Fluorosis is a disease caused by excessive intake of fluorine. 25 nations in the World are in the grip of this crippling disease. 19 states and Union territories of India are also affected by fluorosis. Nalgonda District of Andhra Pradesh is on the top of the World regarding fluorine percentage in water. This review article projects certain important aspects with regards to defluoridation measures undertaken in Nalgonda District of Andhra Pradesh.

In 1992-93, drinking water source of Gadag city was shifted from the deep bore-well water, which had more than optimum level of fluoride concentration to surface water of Tunga-bhadra River having very low fluoride. Objective: To study the dental caries and dental fluorosis experience among 5-6 and 12-13 years old in Gadag city. Method : 5-6 years and 12-13 years old (n = 226) school children, who were born and brought up after 1992, were selected for the study using stratified random sampling technique. As no data was available previous dental caries and fluorosis experience of Gadag, a group of villages near to Gadag having similar climatic conditions but no or very low fluoride were included as comparison group. These children were assessed for dental caries using dft and DMFf indices and also assessed for dental fluorosis using Dean's Fluorosis index. A sample of drinking water source was collected from each area for the confirmation of fluoride levels reported by the concerned authorities. Results: The mean caries experience of 5-6 years old in Gadag was 2.02 (S.D = ± 2.69) and that of comparison group was 2.57 (S.D = ± 3.16 ). Significant less dental caries was observed among 12 - 13 years old in Gadag [DMFf = 0.625 (S.D = ± 1.03)] compared to the comparison group [DMFf = 1.046 (S.D = ± 1.39) ] (p = < 0.05). 21.8% of 12-13 years old were experiencing Fluorosis in Gadag. Conclusions: There was significantly less caries experience among 12-13 years old in Gadag compared to the comparison group of places. The 12-13 years old children in Gadag were experiencing fluorosis even after the change of drinking water source to Tunga-bhadra river water.

Objective: To find out the awareness of chewing arecanut, smoking and alcohol consumption among the rural residents of Sriperambudur Taluk Methods: A community-based survey was conducted in two villages and their colonies being randomly selected from 168 villages. Data was collected using pre tested semi structured questionnaire from 350 residents of the study population. The survey was conducted for a period of one month. Results: Habits initiate during adolescence. The community indulges in chewing arecanut due to leisure time, smoking for fun and consumption of alcoholic beverages due to frustration and tension. About 95% of the study participants are unaware of the ingredients and 99% of them reported they are no benefits any of these habits. There were statistical differences between males and females in regard to the adverse health effects of chewing (p = O.OOl) and smoking (p < O.OOl). 71.3% of the female participants consider consumption of alcohol being the most harmful compared to males (47.7%). Females get the source of information from their neighborhood and relatives, whereas 77% of the males get it from their friends. Discussion: The prevalence of habits is higher among males and thus there is a need to improve the awareness regarding habits through peer counseling as a fresh approach to decrease the prevalence.

Objective: This was a retrospective study carried out to determine the prevalence and sex distribution, as well as buccal/ palatal and unilateraV bilateral distribution of maxillary canine impaction in an Indian Orthodontic population group. Material and Method: Complete records of 1697 patients (age range 13-30 years) of the deparbnent of orthodontics in a teaching dental institution were investigated. The position that is buccal or palatal impacted maxillary canines was based on the confirmation during surgical exposure. Results and conclusion: The significant findings of this study are: 3.8% prevalence of maxillary canine impaction male to female ratio of 1:1.78 and buccal to palatal ratio of 1:1.46. These figures can provide a baseline for comparison with other population groups.

Title: A Study to Assess the Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs of Eunuchs in Chennai city Objectives: • To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of the eunuchs • To suggest the measures to improve their existing oral health status MateriaJs and methods: Prior permission was obtained from AHEAD. [ARAVANIGAL HEALTH EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT]. All the available 137 members were examined at the AHEAD Office with their consent. Through questionnaire information regarding demographic details, dietary habits, Oral hygiene practices, and personal habits was obtained. The oral health status was recorded on the WHO oral health assessment form 1997 (modified). The examination was carried out under natural light by using mouth mirrors, and CPI probe. Results: It was observed that 29.2% of the eunuchs had oral mucosal lesions. The prevalence of dental caries was 69.3% with the mean DMFT 2.95. 5.73% were with different stages of periodontal diseases and 16.8 %had loss of periodontal attachment. The treatment needs were 50.4% extraction, 37.3% prosthesis and 13.9% filling Conclusion: Significant observation was that 34.3 % of the Eunuchs were carriers of HIV infection and high gutka chewing habits (35 %) which might be the reasons for high prevalence of oral mucous lesions. Smoking and pan chewing habits were less 6.6%, 5.8% respectively. High prevalence of dental caries (69.3%) may be due to their high sweet consumption (83.2%)

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the major chronic health problems facing the world today. Its implication on oral health is very well documented. Aims and objectives: To determine the prevalence of dental caries, DMFf level and treatment needs; the periodontal status and treatment needs using the CPITN and to plan an appropriate preventive programme feasible, in a group of adult diabetic patients attending out-patient department in the Bangalore Hospital, Bangalore. Materials and methods: The study consisted of diabetics (n = 250, males -150, females-H)()) and a control group, matched by age and sex (n = 250, males-143, females- 107) Examination was conducted as per WHO criteria. Results: DMFT level/scores were high in control group than in diabetics; decay component (DT) and filled component (FI) was lower in diabetics than in control; while missing component (MT) was higher in diabetics than in controls. Regarding CPITN, mean number of missing sextants were higher in diabetics. Pathologic pockets of 6 mm or more were found in 3.9 and 4.1 sextants in 60 years and above, in diabetic and control group respectively. Discussion and conclusion: Oral hygiene instructions were required for all the diabetics and most of the control whereas, scaling was required for most of them in both the groups. In this study 60% of diabetics and 41.2% of control needed complex treatment.

Background: There have been relatively few investigations regarding dental awareness and attitudes among medical practitioners. Several studies shows that deficient knowledge about dentistry in medical practitioners. Objective: To assess the dental knowledge and attitudes of different medical practitioners in Davangere city, Kamataka. Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted on a sample consisting of 300 medical practitioners. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the dental awareness and attitudes. Results: 100% of P.G. diploma and super specialized and only 52% of MBBS qualified doctors responded that brushing with fluoride tooth paste prevents dental caries. 100% of P.G. diploma and super specialized qualified doctors and only 76.4% of doctors qualified with MBBS are aware of life threatening diseases. Conclusion: Dental awareness and attitudes was found to be satisfactory among P.G. degree, P.G. diploma and super specialized qualified doctors when compared to the MBBS degree doctors who are practicing in Davangere city Kamataka.

Objective: To know the existing awareness and practices of dentist on Management of Dental Health care waste among dentists of Davanagere city, Kamataka. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among the dentists of two teaching dental hospitals, and private practitioners of Davanagere city, Kamataka. A specially designed questionnaire consisting of twelve close ended questions spreaded across two different sets to measure awareness and practices towards management of dental health care waste was used. Results: In the sample of 302 dentists, 41 were private practitioners, 227 were faculty which included teaching staff in two dental hospitals and the post graduates and 34 of them were both (private practitioners /faculty) working as faculty in dental hospital as well as practicing. This study clearly indicates that there is a wide variation in the practice of dental health care waste management. Conclusion: Waste generated can be detrimental to the environment if not properly managed. We have to address this issue in a practical and meaningful manner. Our commitment and voluntary measures will be much more effective to preserve our earth for the future generation. All we need to do is to develop very simple effective and economic procedures that are sustainable.

Background: Dental practice has been an identifiable source of cross infections. The recognition of dentistry's potential to cause cross infections stimulated many professional agencies to regulate universal precautions. Aim of the study: To assess the basic infection control perceptions and practices of dentists in Davangere city, Kamataka. Methodology: This cross sectional, questionnaire based, anonymous study was conducted in the period from 1st January to 30th June, 2006. All the private dental practitioners and dentists working in either of the two dental colleges of Davangere city, Kamataka constituted the study population. Data was subjected to statistical analysis using Chi square test. Results: Most of the dentists in Davangere were always wearing gloves (90%) and facemasks (85%). But only 40.9% of them were wearing protective eye wear while treating patients. Some infection control practices exhibited statistically significant relationship with some demographic variables. Conclusion: Though the compliance of the respondents was good with wearing gloves and face mask, hand hygiene, and vaccination for HBV, there were many areas which need to be improved.

School teachers play an important role in the all-round development of children and quiet often they are used as health educators in the school set-up. To discharge this responsibility, they must be aware of the facts related to health in general and oral health in particular, since oral health is also a part of general health. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about oral hygiene among teachers. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 300 teachers from different schools situated in Kalyanpur locality of Kanpur city. Most of the teachers (84.93%) had knowledge about oral hygiene but only 67.27% of teachers had a positive attitude towards oral hygiene. Besides this, only 66% of teachers were practicing the correct oral hygiene method. Teachers need to be motivated to improve their awareness on oral hygiene knowledge, attitude and practice which will facilitate the improvement of oral hygiene awareness among the future citizens