Ectodermal dysplasias are rare hereditary disorders characterized by abnormal development of certain tissues and structures of ectodermal origin. The condition is important for dentists as it affects teeth resulting in hypodontia or anodontia and dentist plays an important role in rehabilitation of the patient. Affected young children with anodontia not only have difficulties in eating and speaking but can also feel that they look different from their contemporaries. Well-fitting and functioning prosthesis could be a great help during their schooling years as it will improve appearance and thus boost their self confidence. We report a case of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia in an 8-year-old boy who exhibited anodontia and was successfully rehabilitated with conventional complete dentures in both maxillary and mandibular arches. The aim of the treatment was to improve psychological development apart from promoting better functioning of the stomatognathic system.

Background:India has the third largest number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and thus, dental practitioners are more likely to encounter such patients for dental management.Aim:The aim of the following study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV among dental interns and post graduate (PG) students of a dental institution in India.Subjects and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 128 dental students (64 interns and 64 PG students). Data related to HIV PEP was collected by pre-designed, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire and difference in responses by education level was assessed by Chi-square test and Z-test (significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05). For statistical analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 16, Chicago IL, USA) was used.Results:Difference in responses between dental interns and PG students was not statistically significant for majority of questions. All participants had positive attitude toward HIV patients (98.4% [63/64] interns vs. 100% [64/64] PG students). Interns (68.8%, 44/64) and PG students (68.8%, 44/64) were equally aware of the concept of HIV PEP. PG students had better knowledge than dental interns on few questions but overall both of them lacked knowledge about the best timing for commencement of HIV PEP (20.4% [13/64] interns vs. 42.2% [27/64] PG students) (P < 0.01), the antiretroviral drug regimen (48.4% [31/64] interns vs. 43.7% [28/64] PG students) and its duration (23.4% [15/64] interns vs. 25.0% [16/64] PG students), timing of antibody testing to rule out infection to health care worker (23.4% [15/64] interns vs. 35.9% [23/64] PG students) (P = 0.04).Conclusion:As knowledge regarding HIV PEP is found to be inadequate, well-designed educational programs need to be conducted to increase the understanding of dental professionals on this issue.

Xerostomia refers to a subjective sensation of dry mouth. A variety of factors can cause xerostomia including radiotherapy (RT) given for the treatment of oral carcinoma. Depending on the cause, treatment is provided to a patient suffering from xerostomia. In severe xerostomia salivary substitutes can be used and if the xerostomic patient is edentulous, then reservoir space for artificial salivary substitute can be created in partial as well as complete upper or lower dentures. The methods advocated so far for incorporating reservoir space in mandibular complete denture are costly, time consuming and require extra-laboratory steps. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to report a simpler method for fabrication of mandibular reservoir denture in a 67-year-old edentulous male patient suffering from xerostomia due to RT for oral carcinoma.