IntroductionKnowledge of blood groups and their association with oral diseases and depression is very important, as it may help in early diagnosis and treatment strategies.MethodA cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among dental students of a private dental college. The study was conducted in two phases, in the first phase the blood samples of each student were collected and sent for blood group examination in laboratory. Data for oral health status was collected by recording oral hygiene, dental caries and questions regarding oral hygiene habits and adverse oral habits. Depression level was recorded using a pre-validated, 21 item close ended questionnaire. Data thus collected was subjected to statistical analysis using chi-square and frequency distribution test using SPSS software.ResultsThe total study subjects were 315, 95 males and 220 females. On applying chi-square test between blood group and Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) score, a highly significant association (p=0.00) was observed. A non-significant association p=0.217 and p=0.668 was observed between gender and DMFT and Oral hygiene index-simplified and Blood group respectively. When comparing blood group and Depression score, a non-significant association (p=0.74) was observed.ConclusionDMFT score varies in different blood groups and this might suggest a positive association between blood groups and DMFT score, while depression, oral hygiene and gender might not be affected by the different blood groups.

Introduction: Occupational factors may be considered responsible for dental erosion among battery  factory workers since they were exposed to sulfuric acid fumes created by the harmful processes known as forming and charging.Methods: A sample consisted of 138 battery factory workers (85 acid exposed workers and 53 controls) drawn as a convenient sample from 3 different battery factories of Mandideep, India. A pre-tested proforma, completed by interview, was used to collect information on medical and dental histories. Clinical examination of battery factory workers was done to assess dental erosion using tooth wear index given by Smith and Knight. Data related to dental erosion score of acid worker and  control group was compared using Mann Whitney U test. Categorical data was analyzed by chi-square test.Results: The battery factory workers showed a propensity for higher erosion scores. The result of present survey showed a total of 74 percent of acid exposed workers had erosion compared to 37.7   percent of the controls. Statistical difference in erosion scores between acid exposed group and control group was found significant (p value<0.05).Conclusion: Present study revealed that long term exposure of sulphuric acid mists in the working environment significantly increased the chances of dental erosion among exposed workers. There is urgent need for surveillance and routine monitoring of acid fumes at workplace coupled with education about occupational hazards, positive worksite oral health promotion and training for standardized behaviors such as use of personal protective equipment to decrease occupational erosion. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v4i1.12165

Background: Health care workers form an important component of the health care system of any nation, they should have adequate knowledge about oral health as it directly affect the general health, of the people this study was carried out to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices among primary health care workers in Jaipur. Materials & methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 Primary Health care workers present on the day of the survey. Among 220 samples 130 & 90 health workers were included from Jaipur-I CHMO and Jaipur-II CHMO respectively. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive frequency and chi-square test.Results: A majority of the primary health care workers had moderate oral health knowledge level. Anganwadi workers had the least knowledge followed by ASHA (Accredited social health activist) worker, Auxiliary nursing midwifery (ANM) and GNM (General nursing mid wifery). The majority of study subjects have heard about pyorrhea (84.09%) and tooth decay (84.09%) while nearly half of the study subjects (56.8% and 50.4%) have heard about irregular teeth and oral cancer respectively. Sixty nine point five percent study subjects use toothbrush and toothpaste for cleaning their teeth. More than half of subjects (59.5%) brush their teeth once a day while 36.3% subjects brush twice daily. Conclusion:Oral health training should be given to primary health workers so that they can educate village people and make them aware at the oral health problems.