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AIM:The aim of the study was to assess the oral hygiene status and periodontal status of Mentally Retarded, Down's syndrome and normal subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study was undertaken at OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL at Vepery, Chennai,India . 150 subjects were selected. Among them 100 were Mentally Retarted , 50 were Down's Syndrome subjects. 50 healthy normal subjects were selected (Students from Madha School,Chennai,India) for comparison. All were screened for oral hygiene and periodontal status by OHI-S and CPITN index . Statistical analyasis was done by Pearsson correlation coefficient . RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The results showed that the Mentally Retarded and Down's Syndrome subjects had decreased prevalence rate of periodontitis.

The diode laser has become an important dental armamentarium because of its exceptional ease of use and affordability. The lasers have many advantages with regard to periodontal treatment. For all soft tissue procedures, the diode laser functions as the handpiece, just like a dental handpiece for all hard tissue procedures. The main advantages of the diode laser for soft tissue applications are precise surgical procedure, bloodless surgery, sterilization of the surgical site, least possible swelling and scarring, negligible suturing, and practically no pain during and after surgery.In cosmetic dentistry, providing a desirable smile is one of the main concerns. Hyperpigmentation is one of the esthetic concerns especially in patients with black and discolored gums. Gingival depigmentation can be performed by means of surgical blade, electrosurgery, coarse diamond bur, cryosurgery, or lasers. Bearing in mind the advantages of lasers over other modalities of treatment, the present article will target on the management of such a case using diode lasers.