Oral healthcare-seeking behavior during the COVID-19 lockdown period: A cross-sectional study from Eastern Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To assess oral healthcare-seeking behaviors during the COVID-19 lockdown period in eastern Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted from October 2020 to December 2020 at Dental Clinic Complex, College of Dentistry, King Faisal University Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Three hundred and sixty patients who visited the Dental Clinic Complex after relaxation of lockdown and consented to participate were included in this study.

Dental Caries and Associated Risk Indicators among Married Saudi Women.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) experience among married females in Saudi Arabia and provide an exploratory data for subsequent primary prevention.

Materials And Methods:  A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted at a general hospital in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. All married women attending the general hospital from March 1st to April 15, 2021 were requested to participate.

Emerging Role of Epigenetics in Explaining Relationship of Periodontitis and Cardiovascular Diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart diseases or stroke are among the leading cause of deaths globally, and evidence suggests that these diseases are modulated by a multifactorial and complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Genetic predisposition and chronic exposure to modifiable risk factors have been explored to be involved in the pathophysiology of CVD. Environmental factors contribute to an individual's propensity to develop major cardiovascular risk factors through epigenetic modifications of DNA and histones via miRNA regulation of protein translation that are types of epigenetic mechanisms and participate in disease development.

Clinical efficacy of scaling and root planing with and without metronidazole on glycemic control: three-arm randomized controlled trial.

Background: Treating periodontitis through non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) may improve glycemic control in type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, the evidence to maintain this improvement beyond four months is insufficient. Hence, this trial was conducted to assess clinical efficacy of NSPT on glycemic control in T2DM patients.

Oral health of individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's disease: A review.

This paper explores the epidemiological evidence about oral health of individuals with neurodegenerative conditions of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched to identify the relevant research papers published during January 2012 to June 2020. All cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies reporting oral and dental morbid conditions for status and association with AD and dementia were explored.

Association of BMI, Diet, Physical Activity, and Oral Hygiene Practices with DMFT Index of Male Dental Students at King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa.

Despite sufficient knowledge of good oral hygiene habits, dental students still suffer from oral health problems owing to dietary habits, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate an association of BMI (body mass index), diet, physical activity, and oral hygiene practices with DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) of male dental students and interns at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, from August to September 2020. One hundred and eighty-five male participants completed the study questionnaire.

Evaluation of HbA1c in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with periodontitis: preliminary findings of three-arm clinical trial.

Objective: To assess a relationship and predict changes in glycaemic control due to chronic periodontitis in type-2 diabetic patients.

Methods: Chronic periodontitis (CP) of a cross-section of 118 patients (age ?32 years) was determined using bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Their HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin (FSI) and homeostasis assessment model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were also tested.

Awareness of Parents About the Emergency Management of Avulsed Tooth in Eastern Province and Riyadh.

Objective: To assess the level of parents knowledge about the emergency management of tooth avulsion in Eastern Province and Riyadh.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out by means of a questionnaire-based internet survey in which 1201 parents from Eastern Province and Riyadh participated. The questionnaire contained 10 closed-ended questions and was used to assess the knowledge of parents about the emergency management of avulsed teeth in Eastern Province and Riyadh.

Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Mouth Wash on Salivary pH and Interleukin-1β Levels among Smokers.

Objective:  Smoking induces changes in salivary pH and inflammatory biomarker levels associated with oral diseases. This study examined the effect of alkaline oral rinse to modify this effect of smoking on salivary study parameters.

Materials And Methods:  A double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) on systemically healthy smokers was conducted.

Periodontal disease status and associated risk factors in patients attending a Dental Teaching Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Background: Investigators have identified an association of socio-demographic and medical factors with periodontal risk. This study observed status and association of periodontal disease and associated risk factors/indictors.

Materials And Methods: All patients attending a dental teaching hospital were interviewed for socio-demographic and medical information through a structured questionnaire.

Association of periodontal and cardiovascular diseases: South-Asian studies 2001-2012.

Large proportion of Asian populations have moderate to severe periodontal disease and a substantial number are anticipated to be at high risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study reviews epidemiology and association of periodontal and CVDs from the South-Asian region. Observational studies and clinical trials published during January 2001-December 2012 focusing association between periodontitis and CVDs in South-Asian countries were retrieved from various databases and studied.

Understanding and practice of evidence based search strategy among postgraduate dental students: a preliminary study.

Background: One of the core attributes of competent practice is the ability to locate and analyze high-quality evidence. Research on information seeking knowledge of dental graduates is scarce.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate pertinent knowledge and skills on formulation of answerable questions and searching skills through the understanding and application of EBP.

Extrinsic stain removal with a toothpowder: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The efficacy of a commercially available toothpowder was compared with toothpaste in removing extrinsic dental stains.

Methods: In this single-blind, randomized controlled trial, 77 volunteers were included from a residential professional college. All study subjects (control toothpaste users and test toothpowder users) plaque control measures.

Tooth loss in institutionalized coronary heart disease patients of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan.

Objective: To observe frequency and possible association of tooth loss with prevalent coronary heart disease in Pakistani population.

Methodology: Angiographically determined coronary heart disease (CHD) patients of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan, and healthy individuals were enrolled for status of tooth loss.

Results: Nine hundred and thirty six CHD patients and 595 healthy subjects with mean age of 51.

Poor oral health and coronary artery disease: a case-control study.

Background: There is insufficient research on the relationship of oral health and coronary artery disease (CAD) from developing countries, such as Pakistan. This study observes the status of oral health in the CAD population.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 145 cases and 145 controls.

Oral health status of CHD and non-CHD adults of Lahore, Pakistan.

Background: Evidence on association of oral health and coronary heart diseases (CHD) is mounting in the literature. This study was designed to observe an association between status of oral health and cardiac diseases in Pakistani adults.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was conducted on CHD and non-CHD adults aged >30 years.

Non-surgical periodontal therapy lowers serum inflammatory markers: a pilot study.

Background: Evidence suggests an association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease (CHD). C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and white blood cell (WBC) counts are markers of inflammation, and their systemic levels have been associated with CHD risk. This pilot study investigated the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on systemic levels of CRP, fibrinogen, and WBC counts in subjects with CHD or no CHD (NCHD).

Uncompensated tooth loss in cardiac patients of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore.

Objective: To observe replacement of missing teeth with artificial teeth in subjects with and with out cardiac diseases and find its possible association with coronary heart diseases (CHD).

Methodology: Consecutive patients aged 20 and above with coronary heart disease and accompanied healthy subjects with tooth loss were examined for oral prosthesis after having a verbal consent, over a one month period in a cross-sectional study at Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore. Chi-square and T- test were applied to analyze variables in subjects with and without coronary heart disease.