Dentists’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Hepatitis B, C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome In Northeast Part of Rajasthan

Introduction: Healthcare professionals including surgeons, dentists and paramedical personnel’s belong to high risk group of transmitting blood borne pathogens. Keeping this in view a study was proposed to assess the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) of dental professionals towards different viral diseases in northeast part of Rajasthan. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among 500 randomly selected dentists in Jaipur district. Questions regarding KAP of hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were included in the questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done through SPSS Ver. 20.0. software using chi-square test, independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the differences between parameters. Results: The result indicates that the majority of the study subjects (60%) were female. The mean (+Standard Deviation) for age and work experience was 35.5+8.85 and 5.6+8.76 respectively. The mean value of KAP was 38.4+3.23, 21.5+4.34 and 23.05+5.67 respectively. It was observed that knowledge regarding HBV, HCV and HIV/AIDS was statistically significant with work experience (>10 Years; p<0.001), year of graduation (after 2006; p<0.001). Attitude of study subjects for HBV, HCV and HIV/AIDS was significantly inclined by age group (< 30 years: P = 0.011), work experience (≥10 years: P < 0.001), and place of work (dental clinic: P = 0.013). Conclusions: The observations of the study highlighted a reasonable level of knowledge and attitude of dental practitioners for HBV, HCV and HIV/AIDS infections. However there is a need of improvement in the knowledge level which can alter their attitude and practice towards patients with HBV, HCV and HIV/AIDS infection

Efficacy of Pre-Operative Submucosal Injection of Dexamethasone in Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized Control Trial

INTRODUCTION: Surgical extraction of third molar irrespective of any technique results in postoperative pain, swelling of face and limited mouth opening. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare the effects of Dexamethasone (4mg) administered prior to surgery.MATERIALS AND METHOD: A randomized control trial was conducted which included a total of fifty patients. All the patients were randomly put in two groups of twenty five each. Group I patients underwent transalveolar extraction of third molar under local anesthesia and standard oral drug regime. Group II patients received an additional submucosal injection of dexamethasone 4 mg, thirty minutes prior administration of local anaesthesia. Pain, swelling and mouth opening was recorded on second, seventh and tenth post-operative days after surgery.RESULTS: The difference in pain scores on second post-operative day between two groups were found statistically non-significant. However, there was significant reduction in pain scores on seventh and tenth day in both groups. Mouth opening showed statistically significant difference between the two groups.CONCLUSION: The observations of the present study provide a fundamental basis for the use of corticosteroids such as dexamethasone sodium phosphate in the form of submucosal administration in lower than usual doses to decrease postoperative inflammation when compare to other routes of drug administration

Influence of Implant Neck Design on Crestal Bone Loss: A Comparative Study

Background: The success rate of dental implants depends on the amount of crestal bone around the implants. Crestal module is the transosteal region of implant that is designed to receive the prosthetic component. The design of crestal module influences the crestal bone loss around implants.  Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the crestal bone loss around implants with smooth collar and implants with micro threaded rough collar design. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 individuals received 100 dental implants. Each individual received one implant with smooth collar design (Group-A) and one implant with microthreaded rough collar design (Group-B) in the posterior edentulous region. All the 100 implants were prosthetically loaded after a healing period of 3 months. Crestal bone loss was measured on mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual side of each implant using periapical radiographs before loading (baseline), immediately after loading, 6, and 12 months after loading. Results: The average crestal bone loss 12 months after loading the implants in Group A and Group B was 3.75 mm and 3.23 mm, respectively, the value being statistically significant (P < 0.05). In both Group A and Group B, the average crestal bone loss was maximum on the lingual side followed by buccal, distal, and mesial sides. Conclusion: Crestal bone loss around rough-surfaced microthreaded neck implants was significantly lower than smooth-surfaced neck implants