Dental Illness Research Articles

Clinical Success of Pulpotomies Using Intermediate Restorations and Preformed Metal Crowns in the Context of a Developing Country: A Retrospective Questionnaire-Based Investigation

Background: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent dental illnesses in children. Untreated severe caries can damage teeth, requiring pulpotomy to save them. Objective: To evaluate the clinical success rate of treatments involving pulpotomies + IRM (Intermediate Restorative Material, composed of reinforced zinc oxide–eugenol polymers) + preformed metal crowns (PMCs) in primary teeth of children treated at a public university in Mexico. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional ambispective study was conducted on children aged 10 years or younger, treated at a public university in Mexico. A total of 1281 medical records from February 2018 to June 2023 were reviewed, yielding a sample of 199 children treated with pulpotomy + IRM + PMC. Information was collected via telephone interviews with parents/caregivers to inquire about any symptoms following the pulpotomy and metal crown treatments. Success was defined as the absence of pain, inflammation, or infection. Results: During the study period, the number of teeth treated with pulpotomy + IRM + PMC was 414, with follow-ups ranging from 6 to 69 months. Most participants were girls (54.3%), while 45.7% were boys. Out of the 167 pulpotomy + IRM + PMC treatments included in the study, the clinical success rate was 98.2%. Conclusions: The clinical success rate of primary teeth treated with pulpotomy + IRM + PMCs was high, close to 100%, based on evidence and symptom reports from parents/caregivers. It would be beneficial to implement its use in public health institutions in countries such as Mexico.

Synergistic Action of Vanillic Acid-Coated Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles: Targeting Biofilm Formation Receptors of Dental Pathogens and Modulating Apoptosis Genes for Enhanced Oral Anticancer Activity.

The prevalence of bacterial and fungal infections is caused by S. aureus, S. mutans, E. faecalis, and Candida albicans are often associated with dental illnesses. In the present study, a unique strategy was used to combat these diseases by fabricating titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) conjugated with the plant-based molecule vanillic acid (VA). To confirm the structural characterization of the synthesized VA-TiO2 NPs, an extensive analysis was carried out utilizing methods such as SEM, FTIR, and XRD. Assessments for scavenging reactive oxygen species were performed to evaluate its antioxidant capability. Furthermore, a zone of inhibition test targeting pathogenic oral bacteria was used to assess the antibacterial efficacy of VA-TiO2 NPs. Molecular modeling investigations were performed to better understand the interactions among vanillic acid and dental pathogen receptors using the Autodock program. The findings indicated that VA-TiO2 NPs exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity. Additionally, they showed excellent antibacterial action towards dental pathogens, with a minimum inhibition level of 60 μg/mL. Furthermore, at doses of 15 μg/mL, 30 μg/mL, 60 μg/mL, and 120 μg/mL, VA-TiO2 NPs demonstrated concentration-dependent apoptotic impacts on human oral carcinoma cells. Apoptotic gene over-expression was identified by the molecular perspectives that revealed the anticancer mechanism of VA-TiO2 NPs on KB cells. This study highlights the promising suitability of VA-TiO2 NPs for dental applications due to their robust antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial characteristics. These nanoparticles present an evident prospect for addressing oral pathogen challenges and improving overall oral health.

Small Interfering RNA Drug Delivery System in Cancer

siRNAs(Small interfering RNA) have emerged as new nucleic acid drugs to treat life-threatening diseases such as malignant tumors as our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of endogenous RNA interference has increased. Synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNA) or short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) have been shown to have clinical potential in dental illnesses, eye infections, cancer, metabolic syndromes, neurological disorders, and other illnesses in subsequent RNAi investigations. Although various siRNA are used as a medication for respiratory and ophthalmic illnesses in clinical trials, there are problems in developing siRNA for malignancy treatments because systemic delivery would be required in the treatment of the majority of patients. Aside from nonspecific off-target effects and immunological stimulation issues, proper administration remains a significant challenge. The technologies that have been created for the formulation of siRNA therapeutics, including antisense oligonucleotides and plasmid DNA, have prepared the path for rapid advancement in in-vivo siRNA delivery. This review focuses on the Potential uses of siRNA in different diseases and its challenges in usage.

Curcumin's Role in Dentistry: A Review of Herbal Drugs

Before antiquated duration, seasonings had been a substantial wellspring of medication. Turmeric (diferuloylmethane) is a tangerine-brown part of Curcumin (Curcuma aromatica),a flavor frequently originated in powdered curry. Generally remembered for its calming impacts, Curcumin longa possess extended past of therapeutic usage in Ayurveda and frameworks ofmedication from China. Curcumin can be used as a mouthwash, pit and gap filler, and subgingival irritant in various combinations. It has also been connected to a variety of pharmacologicalactions such as cancer prevention, antimicrobial properties, and soothing effects. Haldi is the local drug delivery system in clotting structure. The following article presents with an elevatedperspective mostly on the organic exercises of the miswak and conceivable restorative and dental applications. Turmeric is one of the most well-known spices that has been used for a longtime and is an important component of ancient medicine. It's harmless and has a variety of restorative applications, including dental use. The purpose of this essay is to look at the other oralcavity uses of turmeric because of lack of data and study of the area. The motive of the following write-up is to assess the potency of Curcumin longa spice for maintaining dental wellbeingspecifically, as well as overall wellbeing. Haldi or Indian saffron, is a spice with therapeutic characteristics and is reliable and reasonable choice. It also shown cancer-prevention, antibacterial,germ-free activities. It is also highly useful in dentistry because of these qualities. It aids in the treatment of periodontal disease and other dental illnesses. Turmeric can be used in a variety ofways, including as a pit and crevice sealer, mouthwash, and subgingival irritant. It can be additionally used a topical application in a coagulant format. Turmeric (Curcumin) is a well-known spicewith ancient medicinal uses, particularly in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. Its tangerine-brown component, Curcumin longa, has been extensively utilized for its anti-inflammatory properties.In dentistry, Curcumin has found various applications, including as a mouthwash, pit and gap filler, and subgingival irritant in different combinations. Additionally, it exhibits pharmacologicalactions such as cancer prevention, antimicrobial effects, and soothing properties. The present article provides an overview of the organic activities of Curcumin, particularly its potentialtherapeutic and dental applications. Turmeric has a long history of safe use and has been a crucial component of traditional medicine. However, research on its oral cavity uses is limited,warranting further investigation in this area. The focus of this essay is to evaluate the efficacy of Curcumin in maintaining dental and overall wellbeing. As Haldi or Indian saffron, it offersreliable and affordable therapeutic benefits. Its demonstrated cancer-preventive, antibacterial, and germicidal activities make it highly valuable in dentistry, aiding in the treatment of periodontaldiseases and other dental ailments. Turmeric can be utilized in various forms, such as a pit and crevice sealer, mouthwash, and subgingival irritant. Moreover, it can be applied topically in acoagulant format to address dental issues effectively. Given its extensive historical use and promising medicinal properties, Curcumin remains a valuable asset in the realm of dentistry.

Eradication of Porphyromonas Gingivalis and Prevotella Intermedia Biofilms using the Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Matrica Mouthwash (Chamomile Extract)

Introduction: One of the critical pathogenic agents in oral and dental bacteria is biofilm formation. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and Prevotella intermedia (P. intermedia) biofilms critically contribute to the unsuccessful treatment of oral and dental illnesses, and their permanent presence in dental canals harms the recovery process after treatment. Today, dentists are seeking superior and more beneficial choices with less toxicity as appropriate disinfectants for the mouth and teeth. Objective: The current research aimed to investigate the effects of Chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate and matrica mouthwash on one-, three-, and five-day-old P. gingivalis and P. intermedia biofilms. Method: The biofilm formation capabilities of P.gingivalis and P.intermedia were assessed using the microtiter plate method. Subsequently, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of CHX gluconate and matrica mouthwash at various concentrations against biofilm formation in P. gingivalis and P. intermedia was specified using the microdilution method. Results: The biofilm formation capabilities of P. gingivalis and P. intermedia were approved on a quantitative scale. Both CHX gluconate and matrica mouthwash were effective in eradicating biofilm formation in P. gingivalis and P. intermedia strains. Notably, according to the results, CHX mouthwash exhibited a greater efficacy in eradicating P. gingivalis biofilm. Furthermore, the matrica mouthwash capability to eradicate biofilms in P. gingivalis and P. intermedia was equivalent, with no significant difference observed. Conclusion: The CHX mouthwash is recommended as a novel approach for controlling biofilm infections stemming from oral and dental bacteria, including P. gingivalis and P. intermedia

MicroRNAs Function in Dental Stem Cells as a Promising Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Dental Diseases.

Undifferentiated, highly proliferative, clonogenic, and self-renewing dental stem cells have paved the way for novel approaches to mending cleft palates, rebuilding lost jawbone and periodontal tissue, and, most significantly, recreating lost teeth. New treatment techniques may be guided by a better understanding of these cells and their potential in terms of the specificity of theregenerative response. MicroRNAs have been recognized as an essential component in stem cell biology due to their role as epigenetic regulators of the processes that determine stem cell destiny. MicroRNAs have been proven to be crucial in a wide variety of molecular and biological processes, including apoptosis, cell proliferation, migration, and necrocytosis. MicroRNAs have been recognized to control protein translation, messenger RNA stability, and transcription and have been reported to play essential roles in dental stem cell biology, including the differentiation of dental stem cells, the immunological response, apoptosis, and the inflammation of the dental pulp. Because microRNAs increase dental stem cell differentiation, they may be used in regenerative medicine to either preserve the stem cell phenotype or to aid in the development of tooth tissue. The development of novel biomarkers and therapies for dental illnesses relies heavily on progress made in our knowledge of the roles played by microRNAs in regulating dental stem cells. In this article, we discuss how dental stem cells and their associated microRNAs may be used to cure dental illness.

New bag of features using reinforcement Aquila optimization and weighted Bayesian Gaussian mixture modelling for dental images

AbstractDentistry diseases are worldwide concern with the fact that 5% of medical budget is spent on it. Dental diagnosis requires frequent visits to clinic and multiple personal check‐ups by an expert. This delays the process of diagnosis as well as introduces the danger of oral infection spread. Automation is boon to speed up the process of diagnosis, reduce expert's involvement and help in handling volume of patients. In situations like pandemic as seen in this decade, computer based automatic systems in health have proven their importance and necessity. For dental diagnosis, images are useful tool for better anatomical views and accurate decision of treatment. However, manual dental analysis increases load on dentists for initial check‐up that can be easily performed with automated systems or self‐kits. Oral cavity is a dental illness, if not identified and treated on time may lead to other serious ailments. This work presents a framework that performs tooth image classification for cavity and non‐cavity with new bag of features (NBoF) method. NBoF method is an attempt to improve the performance of bag of features (BoF) using the proposed reinforcement Aquila optimization (RAO) and weighted Bayesian Gaussian mixture modelling (WBGMM). An analysis of the performance of the NBoF using the proposed RAO and WBGMM is conducted using standard metrics. The comparative study of results proves that the proposed NBoF method outperforms the existing state‐of‐the‐art algorithms.

The human microbiome: A critical player in health and disease

The human microbiome is a remarkable and sophisticated ecology made up of billions of bacteria that live in various regions of the human body, and its importance in supporting human health cannot be understated. The gut microbiome, in particular, has been widely studied and determined to have an important role in immune system regulation, digestion and absorption of nutrients, and the creation of numerous metabolites. Gut microbiome dysbiosis has been related to a variety of conditions and diseases, including metabolic disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. However, the encouraging outcomes of microbiome-based therapeutics like fecal microbiota transplantation and probiotics have given fresh hope for the treatment and prevention of many disorders. Similarly, the skin microbiome and oral microbiome have been discovered to play significant roles in pathogen protection, inflammatory regulation, and general health. Skin and mouth microbiome dysbiosis have been linked to a variety of dermatological and dental illnesses, respectively. Microbiome-based treatments, such as topical probiotics, oral probiotics, and prebiotics, have shown success in the treatment and prevention of various disorders.The human microbiome is an intriguing and promising field of research that might lead to new ways of preserving and improving human health. We can create novel ways for preventing and treating a variety of illnesses and diseases by better understanding the intricate connections between the microbiome and the host. It is imperative to continue exploring the microbiome to discover novel and effective therapeutics to battle the increase in chronic illnesses and enhance the general health of our communities.

EXPERT SYSTEM FOR DENTAL DISEASES

The objective of an expert system in the field of medicine is to support doctors during the diagnosis process. Any software that is capable of drawing conclusions and making decisions based on the data stored in its database can be called an "expert system." Expert systems are widely employed in many industries, including the health sector. There are numerous types of dental ailments in the field of dentistry. Few symptoms were employed in the existing methods for dental diagnostics. A diagnosis in dentistry requires more than a few symptoms. The aim of this chapter is to analyse a medical expert system based on fuzzy rules that is used for the diagnosis of dental illnesses. Fuzzy inference based on a possibility metric and information extraction based on fuzzy clustering are both used in the modeling. The relevant parameters for dentistry were determined in the initial modeling phase of the system using clinical data. The evaluation of the dental variables based on soft computing will be carried out in the next stage. The third step introduces applied fuzzy inference based on possibility measures and provides examples to support it. The case data gathered from 100 patients makes up the knowledge foundation of the modeled system. Keywords: dental disease, big data, expert system, fuzzy clustering

Faster Region‐based Convolutional Neural Networks with You Only Look Once multi‐stage caries lesion from oral panoramic X‐ray images

AbstractNeural networks and artificial intelligence find more applications in dentistry. It treats dental caries, the most prevalent type of dental illness worldwide. Even though dental caries can be prevented and treated, they typically cause dental discomfort and tooth loss. For dental caries to be treated quickly and effectively, comprehensive detection may be needed, a combination of techniques that include eye inspection, probing, using a dental probe, and using a hand‐held mirror, and the individual application of each of these techniques, can quickly identify large caries cavities. Long‐established caries detection techniques help to locate only partially hidden but still accessible holes. Deep learning (DL) techniques have produced remarkable diagnostic results in radiology. This study aimed to classify various radiographic extensions on panoramic films using DL techniques, identify caries lesions using these techniques, and compare the results to those of dentists with extensive training. Faster region‐based convolutional neural networks (R‐CNN) is a newly discovered field of medical research that is rapidly expanding and has produced outstanding results in diagnosing and prognosis of pathology and radiology conditions. In this study, dental cavities were detected and analysed using periapical radiographs to evaluate the accuracy of the Faster R‐CNN algorithm. Because these three caries were derived from the oral panoramic images, we designed You Only Look Once Version 3 (YOLOv3) as a U‐shaped network with a large‐scale axial attention module. We also compare the effectiveness of YOLOv3's segmentation to that of other industrial standards. Experiments show that our proposed method, Fast R‐CNN–YOLOv3, achieves higher accuracy in segmenting the three distinct caries level. The proposed model (R‐CNN–YOLOv3) achieved an effective result with a precision of 97.183%.

Using the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment Index to Determine the Caries Incidence in Primary and Permanent Molars Among School Children of Kolkata: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Caries in their early stages cannot be properly classified using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index because it does not record precavitated lesions. Thus, the caries assessment spectrum and treatment (CAST) index is a good alternative as it is equipped to record the whole range of dental illnesses and count restored teeth as healthy ones. The participants in this cross-sectional study included 300 children who were seven-to-eight years of age. We used the CAST index to assess the extent of caries in the deciduous and permanent molars of these children. For this, all the permanent and baby teeth, the primary and secondary permanent molars, as well as the first and second deciduous molars were examined to determine the prevalence of each carious stage. The correlation of the distribution of the CAST codes between the first and second molars, the second and first molars, the right and left sides of the dental bend, and the opposing jaws was analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, while the cut-off for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05. The quantitative analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Experiences Version 20 for Windows. By comparing CAST codes in the right and left molars, we were able to observe how the development of caries in paired teeth might affect one another. The rank correlation value was found to be less than 0.5 only in the primary second molars (55/65 and 85/75), which were found exclusively in the deciduous first molars. Moreover, the r values for the neighboring deciduous and permanent molars were found to be below 0.3, i.e., 65/64 (0.497), 74/75 (0.327), and 84/85 (0.411), which indicated a weak connection between them. When comparing the teeth in different jaws, we found reasonable correlations (r = 0.33-0.49), with only 64/74 outliers (0.501). We found that, in the examined population, there was a well-established correlation between the stages of caries development in the deciduous molars on the left side of the mouth.

The Link between Stroke Risk and Orodental Status-A Comprehensive Review.

One of the primary causes of disability and mortality in the adult population worldwide is stroke. A person’s general health is significantly impacted by their oral and dental health. People who have poor oral health are more susceptible to conditions such as stroke. Stroke risk has long been linked to oral and dental conditions. The risk of stroke and its cost impact on the healthcare systems appear to be significantly reduced as a result of the decline in the incidence and prevalence of oral and dental illnesses. Hypothetically, better management of oral hygiene and dental health lead to reduced stroke risk. To the authors’ best knowledge, for the first time, the potential link between dental health and stroke were cross-examined. The most typical stroke symptoms, oral and dental illnesses linked to stroke, and the role of oral healthcare professionals in stroke prevention are revealed. The potential mediating processes and subsequent long-term cognitive and functional neurological outcomes are based on the available literature. It must be noted that periodontal diseases and tooth loss are two common oral health measures. Lack of knowledge on the effects of poor oral health on systemic health together with limited access to primary medical or dental care are considered to be partially responsible for the elevated risk of stroke. Concrete evidence confirming the associations between oral inflammatory conditions and stroke in large cohort prospective studies, stratifying association between oral disease severity and stroke risk and disease effects on stroke survival will be desirable. In terms of clinical pathology, a predictive model of stroke as a function of oral health status, and biomarkers of systemic inflammation could be useful for both cardiologists and dentists.

Therapeutically Active Marine Sponge Isolated from Rameshwaram Thoppu Kaadu Theevu against MDR Pathogen Lactobacillus acidophilus Isolated from Childhood Caries

Dental illness is a foremost health problem upsetting childhood, and this action severely causes sickness which is caused by emerging pathogen Lactobacillusacidophilus. So plaque samples were collected from diverse dental clinics around Tirupur Dt. In this study, 20 MDR isolates were isolated and identified by biochemical analysis. Additionally, the decay pathogen Lactobacillus acidophilus was assayed against Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Clindamycin, Vancomycin, Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline and Novobiocin. Among these strains 0%, 0%, 26%, 34%, 22%, 2%, 16%, 16% and 6% were found to exhibit resistance to four groups of antibiotics. Currently, the extension of resistance to contemporary antimicrobials has demand to search for innovative anti-therapeutic agent. Moreover, several studies mostly deal with marine sponge to explore the therapeutic drug and this potential role in the manufacture of metabolites is becoming a driving area for exploring a rich source of novel compounds that are of prospective interest to mankind for diagnosis of tooth decay. Different concentration of sponge 50μg, 100μg, and 150μg were prepared with DMSO, and well diffusion assay was used. The result indicated that the maximum and minimum inhibition of 22 mm and 16 mm was observed against the isolate LAVG07 and LAVG08. This research proved that the marine sponge extract shows the prominent antimicrobial activity against decay causing organism and it may be broadcast to be a successful approach to come to blow promising multi challenging clinical drugs in the future.

Self-Efficacy for Oral Health Behavior among High School Female Students

Background: Infections and tooth loss are common side effects of mouth and dental illnesses, as can paralyzing pains and trouble eating and speaking. Another important consideration is that persistent oral infections have been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke, all of which, along with other noncommunicable and chronic diseases, could be avoided by improving oral health literacy. Objectives(s): The aim of this study is to assess the self-efficacy for oral health behavior among high school female students. Methodology: This study guided by a descriptive correlational strategy. The predictive correlational design is used to predict the value of one variable based on the value of another (s) by determining the intensity and course of relationships between or among variables. This study conducted from September 20, 2021, to May 31, 2022. A non-probability convenience sample of (380) female high school students that are registered in the directorate of education. When subjects appear to be at the right place at the right time, they are used in convenience sampling research. Before the required sample size is met, researchers simply add relevant people to the study. A margin of error of 5%, a confidence level of 95%, a population size of 18.000, and a response distribution of 50% were used to establish the sample size. As a result, 377 people should be included in the sample. The total number of participants is 380. Results: There are statistically significant differences in Self-Efficacy for brushing behavior and Self-Efficacy for oral health behavior among living arrangements groups (p-value = 0.000, 0.010) respectively. Conclusion: The better the oral health value, the greater the Self-Efficacy for brushing behavior. The better the oral health value, the greater the Self-Efficacy for daily life habits. Recommendations: There is a need for the community health nurses to establish health promotion activities that target high school students; particularly the fourth graders with the goal of raising and their oral health awareness. Keywords: Self-efficacy, Oral Health, High School, Female, Students.

Peridontitis as a Risk Factor for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Possible Neuro-inflammatory Mechanisms.

Periodontitis is a condition caused mostly by the creation of a biofilm by the bacterium P. gingivalis, which releases toxins and damages the tooth structure. Recent research studies have reported association between dental health and neuropsychiatric illnesses. Neuroinflammation triggered by the first systemic inflammation caused by the bacterium present in the oral cavities is a plausible explanation for such a relationship. Substantial amount of evidence supports the role of neuroinflammation and dysfunction of the dopaminergic system in the pathology of ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders). Recent epidemiological, microbiological and inflammatory findings strengthen that, periodontal bacteria, which cause systemic inflammation can contribute to neuroinflammation and finally ADHD. Although both diseases are characterized by inflammation, the specific pathways and crosslink's between periodontitis and ADHD remain unknown. Here, the authors describe the inflammatory elements of periodontitis, how this dental illness causes systemic inflammation, and how this systemic inflammation contributes to deteriorating neuroinflammation in the evolution of ADHD. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present possible links and mechanisms that could confirm the evidence of this association.

Assessment of oral health among elderly living in old age homes and within family set up in Bareilly city: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Aging is a natural process but at the same time, the aging population has substantially increased. Socially this stage is considered the total of one lived experience. Materials and methods: The sample size has been 200 which is 100 in each group. Individuals beyond 60 years of age and who will be able to cooperate with the study were included in the study. World Health Organization oral health assessment form (2013) was used to record the oral health status of the subjects. The data were entered into an excel sheet and transferred to SPSS V. 21. for statistical analysis and Chi-square and ANOVA tests were done. Results: On assessment, 83 percent of old-age home residents and 68 percent from the family group did not have a periodontal pocket. Nonetheless, 12 percent of the individuals in a care home and 31% of the subjects in the family setting had pocket depths of 4-5 mm, while 1% of both groups had pocket depths of 6 mm. In comparison among elderly within the family set up and old age, homes reported a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (p < 0.001) Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that the institutionalized geriatric population suffers from a wide range of dental illnesses, the most frequent of which is dental caries. For the same, many of them require extensive treatment.

Assessment of self-medication practice for oral health problems among people of Varanasi, Uttar-Pradesh, India

Background: Self medication has been practiced for centuries in both industrialized and under developed countries. There are lots of literatures indicating people awareness regarding abuse of medicines and antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription, but there has not been much study conducted for dental illness. The present study aimed to gather information about self-medication pattern among people of Varanasi, Uttar-Pradesh and to identify the measures to curb these life-threatening practices.Methods: An observational based cross-sectional study was carried out in OPD of Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS, BHU, Varanasi. The sample size comprised of 500 respondents. The SPS software was used to code, input, and analyze all descriptive data. Descriptive data analysis was performed and the results were provided as frequencies and percentage.Results: The response of survey received a perfect score of 100%. The prevalence rate of self medication was found to be 56.2%. The main reason for engaging in such life threatening practice was lack of time and ignorance. Analgesia was the most commonly utilized type of medication. Out of 281, 84 patients sought basic care from a pharmacist, whereas 49.2% patient approached to visit dentist only when their problem continued.Conclusions: The prevalence rate was higher in male than female. Controlling self-medication requires patient health awareness initiatives, community pharmacist help, and pharmacist continuing education. There is a need for intervention planning to encourage rational self-medication through mass media such as newspapers, magazines and TV.

Mind the gap: an administrative data analysis of dental treatment outcomes and severe mental illness

Background Oral health of people with severe mental illness (SMI) remains an important public health issue, despite evidence pointing suboptimal dental health outcomes in this population. Aims We test the hypotheses that individuals with SMI have lower contact with dental services and higher levels of fillings and extractions. We also examine effect modification by age-group. Methods We used linked administrative data from general practitioner (GP), hospital and dental records to examine dental service use and treatments (extractions, fillings, crowns and x-rays) among the Northern Ireland hospital population between January 2015 and November 2019 (N = 798,564). Results After adjusting for available socio-demographic characteristics, analysis indicated lower levels of dental service use (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.77, 0.84), including lower likelihood of fillings (OR = 0.81, 0.77, 0.84) and x-rays (OR = 0.77, 0.74, 0.81), but higher levels of extractions (OR = 1.23, 1.18, 1.29) among patients with SMI. We also found effect modification by age-group, with older individuals with SMI less likely to have each of the four dental treatments. Conclusions We suggest that in the general area of physical healthcare for people with SMI, oral healthcare is neglected. There is a need for improved understanding of the barriers to routine care and treatment, and development of psychoeducational interventions.

Assessment Of Oral Hygiene And Life Style Pattern Among Transgender Population In Tamilnadu

Dental illnesses are found all around the world. Always good oral hygiene practices can minimize the negative effects of periodontal diseases. Assessing oral hygiene behaviour willhelp in improving their oral health status and also in planning oral health strategies specific to transgender population. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of oral hygiene practices and life style among transgender population residing in Tamilnadu. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the transgenders residing in Tamilnadu. A structured questionnaire was used to get the data regarding oral hygiene practices and lifestyle patterns. Data related to oral hygiene and lifestyle were collected after getting the informed consent from each subject. A total of 250 transgenders were enrolled in this study, of which 81% are using tobacco and majority of them were non-vegetarian. 89% of them were using tooth brush for cleaning teeth and 75% of them had dental problems. Majority (85%) of them had visited dental clinic for their dental problem. Both government and private hospitals are used in equal proportion for their dental treatment. The major reason to visit the dentist was to fill their teeth . . While assessing the life style, most of them were using face cream (71%) to improve their appearance followed by lipstick, eyeliner and nail polish. Most of them were thinking that smile is most important for them than talk due to their voice chance. For abetter smile, they were using lipstick and frequent cleaning of their teeth (74%).Oral health status helps to influence the quality of Life style among the transgender population. They should be educated and motivated to overcome the barriers and seek professional dental help. This necessitates a tailored intervention to satisfy the needs of this population in future.

Implementation and Effectiveness of School-Based Dental Screening

The majority of children and youth attend school, and timely detection of health and developmental difficulties through school-based dental screening offers a chance for prompt intervention, enabling kids to attain their full potential in terms of development and functional health. Delays in prompt intervention incur significant financial, social, and personal costs for the community, government, and healthcare infrastructure. School-based dental screening initiatives have the ability to get around many of the logistical challenges that vulnerable communities face when trying to get primary preventative dental care. Additionally, schools have the power to influence cultural norms surrounding healthy habits and connect families to care systems. To screen for dental illness and conditions, a visual dental examination of school aged children is used. Parents of children who test positive are notified and urged to send their child to a primary care facility for additional testing of their child's dental health condition and any required medical care. Consequently, screening has two goals: to recognize test-positive cases, and to guarantee that these are followed up on for the proper management. School-based dental screening is typically a component of school health services, and its model, procedure, and goals differ based on the national policies of each country's healthcare delivery system. Effectiveness research has shown that school dental screening has not been highly successful in the study groups at reducing untreated dental caries in either the primary or permanent dentition of young children. Additionally, population-level dental attendance has not been found to increase by screening. Limited number of positively-screening children have been observed to visit a dentist post screening. Among the small percentage of the positively-screening students who visit a dentist, only a fraction has been noted to go on to receive the necessary care in follow-ups.