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Introduction: Cross infection refers to the transfer of harmful microorganisms from one person to another. Dental impressions are considered semi-critical as it directly comes in contact with patient's saliva and oral mucosa. Improper handling of these dental impressions can potentially have the risk of transmitting infections especially to the dentist. The role of herbal preparation in disinfecting the dental impressions is sparse in the literature. Aim: To evaluate and compare the disinfection ability of a commercially available herbal formulation (HiOra®) with chlorhexidine digluconate solution (0.2%) and 1% sodium hypochlorite on dental impressions made using condensation silicone. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Outpatient Department of Periodontology and Implantology at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, between June 2019 and November 2019. A total of 60 maxillary and mandibular dental impressions using condensation silicone material were obtained from 30 systemically healthy volunteers. The impressions were divided into three groups and were subjected to three antimicrobial agents for 10 minutes: 1% Sodium Hypochlorite (group 1); 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate (group 2); HiOra® (group 3), respectively. Following this, microbial culturing was performed to detect the presence of Streptococcal and Staphylococcus species in samples obtained both prior and after impression disinfection. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to assess the significance of the difference in microbial reduction between the groups. Results: Antimicrobial efficacy was similar against both Streptococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp., for the three disinfectants tested. No statistically significant difference in the microbial colony count reduction between the three disinfectants tested was observed (Streptococcus spp, p-value=0.064, Staphylococcus spp., p-value=0.337). Conclusion: The herbal mouthwash was found to have an equivalent efficacy as chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite for disinfection of impressions made from condensation silicone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advancement in treatment modalities has improved as a result of research. Individual’s critical thinking and analysis has enhanced. In the advent of incorporating their clinical trials into practice, it had greatly improved in treating patients and enhancing patients care. Aim: To compare the awareness, attitude and obstacles in the field of research among interns, postgraduate students and faculty members among Dental professionals. Materials and Method: An institutional based cross sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among interns, postgraduates and faculty members of the dental profession. A sample size of 261 was determined. Ethical clearance was obtained from Institutional Ethics Committee. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and student’s t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: On analyzing the questionnaire, 61.2%of study subjects were currently guiding and undertaking research projects. Majority of the subjects stated that doing research enhanced their critical thinking and knowledge. The most common obstacle stated for research was lack of time and lack of financial incentives. When assessing barriers to publishing an article, it was reported that lack of publication related knowledge was the most major obstacle in all groups. Majority of the post graduates and faculty members prefer to conduct recent advance based research; whereas interns prefer to do research based on innovative idea which was statistically significant. Conclusion: This research study revealed positive attitude toward research among dental professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Saliva is an oral fluid that gives a protective effect against dental caries. Chewing of fennel seeds after food is a common culture in the Indian Sub-continent. A review of previous studies on fennel seeds showed that some of them have an anti-microbial efficacy, but there are no extensive data available on the effect of chewing fennel seeds on the pH of saliva.Aim: The aim of the study was to record the baseline pH of saliva and to record the changes in salivary pH after chewing fennel seeds.Setting and Design: The study was carried out in the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, prior to which a pilot study was carried out.Subjects and Methods: Voluntary enrolment of 30 individuals was done. A written and informed consent was obtained from the individuals prior to the study. The pH of the saliva was recorded by placing the standardized salivary strip below the tongue in the oral cavity and colour changes were matched with the pH scale colour chart within about 15 sec. The subjects were asked to chew fennel seeds for 5 min. Salivary pH was measured immediately after chewing (SP2) at 0 min and the experiment was repeated for 5 min (SP3), 10 min (SP4), 15 min (SP5) and 30 min (SP6).Statistical Analysis: The data was gathered and analysed using paired t test.Results: There was an increase in salivary pH from baseline (SP1) to 0 min (SP2) was found to be highly significant (P = 0.000). The mean salivary pH reduced to 7.64 ± 0.06, 5 min after chewing the seeds (SP3) and the drop in pH was found to be highly significant (P = 0.000). The subsequent drop in pH from 10 min (SP4), 7.50 ± 0.05 to 15 min (SP4), 7.38 ± 0.05 to 30 min (SP4), 7.24 ± 0.05 were found to be highly significant as well (P = 0.000).Conclusion: Chewing of fennel seeds increases the pH of saliva, thus making it a suitable anti-cariogenic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]