Dental anxiety is one of the most common conditions present amongst the masses globally. It is this fear that makes individuals avoid seeking dental treatment which results in a deteriorated oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Discrepancies exist in the prevalence of dental anxiety based on gender, education levels, level of deprivation of a society and its socioeconomic status. In this study, a sample size of 522 respondents was collected. Kuppuswamy’s socioeconomic status scale and modified dental anxiety scales were used to collect the necessary data. These data were analyzed by cross tabbing and chi-square test of significance was applied to assess the association between dental anxiety and other factors. Female gender was significantly associated with dental anxiety with p-value = 0.03. Higher education levels and dental anxiety also displayed significant associations with each other, with a p-value of 0.048. Seventy-six percent of the individuals of lower socioeconomic status were prone to be more dentally anxious. Dental anxiety was more significant in individuals with higher levels of education in our study. Respondents who were part of a lower socioeconomic class were also more prone to being anxious while receiving dental treatment. Knowing the factors that cause dental anxiety can help dentists effectively manage and treat their patients.

Objective: This study aimed to assess in vitro bioactivity of novel remineralizing dental composites loaded with calcium phosphate fillers and chlorhexidine in polypropylene glycol (PPG) resin matrix. Methods: The stock monomer was prepared by adding 69.75% urethane dimethacrylate and 23.25% of the polypropylene glycol dimethacrylate with silica fillers, chlorhexidine (5 wt%), and varying levels of calcium phosphate fillers. The study groups were BC (basic composite), commercial control, CHX-CP5, CHX-CP10, and CHX-CP15, respectively. Bioactivity was assessed by placing samples in the simulated body fluid (SBF) for 7, 14, and 28 days and observed under the scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Data were presented in mean and percentage with a 95% confidence interval. Intergroup analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and the p-value was set ≤0.05. Results: The SEM images showed the deposition of calcium phosphate on the surface of CHX-CP10 and CHX-CP15 after 28 days in SBF. Mineral deposits of calcium and phosphate were observed on the surface of the experimental formulation containing higher calcium phosphate fillers (CP10 and CP15) in EDX. Conclusion: The addition of calcium phosphate fillers to the composites resulted in an apatite layer formed and demonstrated enhanced bioactivity in the presence of PPGDMA and CHX.

Introduction: This in vitro study aimed to develop a novel choline-based ionic liquid-incorporated silicone denture base soft liners (SDBSLs) with improved antifungal potential and compliance in standard properties. Methods: Choline borate (CB) ionic liquid was synthesized, characterized, and blended with a silicone liner (Molloplast-B) in concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 5% w/w to form the experimental group, CB, with three subgroups (CB1%, CB2%, and CB5%, respectively). Commercial silicone liners served as the negative control, while silicone liners blended with the antifungal drug itraconazole (1.25% wt/wt) were the positive control. The antifungal potential against Candida albicans was evaluated via a direct-contact assay, with growth inhibition quantified by measuring the culture turbidity (OD600). The tear strength was determined using the type A test and the Shore A hardness was measured using a durometer. A physical parameter, percent mass change (%), was tested using the immersion method (at 1 week and 6 weeks). The Alamar Blue assay was performed to assess the biocompatibility of the samples. Results: Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 25, with p = <0.001. The results showed that CB1% had the most significant inhibitory effect on C. albicans growth (83.71%). The drug- incorporated liners gained the most weight (5.00 ± 0.11%). The liners in CB5% were the toughest, with a tear strength of 5.31 ± 1.84 kN/m. The liners in the negative control group (Molloplast-B) were the softest (Shore A = 60.16 ± 1.07), followed by those in CB5% (51.33 ± 1.40). The biocompatibility of the ionic liquid-modified samples was better than that of the positive controls. Conclusion: The novel choline borate in silicone liners enhanced the antifungal potential and met the standard criteria of physical and mechanical compliance.