Search

Background. Tobacco smoke is an established risk factor for periodontitis. However, few studies have evaluated the periodontal status of smokeless tobacco (SLT) users, while that of individuals with dual habits has largely been unexplored. Therefore, the current study aimed to find if the periodontal status in individuals with dual habits of smoking and SLT use is different from those with any single habit.Methods. Four groups (A: exclusive smokers, B: exclusive tobacco chewers, C: individuals with dual habits, and D: non-users of tobacco), each comprising 75 males in the age group of 20 to 35 years, were selected. Along with the history of tobacco use, a modified oral hygiene index (OHI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and the number of teeth with gingival recession (GR) were recorded. The data were assessed using the Chi-squared test, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at P3.0). The prevalence of severe gingivitis (GI>2.0) was significantly lower among exclusive smokers (group A) and those with dual habits (group C) compared to the other two groups. As much as 60% of group C participants had average PD in the range of 4-6 mm, while deeper average PD (>6 mm) was most common among smokers. The highest risk of having a tooth with GR was also associated with the dual habit (OR = 4.33, 95% CI = 3.24 - 5.76) compared with the non-users.Conclusion. While both forms of tobacco were associated with poor periodontal status, the additive effect of smoking and SLT use was evident in almost all the parameters, more so with poor oral hygiene and the prevalence of gingival recession. These findings emphasize that individuals with dual habits have an additional risk for periodontal destruction.

Background: Teeth are among the most important parts of our body which help in mastication, phonetic and esthetic. Now a days tooth extraction can be avoided due to availabilities of most advanced treatment. Mostly, extraction is the treatment of choice for extensive caries and severe periodontitis because of late reporting to dentist due to lack of knowledge. Knowledge about post extraction complications and their management can prevent the occurrence of untoward sequalae following extraction. Previous studies have shown that preoperative patient education can help in decreasing postoperative anxiety, pain and complications. Methodology: This is a questionnaire based cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was conducted during the period of January to March 2018. Total of 250 patients (138 males and 112 females) were included in the study by the convenient method of sampling that visited the dental clinics of college of Dentistry, Taibah University. Validated questionnaire was asked about post extraction preventive knowledge. Categories of answer was good, average and poor according to number of correct answers. The statistical analysis was performed by the Statistical Package for Social Science version 21 (SPSS Inc Chicago, IL, USA). The significant value was obtained by using Chi Square test and p < 0.05 was set to be significant. Results: Females and 31-45 years age group had better post extraction preventive knowledge and there was significant relation. Nationality and education level had no significant relation with level of post extraction preventive knowledge. The patients who had better knowledge followed the instructions precisely. Conclusion: It was concluded that female, patients above middle age group and more qualified patients had more post extraction preventive knowledge and they also followed the instructions very strictly. The importance of study came out that dentist or dental assistant should explain and convince them to follow proper post-operative instruction to avoid complications.

Background: Dental caries is one of the most common dental disorders affecting from all over the globe. Dental caries affects 60%-90% of schoolchildren in most developed countries, and in several developing countries, the prevalence rates are increasing. Objective: To know oral health knowledge and practice among 9-12-year-old schoolchildren and its relation with dental caries. Methods: This is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional studies conducted from September 20, 2015, to January 27, 2016, selecting four male and four female primary schools. Two calibrated examiners examined the students under the normal light with mirror and probe. Results: A total of 276 (92%) were included in this cross-sectional study. There were 118 (43%) were males and 158 (57%) were females with mean age of 10.61 years and having mean Decayed, Missing, and Filled Tooth/decayed, missing, and filled tooth (DMFT/dmft) 1.47/1.78 in male and 1.69/5.34 in female. Three-quarters of the sample (75%) reported to cleaning their teeth at least once per day, and >95% reported using a toothbrush and toothpaste. The mean DMFT/dmft and D/d scores of female were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the males. The mean dmft and all the components decreased with age, and there was a significant association (P < 0.01) between oral health knowledge and the caries status. Children with a higher DMFT/dmft score tended to have poor oral health knowledge compared to those with low DMFT/dmft scores. Conclusion: Poor oral health knowledge contributes major role in the prevalence of dental caries in both male and female. In female higher DMFT/dmft was observed in spite of having good oral health knowledge.

Introduction: Male and female students often have different expectations and requirements regarding learning institutions. Taibah Dental College has separate male and female sections, and it is essential to determine the students′ perceptions regarding the dental college. Methods: All male and female dental students who were in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th year of study during the 2014/2015 academic year were asked to participate. The Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure, which is a self-administered questionnaire, was used to obtain the necessary data. It consists of fifty items categorized into five domains. For each item, students chose one option that best described their perceptions using a Likert-type scale. A higher score indicated higher levels of satisfaction and vice versa. Results: The 4th year female students reported the lowest scores. Overall the scores were relatively low and indicated that students were generally dissatisfied. Common areas of dissatisfaction included poor learning experiences, poor teaching experiences, and type of learning atmosphere. The 3rd year females reported significantly higher scores for their teaching experience compared to their male counterparts. There were significant differences for each domain between the years of study with the 4th year having lowest scores. Conclusion: In general, the student′s perception was low but within the range of other similar studies. The females tended to be much more dissatisfied compared to males and the 4th year seemed to have the most problems.

Objectives: To compare the perceptions of dental students over a 5-year period. Methods: This cohort study was carried at Taibah University, College of Dentistry, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia between 2009 and 2014. Data was obtained using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM), which consists of 50 items, 4 of these were irrelevant to this cohort and were excluded. All students registered in 2009 were included and followed up in 2014. Their responses were compared using the paired student’s t-test. Results: Thirty-four students completed the questionnaire in 2009, and 30 of them participated in 2014 (12% drop out rate). The mean domain and total scores decreased over time. The mean scores for 6 items decreased significantly, while 4 of them had a significant increase. The lowest mean score in 2009 regarding support for stressed students increased ( p =0.004) in 2014. However, the highest mean score in 2009 related to having a good social life, reduced ( p =0.007) in 2014. This could be an indication of the high workload and its impact on their social lives. Conclusion: Student’s perceptions were relatively low at the beginning, and remained low throughout the study. There were no significant changes in mean domain, and total scores and although scores of some items improved, most decreased over the study period. Saudi Med J 2015; Vol. 36 (4): 477-483 doi: 10.15537/smj.2015.4.10754

Hyposalivation (HS) affects aging individuals by causing pain and discomfort in the oral cavity. The aim here was to determine the impact of hyposalivation and the saliva pH on the quality of life and caries status of geriatrics population. A total of 138 male outpatients attending the Taibah University College of Dentistry (TUCoD) dental clinic were included in the study. The saliva flow, pH, Quality of Life (QoL), and caries status were recorded. The QoL was measured using the Arabic version of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), and the caries status was recorded using the Decayed, Missed, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. The mean age was 67.5 years and 64% were classified as having hyposalivation. The older respondents tended to have a lower saliva flow and pH compared to their younger counterparts. There was a significant inverse association (p = 0.02) between the caries status and mean saliva flow rate. There was also a significant (p < 0.001) positive correlation between caries and the OHIP-14 scores (Spearman’s ρ = 0.293). The prevalence of hyposalivation was relatively high and there was an inverse relationship between the age, the saliva flow, and pH. Those with more caries reported significantly poor QoL.

Studies from Saudi Arabia have reported that the prevalence of dental caries among children is relatively high compared with other developing countries The aim was to determine the oral hygiene status and significant caries (SiC) index of 12-year-old males in Medina . In a cross-sectional, analytical study 360 students participated from 4 boys' schools. Dental caries, plaque, gingivitis, fluorosis and malocclusion were recorded using standard methods and indices. The mean DMFT score was 1.53 (SD 1.88). Caries prevalence was low (57.2%) but the mean SiC index was relatively high [3.63 (SD 1.66)]. The prevalences of plaque and gingivitis were high (82.8% and 70.8% respectively). Lower molars had the highest rate of caries. No children presented with dental fluorosis and 82.5% had a class I jaw relationship. Oral hygiene awareness programmes at schools, together with brushing and flossing programmes, are recommended in order to maintain and improve the oral health of young children in Medina.

Background: Although the prevalence of dental caries is decreasing in developed countries, it is still increasing in developing countries. No studies have reported on the oral health status of adults in Saudi Arabia; the role models and parents for the younger generation. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between January and June 2012 and included 200 randomly chosen Taibah university staff members. Each participant received a self-administered questionnaire and consent form detailing the objectives and rational of the study. Results: The response rate was 74%; mean age was 32.6 years and almost 90% had obtained higher educational qualifications. Nearly, half (48%) cleaned their teeth in the morning and evening, 77% used a tooth stick and toothbrush and almost 90% used tooth paste regularly. Under two-thirds (61%) visited the Dentist only when necessary and 13% had never visited a Dentist. The treatment received included restorations (35%), scaling and polishing (21%) and extractions (18%). Of those who did not visit the Dentist, 40% cited the high cost as the reason. The majority (78%) were aware that sugar is harmful for the teeth. Under half (46%) used tobacco and 36% had medical conditions. Those who visited the Dentist were more likely to brush twice daily (P=0.04) and of those who brushed regularly, 50% knew the number of permanent teeth present (P=0.04) and 57% were aware of the benefits of fluoride (P=0.01). Conclusion: The majority of respondents had a poor level of knowledge regarding oral hygiene. This was reflected in their poor and inconsistent brushing habits and their lack of utilization of dental services.

Introduction: Caries is associated with high counts of mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacillus (LB), and a low saliva buffering capacity (BC). No study using odds ratios (OR) has correlated caries and these factors and no similar study has been done in Saudi Arabia before. Objectives: To determine: The prevalence of caries, the number of colony forming units (CFUs) of MS and LB, the saliva buffering capacity (BC) and the relationship between these factors. Materials and Methods: This was an analytical cross sectional study on children from Madinah. Caries was recorded using dmft/DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth). The scores for MS and LB and the BC of saliva was calculated using the Caries Risk Test (CRT) ® . Results: A total of 316 students were examined; two-thirds (62%) were female and 25% were caries free. Saliva was collected from 235 participants and the majority had high MS and LB scores (66 and 71%, respectively) while 25% had a low saliva BC. The odds for those who had high LB and MS CFUs, were 9 and 4 times more at risk to developing dental caries and those with a low BC had significantly more caries ( P = 0.03). The likelihood for those having severe caries and high counts of LB and MS was 25 ( P P = 0.042) times greater, respectively, compared to those with no or mild caries. Those with multiple risk factors were more likely to have caries compared to those with single or no risk factors present. Conclusions: The prevalence of caries was relatively high and many respondents had greater than 10 5 CFUs/ml of MS and LB. Almost all with a low BC had severe caries. There was a strong correlation between high MS, high LB, and low BC and the high prevalence of caries; hence the combination of these factors could be confidently used to predict caries in this population.

The carious status of the first permanent molar (FPM) was studied in 432 school children (aged 9–12 years) from a randomly selected primary schools from Sharfia area of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The sample consisted of 108 children from each age group of 9, 10, 11, and 12 years old. In total, 24.5% had all of their FPMs sound and 6% had all FPMs carious. The prevalence of four sound FPMs varied according to age with the highest (33%) amongst the nine-year olds and the lowest (16.5%) in the oldest children (12 years). Almost one-third (32.5%) of the children, who knew the age of eruption of the FPMs, had all of their molars sound. The children who had received advice regarding oral hygiene from a dentist or parent had more sound FPMs compared to the children who did not receive any advice. The number of carious FPMs increased with age. The prevalence of caries of the FPM was high and increased with increasing age. The level of knowledge had a positive correlation with the caries levels amongst this cohort of scholars.

Objectives Simvastatin has been found to cause increased bone formation in vitro and in animal studies. However, its effect on periodontal reconstruction in humans is yet to be determined. With this study an attempt was made to evaluate the effects of a combination of simvastatin drug with Demineralised Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft (DFDBA) and also to compare the efficacy of this combination with that of DFDBA alone in the treatment of human periodontal defects. Methods Fifteen patients with almost identical bilateral 2-walled or 3-walled infrabony defects were selected. Defects on the right side (Group A) were treated with the placement of DFDBA alone while those on the left side (Group B) were treated using a combination of DFDBA and a 10 −8 M solution of the drug simvastatin. Two clinical parameters, namely probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level and one radiographic parameter, namely infrabony defect depth were measured preoperatively and 12 and 24 weeks postoperatively. Results DFDBA alone as well as the combination of DFDBA and simvastatin resulted in a highly significant mean reduction in probing depth, gain in clinical attachment level, and linear defect fill. The values of mean changes in parameters were significantly greater with the drug-graft combination in comparison with the graft alone. Conclusions Combination of DFDBA with a solution of simvastatin leads to significantly greater reduction in probing depth, gain in clinical attachment level, and linear defect fill than when the graft is used alone in the treatment of human periodontal infrabony defects.

IntroductionDental problems are commonly encountered in our lives. Some of the common problems are toothache, bleeding gums and halitosis.ObjectivesHow the dental problems were handled, and reasons of not seeking dental treatment by the patients.Materials and methodsThis was an observational analytical cross-sectional study on adult's age above 14 years from Madinah.ResultsA total of 400 adults were included; 208 (52%) were males and 192 (48%) were females. Resident encountered toothache surprisingly only 49% sought dental treatment, while (41%) settled for taking medications. Among bleeding gum patients most of them (45%) went to the dentist, while (41%) settled for using the home care. And dealing with halitosis only (17%) went to the dentist. The most common reasons for not seeking dental treatment were fear and long appointments. And mostly they had fear because of dental drill and dental needle.ConclusionThe most common problems for seeking treatment were toothache followed by bleeding gums and the least was halitosis. Number of people who sought treatment was still a low number. The most common reason that stopped patients from going to the dentist was fear and long appointments. There should be increase of dental clinics and patients should be given dental education.How to cite this articleAhmad MS, Al-Harbi KM. Behaviors and Management of the Dental Problems by the Residents of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. J Contemp Dent Pract 2015;16(10): 783-787.

Background and objective Effect of oral health knowledge and attitude has direct effect on school children so aim of this study is to know the oral health knowledge and attitude among primary school teachers. Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional questionnaire based survey done in 2014. Four males and three females schools were selected using a convenience sampling method. Among them, three were private and the rest was government schools. Approval was obtained from the selected schools. One hundred twenty self-administered questionnaires in Arabic language were distributed among the primary school teachers. Results Completed questionnaires were returned with a response rate of 95%. Among the teachers, 57% were males and rests were females. The mean age was 36.1 years (SD ± 6.9). Sixty-eight percent were between 31 and 40 years old and among them female showed high score for oral health knowledge (80%) p < 0.001 whereas male showed high score of attitude (82%) p < 0.05. Thirty-three percent had 5 and 10 years of teaching experience. Ninety-eight percent were graduate or above. Eighty-nine percent had used toothbrush. There was no significant relation between the teaching experience and the oral health knowledge (p = 0.14) but there was a significant relation between teaching experience and attitude (p = 0.001). In this sample, irrespective of their frequency of tooth brushing, a significant number had good knowledge (p < 0.001) and highly acceptable attitudes (p = 0.001) toward oral health. Conclusion Primary school teachers had acceptable knowledge and attitudes regarding their oral health. Further studies are needed to evaluate and compare their oral health status to their knowledge and attitudes and to determine whether they offer oral health education to the school children. How to cite this article Ahmad MS. Oral Health Knowledge and Attitude among Primary School Teachers of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. J Contemp Dent Pract 2015;16(4):275-279.

Background: The objective was to determine the prevalence and attitudes of smoking among expatriate Indian workers living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was done. All the data were collected using a questionnaire-based interview. Results: A total of 421 people were interviewed. Almost half (42%) of the participants were between 31 and 40 years old and 7% were over 51 years. The majority of participants (63%) reported to be non-smokers. The maximum number of smokers was between 41 and 50 years old (42%) and most of them were regular smokers. Almost a third of the subjects (30%) had a higher secondary level of education, and 7% were illiterate. There was a significant association between the prevalence of smoking and the level of education (P < 0.001). Among smokers, half of them smoked more than 21 cigarettes/day. More than half, 238 (57%) of participants agreed that the tobacco was harmful to their health, and 50% agreed that tobacco sales should be banned. Among all, 92% were concerned about their health and 98% accepted that the tobacco causes diseases. The majority of smokers cited stress, loneliness financial responsibilities and a lack of socializing as reasons for their smoking habit. Conclusion: Although the prevalence was relatively high, the majority was aware of the harmful effects of smoking and was keen to have the sale of tobacco banned. Due to their possible loneliness and stress, many felt that smoking helped ease their stress and tension.

The use of prophylactic antibiotics for the prevention of infective endocarditis following dental procedures has long been debated and there is still confusion regarding its efficacy. As a result, the prophylactic treatment varies considerably amongst different countries across the world and amongst different dental practitioners.Aim:To evaluate the knowledge of dental staff regarding the guidelines for the prevention of infective endocarditis.Methods:This was a cross sectional analytical study which included all staff members. A self administered questionnaire was used and responses were “graded” according to the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.Results:The response rate was 87% (N=39) and 97% reported to use the AHA guidelines; 66% reported their knowledge was based on previous training and scientific journals. Of those cardiac conditions and dental procedures which required prophylaxis; 47% and 65% chose the correct option, respectively. Penicillin was prescribed as the drug of choice by the majority of respondents.Conclusions:Although almost all staff reported the use of the AHA guidelines, many were not following them. The study emphasizes the need for continuous education and evaluation of this critical aspect of dentistry.

An etiological and epidemiological study of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) has been done in Patna, Bihar. Total 157 cases of OSMF and 135 control subjects were selected for study in the period of 2002-2004. It was observed that Male: Female ratio was 2.7: 1. The youngest case of OSMF was 11 year old and the oldest one was 54 years of age. Maximum number of cases were belonging to 21-40 years of age and they were belonging to low or middle socioeconomic class. Most of the OSMF cases used heavy spices and chillies, where as control mild spices and chillies. Gutkha was the most commonly used by the OSMF cases only 3 per cent did not use any gutkha or other areca nut product where as 80 per cent control did not have any chewing habit. The OSMF cases used gutkha and other products 2-10 pouches per day and kept in the mouth for 2-10 minutes and they were using since 2-4 years. Most of the OSMF cases kept gutkha in the buccal vestibule or they chewed and swallowed it, only a small number of patients chewed and spitted it out. It was also observed that OSMF developed on one side of the buccal vestibule where they kept the chew and other side was normal.