Calvarial bone defect regeneration using beta-tricalcium phosphate: a translational research study in rat animal model

Background: Guided bone regeneration (GBR) using osteoconductive graft materials has been used for osseous defect healing. The aim of this translational research study was to design and test a critical size calvarial defect (CSD) model in rats, to test GBR with beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), using histology and micro computed tomography (micro-CT) assessment.Methods: Female Wistar albino rats (n=10) weighing 300 grams and aged 6-weeks were used and full thickness CSD were created in calvaria following exposure under general anesthesia. CSD were randomly divided into two groups for treatment, based on defect filling material: control group (no graft placed in defect; n=5); and beta-TCP group (defect grafted with beta-TCP; n=5). Both defects were covered with collagen membrane. After 8-weeks of healing the animals were sacrificed and calvarial specimens were subjected to micro-CT and histological assessment.Results: Based on micro-CT the new bone volume (NBV) was significantly higher in beta-TCP group (3.48±0.27 mm3; p<0.05), than control group (2.88±0.33 mm3). Similarly, new bone mineral density (NBMD) was significantly higher in beta-TCP group (0.426±0.018 g/mm3; p<0.01), than control group (0.243±0.015 g/mm3). Histology revealed greater new bone bridging the entire defect with interspersed graft particles in the beta-TCP group.Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present study, GBR of rat calvarial CSD with beta-TCP and collagen membrane, results in significantly higher NBV and NBMD, and is a reliable and reproducible translational research model

Knowledge, beliefs, attitude, and practices of E-cigarette use among dental students: A multinational survey

E-cigarette use is a trend worldwide nowadays with mounting evidence on associated morbidities and mortality. Dentists can modify the smoking behaviors of their patients. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, beliefs, attitude, and practice of E-cigarette use among dental students. This multinational, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study recruited undergraduate dental students from 20 dental schools in 11 countries. The outcome variable was current smoking status (non-smoker, E-cigarette user only, tobacco cigarette smoker only, dual user). The explanatory variables were country of residence, sex, age, marital status, and educational level. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the explanatory variables associated with E-cigarette smoking. Of the 5697 study participants, 5156 (90.8%) had heard about E-cigarette, and social media was the most reported source of information for 33.2% of the participants. For the 5676 current users of E-cigarette and/or tobacco smoking, 4.5% use E-cigarette, and 4.6% were dual users. There were significant associations between knowledge and country (P< 0.05), educational level (B = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.21; P = 0.016) and smoking status (P< 0.05). The country of residence (P< 0.05) and smoking status (P< 0.05) were the only statistically significant factors associated with current smoking status. Similarly, there were statistically significant associations between attitude and country (P< 0.05 for one country only compared to the reference) and history of previous E-cigarette exposure (B = -0.52; 95% CI: -0.91, -0.13; P = 0.009). Also, the practice of E-cigarettes was significantly associated with country (P< 0.05 for two countries only compared to the reference) and gender (B = -0.33; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.13; P = 0.001). The knowledge of dental students about E-cigarette was unsatisfactory, yet their beliefs and attitudes were acceptable. Topics about E-cigarette should be implemented in the dental curriculum.Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University, for funding through the Vice Deanship of Scientific Research for Research Chairs. Qatar National Library for the open access funding

Oral health practices and self-reported adverse effects of E-cigarette use among dental students in 11 countries: an online survey

Objectives: E-cigarette use has become popular, particularly among the youth. Its use is associated with harmful general and oral health consequences. This survey aimed to assess self-reported oral hygiene practices, oral and general health events, and changes in physiological functions (including physical status, smell, taste, breathing, appetite, etc.) due to E-cigarette use among dental students. Methods: This online, multicounty survey involved undergraduate dental students from 20 dental schools across 11 different countries. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, E-cigarette practices, self-reported complaints, and associated physiological changes due to E-cigarette smoking. Data were descriptively presented as frequencies and percentages. A Chi-square test was used to assess the potential associations between the study group and sub-groups with the different factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS at P < 0.05. Results: Most respondents reported regular brushing of their teeth, whereas only 70% used additional oral hygiene aids. Reported frequencies of complaints ranged from as low as 3.3% for tongue inflammation to as high as 53.3% for headache, with significant differences between E-cigarette users and non-users. Compared to non-smokers, E-cigarette users reported significantly higher prevalence of dry mouth (33.1% vs. 23.4%; P < 0.001), black tongue (5.9% vs. 2.8%; P = 0.002), and heart palpitation (26.3%% vs. 22.8%; P = 0.001). Although two-thirds of the sample reported no change in their physiological functions, E-cigarette users reported significant improvement in their physiological functions compared to never smokers or tobacco users. Conclusion: Dental students showed good oral hygiene practices, but E-cigarette users showed a higher prevalence of health complications.Dental Biomaterials Research Chair, Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University. The funder has no role in the design of the study as well as in the methodology, analysis, and interpretation of the data

Occurrence and distribution of cancers with emphasis upon oral cancers in registered oncology institutes of South India – A retrospective study

Background: In the past two decades, the growing economy associated with changes in lifestyle-related behavior is partially responsible for the increasing cancer burden in India. To assess the occurrence and distribution of oral cancer based on the analysis of hospital records from registered oncology institutes of South India over a period of three years. Materials and Methods: A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted at seven major hospitals in South India to assess the incidence and distribution of cancer among patients over a period of three years (2016–2018). Data were collected on a custom-made validated proforma. Analysis was done using R commander software. Results: A total of 156090 various types of cancers were reported to the included institutes over a three-year period, an almost similar gender distribution was observed, males (n = 78806, 42.99% per lakh) compared to their female counterparts (n = 77284, 42.16% per lakh). Among males' lung cancer was the most common type with 17709 cases (9.65% per lakh) and among females, breast cancer was the leading cancer type with 22855 total cases (12.46% per lakh). Over a period of three years, a total of 21084 records of malignancies pertaining to oral cavity were identified accounting for 13.51% of cases. Among oral cancers, tongue was the most common site to be involved accounting for 44.22% (2016–2018) cases followed by buccal mucosa (14.69%), least common site to be involved was lip which accounted for 3.49% of the total oral cancer cases. Conclusion: Breast cancer was the most common cancer followed by lung cancer. Oral cancers occupied second among males and fifth rank in the order of occurrence among females. Tongue was the most common site followed by buccal mucosa. The least common site affected by oral cancer was the lip