Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and practice of oral hygiene among antenatal women of Community Health Centre (CHC), Badkhalsa, Sonipat district, Haryana. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the antenatal women of CHC, Badkhalsa, Sonipat district, Haryana. Convenience sampling technique was used for selection of subjects. Subjects were chosen on antenatal day [4 days/week and Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) day]. Permission for data collection was sought from superior authority of CHC as well. Data were congregated by a combination of General Oral Examination and Self-Administered Questionnaire. The questions were based on knowledge and practices related to pregnancy and oral health, gingival conditions, oral hygiene, utilization of dental health services, and habits. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Association between categorical variables was assessed using Chi-square test. Level of significance was set as p <0.05. Results: Key results of the present study stated that respondents had knowledge and awareness regarding maintenance of oral health, but they were not able to maintain it because of many barriers. Conclusion: Although most of the changes occurring during pregnancy are temporary in nature but do require proper personal and professional care. Therefore, there is the need to encourage women to seek oral screening, counseling on maintaining appropriate oral hygiene during pregnancy.

Introduction: Tobacco toll in India has one-fifth of all worldwide death attributed to tobacco. Tobacco use has been labeled as the number one cause of preventable disease and premature death. The prevention and control of tobacco use is an emerging issue of global significance. Materials and methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among oral healthcare professionals in Tricity in the time period of July 2019 to September 2019. A total of 100 dentists (clinicians as well as academicians) who were willing to participate in this study were included in this study. Those who did not fulfill these criteria were excluded from the study. The study tool was comprised of self-structured closed-ended questionnaire. The questionnaire was comprised of 20 questions. The questionnaire was distributed among the oral healthcare professionals of Tricity. The questionnaire consisted of two sections: demographic profile and questions related to knowledge and practice of tobacco use cessation. The responses to the questionnaire were marked on the multiple-choice scale. The data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Results: Most of the oral healthcare professionals who participated in the study (79%) belonged to the age-group of 21–25 years and most of the participating oral healthcare professionals (41%) had an experience of 1 year at the time of study. The majority of the dentists (82%) agreed that they were comfortable in handling the patients with tobacco dependence. But only few of them routinely stress on their patients about habit pertaining to tobacco usage (38%) and do counseling for the patients with tobacco usage (35%). Around half of the oral healthcare professionals (48%) agreed that they encourage their patient regarding tobacco cessation and most of them (82%) warn them regarding tobacco cessation but very few advise their patients nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (11%) or other pharmacological agents and behavioral therapy (7%). Out of the study subjects, only 20% took any additional training pertaining to tobacco cessation and 72% of study subjects feel that the training they got is insufficient. Conclusion: A fewer percentage of oral healthcare professionals had taken additional training regarding tobacco cessation. So, there was a strong need for more training sessions regarding tobacco cessation.

Background: Oral hygiene is a set of practices aiming to remove dental plaque on the surface of the teeth. Although its importance is recognized in public oral health, dental health status of the population is far to be well understood. Research objectives: This study aims to describe oral hygiene habits and practices and to highlight the status of oral hygiene among a younger population. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study in 1,629 individuals aged 5–17 years was carried out. Those individuals were selected among the 50 enumerated areas that make up the city. We resort to a quantitative approach (using descriptive methods) and to qualitative technique in order to well understand adolescents’ practices regarding dental hygiene. Results: The study revealed that 82.1% of the respondents brush their teeth, but in an irregular or once daily (78.3%), with very few who respect the brushing technique in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations (12.9%). The cleaning products used are varied: fluoridated toothpaste (54.7%), tooth powder (12.2%), and use of fingers and pieces of tissue (about 2%). Analysis of the debris index and the tartar index shows that the level of oral hygiene in Bafia is poor (72.2%). Learning objectives: It is important to establish oral hygiene programs or strengthen existing programs, with emphasis on the effective use of fluorides for the prevention of dental caries, promotion of oral hygiene in schools, integration of oral health into national and community health programs.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of and associated risk factors for of early childhood caries (ECC) in 3–6-year-old preschool children in Navi Mumbai. Materials and methods: A total of 588 preschool children aged 3–6 years were selected randomly from the schools of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Caries was recorded according to the World Health Organization (WHO) recording criteria 1997. Information regarding socio-demographic data, feeding habits, and oral hygiene practices was obtained through a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of early childhood caries in 3–6-year-old children was found to be 66.5%. ECC increased significantly with age and is higher in boys as compared to girls. This difference was not statically significant. Children belonging to the low socioeconomic group showed higher caries prevalence. ECC was more prevalent in children accustomed to prolonged breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or breastfeeding at night. Factors, such as increased frequency of toothbrushing, use of toothbrushes, and fluoridated dentifrice, were found to be the protective factors against the risk of ECC. Conclusion: A strong correlation between the risk factors studied and ECC was found. Clinical significance: Even though ECC is largely a preventable condition, it remains one of the most common conditions, and the following research helps the clinician to understand the current prevalence and factors that are associated with ECC. This will in turn help in the early diagnosis of the ECC in everyday practice.

The current rural healthcare scenario in India is extremely fragile with most of the healthcare facilities, and healthcare workers concentrated in the metropolitan cities. Rural India that forms the backbone of the Indian economy and contributes to a major segment of Indian population even today lacks the basic healthcare needs. Lack of infrastructure, low income, and poor quality of life are major factors that contribute to nonequitable distribution of the healthcare workers. On the contrary, increasing number of unemployed dental graduates is on a constant raise that seems to be a threat to the developing society. Bridge course for dental graduates seems to be a viable option to overcome these issues. However, this is an arduous task considering the current dental educational curriculum and the rural healthcare needs. The aim of the current paper was to determine the relevance of bridge course and assess its applicability in the current healthcare system for equitable distribution of the healthcare workers in the country.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are an emerging problem among dental professionals globally. Dental professionals are constantly at risk for developing these disorders that reduce not only their productivity but also their efficiency and workability. MSDs present as pain, swelling, tenderness, numbness, and loss of strength at the affected area. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of MSDs and associated factors among dental professionals in Tanzania. Materials and methods: This was a 1-year descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted among practicing dental professionals in Tanzania from 2018 to 2019. The information collected included sociodemographic characteristics of participants and questions pertaining to their practice of dentistry. The standardized Nordic questionnaire was used to assess the presence of any musculoskeletal complaint. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows version 20.0. Chi-square test was used to determine the associations between variables of interest, and p-value was set at p <0.05. Results: A total of 155 dental professionals participated in this study with a male predominance (75.5%), and majority (63.9%) being dentists. Age of the participants ranged from 24 to 70 years with a mean of 37.94 ± 8.96 years. The prevalence of symptoms of MSDs among dental professionals was 79%. Associated factors for the development of MSDs were identified to be the years of practice, body mass index (BMI), and type of treatment routinely performed (p <0.05). The lower back was the most (54.2%) affected body part followed by the neck (52.3%). Conclusion: The symptoms of MSDs are very common among dental professionals in Tanzania. Duration of practice, BMI, and type of treatment mostly performed were significantly associated with the development of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS), and the most commonly affected part was the lower back.

Background: Feeding practices of children have been seen to influence their general oral health. Improper feeding practices of the children may predispose them to dental diseases like early childhood caries (ECC) that in turn affects not only their oral health but also their general health. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the feeding and snacking practices and related factors in preschool children from rural and urban areas of Tanzania. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study which was conducted in preschools at Upanga East and Upanga West in Dar es Salaam as urban wards and Kisawasawa and Kibegere in Kilosa as rural wards. The sample size was comprised of 790 preschool children whose parents/caregivers filled out a special questionnaire on information regarding their children's feeding practices. Results: A total of 790 preschool children's parents/caregivers participated in this study. Among these, 383 (48.5%) children were from urban areas and 407 (51.5%) were from rural areas. There were 414 (52.4%) boys and 376 (47.6%) girls with an age range of 28 to 60 months with a mean age of 51.81 (SD) months. Most (90.6%) children were reported to take snacks between meals. Snacks that were mostly taken by the children were both sticky and nonsticky sugary snacks. Most (60.8%) of the children were taking snacks once per day. Majority (92.6%) of children who were >48 months of age were reported to be taking snacks between meals. More (54.3%) children from rural areas were sleeping with the mother's breast nipple in the mouth than those from the urban areas (p = 0.000). Most (61.7%) of the preschool children with parents/caregivers with higher level of education were using bottle-feeding. Conclusion: Reported feeding practices of preschool children from rural and urban areas of Tanzania were not healthy for children's oral health. So, there is a need for health workers to provide adequate information on proper feeding practices to the parents/caregivers of these preschool children.

Background: Herbal toothpastes have gained immense popularity in India in recent times with a significant rise in number of herbal toothpaste users. This study aimed to understand the factors that motivated this change from nonherbal toothpastes to herbal toothpastes. Methods: Four hundred and eighty-two individuals visiting the Department of Dentistry for dental consultations, who had changed their toothpaste in last 5 years, filled a structured questionnaire seeking details of the factors or complaints which led to their change of toothpaste, satisfaction level with changed toothpaste, and their opinion about herbal and nonherbal toothpaste. The change of toothpastes was divided into four categories: nonherbal to herbal, nonherbal to nonherbal, herbal to nonherbal, and herbal to herbal. The data obtained were analyzed to assess the relationship between the category of toothpaste change and socioeconomic and psychosocial factors using Chi-square tests, Spearman's correlation, and multiple regression tests. Results: 49.79% of the participants had shifted their toothpaste from nonherbal to herbal in last 5 years. Sensitivity (43.75%) and yellowness of teeth (49.25%) were the most cited reasons for change of toothpaste by participants in all categories. Tooth sensitivity, cost, advertisement, taste, and dental advice significantly influenced the change from one type of toothpaste to another. No significant association was found between the type of toothpaste shift and improvement in symptoms. Conclusion: Though a large number of users shifted to herbal toothpastes, the change was not associated with a significant difference from other types of toothpastes, in terms of improvement of symptoms. Clinical significance: This study highlights the tendency of Indian population to shift their toothpaste from nonherbal to herbal, in hope of getting relief from problems like yellow teeth and tooth sensitivity. Such change, however, may not necessarily lead to resolution of their problem and can never be a substitute to professional consultation.

Aim: Dental care utilization is an indispensable facilitator of oral health. The aim of this study was to assess the differences between the levels of utilization of dental services and to compare the self-reported treatment needs between dental students and dental technology students. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving dental students and dental technology students. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information of participants. The questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic information, self-reported treatment needs, and utilization of dental services. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 109 dental students and 110 dental technology students participated in this study. The mean age of participants was 23.3 ± 3.8 years. Whereas 67.0% of dental students had visited a dentist in the past 12 months, only 35.5% of dental technology students had done so. There was no statistically significant difference in the utilization of dental services between males and females. The most commonly reported treatment that had been done in both group of students was scaling and polishing. Reasons attributed for not visiting the dentist included high cost of dental treatment (44.6%), lack of time (23.0%), fear of dental treatment (17.6%), and the belief that they had no dental issues (14.9%). The majority of dental students rated their oral hygiene as good (67.0%), whereas 45.5% each of dental technology students rated their oral hygiene as either excellent or good. Most (80.7%) dental technology students needed further dental treatment, compared to 48.6% of dental students who did. Scaling and polishing was the treatment more participants (47.9%) felt they needed. Conclusion: Dental students utilized dental services more frequently than dental technology students. The high cost of dental treatment was the major barrier to seeking dental care. Clinical significance: Utilization of dental services in Nigeria remains suboptimal; thus, there is need for continuous oral health awareness programs among the populace. In addition, health insurance with broad coverage of dental services is needed.

Aims: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of management of dental trauma among medical professionals (MPs) of Hassan city, South India. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 400 MPs working in Hassan city, India. All hospitals with accident and emergency/casualty departments and centers providing medical emergency management were included. Each emergency-providing MP was personally visited by an investigator. They were invited to complete the questionnaire and were given 20 minutes to complete it. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: There was a lack of adequate knowledge needed to manage dental trauma among the majority of MPs. Conclusion: The results further emphasize the importance and the need of educating MPs about the emergency management of traumatized teeth since prognosis would be superior with immediate and appropriate treatment and participation of them.

Objective: Oral hygiene knowledge is considered an essential prerequisite to any community member. Dental caries is highly prevalent among children and persists to be a significant public health problem. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of oral hygiene care among 12-year-old children in Chengalpattu district, India. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 228 school children in Thirukalukundram Taluk, Chengalpattu district. The questionnaire has demographic data and five questions on knowledge toward oral hygiene maintenance, five questions on students’ attitude toward oral hygiene maintenance, and five questions toward oral hygiene practices. Data obtained were statistically analyzed and results have been obtained. Results: Almost 57.3% students were aware that bleeding gums indicate gum disease. Most of the participants (61.6%) knew the symptoms of dental caries; 98.1% students used tooth paste and brush for brushing; 74.4% students never visit a dentist even on discomfort, 22.3% students visit a dentist on discomfort, 2.4% students visit a dentist once a year, 0.9% students visit dentist once in 6 months; 77.3% of students were aware that brushing before bed is mandatory. Conclusion: Children had good knowledge on oral hygiene practices; however, few of them exhibited a negative attitude toward practice of recommended oral hygiene measures which can be addressed in future by motivational programs on oral hygiene.

Objective: This article aims to measure parental knowledge and practice regarding their children's malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed in the Al-Madinah region, Saudi Arabia. Parental demographic data, knowledge, and practice were collected. The maximum possible mean score was 1.0 for both knowledge and practice. Results: Three-hundred and fifteen participants completed the survey. The overall mean scores for parental knowledge and practice were 0.44 and 0.49, respectively. No statistically significant difference was detected between sexes, age, parental history of orthodontic treatment, education, and income levels. Females were more aware than males regarding the impact of malocclusion on their children's self-esteem (p = 0.004). Lower- and middle-income groups were less aware of increased risk of trauma with prominent incisors (p = 0.001) and various types of orthodontic appliances (p = 0.004). Although, 80% of parents stated that they were willing to convince their children toward orthodontic treatment based on professional advice. However, 40.5 and 34% of the lower- and middle-income groups would rather wait for public-funded services even if their child is in high need for treatment (p <0.000), compared to 18% of the higher-income group stating the same. Conclusion: Moderate to high parental knowledge and practice was demonstrated. Females and higher socioeconomic status parents were more aware and proactive than their counterparts. Public health services should consider parental socioeconomic status when allocating care for children's and adolescent's orthodontic treatment need.

Background: Acrylic removable partial dentures (ARPDs) are used for management of tooth loss in most developing countries. Aim: This article aims to determine prevalence of ARPDs among adult patients attending public dental clinics in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: This study involved adults aged 18 years and above attending dental clinics in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Patient's hospital registration provided particulars on age and sex. Additional information sought from subjects with ARPDs included education level and denture wearing experience. Clinical assessment of ARPDs determined jaw involved and number of teeth replaced. Data were analyzed using SPSS at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: Of the 3,225 subjects aged 18–87 years, majority were 36–87 years (n = 1,687; 52.3%) and females (n = 1,688; 52.3%). The 10.5% prevalence of patients with ARPDs showed no difference by age, sex, or location (p >0.05). Denture wearing experience of less than 2 years was statistically significantly higher among younger age-group and those with higher level of education. ARPDs in the upper jaw was statistically significantly related to young adults (n = 102; 63.8%), males (n = 86; 55.1%), and having secondary or higher level of education (n = 110; 54.5%). ARPDs replacing 1–5 teeth were statistically significantly higher among patients aged 18–35 years and those having secondary or higher level of education (p <0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of ARPDs among attending dental patients was low (10.5%) with a denture wearing experience of less than 2 years being higher among younger adults and those with secondary or higher level of education. ARPDs in the upper jaw were related to being young, male, and having secondary or higher level of education, while replacement of 1–5 teeth was related to being young and having secondary or higher level of education. Community awareness on use of ARPDs in management of tooth loss should be emphasized. Clinical significance: Determining factors associated with wearing of dentures will assist practitioners in patient management.

Aim: To present a case of mucormycosis of the maxilla which mimics a periodontal abscess in its clinical presentation. Background: As mankind continues to battle with the pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) which is still on the rise, the issue of post-COVID-19 complications has emerged as a significant problem majorly during the deadly second wave of the dreadful virus. The complications can be associated with a wide range of bacterial and fungal coinfections. One of the primary reasons attributed to the coinfections is the use of corticosteroids and other adjunctive therapies to arrest any possibility of cytokine storm syndrome that may occur in critically ill patients. One such deadly post-COVID-19 complication which is now being reported frequently is mucormycosis. It is an aggressive opportunistic fungal infection known to be associated with a poor prognosis if not diagnosed and treated on time. Case description: A case of mucormycosis of the maxilla in a 52-year-old man who reported to our outpatient department with multiple abscesses on the labial and buccal aspects of maxillary gingiva accompanied with hyperglycemia secondary to uncontrolled diabetes with a history of a COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: During this pandemic that we are dealing with, it becomes extremely important to keep a close watch on the post-COVID-19 complications in order to reduce any further discomfort to patients. Any COVID-19 recovered patient who visits a dental practitioner in the first 4–5 months post-recovery with unexplained pain in the teeth, mobile teeth, or multiple abscesses is suspected to have mucormycosis. Clinical significance: Dentists, especially periodontists, are going to play a key role and be the first window in the early diagnosis of this disease.