Correlation between oral lesions and opportunistic infections among human immunodeficiency virus — infected individuals in Indian population

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a major global health problem. Tuberculosis and cryptococcal meningitis are the leading cause of death among people living with HIV.Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether any relationship exists between the occurrence of oral lesions and opportunistic infections among HIV-infected patients in Indian population.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was performed in 232 HIV-infected persons (148 males and 84 females, aged 20–60 years, mean 33.6 ± 2.3 years). c2 test and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.Results: Oral candidiasis was the most common oral lesion seen in 28.4% males and 22.6% females of HIV-infected persons, followed by hairy leukoplakia in 27% males and 20.2% females which was statistically significant. Tuberculosis (21.6%) followed by cryptococcosis (9.9%) and pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (4.7%) were the most commonly found opportunistic infections. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association, between the occurrence of tuberculosis and candidiasis (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.4–2.9), cryptococcosis and candidiasis (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.0–1.9), and pneumocystis carinii pneumonia with hairy leukoplakia (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.0–2.9). Mean CD4 count was also less.Conclusions: The results suggest a definite relationship in occurrence of oral lesions and opportunistic infections among HIV-infected patients

Perceived barriers to the provision of preventive care among dentists of Udaipur, India

Aim: To investigate the practice-, patient- and dentist related barriers to the provision of preventive dental care as perceived by dentists of Udaipur city, Rajasthan, India. Settings and Design:- A cross sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 120 dentists of Udaipur city, Rajasthan. Material and Methods: Mean Content Validity Ratio (CVR) was calculated as 0.87 based on the opinions expressed by a panel of total six academicians. Cronbach's coefficient was found to be 0.88, which showed a high internal reliability of the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of demographic questions and 12 specific research questions. Statistical analysis used:- Student's t-test and ANOVA test were applied for the statistical evaluation of means. Level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: The barriers correlated strongly with each other (0.60 to 0.85). A significant gender difference was observed in mean sums of scores of practice and patient related barriers. Practice, dentist and patient related barriers for very much hindrance were reported by 8 to 13%, 5 to19% and 0 to 29% of the dentists respectively. A significant difference was observed among mean of sum scores of practice and patient related barriers with age and experience. Qualification was significantly related to practice related barriers. Conclusions: Perception of dentists showed that patient related barriers were found to be the foremost to the provision of preventive care. Also, dentist's attitude towards health promotion and disease prevention needs a radical transformation

Assessment of oral health among seafarers in Mundra Port, Kutch, Gujarat: a cross-sectional study

Background: Seafarer is a person who navigates waterborne vessels or assists as a crewmember in their operation and maintenance in all tough weather, but little research has been done to identify conditions that may lead to assess seafarer general health as well as oral health. Aim: To assess oral diseases including dental caries and periodontal conditions among seafarer’s population arrived in Mundra Port, Kutch, Gujarat, India. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess oral health condition of seafarer community of Mundra Taluka of Kutch District, Gujarat, India, from July 2014 to September 2014. Results: Total of 385 subjects participated in the survey. Adverse habits show the overall 72.3% prevalence among the study population. Occurrence rate of caries, periodontal disease and prosthetic status were 88%, 75.1% and 6.5%, respectively. The best predictors for Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT), Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and prosthetic status were oral hygiene practices, adverse habit and educational status. Conclusions: Findings of the present study suggest that oral health condition of seafarer community was relatively poor, with high caries prevalence and poor periodontal health. This epidemiological survey has provided baseline information to underpin the implementation of oral health programmes

Prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among 12–15-year-old schoolchildren of fishermen of Kutch coast, Gujarat, India

Background: Malocclusion is one of the most common dental problems in mankind. Planning orthodontic treatment as well as an interceptive approach within a public health system requires information on the prevalence of malocclusions.Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among 12–15-year-old school children of fishermen of Kutch coast, Gujarat, India.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 947 school children offishermen of Kutch coast, Gujarat, India aged 12–15 years. The prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs was assessed using Dental Aesthetic Index. General information on demographic data was also recorded. A c2 test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Sheffe’s test were employed for statistical analysis.Results: Malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need was reported among 33.4% of the participants. Younger age group and female gender had significantly greater treatment need. Males and older age groups had significantly lesser prevalence of anterior crowding and largest anterior maxillary irregularity.Conclusions: Orthodontic treatment need among 33.4% calls for developing school based oral health promotion programmes for children with an inculcation of orthodontic treatment and educational programmes for parents (fishermen) addressing prevention and early interceptive treatment of malocclusion