Medicine improves the quality of life and increases mean age of human beings as it fights against diseases. Accessibility to medicines is the fundamental right of every person. The principle of the essential medicines (EMs) is that a limited number of availability of medicine will promote to a better supply chain and rational prescribing to the rural and remote health centers for any developing countries. Furthermore, it was also expected that this concept will also ensure better procurement policy at lower costs, more in amount, with easier storage. Thereby, EMs will safeguard and improve distribution and dispensing of medicine. Correspondingly, motivational and dedicated training program regarding drug information and adverse drug reactions will boost up access to medicine and health-care. In addition, the selection of medicine from EM is the first step in the direction of the rational use of medicine and progress and ensuring the quality of health care. Thereafter, selection needs to be followed by appropriate use. Everyone should receive the right medicine, in an adequate dose for an adequate duration, with appropriate information and follow-up treatment, and at an affordable cost. The acceptance and implementation of World Health Organization-promoted EM policies in deferent countries have improved quality use of medicine in terms of accessibility and affordability, predominantly in developing countries. The corporations and teamwork among various participants of health care are instantly obligatory to progress equitable access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: To assess the awareness, attitude, and knowledge about basic life support (BLS) among medical, dental, and nursing students and faculties and the proposal of BLS skills in the academic curriculum of undergraduate (UG) course. Recognition, prevention, and effective management of life-threatening emergencies are the responsibility of health-care professionals. These situations can be successfully managed by proper knowledge and training of the BLS skills. These life-saving maneuvers can be given through the structured resuscitation programs, which are lacking in the academic curriculum. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire study consisting of 20 questions was conducted among 659 participants in the Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, KIIT University. Medical junior residents, BDS faculties, interns, nursing faculties, and 3^rd-year and final-year UG students from both medical and dental colleges were chosen. The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software version 20.0 (Armonk, NY:IBM Corp). Results: After collecting the data, the values were statistically analyzed and tabulated. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U-test. The results with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Our participants were aware of BLS, showed positive attitude toward it, whereas the knowledge about BLS was lacking, with the statistically significant P value. Conclusion: By introducing BLS regularly in the academic curriculum and by routine hands on workshops, all the health-care providers should be well versed with the BLS skills for effectively managing the life-threatening emergencies.

Aim and Objective: To figure out, analyze and assess the effectiveness of powered toothbrush (Braun/Oral-B two-dimensional) and manual toothbrush (Oral-B40 Regular Advantage Plus) on supragingival plaque and gingival health. Materials and Methods: The efficacy of powered toothbrush to that of manual one was compared by using a randomized clinical trial over a 4 weeks period in controlling plaque and gingivitis using gingival index, plaque index (PI), and oral hygiene index. A total of 45 patients with age group from 19 to 23 years were included in the study. Collected data were analyzed, and different subgroups were compared using Student's t-test, Levene's test, and Chi-square test. Results: In both groups whether using powered or manual toothbrush, there was marked decrease in PI scores and gingival health improvement. However, there was better reduction in PI scores and improvement in gingival health in powered toothbrush group. Conclusion: All individuals with both groups showed reduction in PI and hygiene index, but when it was assessed on the 4^th week, individuals using powered toothbrush showed better results when compared to the individuals using manual toothbrush.

Aims and Objectives: The aim and objective of the study were to determine the incidence of flare-ups during endodontic treatment and to identify the risk factors associated with flare-ups. Subjects and Methods: A total of 1725 patients who were treated during the time period of 2009–2014 by the same endodontist were reviewed. Incidence of flare-up, patients' age, gender, status of pulp, tooth position, number of roots, and treatment provided were taken from their dental records. Relationship between these factors and flare-ups was examined. Statistical analysis was done using Pearson Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Results: A total of 2% incidence of endodontic flare-ups was seen out of 1725 cases. Patient's age, gender, and diagnosis had a significant effect on the development of flare-ups (P < 0.05). Tooth type, position of tooth, number of root canals, number of visits, and treatment modality had no significant effect on flare-up incidence. Conclusions: Diagnosis plays an important role in predicting the incidence of flare-ups. Patients in the age group of 40–60 years had a higher risk of developing flare-ups. Women compared to men are more prone to flare-ups.

Aims and Objectives: The aims of the present study were to determine and compare the effects of different concentrations of Althaea officinalis extract, 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX), and penicillin on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus in vitro. Materials and Methods: The laboratory study was done, for a period of 8 weeks. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the test tube, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) in a plate culture medium, and growth inhibition zone diameter methods were used to compare the antibacterial effects of 0.2% CHX, penicillin, and different concentrations of A. officinalis root extract. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 24 using ANOVA and t-test analysis. Results: The results showed A. officinalis root extract had antibacterial effect, but significant differences were in MIC and MBC against L. acidophilus and S. mutans with penicillin and 0.2% CHX mouthwash. In addition, the mean growth inhibition zones of all the concentrations of the plant extract were less than that of the positive control group (P = 0.001). However, the difference in the maximum growth inhibition zone from that with the negative control group was significant. In addition, the antibacterial effect of the extract increased with an increase in its concentration. The extract exerted a greater antibacterial effect on S. mutans than on L. acidophilus. The plant polyphenols content is 3.7% which is equivalent to 29.93 g/ml. Conclusion: The root extract of A. officinalis exhibited antibacterial effects on S. mutans and L. acidophilus, but this effect was less than those of CHX mouthwash and penicillin. The antibacterial effect increased with an increase in the concentration of the extract.

Background: Like any other drug abuse, opium use is known to have detrimental effects on oral health. Oral hygiene neglect in opium users can lead to tooth loss resulting in further functional, esthetic, and dieting problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the association between tooth loss and opium addiction in a large-scale population. Materials and Methods: This study was part of an extensive study related to the risk factors of cardiovascular disease and conducted by the center for physiological research during 2012–2015 in Kerman. A total of 5900, 15–75-year-old individuals, were recruited by a single-stage random cluster sampling method. Factors including opium and smoking consumption, factors related to oral health, hygiene, and the number of missing teeth were examined. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and physical examination. Results: Of 5900 individuals, 2662 (45.1%) were men and the rest were women, which 1011 individuals (17.1%) consumed opium. The prevalence of opium abuse was significantly higher in men. Regarding the oral dental indicators, the numbers of missing teeth (P < 0.001), decayed (P = 0.01), and the total index of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in addicts as compared to nonaddicts. The gingival index and community periodontal index scores were significantly lower in addicts. Addicted women had a higher prevalence of tooth loss. Conclusions: Opium addiction is associated with higher tooth loss, especially, in women opium users. Dental practitioners and health politicians should pay special attention to the oral health of addicts before tooth loss occurs.

Aims and Objectives: The conflict in Syria has resulted in the displacement of over 5 million people, many of whom intend to return home at the cessation of hostilities. Oral health plays a critical role in early childhood and this study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of these children. Materials and Methods: The quantitative assessment of OHRQoL was done using a validated Arabic version of the short-form Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire-8 (P-CPQ-8). The P-CPQ-8 was administered to 22 sets of parents of children in a community center catering to urban refugees. A focus group interview and thematic analysis of nine mothers were used to gain a qualitative insight into the problems that could affect the OHRQoL of their children. Results: The P-CPQ-8 revealed that oral symptoms were the greatest concern of the parents with dental pain being the most commonly reported condition. Although mothers reported higher P-CPQ-8 scores among all domains than fathers, there were no significant differences in the concerns of the fathers and the mothers. The focus group interview raised three major themes - (1) access to dental care, (2) pain felt by the child, and (3) oral hygiene of the child. Conclusion: The parents interviewed in this study were aware of the importance of oral hygiene but reported being unable to look after their children's teeth. Children who are refugees from the Syrian conflict face significant OHRQoL challenges

Aims and Objectives: Dentures in the oral cavity may act as a reservoir of microorganisms, which may be related to systemic infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the nonoral pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity of patients with removable dentures in Shiraz, Southern Iran. Materials and Methods: The bacterial flora of saliva samples from 50 men and 50 women with removable dentures and 100 age- and sex-matched controls with normal dentate were compared using culture, Gram staining, and API20E Kit methods. All data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Except for Enterobacter cloacae isolate (P = 0.03), there was no significant difference between both groups for the presence of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, nonfermenting Gram-negative bacilli, Raoultella ornithinolytica, Raoultella planticola, Kluyvera spp., and Enterobacter aerogenes. No significant correlation was noticed between age and presence of bacteria in the oral cavity. The Gram-negative rod bacteria were more in males, but the difference was not significant. When a total of Gram-negative rods were considered, there was a significant difference between case and control groups (P = 0.004). Conclusions: Based on our findings that nonoral pathogenic bacteria are detected from the saliva of the denture wearers, general and oral health measures in patients with removable dentures should be adopted to decrease the risk of cross infection.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of eugenol-free and eugenol-containing cements on the bond strength of resin cement. Materials and Methods: Dentin was exposed in five groups of extracted teeth (20 specimens each). In Group 1, specimens were not given temporary cementation. In Groups 2 and 3, specimens were given temporary restoration fixed with eugenol-free temporary cement for 7 and 14 days, respectively. In Groups 4 and 5, specimens were given temporary restoration fixed with eugenol-containing temporary cement for 7 and 14 days, respectively. Permanent cementation was done for all groups after specified period of time. Shear bond strength testing of specimens was carried under universal testing machine. The data were analyzed by SPSS for Windows (version 14) statistical package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: One-way analysis of variance test revealed that Group 1 specimens produced higher shear bond strength than Groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5, no significant difference in shear bond strength was observed between provisional restoration with eugenol-containing zinc oxide cement and provisional restoration with eugenol-free zinc oxide cement (P = 0.095). Conclusion: The findings of this in vitro experiment lend no support to the common opinion that eugenol-containing cements should be avoided as temporary cement.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the repetition rate of examination due to motion artifacts in horizontal cone beam computed tomography, using three different kinds of head support, with reference to the patient's age. Further purpose was to evaluate how comfortable head supports were. Materials and Methods: Seven hundred and fifty patients underwent a maxillofacial/dental arches volumetric imaging scan. They were divided into three groups depending on the head support used: foam headrest, foam headrest with head strap, and head restraint helmet. Each group was subdivided into three age groups: ≤18-year-old, 19–65-year-old, and ≥66-year-old patients. A severity index of motion artifacts, divided into four tiers from absence to remarkable artifacts, was adopted. Finally, each patient gave their judgment about the head support comfort by a questionnaire including ten yes/no questions. A three-score scale (insufficient, sufficient, and good) was used to judge the comfort. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS^® version 23.0 statistical analysis software. Results: Forty-one patients (5.4%) repeated the examination. In 16 (2.1%), 15 (2.0%), and 10 (1.3%) of them, foam headrest, foam headrest with head strap, and head restraint helmet were used, respectively. Examination was repeated in 5.3%, 3.8%, and 10.6% in ≤18-year-old, 19–65-year-old, and ≥66-year-old patients, respectively. Patients almost always judged good the comfort for each kind of support. The lowest percentage of satisfaction was observed for the headrest with head strap and was judged good in 78% of the cases. Conclusions: The repetition rate of examination showed similar values among the foam headrest, foam headrest with head strap, and head restraint helmet in under 66-year-old patients. In over 65-year-old patients, the head restraint helmet obviously decreased the repetition rate of examination. All three head supports were good comfort, especially the foam headrest.

Aims and Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) obtained image over plaster model for the assessment of mixed dentition analysis. Materials and Methods: Thirty CBCT-derived images and thirty plaster models were derived from the dental archives, and Moyer's and Tanaka-Johnston analyses were performed. The data obtained were interpreted and analyzed statistically using SPSS 10.0/PC (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Descriptive and analytical analysis along with Student's t-test was performed to qualitatively evaluate the data and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Statistically, significant results were obtained on data comparison between CBCT-derived images and plaster model; the mean for Moyer's analysis in the left and right lower arch for CBCT and plaster model was 21.2 mm, 21.1 mm and 22.5 mm, 22.5 mm, respectively. Conclusion: CBCT-derived images were less reliable as compared to data obtained directly from plaster model for mixed dentition analysis.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-treated dentin matrix (TDM) is an enriched source of bioactive molecules. Therefore, it was hypothesized that fabrication of autogenous TDM on root dentinal walls of necrotic immature permanent teeth may allow more predictable outcome of revascularization treatments. Two young patients with permanent nonvital immature teeth were chosen for revascularization treatment. After appropriate disinfection of root canal system, TDM was fabricated on root dentinal walls using different dilutions of EDTA. Then, bleeding was induced in canals and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement was placed over the blood clots. In all follow-up periods, both cases were asymptomatic and radiographic findings have shown a continued root development. Revascularization is a valuable treatment for nonvital immature teeth, allows continuation of root development. Modification of root regeneration through a TDM protocol may seem more predictable treatment and improve maturogenesis than traditional therapy.