Pilot pathfinder survey of oral hygiene and periodontal conditions in the rural population of The Gambia (West Africa)

Periodontitis and alveolar resorption in human skeletal remains: The relationship between quantitative alveolar bone loss, occlusal wear, antemortem tooth loss, dental calculus and age at death in a low socioeconomic status, modern forensic human collection from Yucatan

OBJECTIVE

This paper assesses the relationship between the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and alveolar crest and risk factors commonly associated with periodontitis.

MATERIALS

Eighty individuals between 28 and 92 years old with known biological sex and age were analyzed from a 20th century forensic human collection from Merida, Yucatan (Mexico).

METHODS

Macroscopic assessment, along with metric analysis, was employed using a probe.

RESULTS

Ante-mortem tooth loss was positively correlated with the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and alveolar crest, as was the presence of root calculus in females.

CONCLUSIONS

Cemento-enamel junction to alveolar crest distance is not a reliable indicator of periodontitis since it is not directly related to periodontitis-causing infectious pathogens, and since ante-mortem tooth loss can affect root exposure.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study demonstrates that a purely quantitative approach to diagnosing periodontitis in archaeological and forensic human remains can be misleading.

LIMITATIONS

The skeletal collection is only representative of the low socioeconomic class of Merida, and its female cohort is underrepresented. In addition, because the Xoclan collection is modern, limitations (particularly with respect to tooth wear) of the applicability of these interpretations to older archaeological remains exist.

SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

A combination of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of alveolar bone is needed to reliably diagnose periodontitis in skeletal populations.

Addressing Oral Health Disparities of a Tribal Population Through a Combined Implementation of Focus Group Discussion, Mobile Technology Networking, and Creating a Supportive Environment: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

 Oral health disparities generally exist among tribal populations, prompting creative solutions to tackle these challenges. By using a combined implementation strategy of including focus group discussion (FGD), mobile technology networking (MTN), and creating a supportive environment, this study aims to assess and bring positive changes in oral health in these populations.

METHODS

The current study employed a mixed-method approach on a sample of 100 tribal volunteers. Qualitative assessment included FGD conducted regularly for three months based on themes such as oral hygiene habits, access to oral health, technology in oral health, the relationship of oral health to general health, and the role of diet in oral health. Quantitative evaluation included recording of the oral hygiene index-simplified and gingival index to measure gingival status. Messages on oral health were routinely posted to mobile phones to reinforce oral health education. Appropriate use of indigenous oral hygiene aids (neem and datun) was also taught during the discussion session. Clinical examinations were compared before and after FGD. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25 (Released 2017; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). A paired 't' test was used to find significant differences in gingival status at p<0.05.

RESULTS

The FGD sessions deduced observations such as limited access to dental care, inadequate oral hygiene practices such as usage of neem sticks and twigs, and lack of oral health awareness. The implementation of MTN facilitated the dissemination of oral health information and enhanced communication between community members and healthcare providers. The gingival index score significantly improved from pre-FGD to post-FGD with a mean difference of 0.41700 significant at p=0.000. Oral hygiene of the target population shifted from "Fair" oral hygiene status to "Good" oral hygiene status.

CONCLUSION

The combined implementation of FGD, MTN, and creation of a supportive environment demonstrated promising results in addressing oral health disparities among the tribal population. The interventions led to improved gingival status and better utilization of oral hygiene practices. These findings highlight the importance of tailored interventions, community engagement, and mobile technology in addressing oral health disparities in tribal populations. Ongoing support, sustainability, and further research are necessary to ensure the long-term impact and effectiveness of these interventions.

Assessment of oral health-related quality of life among kutia kandha tribes of Odisha

Aim and Objectives:

Among the 75 listed particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG), the highest number is found in Odisha. They do not have proper access to oral health-care services and at-risk to various oral conditions and lesions. Hence, the purpose of the study was to assess the oral health quality of life and its association with different factors of the Kutia Kandha tribal population.

Materials and Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was channeled among 600 Kutia Kandha tribe of Odisha. The oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire was used to check the oral health-related quality of life. Number and percentages were derived using Microsoft Excel and for inferential statistics, a model was developed using multivariable logistic regression using STATA software. P was set at 0.05, which was considered to be statistically significant.

Results:

Total sample composed of 330 men and 270 women with a mean age of 40.62 ± 16.29 years. Smoking was seen among 19.8% of tribal people had smoking habit and 72.33% (n = 434) of the study group consumed smokeless tobacco. Only a few used fluoridated (3.8%) dentifrice. The mean OHIP score of the tribe was 30.67 ± 4.514 and about 65% of participants reported poor oral health quality of life scores.

Conclusion:

The oral health quality of life of the tribe is poor and the prevalence of tobacco among the target population because of the unavailability of dental services. Proper health education and motivation can be acknowledged to this group are required to improve their oral health.

Oral Health and Psychosocial Predictors of Quality of Life and General Well-Being among Adolescents in Lesotho, Southern Africa

BACKGROUND

Adolescents' quality of life is reported to be significantly associated with physical and social wellbeing. Although adolescents are 30% of the Southern African population, no previous studies have focused on this group in relation to oral health and quality of life.

METHODS

A 40-item survey and clinical oral examinations were conducted in public schools in Maseru from 10 to 25 August 2016. Simple, bivariate, and multivariate regressions were used to evaluate the associations of oral health and psychosocial factors with self-reported general health status and quality of life.

RESULTS

A total of 526 participants, aged 12-19 years old, responded to the survey and participated in the clinical examinations. The majority reported a good (good/very good/excellent) quality of life (84%) and general health (81%). Bivariate results showed that self-reported general health in this population was significantly influenced by age. The presence of toothache and sensitivity in the adolescents were significantly associated with poor (fair/poor) self-reported general health and were found to be the best predictors for self-general health and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of dental conditions such as toothache and tooth sensitivity can lead to a better perception of general health and Quality of Life in adolescents.

Fluoride in toothpaste - is the expressed total fluoride content meaningful for caries prevention?

In today's global market, there is a very wide range of fluoride toothpastes varying in formulation, fluoride concentration, quality control of ingredients and manufacture, and some products are transported, stored and sold to consumers in countries far removed from where they are made. The competitiveness of the toothpaste market has driven the major manufacturers to offer an increasing and frequently changing variety of formulations to support claims of caries prevention, tooth whitening, sensitivity prevention, gum health and total oral health. However, the focus of this article is to consider how variations in formulation and the fluoride content of toothpastes might affect clinical efficacy for caries prevention. On the basis of presently available evidence, it would appear that the most reliable indicator of the effective fluoride content for a toothpaste formulation is the ionic fluoride concentration (F^-) as parts per million (ppm) available immediately on brushing. However, as the recent international workshop on testing methods concluded, the clinical validation, acceptance and agreement of standardised testing methods by both manufacturers and international bodies would be required. If these technical difficulties can be overcome and all manufacturers standardised on this form of expression and did not declare the total, soluble or free ionic fluoride as calculated on a theoretical basis, then it would provide a more meaningful indicator that dental professionals, pharmacies and indeed the consumer could rely upon.

Oral hygiene practice and periodontal status among two tribal population of Telangana state, India- an epidemiological study

Background

The tribes of India have poor periodontal health status due to their isolation, awareness and less accessibility to dental resources. They follow traditional methods of oral hygiene practice, which are found to be inadequate and inaccurate to maintain their good oral health. This study aims to assess the oral hygiene practice, oral hygiene and periodontal status of two tribes residing in Bhadrachalam, Telangana, India.

Methods

Based on accessibility the two tribes Koya and Lambada were included in the study. The total study population consisted of 1000 subjects, with 500 subjects in each group. Using a preformed proforma the oral hygiene practices were recorded for two groups and oral examination was done using Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) index and Community Periodontal Index (CPI).

Results

The OHI-S ranged between 2.5–3.0 in both the groups. The CPI index scores showed that sextants with calculus, shallow pockets, deep pockets and loss of attachment of 4-5 mm were significantly present in both groups.

Conclusion

To conclude, though practice of poor oral hygiene and compromised periodontal status was seen among both groups. However, it was more prevalent in Koya. Under these circumstances, implementation of a basic awareness of oral health care programme for these tribes should be a high priority.

Prevalence of Plaque-Induced Gingivitis in a Sample of the Adult Egyptian Population

AIM

The aim of this cross-sectional study is recording the prevalence and evaluation of the severity of plaque-induced gingival inflammation among a sample of the adult Egyptian population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Four hundred and twenty-five subjects in this contemplate were seen from patients visiting the diagnostic clinic at the Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University. The gingival and plaque indices for each patient diagnosed as having plaque-induced gingivitis were recorded. The pocket depth was also measured.

RESULTS

The incidence of gingivitis was 100% amid adult subjects with an age range between 18-45 years. The average plaque index (PI) was 1.05 ± 0.43, which reflects relatively superior plaque control of the participants. The mean gingival index (GI) was 1.66 ± 0.40, which reflects the presence of moderate gingival inflammation. PD mean values confirmed limitation of inflammation to the gingiva. The sex was correlated to the condition of the inflamed gingiva (p = 0.014) and the quantity of biofilm build-up (p = 0.003). Females were less affected than males (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

The outcomes of this contemplate demonstrated that biofilm build-up is stoutly accompanied with elevated incidence of modest to rigorous gingivitis amid adult Egyptian individuals.

Oral health practices and prevalence of dental plaque and gingivitis among Indian adults

This cross-sectional survey study evaluated oral hygiene habits in conjunction with whole mouth examinations for dental plaque and gingivitis among adults in India. Subjects across several age groups who provided informed consent [220 male and 158 female (mean age 30.9 years)] were enrolled. All enrolled subjects were interviewed for oral hygiene practices and evaluated by the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein and the Löe-Silness methods for dental plaque and gingivitis, respectively. Evaluations included oral hygiene parameters, prevalence of dental plaque and gingivitis, and regional differences within the dentition for dental plaque and gingivitis. Results from this study indicate that most subjects (97%) utilized a toothbrush and toothpaste for oral hygiene with a majority (92%) using their right hand to brush their teeth. While 29% reported two or more episodes of daily oral hygiene, a majority (53%) brushed their teeth once daily. Utilization of dental floss and mouthwashes were reported by approximately 1% of this population, and most (73%) reported no dental visits in the preceding 5 years. Whole mouth plaque and gingival scores (average ± standard deviation) for this population were 2.47 ± 0.55 and 1.19 ± 0.31, respectively, with no significant differences between either gender (P > 0.05). Significant correlations (r > 0.44) were observed between plaque and gingival scores for the entire sample, either gender or between age groups (P < 0.001). Analyses indicate that anterior teeth demonstrated lower average scores for dental plaque and gingivitis than posterior and molar regions (P < 0.05). Education was associated with higher plaque and gingival scores: plaque scores [odds ratios; 95% confidence interval; 1.23; 1.01-1.50 and gingival scores odds ratios 1.25; 1.02-1.54]. In summary, results from this study demonstrate the prevalence of dental plaque and gingivitis in the general population and their relationships with demographic characteristics. They reinforce examinations of posterior regions that consistently harbor more plaque and corresponding gingivitis in evaluations of oral health.

Oral health status, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours among marginalized children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Data on oral health status in Ethiopia are scarce. We assessed the prevalence of dental decay and gum disease and oral health practices and its barriers. We performed a cross-sectional study using comprehensive questionnaires and oral examination of 132 children aged 6-15 years in Addis Ababa. Mean age was 10 years and 50% were females. A significant number of children were HIV positive and orphaned. Forty-eight percent did not brush teeth and 43% brushed only once daily. The majority consumed sugary food despite knowing its relationship with dental decay. Seventy-four percent had between 1 and 13 dental caries and 52% showed evidence of bleeding upon brushing. Seventy-eight percent did not clean between teeth and were more likely to consume sugary food (p < 0.05) with oral pain within past six months (p < 0.01). In logistic regression, bleeding upon brushing and caries were not predicted by age or gender. We provided oral health trainings with illustrative flip-book, games and interactive discussions. Marginalized children suffer from poor oral health. We recommend national oral health strategies, targeted health education tailored towards Ethiopian societal norms and resources, improving access to local preventive tools and provision of oral care by training community health workers in the World Health Organization basic oral care package.

Assessment of Periodontal Status of Konda Reddy Tribe in Bhadrachalam, Khammam District, India

BACKGROUND

Though great strides have been taken globally in the fight against oral diseases, problems persist especially among poor, disadvantaged and socially marginalised communities like tribes. Konda Reddies are one of the most primitive tribes of Bhadrachalam who because of their isolation, inaccessibility to dental resources and lack of dental knowledge follow traditional methods of oral hygiene practices, which are found to be inadequate to maintain oral health.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To assess the periodontal status of Konda reddy tribes residing in Bhadrachalam of Khammam district, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Based on availability and accessibility the tribes were gathered using convenient sampling method. The total study population consisted of 500 subjects. Using a preformed Performa the oral hygiene practices and periodontal status was recorded using CPI index.

RESULTS

The total study population was 500, comprising of 225 males and 275 females in the age group ranging from 20- >70 years. The mean number of sextants with healthy condition were 0.04±0.19; calculus 4.69±1.21; pockets 4-5 mm 0.91±0.91 and pockets >6mm 0.02±0.15.

CONCLUSION

Poor oral hygiene and periodontal status was seen among the tribes. Under these circumstances, the implementation of a basic oral health care programme for these tribes is a high priority.

The global burden of periodontal disease: towards integration with chronic disease prevention and control

Chronic diseases are accelerating globally, advancing across all regions and pervading all socioeconomic classes. Unhealthy diet and poor nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco use, excessive use of alcohol and psychosocial stress are the most important risk factors. Periodontal disease is a component of the global burden of chronic disease, and chronic disease and periodontal disease have the same essential risk factors. In addition, severe periodontal disease is related to poor oral hygiene and to poor general health (e.g. the presence of diabetes mellitus and other systemic diseases). The present report highlights the global burden of periodontal disease: the ultimate burden of periodontal disease (tooth loss), as well as signs of periodontal disease, are described from World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiological data. High prevalence rates of complete tooth loss are found in upper middle-income countries, whereas the tooth-loss rates, at the time of writing, are modest for low-income countries. In high-income countries somewhat lower rates for edentulism are found when compared with upper middle-income countries. Around the world, social inequality in tooth loss is profound within countries. The Community Periodontal Index was introduced by the WHO in 1987 for countries to produce periodontal health profiles and to assist countries in the planning and evaluation of intervention programs. Globally, gingival bleeding is the most prevalent sign of disease, whereas the presence of deep periodontal pockets (≥6 mm) varies from 10% to 15% in adult populations. Intercountry and intracountry variations are found in the prevalence of periodontal disease, and these variations relate to socio-environmental conditions, behavioral risk factors, general health status of people (e.g. diabetes and HIV status) and oral health systems. National public health initiatives for the control and prevention of periodontal disease should include oral health promotion and integrated disease-prevention strategies based on common risk-factor approaches. Capacity building of oral health systems must consider the establishment of a financially fair service in periodontal care. Health systems research is needed for the evaluation of population-oriented oral health programs.