Background and aimTo determine the effect of pre-cooling injection site on pain perception in patients attending a dental camp at lifeline express, Habibganj.MethodsA split mouth interventional study assessed the effect of pre cooling the injection site in patients (n=33) requiring bilateral buccal infiltration prior to extraction. One side of the patient’s mouth received the intervention after the injection site was pre cooled with ice for 3 minutes along with topical Lidocaine, while the other mouth side of the same patient received only topical Lidocaine and served as control group. A structured proforma assessed the demographic characteristics and risk factors that influence pain perception in patients. Mann-Whitney U tests and Wicoxon rank sum test were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was defined at P<0.05.ResultsThe results revealed a significant difference in pain perception between control and intervention group as assessed using both Heft-Parker Visual Analog Scale (median score 3.0 and 1.0) and Sound Eye Motor scale (median score=1.0 and 0.0) (P<0.01). For both the scales the assessed and self reported variables Gender, Location, Chief Complaint, Region and Arch were found to be statistically significant.ConclusionPre cooling injection site reduced pain perception in patients.

This systematic review aims to determine the association between the consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs) and periodontal disease. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines were followed to conduct a literature search on five electronic databases till January 2022. Systemically healthy individuals consuming SSBs and presenting periodontal disease (gingivitis/periodontitis) were included. The modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and the Grading of Recommendation Assessment Development and Evaluation criteria were respectively used to assess the risk of bias and the evidence's quality. Of the 1303 eligible records identified in the initial search, ten studies (nine cross‐sectional and one case–control) were selected for the final review. Among the included articles, five reported SSBs intake in the form of carbonated soft drinks, two as sugary drinks, two as soft drinks, and one as coffee with added sugar. Four studies reported gingivitis as an outcome, while the remaining six studies reported periodontitis using validated indices. The included studies were of medium to high quality. Consumption of SSBs may increase gingival bleeding, thereby gingivitis and the risk of periodontitis. Intake of added sugars like SSBs should be considered as a potential factor during gingival/periodontal risk assessment. Further studies are warranted to establish additional evidence of association.

The deteriorated oral hygiene in visually impaired individuals has paved way for the emergence of different interventions for oral health promotion. This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of different interventions in improving the oral hygiene of visually impaired individuals. A search using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Wiley online and Scopus search engines published before September 2020 was carried out. Dental plaque, gingival status, oral hygiene status and improvement in knowledge status were assessed. The systematic review consisted of nine studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria and seven studies after checking for quality of evidence. The interventions significantly improved plaque scores, gingival and oral hygiene status, as well as the knowledge of visually impaired individuals. The combination of two or more interventions was reported to be better in improving oral health when compared with the individual interventional techniques for visually impaired individuals.

Law influences every aspect of human activity, and dentistry in this regard is no exception. Ethical standards of the dental profession are seeing a steady decline, altruistic concepts being overridden by a market driven system. A deficient knowledge regarding the medico-legal aspects halts the effective implementation and delivery of efficient services. The review thus provides an overview of ethical standards, consents and their types, negligence,, determination of negligence, liabilities of dental practitioners and solicitors in dental practices, which comprehensively form an integral part of the medico-legal aspect of dental practice.

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