Aishwarya Singh

Antibacterial Activity and Fluoride Release of Glass-Ionomer Cement, Compomer and Zirconia Reinforced Glass-Ionomer Cement

INTRODUCTION The cariostatic property of glass ionomer cement (GIC) stems from its ability to release fluoride into the oral environment. Recently, zirconia reinforced GIC has been launched which promises the protective benefits of glass ionomer while completely eliminating the hazard of mercury. AIM To evaluate invitro antibacterial activity and fluoride release from two conventional glass ionomer cements (GC II and GC IX), compomer (Compoglass) and a zirconia reinforced glass ionomer cement (Zirconomer). MATERIALS AND METHODS The antibacterial activity of the cement specimens was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans using the agar inhibition test. Zone of inhibition on Mueller-Hinton agar plates was measured after 48 hours. The fluoride release from the cement specimens in ppm were measured at day 1, 7, 14 and 21 using a fluoride ion selective electrode. Data was analysed using one-way and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by LSD post-hoc test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Statistically significant largest zone of inhibition was observed with Zirconomer. Also, significant differences were seen in fluoride release of different materials. At all the time intervals maximum fluoride release was observed with Zirconomer and minimum with Compoglass. CONCLUSION This invitro investigation has revealed that zirconia reinforced GIC (Zirconomer) had maximum antibacterial activity against S.mutans and fluoride release.

The association of lifestyle with the physical activity and diet of adolescents in Bhopal City, India

Purpose: To assess the association of lifestyle with physical activity and diet of adolescents in Bhopal City, Madhya Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 310 college going adolescents within an age range of 17–23 years from an Arts Institute in Bhopal city were selected for the study. Self-reported questionnaire for adolescents to assess lifestyle factors (tobacco and alcohol consumption), regular physical activity, and dietary habits were used. Descriptive statistics and Spearmans correlation were applied wherever indicated. Results: Out of the total study population, 54% were males and 46% were females. Majority, i.e., 66% of the total study participants were optimal weight, 28% were underweight, and only a few, 5% were overweight. A significant association was observed between lifestyle habits (P < 0.05) and regular physical activity and dietary habits. Conclusion: Lifestyle factors have a strong association with regular physical activities and dietary practices among the adolescents. The unsatisfactory lifestyle habits of adolescents are a major public health concern. These maladapted habits track into later life as predictors of depleted health. Hence, it is mandatory that health professionals keep a check and provide regular health education among children and adolescents.

The critical incident technique in dental research: A review

Research is a scientific quest to find answers to certain questions. It makes us think with curiosity and wonderment about how to make something better. Research contributes in a major way to the development and maintenance of health and health care systems. Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomena and includes subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions, and behavior. It is especially important in the behavioral sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behavior. The critical incident technique (CIT) is a well-established qualitative research tool used in many areas of health sciences including nursing, medicine, dentistry, and their respective education systems. This technique is described as consisting of “a set of procedures for collecting direct observations of human behavior in such a way as to facilitate their potential usefulness in solving practical problems.” This review gives a gist of CIT and its application in different aspects of dental research.

Assessment of dental erosion among sports personnel in central India

Aim: To compare tooth erosion among contact and noncontact sports personnel. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among all active professional sports players from Madhya Pradesh representing India at national and international. Information on demographic characteristics of participants along with oral health behavior such as their oral hygiene habits, frequency of beverages consumption during sports activity was collected by means of personnel interview administered by the examiner. Clinically erosion index was used based on a Survey of Children Dental Health in UK 1993 along with CPI probe to diagnose the erosion. Results: Statistically significant difference (<0.05) was noted among the type of beverages intake in contact and noncontact sports.

Dental traumatic injuries among sports personnel of central India

Aim: Assess the prevalence of traumatic teeth injury among sports personnel of central India including contact and non contact sports. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among all professional sports personnel to assess the traumatic tooth injury among sportspersons in Bhopal city. Clinical examination was done using Ellis And Dewis Classification Of traumatic injuries and Angle′s Classification Of Malocclusion. Result: Out of 320 sportspersons, 54(16.8%) subjects had anterior tooth injuries. majority of contact sports personnel 15(9%) had 4-6 number of traumatic teeth injury as compare to non contact sports 4(2.5%). Similarly in all the other segments contact sports personnel has more number of teeth injured as compare to non contact sports, which shows a statistical relevance. Conclusion: The dental services provided at sporting events are of consultative nature and not an integrated component of multidisciplinary sports medicine. However it is essential so that immediate availability of the dentist can allow athlete to return to competition and prevents secondary complications.

Assessment of periodontal status of Indian police personnel of Central India: A cross-sectional representative study

Background: Periodontal health is an integral part of oral and in turn general health. Police personnel form the pillars for safety and security of a community hence their health is of utmost importance. The present study aimed to assess the periodontal health status of district police personnel employed in police stations of Bhopal District of Central India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on all the available police personnel at various police stations. Final sample size comprised of 781 subjects. The data were recorded on modified World Health Organization format (1997) comprising Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and loss of attachment. Results: The mean age of subjects was 40.5 years, 95.6% were males and 4.4% were females. Regarding highest CPI score, 23.4% subjects had a healthy periodontium whereas maximum subjects (31.3) had a CPI score 2. The CPI scores showed a significant relationship with post, age and education. Conclusion: Overall periodontal status was poor with a high number of subjects requiring oral health education.

Knowledge of evidence-based dentistry among academic dental practitioners of Bhopal, India: a preliminary survey

This study aimed to characterize the knowledge of evidence-based dentistry (EBD) among dental faculty members in the city of Bhopal in central India. A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered at two dental colleges in Bhopal City. All dental faculty members who were present on the day of the study and who agreed to participate were included in the study. A total of 50 dental faculty members returned the questionnaire. Six Likert-type questions were asked, and the percentages of various responses were used for analysis. Sixteen faculty members (32.0%) strongly agreed that EBD is a process of making decisions based on scientifically proven evidence. Fifteen faculty members (30.0%) strongly disagreed or disagreed with the item stating that the best and quickest way to find evidence is by reading textbooks or asking experienced colleagues. Thirteen faculty members (26.0%) strongly agreed that EBD allows dentists to improve their scientific knowledge and clinical skills. It is recommended that EBD be included in undergraduate and postgraduate curricula and in intensive continuing dental education programs that are conducted for dental faculty members.

Oral hygiene practices and its relationship with periodontal status among police personnel of Bhopal city, Central India: An epidemiological study

Background: To assess the oral hygiene practices, oral health awareness, and oral health status of police personnel in Bhopal city and to suggest measures to improve the present oral health status. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted on 781 subjects, mean aged 40.5 years, who were selected by simple random sampling. Type-III examination of the subjects was conducted and along with questionnaire, community periodontal index (CPI), loss of attachment index and decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) data was recorded on modified W.H.O format 1997. A value of P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Awareness related to oral health diseases, its cause, and prevention was low among police personnel. DMFT was significantly lower among this group. CPI score 2 was highest among the majority of subjects. Subjects brushing twice daily had significantly healthy periodontium than those brushing once daily. Conclusion: Most of the police personnel lack oral health awareness and suffer from periodontal diseases. Awareness should be created to maintain good oral hygiene, regular dental checkup and refrain from smoking among police personnel.