Indian Journal of Dental Education

The use of radiation in dentistry is now pervasive and routine. From long time back, manual techniques and advancements have surpassed a huge leap based on radiation influenced diagnosis, treatment protocol and follow up. So, as essential tools across all branches and specialties of medicine.The inherent properties of ionizing radiation provide many benefits, but can also cause potential harm. Its use within medical practice thus involves an informed judgment regarding the risk/benefit ratio. This judgment requires not only medical knowledge, but also an understanding of radiation itself.This update provides a global perspective on radiation science, risks for endodontists and its safety strategies.

Keywords: Radiation; Endodontist; DNA; IOPA etc. 

Background: Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) is a contemporary tool for Work Based Performance Assessment (WBPA). Although there have been few reports about its good acceptability and feasibility in general medical education, there are very few data available regarding the same in the field of Dentistry. Hence, this study was planned with an aim of assessing the perception of students as well as faculty towards DOPS as a method for skill assessment in the subject of Periodontology in terms of acceptability and feasibility. Methodology: A structured questionnaire was used to record the feedback of the 40 students of Final year BDS during their postings in Periodontology Department and after exposing them to the DOPS method of assessment. Similar feedback was taken by the faculty members who were pre-trained in the method and conducted the assessment. Their feed backs were then descriptively analyzed for evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of the DOPS. Results: The assessment of the feedback showed that 97% students and all faculty members have chosen DOPS over conventional method which indicated its significant acceptability amongst the study group. There was a positive consensus regarding the feasibility as well and certain concerns regarding the same were met by suggestions made by the participants. Conclusion: As per the perception of students and faculty members, DOPS appears to be an acceptable and feasible tool for skill assessment during formative assessment in the subject of Periodontology.

Keywords: DOPS; Assessment; Dental; Education Technology. 

Background: Dental caries is the most prevalent and common chronic infectious disease of childhood. It cause tooth pain, discomfort, eating impairment, loss of tooth and delay language development. Furthermore, dental caries has been increasing among school children due to unlimited consumption of sugary substances, poor oral care practices and inadequate health service utilization. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries of the first permanent molars among Sudanese children at Pediatric clinic Faculty of Dentistry University of Khartoum. Methodology: Descriptive retrospective study of fully documented dental records from school children attending a pediatric dental clinic was conducted. Total of 300 dental records of 139 (46.3%) boys and 161 (53.7%) girls aged 6 to 14 years old were studied. Results: The prevalence of the dental caries in first permanent molar (FPM) was 183 (61%) from total 300 children, 73 (39.9%) boys and 110 (60.1%) girls. Mandible was more prone to caries than maxilla. Conclusion: The most prevalence tooth surface was the occlusal surface. A girl was more susceptible to dental caries than boys. Children 7 years old recorded the highest susceptible age to dental caries. Recommendation: Along with nutritional factors, a comprehensive approach to preventing dental caries in children must include improved general dietary habits, good oral hygiene, appropriate use of fluorides, and access to preventive and restorative dental care.

Keywords: Dental Caries; First permanent molar (FPM). 

Introduction: The word styloid process has been originated from the word ‘stylos,’ which means, the pillar in Greek language. Styloid processes longer than 30mm are called elongated styloid processes. Normal length of styloid process in adults can vary between 20 and 25 millimeters.Styloid processes longer than 30mm are called elongated styloid processes. The elongation of styloid process causes clinical symptoms like neck and cervicofacial pain and described as Eagle syndrome. Objective: This research article aims at establishing the Eagle’s standard measurement of styloid process as diagnostic tool for Eagle’s syndrome in North Indian Population. It also evaluates the age and sex related prevalence of eagle’s syndrome. Materials and Methods: The orthopantomograms of 200 subjects were taken from planmeca promax-dimax4 OPG machine at 66 Kvp, 8mA and exposure time 16 sec. All the measurements are done on digital orthopantomograms using planmeca Romexis 3.2.0R software. The study parameters are measured using mouse-driven method by moving the mouse and drawing lines using chosen points on the digital panoramic radiograph as follows-From base of styloid process to tip of styloid process. Results: The study population consists of 200 subject aged between 9 and 77 years with a mean age of 39.11±16.65 years. The sex ratio in our study population showed that male subject proportion was higher than female i.e. 55.5% and 44.5% respectively. Majority of the patients were between 18 to 35 years of age. According to Eagle, the styloid length greater than 30 mm is considered as pathologic condition, the frequency of occurrence of eagle’s syndrome is estimated in study population. It was found that length of right styloid process( > 30 mm) is higher in 81.5% study population than 18.5% study population (<=30 mm). However the length of left styloid process (>30mm) is higher in 80.5% than 19.5% (<=30). However the length of styloid process (>30mm, <=30mm) is co-related in age groups. The length of right styloid process is not associated in age groups and statistically non-significant (P>0.05). However the length of left styloid process is srongly associated in all age groups. This association is statistically significant (P<.01). It was also concluded that Eagle’s syndrome is more common in males than females. Conclusion: Dentists should recognize the existence of morphological variation in calcified stylohyoid complexes especially in length apparent on panoramic radiographs. The present research paper concludes that the length of styloid process can be used as diagnostic tool in determination Eagle’s Syndrome.

Keywords: Styloid Process; Eagle’s Syndrome; Panoramic Radiograph.