Malik Saleem Shaukat

Bio: Malik Saleem Shaukat is an academic researcher from University of Health Sciences Lahore. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Dentistry. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 7 publications receiving 53 citations.

Comparative Effectiveness of Chewing Stick and Toothbrush: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract: Background: With the increasing rate of oral diseases, the global necessity of effective and economical products for its prevention and treatment has intensified. Aim: This study was to compare the effectiveness of two oral hygiene aids: Chewing stick and manual toothbrush, for plaque removal and gingival health after one month of a randomized clinical trial. Materials and Methods: Dental students (age 18-22 years) of a public sector dental hospital were recruited. Sample size was determined using the American Dental Association guidelines. Participants were randomized into two interventional groups and provided with either chewing sticks or toothbrushes. Pre- and post-intervention examinations were executed by two blind and calibrated examiners using plaque and gingival dental indices. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and two sample independent t-tests. Results: Fifty subjects were recruited with mean age 20 ± 0.66 years (80% were females and 20% were males). Except for the mean plaque scores of toothbrush users (which increased at post-intervention examination), all other scores showed reduction. In contrast to the final mean gingival scores, a significant difference (P = < 0.0001) in the final mean plaque score was observed for the two respective interventional groups. Conclusion: Chewing stick has revealed parallel and at times greater mechanical and chemical cleansing of oral tissues as compared to a toothbrush.

Needle-stick injury: a rising bio-hazard.

Abstract: Background: Needle stick injury has been identified as the foremost health allied concern and the specialty of dentistry is not an exception. Its incidence can be reduced when a dental practitioner is completely proverbial to the standard cross-infection control measures. This study was intended to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among the dental practitioners regarding Needle Stick Injuries and associated risk factors. Methods: This survey was carried out in the Oral Surgery Department, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Karachi. Dental practitioners of different job categories were conveniently approached by the BDS students. They all were provided with a structured and validated, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was applied with 5% level of significance. Results: All 100 (55 females and 45 males) practitioners agreed to participate in the study. Prevalence of Needle Stick Injury observed was 30% with no significant relationship with the demographic characteristics. Seventy-four percent of the participants were aware of the universal guidelines. Majority (88%) of the dental personnel believed that recapping of needles should be performed soon after use and 53% knew about needle-less safety devices. These injuries were experienced by 30% of the respondents, of which just 28% were reported. Conclusion: Dental practitioners were at high risk of getting Needle Stick Injuries in dental offices. Most of them had knowledge about it but there was lack of practice of universal precautions. Keywords: Needle Stick Injury, Blood Borne Diseases, Dental Practitioners, precaution, infection

Prevalence of dental caries using novel caries assessment index-CAST.

Abstract: Objective: To assess the caries experience among patients visiting a public sector hospital of Karachi, Pakistan, using novel caries detecting index - CAST (Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment). Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a public sector tertiary care hospital located in Karachi city of Pakistan, over a period of one month. The single examiner was trained and calibrated to perform the dental examination under standardized conditions to record the dental caries status of each subject using CAST- index. A structured and validated proforma was used to gather and record the data. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS 16 and descriptive statistics were executed (frequencies and percentages) to record the prevalence of carious lesions. The p-value was set at 5% and the power of the test was kept at 80%. Results: A total of 100 subjects were recruited out of which 63% were females and 37% were males with mean age of 31+17 years. Majority of the teeth examined (84.08%) were recorded as sound, whereas, the rest 16% represented the previous, present and predicted stages of dental caries. The overall Prevalence of dental caries was found to be 8.28% in which the enamel and dentinal carious lesions were 4.21 and 4.07% respectively. Conclusion: CAST has introduced a new paradigm by reassessing the pathogenesis of dental caries. It has not presented an overestimated caries prevalence suggesting the potential of CAST Index for scoring the whole spectrum of dental caries, precisely.

Practice of Personal Protective Equipment among Dental Surgery Assistants: Survey from a Public Sector Hospital

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices about personal protective equipment (PPE) among dental surgery assistants in a Public Sector Teaching Hospital of Multan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among dental surgery assistants in the dental outpatient departments of a public sector hospital of Multan city from Aug to Oct 2019. Pre-structured questionnaire which comprised of socio-demographic data, questions related to knowledge, attitude and practices was used. In the domain of knowledge there were 6 items. Dental assistant who scores ≤4 were considered to have appropriate knowledge for PPE. In the domain of attitude there were 5 items. Dental assistant who scores ≤3 were considered to have positive attitude for PPE. In the domain of practices there were 6 items. Dental assistant who scores ≤4 was considered good practicing of PPE. Results: Of 80 participants, 65 (81.25%) were males and 15 (18.75%) were females. Majority (n=54, 67.5%) of them were between 21-30 years of age. Appropriate knowledge was observed in 77 (96.3%) participants, positive attitude in 53 (66.3%) while, only 8 (10%) participants practiced good PPE. A significant difference was reported in the practices of dental assistants when compared with their knowledge (p-value 0.046) while attitude was found to be insignificant (p-value 0.710). Conclusion: Dental surgery assistants of the renowned public sector teaching hospital of Multan city reported sound and apposite knowledge, moderate attitude while inappropriate practices about PPE.

Comparative Clinical Effects of Salvadora Persica Oral Rinse and A Phenolic Commercial Mouth Wash on Human Oral Health; An Invivo Randomized Trial

Abstract: ental plaque, particularly its supra-gingival deposits has an established etiology for different periopathies.1 Increasing global trends of oral diseases has now imposed the use of both the mechanical and chemical plaque controlling therapies.2 The mechanical oral cleansing practices involve toothbrushes with dentifrices, however, chewing sticks or miswak has now proven its significant competence against effective plaque removal and gingival health.3-8 Miswak is now in its recompensing phase. Laboratory examinations have established that many favorable natural ingredients are present in almost all types of miswak sticks which provide both systemic and local oral curative effects. It has been reviewed that miswak particularly contains ascorbic and tannic acids which have verified effectiveness in healing inflamed and bleeding gums. Trimethylamine generate stimulatory effect on gingiva and Fluoride (1.0ug/ml) have a recognized dental hard tissue 1. Assistant Professor, Department of Community Dentistry, Multan Medical & Dental College, Multan, University of Health Sciences, Lahore. Pakistan. Pakistan. 2. Ex-Student and House Officer, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. 3. Associate Professor, Department of Science of Dental Materials, Multan Medical & Dental College, Multan, University of Health Sciences, Lahore. Pakistan. 4. Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Pathology, Multan Medical & Dental College, Multan, University of Health Sciences, Lahore. 5. Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Multan Medical & Dental College, Multan, University of Health Sciences, Lahore. 6. Associate Professor, Department of Family & Community Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. Corresponding author: “Dr. Aeeza Malik” < aeezamalik@gmail.com >

Chitosan Biomaterials for Current and Potential Dental Applications.

Abstract: Chitosan (CHS) is a very versatile natural biomaterial that has been explored for a range of bio-dental applications. CHS has numerous favourable properties such as biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, biodegradability, and a broad antibacterial spectrum (covering gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as fungi). In addition, the molecular structure boasts reactive functional groups that provide numerous reaction sites and opportunities for forging electrochemical relationships at the cellular and molecular levels. The unique properties of CHS have attracted materials scientists around the globe to explore it for bio-dental applications. This review aims to highlight and discuss the hype around the development of novel chitosan biomaterials. Utilizing chitosan as a critical additive for the modification and improvement of existing dental materials has also been discussed.

A review of the therapeutic effects of using miswak (Salvadora Persica) on oral health

Abstract: Miswak is a traditional chewing stick prepared from the roots, twigs, and stem of Salvadora persica and has been used as a natural method for tooth cleaning in many parts of the world for thousands of years. A number of scientific studies have demonstrated that the miswak (Salvadora persica) possesses antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-cariogenic, and anti-plaque properties. Several studies have also claimed that miswak has anti-oxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. The use of a miswak has an immediate effect on the composition of saliva. Several clinical studies have confirmed that the mechanical and chemical cleansing efficacy of miswak chewing sticks are equal and at times greater than that of the toothbrush. The present article provides a review of the various therapeutic effects of Salvadora persica on oral health, which will help to elucidate the significance and importance of this indigenous oral hygiene tool.

Role of Salvadora persica chewing stick (miswak): A natural toothbrush for holistic oral health.

Abstract: From an ancient tool to a modern way of improving oral health, miswak (chewing stick) has proven to be an effective tool for oral health. The miswak removes the bacterial plaque by mechanical and chemical actions. It provides a cheap and easily accessible way of improving oral health of the individuals and populations. The use of miswak was promoted centuries ago by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). In the modern era, the beneficial role of using miswak such as antiseptic, antimicrobial, anticariogenic and analgesic effects have been proven scientifically. This article reviews the various oral health benefits of miswak in the light of religious, scientific and social evidences.

Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST): A Novel Epidemiological Instrument

Abstract: Caries detection is fundamental to understanding the oral health status of a population and is the basis for caries diagnosis for individual patients. Although different caries detection/diagnosis criteria are available, none of them include the total spectrum of dental caries (which ranges from a sound tooth to a tooth lost due to caries) other than the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) instrument. The CAST codes and descriptions were submitted to experienced epidemiologists from across the world for obtaining face and content validity. Its construct validity and reproducibility under field conditions were tested in child and adult populations, and showed a high level of agreement between examiners. Compared to what is usually reported in the literature, CAST provides more relevant information on caries prevalence, experience, and severity. CAST is straightforward and easy to use. A manual with valuable information about how to apply CAST and report its results has been published in order to facilitate communication among researchers, oral health planners, and medical professionals. Feedback from researchers indicates that CAST is considered an asset and that reporting results after using CAST is uncomplicated. More research about the effects of CAST in different cultures and age groups is required.