Aim This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a novel health education method—Audio Tactile Performance (ATP) technique—in maintenance of gingival health and plaque removal efficacy among institutionalized visually impaired children of Bhubaneswar city. Methods and results A parallel arm, single blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted among 10‐ to 15‐year‐old visually impaired children. Clinical examinations were done by the examiner blinded to group allocations. Oral health education materials (Braille and audio) were given to control group and ATP technique was given to test group. Clinical examinations for plaque and gingival scores were assessed at baseline, 30 days interval, and 90 days interval. The trial was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2017/05/008551). In control group, a greater plaque reduction was observed at 30 days interval (3.58 ± 1.3) when compared to baseline (2.63 ± 2.02) and 90 days interval (3.14 ± 0.88), and this difference was statistically significant. For whole mouth, in test group, a greater reduction in gingival scores was observed at 90 days interval (2.65 ± 1.64) when compared to baseline (4.58 ± 1.63) and 30 days interval (1.23 ± 2.43), and this difference was statistically significant. Conclusion ATP was found to be at par with the control group (Braille and audio aids).

These findings concerning dentists' knowledge and opinions related to oral and pharyngeal cancer suggest strongly that educational interventions for practitioners and dental students are necessary. We contend that an offering of continuing dental education programs would go a long way to enhance the prevention and early diagnosis of oral cancer.

The study findings showed inadequate attitude and awareness of subjects toward infection control in prosthodontic practice. Their self-assessment and satisfaction reflect their performance toward infection control policy.

Context:Researchers have concentrated their focus on denture wearer's attitude and practice toward denture cleansing despite the fact that they should be more focused on the attitudes of the dentists’ themselves towards patient education at the time of denture delivery. It is an obligation of every dentist to motivate, instruct and provide the means and methods of plaque control for their patients.Aims:The aim was to assess the denture hygiene knowledge, attitudes and practice towards patient education in denture care among dental practitioners (DPs) of Jabalpur city, Madhya Pradesh, India.Material and Methods:A total of 168 dental practitioners completed a comprehensive questionnaire. All participants signed an informed consent before answering the questionnaire. The institutional review committee approved the study.Statistical Analysis:Chi-square test for non-parametric study was employed to determine the statistical difference between the two groups. A P-value of 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results:Most of the subjects were qualified with a bachelor degree 142 (85%). 25 (18%) subjects did not associate oral biofilms on complete denture with conditions like denture stomatitis and other serious systemic diseases. Approximately half of the DPs 69 (48%) and specialists 8 (31%) agreed that explaining denture hygiene instructions to old patients can be very time consuming. A recall program for their patients is of importance according to 39 (27%) of DPs and 3 (12%) specialists.Conclusions:It may be concluded that the study subjects had limited knowledge of denture cleansing materials and denture hygiene importance. Attitudes varied among the subjects when it came to sharing information with their patients.

Aim:The present study is aimed at delineation of different types of rugae in two different populations and developing a discriminant function for the same.Materials and Methods:A total of 940 subjects were included in the present study. The sample consisted of 466 subjects from South Indian population and 474 from North Indian population in the age group of 18-23 years. Neo colloid Easy flow(™) alginate impressions of maxillary arch were made and casts were immediately poured with Type IV dental stone. A sharp graphite pencil was used to delineate the rugae and patterns were recorded according to the classification given by Kapali et al. The association between different population and different sexes was analyzed with chi-square test and a stepwise discriminant function analysis was also performed to develop a discriminant formula.Results:Wavy, curved and straight rugae were the most common forms in both groups. Chi-square analysis for association between rugae shape and population groups showed significant differences among all the rugae patterns at the P < 5%. Chi-square analysis for assessing sex differences in the rugae shapes showed significant difference in straight, unification and circular type. Five rugae shapes – curved, wavy, nonspecific, unification and circular – were selected for discriminant function.Conclusion:The discriminant function equation obtained from the different rugae shapes in the present study was highly accurate enough to distinguish the Southern and Northern Indian population with the classification accuracy of 87.8%. Thus to identify a specific population, separate discriminant function formulae have to be developed. Hence, the study of palatal rugae is one of the simple and reliable tools for population identification in forensic science.