EVALUATION OF SHIRAZ DENTISTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF CAUSES AND TREATMENTS METHODS OF HALITOSIS IN 2015

Introduction: Halitosis is an unpleasant odor, smelled from one’s breath. This condition is in fact a widespread problem in the society. Halitosis can be due to several reasons. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate Shiraz dentists’ knowledge of diagnosis and management of halitosis. Materials & Methods: A researcher-made questionnaire was distributed among 70 dentists, randomly selected from all the dentists in Shiraz, Iran. The research questionnaire consisted of 13 questions evaluating the knowledge of dentists of the causes (four items), diagnostic methods (five items) and treatment methods (four items) of halitosis. Results: Among the participants, 47.1% were male and 52.9% were female. Total mean knowledge score of the subjects was estimated at 10.56±1.92. In terms of causes of halitosis, mean knowledge score was 4.61±1.10, while it was 3.0±37.67 and 2.57±0.67 regarding the diagnostic and treatment methods of the mentioned condition, respectively. According to the results, a significant reverse correlation was observed between mean knowledge score of the subjects and variables of age and experience. Conclusion: In the present study, dentists’ knowledge of causes of halitosis, as well as diagnostic and treatment methods in this regard were evaluated, and the results were indicative of proper knowledge of dentists

Epidemiologic Study of Patients with Chronic Vesiculobullous Lesions

Background and Aim: Vesiculobullous diseases (VBDs) are characterized by the formation of vesicles or bullae. The aim of this study was to perform an epidemiological survey on patients with chronic VBDs referred to Shiraz Dental School during 2006-2016.    Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, epidemiological data (age, sex, prevalence, involvement location, prescribed medication, and underlying diseases) of patients diagnosed with VBDs were collected. The relationship between the epidemiological factors and the occurrence of VBDs was analyzed. SPSS version 18 was used to analyze the data by the Chi-square test and Spearman’s correlation test. Results: Totally, 120 patients were evaluated; out of which, 88.3% had pemphigus vulgaris (PV), 4.2% had bullous pemphigoid (BP), 6.8% had mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), and 0.1% had pemphigus herpetiformis (PH). Most patients were females (68.3%) and 31.7% were males. The mean age of patients was 43.14±11.41 years. The mucosal and cutaneous involvement in PV patients was as follows: 31.13% had mucosal, 0.94% had cutaneous, 37.73% had both mucosal and cutaneous, and 30.18% had mucosal-cutaneous involvement associated with involvement of other organs. Prednisolone was the first-line treatment in all patients. There was a significant correlation between age and incidence of VBDs in patients (P=0.030). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the epidemiological properties of VBDs in our study were similar to those in other countries. However, PV was the most common VBD followed by BP

An In vitro Analysis of the Effects of Iron Sulfate and Iron Acetate on Streptococcus mutans

Statement of problem: Dental caries is a common infectious disease induced by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Objectives: Due to the high incidence rate of dental caries and iron deficiency in the Iranian population, we have conducted this study to analyze the effects of iron acetate and iron sulfate on controlling the growth of S. mutans. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, we evaluated the antibacterial effects of iron sulfate and iron acetate on S. mutans by the disk diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The results were compared to those for 0.2% chlorhexidine and penicillin as the controls. Results: Iron sulfate had higher MIC and MBC values compared to penicillin and chlorhexidine (P<0.001). Iron acetate MIC and MBC values did not significantly differ with penicillin and chlorhexidine. The iron sulfate inhibition zones at the 25 and 50 µg/mL doses were more than those of iron acetate. Conclusions: Iron sulfate and iron acetate solutions can inhibit the growth of S. mutans. Hence, different compounds that contain iron salts such as toothpastes, mouth washes, and food supplements can be produced to prevent dental caries and iron deficiency

Oral and Dental Health Status of Neuro-Psychological Veterans; Shiraz, 2014

Aims: Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder have to use antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and mood balance drugs to decrease symptoms of their illness alongside the side effects of these drugs such as oral and dental and gingival disease. This study aimed to evaluate the oral health status of psychiatric veterans in Shiraz. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 80 veterans with mental health referred to Jannat garden center of Shiraz were selected by convenience sampling method in 2013-14. Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist. After completing the checklist, data were entered into SPSS 17 software and nonparametric Spearman correlation test was used for analysis. Findings: DMFT was obtained 23.7±6.2. There was no significant correlation between age and the indices of DMFT, oral health and bleeding. There was a significant and positive correlation between using antipsychotic medications and indices of DMFT and oral health, but there was not a significant correlation between sedative and antidepressants medications. No statistically significant correlation was observed between bleeding and drug type. There was no significant correlation between duration of drug consumption and indices of oral health, DMFT bleeding. Conclusion: Oral health statue of veterans admitted to the hospital is poor and thinkable