Deepak Gurung

Sexual dimorphism traditionally refers to physical differences between males and females of a species. This variability is crucial for maintaining diverse phenotypic traits. In essence, sexual dimorphism reflects a complex interplay of genetic, gonadal, hormonal, and behavioral factors that shape the traits observed in males and females. Sex estimation involves determining whether skeletal remains belong to a male or female. This can be done through two primary approaches: nonmetric methods, which rely on visual inspection of skeletal features, and metric methods, which use equations based on measurements of skeletal dimensions. Because the degree of sexual dimorphism can differ significantly across populations, using population-specific equations generally yields more accurate results for metric sex estimation. Sex estimation by forensic odontologist can be done either by morphological analysis or by molecular analysis. A standardized method for documenting dental records is crucial for aiding in the identification of individuals following accidents or large-scale disasters. Furthermore, training specialized groups, forming interdisciplinary teams, and fostering international collaboration are essential components in the field of forensic medicine.

A BSTRACT Background and Aim: Oral health literacy (OHL) is an important component of health literacy that is indicated by various constructs of reading, writing, speaking, listening comprehension, and decision-making. Validity and reliability are essential for the accuracy and precision of any questionnaire-based qualitative study. Our aim was to perform a factor analysis of the OHL-AQ scale among patients of Shimla visiting a tertiary institution, for a better understanding of the OHL-AQ scale generalizability in our population. A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients visiting the outpatient department of public health dentistry. Materials and Methods: Data collection procedure included information obtained from the subject that was recorded on a structured proforma using the Oral Health Literacy-Adults Questionnaire (OHL-AQ) developed by Sistani et al . in 2013. Exploratory factor analysis was done in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 22, and confirmatory factor analysis was done in Jeffreys’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP) 0.16.3. Convergent validity was determined from the average variance extracted (AVE), and composite reliability (CR) was determined from the rotation component matrix. Discriminant validity was determined by the heterotrait–monotrait matrix ratio of correlation (HTMT). The confirmatory factor analysis results are based on the categories of model fit with various model indices within the recommended accepted levels. Results: The most important to be considered is the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA = 0.04). The χ 2 value was 82.254 and χ 2 /df was 1.61 with a P value <0.004, which indicates a good fit. Similarly, the goodness of fit index (GFI) was 0.96. Conclusion: Exploratory factor analysis based on correlation matrix reported adequate construct and discriminant validity for this study. Confirmatory factor analysis based on the covariance matrix provided an adequate model fit within the study data. Thus, the OHL-AQ scale has adequate validity and reliability in our study population, though further studies are indicated in other populations and its operationalization is based on predictive validity.

Background: The primary objective was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of school personnel of tobacco use and its effect in school-based tobacco intervention for making tobacco free educational institutions (TOFEI) and tobacco free society.Methods: The sampling used was probability stratified random sampling. The data collections were done by self-administered prevalidated World Health Organization (WHO) global school personnel survey (GSPS) questionnaire.Results: Majority of participants were from 40-49 years of age (44.4%) representing both from the government and private schools. Out of total school personnel 69.4% were female and 30.4% were male. Majority of the school personnel were teachers (91.8%) followed by principals 3.6%. Majority of the teachers had good knowledge and attitude.Conclusions: A better compliance always leads to better enforcement. This compliance can be further enhanced by creating uniform policies for schools for better enforcement on tobacco control. It is important to understand the role of each school personnel with their shared responsibility in advocacy and enforcement of already existing tobacco control laws.

During orthodontic treatment, teeth are subjected to various forces and moments, which generate reciprocal forces of equal magnitude but opposite direction. To prevent unwanted tooth movements and ensure successful treatment outcomes, it is essential to effectively manage these reciprocal forces. Numerous studies have explored different anchorage systems in terms of their application, function, and effectiveness. However, practitioners often find it challenging to interpret these findings due to the diversity in study designs, sample sizes, and methodologies. A solid understanding of anchorage principles is crucial for applying them effectively. Anchorage control is a critical factor in designing orthodontic appliances. While extraoral devices can provide stable anchorage, their effectiveness heavily relies on patient cooperation. In contrast, intraoral anchorage tends to be less stable, often necessitating complex appliances and sometimes the extraction of teeth. Nonetheless, intraoral systems have the advantage of requiring less patient compliance. To achieve treatment objectives, it is vital to establish a biomechanical setup that delivers the appropriate type and magnitude of force. This foundational understanding of anchorage principles will enhance the effectiveness of orthodontic treatments.

Background The study aimed to assess the oral health practices of school teachers in Dharamshala city, Himachal Pradesh. Materials and methods The sampling used was probability stratified random sampling. The data was collected by interview recorded on a structured proforma adapted from previous study. Results All the teachers (100%) brushed their teeth with tooth brush and tooth paste. There were 535 (66.9%) teachers, brushing their teeth twice daily and 260 (32.5%) teachers brushing once daily. The frequencies of changing tooth brush within 3 months were higher in female (71.7%) as compared to males (60.6%) and the difference was statistically significant. This was higher among private school teachers (57.8%) than government school teachers (42.1%). Majority in the study reported that they did not use any form of smoked and smokeless tobacco in the present or past. Conclusion The study reported a moderate oral health practices in the teachers and the main reason for visit to the dentist was dental caries which clearly indicates the adequate awareness about early intervention of dental diseases. Further, efforts should be encouraged to educate teachers about modern preventive dentistry for translation of oral health promotion among school children. Continued dental education and teachers training programmes still remains the best way to impart scientific oral health knowledge to teachers to improve their oral health practices and reduce the burden of oral diseases.