Aim and Objectives:The objective of the present study was to estimate the serum and salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and to study the association between serum and salivary LDH levels and mouth opening, frequency of habit, and duration of habit in patients with OSMF.Materials and Methods:Participants were divided into two groups: Group I – case group diagnosed with OSMF and Group II – the control group. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from all the participants. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry method was carried out with the help of LDH (P-L) kit (Crest Biosystems, Goa). Collection of blood sample was done under aseptic precautions and processed for LDH. The data were analyzed using SPSS software 2010 (version 19, IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistics including mean, range, standard deviation, and percentage were used along with unpaired t-test and Pearson's correlation test.Results:All the participants were male and were in the age range of 18–60 years, with a mean age of 28.63 ± 10.39 years. The mean salivary LDH levels in patients with OSMF were 1057.30 ± 640.12 μg/dl and in the control group were 668.25 ± 498.45 μg/dl. The mean serum LDH level in patients with OSMF was 408.35 ± 158.35 μg/dl as compared to the control group was 313.05 ± 82.69 μg/dl. The Pearson's correlation coefficient between serum LDH and frequency of habit, duration of habit, and mouth opening was found to be 0.55, 0.53, and 0.69, respectively. The Pearson's correlation coefficient between salivary LDH and frequency of habit, duration of habit, and mouth opening was found to be 0.33, 0.04, and 0.13, respectively. The Pearson's correlation coefficient between salivary LDH and serum LDH was found to be −0.18.Conclusions:There was a significant increase in the serum and salivary LDH in OSMF patients as compared to controls; the salivary LDH did not seem to correlate with frequency of the habit, duration of the habit, or mouth opening of OSMF patients. However, serum LDH was found to correlate directly with frequency of the habit and mouth opening in OSMF patients. Hence, based on the results of the present study, it can be hypothesized that serum LDH is a better biological marker than salivary LDH in the evaluation of OSMF.

Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute, self-healing inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder which presents with diverse spectrum of cutaneous lesions, hence termed “multiforme”. Oral lesions are quite characteristic and manifest as rapidly rupturing vesicles & bullae forming ill-defined erosions and hemorrhagic encrusted lip lesions. Wide variety of triggering factors for EM have been documented in the literature, but history of prior herpes simplex virus (HS) infection is most widely accepted. Most other cases are seen after the intake of certain medications. EM has been chiefly divided into two main forms- EM minor and EM major. Steven Johnson syndrome & Toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell’s disease) are now considered as distinct clinical entities. EM has a self-limiting course and the lesions usually resolve within few weeks. Symptomatic management along with recognition and alteration of the alleged precipitating factors is usually sufficient in the majority of cases. However, in advanced lesions, steroid therapy may be helpful. This paper aims to present a recent update on Erythema Multiforme taking into account its etiopathogenesis, clinical and oral features, diagnostic aids and treatment protocols.

Background:The emergence of the blood-borne pathogens and the increasing number of infected patients and the increasing interest in dental health care compel the dental professionals to have thorough knowledge about communicable diseases and the MBBS and nursing students are always at risk because of their profession. As hepatitis B infection is a major health hazard throughout the world, healthcare students should have through knowledge about this disease. Setia et al. had conducted a similar kind of study in Punjab in which the sample size was smaller and it included only the interns, whereas the present study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and behavior about hepatitis B infection among healthcare students of all academic years because they are indulged in clinical work since third year of their curriculum.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted of all the students starting from 1st year to final year and the interns of MBBS, BDS, and nursing at KIIT University. The questions were obtained from a study performed in Turkey in 2010 and were modified by an infection control expert. Questions in multiple choice format were in English and it was a self-administered questionnaire consisting of three parts (knowledge, attitude, behavior). Then, ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the institutional ethical committee, KIMS. Subsequently, the students were well informed and explained about the study. Students who voluntarily wanted to participate were included in the study. Questionnaire containing 20 questions to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and behavior about hepatitis B was distributed among the students. Data were compiled and statistical analysis was done.Results:The response rate was 83% (N = 332). In our study, majority (96.99%) were aware of transmission of HBV infection by blood, body fluid, and secretion. The level of knowledge was higher in MBBS students than BDS and nursing students (MBBS > BDS > nursing). Attitude toward the disease was higher in MBBS students than BDS and nursing students (MBBS > BDS > nursing), whereas behavior was higher in BDS students than MBBS and nursing students (BDS > MBBS > nursing).Conclusion:In our study, overall knowledge and attitude toward hepatitis B infection were higher in MBBS students than in dental and nursing students, whereas behavior of dental students toward the disease was quite satisfactory than MBBS and nursing students.

Purpose: The study was performed to evaluate variability in nasopalatine canal using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in relation to age and gender. The study also provides an insight while considering anterior maxillary implants. Materials and Methods: The study included 200 subjects aged between 19 and 67 years who were divided into the following 3 groups: 1) 19 -34 years old; 2) 35 -49 years old; 3) >50 years old. The male and female subjects were 104 and 96 respectively. After obtaining a prior consent, CBCT was performed using a standard exposure and patient positioning protocol. The CBCT volume was sliced in three planes (X, Y, and Z) and was sequentially analyzed for the location, morphology and morphometric dimensions of the nasopalatine canal. The correlation of age and gender with all the variables were evaluated. Results: The present study revealed statistically significant differences in the length of the nasopalatine canal based on the age group. The slanted and the cylindrical variety of the nasopalatine canal were commonly observed in the study. However, no statistical differences were noted in the other variables such as number of openings at the nasal fossa, diameter of the incisive fossa, angulation of the canal as viewed in the sagittal sections and antero-posterior dimensions of the canal in the sagittal sections. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates the variability observed in the anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal which is an important landmark for placing dental implants in the anterior maxillary region.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the presence and course of the anterior loop (AL) in an Odisha sample population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to accurately identify and analyze the length, height, and diameter of AL in male and females. Materials and Methods: CBCT images from 1000 patients obtained for various clinical indications were randomly selected and evaluated to determine the presence, length, height, and diameter of the AL. The various parameters were then compared based on gender, age, and the side of the mandible. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, independent t -test, multiple post hoc procedure, and one-way ANOVA test. Results: An AL was identified in 9.7% of the cases, and its mean length ranged from 1.8 to 4.8 mm. The loop had a greater mean length and was significantly more prevalent in males. The diameter ranged from 1 to 4 mm and height ranged from 7.8 to 15.1 mm. The AL was most commonly found in the middle-aged patients (39–48 years) which attributed to around 27.83%. Conclusion: In this study, a lower prevalence of the AL of the mandibular canal was found. Being an anatomical variation, an exact evaluation of the AL must be established using the imaging techniques prior to any surgical procedure.