Socio-behavioral variables effecting oral hygiene and periodontal status of 12 year-old schoolchildren of Udaipur district

AIM

To assess the effect of various socio-demographic in addition to oral hygiene variables on the oral hygiene and periodontal status.

METHODS

A combination of multi stage and cluster sampling procedure was followed to collect a representative population of 831, 12 year-old schoolchildren of Udiapur district. Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) were used to evaluate oral hygiene and periodontal status respectively. Along with the clinical examination, each subject was interviewed to collect the socio-demographic information and oral hygiene practices.

RESULTS

The overall mean OHI-S was 1.42 and debris component of the oral hygiene index was dominant. Unpaired 't' test showed significantly higher DI-S (p = 0.0001) and OHI-S (p = 0.007) among boys than girls. The overall prevalence of periodontal disease was 89.9% and gingival bleeding was widespread. Chi square test demonstrated significant differences (p = 0.0001) with 14.6% urban children having healthy periodontium in comparison to 5.6% rural residents. Oral hygiene scores were dependent on the father's occupation (p = 0.046), father's (p = 0.002) and mother's level of education (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral hygiene status was poor, more among boys with debris contributing a major part for oral hygiene index. Periodontal status was poor with bleeding being most prevalent indicator. The multivariate analysis of oral hygiene status confirmed the existence of socio-behavioural determinants for oral hygiene.

Do active ingredients in non alcoholic chlorhexidine mouth wash provide added effectiveness? Observations from a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is the most tested and leading oral antiseptic agent. Zinc as an active ingredient has shown additive and synergistic effect and when Sodium fluoride (NaF) was used it failed to show added effectiveness and the combined effect of NaF and Zinc chloride (ZnCl2) both as active ingredients has never been evaluated. The present study assessed the effectiveness of active ingredients and to compare the frequency of adverse events occurring with traditional CHX and CHX+NaF+ZnCl2.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A randomized double blind crossover trial was executed with 24 subjects participating in two consecutive experimental phases of 21 days each with CHX and CHX+NaF+ZnCl2 mouth rinses. Each individual was assessed for gingivitis, plaque, supragingival calculus and extrinsic stains at baseline and after experimental phase and adverse events experienced were recorded.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference (p = 0.014) between the two experimental mouth rinses for their effectiveness on gingivitis. In the CHX group, the gingival score on D21 was significantly greater by 0.13 than DO while with CHX+NaF+ZnCl2 there was a decrease in gingival score by 0.09 which was insignificant. No significant difference was observed between the interventions for plaque accumulation and formation of extrinsic stains. The difference in the mean calculus score at baseline and after experimental phase was 1.47 for CHX+NaF+ZnCl2 in contrast to 1.93 among CHX group. Oral itching, oral soreness, apthous ulcers and dryness were reported by many subjects while burning sensation was reported by very few volunteers. There was no significant difference for occurrence of adverse events between the two experimental mouthrinses.

CONCLUSIONS

CHX+NaF+ZnCl2 mouth rinse was found to be significantly more effective in the reduction of gingivitis and supragingival calculus. No significant difference was found for the occurrence of dental plaque, extrinsic stains and adverse events between the interventions.

Periodontal status of green marble mine labourers in Kesariyaji, Rajasthan, India

AIMS

The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence and pattern of periodontal disease among green marble mine labourers and to use the data to provide a baseline for planning and evaluation of oral health care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study area was located in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan, India, divided into four geographical zones: Masoron ki ovri, Rushabhdev, Khandiovri and Kagdar Bhatiya. This study comprised 513 male subjects in four age groups (18 to 25, 26 to 34, 35 to 44 and > 45 years) collected using the stratified cluster sampling method. The data were collected by World Heath Organization (WHO) oral health assessment form, and clinical examination was conducted by the methods recommended by the WHO oral health surveys. There were three examiners, all of whom were calibrated before the survey for inter-examiner variability. The reliability was tested by means of weighted kappa statistics, which were 89% for periodontal data. Data were statistically analysed using SPSS/PC+ (SPSS software, Illinois, USA).

RESULTS

The prevalence of periodontal disease was found to be 98.2%. Bleeding on probing and calculus were widespread. The mean number of healthy sextants decreased abruptly with an increase in age. The greatest periodontal destruction was manifested in the 35 to 44-year-old age group, with 0.4 sextants having deep pocket probing depths.

CONCLUSIONS

The present level and pattern of periodontal disease in marble mine workers is severe, and the implementation of oral health promotion and prevention is urgently needed.