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Objective: To investigate the impact of “Brush Up” - a mobile application, on oral hygiene behaviours of 4-6-year-old children in Bangalore city. Methods: In this experimental study, 247 children aged 4-6, were randomly divided into three groups. Considering “Brush Up” is a mobile application, parents of the children in Group 1 (n=82) downloaded the application on their smartphones. Children in Group 2 (n=83) and Group 3 (n=82) received tooth brushing instructions by an educative video and manual demonstration, respectively. Effectiveness of tooth brushing was assessed with plaque scores, which were recorded for all the groups at baseline and one month using Visible Biofilm Index. Results: Wilcoxon signed rank test showed a significant improvement in the tooth brushing behaviour for the Brush Up group, which was indicated by a lower plaque score after a follow-up of one month. Kruskal-Wallis test followed by post-hoc test showed that the mean ranks of plaque scores of Brush Up group are consistently lower than those of video demonstration group and manual demonstration group. Conclusions: The lower plaque score in subsequent follow-up in Brush Up group suggests that using a smart system can enhance learning a correct tooth brushing method in young children and can also help in implementing the required reinforcement and motivation to brush and aid in better plaque control. RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar o impacto do “Brush Up”, um aplicativo móvel, sobre comportamentos de higiene bucal de crianças de 4 a 6 anos na cidade de Bangalore, na Índia. Métodos: Neste estudo experimental, 247 crianças de 4 a 6 anos foram divididas aleatoriamente em 3 grupos. Como “Brush Up” é um aplicativo móvel, os pais das crianças do Grupo 1 (n=82) baixaram o aplicativo em seus smartphones. As crianças do grupo 2 (n=83) e do grupo 3 (n=82) receberam instruções sobre escovação por meio de vídeo educativo e demonstração manual, respectivamente. A efetividade da escovação foi avaliada por meio de escores de placa bacteriana, registrados para todos os grupos antes da intervenção e um mês depois. Resultados: O teste de Wilcoxon sinalizou uma melhora significativa na escovação para o grupo “Brush Up”, com uma pontuação mais baixa na placa bacteriana após um mês de acompanhamento. O teste de Kruskal-Wallis, seguido do teste post hoc, mostrou que as classificações médias das pontuações do grupo “Brush Up” foram consistentemente mais baixas do que as do grupo com demonstração em vídeo e demonstração manual. Conclusões: Os resultados obtidos no grupo “Brush Up” sugerem que o uso de um sistema inteligente pode melhorar o aprendizado de um método correto de escovação em crianças pequenas e ajudar na implementação do reforço e motivação necessários para escovar e controlar melhor a placa bacteriana.

Background Short implants are preferred in cases of limited bone height. Length and design of implant credits to stability and implant success, shorter implants tend to survive for longer time duration. Purpose Retrospective cohort study was conducted with an aim to assess the clinical outcome and cumulative survival rate of sloping shoulder implants over a period of 8 years. Materials and methods Data was collected from all patients attending private clinics in Dubai, UAE. Subjects received ultrashort sloping shoulder (Bicon) implant. Implants of 6 mm and less than 6 mm length were included in the study. Subject's information like age, gender, systemic condition, habits, and radiographs were collected. Implant variables that is number of implants placed, location of placement, loading type, bone type, bone condition, and graft type were collected. Data was analyzed using multivariate cox regression model to evaluate the correlation between implant variables and to identify the implant variables associated with failure. Kaplan-Meier method was adopted to assess the survival pattern of implants. Results Cumulative survival rate was 97% with average follow up of 28 months. Statistically significant differences were seen with implant length, arch type, bone type, and bone condition with P value Conclusion Short implants with sloping shoulder design and plateau-type roots have superior survival rates when compared with regular implants. The bone condition was also witnessed to be statistically significantly superior.

Introduction Effective teaching is critical for student learning, especially in professional field, such as dentistry. To cope with the dynamic state of society, the changing pattern of diseases, a clear understanding of the links between basic sciences, technology, and health care systems are crucial. Future health care provider's education system should encourage the development of learning characteristics, such as critical thinking and problem-solving. Problem-based learning (PBL) is one such method. Aims and objectives To evaluate the efficacy of PBL vs lecture method of teaching among the final-year dental undergraduates. Materials and methods A comparative study with 38 finalyear dental students, 19 students in PBL and 19 students in lecture groups were undertaken. The PBL group was further divided into three smaller groups. Both the groups were given a topic from the undergraduate curriculum of Public Health Dentistry prescribed by Dental Council India (DCI) and were assessed for their academic performances through an internal assessment examination. Results Both the groups consisted of higher number of females. Mean marks obtained by PBL group was 6.63 ± 1.80, which was significantly higher as compared with the lecture group which was 4.84 ± 1.17 (p = 0.001**). Conclusion Students in PBL group showed better academic performance as compared with students in the lecture group. How to cite this article Rekha K, Naganandini S, Eshwar S, Manvi S, Markose J. Problem-based Learning vs Lectures— Comparison of Academic Performances among Dental Undergraduates in India: A Pilot Study. World J Dent 2017; 8(1):59-66.

Natural polysaccharides of marine origin are gaining interest in biomedical applications. Seaweeds are most abundant source of polysaccharides, as alginates, agar and agarose as well as Carrageenans. Even cellulose and amylose have been extracted from the macroalgae. Chitin and chitosan are derived from the exoskeleton of marine crustaceans. Interdisciplinary fields involving various science and technology aspects such as cell sciences, biomaterials, medical sciences and engineering are referred to as tissue engineering, which is an upcoming new field intended to replace biological functions in human body. Tissue engineered scaffolds and artificial organs developed by such technique has replace injured parts in human body. Technological advancements have made it possible to obtain active ingredient in marine organisms by controlling the growth and isolation conditions. Present review has focused on progress in discovering and producing new applications of marine polysaccharides in biomedical and tissue engineering.

Introduction: Visually impaired people have poorer oral hygiene when compared to others. Therefore, there is a necessity for individual training by making awareness in oral care and plaque control so as to improve their oral hygiene. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of oral health innovative educative method among visually impaired children of Bengaluru city of India. Materials and Methods: A non-randomized control trial was conducted among 40 visually impaired individuals attending special school for blind. The study was conducted for a duration of six months. Baseline data regarding oral health knowledge, attitude and practices was obtained through a questionnaire in Braille and oral plaque assessment was done using Silness and Loe plaque index (1964). Music based brushing technique, cast models and an oral health education talk and booklet in Braille was delivered stressing on importance of oral health. The results of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) before and after health education were analysed using Chi-square test with SPSS version 22.0. Results: The overall KAP was lower in the preintervention period among the visually impaired children with mean score of 6.98 while after the modified oral health education session, it was increased to a mean score of 14.68 which was statistically significant at p

Introduction Recent studies have reported the incorporation of modifiers with conventional Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) to enhance its antibacterial effect. One such modification being the addition of Chitosan (CH). However, these modifiers might affect the physical properties of the restorations. Aim The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of modifying the liquid phase of conventional GIC with 10% v/v CH on the antibacterial properties and adhesion to enamel in comparison to conventional GIC. Materials and methods The liquid of commercially available restorative GIC (Fuji IX, GC Industrial Corporation, Japan) was modified with 10% v/v CH solution (Everest Biotech, Bengaluru). GIC powders were mixed with the unmodified and the CH-modified liquids at the desired powder/liquid ratio. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the setting reaction between the conventional and CH modified GIC liquid with GIC powder. For evaluation of the antibacterial properties, biofilms of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) were formed on the GIC discs and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). For the characterization of the adhesive properties, the unmodified and CH-modified GICs were bonded to the enamel surface and the microshear bond strength (μSBs) was evaluated. Student's paired t-test was used to compare the micro-shear bond strength between CH modified GIC and unmodified GIC. Results Modification with 10% v/v CH solution improved the antibacterial properties of GIC against S. mutans in terms of resistance to biofilm formation which was assessed using SEM. Microshear bond strength of CH modified GIC was 85.40 MPa compared to 46.94 MPa of conventional GIC. This difference was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion Modifying the liquid phase of a conventional GIC with 10% v/v CH significantly improves the antibacterial property of GIC as well as its adhesion to enamel.

Introduction Levels of oral health and economic status are unequally distributed throughout the population. Inequality has multiple causes and that the effect of Socio Economic Status (SES) and demographic factors, on oral health is mediated through several factors. Association between cognitive ability and oral health had been demonstrated in older age groups but adolescents and younger adults have received relatively little attention in this field. Aim To establish the role of cognitive ability as a determinant of SES and oral health status among adolescent college students of Benagluru, Karnataka, India. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1000 adolescents aged 17-19 years. Six government and six private first grade colleges were selected by multi-stage random sampling. Cognitive ability was assessed using digit symbol substitution test and digit span test. Dental caries and periodontal status were recorded by extent of bleeding, presence of calculus, periodontal pockets, loss of attachments using Community Periodontal Index, decayed, missing and filled teeth surfaces using Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth and Surfaces Index. SES status was assessed using Kuppuswamy scale. Chi-square test was used to check the association of cognitive ability with oral health indicators and SES status. Regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of cognitive ability on oral health indicators after adjusting for SES and effect of SES status on oral health indicators after adjusting for indicators of cognitive ability. Results Significant association and negative correlation between cognitive ability and indicators for oral health was seen in the regression models. Cognitive ability attributed for nearly 30% changes in the indicators for oral health after adjusting for SES and SES attributed for nearly 25% variance in indicators for oral health after adjusting for cognitive ability. Conclusion There is a potential role of cognitive ability in SES and oral health.

Oral health is indeed a challenge for the urban poor. Majority of the patients spend from their pocket, which aggravates their financial condition. It is paramount for the government and the healthcare industry to adopt a value-based approach to redress the oral health lapses for the underserved population. Micro health insurance (MHI) can have a game changing effect on the oral healthcare space too, if concerned stakeholders build the right partner network. Aim of the study was to discuss the principal features, basic structure, and functioning of a few MHI schemes, and presents a hypothetical model of MHI which can be implemented in dentistry. Literature search was conducted in two main databases, pubmed and cochrane, using key phrases such as “community based health insurance,” “micro health insurance,” micro or community based health insurance,” and “health insurance and financial protection”. Articles published in last ten years with full texts were considered. 23 schemes were eligible for the systematic review. Our analysis shows that MHI, in the majority of cases, contributes to the financial protection of its beneficiaries, by reducing out of pocket health expenditure, catastrophic health expenditure, household borrowings and poverty. However, the studies did not affirm oral health benefits. The importance of oral healthcare in India is superficial. Focus on oral healthcare can be achieved only if the impending cost due to out of pocket payments can be supplanted with a more affordable and dynamic payment model. With MHI extended to oral healthcare, India can certainly achieve its SDG goal. It’s time to look beyond.

Introduction: Mouthrinses have been in use for centuries as breath fresheners, medicaments, and antiseptics. Dill is said to be a good source of calcium, manganese and iron. It contains flavonoids known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Dill can help with microbial infections in the mouth; and its anti-oxidants minimize damage caused by free radicals to the gums and teeth. Being a good source of calcium, dill also helps with bone and dental health. Aims and Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of commercially available 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse and dill seed oil mouthrinse on plaque levels and gingivitis. Material and Methods: A randomized controlled, double blind parallel arm study was conducted over 90 days on 90 subjects. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups and baseline data was collected using Loe and Silness gingival index and Quigley Hein plaque index and oral prophylaxis was performed on all the subjects. The mouthrinses included in the present study were dill seed oil and Hexodent (0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate). Intervention regarding the mouthrinsing was given to the subjects and were followed up for 45 days and 90 days, after this post intervention changes were assessed using the respective indices. Results: It was observed that there is no significant difference in gingival & plaque scores among two mouthrinses from baseline to 45 days and 90 days. It was observed that there is statistical difference in gingival and plaque scores when compared with baseline to 45 days (ppp Conclusion: It was concluded that dill seed oil and Hexodent (0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate) mouthrinse have similar antiplaque and antigingival effectiveness.

Aim : The aim of the present study was to evaluate the periodontal risk of individuals using the modified periodontal risk assessment model. Materials and Methods: Adult subjects aged 30-60 years attending the out patient department of Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum in a week′s period were screened and 30 among those who met the criteria were included in the study. Complete history and examination of the oral cavity was done using mouth mirror and community periodontal index probes. Periodontal status was recorded using community periodontal index. Systemic conditions like hypertension and diabetes was assessed by suitable investigations. All the risk factors were plotted on a model using Microsoft excel and periodontal risk was assessed based on the findings and categorized as low, moderate and high risk. Results: Among 30 patients 13 were in low risk group, 10 in moderate risk group, and 7 in high risk group identified by proposed model given by Vishwa Chandra whereas 20 patients were in low risk group, 5 in moderate risk group and 5 in high risk group when identified Lang and Tonetti model (2003). Conclusion: In conclusion the use of risk assessment tool would result in reduction of complex therapies and would prevent the future effects of periodontal disease such as bone and tooth loss.