Dentistry has evolved remarkably as a specialty not only catering to the patient's diagnosis and treatment of diseases but also his/her psychological and emotional concerns. The advancements in science has brought this specialization to the present level of technology, and the flow of underlying philosophical assumptions and tenets, especially the relation of mental and physical phenomena across time and the influence of social and religious institutions. Orofacial diagnosis and treatment involve a holistic approach including nutritional, psychosocial, and lifestyle factors. All these, in turn, reflect on medical compromise, which is the cardinal aspect of oral lesion assessment. The dental personnel should make a proactive effort to identify oral lesions and conduct subsequent psychotherapy and counseling of patients indulging in habits such as smoking and smokeless tobacco, alcohol, and attitude toward oral and general health. Through the integration of theoretical knowledge, research and practical approach, and with a sensitivity to multicultural and socioeconomic issues, this specialty encompasses a broad range of practices that help improve the patient's well-being, alleviate distress, resolve crises, and increases his/her ability to live more highly functioning lives. The graduation of discerning and adept clinicians in dentistry is necessary but inadequate. The graduates need to apply their capabilities with a sense of moral responsibility, thus providing quality care, keeping in mind their patient's best interest. The teaching professionals must render their services in contributing toward the students accomplishing just that.

Aim: Awareness on oral hygiene is important during the orthodontic phase. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of an oral hygiene program (knowledge, attitude, and practice of oral hygiene) for patients seeking fixed orthodontic treatment. Evaluating the knowledge, attitude, and practice on gingival health was the aim of the present study. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 150 patients who had a full complement of permanent dentition. One hundred and fifty orthodontic patients from the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Rural Dental College, Loni, Maharashtra, India were included in the questionnaire study. Questions were based on the knowledge, attitude, and practice on oral hygiene, i.e., gingival health at the time of orthodontic treatment. All answers were recorded and analyzed statistically. Results: The results of the study showed that nearly 50% of the patients were unaware about gingival health, 78% did not follow the oral hygiene instructions, and despite being given instructions, most of them were reluctant in practicing them strictly. It was very good that all patients used the toothbrush as an aid used to clean teeth and 72% of the patient did not have any previous dental exposure. Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude, practice of oral hygiene among orthodontic patients were poor and showed the need of better education and motivation. Many factors may be responsible for the non-maintenance of gingival health practices. There is a need to incorporate and evaluate more intense oral hygiene programs in the future.

Background: Dentists have a responsibility to provide HIV-infected patients, particularly because oral lesions are common among these patients. It is obvious that having adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS enhances confidence in ability to manage infected patients.The present study was conducted to assess self-reported knowledge and attitude toward the treatment of HIV/AIDS infected individuals by the Dental Practitioners working in a public sector institute. Materials and Method: The present study was a Questionnaire based study which studied the factors associated with "Self-reported knowledge and Attitude toward the treatment of HIV/AIDS infected individuals by the Dental Practitioners working in a public sector institute." Results : The willingness to treat patients with HIV was satisfactory (72.0%) among the dental practitioners in the present study but 64% of the dentists thought that treating an HIV patient would have an effect on the other patient's attitude in rendering treatment/dental care. Also, majority (70.0%) of the dentists thought that infection control procedures necessary for the treatment of the patients with HIV is not a financial burden for the practice. Conclusion : The level of knowledge regarding HIV and AIDS was acceptable in the present study. However, the dental school curriculum must be updated and improved in order to enhance the knowledge of students as well teachers in those aspects.

Background: Dentists have a unique potential of preparing a future generation ready to accept the preventive services. To keep the clinical practice in pace with the advancing dental sciences, the practitioner's knowledge and skills toward preventive care options need to improve. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge attitude and practice toward preventive dental care among the dental professionals in Chennai. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among dental professionals in Chennai. Knowledge, attitude and practice toward preventive dental care were assessed using a pretested, structured and validated questionnaire that was administrated to 142 dental professionals. Results: A total of 142 dental professionals participated in this questionnaire study, of which, 95 (66.9%) were males and 47 (33.1%) were females. In the present study, more than 80% respondents agreed to the fact that preventive services can decrease the prevalence of dental caries. Results of the present study reveal that the majority (86%) of the dentists believe that pit and fissure sealants are effective in preventing dental caries in children. The fact is that 72% of dentists in Chennai were aware of atraumatic restorative treatment is a positive finding. Conclusions: Dentists' knowledge of and attitudes toward prevention should be improved and updated to enable and encourage them to provide their patients with preventive care. Greater effort should be made by the professional organization and governmental agencies to inform patients of the benefits of sealants.

Aim and Objectives : To estimate the level of nicotine dependence in a group of smokers by using six- question Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine dependence (FTND). 1) To assess the level of nicotine dependence. 2) To evaluate the level of nicotine dependence with duration of the habit. Materials and Methods : The total sample size of the above study includes 130 patients. The age groups ranged between 16-60 years were selected. Six- questions from Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine dependence (FTND) were used to elicit the nicotine dependence. The study group included tobacco users with only smoking habit and excluded the subjects not willing to participate and also smokers who are also tobacco chewers. All the results were transferred onto Microsoft excel sheet and evaluated statistically by using Chi-square test. Results : Depending upon the age of the smokers, 4 grouping was done as follows. The number of individuals in study participation noticed between 21-30 years were 101 smokers (77.69%). With least noticed in >40 years age group 6 (4.6%). Frequency of smoking ranging between <5day to >10,day, no of smokers, with frequency of <5,day were more 91 (70%), followed by 6-10,day among 31 (23.85%) of them, with frequency of >10,day in 8 (6.15%) individuals. Duration of smoking mentioned in number of years ranging from <5 years to >10 years. Highest no. of smokers that is 105 (80.77%) were smoking <5 years with least number of smokers 5 (3.85%) smoking from last 10 years. Determines type of nicotine dependence, ranging from mild to severe variant. Majority of Nicotine dependence was mild noticed among 86 (66.15%). Smokers with least numbers noticed as severe nicotine dependence among 6 (4.62%) smokers. Association of duration of smoking with dependence statistical significance noticed. Statistical significant noticed between the association of frequency of smoking with dependence. Conclusion: Short study reveals the type of nicotine dependence, ranging from mild to severe by six- question Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine dependence (FTND) based on duration & frequency of smoking

Background: As India has third largest number of people affected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), dental practitioners are more likely to encounter such patients for dental management. Aim: The aim was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV among dental practitioners in Pune, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 218 dental practitioners who attended Maharashtra State Zonal Conference organized by Indian Dental Association, Pimpri Chinchwad Branch in July 2013. Data related to HIV PEP was collected by predesigned, pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and results were expressed in percentage. Results: Majority of the participants (69.7%) were found to be in the private practice for <10 years. Though <΍ of the dental practitioners (44.9%) had ever treated known HIV patients, majority of them had a positive attitude for treating these patients (83.9%). About 72.8% of them were aware of the concept of HIV PEP. Majority of them knew the best timing for commencement of HIV PEP drug regimen (58.2%), the antiretroviral drugs to be used (67.8%), timing of antibody testing to rule out infection to health care workers (72%) and from where to avail PEP drug regimen (86.6%). Dental practitioners had poor knowledge regarding the duration of PEP drug regimen (28.4%) and the reason for discontinuation of the same (26.1%). 89.9% of dental practitioners thought that the topic was not well covered in Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) curriculum and 46.7% of them had gained knowledge on the subject through seminars or workshops. Conclusion: The results of this survey showed that though dental practitioners had adequate knowledge of HIV PEP, but an elaboration of this topic is required in BDS curriculum.