Ganesh Shenoy Panchmal

Parental Attitudes and Tooth Brushing Habits in Preschool Children in Mangalore, Karnataka: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background: Adoption of consistent behavioral habits in childhood takes place at home, with the parents especially the mother, being the primary model for behavior. Tooth brushing habits which is learnt during early years of life, is deeply ingrained in the childs mind and it is expected that this leads to an adaptation of good oral hygiene in their later life. Objectives: To assess the tooth brushing habits of preschool children and to determine the role and amount of supervision given to them by parents. Study design: A pretested self-designed questionnaire was used to collect information from parents of 130 preschool children in Anganwadi and Kindergarten in Mangalore. Statistical analysis was done and Chi-square test was used. Results: Tooth brushing habits in these children was started at a mean age of 22.4 months (SD 8.4).62% of the preschool children used toothbrush and toothpaste for cleaning teeth and brushing habits were mainly (84%) introduced by mothers. Seventy-one percent of the children were cooperative when they were introduced to tooth brushing. Conclusion: Preschool children of Mangalore were introduced to tooth brushing at a mean age of 22.4 months. Mothers played a vital role in introducing and teaching the child how to brush. In children less than 10 months of age tooth brushing was not started at all. How to cite this article: Pullishery F, Panchmal GS, Shenoy R. Parental Attitudes and Tooth Brushing Habits in Preschool Children in Mangalore, Karnataka: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2013;6(3):156-160.

Tobacco use among rural schoolchildren of 13-15 years age group: a cross-sectional study.

An estimated 186 million of the world population are school children of 13-15 years. Among them, approximately 34.8 million are current tobacco users.(1) In India, the most susceptible time for tobacco use is during adolescence and early adulthood (15-24 years). In rural settings, family members and neighbours who often ask young children to get tobacco from nearby shops. Media advertisements and colorfully packaged tobacco products act as pro-tobacco influences.(2) There is an urgent need to curb tobacco use among youth. Hence, this study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use among rural school children of 13-15 years and to find the reasons for use of tobacco products. Also, reasons for initiation, access, availability, source of funding, knowledge about the dangers of tobacco consumption, tobacco use among family and teachers, and cessation behavior were assessed.

Effect of Herbal and Fluoride Mouth Rinses on Streptococcus mutans and Dental Caries among 12–15-Year-Old School Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To assess and compare the effect of herbal and fluoride mouth rinses on Streptococcus mutans count and glucan synthesis by Streptococcus mutans and dental caries, a parallel group placebo controlled randomized trial was conducted among 240 schoolchildren (12–15 years old). Participants were randomly divided and allocated into Group I (0.2% fluoride group), Group II (herbal group), and Group III (placebo group). All received 10 ml of respective mouth rinses every fortnight for a period of one year. Intergroup and intragroup comparison were done for Streptococcus mutans count and glucan synthesis by Streptococcus mutans and dental caries. Streptococcus mutans count showed a statistically significant difference between Group I and Group III (p = 0.035) and also between Group II and Group III (p = 0.039). Glucan concentration levels showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.024) between Group II and Group III at 12th month. Mean DMF scores showed no statistical difference between the three groups (p = 0.139). No difference in the level of significance was seen in the intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. The present study showed that both herbal and fluoride mouth rinses, when used fortnightly, were equally effective and could be recommended for use in school-based health education program to control dental caries. Trial registration number is CTRI/2015/08/006070.

Salivary Thiocyanate, Uric Acid and pH as Biomarkers of Periodontal Disease in Tobacco Users and Non-Users- An In-Vitro Study

INTRODUCTION Biomarkers of tobacco exposure are used to confirm the absorption of specific smoke constituents in a quantitative manner. MATERIALS AND METHODS Periodontal status was measured by Community periodontal Index (WHO). Salivary thiocyanate was determined using spectrophotometric analysis, Salivary uric acid concentration was determined using the enzymatic uric acid assay reagent. pH was measured using pH strips. RESULTS Proportion of participants with periodontal pockets of 4-5mm was highest among tobacco smokers (80.0%) and periodontal pockets of 6mm or more were observed to be higher among tobacco chewers (26.67%). When LOA scores among tobacco chewers were recorded 26.7% of them presented with attachment loss of 0-3mm. 46.7% of them were affected with loss of attachment of 4-5mm and loss of attachment 6-8mm was found in 16.7%. 6.7% of them were found to be having loss of attachment of 9-11mm. 3.3% of them were found to be having loss of attachment of 12mm or more. The LOA scores in non- tobacco users showed 46.7% of 0-3mm, 50.0% of 4-5mm and 3.33% of 6-8mm attachment loss. The mean level of thiocyanate level detected in saliva of tobacco smokers was 172 ± 54.7 μg/ml and 203.70± 45.7 μg/ml in tobacco chewers. The mean uric acid levels was found to be 2.54 ±0.63 (μg/dl) in smokers and 2.65 ± 0.37(μg/dl) in chewers and in non tobacco users it was 2.33 ± 0.47 μg/dl. CONCLUSION Tobacco users had significantly higher concentration of SCN levels than non-users.

Dentofacial Characteristics among Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twin Pairs from a Unique Village of Twins in South India: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Aim: To assess the dentofacial characteristics of a mystery village of twins in South India. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among of 22 twin pairs (10 monozygotic twins and 12 dizygotic twins). The evaluation was done in terms of height, weight, dentofacial profile, and occlusion status based on anthropometric, photographic, and dental cast analysis. Results: Data obtained upon analysis of anthropometric measurements, photographic data, and dental cast evaluation revealed a set of characteristics peculiar to the twins of this unique village. Conclusion: Twin studies are a fascinating method of research because of their ability to correctly isolate a characteristic and determine its impact, especially in terms of dentofacial characteristics. Clinical significance: Twin research design involving the comparison of variables among monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins is a method by which researchers quantify and classify the contribution of genes and other extraneous factors influencing heredity on the dentofacial complex and dentition.

Aspartate aminotransferase as a biomarker in periodontal disease: A comparative in vitro study

Background: Estimation of biomarkers in saliva could offer an attractive opportunity for the diagnosis of periodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the saliva of patients with periodontal disease. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients were assigned to each of the three groups - C0, C3, and C4 based on their largest Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) code, totaling 60 participants. Immediately after a single mouth rinse with 15 mL of water to wash out exfoliated cells, about 1 mL of unstimulated saliva was collected in sterile plastic containers and transported to the biochemical laboratory for spectrophotometric analysis. Results: There were significant differences between levels of AST from the groups C0, C3, and C4. There was a significant positive correlation between clinical parameters and AST concentration in the saliva of each group. There was no statistical significance between males and females in all three groups. Conclusion: AST levels in the saliva increased with increase in the CPITN score. Group C0 had the least while group C4 had the highest AST level. High levels of AST are characteristic features of periodontitis affected subjects. Hence, monitoring the levels of AST in the saliva could be utilized as periodontal disease markers.

Mangalore taluk, Hindistan’da Diş Hekimliği Tesislerinin Dağılımına Bakış

Objective: Equitable distribution of health care facilities is a guiding principle of Primary Heath Care. Although Mangalore taluk is a reputed center for medical education and health care, location of these facilities has not been evaluated to date. Therefore, a systematic survey was conducted to evaluate distribution of dental care facilities in Mangalore taluk, India. Material and Methods: List of Primary Health Centers, Community Health Centers and government hospitals, and details of the dental personnel and dental care facilities available at these centers was obtained from the District Health Officer (DHO). Data on registered private dental practitioners was obtained from the DHO and the Indian Dental Association. Information was obtained from dental colleges in the taluk regarding outreach activities and collaborations with the public sector. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: Dentists are posted only at the CHCs and the District Hospital where they provide only basic dental services due to a lack of infrastructure. Of the 189 private dental clinics, 91% are located in urban areas of the taluk. They provide all modalities of dental care but are inaccessible to a majority of the rural population. Dental schools provide dental services to people in their vicinity, conduct outreach camps and have adopted four PHCs. Conclusion: An uneven distribution of dental care facilities exists with an overwhelming majority concentrated in the urban areas of the taluk.

Malocclusion and Orthodontic Treatment Need among High School Students in Mangalore City, India

Malocclusion has great impact on society and the individual in terms of social and functional limitations, psychological trauma and discomfort. The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) is a WHOrecommended method of screening for dentofacial anomalies and orthodontic treatment need. This survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need among high school students in Mangalore city, Karnataka State, India. List of schools in Mangalore city was obtained from the Block Educational Officer. After obtaining consent from the relevant authorities, four schools were selected by random sampling (lottery method). In these schools, all students who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were examined with the help of a recorder. A proforma was used to record demographic data (name of the student and school, age, gender), and the criteria of the DAI for each subject. Data were analyzed using the Chi squared test and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Study subjects numbered 422 and ranged in age from 11-18 years. According to the DAI criteria, 66.1% subjects had no abnormality or minor malocclusion (requiring little or no orthodontic treatment), 22.3% had definite malocclusion (in whom orthodontic treatment was an elective option), 9.9% presented with severe malocclusion (with orthodontic treatment being highly desirable) and 1.7% had very severe or handicapping malocclusion (requiring mandatory orthodontic treatment). Malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need were found to be present in 33.9% of the population surveyed. These data will help in planning and executing appropriate measures to overcome this oral condition.