Context. Dental unit waterlines may be heavily contaminated with microorganisms and are a potential source of infection for both practicing staff and immunocompromised patients particularly. Contamination of dental unit water lines could be inhibited with the use of disinfectants. The present study investigates the effect of aloe-vera-based disinfectant in reducing the microbial growth in dental unit water lines (DUWLs). Aims. To compare the efficacy of aloe vera, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in controlling microbial contamination of DUWLs. Materials and Methods. After obtaining baseline water samples, the dental unit waterlines were treated with aloe vera, 10% hydrogen peroxide, and 5% sodium hypochlorite. Each of the three disinfectants was used in increasing concentrations and their inhibiting effect was compared. Water samples were analyzed for microbiological quality by the total viable count (TVC) method. Statistical Analysis Used. SPSS 16. Results. There was significant reduction in mean CFU/ml when treated with disinfectants each for a period of one week. Aloe-vera solution was found to be the most effective in reducing the microbial colonies. Conclusions. Improving the water quality from dental unit water lines is of considerable importance; chemical-based disinfectants can be replaced with herbal disinfectants for treating microbial contamination in dental unit waterlines.

Aim:To study the accessibility of chair side blood glucose non-invasive screening method for diabetes mellitus during routine periodontal examination.Materials and Methods:Fifteen non-diabetics and 15 newly onset type 2 diabetics patients with moderate to severe periodontitis were selected after meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Periodontal pocket probing was performed using a Williams Graduated periodontal probe. Blood oozing from gingival sulcus of anterior teeth following periodontal pocket probing was collected with stick of a glucose self-monitoring device. As control, finger stick capillary blood was taken.Results:A statistically significant correlation was observed between the blood glucose level of gingival crevicular blood (GCB) and peripheral fasting blood (PFB) of diabetic subjects. The mean GCB glucose level of the subjects in diabetic group was 172.27 ± 5.02 mg/dl while mean PFB glucose was 167.80 ± 8.87 mg/dl. The correlation coefficient of diabetic and non-diabetic subjects were r = +0.715 and r = +0.619, respectively.Conclusion:The results suggested that blood oozing during routine periodontal examination may be used for diabetic mellitus screening in a dental office setting without the need for any extra procedure.

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Aims and Objectives:This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of upper middle class toward the importance of a pediatric dentist in the city of Amritsar, Punjab.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out among the parents of children belonging to upper middle class in the city of Amritsar. This proposed study was assessed by the Institutional Ethical Committee (531/IDSR/2016) and their clearance was attained. A total of 950 parents were selected using a convenient sampling technique, and a self-made questionnaire was presented to them. Responses from the parents were evaluated in terms of numbers and percentages and were statistically analyzed using SPSS for Windows release 14.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Differences at the 5% level were accepted as being statistically significant.Results:The results of the study show limited knowledge about a pediatric dentist among the well-educated, well-placed, and economically sound citizens of Amritsar city. Consequently, the attitude and practices among this socioeconomic group are unconstructive and unprepared, respectively.Conclusion:Although the importance of taking a child to a pediatrician is a common practice among the upper and upper-middle classes of the society, it is clear that they do not give the same importance to a pediatric dentist, who is the pediatrician of dentistry.

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