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Introduction: Tobacco consumption is one of the most serious public health threats globally and is emerging as pandemic. Data from World Health Organisation proves that about 5 million people die prematurely per year around the globe due to tobacco use with India being a leading nation among tobacco users. Aim: To evaluate the most prevalent tobacco habit and the oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (PMDs) among the tobacco users and assessment of prevalence rate of awareness and change in various habits in relation to similar studies conducted in past in Eastern zone. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of six months, wherein all the patients visiting the OPD were assessed and questioned for Tobacco related habits. A detailed history about the duration and frequency of the habit and the type of tobacco and the predominant reason for its consumption among males and females were recorded and evaluated for the evidence of PMDs. Patients below the age of 13 years and with systemic/metabolic disorder with oral manifestations were excluded from the study. Results: The results of the study revealed that the tobacco consumption was more prevalent in males than in females. Most prevalent tobacco habit was chewing tobacco with slaked lime followed by smoking then mixed tobacco. Most common age group affected was 20-50 years and tobacco pouch keratosis were most prevalent lesion followed by leukoplakia. Conclusion: This study imparted us the particulars of association of Oral PMDs in different kinds of tobacco users thus reducing the chances of morbidity and mortality associated with them due to their asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic nature which remains unnoticed till advanced stages due to relative lack of awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco usage even in current times of social media, thus guiding physicians to provide better patient care at an early stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Out of all the morphological landmarks on the human body, the mental foramen is thought to be one of the most reliable for determining age and gender. It has therefore been utilised in the current investigation to assess age and gender because of its durability. Aim: To determine sexual dimorphism and to estimate the age in a subset of population in Kolkata, West Bengal by analysing the mental foramen using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted using CBCT of 70 subjects, of which 50 were included in the study as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patient's OPD registration number, gender, date of birth was kept confidential, and a unique study case number was allotted. The required measurements in the CBCT scans, were done on these following parameters in both right and left side: 1. superior border of crest of mandible to superior border of mental foramen (SBMSBMF), 2. superior border of crest of mandible to inferior border of mandible (SBM-IBMF), 3. superior border of mental foramen to inferior border of mandible (SBMF-IBM), 4. inferior border of mental foramen to inferior border of mandible (IBMF-IBM), 5. superior border of mental foramen to inferior border of mental foramen. The information gathered was entered into a Microsoft Office Excel sheet, from which it was extracted to produce the desired outcomes using Stata version 13.1 and SPSS version 20 for Windows software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The study's findings indicate that there is bilateral dimorphism in the (UM-IM) and (LM-IM) distances for both genders, making it a useful tool for distinguishing gender. Regarding age estimation, the research demonstrates substantial values for each of the four criteria. There were also bilateral differences noted. There is a substantial correlation between the estimated and original ages, according to the age regression model. Conclusion: The mental foramen, a stable landmark in the mandible, is a useful tool for determining gender and age. As a result, using particular Mental Foramen measurements, one can determine the age of an individual. Additionally, pre-prosthetic surgery, implant placement, and orthognathic treatments use its location and distance from the alveolar crest as a guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Potentially malignant oral mucosal diseases such as oral leukoplakia, oral Erythroplakia and oral submucous fibrosis have a high malignant transformation rate with tobacco, alcohol, chewing of betel quid containing areca nut being etiological agents. Early identification, diagnosis and treatment hinder 'progression of the disease to severe dysplasia and even carcinoma in-situ and/or squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, early intervention is highly advocated to attain favourable prognosis as well as treatment outcome. Aim: To assess, compare and correlate the levels of serum folate and iron in patients with/without any visible Oral leukoplakia. Materials and Methods: A total of 136 patients (34 Oral leukoplakia patients with habit(s) 34 patients without leukoplakia with habit(s) in Bengaluru and 34 Oral leukoplakia patients with habit(s) and 34 patients without leukoplakia with habit(s) in Kolkata. Serum folate was measured by chemi-luminescent immunoassay and serum iron concentration was measured by photometric method. Results: There was a definite male predilection with majority of the subjects found in the age group of 20-30 years. The mean folate levels in BOL (34 Individuals with oral leukoplakia and habits in Bangalore), BWOL (34 Individuals without leukoplakia but with habits in Bangalore), KOL (34 Individuals with oral leukoplakia and habits in Kolkata), KWOL (34 Individuals without leukoplakia but with habits in Kolkata) was found to be 5.20, 5.3, 6.4 and 5.6 respectively, whereas the mean iron levels were 91.20, 105.73, 102.12 and 114.53 respectively, which was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The mean serum folate and iron levels were found to be high in the Kolkata population in comparison to that of the Bengaluru population. A clear decline in the serum iron and folate levels in patients with clinically diagnosed leukoplakia amongst smokers as well as in tobacco chewers was recorded; however, the folate levels were found to increase amongst smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Introduction: Smoking is one of the common recreational drug uses. Tobacco smoking habit has spread across the world, and is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity. Smokers are more likely to develop many deadly diseases such as cancer and other types of respiratory diseases. Tobacco smokingrelated diseases have been shown to kill around half of long-term smokers compared with the overall mortality levels faced by nonsmokers. Aim: To investigate and assess the knowledge, attitude and awareness of the effects of smoking on oral health among non dental and non Medical University students in Kolkata Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by circulating the self-designed questionnaire among 150 college students. The questionnaire was designed to assess the data's on demographics, smoking prevalence, smoking related knowledge and attitudes and health effects due to smoking habits. The survey was conducted through an online setting through google form. Results: The responses from the study were analysed and represented in pie charts. The findings were 85% of individuals are aware of the complications of smoking. Around10% of individuals felt that the habit of smoking is greatly influenced by friends and stress. 87% of individuals felt that smoking in public places is an offence. 81% of individuals strongly impose smoking Cessation Campaigns at their Institutions Conclusion: The study concludes that students are well aware about smoking habits and its ill effects which cause major complications in their health. In addition, collaborative and more comprehensive anti-tobacco efforts are important to curb the tobacco epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Serum urea and creatinine are most widely accepted parameters to assess Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) status as well as to assess renal status in susceptible diabetic and hypertensive subjects. Aim: To assess and correlate the serum and salivary urea and creatinine levels of CKD, diabetes mellitus and hypertensive subjects. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 120 subjects involving 30 CKD, 30 diabetic, 30 hypertensive subjects and 30 healthy controls. After collection of saliva and blood samples, urea was analyzed by enzymatic calorimetric method and creatinine by Jaffe's method. Kruskal Wallis test and Mann Whitney U test were used for comparison between different groups and correlations between serum and salivary parameters were evaluated by applying Spearman's correlation test. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The median serum and salivary urea and creatinine levels were highest in CKD group followed by diabetic, hypertensive groups and controls. The correlation coefficient for serum urea and salivary urea was 0.977 and for serum creatinine and salivary creatinine was 0.976, with p-value <0.001. Conclusion: This study showed that there is a significant positive relationship between salivary and serum urea and creatinine. Thus, salivary urea and creatinine levels can be used non-invasively to detect serum urea and creatinine levels respectively in renal disease and diabetic and hypertensive nephropathic cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]