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Calculus represents a mineralized form of bacterial plaque, commonly developing on natural tooth surfaces exposed to a continuous supply of saliva. The salivary composition significantly influences the degree of calculus formation in individuals, exerting a pivotal role in this aspect. Reduced salivary output elevates vulnerability to oral diseases. Numerous contributing elements might be associated with the development of significant calculus, potentially implicating the existence of a salivary gland tumor, notably related to the left parotid gland. This report stands as notable documentation of an extraordinary and infrequent occurrence of calculus formation associated with a salivary gland tumor, presenting an exceptional case within the scope of medical literature., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)

There are emerging concerns about the potential cerebral cortex injury from aspartame due to the accumulation of the various neurotoxic metabolic components in the central nervous system after long-term dietary exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral aspartame consumption on cerebral cortex injury in the rat brain, and further evaluate the various underlying molecular mechanisms, with a special focus on oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis pathways. Sprague Dawley rats (nineteen, female) were randomly sub-divided into three groups: (i) normal diet with vehicle: control group (five rats), (ii) low dose of aspartame group (LA): seven rats received 30 mg/kg body weight (bw) daily doses of aspartame, (iii) high dose of aspartame group (HA): seven rats received 60 mg/kg bw daily doses of aspartame. After 8 weeks, the LA and HA groups showed lower expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD2, CAT), antioxidant marker (Nrf2), inflammatory response (IκB), mitochondrial biogenesis (Sirt1, PGC1α, Nrf1, TFAM), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Caspase-3) expressions. Aspartame administration also elevated oxidative stress levels (Malondialdehyde, MDA), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG), PGE 2 and COX-2 expressions, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL6, IL1β), antioxidant marker expression (Keap1), inflammatory responses (iNOS, NFκB), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels in the cerebral cortex of the rats, thereby contributing to the reduced survival of pyramidal cells and astrocyte glial cells of the cerebral cortex. Therefore, these findings imply that aspartame-induced neurotoxicity in rats' cerebral cortex could be regulated through four mechanisms: inflammation, enhanced oxidant stress, decreased mitochondrial biogenesis, and apoptosis pathways.

Objectives: This study was done to assess the effects of pimecrolimus cream 1% and triamcinolone aceonide paste in the treatment of atrophic-erosive oral lichen planus., Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients diagnosed both clinically and histopathologically as lichen planus were considered in the present study. Subjects were classified into two groups. Group I: Patients in this group were treated with 1% pimecrolimus cream and Group II: Patients falling under this group were treated with triamcinolone acetonide in 0.1% concentration., Results: None of the patients reported worsening clinical signs and symptoms. No significant difference in efficacy and reduction in burning sensation of either pimecrolimus or trimcinolone acetonide was present., Conclusion: Present study found no significant difference in the efficacy of both the agents studied., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences.)

Introduction: The low-level laser therapy has been accepted globally as cell bio-modulator, used to reach ideal therapeutic effects, acting in the reduction of the pain response, with anti-inflammatory effects, stimulating local micro-circulation and wounds repair, promoting a rapid recovery, which brings a better quality of life to the patient. In this study, we aim to to determine the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on reducing the pain and swelling after removal of impacted third molars., Materials and Methods: In this present prospective randomized clinical study, third molar surgeries were performed in thirty patients who were divided into two equal groups (placebo group and study group) a placebo group with routine treatment and a study group with low-level laser therapy which was applied both intraorally and extraorally after the surgical extraction of mandibular third molar., Results: The parameters such as postoperative pain, edema, and trismus were assessed on 1 st and 7 th day. All these parameters showed statistically significant results in patients with low-level laser therapy., Conclusions: Low-level laser therapy was effective in reducing the postoperative pain, edema, and trismus in the third molar surgeries., (Copyright: © 2022 National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery.)

Objectives: To compare the analgesic efficacy of preoperative intravenous (IV) ketorolac versus tramadol in preventing postoperative pain after mandibular third molar surgery., Methodology: Two hundred patients in the age group of 18-40 years with asymptomatic impacted mandibular molars were randomly allocated into one of the two groups (100 in each group) and underwent third molar surgery under local anesthesia. Group I received IV ketorolac 30 mg and Group II received IV tramadol 50 mg preoperatively. The difference in postoperative pain was assessed by five primary end points: pain intensity being measured hourly by Wong-Baker pain assessment scale for 6 h, onset of analgesia, duration of action, total number of analgesics consumed, and patient's global assessment., Results: Throughout the 6 h investigation period, patients reported significantly lower pain intensity scores, longer duration of action, lesser postoperative analgesic consumption, and better global assessment in ketorolac when compared to tramadol group. Patients in the ketorolac group significantly performed better than the tramadol group in terms of all parameters except onset of analgesia. All the drug-related complications were mild and did not require any investigation., Conclusion: The result of the present study shows that preoperative IV ketorolac 30 mg is more effective than tramadol 50 mg for postoperative pain following third molar surgery., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery.)

Objective: This study was carried out to prevent the risk of iatrogenic injuries to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) canal associated with various surgical interventions in the area of mandibular molars, by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)., Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study was carried out by using CBCT of 100 patients between 18 and 40 years of age group. The linear measurements were made in relation to the 1 st and 2 nd mandibular molars on both the sides. Linear distances between buccal and lingual aspects to the mandibular, buccal, and lingual cortical bone thickness; IAN canal diameter; and the superior corticated border of the IAN canal from the periapex of the 1 st and 2 nd mandibular molars. The statistical evaluation was done using SPSS V.20 (SPSS: an IBM company), and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Both genders of all age groups showed statistically significant result ( P < 0.00). All the linear measurements were statistically significant in relation to both the 1 st and 2 nd mandibular molars ( P < 0.005), and also the bilateral comparison of the linear measurements showed statistically significant difference in relation to the mandibular 2 nd molar ( P < 0.03) and 1 st molar ( P < 0.04) among both the sexes., Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of the proximity of root apices and cortical plates to the mandibular canal when performing surgical and root canal procedures in the posterior mandible to avoid serious nerve injuries., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2019 National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery.)

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)., (© 2018 Special Care Dentistry Association and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Aim: The aim of the study was (1) to explore the baseline beliefs and practices of accredited social health activist (ASHA) workers of Khurda district of Orissa with respect to tobacco cessation and (2) to assess whether a brief intervention will be effective in improving the beliefs and practices of ASHA workers. The results of this study could be utilized by policy makers for framing important strategies for tobacco cessation in rural areas utilizing ASHA workers., Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study (before and after comparison) was performed in Khurda district of Orissa to find out whether a brief intervention could improve the beliefs and practices of ASHA workers related to antitobacco counseling in rural areas. A 14-item structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire, written in English (translated in Odiya), was used. The final sample size was estimated as 135. Data were entered into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 21) for analysis., Results: All the mean belief items, practice items, degree of preparedness, and interest in training scores of study population increased significantly from baseline to postintervention. The study population showed a statistically significant improvement in postintervention composite belief and composite practices score., Conclusion: The majority of ASHA workers had positive beliefs and favorable practices after attending a brief intervention toward smoking cessation in their community. After attending the intervention, nearly half of the respondents felt themselves either somewhat or very well prepared for tobacco cessation. Most of them showed their interest toward getting further training in the field., Clinical Significance: Training programs and regular tobacco cessation activities should be planned in the primary health-care delivery system of India.

Introduction: Over 5% of the world's population has disabling hearing loss. The oral health of the disabled may be disused for the reason of the disabling condition, a challenging disease or the limited access to oral health care., Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal status of institutionalized hearing impaired (HI) children in Khordha district of Odisha., Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study on the HI children was conducted in Khordha district, Odisha. Type III examination procedure was conducted to assess the oral health status of the children. Statistical analysis was performed by Chi-square test and Student's t-test, and the significance level was fixed at P < 0.05., Results: The final population consisted of 540 HI children out of which 262 (48.5%) were male and 278 (51.5%) were female, 285 (52.8%) children had severe hearing loss and 227 (42.0%) had profound hearing loss. Bleeding on probing was found in 72 (13.3%) female children as compared to 57 (10.6%) male children. While 131 (24.3%) female children had calculus, 124 (23.0%) male children had the same condition. Total caries prevalence was 19.3%. Statistically highly significant difference was found for mean decayed teeth (DT), missing teeth decayed, missing filled teeth (FT) (P < 0.001), while for mean FT there was no statistically significant difference according to age groups. Statistically highly significant difference was found for mean DT, extracted teeth and decayed, extracted, filled teeth (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: An improved accessibility to dental services as well as dental health education is necessary to ensure the optimum dental health within the reach of these less fortunate children.

Objective: To assess the awareness, attitude, and knowledge about basic life support (BLS) among medical, dental, and nursing students and faculties and the proposal of BLS skills in the academic curriculum of undergraduate (UG) course. Recognition, prevention, and effective management of life-threatening emergencies are the responsibility of health-care professionals. These situations can be successfully managed by proper knowledge and training of the BLS skills. These life-saving maneuvers can be given through the structured resuscitation programs, which are lacking in the academic curriculum., Materials and Methods: A questionnaire study consisting of 20 questions was conducted among 659 participants in the Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, KIIT University. Medical junior residents, BDS faculties, interns, nursing faculties, and 3 rd -year and final-year UG students from both medical and dental colleges were chosen. The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software version 20.0 (Armonk, NY:IBM Corp)., Results: After collecting the data, the values were statistically analyzed and tabulated. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U-test. The results with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Our participants were aware of BLS, showed positive attitude toward it, whereas the knowledge about BLS was lacking, with the statistically significant P value., Conclusion: By introducing BLS regularly in the academic curriculum and by routine hands on workshops, all the health-care providers should be well versed with the BLS skills for effectively managing the life-threatening emergencies., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: Oral cancer is a public health problem giving rise to a great number of disabilities and deaths, but the possibility of survival is astonishingly higher when detected early. Health professionals therefore have an important role and responsibility in the prevention and early detection of oral cancer. They should be in a position to identify all suspicious lesions and to search for specialist opinion as promptly as possible when unsure, while also referring to the most appropriate discipline., Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) regarding oral cancer among private medical practitioners (MPs) and private dental practitioners (DPs)., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 334 MPs and 201 DPs in Bhubaneswar. A self-designed, close-ended questionnaire containing 28 items was delivered to the practitioners in their clinics. Correlation between KAP among MPs and DPs was done by Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient test. Student's t -test was used to compare the KAP among the practitioners., Results: Of the 535 practitioners approached, 513 filled the questionnaire with a response rate of 95.88%. Significantly, the mean knowledge index was higher among DPs (10.96 ± 1.85). The attitude index was higher in the MPs (6.89 ± 1.11), and the practice index was higher among the DPs (4.95 ± 0.91)., Conclusion: The study puts forward the need of further training for both MPs and DPs to increase awareness and to strengthen their abilities to diagnose potentially cancerous intra-oral lesions., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.