To assess the oral impact on daily performances (OIDP) and to study the inter-relationship between OIDP, dental attendance, socioeconomic status and caries experience among children enrolled in the National Cadets Corps (NCC).

A cross-sectional survey of 389 male NCC cadets in the age group of 13 to 15 years was done. Child version of Oral Impacts on Daily Performances questionnaire (Child-OIDP) was used to assess the quality of life. Information on demographic correlates and oral health behavior was obtained through self-administered questionnaire. The cadets were clinically examined for caries using decayed, missing and filled tooth index (DMFT).

A total of 359 children completed all the stages of the survey. The mean age of children was 13.96 ± 0.6 years. Fiftyfive percent of the participants experienced at least one impact in the last 3 months. The mean OIDP score for the population was 12.13 ± 5.85. The most prevalent impact was ‘difficulty in eating’ (37%) and the least affected daily performance was social contact (17%). Dental attendance and caries experience showed significant positive correlation with all the impacts and the overall OIDP score. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed significant influence of dental attendance and caries experience on OIDP.

The study revealed that oral health has significant impact on quality of life of Indian children.

Pentapati KC, Acharya S, Bhat M, Rao SVK, Singh S. Oral Health-related Quality of Life and Associated Factors in National Cadets Corps of Udupi District, India. World J Dent 2013;4(2):81-85.

There is an alarming rate of dental extraction which constitutes the commonest procedure carried out in this study in Nigeria.

Olaleye AO. Study of Dental Treatment Received by Attenders in Government General Dental Center/ Hospital Dugbe, Ibadan-Nigeria: A 5-Year Longitudinal Retrospective Study. World J Dent 2013;4(2):86-91.

Amalgam has proved to be among the most versatile and durable of all restorative materials. Mercury in various forms has been found to be toxic. Dental personnel can be exposed to mercury in myriad ways like direct skin contact or exposure to mercury vapors through spillage or during various steps of restoration. Proper storage and recycling of waste amalgam has been a challenge. Waste amalgam and spent capsules may be disposed of in the general office refuse and they later enter municipal dumps or incinerators.

Along with the need for amalgam recycling, the knowledge of the dentists about the deleterious effects, method of handling, effective storage and efficient disposal of amalgam scrap is vital. It was felt that the method used by the third party agency for disposing amalgam scrap should be mentioned.

A confidential questionnaire was formed of close- and open-ended questions regarding the awareness of toxic effects of mercury, its handling and storage prior to disposal. This was distributed randomly to 100 private practitioners in Pune city, Maharashtra state, India. A response rate of 75% was obtained. The results were analyzed.

All the dentists surveyed were aware of the toxic effects of mercury. Thirty-four percent were storing the scrap in the ADA-recommended method, 23% were replacing more than 5 to 10 amalgam restorations with esthetic alternatives per week, 32% used high volume evacuation while removing old fillings and 94% of them had evacuation into the common drain without any recapture systems.

We need to develop a comprehensive waste management plan for the disposal of amalgam scrap. Guidelines need to be established not only among the dentists but also with the waste disposal agency. This will go a long way in reducing the deleterious effects of mercury in the environment.

Srinidhi SR, Ranadive N. Mercury Hygiene Practices followed in Dental Clinics in Pune: A Survey. World J Dent 2013;4(2):92-95.

Mohammed S, Alla RK, Devarhubli A, Shakeel SK. Changes in Vertical Dimension of Complete Dentures due to Rebasing with Different Techniques. World J Dent 2013;4(2):96-99.

To compare the effects of various levels of acidic pH on surface microhardness of Biodentine.^TM

Biodentine was mixed and packed into stainless steel molds (diameter = 5 mm and height = 1.5 mm). Four groups of 10 specimens each were formed and exposed to pH: 7.4, 6.4, 5.4 and 4.4 respectively for 4 days. Vickers microhardness was measured for each of the specimens and was measured 4 days after the exposure.

Data was subjected to one-way ANOVA using Tukey's post hoc test. Group I (control pH = 7.4) showed greatest surface microhardness of 67.5 ± 4.1 HV. The least microhardness of 46.3 ± 5.0 HV was observed for group IV where the specimens were soaked at pH 4.4. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Under the limitations of the present study, surface hardness of Biodentine was impaired in the presence of acidic environment.

Poplai G, Jadhav SK, Hegde V. Effect of Acidic Environment on the Surface Microhardness of Biodentine„§ƒ| World J Dent 2013;4(2):100-102.

To evaluate the effects of presence and absence of smear layer with different instruments and obturation methods on microleakage of root canal-filled teeth.

A total of 100 extracted human maxillary central incisors with closed apices and single roots were taken for the study. The teeth were divided into six groups A to F consisting of 15 teeth each. Control group consisted of 10 teeth with five positive and five negative teeth each.

Groups A, B, C and D were instrumented with rotary files and groups E and F were instumented with conventional stainless steel files.

Groups A, B, C and D were flushed with 3 ml of EDTA to remove the smear layer prior to obturation. All teeth were flushed with 5% NaOCl, then obturated with AH-26 sealer with lateral condensation technique on groups C, D, E, F and injectable thermoplasticized gutta-percha obturation technique on groups A and B.

Using electrochemical technique the current flow in the circuit was observed for 45 days. The magnitude of the current for each tooth was directly proportional to the extent of leakage. At the intervals of 10, 20, 30 and 45 days the groups A-F were compared to identify statistically significant differences using students t-test.

Significantly less microleakage occurred when the smear layer was removed and when the canals were obturated with thermoplasticized gutta-percha. Canals instrumented with engine driven NiTi files exhibited less leakage than hand instrumented canals.

Rotary instrumentation of the root canals provides a superior preparation in comparison to hand instrumentation. Removal of smear layer increases the resistance of microleakage. Thermoplasticized gutta-percha obturation appears to provide a superior seal as compared to lateral condensation.

Shetty P, Uppin V, Shetty D. To Evaluate the Effect of Presence and Absence of Smear Layer with Different Instruments and Obturation Methods on Microleakage of Root Canal-Filled Teeth: An in vitro Study. World J Dent 2013;4(2):103-107.

Ocular complications due to intraoral local anesthesia are rare but most distressing to the dentist and patient. Ocular complications after local anesthetic injections are rarely reported in the literature and these complications include strabismus, ptosis, diplopia, blindness, ophthalmoplegia, loss of accommodation.

The dentist must be vigilant and beware of ocular complications when performing local anesthetic nerve blocks.

The aim and objective of this review is to help the dental surgeons to understand about the causes, mechanisms and symptoms of ocular complications to enable them to diagnose, manage and prevent those complications.

The revision included a systematic literature search of past 10 years with keywords dental anesthesia, ocular complications, blindness after dental anesthesia, diplopia following dental anesthesia.

Papers for review were chosen from the selected articles. When data did not appear sufficient or were inconclusive; recommendations were based upon expert or consensus opinion by experienced researchers and clinicians.

The various ocular complications, its causes, mechanisms and management are emphasized in this review paper. As per literature review ocular complications are rare to occur but they are most distressing, clinicians should be aware of complications and should be able to diagnose and understand the complications for timely prevention and effective management.

Patil K, Munoli K, Kumar V, Venkataraghavan K. Intraoral Local Anesthesia and Ocular Complications. World J Dent 2013;4(2):108-112.

Amlani H, Hegde V. Microleakage: Apical Seal vs Coronal Seal. World J Dent 2013;4(2):113-116.

AlShahrani I, Togoo RA, AlQarni MA. A Review of Hypodontia: Classification, Prevalence, Etiology, Associated Anomalies, Clinical Implications and Treatment Options. World J Dent 2013;4(2):117-125.

Jawaharlal N, Umasankar K. Craniofacial Anomalies: A Proactive Approach for the Dental Practitioner. World J Dent 2013;4(2):126-130.

Singh K, Mishra N, Agrawal KK, Bhalla G. Fabrication of Overdenture against a Nonmodified Natural Dentition and Removable Partial Denture using Meyer's Technique: A Preventive Approach. World J Dent 2013;4(2): 131-133.

Byakodi R, Keluskar V, Bagewadi A, Shetti A. Central Neurilemmoma of Mandible. World J Dent 2013;4(2):134-137.

Jolly S, Lata J. A Large Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor. World J Dent 2013;4(2):138-143.

Priya NS, Sharada P, Chaitanya Babu N, Girish HC. Dermatoglyphics in Dentistry: An Insight. World J Dent 2013;4(2):144-147.