The aim of this study was to assess the impact of smoking on the whole salivary flow rate (SFR), IgA levels and clinical oral dryness (COD) among active and passive smokers. Material and Methods: The participants were categorized as active smokers (N = 54) or passive smokers (N = 163). Saliva was collected in tubes and placed in ice storage at -70°C. Salivary IgA levels were assessed in duplication using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Following the saliva sample collection, the subjects were assessed for COD using the COD score, SFR and caries. Chi-square test, the t-test and ANOVA were employed to compare the clinical impact of the smoking status associated with specific variables (smoking status, number of cigarettes, active caries, gender, age, COD score, IgA level and SFR). A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Two hundred and seventeen subjects with the mean age of 32.86±6.30 years, with 145 males (66.8%) and 72 females (33.2%), were included in the study. Among the active smokers, 88.8% were males compared to 11.2% females. The active smokers had the mean age of 32.52 years,

No abstract

Objective: To evaluate the mean clinical oral dryness score (CODs) and salivary flow rate (SFR) in subjects exposed to active and passive smoking. The secondary aim was to determine the correlation between CODs and SFR and potential factors associated with CODs and SFR in our subjects. Study Design and Setting: The clinical observational study was conducted at the Outpatient department of oral diagnosis at Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi from Jan 2019-Jul 2019. Methodology: A total of 217 participants of ages 15 – 80years coming for routine dental checkup of either gender were included. A thorough oral examination was performed for all the subjects. A non-stimulated saliva sample was collected from the oral cavity of subjects in a graduated container. The salivary flow rate was noted in ml/min for 5 minutes. Assessment of oral dryness/hypo-salivation was examined through CODs (clinical oral dryness score).The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23. Results: The mean COD score and SFR were calculated as 1 and 0.42 ml/5min respectively. The Pearson’s correlation between COD score and SFR level was calculated as -0.281 (negative correlation) such as the SFR significantly decreased when the COD score increased (p<0.05). The age, gender, smoking status, betel quid and areca nut consumption showed statistically significant difference in mean COD score and SFR levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: Salivary flow rate was significantly decreased with increase in COD score thus having an implication on oral dryness feeling in these participants.

Objective: To determine the association between smoking and calculus deposition among patients presenting at a tertiary hospital of Karachi. Study Design and Settings: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at periodontology OPD, Altamash Institute of Dental Medicin,e Karachi for six months from 15- September-2021 to 15-February-2022. Methodology: About 150 male patients of age 11 to 60 years coming for routine check-ups were included. Patients were divided into two groups on basis of their smoking status. Clinical examination was performed for each tooth and presence of calculus was evaluated using Oral Hygiene Index (OHI).The measurement of calculus was done by visual investigation and tactile examination by using periodontal probe and mirror. For each individual, one tooth was selected from each sextant and average OHI score is calculated. Supra-gingival calculus present near marginal gingiva was labeled as mild whereas supra and sub gingival calculus with gum recession along with calculus covering more than half of tooth surface was labeled as severe. Results: Among 75 smokers, 44% had mild and 56% had severe calculus deposition whereas among 75 non-smokers, 86.7% had mild and 13.3% had severe calculus deposition. Odds of smoking among patients with severe deposition is 8.27 times higher than odds of smoking among patients with mild calculus deposition (OR=8.27, 95% CI=3.69-18.53) and significant effect of smoking was observed on calculus deposition (p=0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that smoking has significant effect on calculus deposition. By taking smoking as a discriminant variable it is proved that calculus deposition is higher in smokers as compared to non-smokers

Background: Dental problems are common in autistic children due to poor oral hygiene. During the dental treatment, main challenge is reduced ability of autistic kids to communicate. The objective of this study was to investigate about the oral health status of autistic children and to compare the risk of dental caries and periodontal disease between children with autism and healthy controls. Methodology: This case-control study was conducted at the Milestone Charitable Trust and Defense Housing Authority (DHA), Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed School, for the duration of 04 months (1st Dec 2019 – 30th March 2020). Among cases, 67 autistic children and among controls,67 healthy children, of age 7 to 17 years, of either gender, were included. All the participants were examined and assessed for presence or absence of any carious lesions, and periodontal health. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23. Results: The overall mean age of included children was 12.51±2.99 years. Of 134 children, 53.7% were males and 46.3% females. The odds of periodontal disease were 5.52 times higher in autistic children as compared to healthy children (p < .001). The odds of dental caries were 3.43 times higher in autistic children as compared to healthy children (p < .001). In both age groups (<=10 years and >10 years), the risk of periodontal disease and dental caries was higher among autistic children as compared to normal children. While, according to gender, the risk of dental caries was higher among male autistic children as compared to normal children. Conclusion: The odds of dental caries and periodontal disease were higher among autistic children as compared to healthy controls. Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dental caries, Periodontitis