Socio-demographics, Oral Health Behavior, and Physical Activity: Factors in Caries Experience Among 19–59 Years Old Adults in a Malaysian Population

Dental caries is one of the common diseases that are attributed by many factors. Many from the adult population are afflicted with dental caries. This study aimed to determine the predictors of developing dental caries among adults. Three hundred and thirty four adults participated in this study. Information gathered includes their socio-demographic backgrounds, oral health behaviour, physical activity level, body mass index, body fat percentages, visceral fat level, and dental missing filled extracted teeth (DMFX) index. All standard protocols were observed and DMFX was examined using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Prevalence of dental caries was 87.4%, inclusive of 61.3% of female respondents with caries experience. Most of the study participants were overweight. Only the consumption of high sugar food (p=0.03) was found to be connected between dental caries and oral health behaviours. Regression analysis (p<0.001) showed that older age (p<0.001), regular visits to dental clinic per year (p=0.012), lower education level (p=0.025), and lower physical activity (p=0.008) were significant factors in developing dental caries among this study population. Older aged adults, frequent appointment with the dentist, lower education in oral health, and lower physical activity were possible factors for dental caries presence

Comparison of reliability of lateral cephalogram and computed tomography for assessment of airway space

Background and Aims: The oropharyngeal (OP) and nasopharyngeal structures seems to play roles in the development of the dentofacial complex. Soft palate as a part of nasopharyngeal and OP apparatus has an important role in phonation, deglutition and respiration. The aim of this study was to find whether any correlation exists between the three typesof malocclusion and airway space using lateral cephalogram and computed tomography (CT) and to compare its reliability. To obtain important information on the morphology of the soft palate on lateral cephalogram and to determine its etiopathogenesis in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalogram of 45 subjects were used to measure the pharyngeal airway. The subjects were divided into three groups (each group included 15 subjects) according to ANB angle: Class I (ANB angle 2-4‹), Class II (ANB angle >4‹), Class III (ANB angle .2‹).Results: The result showed a significant reduction in pharyngeal airway in ANB Class II. Type I soft palate, leaf-shape was found in maximum subjects. The volume of airway size showed higher statistical significance with the greater coefficient of variation on CT in relation to corresponding cephalometric airway area.Conclusion: The sagittal skeletal pattern is a contributory factor in  variations in the upper airway dimensions. The measurements acquired from both the modalities are reliable and reproducible, but CT gives the better assessment of cross.sectional dimensions of airway space. Morphology of the soft palate can be used as references for etiologicalresearch of OSA.Key words: Airway space, computed tomography, lateral cephalogram, malocclusion, obstructive sleep apnea, soft tissue are