Mithun B.H. Pai

Antimicrobial efficacy of Tulsi leaf (Ocimum sanctum) extract on periodontal pathogens: An in vitro study.

Background: Periodontitis is an infection of the periodontal complex with severe forms of disease associated with specific bacteria colonizing the subgingival area. Widespread use of drugs has resulted in the emergence of side effects, uncommon infections, and resistance. Plant medicine like Tulsi has been used in many clinical conditions, and it appears to be a suitable alternative to manage conditions affecting the oral cavity. Hence, the objective was to assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Tulsi leaves extract (Ocimum sanctum) on periodontal pathogens with doxycycline as standard, as doxycycline has been used as an adjunct to nonsurgical therapy in periodontitis patients. Materials and Methods: Ethanolic extract of Tulsi was prepared by cold extraction method. Extract was diluted with an inert solvent, dimethyl formamide, to obtain five different concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, and 10%). Doxycycline was used as a positive control and dimethyl formamide, as a negative control. The extract and controls were subjected to the microbiological investigation against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Agar well diffusion method was employed to determine the concentration at which Tulsi gave an inhibition zone, similar to doxycycline. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post-hoc test was used for inter- and intra-group comparisons. Results: At 5% and 10% concentrations, Tulsi extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans, similar to doxycycline with similar inhibition zones (P > 0.05). P. gingivalis and P. intermedia, however, exhibited resistance to Tulsi extract that showed significantly smaller inhibition zones (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Tulsi demonstrated effective antimicrobial property against A. actinomycetemcomitans, suggesting its possible use as an effective and affordable “adjunct” along with the standard care in the management of periodontal conditions. However, further research assessing the toxicity, durability, and other assessments followed by clinical trials is necessary to explore the potential of Tulsi in combating oral conditions.

Impact of occlusal support and perceived chewing ability on oral health-related quality of life among patients attending a private dental institution in India

Purpose: Presence of functional tooth units is essential for preserving masticatory function among individuals. Representing the essence of health promotion practice, demand to measure varied evaluation outcomes is highlighted. Aim and Objectives:(1) To assess the influence of occlusal support and perceived chewing ability on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among adults attending a private dental institution in Mangalore. (2) To evaluate occlusal support using Eichner index (EI), perceived chewing ability using a self-administered questionnaire and OHRQoL using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Materials and Methods: Overall, 300 adults attending a private dental institution in Mangalore were included. EI was used to group participants into three groups. The chewing ability was assessed using a questionnaire on perceived difficulty while chewing eight common foods. OHRQoL was measured employing OHIP-14. Perceived general and oral health status and demographic information were collected. Results: The mean perceived chewing ability score was 12.98 ± 6.2 and the mean total OHIP score was 9.23 ± 8.9. EI showed a significant relation with perceived chewing ability, OHIP, and perceived general health status (P < 0.05). Perceived chewing ability and OHIP demonstrated a significant correlation (r = 0.31, P< 0.001). Age, gender, education, occupation, monthly income, family income, and number of family members demonstrated a significant association with EI (P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that EI, perceived chewing ability, and perceived oral health emerged as significant predictors of OHRQoL (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Occlusal support was significantly associated with perceived chewing ability, OHRQoL, and perceived general health status.

Trends in self-medication for dental conditions among patients attending oral health outreach programs in coastal Karnataka, India.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, pattern, and awareness of self-medication practices among patients presenting at oral health outreach programs in coastal Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study, based on an interview conducted in randomly selected 400 study subjects from the patients presenting at these oral health outreach programs. Data were collected regarding demographic information and the interview schedule consisting of 14 questions was administered. Results: Prevalence of self-medication was 30%. Respondents’ gender (χ2 = 5.095, P < 0.05), occupation (χ2 = 10.215, P < 0.05), the time from the last dental visit (χ2 = 8.108, P < 0.05), recommendation of drug(s) to family members or friends (χ2 = 75.565, P < 0.001), and the likelihood of self-medication in the next 6 months (χ2 = 80.999, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with self-medication. Male respondents were less likely to have undertaken self-medication (odds ratio = 0.581 [0.361, 0.933]). The frequently self-medicated drug was analgesics (42.5%) for toothache (69.2%). The regression model explained 39.4% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in self-medication practices. Conclusions: Prevalence of self-medication was 30% with demographic influence. Hence, this study highlights the policy implications for drug control by government agencies and stresses on the need for dental health education to discourage irrational drug use.

Oral health care availability in health centers of Mangalore taluk, India

Background: Community-oriented oral health programs are seldom found in India. When primary health care systems were in the 1980s, dentistry was not adequately included. This has left oral health far behind other health services. Objectives: To find the availability of dental professionals, infrastructure, equipment, and treatments provided in health centers of Mangalore taluk. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical officers and dentists working in all the health centers of Mangalore taluk, using an interview schedule, the oral health care availability inventory (ORAI). Results: Among 23 health centers of Mangalore taluk, dental services were available at six health centers (26%) [two community health centers (CHCs) and four primary health centers (PHCs)]. Mouth mirrors, dental explorers, and extraction instruments were available at six health centers [two CHCs (100%) and four PHCs (19%)]. No health centers provided orthodontic tooth corrections, removal of impacted teeth, oral biopsies, and fabrication of removable dentures. Conclusions: Availability of dental services was limited in the health centers, and a vast majority of the rural population in Mangalore taluk did not have access to dental care.

Perceptions towards evidence based practice among oral health professionalsin Mangalore, India

AshwiniRao Background:-Evidence based practice (EBP) is a way to transfer evidence obtained from research into everyday provision of health care services. A dentist should not only know about the sources to obtain evidence, but also be able to critically assess the mountain of research studies available. This study was aimed to determine EBP knowledge, attitudes, confidence in critical appraisal skills and methods for accessing evidence among oral health professionals in Mangalore, India. Material and method:-We used a standardized and validated 36 item EBP KACE (Knowledge, Attitudes, Confidence and Evidence) questionnaire which consisted of 4 domains, Knowledge of Critical Appraisal, Attitudes about Evidence-Based Practice, Confidence in Critical Appraisal Skills and Accessing Evidence. Statistical analysis was performed using student’s t test, binary logistic regression and bivariate correlation tests. Results:-A total of 133 males and 231 females took part in the study (n=364). Participants were divided into interns, postgraduate students and specialists. Mean knowledge of postgraduates (2.45; SD 1.2) was highest. Attitudes levels were similar for postgraduates (4.4; SD 2.5) and undergraduates (4.7; SD 2.6). Postgraduate students were more aware of newer methods of accessing evidence (4.1; SD 2.0) (p < 0.01) compared to others. Conclusions:-Postgraduates had greater knowledge of EBP and better ideas of ways to access evidence. The undergraduates showed a positive attitude and interest towards evidence based practice. Hence, making evidence based practice a formalized part of dental curriculum would enable young dentists to make optimal treatment decisions essential in the interest of the patient as well as the community.

Willingness to Participate in Disaster Management Among Indian Dental Graduates

INTRODUCTION India has been the focal point of various disasters, and has suffered considerable losses due to the same. Manpower shortage can impede disaster management; hence, including dental professionals in disaster management in India can be crucial. HYPOTHESIS/PROBLEM To assess willingness to participate in disaster management among Indian dental graduates; to assess the objective knowledge, attitude, behavior and perceived knowledge regarding disaster management among Indian dental graduates. METHODS All the interns in Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka were included in the present study. Their willingness to participate in disaster management and their objective knowledge, attitude, behavior and perceived knowledge related to disaster management were assessed using a questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 86 study subjects participated. A majority (98.8%) of respondents were willing to participate in disaster management. Mean objective knowledge, attitude, behavior and perceived knowledge scores were 48.65%, 80.26%, 29.85% and 60.80% respectively. Males reported higher perceived knowledge than females (P = .008), and respondents residing in hostels reported higher perceived knowledge than those not residing in hostels (P = .02). Gender showed significant correlations with attitude (r = 4.076, P = .044) and behavior (r = 3.722, P = .054), and residence with behavior of respondents (r = 5.690, P = .017). CONCLUSIONS A high degree of willingness to provide assistance during disasters was observed among undergraduate dental students. High attitude coupled with low knowledge and behavior scores regarding disaster management was also observed. Gender was associated with attitude and behavior, and residence with behavior of respondents regarding disaster management. Including disaster management in dental curricula and involvement of dental professionals in disaster management might be crucial for disaster management in India.

Reporting guidelines in health research: A review

Contemporary health research has come under close scrutiny, exposing alarming flaws in the reporting of research. The reporting guidelines can aid in identification of poorly reported studies and can bring transparency to health research. The guidelines also help journal editors, peer reviewers, funding agencies, and readers to better discern health research. Reporting guidelines encourage accurate and thorough reporting of fundamental aspects of health research so that the results of studies can be replicated by others. Reporting guidelines are potent tools to improve the practice of research and in reducing reporting bias. For the present review, both electronic and manual literature search was carried out. Electronic databases like PubMed, MEDLINE, EBSCO host, and Science Direct were searched for extracting relevant articles. Various key words and their combinations were used for literature search like reporting guidelines, checklist, research, publishing standards, study design, medicine, and dentistry. The search results were scrutinized for relevance to the topic and only full text articles in English were incorporated. Various reporting guidelines were identified and grouped under headings based on study design. This review article attempts to highlight the various reporting guidelines in literature relating to health research, its potential applications, and its limitations.

Social determinants of health and oral health: An Indian perspective.

Several conventional approaches have been tried in the past to resolve health inequities in India. However, achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is yet to be fully realized as the benefits have been meager. The recent concept of targeting social determinants of general and oral health in order to achieve health for all has shown positive results in the developed as well as the developing nations. Based on the framework recommended by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health, several policies have been introduced and suitably backed up with the intention of providing health care even to people living in remote sections of the society. This paper intends to highlight the rationale for social determinants approach in Indian context, its application and future recommendations for the same. It is considered as a radical approach, and adequate measures have been implemented by health systems to achieve the desired targets without delay. However, in order to achieve UHC, redistribution of the available resources and converting the “normative” needs into “felt” needs of the people is going to be an uphill task to accomplish.