Perceived dental anxiety among patients according to different dental procedures

Human health behavior is presented in many traits. Among them fear is a strong factor that influences not only on health but also procedures and communication with health care provider. The objectives were to explore dental anxiety at various levels in different dental procedures among patients visiting Dental Hospital. A cross sectional survey was conducted on 702 patients visiting general out-patient Departments at Fatima Memorial Hospital College of Dentistry. A structured, standardized and validated questionnaire was used for the purpose of data collection [Modified Dental Anxiety Scale by Corah]. Informed consent was obtained from patients. Extreme anxiety level was found more in younger age and in female patients. Mean score was 13.2 [+ 4.3] which makes participant from slightly to fairly anxious while visiting any dentist for any procedure. According to ranking, extreme anxieties developed from procedures are as follows local anaesthesia is highest, tooth drill, Scaling, waiting area and next day appointment was ranked lowest respectively. It is important for dentist to focus on patient anxiety level particularly in younger and female patients. It also helps to carry out smooth dental treatment

Emotional intelligence and dental undergraduates

Emotional intelligence is the ability to control one's own emotions. In Dental Institutions, students with higher Emotional Intelligence scores can play very significant role in achieving better patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to access the level of Emotional Intelligence [El] among Dental Under- graduates. A Cross-sectional survey was conducted in which the sample size was 186 Dental Undergraduates from all 4 years. Data were collected on a validated self complete questionnaire and analysed on SPSS. The students had to score out of 165. These Scores were divided into higher and lower scores. There were 95 [51.1%] students who scored low in El, while 91 [48.9%] students scored high in El. The male students scored high 54.1% as compared to female students 46.1%. More seniors secured lower scores in Emotional Intelligence among their group. However, more juniors secured higher scores in Emotional Intelligence in their group. The association between year of study and Emotional Intelligence scores was found to be statistically significant [p=0. 026].A need is felt that Medical Educationist should advocate Emotional Intelligence as a criterion for the selection of medical and dental students

Self perception of malooclusion among dental and medical students

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and its self-perception among medical and dental students of FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry and its correlation with understanding of treatment need. The total sample size was 385 [67% females, 23% males], aged from 18-25. Examination was conducted using a CPI probe according to DAI score and a questionnaire was filled by each participant. Chi-square and t-test were used to find relationship between malocclusion, its perception and treatment need with different independent variables. 60.3% of participants had no abnormality or minor malocclusion who needed no or minor treatment whereas, only 26.5%, 9.1% and 4.2% of subjects had definite, severe and very severe or handicapping malocclusion respectively to whom treatment was elective, highly desirable and mandatory. Out of there only 10.9% wanted to get treatment. It was concluded that there was adequate self-perception of malocclusion in the students but understanding for treatment need was very low

descriptive study of perceptions and behavior of water pipe smoking among students in Lahore institutes

In the background of increasing popularity of shisha smoking, there is an urgent need for shisha to be better understood and acknowledged. Shisha is rapidly penetrating in young adult community especially students which is of a great public health concern. Shisha smoking is now suspected to be a risk factor for a number of systemic diseases including cancer. The objective of this study was to determine prevalence of shisha smokers among medical and dental students of a college of Lahore and also determine their knowledge, attitude and behavior towards shisha smoking. A cross sectional study was conducted in Fatima Memorial College of medicine and dentistry, Lahore which included medical and dental undergraduates. Convenience sampling technique was used to collect the data of 425 respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results demonstrate that approximately 32% of the medical and dental undergraduate students smoke shisha. Male to female ratio of water pipe smoking was found to be surprisingly high as 1:1. Results also suggested that there are a number of established correlates of water pipe smoking, including peer and social pressure and lack of awareness about harmful effects of shisha smoking. Despite its harmful effects shisha smoking is quite common among medical and dental undergraduate students mainly because of the social pressure and lack of awareness about its toxic effects

Socio-economic gradient and its impact on dental caries among school children of primary and early mixed dentition

Dental Caries influence on the Quality of life of any individual. There is a conspicuous gap between the living standards of the high and low socioeconomic populations living in urban and rural settings. The aim is to determine Dental caries prevalence among different socioeconomic classes and to observe a social gradient across the high and low income areas which impacts oral health care needs. Cross-sectional study. This study was carried out at various Schools from Lahore city and its surrounding were included. The data were collected over a period of 3 months time. The sample size was 750 school children age 2-6 years. The data were collected using questionnaire regarding Oral hygiene and Oral examinations were performed to observe DMFT scores. Mean DMFT score was found to be 1.7 Score. The students from urban school settings have lesser DMFT scores as compared to students from rural school settings bearing higher DMFT Scores [p<0.001]. Students having DMFT score 5 or above exist only in rural settings [73 students] however there was no student in urban area bearing such high score of 5 or above. Majority of the students [88.5%] never attended any dentist and those who have attended were mainly from the urban school. There was not a single child in which Dental Sealant was found. There is a strong need towards provision of equality based oral health care services. These services should include both Preventive, Promotive and Curative aspects. In this context a strong Oral health Plan should be fabricated on national level to address these issues

Prevalence of self medication among dental patients

Self- medication is a common practice in developing countries but little is known about its determinants. Self-medication leads to drug resistant pathogens and serious health hazards. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with self-medication among dental patients. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 400 outdoor patients. The objective was to determine the extent and pattern of Self medication, to identify their knowledge and practice against purchased drugs and to assess factors associated with it. Data were collected by interviewed based questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. Among 430 outdoor patients, 400 participated [response rate 93%] in this survey. The Self mediators were reported 66.6%, p<0.001] as compared to adults [57.8%, non Self medicated were 42.2%]. Female patients were more prone towards Self medication [66.4%] as compared to male patients [45.4%]. Among various reasons, cost and expenditure is in lower class, Laziness and Lack of time in middle while Dental phobia in upper class in the main reasons of Self Medications. The self motivators were Graduates [32.7%, p=0.002] while patients who consider dental phobia as a reason of SM has completed high school/ intermediate education [32.3%]. A need was felt to focus on counseling and create awareness about negative aspect of self-medication. Though self-medication is hard to eliminate, drug law enforcement and educating the public at large is vital