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An ideal dental repair material should possess certain exclusive properties such as adequate adhesive ability, insolubility, dimensional stability, biocompatibility, bioactivity etc. New materials claiming better performance are continuously being introduced in the market to optimize the care of dental patients. Biodentine has been recently introduced as the "the first all-in-one, bioactive and biocompatible material for damaged dentin replacement". Manufacturers claim that Biodentine has noticeably shorter setting time in contrast to other silicate cements such as Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and also has better mechanical and handling properties. This article is aimed to compare the properties of MTA and Biodentine analyzing the research work done in this field so far by various researchers all across the globe.

Introduction: Oral health is a key component of overall health and wellbeing of women throughout life; and particularly important prior to conception and during pregnancy. Pregnancy affects both general health as well as the oral health related quality of life., Aim: To assess the difference in oral health status and related quality of life among pregnant, postpartum and non pregnant women of Kashmir valley., Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenient sample of 900 women (22-37 years) attending Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Maternity Hospital, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Sample included 300 pregnant, 280 postpartum women and 320 non pregnant women of matched age group. Pretested and validated proforma for Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) Questionnaire designed in local language was used. Oral health was assessed using Oral Hygiene Index Simplified Index (OHIS), Gingival Index (GI) and Decayed Missing Filled Teeth/Surface Index (DMFT/DMFS). Mean differences were carried out using Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA. Correlation analysis was performed to analyse their relationship with Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) score. Post-hoc Tukey test was employed for comparing the means within the three trimesters of the pregnant group., Results: Pregnant women presented with significantly higher periodontal disease (p≤0.05). Decayed Missing and Filled Teeth index (DMFT) showed no difference within the groups. Comparison for the mean OHIP-14 presented significantly poorer scores among the pregnant women., Conclusion: Pregnancy had an influence only on the gingiva and not on periodontal attachment levels. However, oral health status and perceived OHRQoL were poorer among pregnant women. The present study draws attention toward the need for highlighting the importance of conserving oral health during pregnancy.

Introduction: Self esteem is more of a psychological concept therefore, even the common dental disorders like dental trauma, tooth loss and untreated carious lesions may affect the self esteem thus influencing the quality of life., Aim: This study aims to assess the impact of dental disorders among the adolescents on their self esteem level., Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 10 to 17 years adolescents. In order to obtain a representative sample, multistage sampling technique was used and sample was selected based on Probability Proportional to Enrolment size (PPE). Oral health assessment was carried out using WHO type III examination and self esteem was estimated using the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale score (RSES). The descriptive and inferential analysis of the data was done by using IBM SPSS software. Logistic and linear regression analysis was executed to test the individual association of different independent clinical variables with self esteem., Results: Total sample of 1140 adolescents with mean age of 14.95 ±2.08 and RSES of 27.09 ±3.12 were considered. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was applied and best predictors in relation to RSES in the descending order were Dental Health Component (DHC), Aesthetic Component (AC), dental decay {(aesthetic zone), (masticatory zone)}, tooth loss {(aesthetic zone), (masticatory zone)} and anterior fracture of tooth., Conclusion: It was found that various dental disorders like malocclusion, anterior traumatic tooth, tooth loss and untreated decay causes a profound impact on aesthetics and psychosocial behaviour of adolescents, thus affecting their self esteem.

Introduction: Preparation of good tissue specimens for microscopy requires complete fixation. No ideal fixative has been found till date, with every fixative showing advantages and disadvantages. Appropriate fixation is required to maintain clear and consistent morphologic features for histologic examination. Pathologists mostly examine formalin fixed tissue sections and are less used to the morphologic changes induced by other fixatives. Underfixed and overfixed tissue in various fixatives can lead to tissue architectural changes which can affect its diagnostic value., Aim: To assess sectioning ability, staining intensity and microscopic details of tissues kept in different fixatives at different time intervals., Materials and Methods: Fresh tissue specimen i.e., goat tongue was collected and its middle-third portion was used for the study purpose. The tissue was grossed into 10 equal pieces and kept in various fixatives (10% Buffered formalin, Carnoy's solution, Absolute ethyl alcohol, Bouin's fluid) for five different time intervals (6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 hours) and normal tissue processing steps were carried out followed by sectioning and staining. During sectioning, sectioning parameter was assessed. Following sectioning, sections were observed under light microscope and were histologically evaluated for staining and microscopic details. To calculate the sectioning parameter Fisher's exact test was used and to assess parameters for staining and microscopic details Mann-Whitney U test was used., Results: According to the study, 10% buffered formaldehyde is considered as a superior fixative under all parameters followed by Bouin's fluid, Carnoy's solution and Absolute alcohol., Conclusion: In our study, it was concluded that 10% buffered formaldehyde should be continued as a routine fixative however, other fixatives can be used depending upon the non-availability of required fixative or in case of emergencies. Pathologist should be accustomed to histologic and morphologic changes of underfixed and overfixed tissue which can affect its diagnostic value.

Background: Chlorhexidine mouthwash has earned eponym of gold standard to treat and/or prevent periodontal diseases. However, the present study was carried out to explore an alternative herbal mouthwash., Aim: To compare the anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis efficacy of a 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash to that of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash., Materials and Methods: A double-blinded parallel designed clinical trial with 60 subjects was taken for the study. Baseline plaque index (PI) & gingival index (GI) score was recorded. Oral prophylaxis was done and the plaque score was set at zero. Then, subjects were randomly allocated into 3 groups (N=20 in each): 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash, 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash and oral prophylaxis only. Subjects were asked to swish with respective mouthwash twice daily for 21 days. Subjects were again re-evaluated on 14(th) and 21(st) day for GI and PI. Comparison of the mean difference among the variables was performed by parametric tests., Results: Lemongrass oil mouthwash group showed highest reduction in GI & PI at both 14(th) and 21(st) day, which was statistically significant (p≤0.05)., Conclusion: Lemongrass oil mouthwash can also be used as a good herbal alternative to chlorhexidine mouthwash, so further studies are needed.

Social determinants have always been an important element of the oral health. It has been seen that social aspects like the organizations and relations influence the health of population. A new domain named social capital has come up into limelight which refers to "features of social organization, such as trust, norms and networks that can improve the efficacy of society by facilitating coordinated actions". The bonds between individuals, both in intimate relationships and in voluntary associations have been claimed to have health promoting effects. Oral health can never be segregated from general health as they are bidirectional in their relationship. Therefore determinants of general health and its promotion are interlinked with that of oral health. So, this review tries to figure out the effects of social capital on various aspects of oral health.

Unlabelled: Aims & Objective: To assess the oral health awareness and periodontal health status of different socio-economic groups in out-patient department of the Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre (TMDC&RC), Moradabad, India., Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 416 subjects of 30-60 years age group with different socio-economic status classified according to modified Kuppuswamy scale (2012). Subjects were interviewed by the questionnaire and Community Periodontal Index was recorded., Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test (SPSS version 17)., Result: This study showed that the code 2 and code 3 is more in lower socio-economic status (p =0.115 and p=0.079 respectively). Significant association was seen in Code 0, code 1 & code 4 (p<0.01) which is indicative that upper class have more healthy periodontal status than lower., Conclusion: Significant association exists between oral health awareness and periodontal health with the socio-economic status of the individual.

Objectives: To assess the caries risk and contribution of diet, bacteria, circumstances and susceptibility sectors among special groups in comparison to the normal group of Udaipur using the Cariogram model., Materials and Methods: A Cariogram model was used to identify risk factors among 160 subjects (40 mentally challenged, 60 visually impaired and 60 normal healthy individuals) aged 7-36 years. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square/ Fischer's Exact followed by Marascuilo procedure and Stepwise multiple linear regression., Results: Compared to the normal group (74%), mentally challenged (33%) and visually impaired (41%) groups showed less chances of avoiding future caries. Group (R= 0.660) was found to be strongest predictor for caries risk. Susceptibility sector contributed 61% for caries risk in all the groups., Conclusion: The caries risk was high among special groups compared to normal group. Susceptibility sector illustrated the highest contribution for caries risk in all groups.

Background: Salt workers are exposed to the adversities of environmental conditions such as direct sunlight, salt dust and contact with brine, which have an impact on the health of workers. Since oral health is an integral part of the general health, we planned to determine its effect on the oral cavity., Objectives: To assess the oral health status and the treatment needs among the workers of Sambhar Salts Limited at Sambhar Lake, Jaipur, India., Material and Methods: A cross sectional, descriptive survey was conducted among 979 subjects (509 males; 470 females) who were aged between 19-68 years, who were the workers of Sambhar Salts Limited, Sambhar Lake, Jaipur, India. An interview on the demographic profile followed a clinical examination for recording the oral health status, based on the World Health Organization guidelines. The Chi-square test, t-test, One way Analysis of Variance and a Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were used for the statistical analysis., Results: Females had a significantly greater prevalence of dental fluorosis (71.7%) and periodontal disease (96.4%) as compared to males (p= 0.001). The mean number of healthy sextants (0.71 ± 0.09) and the mean DMFT (5.19 ± 4.11) were also significantly higher in females as compared to those in males (p=0.001). One surface filling (78.2%), followed by pulp care and restoration (76.1%) were the most prevalent treatment needs. The gender and oral hygiene practices for dental caries and periodontal disease were respectively identified as the best predictors., Conclusion: Considerable percentages of salt workers have demonstrated a higher prevalence of oral diseases. Higher unmet treatment needs suggest a poor accessibility and availability of oral health care, in addition to a low utilization of preventive or therapeutic oral health services.

Context: 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. Its prevalence, which was reported in various studies which were conducted in different parts of the globe, signifies its need for a control., Aims: To assess the periodontal status among the Kota stone workers in Jhalawar and to provide a baseline data for the planning and evaluation of the oral health care promotion programmes., Settings and Design: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among the Kota stone workers who were working in the Kota stone factories which were located in the Ricco Industrial Area in Jhalawar., Method and Materials: The study population comprised 420 subjects who were in the age group of 21 to 60 years. The data were collected by means of a close ended, self administered questionnaire and clinical examination with the use of the CPI index. Statistical analyses which were used: Chi-square, Student's t-test, One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Multiple Logistic Regression., Results: The socio-demographic characteristics, except the gender, were found to be significantly associated with the periodontal status in the study population (P≤0.05). Multivariate analysis showed high CPI scores which were associated with males (OR=1.313), the 21-40 year age group (OR=0.548), education upto 10th class (OR=4.776), oral hygiene practices other than toothbrush with toothpaste (OR=0.774) and smoking (OR=3.994)., Conclusion: The observations of this study indicate the need for a reorientation of the dental care services, with further emphasis on the preventive care in such a population.