Nature of the dental profession and postures assumed by dental surgeons during their professional work has an enormous effect on their body. Dentists nowadays are becoming more prone to musculoskeletal disorders. A well-adapted design of the workplace is a basic requirement for maintaining musculoskeletal health that will in turn enhance work efficiency. The present article discusses the various methods to stabilize the dental operatory to allow the operator to work with comfort, efficiency, and ease.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. There is marked increase in evolution of AI from the last decade, which has been showing tremendous improvement and dentistry is no exception. AI has its importance in dentistry, especially in oral medicine and radiology, which includes patient diagnosis, storage of patient data, and the assessment of genetic information which will provide improved healthcare for patients. Regardless of many improvements and advances, AI is still in its teething stage, but its potential is boundless. This article reviews on how this technology is tremendously utilized for easy and early diagnosis, proper treatment of lesions of oral cavity, advanced breakthroughs in image recognition techniques, screening of suspicious premalignant, and malignant changes of oral cavity with satisfying outcome. A thorough knowledge regarding the adaptation of technology will not only help in better and precise patient care but also reducing the work burden of the clinician.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]

Patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders are prone to dental problems, and a lack of proper communication with surgeon may create complications following invasive dental procedure. We present the case of a patient with common variable immunodeficiency disorder (CVID) who underwent a dental extraction and later on, developed alveolar osteitis. A 26-year-old male reported to the outpatient department, with a complaint of severe pain in his left lower jaw following the extraction of mandibular molar 1 week ago. The clinical picture was suggestive of suppurative alveolitis. The fact that he was a diagnosed case of CVID was not revealed to the operating surgeon. He was undergoing treatment for the past 6 years at another center that included intravenous immunoglobulin G (IgG) administration. Serum IgG level performed about 10 months back was 6.1 g/L. The patient recovered fully after a week of treatment with zinc oxide pack and oral metronidazole. CVID is a known risk factor for the development of alveolar osteitis. Proper communication is vital for avoiding complications in such cases.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Objective: Dental handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, air polishers, air abrasion units produce the most visible aerosols. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Chlohex Plus and Turmix as preprocedural mouthrinses on aerosol contamination produced by ultrasonic scaler inside the Mobile Dental Unit. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients were included in this study, they were randomly assigned into two groups and were subjected to scaling before and after rinsing with 0.2% CHX,0.1% turmix. Blood agar plates were used to collect the gravitometric settling of aerosols and were sent for culture. Results: The mean CFU/mL of the anaerobic bacteria from the aerosol generated after pre-rinse with TRX was found to be less than 50% of the mean effective pre-rinse CHX threshold. The TRX pre-rinse was found to be more effective than the CHX pre-rinse. Bacteriodes spp. and the Peptostreptococcus spp. were the most common anaerobic pathogen isolated from the aerosol tested which is strongly suggestive of aerosol were directive from patient sample only. Conclusion: Hence the consideration of routine use of CHX and turmix mouthwash as prior to all dental procedures results in the reduction in number of oral bacteria available for possible induction of bacteremia or dissemination to the attending dentist and other personnel.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Irritational fibroma is a commonly occurring oral lesion, which may mimic many other pathological conditions. In this case report, we present a case of a 15-year-old male with an ill-defined overgrowth on the gingiva which was diagnosed with an irrational fibroma due to the presence of calculus. This was then excised using biolase laser, and uneventful healing was noted postoperatively. The advantage of laser over conventional treatment is that it helps in better precision, clean surgical field, and lesser postoperative complications.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

[FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

[FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to assess the student's performance in problembased learning (PBL) and its relation to other assessment forms such as multiplechoice questions (MCQs) and standardized oral examination. Materials and Methods: Eighty-two undergraduate dental students were participated in PBL sessions who were evaluated through a customized rubric. Then, PBL sessions were compared with the final written MCQ examination as well as a final standardized oral examination. Results: There was no statistical significance between PBL and final written examination (F = 308) and between PBL and oral examination (F = 4.667). There was a high correlation between the F-written and final oral examination (r = 0.708) and the average correlation between PBL and F-written MCQs (r = 0.436) and between PBL and oral examination (r = 0.423). Conclusion: Self-directed learning (SDL) is a key element in PBL. Different continuous assessment tests such as PBL, MCQs, and oral examinations are needed to assess different competencies such as knowledge, problem-solving, clinical skills, and SDL; No one test can assess all types of Competencies. Interpersonal communication and communication skills need further research for better assessment.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Aim: In this research work, radiation doses to frontal face of adult and pediatric procedures were measured from 50 panoramic and 35 cephalometric dental X-ray scanners from various regions in Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods: Dose measurements were carried out using a polymethylmethacrylate tissue-equivalent phantom (10 cm diameter and 14 cm length) and two miniature electronic personnel dosimeters (PM1610). Results: Panoramic procedures and the radiation doses were measured on the frontal face of adult ranged from 80 μSv to 175 μSv and 20–66 μSv at the thyroid and eye level, respectively, and for pediatric were ranged from 52 μSv to 159 μSv and 17–58 μSv at the thyroid and eye level, respectively. For cephalometric, the frontal face dose of adult ranged from 45 μSv to 114 μSv and 45–111 μSv at the thyroid and eye level, respectively, and for pediatric, the doses were ranged from 43 μSv to 107 μSv and 43–107 μSv at the thyroid and eye level, respectively. Conclusions: Based on the detailed survey, the measured values were comparable with other literature values. It was observed that exposure parameters, beam quality, beam slit width, and beam length used in the tube head are the factors that increase facial dose during dental panoramic and cephalometric procedures.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

[FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]