Evaluation of Lung Volume and Effect of Vital Staining as Motivation to Quit Tobacco among Nicotine Dependents of Kanpur, India

Objective: To quantify and compare respiratory functions and further screen the oral mucosa of tobacco and non-tobacco users. Material and Methods: First control group, non-tobacco users (n=55); Second group, smokers’ group (n=168) who currently smoked cigarettes; Third group smokeless/chewing type, tobacco group (n=81); Fourth group, both smokeless and smoking type tobacco users (n=46). Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependences (FTND) and Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence-Smokeless Tobacco (FTND-ST) instruments were used to assess nicotine dependence. Subsequently, spirometry and Toluidine Blue (TB) vital staining were performed. Chi-squared and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis. Results: Fagerstrom test resulted in 48.8% of subjects with low dependency, followed by an increase in nicotine dependency from low to moderate (29.2%), moderate (15.6%), and highly dependent (6.4%) groups. All respiratory function tests and oral screening confirmed significant changes amongst tobacco and non-tobacco users. The forced vital capacity of non-smoker group was significantly different from other tobacco users’ group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Early effects of tobacco use can lead to complications with the respiratory system and oral cavity. Such data can be used to delineate the harm of tobacco and should be used to urge individuals to evade the utilization of tobacco

Evaluation of Lung Volume and Effect of Vital Staining as Motivation to Quit Tobacco among Nicotine Dependents of Kanpur, India

Objective: To quantify and compare respiratory functions and further screen the oral mucosa of tobacco and non-tobacco users. Material and Methods: First control group, non-tobacco users (n=55); Second group, smokers’ group (n=168) who currently smoked cigarettes; Third group smokeless/chewing type, tobacco group (n=81); Fourth group, both smokeless and smoking type tobacco users (n=46). Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependences (FTND) and Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence-Smokeless Tobacco (FTND-ST) instruments were used to assess nicotine dependence. Subsequently, spirometry and Toluidine Blue (TB) vital staining were performed. Chi-squared and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis. Results: Fagerstrom test resulted in 48.8% of subjects with low dependency, followed by an increase in nicotine dependency from low to moderate (29.2%), moderate (15.6%), and highly dependent (6.4%) groups. All respiratory function tests and oral screening confirmed significant changes amongst tobacco and non-tobacco users. The forced vital capacity of non-smoker group was significantly different from other tobacco users’ group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Early effects of tobacco use can lead to complications with the respiratory system and oral cavity. Such data can be used to delineate the harm of tobacco and should be used to urge individuals to evade the utilization of tobacco

Oral health of preschool children in Dhanbad District, Jharkhand: A gander into the maternal behavior and practices

Introduction: Mothers have an important role in taking decisions about their children's oral health. The study assessed the echelon of oral health behavior and practices of the mothers in relation to their preschool-aged children, which could possibly influence their oral health. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 312 mothers, selected randomly from eight blocks of Dhanbad District, Jharkhand State, by administering a structured questionnaire on oral health behavior and practices regarding oral health. Results: The overall data indicated that the practices of mothers about oral health of their preschool children increased as their age increased, which was however, not statistically significant (P > 0.47). The mothers who had less than higher secondary school education and belonging to lower socioeconomic groups had poorer oral health practices and was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.002 ). Conclusion: The mothers ought to inculcate positive practices and perceptions about preventive oral health for themselves first, to be good role models for their children

Importance of Ergonomics among Dental Professionals to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background : Oral health professionals are constantly exposed to a number of specific occupational hazards which cause the appearance of various ailments, specific to the profession and intensified over a period of time resulting in diseases and disease complexes, some of which are regarded as occupational illnesses. Relying on relevant literature, the present paper discusses occupational hazards leading to the musculoskeletal system diseases. Awareness regarding these occupational hazards and implementation of preventive strategies can provide a safe working environment for all the dental personnel. There is also a need for continuing dental education programs in dentistry so that dentists can update themselves with the latest and newer techniques