Association of salivary pH in patients with dental caries and periodontal disease

Background: The aims of the study was to find out the prevalence of dental caries in healthy and periodontal disease and its association with salivary pH.Methods: A total of 80 healthy subjects reporting to the department of periodontology were selected. They were divided into four groups (clinically healthy gingival, chronic generalized gingivitis, chronic generalized periodontitis, and aggressive periodontitis) with 20 subjects in each. Periodontal parameters; decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index and salivary pH were recorded. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected according to Navazesh method. The pH of saliva was immediately measrued using a single electrode digital pH meter.Results: Based on statistical test it was seen that caries prevalence and DMFT was found out to be least in aggressive periodontitis group, along with least mean pH value, as compared to the other 3 groups, p<0.05.Conclusions: The low prevalence of caries in aggressive periodontitis can be attributed to the low pH of saliva. Salivary pH plays a vital role in the formation of microbial film, which in turn has a significant role in the pathogenesis of both dental caries and periodontitis

Assessment of awareness level among dentist regarding COVID-19 dental practice in Jammu city: a cross-sectional study

Background: Dentistry being one of the most exposed professions to COVID-19 infection, it has become necessary to establish a clinical protocol that should be applied in the working environment, to prevent the spread of virus.Methods: This Cross-sectional study was carried out on 393 practicing dentist of Jammu city. A Structured questionnaire was sent via internet to all the participants. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data (6 questions) and questions evaluating awareness (15 questions) of Dentist during COVID-19 Pandemic. The total awareness score was calculated based on subject's responses. Descriptive statistics, independent t- test and one- way ANNOVA was used for statistical analysis.Results: Mean age of the participants was 32±7.03 years. Out of 393 participants 329 (83.7%) exhibited high level of knowledge. Based on educational qualification, those dental practitioner with MDS exhibited more mean knowledge score than BDS practitioner (14.428±0.8091 versus 12.641±2.688, p=0.000)Conclusions: Most of the study subjects had adequate knowledge regarding COVID- 19 dental practices. However, all the study participants were keen to attend educational programs/webinars to further upgrade their knowledge regarding COVID-19 dental practices.