Periodontal health of dental clients in a community health setting

Comparative analysis of subgingival microbiota in patients with mild, moderate, and severe chronic periodontitis

In this study, we explored the suspected pathogens of chronic periodontitis at different stages of occurrence and development. We collected 100 gingival crevicular fluid samples, 27, 27, and 26 from patients with mild, moderate, and severe chronic periodontitis, respectively, and 20 from healthy individuals. Pathogens were detected using a 16S rRNA metagenomic approach. Quantitative Insights in Microbial Ecology, Mothur, and other software were used to analyze the original data, draw relative abundance histograms and heat maps, and calculate flora abundance and diversity indexes. We identified 429 operational taxonomic units, covering 13 phyla, 20 classes, 32 orders, 66 families, and 123 genera from the four groups of samples. Each group showed microbial diversity, and the number of new species of bacterial flora in the gingival crevicular fluid samples gradually increased from the healthy to the severe chronic periodontitis group. There was a significant difference in the relative abundance of the core flora at the phylum, class, order, family, and genus classification levels. Our data indicated a certain correlation between the changes in the subgingival microbial structure and the occurrence and development of chronic periodontitis, which might be able to provide a reference for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chronic periodontitis.

Oral health needs of older migrants with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in developed countries: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To identify and synthesise the available evidence regarding the oral health needs of and the oral health promotion provided for older, cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) migrants in developed countries.

METHOD

Databases were searched using search terms to identify all relevant English-language research studies published between 2000 and January 2018.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine articles met the review criteria. Thirty-three papers reported on the oral health needs of CALD older migrants and 6 on oral health programs provided for older migrants.

CONCLUSIONS

Cultural and linguistically diverse older migrants have high oral health needs and poor oral status and face a variety of barriers in accessing oral health care in their host countries. Recommendations to improve their access to oral health programs include building transcultural dental training into the educational requirements of dental students and developing oral health promotion programs that include culturally and linguistically customised information.

Periodontal considerations in older individuals

In the next few years there will be a great increase in the percentage of the population aged over 65. Not only will they have more teeth than previous generations, but also a large number of implants. The increase in age is accompanied by an increase in the prevalence and incidence of periodontal diseases. In addition, there is a decrease in manual dexterity and an increase in co-morbidity and medications affecting the oral cavity. Dental care in aged care facilities can be poor and access to dental professionals difficult. This article discusses these issues.

Periodontal health status of transport workers of a union territory in India: A cross-sectional study

Background:

Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent dental diseases, which affects the adult population of the world, varying only in degree from mild to severe. Transport industry is considered an important pillar for socioeconomic development of any nation. The present study was carried out to assess the periodontal health status of transport workers working in Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) buses, Chandigarh (Union territory).

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on all available CTU workers at all three bus depots. The data were recorded on a modified WHO format (1997). A total of 998 subjects were included for community periodontal index (CPI) and attachment loss computations after doing necessary exclusions. Periodontal status was evaluated using CPI.

Results:

About 8.13% of the subjects had healthy periodontium while maximum subjects (73.2%) had a score 2 (calculus) as evaluated by CPI. 3.4% (12) of the subjects belonging to upper middle class had deep pockets as compared to 1.9% (10) of the subjects in the lower middle class. None of the subjects in the upper high, high, and upper middle socioeconomic status (SES) category had a loss of attachment score 4. 25.9% of the postgraduates had a CPI score of 0 whereas 0.7% high school subjects had a loss of attachment score 4.

Conclusion:

Advanced periodontal disease (CPI score, 4) affected small number of subjects with maximum subjects (73%) having a CPI score of 2. There was statistically significant association of SES and education level with the CPI score and loss of attachment level.