Effectiveness of platelet rich fibrin versus demineralized bone xenograft in periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics: A pilot comparative clinical study

OBJECTIVES

To compare the rate of extraction space closure between periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO) using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) (Group 1) and PAOO using demineralized bone xenograft (DMBM) (Group 2) and to compare the level of wound healing between the PRF group vs the DMBM group after PAOO.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A two-arm prospective single blind pilot study with a split-mouth design was used in which 14 patients requiring premolar extraction were divided into two groups: PRF and DMBM. En-masse space closure was carried out with using mini implants after the PAOO procedure. The amount of space closure was measured at five time points with 2-week intervals within 2 months. The gingival healing levels were assessed using early wound healing scores on the first postoperative day.

RESULTS

The rate of extraction space closure was faster in the experimental quadrant at all time points (T1-T4) in the PRF group and at time points (T3, T4) in the DMBM group. Comparison between experimental quadrants showed a significant increase in the rate of space closure in the PRF group T1 to T3 (P < .05). The PRF group showed higher total early healing scores than the DMBM group.

CONCLUSIONS

PRF, when used in the PAOO procedure, produces a faster rate of space closure with better early wound healing than DMBM.

COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on dental students: A multi-institutional survey

Purpose/objectives

To investigate dental students’ perceptions and concerns regarding the COVID‐19 pandemic, their coping strategies and support resources, and their perceived stress levels.

Methods

A customized 19‐item survey and the perceived stress scale (PSS) were applied to undergraduate dental students from the US, Spain, Ireland, Chile, India, and Brazil between April 10 and July 5, 2020. Linear modeling and mediation analysis were used to explore the relationships among demographics, stressors, coping mechanisms, social support, and stress

Results

A total of 4475 students responded to the survey. The majority (72.4%) were women, and 52.3% had no COVID‐19 training at the time of the survey. The students reported that they had to accommodate to changes in patient care (96.6%) and didactic learning (95.2%) activities, while 88.5% of the respondents indicated at least one of their courses moved online. Transition to online courses went “smoothly with some troubles” for 51.8% of the respondents, and 48.3% perceived the faculty as prepared for the online transition; however, 45.9% reported feeling extremely concerned about the impact of COVID‐19 on their education. The average PSS score was 21.9 of 40 (moderate stress). Multivariate models were built for participants with full data (n = 3899). Being male, having completed more dental coursework, and perceiving a smoother transition were associated with lower PSS scores; more concern about academic progress was associated with higher PSS. Faculty support mediated the relationship between a smoothness of transition and concern about academic progress and PSS scores

Conclusion

Stress caused by the pandemic may be alleviated by smoother transition and good faculty support.

Effect of 2 h of room temperature storage on salivary glucose concentration

Background of the Study:

Although many studies are available validating the role of saliva as an alternative diagnostic tool, no reliable data are available on the duration of time, a salivary sample can be reliably stored at room temperature for estimation. It varies from one analyte to another and has to be researched.

Aim:

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of 2 h of room temperature storage on salivary glucose concentration.

Materials and Methods:

Saliva samples obtained by spitting method from thirty healthy volunteers were centrifuged and glucose concentration determined in the supernatant obtained. The test was repeated 2 h later following room temperature storage of the supernatant.

Results:

The data obtained were analyzed using wilcoxson signed rank test. No significant difference between was observed between the two values.

Conclusion:

Salivary glucose can reliably estimate on centrifuged samples following 2 h of room temperature storage.

Comparative Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Blended Learning Versus Traditional Learning in Cephalometrics for Undergraduates

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of blended learning versus traditional learning in a cephalometric learning module for undergraduates.

Materials and methods: This study was designed as a pre- and posttest trial. 150 undergraduates were randomly allocated to two groups: group 1 for traditional learning, and group 2, for blended learning. Pretest and posttest scores of both groups of 25 MCQs on cephalometrics were obtained. Feedback was obtained from the participants in this study and analyzed.

Results: In group 1, the mean pretest and posttest scores were 13.87 and 16.10, respectively. In group 2, the mean value for the pretest and posttest scores were 14.01 and 22.18, respectively. The mean improvement in knowledge score was significantly higher in group 1 (2.233) compared to the mean score of group 2 (8.171). The level of statistical significance was P < .001. Feedback analysis showed the participants found the experience with Dolphin software better than traditional learning (Dolphin Cephalometric Imaging and Management software [version 11.8.24 Chatsworth,CA,USA]). For over 50% participants, their overall opinion on the cephalometric module was very good (score = 5).

Conclusion: Blended learning increases the effectiveness of cephalometric learning by means of better student performance. Commercially available Cephalometric software can be used for e-learning instead of a specifically designed learning software.

Assessment of Oral Mucosal Integrity Status in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

Background:

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis represents one of the most common oral pathoses with multifactorial etiology. Decrease in mucosal barrier resistance is believed to be one of the etiologies in its pathogenesis. This study was conducted to assess the oral mucosal integrity status by evaluating the salivary albumin level in patients with aphthous stomatitis.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty patients diagnosed with aphthous stomatitis were selected as case group. Equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy individuals formed the control group. Salivary albumin level was estimated during active and quiescent stage of the disease in both case group and control group.

Result:

Mean salivary albumin level for the case group during the active and quiescent stage was 0.070 g/dL (SD = 0.037) and 0.004 g/dL (SD = 0.007) (SPSS, version 7.0), respectively, and that for the control group was 0.027 g/dL (SD =0.042). Statistically significant difference was found on comparison of the mean salivary albumin level between the case group during active and quiescent stage and the normal controls using Mann–Whitney U test. No statistically significant difference in salivary albumin level was seen between the quiescent stage in case group and the normal controls.

Conclusion:

Increase in salivary albumin level at the time of disease presentation could be attributed to the leakage of albumin through the ulcerated mucosa. Absence of significant elevation in the salivary albumin level after the resolution of the aphthous ulcer apparently indicates inherently a healthy mucosal barrier in majority of the patients.

Prevalence of Dental Caries Among Primary School Children of India - A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

In India, the trend indicates an increase in oral health problems especially dental caries, which has been consistently increasing both in prevalence and in severity. Children of all age groups are affected by dental caries. It becomes imperative to collect the data on prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs to provide preventive care.

AIM

To assess the prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs of 6-11years old Indian school children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. Sampling frame consisted of 6-11years old primary school children. Study sample consisted of 13,200 children selected from 10 talukas of Belgavi District, Karnataka, India. Clinical examination for dmft and DMFT was carried out in the school premises by five teams, each consisting of one faculty, three postgraduate students and five interns from the KLE VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India. The examiners were trained and calibrated by the principal investigator. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square and t-test.

RESULTS

The overall caries prevalence was 78.9%, mean dmft was 2.97±2.62 and mean DMFT was 0.17±0.53. The decayed teeth component was the principal component in both dmft and DMFT indices. The mean dmft in boys was higher compared to girls and it was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study provided us with the baseline data, using which treatment was provided to all the children screened. The children were provided treatment at the camp site/dental hospital/satellite centers and primary health care centers according to the facilities available.

Effect of two herbal mouthwashes on gingival health of school children

This study aimed at determining the effect of indigenously prepared neem and mango chewing stick mouthwashes on plaque and gingival indices. A sample of 105 children aged 12-15 years was randomized into three groups, namely neem, mango, and chlorhexidine mouthwash groups. All the children were examined at baseline and gingival and plaque indices were recorded. Baseline scores for plaque and gingivitis were fair and moderate, respectively, in all the three groups and there existed no statistically significant difference among them. Ten millilitres each of herbal and chlorhexidine mouthwashes (0.2%) were administered according to the group allocation twice daily for 21 days. Indices were reassessed at 21 days (immediately after intervention) and at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after discontinuing the mouthwashes. Statistically significant reduction (P < 0.001) in plaque index was found in all the three mouthwash groups at 21 days and at 1 month from discontinuing the mouthwash. Chlorhexidine additionally showed statistically significant reduction in plaque index at 2 months from discontinuing the mouthwash. Statistically significant reduction (P < 0.001) in gingival index was found in all the three mouthwash groups at 21 days (immediately after discontinuing the mouthwash) and at 1 and 2 months from discontinuing the mouthwash. To conclude, all the three mouthwashes were effective antiplaque and antigingivitis agents. Chlorhexidine and neem possess equivalent efficacy in reducing plaque, while chlorhexidine has superior antigingivitis properties.

Indian dental students' attitudes and practices regarding tobacco cessation counseling

Tobacco cessation counseling (TCC) has been proven to be very effective in helping tobacco users to quit. Dentists can play a vital role in helping patients to quit tobacco use. The aim of this study was to examine five groups of Indian dental students' attitudes and practices regarding TCC. Out of 514 fifth-year students in five colleges of Karnataka, India, 456 students voluntarily participated. The thirty-five-item questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic characteristics, practices in the institution, attitudes toward tobacco cessation programs in the dental setting, knowledge of tobacco counseling, and perceived barriers in counseling. To test the reliability of the survey items, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used. Frequency distributions and percentages were examined for each item, and chi-square tests were used to analyze differences based on tobacco usage status. The sample consisted of 317 female and 139 male students. The majority of the students (n=429, 94 percent) reported that they give anti-tobacco usage advice to patients who smoke and planned to advise patients about tobacco cessation throughout their careers. Fewer students (n=314, 68.9 percent) indicated that such counseling would assist patients to quit. The major barriers were reported to be patients' resistance, inadequate skills, and poor knowledge about nicotine replacement therapy. This study found that these students had a positive attitude about TCC, along with adequate knowledge regarding the ill effects of tobacco. However, this study concludes that tobacco cessation should be given greater emphasis in the curriculum of Indian dental schools in order to expand the use of TCC in dental practices.