Virtual Reality in Oral Hygiene Instruction: an Immersive Approach

Currently, oral health issues are increasingly been addressed and virtual reality (VR) is being used as an aid in health areas. However, there is little evidence of VR being used in preventing oral health problems. To evaluate the effectiveness of VR in oral hygiene education. Three hundred pupils, aged between 9 and 12 years, received instructions in oral hygiene by immersion VR and they gave their opinions about the performed activities. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were applied, with a significance level of 5%. Part perception of oral hygiene showed no statistically significant difference (P>0.550). There was an increase in the use of dental floss (P<0.001), tongue brushing (P<0.001), and tooth brushing (P<0.001). Both drawings and comments made by participants related to oral hygiene were positive regarding the project. Conclusions: The use of VR in oral hygiene instruction was effective. Most participants increased brushing and flossing frequency and produced drawings related to oral hygiene. VR is effective and should be used in dentistry for teaching and prevention , especially with children, as it presents an interactive instructional space that can be approached in a playful way. This study presents dentists with a promising alternative for changing oral hygiene habits.

Is oral hygiene performed by caregivers of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy effective?

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of oral hygiene performed by caregivers of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) during the moments before and after three months of oral health instructions. Methods: In a longitudinal study, 102 participants were joined in two groups: G1 (n=51) composed of children and adolescents (C/A) with CP and G2 (n=51), composed of their caregivers. Sociodemographic and oral hygiene habits were collected and evaluated using the Visible Plaque Index (VPI) and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), before and after oral hygiene orientation. The Qui-Squared, ANOVA 1, and tStudent tests were applied. P < 0,05. Results: The C/A group with pattern clinical CP tetraparesis, diparesis and hemiparesis were homogeneous in terms of gender (P = 0,07), however differed in age (P < 0,05), the youngest being diparetic. No difference was observed when comparing VPI and GBI before and after instructions in oral health for the three clinical types (P> 0,05). However, a reduction in the VPI and GBI indexes (P < 0,05) before and after, in each of the three clinical patterns. Most of the caregivers were female, married, with a high school degree, and they performed oral hygiene three times per day. The caregivers presented significant drops in VPI and GBI after receiving oral hygiene instructions. (P < 0,05). Conclusion: Oral hygiene instruction is fundamental for the caregivers of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy since it is an effective form of controlling health problems.

Efficacy of Chamomile Mouthwash on Clinical And Serum Inflammatory Parameters in Relation to Chlorhexidine in Chronic Gingivitis Patients

Background: Oral and systemic infections are closely linked to poor oral hygiene. Chlorhexidine mouthwash, in addition to tooth brushing has been commonly recommended. About the fact that there is a lot of studies on the effectiveness of chamomile as an herbal mouthwash, there isn't much evidence on its competitive effect with chlorhexidine. Objective: To determine the clinical and inflammatory effects of chamomile as mouthwash (MTC) in the treatment of chronic gingivitis and compare its effect with 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX). Patients and Methods: A total of 45 subjects aged 18-45 years with chronic gingivitis underwent scaling and polishing with oral hygiene instruction; 15 patients received 1% of (MTC) as mouthwash, 15 patients received 0.12% of chlorhexidine mouthwash, and 15 patients received scaling and polishing only (SRP). Mouthwash was twice daily for 14 days. At the start of the study, clinical periodontal parameters (PI, GI, and BOP) and blood samples were taken and after four weeks of treatment to estimate the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein (TP). Results: After 4 weeks of periodontal treatment, there was a significant decrease in clinical periodontal parameters (P<0.01) and inflammatory markers (P<0.05) in the MTC and CHX and S&P alone groups. From periodontal treatment, there was no significant difference between the MTC and CHX groups with clinical periodontal parameters and inflammatory markers (P<0.05), although there was a significant difference between the MTC, CHX groups, and the S&P alone group in terms of clinical periodontal parameters and inflammatory markers (P<0.05). Conclusion: Chamomile has been shown to be comparable to CHX in terms of reducing gingivitis by decreasing clinical periodontal parameters and inflammatory chemical markers values such as CRP, ALP, and TP. Keywords: Chamomile; mouthwash; chlorhexidine; gingivitis, CRP, ALP, TP, serum

Impact of Oral Health Educational Intervention for Reduction in New Lesions of Dental Caries: Cross Sectional Study

Oral health in the nation’s evolution, especially in this globalization, an absence of illness in the population plays a key role for a fecund and well established society. Purpose: To see the impact of oral health education intervention to improve oral health practices along-with formation of new carious lesions after oral health education after 3 months of intervention. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Methodology: Children (n=383) were included in present study through non-probability, convenient sampling technique. Children who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were examined with the examination tools on the dental unit office in the RHC for caries risk using a pre-validated caries risk assessment checklist and dental caries detection form. Statistical analysis: Data analyzed by SPSS 21.0v. Results: Majority of respondents (383) 100% didn’t have access to fluoridated water supply. Only 23.5% of the respondents have literate parent’s majority of them (76.5%) have illiterate parents. All the respondents 100% were at moderate risk. In comparison of risk associated with teeth missing due to caries in past 36 months, the respondents at low risk were 63.2%, High risk were 25.3% and moderate risk were 11.5%. Conclusion: This study concluded that intervention of oral hygiene instruction has produced significant results in motivating people for cleaning teeth regularly and avoiding the use of sugary foods and beverages to maintain their oral and general health. The study has interventions of tooth brush with paste and oral hygiene instruction for motivating and treating people. Key Words: Early Childhood Caries, Risk Assessment, Health Education and Oral Hygiene.

Effect of Traditional and Virtual Oral Hygiene Instruction to School Health Instructors on Plaque Index of Elementary Schoolchildren

AIM: This study compared the effect of traditional and virtual oral hygiene instruction to school health instructors on plaque index (PI) of elementary schoolchildren. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this descriptive, analytical study, 66 elementary schools in Kermanshah city were selected by cluster sampling. The school health instructors first participated in a pretest and filled out a questionnaire. The O’Leary’s index of 339 elementary schoolchildren was measured at baseline. Next, the school health instructors received oral hygiene instructions in two groups (n = 33) of virtual instruction through an online course and traditional classroom setting. After 3 weeks, a post-test was held and school health instructors filled out the same questionnaire for the 2nd time. After 3 months, the PI of students was measured again. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, and ANOVA. RESULTS: Both instruction methods significantly enhanced the oral hygiene knowledge of instructors (p < 0.001) but virtual instruction was significantly more effective (p = 0.02). No significant association was noted between age, work experience of instructors, or their level of education with their knowledge level in the virtual group (p > 0.05). An inverse correlation was noted between age and work experience of instructors with their knowledge level in the traditional instruction group (p < 0.05). Both instruction methods caused significant improvement of PI of students (p < 0.001) but virtual instruction was more effective (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Correct oral hygiene instruction to school health instructors (preferably by virtual instruction) can reduce PI elementary schoolchildren.

Keberhasilan terapi fase inisial periodontal pada gingival enlargement pasien anak dengan hidrosefalusThe success of initial periodontal therapy phase in gingival enlargement paediatric patient with hydrocephalus

Pendahuluan: gingival enlargement umumnya terjadi akibat inflamasi kronis yang disebabkan oleh faktor lokal, seperti induksi plak pada gingiva dan faktor sistemik seperti pengaruh hormon dan obat-obatan sistemik tertentu. Hidrosefalus merupakan kondisi yang diakibatkan adanya volume cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) berlebih yang tidak terserap sempurna, dalam jumlah yang sangat tinggi pada ventrikel di otak dan terkadang juga terdapat di ruang subarachnoid, yang menyebabkan terjadinya dilatasi ventrikel secara progresif. Kondisi ini menghasilkan peningkatan tekanan intrakranial dan sering merusak jaringan di sekitarnya. Pasien hidrosefalus menunjukkan pembesaran kepala dan mengalami keterlambatan pertumbuhan. Tujuan penelitian laporan kasus ini adalah menjelaskan keberhasilan terapi fase inisial perawatan periodontal pada gingival enlargement pasien anak dengan hidrosefalus. Laporan kasus: Pasien hidrosefalus laki-laki berusia 12 tahun, mengalami pembesaran gingiva pada rahang atas, sering berdarah pada saat tersentuh sikat gigi ataupun terkena sentuhan lainnya, terjadi kurang lebih sejak dua bulan yang lalu, pasien tidak mengonsumsi obat-obatan secara sistemik. Hasil pemeriksaan klinis dan radiologis dapat ditegakkan diagnosis inflammatory gingival enlargement rahang atas disertai periodontitis kronis gigi 27, dengan diagnosis banding periodontitis kronis. Gingival enlargement merupakan faktor predisposing pembentukan plak. Gingival enlargement pada pasien ini dirawat dengan terapi inisial yaitu Oral hygiene Instruction (OHI), scaling, root planing, dan kontrol. Simpulan: Terapi fase inisial periodontal berupa OHI, scaling, root planing, dan kontrol, berhasil menghilangkan gingival enlargement pada pasien anak dengan hidrosefalus.Kata kunci: Gingival enlargement, hidrosefalus, perawatan inisial periodontal. ABSTRACTIntroduction: Gingival enlargement generally occurs due to chronic inflammation caused by local factors, such as plaque induction on the gingiva and systemic factors such as hormonal influences and certain systemic drugs. Hydrocephalus is a condition that results from the incompletely absorbed excess volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), with very high amounts in the ventricles in the brain and sometimes also in the subarachnoid space, leading to progressive dilation of the ventricles. This condition results in increased intracranial pressure and often damages surrounding tissue. Hydrocephalus patients show head enlargement and growth delay. This case report was aimed to describe the success of the initial phase of periodontal therapy in gingival enlargement of paediatric patients with hydrocephalus. Case report: A 12-year-old male hydrocephalus patient, had enlarged maxillary gingiva, often bled when touched by a toothbrush or when exposed to other touches, occurred for about two months prior, and the patient did not take any medication systemically. The clinical and radiological examination results can confirm the diagnosis of inflammatory maxillary gingival enlargement with chronic periodontitis in tooth #27, with a differential diagnosis of chronic periodontitis. Gingival enlargement is a predisposing factor for plaque formation. Gingival enlargement in this patient was treated with initial therapy, namely oral hygiene instruction (OHI), scaling, root planing, and control. Conclusion: The initial periodontal therapy phase in the form of OHI, scaling, root planing, and control, succeeded in eliminating gingival enlargement in paediatric patients with hydrocephalus.Keywords: Gingival enlargement, hydrocephalus, initial periodontal therapy.

Changes in Inflammatory Cytokines in Saliva after Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To determine the diagnostic value of inflammatory cytokines in periodontal disease, we performed a systematic review of the changes in inflammatory cytokines after non-surgical periodontal therapy and a meta-analysis of the utility of interleukin (IL)-1β and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 as salivary biomarkers. All available papers published in English until 20 August 2020, were searched in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Population, intervention, comparison, and outcome data were extracted from the selected studies, and the roles of IL-1β and MMP-8 were assessed in a meta-analysis. Eleven studies, including two meta-analyses, were assessed in the systematic review. Biomarkers showing high levels in periodontal disease were salivary IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, MMP-8, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2, and those in the controls were tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-10, IL-17, and IL-32. Biomarkers that decreased after scaling and root planning (SRP) and oral hygiene instruction (OHI) in periodontitis patients were IL-1β, MMP-8, MMP-9, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and TIMP-2. The pooled standardized mean difference of IL-1β and MMP-8 was −1.04 and 35.90, respectively, but the differences between periodontitis patients and healthy controls were not significant. Although the changes in salivary IL-1β and MMP-8 levels after non-surgical periodontal therapy were not significant, salivary cytokines could be used to confirm the effect of periodontal therapy or diagnose periodontal disease.