Dental college to soon boast of tobacco museum

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Dental-college-to-soon-boast-of-tobacco-museum/articleshow/8641121.cms

DAVANAGERE: For the first time, a tobacco museum will be set up at the College of Dental Sciences (CoDS) in Davanagere with the support of its chairman Shamanur Shivashankarappa, according to the principal Dr V V Subba Reddy.

The museum will be getting ready in a month or two. Two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D) models made of plaster of paris along with charts depicting the ill-effects of tobacco consumption, including oral cancer will be displayed in the museum, Prof Reddy said.

Besides, different tobacco products which are being sold in the market and cases of their side effects will be displayed in the museum, he added. As a pilot project, the museum will be in a classroom of 30x40 feet size, mainly to create awareness among the public, Prof Reddy hinted.

"The museum will be very effectively used for counselling and also for de-addiction purpose," Prof Reddy noted. "The number of gutka chewers is alarming, particularly among the high school boys, women folk, labour class," according to Dr G Rajeshwari Annigeri, professor and head of Oral Medicine and Radiology.

Women and labour class people get addicted to gutka after they give up beetle leaf consumption, she noted. "Several youth who are addicted to tobacco have been suffering from oral sub mucous fibrosis (OSMF), a kind of disease, through which they develop burning sensation, difficulty in opening mouth and swallowing," she said. Gradually, it turns into cancer.

Use of X-Ray and its Safety in Children

Source: http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/xray.asp

Q: How often should a child have dental X-ray films?

Since every child is unique, the need for dental X-ray films varies from child to child. Films are taken only after reviewing your child’s medical and dental histories and performing a clinical examination, and only when they are likely to yield information that a visual examination cannot.

In general, children need X-rays more often than adults. Their mouths grow and change rapidly. They are more susceptible than adults to tooth decay. For children with a high risk of tooth decay, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends X-ray examinations every six months to detect cavities developing between the teeth. Children with a low risk of tooth decay require X-rays less frequently.

Q: Why should X-ray films be taken if my child has never had a cavity?

X-ray films detect much more than cavities. For example, X-rays may be needed to survey erupting teeth, diagnose bone diseases, evaluate the results of an injury, or plan orthodontic treatment. X-rays allow dentists to diagnose and treat conditions that cannot be detected during a clinical examination. If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable and affordable.

Q: Will X-ray films be taken routinely?

No. X-ray films are recommended only when necessary to evaluate and monitor your child’s oral health. The frequency of X-ray films is determined by your child’s individual needs. If your child’s previous dentist obtained X-ray films, request copies be sent to your new pediatric dentist to help reduce radiation exposure.

Q: How safe are dental X-rays?

Pediatric dentists are particularly careful to minimize the exposure of child patients to radiation. With contemporary safeguards, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray examination is extremely small. In fact, dental X-rays represent a far smaller risk than undetected and untreated dental problems.

Q: What safeguards are used to protect my child from X-ray exposure?

Lead body aprons and shields help protect your child. Today’s equipment filters out unnecessary X-rays and restricts the X-ray beam to the area of interest. High-speed film, digital X-rays, and proper shielding assure that your child receives a minimal amount of radiation exposure.