Evaluation of Reactive Oxygen Metabolites, Resistin, and Red Complex Bacteria in Obese Subjects with or without Periodontitis

AIM

The study's aim was to assess and compare the clinical parameters, plasma reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) levels, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) resistin, serum resistin values, and red complex bacteria in obese or overweight subjects with and without periodontitis and also to determine the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on plasma ROM, serum, and GCF resistin values in obese or overweight subjects with chronic periodontitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 160 subjects were recruited and designated into four groups with 40 subjects each as group I - obese with chronic periodontitis; group II - normal weight subjects with chronic periodontitis; group III - obese subjects with healthy periodontium; and group IV - normal weight subjects with healthy periodontium. The periodontal parameters, plasma ROM, GCF resistin and serum resistin, and red complex bacteria levels were estimated at baseline. After baseline assessment, scaling and root planing (SRP) were done in the patients of groups I and II. Two months after the completion of SRP, clinical parameters such as plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival index (GI), and clinical attachment loss (CAL), plasma ROM levels, serum resistin, and GCF resistin levels were analyzed.

RESULTS

An increase in plasma ROM, GCF resistin, and red complex bacteria levels was observed in obese subjects with periodontal disease and the increase was noted in obese subjects with healthy periodontium. Comparing plasma ROM, GCF resistin values between groups I and II, 2 months after SRP, a decrease in these levels were observed in group II.

CONCLUSION

Our study results depict that obesity can be considered as a risk indicator for periodontal disease.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Obesity has a negative impact on both general health and oral health. Promoting appropriate physical activity, healthy eating behavior, and oral hygiene practice are fundamental elements of the prevention of both obesity and periodontal disease.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of school teachers towards oral health in pondicherry

BACKGROUND

School teachers by virtue of their training can influence a large number of children thereby play major role in the planning and implementation of oral health preventive programs. Hence, this study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of school teachers towards oral health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among school teachers of the city of Pondicherry. A structured questionnaire was used and 212 teachers were assessed on their knowledge on oral health, attitude and practice regarding their personal oral health, attitude regarding oral health of children and status of oral health education at the schools. All data collected was entered into SPSS version 21.0.

RESULTS

Around 47% of the participants felt that bacteria and sugar are the main causes of dental caries, while 42% felt that plaque and calculus are the main agents for periodontal disease. Around 82.5% teachers brushed twice daily. However, only 32% felt it is necessary to visit dentist regularly. While 86% of the teachers felt that children's teeth should be checked by dentist, only 51% agreed that it is their duty to impart oral health education to the students.

CONCLUSION

The knowledge regarding oral health among school teachers was fair. Oral Health education must be imparted to preschool and primary school teachers as a part of National Oral Health care Program on a regular basis and further studies must be done to assess their awareness levels and make the necessary changes in further education modules.