European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Background:Head and neck cancer, which includes tumours that arise from the oral
cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx and sinonasal tract, represents a serious health
care problem in many parts of the world, and ranks as the sixth most common cancer
worldwide.The present study was conducted to assess risk of HPV infection and
oropharyngeal carcinoma.
Materials & Methods: 78patients of oral cancer of both genderswere enrolled. Body mass
index (BMI) was calculated. Frequency and amount of alcohol consumption (ml) were
recorded. 5 ml venous blood sample was obtained for the assessment of antibodies to
HPV16 E6.
Results: Out of 78 patients, males were 58 and females were 20.HPV E 16 E16
serologypositive was seen in 50 and negative in 28, BMI was normal in 26, underweight in
38, poor in 14. Stage I and II was seen in 17, III in 36 and IVin 25. Alcoholism>2 was seen
in 52 and <2 in 26. Smoking >10 was seen in 40 and <10 in 38. Dental carewas good seen
in 15, moderate in 38 and poor in 25.
Conclusion: Common risk factors for oropharyngeal carcinoma was HPV, overweight,
stage III and IV, alcoholism, smoking and poor oral hygiene.

A virus is composed of nucleic acid either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protein coat.It requires a living cell to multiply. A viral infection can lead to a spectrum of symptoms from asymptomatic to severe disease.Worldwide,5% of health-care-related infections are being transmitted. Dentists are considered being a high risk group for cross-infection.Therefore it is important that dental students have adequate knowledge and awareness of viral infections.The aim of the study is to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and attitude about oral manifestations of viral infections among dental students.A self explanatory questionnaire comprising 20 questions was presented to 205 students. The questionnaire enquired about oral manifestations of different viral infections and their precautionary infection control measures .Out of 205 students 86.34% were males and 13.66% were females,189 of them knew that the most common oral manifestation in HIV patients is candidiasis.92.6%agreed that a dentist could get Herpetic paronychia.When asked if treatment of patients with viral infections required special clinics 68.1% responded yes.Our study showed that the dental undergraduate students had adequate knowledge on oral manifestations of viral diseases but lacking knowledge about infection control protocol for the various diseases. Hence students should improve their attitude towards them in their dental practice.