Knowledge, attitudes, and practice behavior of dental hygienists regarding the impact of systemic diseases on oral health

The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Areca catechu seeds (known as areca nut: a component of a betel quid, where their chewing habitis a popular cultural tradition in some South East Asian countries used as an oral cleanser) have shown some antimicrobial potentials against some oral bacteria which are capable of causing opportunistic infections in the mouth. The objective of this study is to detect the antibacterial activities of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Areca catechu against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.Manystudies showed different antibacterial activity, depending on the Areca catechu extracts method, concentration, and the bacterium under test. The aqueous and methanolic extracts were added to growth medium of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activities of the attained fractions were assessed using agar-well diffusion test. In this study we have observed that the Methanolic extract inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus, while aqueous extract was ineffective. In conclusion the methanolic extract of the Areca catechu seeds “areca nut” can be a potential source for developing antibacterial agent against E. coli and S. aureus which are commonly found on human oral cavity and responsible for some oral infections.

Little is known about probiotic consumption or beliefs, in spite of its enhanced availability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of Saudi publics towards the oral benefits of probiotics. The web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 600 Saudi individuals through a questionnaire which was randomly distributed through online social media. Each of them was asked to complete a questionnaire including socio-demographic data and took a probiotic knowledge test. Probiotic knowledge was significantly linked with marital status, gender and those who are working in the health field, Majority of them were females (87.1%) being more knowledgeable than males (79.9%). The highest percentages of participants who heard about beneficial bacteria were those who are in the age group 36-45 years old at 87.3%, highly educated at 87.5%, postgraduates at 89.2%, married at 88.9%, and those who are working in the health field at 94.4%. Although beneficial, lack of sufficient knowledge concerning probiotics restricted its usage among few respondents. There is a need for further education and promotion of the general public in regards to the definition, oral benefits, sources and usage of probiotics.

Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is an intermediate neoplasm affecting the endothelial cells of mucous membranes and skin. It arises most commonly among HIV-infected individuals. We present an intra-oral KS in an 80-year-old Saudi male patient, who is HIV-seronegative, non-immunosuppressed, and with no history of organ transplantation. The patient was treated with fractionated radiation therapy, and had no recurrence in the 48 months of follow-up. The clinical disease, histologic features, and treatment modality used, as well as the relative literature are presented in this paper.

Biosciences, Biotechnology Research Asia is an international, open access, peer reviewed research journal covering all aspects of Biosciences and Biotechnology field.

Vulvo-vaginal-oral lichen planus (VVO-LP) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, skin, and genital areas. The exact etiology remains unclear, although immune-mediated mechanisms are considered likely contributors. It is a rare form of lichen planus, which typically presents in adults and is more common in middle-aged women. Key clinical features include painful ulcerative lesions in the oral, vaginal, and cutaneous regions, often resistant to conventional treatment. This condition can significantly impact the patient's quality of life due to persistent symptoms and complications such as scarring and infection. In this review, we present a case of a 43-year-old Saudi female who presented to our Oral Medicine Clinic with recurrent painful ulcerative lesions affecting the mouth, skin, and vaginal mucosa. Her medical history included type II diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia. Oral biopsy results confirmed the diagnosis of lichen planus, with no signs of dysplasia. The patient was treated with a variety of topical and systemic therapies, including corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, but showed only temporary improvement. Despite short-term remission with all provided medications, the lesions recurred after discontinuation of treatment in a more severe form. This case report emphasizes the challenges associated with the diagnosis and management of VVO-LP, particularly its resistance to standard therapies. The patient's case underscores the need for further research into novel treatment strategies and long-term management plans for this rare and debilitating condition.