Human identification is very important in forensic field. Analysis of teeth and other components in oral cavity can make a significant contribution in the process. Palatal rugae, which is one of the components in oral cavity, have a promising prospect in helping identification process because of its individualistic pattern. In special case whereas victim was burnt and the jaw was edentulous, which identification methods using analysis of finger print and tooth examination was not possible, analysis of palatal rugae would be very helpful in identification process. This paper will discuss application of palatal rugae analysis in forensic identification, the benefits and the limitations. Several challenges in the future so that the usage of analysis of palatal rugae becoming wider and more optimal, will also be discussed.

Stomatitis aftosa rekuren (SAR) merupakan salah satu penyakit mukosa mulut yang sering ditemui.SAR dapat menganggu dan menurunkan kualitas hidup sehingga diperlukan perawatan yang adekuatsehingga dapat mempercepat penyembuhan dan mengurangi rasa nyeri. Tujuan penelitian ini adalahuntuk mengetahui pengaruh ekstrak ikan gabus terhadap durasi penyembuhan dan pengurangan rasanyeri dari SAR. Penelitian eksperimental dengan rancangan pretest-posttest with control groupmelibatkan 38 mahasiswi PSKG FK UNSRI dengan SAR minor yang dibagi menjadi dua kelompokyaitu kelompok perlakuan yang diberi ekstrak ikan gabus dan kelompok kontrol yang diberi akuades.Subjek tiap kelompok diinstruksikan untuk mengaplikasikan ekstrak ikan gabus atau akuadessebanyak 3 kali sehari. Durasi penyembuhan SAR diamati sampai sembuh dan rasa nyeri SAR diukurmenggunakan visual analog scale (VAS) pada baseline dan hari ketiga. Hasil penelitian menunjukkanbahwa durasi penyembuhan SAR pada kelompok ekstrak ikan gabus lebih cepat secara signifikan darikelompok akuades (P0.05). Terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan dari perbandingan skor VASbaseline dengan hari ketiga pada kedua kelompok (P0.05). Kelompok ekstrak ikan gabusmenunjukkan pengurangan rasa nyeri yang signifikan dibandingkan kelompok akuades (P0.05).Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa penggunaan ekstrak ikan gabus (Channastriata) dapat mempercepat durasi penyembuhan SAR dan dapat mengurangi rasa nyeri dari SAR.Kata kunci: Stomatitis aftosa rekuren, Ikan gabus, Penyembuhan

Background: Aloe vera contains active components such as antrhaquinones,saponin, glucomannans, and acemannans that have been known for its antimicrobial properties. In vitro study showed that Aloe vera extract can inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans. Studies reported that children with caries have high level of salivary S. mutans which is the main pathogen in dental caries. The gold standard mouthrinse for dental caries is chlorhexidine gluconate, but it has several side effects. The objective of this study was to compare the effect between Aloe vera juice and 0.06% chlorhexidine mouth rinse on salivary S. mutans in children with caries.Methods: This experimental research with pretest and post-test control group design conducted on 30 children (6-12 years old) with number of carious teeth >4. Subjects divided into 2 groups: Aloe vera juice group and 0.06% chlorhexidine group, which instructed to rinse their mouth with 10 ml stated mouthwash, twice a day, during 7-day period. Unstimulated saliva was collected at baseline and after 7 days then inoculated on mitis salivarius bacitracin agar. S. mutans were counted and expressed in CFU/ml. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test.Result: The result showed that a significant reduction in salivary S.mutanscounts was observed with Aloe vera juice mouth rinse and 0.06% chlorhexidine (p<0.05). The mean reduction of S. mutans counts was not statistically significantly between grup (p>0.05).Conclusion: These findings suggest that Aloe vera juice can reduce salivary S. mutans in children with caries so it can be considered as alternative mouthwash to prevent caries.

Mastication is the mechanical process of breaking down food in oral cavity. The mastication system involves several components, including saliva and alveolar bone. Salivary flow rate and alveolar bone mineral density have been reported decreased in menopausal women due to the impact of declining estrogen levels. Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the masticatory performance in menopausal women in Kelurahan Talang Kelapa RW 19. This observational experimental study with cross-sectional design involved 36 women, consisting of 18 women and 18 non-menopause women. Masticatory performance was evaluated using a sieve method. Each subject was asked to chew 3 gram peanuts for 20 masticatory strokes, which that procedure was repeated for five times. Masticatory performance was measured using a sieve method which based on the assessment of the size of food particles that have been chewed and filtered over a number 10 mesh sieve. Percentage masticatory performance was obtained by dividing volume of particles passed through the filter with the volume of total particles. The masticatory performance data were analyzed statically with independent samples T test. The mean masticatory performance score was 13,71%, in menopausal women and 30,62% in non-menopausal women. It was found that masticatory performance in menopausal women was significantly lower when compared to non-menopausal women (p0,05). It may be concluded that menopause decreased the masticatory performance.

Background: Candida albicans is an opportunistic microorganism found in the oral cavity. High numbers of C. Albicans were often detected in dental plaque from children with caries. Aloe vera contains active compounds such as anthraquinone and flavanoid that have an antifungal effect against C. Albicans. The study aimed to compare the effect between Aloe vera juice and 0.06% chlorhexidine mouth rinse on C. Albicans colonies in plaqueMethod: Experimental study consisted of 30 children with carious teeth >4. Subjects were divided into two groups; Aloe vera juice and chlorhexidine 0,06%.Subjects were instructed to use 10 ml of each mouthwash twice daily for 7 days. At baseline and 7thdays, dental plaque samples were collected and then inoculated on saboroud dextrose agar. C. Albicans colonies were counted and expressed in CFU/ml.Result: The data were analyzed using a paired T-test and Mann-Whitney U test. A significant reduction on C. Albicans colonies in plaque was observed with Aloe vera juice (p<0,05), which was not significantly different from the control group (p>0,05).Conclusion: The present study suggested that Aloe vera juice can be used as amouthwash due to its ability in reducing C. Albicans in plaque.