ABSTRACT
Context: There is a need to evaluate the quality of postgraduate dissertations of dentistry submitted to university in the light of the international standards of reporting. Aims: We conducted the review with an objective to document the use of sampling methods, measurement standardization, blinding, methods to eliminate bias, appropriate use of statistical tests, appropriate use of data presentation in postgraduate dental research and suggest and recommend modifications. Settings and Design: The public access database of the dissertations from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences was reviewed. Subjects and Methods: Three hundred and thirty‑three eligible dissertations underwent preliminary evaluation followed by detailed evaluation of 10% of randomly selected dissertations. The dissertations were assessed based on international reporting guidelines such as strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE), consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT), and other scholarly resources. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were compiled using MS Excel and SPSS 10.0. Numbers and percentages were used for describing the data. Results: The “in vitro” studies were the most common type of research (39%), followed by observational (32%) and experimental studies (29%). The disciplines conservative dentistry (92%) and prosthodontics (75%) reported high numbers of in vitro research. Disciplines oral surgery (80%) and periodontics (67%) had conducted experimental studies as a major share of their research. Lacunae in the studies included observational studies not following random sampling (70%), experimental studies not following random allocation (75%), not mentioning about blinding, confounding variables and calibrations in measurements, misrepresenting the data by inappropriate data presentation, errors in reporting probability values and not reporting confidence intervals. Few studies showed grossly inappropriate choice of statistical tests and many studies needed additional tests. Conclusions: Overall observations indicated the need to comply with standard guidelines of reporting research.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the prevalence of oral impacts on daily performances and influence of grades of malocclusion on OHRQoL in patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliance, and to assess the other potential factors (Gender, Socio-economic status, wiring technique of appliance, Operator choice) which are influencing the oral impacts in patients with fixed orthodontic appliance. Methods: 130 participants, 14-22 years old, were selected by convenience sampling from the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics of the Dental College, Pune and from three private practitioners. Only those wearing fixed orthodontic appliances since the past 6 months were included. Face to face structured interviews were conducted to collect information about impacts, using the Oral Impact on Daily Performances (OIDP). Pre-treatment casts of participants were examined to record the malocclusion status using Index of complexity, outcome and need (ICON). Comparison was done between OIDP and ICON scores, and other co-variables. Results: The prevalence of oral impacts was 86.92%. 55.35% of the participants had an impact on three or more daily performances, commonly eating, social contact, cleaning teeth, speaking (78.46%, 51.53%, 45.38%, and 40.76% respectively). Only ICON scores had an influence on OIDP scores (p less than 0.05). Conclusion: Severity of malocclusion has great impact on OHRQoL during fixed orthodontic treatment.
Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de impactos bucais no desempenho diário e a influência da gravidade da má oclusão na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal em pacientes usando aparelho fixo ortodôntico e avaliar os outros fatores potenciais (sexo, status sócio-econômico, técnica de construção do aparelho, escolha do operador), que influenciam o impacto odontológico em pacientes com aparelho ortodôntico fixo. Método: 130 participantes, de 14 a 22 anos de idade, foram selecionados por amostragem de conveniência, no Departamento de Ortodontia e Ortopedia Facial da Faculdade de Odontologia, Pune e em três consultórios privados. Apenas aqueles que utilizavam aparelhos ortodônticos fixos há pelo menos seis meses foram incluídos. Entrevistas face a face estruturadas foram conduzidas para coletar informações sobre os impactos, usando o Impacto Odontológico no Desempenho Diário, (OIDP). Modelos da fase pré-tratamento dos participantes foram avaliados para registrar a condição da má oclusão por meio do Índice de complexidade, resultado e necessidade (ICON). A comparação foi realizada entre os escores do OIDP e do ICON e outras co-variáveis. Resultados: A prevalência de impactos oral foi 86,92%. 55,35% dos participantes apresentaram um impacto em três ou mais desempenhos diários, comendo freqüentemente, contato social, limpando os dentes, falando (78,46%, 51,53%, 45,38% e 40,76%, respectivamente). Apenas os escores do ICON influenciaram nos escores do OIDP (p menor que 0,05). Conclusão: A gravidade da má oclusão tem grande impacto sobre a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal durante o tratamento ortodôntico fixo.