Dental Research

Data interpretation and statistical significance SM Balaji Indian Journal of Dental Research 2019 30(2):163-163

A study on impact of oral health on general health among the elderly residing in a slum of Kolkata: A cross-sectional study Shobhit Garg, Aparajita Dasgupta, Swanya Prabha Maharana, Nazrul Mallick, Bobby Pal Indian Journal of Dental Research 2019 30(2):164-169 Context: Oral health means more than only good teeth. It is a state-of-being-free from mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infections, periodontal diseases, tooth decay or loss, and other diseases/disorders. The age distribution of the world's population is changing. With advances in medicine, the proportion of older people continues to increase worldwide. Aims, Setting, Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 158 elderly (>60 years) residing in a slum of Kolkata during the period from April 2017 to June 2017 to assess the impact of oral health on general health. Data were collected using a pretested predesigned schedule containing Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. Data analysis was performed in R software. Poisson regression was used to find the associates of the impact of oral health. Results: Mean (standard deviation) age was 68.54 (5.9) years. A total of 104 (65.8%) participants reported; foul breath as a problem and 88 (55.7%) reported gum bleeding as a problem. All participants used to clean their teeth daily but only 36.1% used to clean their teeth at least twice daily. More than half the participants reported that they have limited the kind of food they eat due to dental/gum condition and trouble chewing. Conclusion: There is a need to provide sensitive oral health services that are accessible, affordable, appropriate, and acceptable. Knowledge regarding oral health and hygiene should be provided to all elderly, especially diabetics. Further research with the broader conceptual framework, in different age groups and in different settings are warranted.

Knowledge and attitude of general and specialist dentist in pediatric dentistry: A pilot study in Odisha, India Sonu Acharya Indian Journal of Dental Research 2019 30(2):170-174 Background: Pediatric dentists (PDs) treat children in a manner that builds a positive dental attitude in them. The treatment modalities for pulpally involved teeth in children are different by general dentists (GDs) as compared to PDs. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the attitudes of PDs, GDs, and dentists of other specialties toward endodontic treatment of primary teeth. Materials and Methods: A structured 14-item questionnaire was formulated in English and distributed to PD, GDs, and dentists of other specialties. The filled questionnaire survey was statistically analyzed using simple descriptive analysis, and inferential analysis was performed. Results: Of the total survey respondents, 12 (20.68%) were PDs, 28 (48.27%) were GDs, and 18 (31.03%) were from other specialties. About 91.6% of the total respondents preferred endodontic procedures in the primary teeth. Conclusion: The study concluded that the GDs, PDs, and dentists of other specialties differ in their treatment recommendations for primary teeth. The GDs and dentists of other specialties were regularly performing pulp therapy in the primary teeth and should frequently update their knowledge about endodontic procedures in the primary teeth.

Evaluation of academic performance of undergraduate dental students in a government medical university in Kerala, India PK Sudhir, KG Varghese, B George Indian Journal of Dental Research 2019 30(2):175-179 Introduction: Dentistry is considered to be a high-stress profession. The educational period in dental schools is viewed as a highly demanding and stressful learning environment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the academic performance of undergraduate dental students of 2010, 2011, and 2012 batches admitted at Kerala University of Health Sciences. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study evaluated the performance of dental students of 2010, 2011, and 2012 batches from their first Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) to the completion of final BDS Part 2 examination. The study was carried out from August 2010 to March 2017. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 19 software. Chi-square test was used for analyzing the significance of difference between proportions. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The results of first BDS students of 2010, 2011, and 2012 batches were 35.8%, 49.9%, and 55.5%, respectively. Whereas, the results of the final BDS Part 2 students of 2010, 2011, and 2012 batches were 92.6%, 88.4%, and 92.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The present study shows a decline in performance of dental students at the time of inception of the university, and as time progressed, the results of the students showed significant improvement.

Translation and validation of hindi version of oral health impact profile-14, a measure of oral health-related quality of life of geriatrics Swati Verma, Hunny Sharma Indian Journal of Dental Research 2019 30(2):180-184 Background: The oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14) scale developed originally in English has been translated from time to time in different languages revealing to be valid and reliable instruments. Aim: The present study was carried out with an aim to translate and validate Hindi Version of OHIP-14 instrument among geriatrics to measure the oral health-related quality of life. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which employed 400 individuals aged 60 years and above who were residents of Durg, Chhattisgarh India. Participants were selected through convenient sampling method. The English version of the OHIP-14 was translated into Hindi, pretested and subsequently administered to the participants by a trained interviewer. Each patient signed informed consent and responded to the Hindi version of the questionnaire. Result: Cronbach's alpha of the translated scale was 0.89–0.90 when words were deleted individually. Comparison of English and translated Hindi version of OHIP-14 by unpaired t-test showed no significant difference (P = 0.562). Pearson correlation coefficient test showed very strong positive correlation (0.892). Furthermore, a very strong positive correlation was observed between the recorded OHIP-14 scores and Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) scores of examined geriatric individuals (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.952 and P = 0.001). Conclusion: The Hindi translation of the OHIP-14 is a valid and reliable instrument to measure the oral health-related quality of life in older adults of India.

Mutations in FGFR3 gene associated with maxillary retrognathism Ravi M Subrahmanya, Sreenivas V Prasad, Rajendra B Prasad, Subraya Mogra, Veena Shetty, Vamana Rao Indian Journal of Dental Research 2019 30(2):185-190 Context: Understanding the role of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) in the regulation of bone development and disease will ultimately lead to better prevention and treatment of related bone deformities and disorders. Aims: To evaluate the role of gene FGFR3 in individuals with retrognathic maxilla by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique at molecular level and evaluate the significance of the same. Settings and Design: Hospital based fundamental research involving individuals having maxillary retrognathism. Methodology: A total of 62 individuals (30M and32F) who were willing to take part in the study were selected from cephalometric measurements of N I A and the length PNS to ANS. The institution based basic genetic research study involved collection of fresh blood samples, DNA extraction, PCR analysis, and amplification using the specifically designed forward and reverse primers for targeting the commonly occurring mutations in FGFR3 gene. Further the products were sequenced to evaluate the presence of any novel mutations. Results: The targeted single-nucleotide polymorphisms, at position 1138 in exon 10 of the FGFR3 gene were not identified in the analyzed blood samples. The detailed sequencing of full gene revealed the presence of 2 novel mutations, Exon 3: A213G and Exon 3: A223A/G in one individual. Conclusions: The present study indicated 2 novel mutations in gene FGFR3 in individual with maxillary retrognathism. The genetic–environmental interactions might have played a significant role in the expression of retrognathic maxilla.

Clinical evaluation of biodentine: Its efficacy in the management of deep dental caries S Kusumvalli, Abhinav Diwan, Shiraz Pasha, Madhuri R Devale, Chava Deepak Chowdhary, Priyanki Saikia Indian Journal of Dental Research 2019 30(2):191-195 Background: The advancement in the dentin regeneration aiming at the preservation of pulpal vitality has challenged the traditional concept of substituting diseased tooth with inert materials. Clinical studies, demonstrating preservation of pulpal vitality with the use of biomimetic materials in deep carious lesions, are lacking in the literature. Objective: This clinical study aims to assess the treatment outcome of vital pulp therapy using Biodentine in cases of deep carious lesion in a single visit treatment protocol. Methodology: Twelve posterior teeth with deep carious lesion with no signs of irreversible pulpitis were selected for the study. After rubber dam application, excavation of caries was performed until all infected dentin was removed leaving behind affected dentine. Biodentine was applied followed by immediate restoration with bonded composite resin. The patient was recalled at time intervals of 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and up to 1 year for clinical and radiographic evaluation. Outcome was described in terms of success and failure. Success was defined as clinical absence of signs and symptoms, response to sensibility test on every recall visits, no tooth discoloration seen, and radiographical absence of periapical pathosis. Results: All the 12 patients were recalled at the end of 1 year for follow-up. The overall success rate was 83.4%. Two of the twelve cases required root canal treatment to relieve painful pulpitis. On clinical and radiographic examination, no signs of periapical pathosis were noted in the 10 successful cases. Conclusion: In deep carious lesions, vital pulp therapy with Biodentine has proven to maintain the pulpal vitality in permanent teeth with single visit treatment protocol.

Effectiveness of musical toothbrush on oral debris and gingival bleeding among 6–10-year-old children: A randomized controlled trial Nivedha Subburaman, Parangimalai Diwakar Madan Kumar, Kiran Iyer Indian Journal of Dental Research 2019 30(2):196-199 Context: Motivation serves to be an integral part of health promotion to children at the learning phase of their life. Aim: Evaluation of the effectiveness of musical toothbrush over regular toothbrush in the debris and gingival bleeding scores among children. Settings and Design: This was a single-blinded parallel, randomized controlled trial conducted among 6–10-year-old schoolchildren in Chennai. Methods: One hundred participants with allocation ratio of 1:1 were assigned to musical and regular toothbrush group by simple randomization. After baseline evaluation (T0) of Debris Index-Simplified (DI-S) and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), outcome variables were assessed for a period of 3 months (T1, T2, and T3). Statistical Analysis Used: Friedman test and Mann–Whitney statistical test were used to compare the outcome variables within and across the two groups. Results: Thirty-two boys and 68 girls (mean age: 8.53 years) participated in the study. Statistically significant difference was seen in DI-S score among musical toothbrush group (mean: 0.50 [T3] and GBI score: 8.18% [T3]) when compared to regular toothbrush group (mean: 1.59 [T3] and GBI score: 23.54 [T3]) at the end of the 3rd month. Conclusion: Although both the musical and regular toothbrushes effectively reduced the DI-S and GBI scores, former showed effective change among children when compared to the latter.

The relationship between overweight/obesity and dental erosion among a group of Saudi children and adolescents Nahla Jastaniyah, Ibrahim Al-Majed, Aayed Alqahtani Indian Journal of Dental Research 2019 30(2):200-206 Background: As childhood obesity is emerging in Saudi children and adolescents with high prevalence, it is considered as one of the major public health concerns. Therefore, it has been studied in relation to other diseases as a cause factor. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate whether childhood obesity is a risk indicator for dental erosion and to obtain information on dietary habits that are related to dental erosion in overweight/obesity in a group of Saudi children and adolescents. Study Design: The study involved 370 children of both genders aged 4-18 years. The convenient sample included 190 overweight/obese children attending obesity clinic and 180 controls. Materials and Methods: Body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) was calculated and BMI percentile obtained based on the age- and sex-specific according to the Centers for Disease Control chart (normal 5th to <85th percentile, overweight 85th to <95th percentile, and obese ≥95th percentile). Dental examination and questionnaire were carried out by one calibrated and trained examiner on these children using the UK Children's Dental Health Survey Classification for dental erosion. Results: The prevalence of dental erosion was more significant in the study group (8.42%) than the normal group (2.78%). Its severity was higher in the form of loss of enamel surface characterization in the study group (86.36%) compared to controls (13.64%). Carbonated drinks that were taken at night and drinks that were taken at night and drunk without a straw showed higher prevalence of dental erosion (33.3% and 10.3%) in overweight/obese participants. Conclusions: Dental erosion can be regarded as a risk indicator of childhood obesity in the form of loss of enamel surface characterization. Efforts should be taken to reduce carbonated drinks intake and to change the method of drinking erosive potential drinks among overweight/obese children.

Orofacial conditions and their relation to the sense of coherence among participants afflicted with leprosy in West Bengal State: A cross-sectional study Poulami Mishra, Nusrath Fareed, P Jagan Indian Journal of Dental Research 2019 30(2):207-212 Introduction: About 4 million people are disabled by leprosy. Eighty-six percent of leprosy patients reside in Southeast Asia and Brazil. India accounts for up to 70% of total cases. In India, it is highest in West Bengal, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the quality of life in terms of sense of coherence (SOC) among patients afflicted with leprosy in the state of West Bengal (located in eastern India on the Bay of Bengal). Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological study was conducted among estimated sample size of 350 participants who were afflicted with leprosy drawn from across the state of West Bengal, India. Data were collected on a specially designed pro forma. Results: Most of the participants afflicted with leprosy were in the age group of 40–77 years, and there was predominance of males, with most of them belonging to the upper-lower socioeconomic class. On evaluating the incidence of extraoral lesions through ranking, facial nodules and facial spots were highest 182 (52%), while among intraoral lesions such as melanin pigmentation 176 (50%) and inflammatory papillary hyperplasia 150 (42.8%), was seen in greater fraction. The results of bivariate analysis between SOC and variables under investigation show that majority of the cases, i.e., 258 (47.14%) revealed the SOC interpretation as “poor.” Statistical analysis showed significant difference in relation to age (P ≤ 0001) and socioeconomic status (P = 0.053) of participants. Conclusions: We conclude that 52% of the population were having facial nodules and facial spots and 50.2% of the population had intraoral manifestation such as melanin pigmentation. Analysis of SOC revealed that majority of the cases were interpreted as “poor.”