Oral cancer knowledge and awareness amongst undergraduate dental students of Lahore - Pakistan

The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and awareness of undergraduate dental students regarding risk factors and signs of oral cancer. A self reported questionnaire comprising of eight questions was given to seven hundred and sixty undergraduate dental students in four of the five dental institutes situated in Lahore, Pakistan during the academic year 2010. The results showed i gradient of responses to questions related to oral cancer awareness and knowledge amongst students of 1[st], 2[nd], 3[rd] and final year BDS. Better knowledge and awareness was found amongst 3rd year students as compared to final year students [p<0.05]. This may be due to the fact that oral pathology is taught in third year. The study highlights the need to improve the knowledge of undergraduate dental students regarding prevention and early detection of oral cancer

University curriculum and perceived tobacco control policies amongst staff and students of university college of dentistry, Lahore

The aim of this study was to investigate the university curriculum and perceived tobacco control policies amongst staff and students of University College of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan. A modified self reported validated standardized global youth tobacco survey [GYTS] was used amongst two hundred and fifty five staff members and students of faculty of dentistry, the university of Lahore, Pakistan. Of all the participants 59.3% demonstrated below median level of activity in any tobacco related teaching or learning in last one year. Staff [68.7%] members were significantly less likely to have been participated in tobacco related activities over the last one year compared to students [54.7%] p=<0.05. Only 12.3% of all the participants perceived that their institute had all three tobacco control policies [i.e. a policy preventing students to use tobacco in campus, a policy preventing University personnel from using tobacco in campus and / or a policy declaring the campus [Tobacco Free]] out of which at least one was enforced in the campus. Males [19.6%] perceived that their institute was 'Tobacco free'and prevents students and university personnel from in campus tobacco use compared to females [6.4%] p=<0.05. University staff was 2.42 [95% Confidence Interval= 1.05-5.57] times significantly more likely to perceive that their institute had all three tobacco control policies compared to students p=<0.05. The results of the study emphasize the need to amend the curriculum at health care institution / university level towards tobacco control. Stricter policies and better implementation is necessary to meet the international tobacco free campus initiative

Self reported impacts of oral health on quality of life amongst 11-14 years old school children of Lahore, Pakistan

Oral diseases have considerable impact on quality of life. The impacts of oral health on quality of life may be quantified. No study has been carried out in Pakistan to quantify the impact of oral health on quality of life in children. The aim of this study was to quantify the impacts of oral health on quality of life in 11-14 year-old school children in Lahore, Pakistan. A cross sectional self reported questionnaire based survey was conducted in six randomly selected schools of Lahore District. A standardized validated Child Perception Questionnaire CPQ[11, 14][short form] with two incorporated questions regarding "global rating of oral health" and "effects of oral health on life overall" was administered to the six hundred and thirty three school children aged 11-14 years from the randomly selected schools. The data entry and analysis was carried out using SPSS version 15.0 The response rate was 91%. Ninety four percent participants reported some form of impact of oral health on their quality of life. A statistically significant relationship was found between impacts on quality of life and global rating of oral health, effects of oral health on life overall [p=0.000]. This study has shown that oral health has an impact on quality of life in children aged 11-14 years from Lahore, Pakistan