Sudhanshu Agrawal

Abstract

Pandemic of COVID-19 is globally on the rise. Routes of transmission include human to human contact. Dentists are at highest risk of coronavirus infection contraction and dissemination. Due to recent outbreak of this disease, definitive guidelines on this subject are not sufficient for various procedures. Awareness of protective measures for dental practices may reduce the number of new cases within the country. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of cross infection control measures during stage I of pandemic of COVID-19 within dental practices of Lucknow & Barabanki district Uttar Pradesh, India. A cross sectional study based on evidence provided by Department of Periodontics, Chandra Dental College & Hospital, Safedabad, Barabanki was conducted during the stage I of spread of coronavirus amongst general dental practitioners of Lucknow & Barabanki district Uttar Pradesh, India. A questionnaire comprising of 10 questions pertinent to the cross-infection protocol for COVID-19 in a dental setting was constructed. Sample size was calculated for registered general dental practitioners of Lucknow & Barabanki district Uttar Pradesh, India. The form was communicated to 200 general dental practitioners all over Lucknow & Barabanki district Uttar Pradesh, India. Out of these, 143 (71.5%) responded. Majority participants showed adequate level of awareness (more than 66%), for protection measures against corona virus COVID-19 in a dental practice. However, few aspects need more emphasis. such as during initial patient interview, temperature evaluation, radiographic records, pre-operative rinses, nature of permissible procedures, surface disinfection, irrigation and drainage methods, to control the chain the infection transmission. Earlier awareness of COVID-19 specific protection measures to health professionals may reduce the number of new diseased cases. Strict adherence to social distancing generally and COVID-19 specific cross infection control measures in a dental setting might help in timely control of this potentially deadly disease. Keywords: Infection control, Prevention and control, Saliva, Radiography, Dentistry, Diagnosis, Oral.

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Abstract

Smoking is considered a potential risk factor for the prevalence and severity of vertical alveolar bone loss. An increased occurrence of vertical bone defects has been observed in cigarette smokers as compared to non-smokers. A study was undertaken to compare vertical interproximal alveolar bony defects in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontal disease. A convenient sample of 60 orthopantomographic records of patients with chronic periodontal disease was selected. 30 patients were smokers and 30 were non-smokers. Bone height measurements were made utilizing extraoral digital panoramic radiographs obtained from patients’ digital records. The prevalence and severity of vertical bone loss were determined in smoker patients and compared to non-smokers. Any associations with particular groups of teeth and smoking were investigated, as well as any related gender differences. A greater mean millimeter vertical bone loss was observed in smokers as compared to non-smokers (1.1120.784 mm vs. 0.9350.887 mm), however this finding was not statistically significant (p=0.418). An increased prevalence of vertical bone loss was found in smokers as compared to non-smokers (10.06% vs. 8.76% respectively). Premolar groups of teeth and specifically maxillary premolars were significantly more affected (1.4161.234 mm; p=0.030; 1.6191.816 mm; p=0.002 respectively). No significant gender-wise differences of mean millimeter vertical bone loss were found between the different groups of teeth in smokers as compared to non-smokers. The present study supports the role of smoking to be considered as a risk factor for the development of vertical alveolar bone defects. Smokers presented with more severe vertical radiographic alveolar bone loss as compared to non-smokers, including maxillary premolars being significantly more affected. Further studies are suggested including comparisons between various radiographic techniques (FMX, OPG, CBCT) in the detection of alveolar bone loss. Keywords: Periodontitis, Smoking, Vertical Radiographic Alveolar Bone, Loss, Panoramic Radiograph.

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