Ziehl-Neelsen is a common bacteriological staining method used from a long time to stain acid-fast bacilli, especially Mycobacterium tuberculosis which causes mainly pulmonary tuberculosis. In recent technologies, fluorescent-staining is considered to be a more reliable method due to more intensive binding of mycolic acids of the bacilli to phenol auramine-O, so the tubercle bacilli is seen more clearly against black background. Objective: This study was done to compare the efficacy of conventional Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) and Auramine-O (AO) fluorescent microscopy in detecting acid-fast bacilli in direct and concentrated sputum samples of patients attending the microscopic centre of RNTCP at Darbhanga Medical College & Hospital, Laheriasarai. Method: One thousand and fifty patients suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis referred to the RNTCP centre of Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital was included in this study. Spot sputum sample was collected as the clinical sample. Direct smears were prepared from the mucopurulent part of the sputum with a sterile loop. Samples were then concentrated using modified Petroff’s method and smear prepared from the concentrated sediment. Both smears were then stained by ZN and AO staining method respectively. Result: Out of 1050 samples, 165 samples were positive by AO method in direct method and 166 samples were positive by AO method in concentrated method, 147 were positive by ZN staining in direct method and 156 samples were positive by ZN in concentrated method. Conclusion: FM definitely improves the diagnostic value of the sputum smear especially in patients with low density of bacilli that are likely to be missed on ZN-stained smears, concentrated method on both AO and ZN stain were more sensitive than direct method

Aim: In the wake of the latest epidemic of Ebola, it has become important for healthcare personnel around the world to be very cautious regarding the contagious nature of the disease. This study was conducted among undergraduate dental students to assess the baseline knowledge and awareness about different aspects of Ebola. Methodology: A total of 212 students from third-year, final-year and internship were selected for the study. A pre-designed, structured and self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The first part had questions related to knowledge, epidemiology and transmission of Ebola. Second part was concerned with the symptoms, treatment and prevention aspect. Questions were close-ended with multiple-answer type. Results: Of the total sample, 78 (36.8%) participants were from third-year, 74 (34.9%) from final-year and 60 (28.3%) from internship. The overall success rate was just 48.58%. It was seen that the interns answered more number of questions correctly as compared to final-year and third-year students. Conclusion: Level of knowledge of Indian dental students about Ebola was generally acceptable considering the fact that it is not part of their curriculum. Dental school curriculum must also be updated in this regard

Objective: The duty of oral health professionals is to prevent oral diseases by providing relevant knowledge and instill correct oral habits to patients. Thus, they are expected to be a good example for oral health. The present study was carried out to assess the self-reported oral health behavior in undergraduate dental students in a dental college in North India. Material and Methods: Along with the socio-demographic details, the Hiroshima University Dental Behavior Inventory (HU-DBI) scale, consisting of 20 questions, was administered to first- to fifth-year undergraduate students in a dental institution in Faridabad, India. The quantitative estimate was provided by total agree/ disagree responses. In addition to descriptive analysis, multivariate quantitative analysis was performed for the year of study and gender comparison (*p<0.05). Results: Receiving an overall response rate of 94%, mean score achieved was 6.45+1.54. HU-DBI score increased significantly with the year of study. No significant difference was seen among genders. Conclusion: The responses obtained were comparable to other similar populations. As a healthcare provider, dental students did pose a good model to their patients for oral health behavior, but continuous reinforcement is essential.

The knowledge of root canal morphology and its anatomical variations is essential for successful endodontic therapy. The present case describes the endodontic management of a rare case of maxillary first molar with two roots and two canals. The clinical detection of the canals was made using a dental operating microscope (DOM) and confirmed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning. CBCT axial images showed that both the palatal and buccal roots contained Vertucci type-I canal pattern. The use of a DOM and CBCT imaging in endodontically challenging cases can facilitate a better understanding of the complex root canal anatomy, which ultimately enables the clinician to explore the root canal system and clean, shape and obturate it more efficiently.

Since the last few decades, many developing countries are bearing the strain of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and they are the most common infections of the world’s poorest people living in Africa, Asia and Americas. Till date, NTDs imitate a group of conditions whose cluster level is obtained from deficiency of efforts directed to their declination. Global efforts have been made to control 13 parasitic and bacterial infections that affect more than 1.4 billion people. The global usage of drug therapies for reducing the severity of NTDs was introduced a few years ago. This singular approach should be elaborate to more extensive set of tools like coordinated community-based programs, vector control, local training, education and environmental change. In more, accelerated schedule is crucially needed to establish adequate diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic interventions to stay one step ahead of the evolutionary adaptation system of disease-causing microorganisms and parasites

Probiotic is defined as “live microbial food ingredient that, when ingested in sufficient quantities, exerts health benefits on the consumer” (International Life Science Institute). Probiotic is derived from Greek language meaning “for life” and it was first used by Lilly and Stillman in 1965 to describe “substances secreted by one microorganism which stimulates the growth of another.” The original observation of the positive role played by some selected bacteria was scientifically investigated by Eli Metchnikoff who proposed that lactic acid-producing strain Lactobacillus bulgaricus (contained in the Bulgarian yogurt) is able to displace pathological intestinal microbiota. Probiotics’ role for treatment of general diseases like intestinal diseases, lactose intolerance, diabetes, etc., has been documented in literature. During the past few years, extensive research has been done to know the role of dietary as well as oral probiotics for treatment of oral diseases. Present article documents health benefits of probiotics for maintainence of oral health.

Hypertension is an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVDs). Excess dietary salt intake is responsible for 17-30% of hypertension. Thus, salt increases the risk of blood pressure-related CVD events in normotensives. In spite of such conclusive evidence, we have not been able to devise a fruitful/ effective strategy to combat this. Changing human behavior is a complex process. Rather than just simply advising patients to reduce salt intake, we need to provide alternate strategy by creating an enabling environment for people to adopt this behavior change. In this article, we have proposed two alternate salt-reduction strategies: cross-sectional strategy (control)/ hospital approach and a long-term/ community (preventive) strategy. A strategy proposed in this article is pre-conditioning the child with low-salt diet right from the weaning period. If the child will be offered a low-salt diet from the very beginning of life, i.e., preconditioning, this habit is likely to continue and run in generations, because their taste buds would be physiologically conditioned to low-salt diet. Our second strategy is that we may add a counseling room for hypertensive patients; they may be referred from the hypertension clinic after initial work up. They may be told that addition of spices/ herbs like ginger, black pepper, etc., in their food will help in changing their dietary behavior. Over a period of time, gradual reduction in salt in diet can help in control of hypertension. The idea is to gradually replace salt by these spices. Thus, effective salt reduction will take place.

Objective: Assessment of tooth development to estimate the age of living subjects is required in various disciplines including pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and forensic dentistry. The most widely used method is the one given by Demirjian et al. in 1973. This method has been tested only a few times in North Indian children, thus the need for present study. Methodology: Seven left mandibular teeth were assessed from 215 orthopantomograms (OPGs) belonging to healthy children aged 6–15 years randomly selected and were staged according to Demirjian method. Univariate quantitative analysis was performed. Results: A general over-estimation of 0.61 years was observed (0.66 years – males and 0.56 years – females) (p <0.05). The gender differences were not statistically significant (p >0.05). Also, younger age groups had a higher amount of overestimation. Conclusion: The present results support the need for refinement of the populationspecific standards in Demirjian method, for its further application.