regression model, a sensitivity analysis was performed using the cumulative number of CRED. Children who had at least one CRED were almost twice as likely to report OHSU (aPR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.73-2.21), which was greater in the regions of rest of the Coast (aPR: 2.56; 95% CI: 2.00-3.17) and Jungle (aPR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.64-2.56). The sensitivity analysis showed consistent results for the association CRED-OHSU. Nevertheless, within the last 6 months, attendance at CRED and OHSU were only achieved by 43.7% and 13.7% of the children respectively. Integrating oral health into Peruvian Child PHC seems to be a promising public health intervention to increase children's OHSU. For a greater scope, it is crucial to drive greater attendance at CRED and continuous monitoring and strengthening of CRED-based oral health promotion in all Peruvian natural regions with an equity-focused approach.

Barriers to prevention in oral health care for english NHS dental patients: a qualitative study of views from key stakeholders

BackgroundDespite significant progress in the control of oral diseases since the discovery of fluoride in the 1940s, dental caries and periodontal diseases continue to affect a significant proportion of the population, particularly socially disadvantaged and lower socioeconomic groups. The National Health Service in England provides preventive advice and treatments as part of an oral health assessment, and evidence-based guidance recommends the use of fissure sealants and topical fluorides in addition to dietary and oral hygiene advice. Although oral health promotion and education have become expected parts of dental care, the need for restorative treatments remains relatively high. We aimed to explore how barriers to preventive advice and treatment for NHS patients may be hindering the provision of prevention in oral health to patients from the perspectives of multiple key stakeholders.MethodsSemi-structured interviews and focus groups were undertaken between March 2016-February 2017 with four groups of stakeholders: dentists, insurers, policy makers and patient participants. The interviews were analysed using deductive, reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThirty-two stakeholders participated: 6 dentists, 5 insurers, 10 policy makers, and 11 patient participants. Four themes were developed: Perspectives on the clarity of oral health messaging and patient’s knowledge, The variability of prioritising prevention, Influences of the dentist-patient relationship on effective communication and Motivation to enact positive oral health behaviours.ConclusionsThe findings from this research indicate that patients’ knowledge of and priority placed on prevention is variable. Participants believed that more targeted education could be valuable in enhancing these. A patient’s relationship with their dentist could also influence their level of knowledge through the information shared with them, their receptivity to the preventive messages and the value they place on it. However, even with knowledge, prioritising prevention and a good patient-dentist relationship, without motivation to engage in preventive behaviour the impact of these is reduced. Our findings are discussed in relation to the COM-B model of behaviour change.

THERAPEUTIC USES OF TULSI ( OCIMUM SANCTUM ) IN ORAL LESIONS

Since ancient times, plants have been used for various medicinal purposes in treating various diseases. Oral diseases are among the major public health problems and the most common of the chronic diseases that affect mankind. The application of natural products for the control of oral diseases is considered an interesting alternative to synthetic antimicrobials due to their lower negative impact. Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) is a plant with enormous properties for curing and preventing diseases through its greater medicinal value. This article reviews the therapeutic role of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) in various oral lesions

A Review on Herbal Extracts in Dentistry: Current Scenario and Future Trends

Background: A global review on oral health by the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized that despite great improvements in the oral health of populations in several countries, global problems still persist. Dental caries and periodontal disease have historically been considered the most important global oral health burdens. This is particularly so among underprivileged groups in both developing and developed countries. The application of natural products for the control of oral diseases is considered as an interesting alternative to synthetic antimicrobials due to their lower negative impact, and for the effort to overcome primary or secondary resistance to the drug during therapy. Objective: To review the current evidence on the antimicrobial efficacy of plant extracts on dental caries and plaque microorganisms. Materials and Methods: A literature search was made for 6 months in PubMed, PubMed Central, MEDLINE, LILACS/BBO, Cochrane database of systematic reviews, SCIENCE DIRECT, and Google scholar databases. The results from the relevant published literatures are discussed. Summary and Conclusion: The extracts of Azadirachta Indica, Ocimum sanctum, Murraya koenigii L., Acacia nilotica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Rosa indica, and Aloe barbadensis The current evidence is on individual plant extracts against bacteria involved in either caries or periodontitis. The research assessing the antimicrobial efficacy of a combination of these plant extracts against dental caries and periodontal pathogens is the need of the hour, and such research will aid in the development of a novel, innovative method that can simultaneously inhibit two of the most common dental diseases of mankind, besides slowing the development of drug resistance.

Primary Health Care Workforce in Southeast Asia Region, Existing Status and Strategies for Non-Communicable Diseases and Oral Health Alliance: A Scoping Review.

Oral diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCD) share modifiable risk factors and common social determinants, thus creating new opportunities for improving oral health. The existing primary health care workers can play an integral role in NCD and oral health care integration by creating awareness, promoting oral health, controlling risk factors, and referring for timely dental care. This study aimed to identify and understand the roles of the existed human health resources working at primary health care and develop strategies to build on a unified NCD and oral health alliance human resources at this level.A scoping review was conducted to identify the primary health workforce in the Southeast Asia region, their roles and responsibility, and integration in oral health care. Various databases like NCBI (PubMed), Google Scholar, World Health Organisation (WHO)-Southeast Asia region (SEAR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare websites in SEAR were comprehensively searched from January 1980 to December 2020 for reports, reviews, and original research. The keywords used were “primary health care workers,” “community health care workers,” “primary oral health care in SEAR,” etc. Only full-text articles in English language and reports available in Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) sites of SEAR were included in the study.Information was taken from 39 full-text articles, six WHO reports, and two reports from Ministry of Health sites of SEAR. Primary health workers (PHW) are known by multiple names in different countries of Southeast Asia. They share various common roles and responsibilities. There are many opportunities for the prevention and control of oral diseases in the SEAR. Basic systems and human resources for the control of NCD are in place in many countries. Oral health can be integrated with NCD programs and policies to reduce the burden of diseases.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Natural Products-Containing Toothpaste.

Fluoride-containing toothpaste is daily used in toothbrush. Some compounds derived from natural herbs that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities has attracted increasing attention as potential supplements for the control of oral diseases. In this paper, a natural product mixture (NPM-8) containing eight herbs extracts was added to toothpaste, and its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects were investigated. The results showed that NPM-8-containing toothpaste exhibited superior and faster inhibitory and bactericidal effects against S. mutans, S. sanguinis and P. gingivalis than that of the NPM-8-free toothpaste. NPM-8-containing toothpaste significantly reduced the biomass of single-species or three-species biofilms. The cytotoxicity of the NPM-8-containing toothpaste was similar to that of the conventional fluoride toothpaste and CHX. The NPM-8-containing toothpaste could significantly inhibit IL-1β and IL-6 production in HGE cells and exhibited a better anti-inflammatory effect than that of the NPM-8-free toothpaste. In conclusion, NPM-8-containing fluoride toothpaste is superior to conventional fluoride toothpaste in regard to their antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anti-inflammatory properties. NPM-8-containing toothpaste also has good biocompatibility and is safe for daily use. It indicates that NPM-8 is a promising natural product mixture in oral health.

Herbal extracts in dentistry - A review of the current scenario and its future implications

There have been several in vitro studies that have investigated the activity of natural plant extracts against oral pathogens. These studies have focused on bacteria that are involved in the etiology of oral and dental diseases. Early studies have clearly established that a number of substances had potential against cariogenic bacteria in dentistry. Dental health is an inevitable part of general health. Oral diseases are chronic diseases and contribute to the major public health problems. The use of natural products for the control of oral diseases is considered as an alternative to synthetic antimicrobials and is also of great help to overcome primary or secondary resistance to the drug. To review the current evidence on the antimicrobial efficacy of several plant extracts on dental caries and plaque microbiology. Over 750 species of bacteria inhabit the oral cavity (~50% of which are yet to be identified) and a number of these are implicated in oral diseases. The initiation of dental caries involves acidogenic and aciduric Gram-positive bacteria, primarily the mutans streptococci (Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus), lactobacilli and actinomycetes.

Impact of COVID‐19 on the provision of paediatric dental care: Analysis of the Australian Child Dental Benefits Schedule

Oral health is essential to maintaining good overall health, and access to dental care is necessary for the early detection, prevention and control of oral diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant disruption in the provision of dental services globally. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on dental services provided in Australia through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. This study was a retrospective analysis of Medicare data on utilization of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule obtained from the Australian Government. Data were analysed for the period February to September 2020, with the number of services provided per month across five categories (diagnostic, preventive, restorative, endodontic and oral surgery) compared with the monthly average for 2019 (95% CI) and the same month for 2019. Total services by month were reported for 2017, 2018 and 2019 to compare the yearly trend with 2020. Differences in services provision by State/Territory were also described. Over the period of March to September, there were 881454 fewer dental services provided in 2020 than 2019, with the largest decline seen in April. There was a greater decline in preventive and diagnostic services, and a smaller decline in endodontic and oral surgery services. A second wave of COVID-19 in Victoria saw 198609 fewer dental services provided in that state from July to September 2020 than 2019. Dental service provision had still not returned to normal levels across Australia by September 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the provision of dental services to children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who already experience higher levels of dental disease and disadvantage in accessing dental care. Although the restriction of dental services was deemed necessary in order to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the dental setting, the impact of these restrictions on oral health will be long lasting. Given the chronic and progressive nature of dental disease, the deferral of necessary dental care is likely to contribute to poorer oral health and long-term problems for many Australians.

Antimicrobial, antibiofilm and cytotoxic effects of a colloidal nanocarrier composed by chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles loaded with chlorhexidine

ObjectivesThis study evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of a colloidal nanocarrier for chlorhexidine (CHX) on Candida glabrata and Enterococcus faecalis, as well as tested its cytotoxic effect on murine fibroblasts. MethodsIron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were coated with chitosan (CS) and loaded with CHX at 31.2, 78 and 156 μg/mL. Antimicrobial effects were assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), using the broth microdilution method, and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). Preformed biofilms (48 h) were treated with different concentrations of the nanocarrier (24 h) and quantified by colony-forming units (CFUs), total biomass and metabolic activity. For cytotoxicity, the viability of L929 cells was evaluated by MTT assay after 24 and 48 h of exposure to the nanocarrier. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Fisher LSD or Tukey post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). ResultsMIC and FICI results showed an indifferent interaction among the components of the nanocarrier for all strains evaluated. CHX alone and nanocarrier containing 156 μg/mL CHX did not differ from each other in reducing the number of CFUs. However, the nanocarrier containing 156 μg/mL CHX promoted the highest reductions in total biofilm biomass and metabolism, surpassing the effect of CHX alone. After 24 and 48 h of exposure, the nanocarrier reduced CHX toxicity to the L929 cell at low concentrations. ConclusionThese findings suggest that the CHX nanocarrier has potential to be used in the control of oral diseases associated with C. glabrata and E. faecalis. Clinical relevanceCHX has improved the antibiofilm effect and reduced the cytotoxicity (at low concentrations) when conjugated to CS-coated IONPs. This new colloidal formulation has potential as an alternative antimicrobial agent to pure CHX for the control of biofilm-related oral diseases, such as oral candidiasis and endodontic infections.

Do nurses have barriers to quality oral care practice at a generalized hospital care in Asmara, Eritrea? A cross-sectional study

BackgroundOral care is a fundamental nursing practice that has a great impact on patient well-being and general health during hospitalization. Nurses are responsible for providing oral care in the hospital, however, they usually implement it unsatisfactorily due to inadequate resources, lack of standard protocol, time shortage and ineffective training. The aim of the study was, therefore, to assess nurses’ barriers to quality oral care practice at a generalized hospital. The information obtained will help in highlighting the magnitude of the problem and in the promotion of oral health, prevention and control of oral diseases, reduction of hospital stays and diseases, and in strengthening healthcare systems.MethodsA cross-sectional design using mixed (quant-qual) method was applied at a generalized hospital. Data for the quantitative study were collected from all (N = 73) diploma and associate nurses through face to face interview with a structured questionnaire. On the other hand, in the qualitative part, head nurses (n = 6) and staff nurses (n = 7) discretely participated in the focus group discussions (FGDs), whereas matron (n = 1), assistant matrons (n = 2), and supervisor (n = 1) in total 4, participated in the key informant interview (KII). The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed, respectively, using descriptive statistics and thematic framework analysis.ResultsThe majority (93.2%) of participants had barriers performing oral care. The barriers mentioned by the participants were; lack of oral care equipment (91.2%), absence of guidelines (73.5%), shortage of staff (67.6%), time constraints (66.2%), inadequate knowledge (54.4%), poor supervision (47.1%), high work load (44.1%), and not being a priority (33.8%). Moreover, through FGD and KII, four main barriers to oral care were identified namely; inadequacy of resources, knowledge gap in oral care practice, nurse related barriers (perception of nurses and initiative of nurses) and gaps in management.ConclusionsThe study concluded that nurses faced barriers at individual, organizational and ministry level that hindered them from performing standard and effective oral care. Therefore, there is a need for further training, motivation, standardized protocol and provision of equipment and supplies to promote oral health of patients.

Pichia fermentans originates apoptosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma by over-expressing BAX and CASP 9 genes.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the oral cavity. Probiotics have often been considered as effective anti-tumoral candidates. This study aimed to investigate the role of Pichia fermentans YSH secretion metabolites on the induction of apoptosis in SCC. Cytotoxicity, apoptotic effects, and visualization DNA damage were evaluated by MTT, flow cytometry, and DAPI staining assays, respectively. Real-time PCR was employed for evaluation of the mechanism of cellular apoptosis. P. fermentans YSH secretions (IC50) showed cellular cytotoxicity in human tongue squamous carcinoma (HSC4, RRID:CVCL_1289) cells (85% apoptosis) similar to the cytotoxicity of cisplatin whereas only 21% apoptosis was observed in human epithelial normal (KDR, RRID:CVCL_9V14) cells. The prophylactic efficacy of reference yeast, which regarded as a reference, was not comparable to P. fermentans YSH illustrating strain-dependent properties of bioactivities on oral disease control and prevention. According to our result, the main cytotoxicity is related to apoptosis mechanisms induced by apoptosis genes inducing BAX and CASP. However, follow-up researches should be performed to recognize the compounds to be utilized as effective anticancer therapeutics.

Prevention and control of oral diseases via "Common Risk Factor Approach"

People are generally more aware of infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, trauma and other fatal diseases rather than oral diseases. In fact, the oral disease as a whole is ranked the third among the chronic diseases of human beings. There have been accumulating evidences that oral health plays a significant role in general health and quality of life. There is a wide recognition that oral health shares common risky/pathogenic factors with other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD). Oral microorganisms may cause dental caries and periodontal diseases, and they may also cause atherosclerosis and heart diseases, thus these usually end up to chronic diseases. On the other hand, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, psychological stress, poor sanitation, accidents and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to both oral diseases and a number of general chronic diseases. Oral health cannot be dealt with in isolation from other health issues. That is why the WHO recommended the "Common Risk Factor Approach (CRFA)" for oral health promotion. In this article, the authors give essential interpretation of CRFA and make suggestions on preventing and controlling oral diseases via CRFA.

Ozone: A paradigm shift in dental therapy

Objectives: Ozone has been used in medicine for over a century, but its clinical applications in dentistry have just begun to be explored. The effects of ozone either as gas, water, or oil in the treatment of dental diseases such as caries, periodontitis, and hypersensitivity have been investigated and the results are promising. Thus, the objective of this review is to shed light on the recent clinical oral applications of ozone and summarize the various research findings regarding the use of ozone in dentistry. This review would enable researchers to know the background of ozone in dentistry and to help them formulate new and improved protocols to study the possible applications of ozone in clinical dentistry. Data Sources: Pertinent literature on the application of ozone to treat various dental diseases was thoroughly searched using Medline, PubMed, Central, Cochrane, and Embase. Conclusion: Clinical use of ozone is a minimally invasive approach toward the prevention and control of oral diseases. The present literature review observed encouraging results on the use of ozone in various modalities of dental treatments. However, the use of ozone in dentistry needs further investigation using controlled clinical trials, with sufficient, follow-up period and standardized measurements to establish ozone therapy as a standard treatment modality in dental practice.

Awareness, attitude, and prevalence of periodontal diseases in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh

Background: Prevention and control of oral diseases, in general, and periodontal diseases, in particular, are influenced by the knowledge attitude and personal behavior of the individual. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease as well as awareness and attitude of the individuals toward periodontal diseases. Material and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiological survey included a total of 3200 individuals with an age range of 18–65 years. For sample selection, West Godavari district was divided into four revenue divisions. From each division, two mandals were selected, and from each mandal, two villages were selected randomly. The examination process included the recording of the indices, namely, Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Loss of Attachment Index in an attempt to estimate the prevalence of periodontitis. On the other hand, a 23-item questionnaire was given to all the participants involved in the study to assess the knowledge and attitude of the involved individuals. The data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were computed. T-test and one-way analysis of variance were employed. P

Report of the National Investigation of Resources for Oral Health in China.

To investigate the current status and distribution of resources for oral health in China, by means of analysing national data from the National Investigation of Resources for Oral Health. The National Investigation of Resources for Oral Health in China was performed in 2015, in parallel with the 4th National Oral Health Survey of China (2015 to 2016). A structured questionnaire on resources for oral health was used to collect the data of professional institutions and stomatological/dental workforce in each province. For each province, the local Investigation Group was responsible to summarise the status and distribution of institutions with stomatological/dental departments and stomatological/dental workforce. Descriptive analysis of resources for oral health was performed to learn about the number and percentage of each category both for each province and nationally. The ratio of number of stomatological/dental workforce to population was also calculated and compared with the criteria of the World Health Organisation (WHO). There were totally 75,399 stomatological/dental departments nationally in all professional institutions in the mainland of China, most of which were set in institutions of primary health care services. Institutions of private sectors accounted for a higher proportion (69.8%) which was over two-fold compared to that of public ones (30.2%). General hospitals were the major part of hospitals with stomatological/dental departments compared with stomatological/dental specialised hospitals. Stomatological/dental clinics were the majority of institutions of primary health care services, compared to community health care service centres/stations and township health care services. Amongst all professional institutions of public health with stomatological/dental departments, 35.0% were maternal and child health care services and 11.2% were institutions for prevention and control of oral diseases. The total number of stomatological/dental workforce in the country was 314,347, among whom 171,587 (54.6%) were stomatologists/dentists. The ratio of number of stomatologists/dentists to population was 1:7,768 nationally, which was lower than the WHO standard of 1:5,000. The National Investigation of Resources for Oral Health in China exhibited the current status and distribution of resources for oral health over the country, whereas insufficiencies of stomatological/dental workforce and institutions and inequalities of their distribution were found nationally. This could provide some policy suggestions for the health authorities in China to promote oral health in the Chinese population in the future.

The Role of Vitamins and Trace Elements on Oral Health: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Nutritional guidance is one of the very important components of preventive dentistry today. To prevent oral, dental and craniofacial diseases, one approach is having a suitable diet. Hence, the aim of this review was to provide a concise, didactic update on the role of vitamin and trace elements on various aspects of oral health and diseases. Methods: Literature search was carried out electronically through Google scholar, Pubmed and Ebsco data base and there was no time frame limitation set for the year of article published. Results: Out of 38 articles, 14 were Epidemiological studies followed by 11 Narrative reviews, 6 Systematic reviews, 4 Randomised control trail, 2 Systematic reviews with meta-analysis and 1 Meta-analysis. Conclusion: Diet containing vitamins and trace elements play an important role in normal health of the oral structures and these deficiencies can cause oral diseases such as developmental defects, oral mucosal diseases and periodontal diseases. Dietary recommendations made to aid in the control of oral disease are simultaneously optimal recommendations for improving general health.

Determinants of Utilization of Oral Health Services by Postnatal Mothers in Winterveldt, Gauteng Province, South Africa

A case control study was conducted to determine factors (enhancers and barriers) relating to the utilization of oral health services by postnatal mothers in the Sisters of Mercy Clinic in Winterveldt. Control of oral diseases of postnatal mothers depends on the availability, readiness and accessibility of oral health systems, but any reduction of risk to diseases is only possible if services are oriented towards Primary Health Care (PHC). 107 cases (postnatal mothers who were present users of oral health services in the dental unit at the time of their interviews) and 107 controls (postnatal mothers who were present non-users of oral health services in the postnatal and immunization unit at the time of their interviews) were included in the study. Age matched non-users of oral health services who were fulfilling the same inclusion criteria for users of oral health services were selected for comparison. A closed ended questionnaire was specifically designed for the study in English, and together with the information sheet and consent forms translated into the vernacular. Questionnaires were administered by a trained researcher from December 2010 - February 2012. The questionnaire was divided into four categories, namely, sociodemographic factors, socio-economic factors, access factors and utilization factors. Bivariate (Chi-square test) and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses were carried out to find associations between the factors and use of oral health services. Results: The study revealed that the majority of postnatal mothers were less than 29 years old (61% were cases and 47% were controls); were biological mothers (93% cases and 78% controls); were unemployed (93% cases and 84% controls); were on social grants (68% cases and 66% controls) and had a secondary school education (80% cases and 79% controls). In the control group, 64% reported that they had dental problems compared to 36% in the case group, but only 51% of the controls reported that they had previous visits at Sisters of Mercy dental clinic compared to 64% of the cases. Bivariate analysis revealed significant differences in 14 variables. Logistic regression revealed the strongest predictors for present use of oral health services to be: the number of household children and travelling time. Participants in the dental unit had to travel for 30 minutes who were found to be more likely to utilize oral health services (OR= 1.38; CI=1.01-1.90; P ≤ 0.05) compared to those from the postnatal unit who had to travel longer (more than 1 hour). Participants with fewer children in the postnatal unit were found to be less likely to utilize oral health services (OR= 0.53; CI=0.305-0.924; P ≤ 0.05) compared to those with more children (>5) in the dental unit. Conclusions: Despite having fewer children, most postnatal mothers in the postnatal unit did not make previous use of oral health services. There is a need to encourage them to utilise oral health services and to ensure that the Sisters of Mercy dental clinic is accessible to them. Mothers who had to walk for more than an hour to reach oral health services had accessibility constraints which can affect them negatively especially in harsh weathers (rainy, cold or hot days in South Africa).

Quantifying Appointments, Treatment Time, Impressions, and Diagnostic Data of Cases Staffed by General Dentists and Prosthodontists in a Dental School Clinic

The aim of this retrospective study was to quantify differences between general dentists and prosthodontists regarding appointments, treatment time, impressions, and preoperative diagnostic data in teaching predoctoral clinical fixed prosthodontics. Electronic dental records (n=356) of patients treated at one dental school in academic year 2012 were randomly selected for review to obtain the following data: faculty and student demographics, number of appointments and treatment time from preparation to cementation, number of impressions made, completion of oral disease control treatment (ODCT), and presence of preoperative periapical radiographs and diagnostic casts. The results showed that ODCT was completed in 78%, preoperative radiographs were present in 76%, and diagnostic casts made in 53% of the cases reviewed. There was no statistically significant difference in number of appointments, treatment time, or number of final impressions when students were staffed by general dentists or prosthodontists. When students were supervised by multiple faculty members, there was generally an increase in treatment time and number of appointments and final impressions. Although this study found no statistically significant differences between general dentists and prosthodontists regarding the criteria evaluated, the results suggest that faculty development and calibration are needed to ensure ODCT is completed and preoperative radiographs are present prior to initiating fixed prosthodontic procedures.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Dental Caries and Oral Hygiene among Medical Students at Janaki Medical College Teaching Hospital

Background: Oral health habits are measures people learn and practice regularly in order to maintain good oral health or prevent oral diseases. The mouth is an integral part of the body, and there are oral manifestations of many systemic diseases that must be managed in both healthy and medically compromised people. Oral health knowledge is considered to be an essential requirement for health-related practices. A good quality of life is possible if students maintain their oral health and become free of oral disease. Dental caries are increasing in developing countries day by day where preventive programs have not been implemented properly. The level of information on oral health knowledge and practices among medical students is unidentified and worthy of investigation in Nepal, and this study aimed at assessing the level of knowledge, attitude and practices on dental caries and oral hygiene among medical students studying at Janaki Medical College Teaching Hospital, Janakpurdham. Methods:A standard structured closed-questionnaire was designed and distributed to medical students studying in MBBS programme to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about dental caries and oral hygiene. Results: Out of 330 medical students, 145 were male and 185 were female, of which male had the highest knowledge regarding dental caries which was found to be statistically significant. Most of the students had attitude of visiting once in year for dental check up. The highest number of students had once per day brushing habit in early morning with fluoride containing tooth paste. Conclusions: The present study concluded that the knowledge and practice status of oral hygiene and dental caries among medical students was found to be satisfactory. More oral health education programs must be conducted for the control of oral diseases.