Clinical and Microbiological Evaluation of Dental Plaque on topical application of Olive oil, Olive oil with 35% Curcuma zedoaria and Olive oil with 30% Azadirachta indica in hospitalized children: A Randomised Clinical Study

This is a triple-blinded, randomized clinical study, clinically and microbiologically evaluating dental plaque on topical application of olive oil, olive oil with 35% Curcuma zedoaria and olive oil with 30% Azadirachta indica in hospitalized children. The study would include clinical evaluation of dental plaque in hospitalized children by Silness and Loe plaque index and microbiological evaluation of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus and Candida albicans by CFU count after 24hours, 48hours and 72hours of application of oil/saline.

Need of the study: There have been historical benefits of use of fats and studies on oil pulling in prevention of caries. The local application for vulnerable people needs to be studied. Vulnerable people like hospitalized children & children with special healthcare needs, are often unable to maintain good dental hygiene. They could face a challenge to brush & floss. Under such circumstances, direct application of herbal oil as anti-plaque agent on tooth surface can be beneficial in removing the biofilm and thereby controlling plaque formation and fungal infections. Identifying the potential of medicinal plants as phytochemical compounds can lead to cost effective herbal formulations in the field of dentistry.

Null hypothesis: There is no difference in plaque control after the application of the three products: extra virgin olive oil, extra virgin olive oil with 35% Curcuma zedoaria and extra virgin olive oil with 30% Azadirachta indica when compared with normal saline (control group).