Background: Use of antimicrobial agents is one of the important strategies to prevent dental caries. Many synthetic formulations are currently prescribed to reduce the oral microbial load but they suffer from certain disadvantages. Herbal products can be potential alternative sources of antimicrobial agents against cariogenic microorganisms. Objectives: To assess the invitro antibacterial property of Aloe vera extracts against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus Materials and Methods: Whole leaf and gel extracts of Aloe vera were prepared using ethanol as the solvent by cold extraction method. The antimicrobial activity of Aloe vera leaf and gel extracts against S.mutans and L.acidophilus was assessed by cup plate method. It was followed by assessment of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by two fold serial dilution method. Chlorhexidine (0.2%) and dimethlysulphoxide served as positive and negative control in the study respectively. Results: Leaf and gel extracts of Aloe vera did not produce any zone of inhibition against S.mutans. The inhibition zones observed against L.acidophilus were 18 mm and 20 mm respectively for 50,il and 75,il of 50% leaf extract of Aloe vera. The MIC of Aloe vera leaf extract against S.mutans was 300^g/ml and for L.acidophilus it was 780^g/ml. Conclusions: Ethanolic extracts of Aloe vera were found to have antibacterial property against S.mutans andL.acidophilusAloe vera leaf extract has better antibacterial potential than its gel extract against the selected microorganisms.

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Introduction: Oral health of pre-school children determines the oral health status of the future generations and it is dependent on knowledge, attitude and practices toward primary dentition among the parents of the pre-school children. Objective: To assess and compare the knowledge, attitude and practices towards primary dentition among the mothers of 3-5 year old anganwadi and play home children in Bangalore city. Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 1000 mothers of 3-5 year old pre-school children, 500 from anganwadi centers and 500 from play homes of Bangalore city. Data was collected through an interview, using a structured proforma. Results: Among the anganwadi mothers, 98.4% had poor knowledge, 49.0% exhibited fair attitude and 97.0% were following poor practices towards the primary dentition of their preschool children, where as none of them in this group neither had good knowledge nor followed good practices. Among the play home mothers, 79.8% had poor knowledge, 74.0% were following poor practices towards primary dentition, 1.0% had good knowledge and only 0.8% were following good practices, 44.8% and 42.6% mothers exhibited fair and good attitude towards primary dentition respectively. Conclusion: Even though attitude of the mothers from both the groups was found to be fair enough, their level of knowledge was low and practices followed towards primary dentition were found to be poor.

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Introduction: The dentist -patient relationship is the heart of successful dentistry. The nature of dentist-patient interaction is most likely the major determinant of satisfaction by patients. Objective: To determine the criteria considered by patients while selecting dentist. To assess the perceptions of patients towards the dentist. To explore the patients current views of dentist, dentist behavior and dental practice. Methodology: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 30 dental practices in south Bangalore. A pilot study was carried out to test questionnaire design and protocol .542 completed questionnaires were received , data was analyzed by "Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) package". Results: The most liked qualities in a dentist were professionalism, good communication skill, caring personality and painless treatment, while irregularities of dentist was most disliked quality .98% patients stated that their dentist explained treatment procedures. 13% did not understand words used by dentist. Quality of work was scored as very important factor considered while selecting dentists. Conclusions: Patient are overwhelmingly satisfied with their dentist. They value their caring attributes, friendliness and competence .

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Background: Supragingival plaque control is fundamental to the prevention and management of periodontal diseases. However significant proportions of all individuals fail to practice a high standard of plaque removal. The adjunctive use of chemicals would, therefore appear a way of overcoming deficiencies in mechanical tooth cleaning habits. This prospective, randomized positively controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the short-term clinical effects ofa Herbal mouthwash in the reduction of plaque and gingival inflammation in subjects with gingivitis. Methods: Fifty subjects, 20 to 40 years of age diagnosed with chronic generalized gingivitis were selected and randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 - Chlorhexidine mouthwash, Group 2 - Herbal mouthwash. Clinical evaluation was undertaken using the gingival index, the plaque index and bleeding on probing at baseline, 1 weeks, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Results: Both chlorhexidine and herbal mouthwash showed a significant reduction in Plaque and gingival index scores from baseline to 1st week, 2nd week and at 4th week. However, the improvement in plaque and gingival index scores were better in chlorhexidine group than herbal mouthwash. Both mouthwashes were found to be equally effective in reducing bleeding on probing. Conclusions: Unlike chlorhexidine mouthwash, herbal mouthwash was not associated with any discoloration of teeth or unpleasant taste and was effective in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. However, Chlorhexidine still remains a gold standard in reducing plaque, gingivitis and bleeding on probing.

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Introduction: -Periodontal disease is one of the two most common oral diseases. Antioxidant seems to combat this destructive oral disease. Aim:-To assess the efficacy of lycopene in the treatment of gingivitis. Material & Method: -32 volunteers 20-25 years were chosen after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A parallel double blind clinical study design with both positive & negative control groups was used. The experimental group was subdivided into lycopene with oral prophylaxis(OP) & lycopene only. Similarly the control group consisted of placebo with OP & placebo subgroups only. Data was collected using plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) and bleeding index (BI) at baseline, 1st week, 2nd week and 4th week. Salivary uric acid level of the subjects was also analyzed. Paired and unpaired t test were used to analyze the date. Results: -There was statistically significant reduction in PI, GI & BI scores in all the treatment groups. The OP-lycopene group demonstrated a significant decrease in gingivitis scores as compared to OP-placebo group(p<0.05) & non-OP placebo(p<0.01). Similarly there was significant reduction in gingivitis score in non-OP-lycopene group when compared with non-OPplacebo( p<0.01). There was strong negative correlation between salivary uric acid levels & reduction in gingivitis at 1st , 2nd and 4th weeks in both OP lycopene group(r=-0.841,-0.810 &- 0.772) respectively & in non-OP lycopene group(r=-0.642,-0.571 & -0.421) respectively. Conclusion: -The study findings indicate that use of lycopene in the treatment of gingivitis is quite beneficial, especially along with oral prophylaxis.

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Background & aim: Orofacial pain (OFP) affects millions around the world in their daily activities, social relations and have substantial impact on quality of life. Present study was done with an aim to assess prevalence of OFP and its impact on daily living. Methods: 1600 subjects above the age group of18 years were chosen by cluster random sampling method. Closed ended questionnaire by interview method was used to collect information on OFP and impact using OHIP (Oral Health Impact Profile). Results: Prevalence of OFP was 26.94% which is more common in age group of 35-44 yrs (10.3%), females (14%) and low income group (9.05%). Toothache (15.44%) was most common in oral region, frequent headaches (4.25%) and pain in forehead (4.25%) in facial region. OHIP items showed more impact with "being irritable with other people", difficulty-chewing food, disturbed sleep and worried about pain in 50% of the subjects. Mean OHIP score was 45, which increases in subjects with more number of symptoms (60.7 mean), increased intensity (mean 90), decreased frequency (mean 56.4), present pain (mean 55), upon arising (mean 47) and pain during sleep (mean 53) which showed negative impact on daily living and statistically significant difference was seen. (p<0.01). Conclusion: Quarter of study population had OFP, which showed impact in Social disability (38.4%), Psychological discomfort (35.5%), and Psychological disability (36.5%), functional limitation (31.1%), physical disability (18.5%) and handicap (7.2%).

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Background: Many studies have found increase in efficiency, effectiveness and productivity by utilizing a trained auxiliary in clinical practice by the dentists. Hence many dentists favored team approach but few barriers such as unavailability, economic factor and patient's unacceptance were hindering them in utilizing dental auxiliaries properly. Aim: To assess the attitude and utilization of dental auxiliaries by dentists in their clinical practice in Hyderabad city. Methodology: 240 dental practitioners were selected by systematic random sampling method from the list obtained from Indian Dental Association, Deccan branch. Data was collected by a structured questionnaire. Results: Nearly 98% of them employed auxiliaries in their clinic. 73.2% employed trained person during their practice hours and only 6.2% employed trained and certified person. 6.3% employed only dental hygienists and 70% dental lab technicians (full time). Nearly 50% of the practitioners who were utilizing trained person during their practice reported that they do all the work (reception work, sterilization care and preparation of instruments, chair side assisting work and taking radiograph). Nearly 40% gave theirjustification for utilizing auxiliary as quality of care given to the patient and work efficiency will by more and nearly 70% of them gave their reason for not utilizing and type of dental auxiliary in their clinic as unavailability. Conclusion: Unavailability of the structured trained auxiliary was the major reason for the practitioners not utilizing a trained and certified person in their clinical practice.

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Aim: This study aimed to assess the self-reported reasons for the choice of a career in dentistry among undergraduate first year students in a dental teaching institution in Bangalore. Method: A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire study was carried out in a dental college in Bangalore, and included all first year dental students. The questionnaire collected information on the participants' socio-demographic background; respondents were asked to identify and prioritize 3 most important factors, influencing their choice of dentistry as a career. Results: Forty eight respondents participated in the study. The response rate was 80%. The majority of respondents were female (71%) than male (29%). First most common reason for joining dentistry reported by majority of the students (59%) was that there were no more MBBS seats available. Second most important reason was they wanted to be addressed as a doctor and third most common reason was their parents wanted them to be a dentist. Gender differences were noted in the responses. Most of the students' expectation from a career in dentistry was money, respect and that it would not be hectic. Conclusions: The most common reasons forjoining dentistry have to a great extent remained the same over time and across countries. The dental profession in India today faces unique challenges like attrition from the dental workforce. There is a need to explore the link between the reasons for joining dentistry and the challenges dentistry faces as a profession, over a larger cohort. This direction is crucial towards optimal utilization of trained dental manpower in our country, retaining the status of the profession and to get the best out of those who join the course of dentistry.

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Aim and Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and impact of pain and other clinical variables among patients before surgical extraction of third molar under local anaesthesia. Methodology: A total o f250 patients, referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery of Sri Sai College of Dental Surgery, Vikharabad for surgical removal of their impacted third molars were included in this study. Questionnaires were administered prior to surgery and patient's reasons for seeking third molar removal was assessed. Adverse impacts on oral healthrelated quality of life were measured using the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) questionnaire. Results: Thirty three percent of patients (84 out of 250) said that they were seeking third molar surgery because of pain, whereas twenty two percent (57 out o f250) were seeking third molar surgery because of swelling. Conclusion: Adverse impacts on quality of life occurred for 1 in 8 patients seeking third molar surgery, and the odds increased 3-fold for patients who had experienced pain/swelling compared with those who were asymptomatic.

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Aim: To assess the fear of pain among patients reporting for dental treatment at a teaching hospital. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted upon the patients above 18yrs of age attending Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Nellore for a period of 1 month. Data was collected using a self-administered Fear of Dental Pain (FDP) questionnaire. Results: Mean age of the subjects was found to be 39.17}12.8 yrs. Mean FDP score of the studied population was 48.10}11.66. Statistically significant difference was observed for Mean FDP score in relation to gender and geographic location with females (p=0.000) and urban population (p=0.03) reporting more fear of pain. Age and Socio Economic Status were not found to be statistically significant in relation fear of pain. The most common reason for visit to a Dental Hospital was reported to be tooth pain (28.1%) followed by teeth decay (14.6%). Third molar extraction was considered to be the most fearful event in receiving dental care. Conclusions: Fear of pain among patients reporting for dental treatment is highly prevalent and could be an important barrier for utilizing dental services.

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Introduction and objective: The occurrence and distribution of oral soft tissue lesions and developmental variations are very common and wide spread. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of oral soft tissue lesions and developmental variations in school children ofMalebennur population which would aid in oral differential diagnosis and also provide a basis for comparison with other populations. Methodology: A total of 398 available students in age group of 6-12 years belonging to Biralingeshwara School in Malebennur village constituted the study population. Study design- Cross-sectional survey. Diagnosis was arrived using the Clinical criteria's for Oral soft tissue lesions and Developmental variations as per World Health Organization guidelines and standard clinical definition given by text books. Informed consent was obtained from every student and their parents participating in the study prior to dental examination. The data obtained was compiled, tabulated and analyzed by applying Chi-square test for assessing statistical significance between groups. Results: 29.9% of the school children had one or the other type of oral soft tissue lesions or developmental variations. Angular chelitis was the most common oral soft tissue lesions with 32.7% among the study population affected, followed by Fissured tongue 19.3%; Dentoalveolar abscess 17.6% ; Traumatic ulcer 11.8% and the remaining formed 18.5% which includes Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, Papilloma, Geographic tongue, Herpes labialis, Aphthous ulcer, Focal epithelial hyperplasia and Commissural pits. Other conditions like Cleft lip and Palate, Median rhomboid glossitis, Ankyloglossia, Bifid tongue, Macroglossia and Microglossia were also evaluated but there was not a single case recorded. Conclusion: Such data would not only give additional information concerning the incidence of oral diseases but also enhances the responsibility of the dentist in planning and implementing total oral care for children.

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Introduction: Dental hypersensitivity may be defined as pain arising from exposed dentin typically in response to tactile, thermal, chemical or osmotic stimuli that cannot be explained as arising from any other form of dental defect or pathology. Objectives: To evaluate of the efficacy of two desensitizing products among 20-40 year old people. Material and methods: A randomized, double blind, parallel bench mark controlled study was conducted on 60 subjects. The cases were randomly assigned to test and control groups. The test group was instructed to use the test tooth paste containing Arginine Bicarbonate and control group a tooth paste containing Potassium Nitrate for a period of 6 weeks. The hypersensitivity levels were measured with verbal rating scale. Results: The results indicated that both the test as well as the control toothpastes was effective in alleviating dentinal hypersensitivity as well as reducing gingivitis. However, the test toothpaste was superior in alleviation of dentinal hypersensitivity. Conclusion: Dental Hypersensitivity is diagnosed after elimination of other possible causes of the pain. Desensitizing treatment should be delivered systematically, beginning with prevention and at-home treatments. The latter may be supplemented with in-office modalities.

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Introduction: Tooth loss results in significant disabilities which disrupt social activities. Several factors such as attitude, dental attendance and fiscal concerns influence the decision to obtain treatment for the replacement of lost teeth. For the oral care system to provide the requisite services, data on factors influencing tooth loss and utilization of care facilities are a prime requirement. Therefore, this investigation aimed to determine reasons for tooth loss and unmet prosthetic need among residents of rural areas. Materials and Methods: Data was obtained, using a two part pre-tested proforma, from 249 subjects aged 16 years and above seeking care at three rural dental care centers with at least one missing tooth and no existing prosthetic replacements during a five-month period. Differences in proportions were compared using the Chi squared test. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The etiological factors responsible for tooth loss were dental caries (69.5%), periodontal disease (20.1%) and trauma (1.2%). Reasons stated by subjects for not availing dental care for tooth replacement were lack of time (37.8%), financial resources (26.5%), and dental care facilities (24.1%), and distant location of the care facility (11.6%). Conclusion: Results confirmed dental caries as the major etiologic factor in tooth loss, notwithstanding decades of emphasis on preventive care. Also evident was a lack of time, financial resources and motivation towards seeking professional care for edentulousness, as well as lack of dental care facilities and distant location of the care facility.

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