Indian dental patients were in favour of chairside medical screening.

Background:Recent studies have revealed the involvement of hedgehog (Hh) signaling component in proliferation and invasive behavior of many carcinomas.Aim:This study aims to identify the expression of sonic Hh (SHH) protein of SHH pathway in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using SHH (H-160) (Santa Cruz, sc-9042) which could have therapeutic implication in future.Materials and Methods:A total of 250 cases comprising 50 normal oral mucosa, 50 cases of oral epithelial dysplasia, 50 well, 50 moderate and 50 poorly differentiated OSCCs were included in the study. Immunohistochemical evaluation of SHH protein expression was conducted using monoclonal antibody. Interpretation of the expression was done by immunoreactive score of Remmele and Stegner (IRS) scoring method.Statistical Analysis:Chi-Square test was used to analyze the results.Results:The study showed that SHH signaling molecules are highly expressed in OSCC, and their expression was mainly in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells.Conclusion:The SHH signaling component is associated with the pathological parameter in OSCC and oral epithelial dysplasia.

Objectives: Assessment of the cell proliferation rate in tissues can be one of the markers for impending malignancy in precancers. The state of activation and the proliferation activity of the cells can be assessed by the frequency of silver stained Nucleolar Organiser regions (AgNOR) within the nuclei which is significantly higher in malignant cells. The present study was carried out to analyze the distribution of the AgNOR in oral leukoplakia (OL) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and in their various histological grades, and to assess if the AgNOR distribution could give information on the malignant potentiality in premalignant lesions and aggressiveness of the malignant lesions. Study design: The study specimens comprised of 35 archival cases, of which 15 cases were of OL and 20 cases of OSCC. The specimens were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and modified silver staining method of Ploton et al. for the Nucleolar Organiser Regions. The specimens were analyzed independently by the two observers and was further statistically analysed. Results: The mean AgNOR count in OL was 2.80 ±0.50 and in cases of OSCC was 5.71± 1.08. The mean AgNOR count in OL cases of mild dysplasia was 2.59 ±0.66, in moderate dysplasia was 2.92± 0.43 and in severe dysplasia was 2.79. The mean AgNOR count in cases of well differentiated OSCC was 5.73± 1.62 and in cases of moderately differentiated OSCC was 5.67±1.19. Conclusion: The mean AgNOR count was higher in cases of OSCC as compared to cases of OL, and the AgNOR counts increased with the increase in the grades of dysplasia indicating a higher proliferative rate with increase in dysplasia.

Background: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are one of the major causes of chronic orofacial pain affecting 28-86% of the population. The diagnosis of TMDs is challenging to a considerable number of practitioners and is influenced by their knowledge, attitude and experience. Aim: This study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding TMDs among TMD experts and general dental practitioners (GDPs) in India. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 dental practitioners (32 TMD experts and 168 GDPs) across India, registered under the Dental Council of India, were included in the survey. A questionnaire consisting of 21 issues with regard to TMDs was designed from relevant standard textbooks. The questionnaire was pretested for validation and distributed personally or through the web designed program. The knowledge and attitude scores of both the groups were assessed and compared. The therapeutic modalities practiced by the groups were also noted. Results: A significant difference was found in the knowledge scores and attitude between TMD experts and GDPs. A significant correlation was found between attitude score and years of experience in both the groups. Both TMD experts and GDPs expressed little confidence in the management of TMDs. About 75% of GDPs expressed concern over an inadequate number of TMD experts. Conclusion: Need for continued updating of knowledge, panel discussions, and revisions of the curriculum in graduate schools was realized.

Louis Edouard Octave Crouzon, a French neurologist, in 1912, described the hereditary syndrome of craniofacial synostosis in a mother and son. He described the triad as skull deformities, facial anamolies and exopthalmos now known as Crouzon syndrome (CS). CS accounts for about 4.8% of all cases of craniosynostosis. We report a case of CS in 4 year old girl with characteristic features of cranial deformity, maxillary hypoplasia, cleft palate and exopthalmos.