A Bhayat

Publications of A Bhayat

• Pediatric oral HIV research in the developing world.

  Authors: V Yengopal, A Bhayat, M Coogan

  Advances in dental research. 04/2011; 23(1):61-6.

  This article is a review of the literature between 2003 (since the last workshop) and April 2009 (Beijing workshop). It focuses on the prevalence of oral lesions associated with HIV infection, oralThis article is a review of the literature between 2003 (since the last workshop) and April 2009 (Beijing workshop). It focuses on the prevalence of oral lesions associated with HIV infection, oral lesions as predictors of HIV infection, oral lesions as markers of the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral treatment and quality of life, caries risk, the management of oral lesions, and epidemiologic tests for clinical significance of oral lesions.

• Oral lesions, HIV phenotypes, and management of HIV-related disease: Workshop 4A.

  Authors: L L Patton, K Ranganathan, S Naidoo, A Bhayat, S Balasundaram, O Adeyemi, O Taiwo, D J Speicher, L Chandra

  Advances in dental research. 04/2011; 23(1):112-6.

  The workshop considered 5 questions related to oral lesions, HIV phenotypes, and the management of HIV-related disease, with a focus on evidence and challenges in resource-poor settings. First, areThe workshop considered 5 questions related to oral lesions, HIV phenotypes, and the management of HIV-related disease, with a focus on evidence and challenges in resource-poor settings. First, are oral lesions unique with respect to geographic location or phenotype? Second, how useful would an oral lesion index be to predict HIV in resource-poor countries with no access to CD4 counts or viral load? Third, what are the latest methods and delivery modes for drugs used to treat oral lesions associated with HIV? Fourth, what is the role of the oral health care worker in rapid diagnostic testing for HIV? Fifth, what ethical and legal issues are to be considered when managing the HIV patient? The consensus of the workshop was the need for additional research in 4 key areas in developing countries: (1) additional investigation of comorbidities associated with HIV infection that may affect oral lesion presentation and distribution, especially in pediatric populations; (2) the development of region-specific algorithms involving HIV oral lesions, indicating cumulative risk of immune suppression and the presence of HIV disease; (3) well-designed clinical trials to test new therapies for oral lesions, new treatments for resistant oral fungal and viral diseases, effectiveness of therapies in children, and new drug delivery systems; and (4) the role of the oral health care worker in rapid diagnostic testing for HIV in various regions of the world.

• Salt fluoridation: a meta-analysis of its efficacy for caries prevention.

  Authors: V Yengopal, U M E Chikte, S Mickenautsch, L B Oliveira, A Bhayat

  SADJ : journal of the South African Dental Association = tydskrif van die Suid-Afrikaanse Tandheelkundige Vereniging. 03/2010; 65(2):60-4, 66-7.

  The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the caries preventive effect of Salt fluoridation (SF) in the permanent dentition in children. THE OBJECTIVES WERE TO COMPARE: (1) the caries preventiveThe aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the caries preventive effect of Salt fluoridation (SF) in the permanent dentition in children. THE OBJECTIVES WERE TO COMPARE: (1) the caries preventive effects of SF versus no exposure in different age cohorts (6-8; 9-12; and 13-15 years old); (2) SF versus other community based interventions (milk or water fluoridation [WF]). 9 English and 2 non-English databases were searched for papers that reported on the caries preventive effect of groups (with controls) that were exposed to SF in the form of mean DMFT scores with standard deviations. Differences in exposed and nonexposed groups were computed on the basis of weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). For 6-8 year olds, the pooled reduction in DMFT scores was -0.98 [95% CI: -1.68 to -0.29]; for 9-12 year olds, it was -2.13 [95% CI: -2.55 to -1.70] and for the 13-15 year old groups, -4.22 [95% CI: -6.84 to -1.55]. All the analyses favoured the SF groups (p <0.001). For SF versus WF, there was no difference (-0.11 reduction [95% CI: -0.29 to +0.07]). Within limitations, the pooled estimates of the WMDs for the different age cohorts favoured SF versus no exposure.

• Predicting HIV in a public dental facility using group I oral lesions.

  Authors: A Bhayat, V Yengopal, M J Rudolph, M S Nemutandani

  SADJ : journal of the South African Dental Association = tydskrif van die Suid-Afrikaanse Tandheelkundige Vereniging. 12/2008; 63(10):538, 540, 542-3.

  Group I oral lesions have been strongly associated with HIV and in resource-poor settings could be useful predictors of HIV. No study has evaluated the predictability of these lesions in diagnosingGroup I oral lesions have been strongly associated with HIV and in resource-poor settings could be useful predictors of HIV. No study has evaluated the predictability of these lesions in diagnosing HIV/AIDS in patients who attend dental public facilities in South Africa. OBJECTIVES: To determine the HIV status, prevalence of Group I oral lesions and their predictive value amongst patients attending a dental clinic in Soweto, South Africa. METHODS: This cross sectional analytical study comprised of adult patients attending a dental facility over one week in 2006. All patients underwent a clinical examination by calibrated dentists. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients (100% response) were screened of which 87 (53%) were female. The HIV prevalence was 28% (n = 46) and of those who tested positive, 15% (7) manifested with Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (NUG). This proved to be highly predictive for HIV (positive predictive value = 93.8%, specificity = 99.6% and likelihood ratio = 40). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence rate of HIV in dental facilities confirms the heavy burden of the HIV epidemic. NUG proved to be a good predictor of HIV in this setting.

• Attitudes of South African oral hygienists towards compulsory community service.

  Authors: A Bhayat, V Yengopal, M J Rudolph, U Naidoo, A Vayej

  International journal of dental hygiene. 03/2008; 6(1):8-12.

  Compulsory Community Service (CCS) was introduced into the health service by the government to address the shortage and maldistribution of health professionals within the public sector. The aim ofCompulsory Community Service (CCS) was introduced into the health service by the government to address the shortage and maldistribution of health professionals within the public sector. The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of oral hygiene (OH) students, registered in 2004 at the five dental universities regarding the introduction of a 1-year-long CCS. Objectives: To determine: (a) the students' socio-demographic profile and (b) their attitudes towards CCS. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was hand delivered to all OH students who were registered during 2004 at the respective dental universities. Results: The study yielded a response rate of 70% (109) with the average age of participants being 21.4 years. Most students were female (94%) and more than half were White (52%). More than half (53%) did not want to perform CCS even though 75% acknowledged its' importance. The most common concern for not supporting CCS was security (89%). Ninety per cent (90%) indicated that their preferred tasks would be to engage in clinical work and oral health promotion. Conclusion: Although the majority of participants supported the principles of CCS, a significant number were against the introduction citing security as their main concern. Most of the students preferred to perform clinical work and preventive programmes during their CCS.