Introduction: Diabetes mellitus has significant impact on tissues throughout the body, including the oral cavity. The oral health complications reportedly associated with diabetes include tooth loss, gingivitis, periodontitis and oral soft tissue pathologies. Some studies have demonstrated that the diabetic population suffered from higher rates of caries than ''normal" individuals. Objectives: To assess and compare the oral health status and treatment needs of Diabetics and Non diabetics in Mysore city. To suggest possible measures to improve their oral health. Methodology: A simple random sampling method was adopted. 9 Hospitals were randomly selected (Lottery method) for the purpose of the study. A total of 1038 subjects, 519 Diabetics and same number of age and sex matched Non diabetics were examined, the age range of the study population was 15-74 years. Data was recorded using a WHO 1997 Performa. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 14.0. Results: The mean age of the study population was 44.70 ± 12.99. The prevalence of dental caries among Diabetics was 69.7% as compared to Non diabetics (65.3%). The total mean number of DMFI' scores were higher among diabetics (3.89 ± 2.62) as compared to Non diabetics (3.06 ± 1.98) and this finding was found to be statistically significant. The prevalence of periodontal disease was higher among the Diabetic population (98.5%) when compared with the Non diabetic (92.3%) population. Diabetics had more number of shallow periodontal pockets (34.1%) and deep periodontal pockets (23.7%) when compared with Non diabetics the shallow pockets were 24.5% and deep periodontal pockets was 15.4%. Diabetics had more number of Loss of Attachment of 4-5 mm (15.8%) and 6-8 mm (4.6%) when compared to Non diabetics the Loss of Attachment of 4-5 mm was 8.9% and 6-8 mm was 1.2%. Excluded sextants were found to be higher in Diabetics (3.3%) when compared to Non diabetic group (0.4%). The prevalence of TMJ problems was higher among Diabetics (13.9%) and 7.5% among Non diabetics. The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions was more in the Diabetic population (18.3%) when compared with the Non diabetic population (9.8%). Assessment of treatment needs was higher among the Diabetic population who required dental treatment which mainly included extractions, pulp care and restoration, fillings, and prosthetic rehabilitation when compared to Non diabetic population. Conclusion: Diabetes can have an adverse effect on oral health and oral healthcare. The dental team can play an important role by recognizing the signs of undiagnosed diabetes and referring for investigation and by providing regular oral healthcare.

Introduction: With the healthcare market turning from a sellers market into a buyers market, marketing information system, which provides information that is accurate, timely and need-based, is required for the planning successful marketing strategies. For this, a relevant tool is a patient satisfaction survey, which reveals the patients satisfaction levels with the hospitals. Aim of the study: Tiris cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect information regarding the satisfaction levels of patients attending a private treatment hospital in Chennai city. Materials and Methods: Data was collected from an outpatient department of a 25-bedded hospital in Chennai city using a closed - ended questionnaire. Results: Among the 53 patients were approached, 50 people participated in this study and completed the questionnaire. Though patients expressed good satisfaction in the accessibility and appointment fixing procedures at the hospital, 40% expressed dissatisfaction with the parking facilities. 84% of the patients were not satisfied with the canteen facilities. Though majority of the participants were satisfied with the attitudes of the medical staff of the hospital, one fifth of them felt that proper explanation regarding treatment procedure were not given to them. The hospital seemed to have met the expectations of 58% of the respondents extremely well, while 72% of the respondents felt that they would most definitely refer their friends and relatives to this hospital. Conclusion: lbis study showed that the overall satisfaction level of the patients was good.

Aim: To assess the oral health Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of school teachers in Chennai. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire was used for the study. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in which 45 schools were conveniently selected from 5 zones in Chennai. A total of 971 school teachers had participated in the survey. Statistical analysis was done using chi-square test and p<0.05 was selected in describing the levels of significance. Results: This study shows statistically significant relationship between oral health knowledge and attitude with regard to age and gender (p<0.05).Among the school teachers in the age group of 50 +, ninety-six percent of them knew that dental decay was the most common oral disease. This study showed that 6.3 %, 30.6%, 40.1% and 20.8% of the school teachers consumed soda, juice or tinned fruits, sweets or chocolate and cakes atleast once a day respectively. Among the male teachers, 97.9% had agreed that dental visit is important to them. No statistical significance was observed between oral health knowledge and attitude with regard to educational status. Condusion: The school teachers were well informed pertaining to oral health. However, a few deficiencies were noticed in this regard and recommendations have been presented. There is a need for the inclusion of oral health promotion in the curriculum of the school teachers which will thereby benefit the school children in the future. The dental professionals as a part of their task should update the knowledge of the schoolteachers by conducting dental health workshops and other oral health promotional programmes.

The aim of the study was to identify the sources of stress and the psychological well being of undergraduate dental students. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 283 students of Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It showed that the most stressful factor affecting dental students is to be financially dependant after 22 years followed by attending viva - voce and preparing for written examinations. Mild to moderate perception of stress was seen among the majority of dental students. Final year students were the most subjected to stress followed by the interns. Students who had chosen dentistry as they had no other option were subjected to highest levels of stress. When analyzed according to PGWB scale, it was found statistically that the majority of third year students, final year students and interns and those who chose dentistry as they had no other option were subjected to moderate perception of stress. Plans should be made for reconsidering the curriculum, fee structure and job facilities for undergraduate dental students to minimize their stress levels and improve their psychological well being.

The total number of tobacco users in the world has been estimated as 1.2 billion which is expected to rise to 1.6 billion during 2020's. At present, tobacco use can cause death of 3.5 to 4 million people which is expected to increase to about 10 million during 2020's. Developing countries need to be concerned because 7 million of these deaths would be occurring in these areas, mainly due to increasing trends of tobacco use. The aim of the study is to identify tobacco related attitudes and counseling practices among dental surgeons in Chennai. Cluster sampling was used for selecting the colleges and 240 dental surgeons participated in the study. Questionnaires were given to selected subjects. We all are familiar with the common phrase ''practice before you preach". With this in mind, isn't it our duty to give the habit of smoking before counseling our patients. Tobacco counseling should be a part of dental curriculum. Only then, it is possible to instill the habit of counseling in our future dental surgeons. Tobacco cessation counseling programmes should be conducted for educating the dental surgeons and should be a part of each and every CDE programme. We dental surgeons, by profession as responsible doctors should take efforts to make a ''TOBACCO FREE SOCIETY'' for the benefit of mankind.

Background: Oral health is an important part of total health. Oral health can no longer be seen as merely the absence of oral disease or infirmity. It is a part of everyday living and is an essential dimension to the quality of life. Objective: To know the factors of knowledge & attitude which can influence the level of oral health. Methods: A descriptive study was done to assess the oral health knowledge, attitude and practices amongst nursing students in Lucknow city. In the total 224 number of nursing students have answered the survey form. 25 self administered close-ended I pre-tested structured questionnaire were distributed, to assess the oral health knowledge, attitude and practices amongst nursing students in Lucknow city. Results: It was found that majority of them i.e. 68.30% had fair knowledge about oral health, 30.36% had good knowledge status and 1.34% had poor knowledge. When knowledge was compared with the source of information. 68 with fair and 48 with good amount of knowledge got it from parents/ teachers. 58 with fair and 9 with good knowledge from radio/ t.v. while only 22 with fair and 7 with good amount of knowledge got it from dental surgeons/general physicians. Conclusion: This study is the first of its kind in Lucknow city which hence provided valuable information on the present oral health knowledge, attitude & practices of nursing students. Reasonable knowledge was demonstrated but some deficiencies were evident

Background: India has one of the highest rates of oral cancer in the world, partly attributed to high prevalence of tobacco chewing. Objective: To collect the baseline data of the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in tobacco & alcohol consuming population of Lucknow city. Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted & two hundred fourteen (214) persons were examined by a single examiner for the presence of oral mucosal lesions & conditions according to WHO criteria. A specially designed questionnaire was used to gather subject's demographic information, education, occupation, details about habits of smoking, chewing tobacco & alcoholism in terms of type & frequency. Results: The overall prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in the study population was 43.5%. Among professionals, supervisors & officers, the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) was significantly lower (20%) as compared to that in other occupation categories. Among illiterates, the prevalence of OMLs was significantly higher (65.4%) as compared to other education categories whereas among those educated upto college the prevalence of OMLs was significantly lower (35.3%). Those with high frequency of tobacco use had significantly higher prevalence of lesions as compared to those using it less frequently. Stomatitis nicotina palati (SP) was the most frequently encountered lesion among individuals who were smoking only while oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) was the most common presentation among persons who chews tobacco only. Conclusion: The most prevalent adverse habit was of chewing tobacco. The reported prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in study population was 43.5%. Out of that the most frequently encountered lesion was OSMF & the most commonly affected site was buccal mucosa. Large scale studies are further required on Indian population to assess the overall significance of the findings.

Background: Tooth loss in young population is a cause of concern in our society. Their have been relatively few investigations to know the prevalence of tooth loss in this population in Lucknow city. Objective: To know the severity of tooth loss in young population so as to provide base line data for developing oral health programmes to reduce tooth mortality in young population. Methods: A cross sectional study was done for a period of 3 months on individuals aged 14-29 years, reporting to the OPD of SPPGIDMS, Lucknow. A specially designed questionnaire was used to collect information about demographic, socioeconomic and oral health related data. This was followed by clinical examination to record DMFf and CPI Loss of Attachment indices. Results: A mean tooth loss of 0.40 0.633 was observed. The total study population was of 189 subjects, out of which 60 individuals (31.7%) showed tooth loss, amongst which 68.33% were females, 31.67% were unskilled labourers' and 80% resided in rural areas. Amongst those with missing teeth 81.67% got their tooth extracted because of decay and 36.67% consented that they lost their tooth because of ignorance. Out of all the missing teeth 84% were first molars. Conclusion: Tooth loss is a major dental health concern in the young population in Lucknow city which might be increasing because of adverse personal habits and ignorance towards dental health. To improve the situation sustained efforts to promote new initiatives in prevention on a population scale must be made.