The study shows that dental anxiety was high among study subjects. It is recommended that this issue should be given due importance and addressed in a practical and meaningful manner.

The aim of the study was to assess the periodontal status of patients among group of patients receiving hemodialysis in two super specialty renal institutes in the state of Gujarat. A cross-sectional study of 304 subjects, 152 subjects each in dialysis, and control group was conducted. Oral hygiene status was assessed using a Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, and periodontal status was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Loss of Attachment (LOA) as per WHO methodology 1997. The dialysis group had poor oral hygiene than the control group (P<0.001). There was high severity of periodontitis in the dialysis group as compared with the control group (P<0.001). None of the subjects had healthy periodontium. There was high severity of periodontitis (for both in terms of CPI and LOA) in the dialysis group as compared with control group that was found to be statistically highly significant (P<0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed (P>0.05) when the intergroup comparison for CPI and LOA were made among the subgroups according to the duration of dialysis. Periodontal disease is prevalent in chronic renal failure patients who showed the unacceptable level of oral hygiene and hence there is need for oral health promotion and preventive programs among the patients receiving dialysis.

Aim:This study aims to study the effect of short-term consumption of probiotic yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 on salivary Streptococcus mutans count in high caries risk individuals.Materials and Methods:A double-blind randomized control trial was conducted, and 70 high caries risk individuals with a salivary S. mutans count of more than 106 CFU/ml of saliva were followed for 4 weeks. Participants ingested 100 g yogurt containing L. acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 or yogurt without the two probiotic bacteria once daily at the end of meals for initial 2 weeks. Salivary S. mutans were enumerated in the laboratory by selective culture media.Results:A statistically significant reduction (P < 0.05) of salivary S. mutans was recorded after probiotic yogurt consumption with minimal residual effect, which was in contrast to the controls.Conclusion:L. acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 present in the yogurt were effective in reducing the S. mutans levels in saliva.

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Objective:To investigate scalp hair as biomarker for chronic fluoride exposure among fluoride endemic and low fluoride areas.Methodology:Two areas were identified in Vadodara district, Ajod, as a low fluoride area (Fluoride content of drinking water = 0.11 ppm) and Karsan, a high fluoride area (fluoride content in drinking water = 3.43 ppm). The study was performed on a total of 36 participants from the two villages, 18 from Ajod and 18 from Karsan. Thylstrup Fejerskov Index (TFI) was recorded for each of the participants and sample of hair was collected from the occipital region. Analysis of hair samples was done for assessing the fluoride content.Results:The study consisted of total 36 participants, ranging from the age of 34–60 years and a mean age of 46.53 years. The mean TFI score for the participants in Karsan was 3.39 (±0.979) and in Ajod was 0.83 (±0.786). The difference in this mean score between the two groups was found to be statistically significant. Furthermore, the average fluoride content in hair of the participants in Karsan was 3.40(±1.043) and that in Ajod was 0.35 (±0.063). This difference was statistically significant between the two groups. The TFI scores were found to be positively correlated with the fluoride content in hair.Conclusion:Hair can be used as a useful biomaterial for fluoride exposure monitoring. Having certain advantages over other biomaterials such as easy to collect, store, and transport, hair also serves as a biomarker of chronic fluoride exposure. Hair analysis should thus play a greater role in routinely measuring the chronic exposure to fluorides.

A Ab bs st tr ra ac ct t: :Background and Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among Gynecologists' regarding oral health of expectant mothers of Vadodara city, by using self designed, structured, pre-tested close ended questionnaire. Methodology:Total of 130 gynaecologists are included in the study. Ethical approval was obtained by the Ethics committee, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Vadodara. Prior to study, questionnaire was pre-tested and validated. Those individuals who participated in the pilot study were not considered for the main study to prevent possible bias. The informed consent was obtained and information sheet was given. The questionnaire was administered on first day of visit and on the next day it was collected back. For statistical analysis SPSS package version 17 and Pearson's Chi Square test was used. Results:The study revealed that majority of gynecologists had good knowledge, attitude and practices regarding oral health of expectant mothers and there is no significant difference in relation with age, sex and years in practice. Conclusion:Majority of gynecologists had good knowledge, attitude and practices but still there is a need for more active participation and involvement of medical specialists like gynecologists and pediatricians, in continuing education programs and forums on dentistry.

Background Saliva is one of the most important factors in regulating oral health, with flow rate and composition changing throughout development and during disease. Numerous chewing habits have been traditionally followed by various cultures and this effects salivary composition. Chewing of fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) is one such practice. This study was done with the objective to record and compare the salivary pH at base line, immediately and five minutes after chewing the seeds. Materials and methods Total 22 subjects, aged >18years were requested to chew a known quantity of fennel seeds (1.3grams) for five minutes and salivary pH was recorded using Qualigens Indikrom paper strips. Results Highly statistically significant rise in salivary pH was seen immediately after chewing seeds (p=0.003) Conclusion Chewing of seeds showed a rise in salivary pH, which can prevent demineralization and have an anti-cariogenic effect.

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