MATERIALS AND METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted on published original studies retrieved from the literature using a bibliographic search from two electronic databases: MEDLINE (National library of medicine, USA) and EMBASE. The pooled odds ratio and presence of publication bias in those studies were evaluated.
RESULTS: A total of 49 studies concerning oral cancer (OC) were identified for GSTM1 null genotype. Similarly, 36 studies were identified for GSTT1 null genotype. The pooled OR was 1.551(95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.355-1.774) for the GSTM1 null genotype, while for GSTT1 null genotype, the pooled OR was 1.377 (95% CI: 1.155-1.642). No evidence of publication bias was detected among the included studies.
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the Glutathione S-transferase M1 and Glutathione S-transferase T1 null genotypes significantly enhances the risk of developing oral cancer by a substantial percentage.
Materials and Methods: A total of 400 south Indian children in the age group of 6-12 years who had visited Dental College and Hospital were recruited in the study. Dental anxiety was measured before dental treatment using MDAS. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Results: Of the 400 children, 240 (61.5%) had severe dental anxiety, 92 (23%) had mild anxiety, and 78 (17%) had no anxiety. Females had higher anxiety level compared to males. Many study subjects answered that local anesthesia (LA) injection was considered most fearful. Dental anxiety was highest in smaller age groups.
Conclusion: In our research, high percentage of children had dental anxiety, so counseling before dental visits is very important to reduce the dental anxiety among these 6- to 12-year-old children.
Aim: The objective of the present prevalence analysis was to study the implications of Down's syndrome on oral health status among patients.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional prevalence analysis conducted within a duration of 1 year. A total of 100 children diagnosed with Down syndrome (aged between 5 and 16 years) were selected as the study sample. Inclusion criteria were (a) cytogenetic positive trisomy 21, (b) cooperative behavior, and (c) written informed consent obtained from the legal care-takers. Exclusion criteria were (a) any debilitating form of systemic diseases, (b) any other disability, and (c) extremely uncooperative children. The gingival health status was assessed using gingival index (GI) [Loe and Silness], calculus index (CI) [Ramfjord], and plaque index (PI) [Silness and Loe]. Information involving the practice of oral hygiene maintenance, diet plans, and parental educational status was derived from each parent. Based upon their intelligence quotient (I. Q.) values, the subjects were classified into three groups: a) mild (I. Q. level = 50 to 70), b) moderate (I. Q. level = 35 to 50), and c) severe (I. Q. level ≤35). Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical software tool Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Qualitative data were recorded as frequencies, and percentages and quantitative data were recorded as mean and standard deviation values. All categorical outcomes were analyzed by means of the Chi-square test. The quantitative outcomes of Calculus Index, Gingival Index, and Plaque Index were analyzed by either student's t-test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significance was set at a cut-off value of P < 0.05.
Results: Down syndromic children between 12 and 16 years were reported to have statistically significant higher Calculus Index, Gingival Index, and Plaque Index values in comparison with younger age syndromic children (P < 0.01). Those with severe mental retardation had significantly higher Plaque Index (P < 0.001) and Gingival Index (P < 0.04) values when compared with those with mild and moderate mental retardation. No significant difference in comparing Calculus Index was noted.
Conclusion: Higher age group children with Down syndrome require close monitoring by parents for assisting in maintaining oral hygiene practices just as in younger age group children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done among 253 children of 5-, 12-, and 15-year-olds living in various orphanage houses of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Demographic data, and dietary and oral hygiene practices were collected through a structured questionnaire. Clinical examinations of children were conducted to assess oral health status and recorded in the World Health Organization oral health assessment form (1997). Stimulated saliva was collected for S. mutans and Lactobacilli levels. The statistical software, namely, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 19.0 was used for the analysis of the data.
RESULTS: The final data analysis included 253 children of which 116 (45.8%) were boys and 137 (54.2%) were girls. Overall, 140 (55.33%) children were caries-free and 113 (44.66%) children presented with caries (decayed/missing/filled surface >0). High levels of salivary microbiological counts (S. mutans and Lactobacilli), i.e., ≥105, stress the importance of necessary preventive oral health services. Treatment needs among orphan children showed that most of the children, i.e., 58 (22.9%), need preventive or caries-arresting care followed by 49 (19.4%) who require two-surface filling as an immediate measure.
CONCLUSION: From the results of our study, orphan children have low utilization of preventive and therapeutic oral health services. Urgent attention is required to plan a comprehensive dental health-care program to improve their oral health status.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Parents are the primary caretakers of children, but woefully some of them have to lead their lives without parents, the latter either being dead or incapable of bringing up their children. Such a group of children is known as orphans. As oral health is an integral part of general health, it is essential for health-care policy makers to address oral health needs of this underprivileged group of society. This article highlights the risk factors and treatment needs among orphan schoolchildren.