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.

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Aim. To assess the dental anxiety level among dental, medical, and pharmacy students of MAHSA University, Malaysia. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 1500 undergraduate students of MAHSA University. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) was used to measure dental anxiety among the study population. The responses were assessed by 5-point likert scale ranging from 1 to 5. The level of anxiety was categorized into lowly anxious (5–11), moderately anxious (12–18), and severely anxious ≥19. Out of 1500 students enrolled, 1024 students (342 males and 682 females) completed and returned the questionnaire having response rate of 68.26%. Results. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) when the mean dental anxiety scores were compared among the three faculties and dental students had lowest mean score (11.95 ± 4.21). The fifth year (senior) dental students scored significantly (P = 0.02) lower mean anxiety score as compared to the first dental students (junior). The students were anxious mostly about tooth drilling and local anesthetic injection. Conclusions. Dental students have a significantly low level of dental anxiety as compared with medical and pharmacy students. Incorporation of dental health education in preuniversity and other nondental university curriculums may reduce dental anxiety among the students.

Aim: Prison is an especially difficult environment for promoting oral health and leads to the exacerbation of unhealthy behaviors. This study set out to assess the impact of incarceration on nutritional status and oral health among the male prison inmates of Central Jail of Jaipur city, Rajasthan, India. Material and method: A cross sectional study was conducted among 181 male inmates. Dental caries and periodontal status were assessed by using modified the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Loss of Attachment (LOA) index as per the WHO methodology 1997. Nutritional status was assessed by Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight (kg)/height (m2). Results: Out of 181 inmates, 141 (77.90%) had normal BMI. The majority (n=128, 70.70%) of inmates were incarcerated for less than 6 years. A significant difference (P<0.05) was found between age and periodontal status. A significant difference was observed (P<0.05) in the CPI score 3 and LOA 0 and 1 score. However, no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in DMFT and period of incarceration. Age was the significant (P<0.001) risk factor for CPI and LOA. Discussion: Dental caries and periodontal health deteriorates with age and period of incarceration. Oral hygiene maintenance along with comprehensive oral care can be accomplished by establishing dental care facilities in prisons.

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