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
The key dictum to build reliability (and validity) for any assessment is to have multiple tests on multiple content areas by multiple examiners using multiple tools in multiple settings. Moreover, stress coping skills will have positive impact on all the domains which in turn give a boost to positive tendencies, viz., increasing their attentiveness in class, concentration, and learning and thereby reduce the altered performance due to stress. As a result, the CIV (noise in the assessment) is reduced and hence the validity of assessment is improved. Psychologist and Psychometricians are to be appointed in every institute.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To assess the comparative presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in saliva of smokers and nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis. Study Design: Male individuals diagnosed with chronic periodontitis with and without smoking habits were enrolled in the study. The unstimulated whole saliva was subjected to H. pylori DNA detection using real time PCR. The percent presence of H. pylori DNA among the groups, were statistically compared. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Biochemistry and Department of Dentistry, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ group of Hospitals, Mumbai and Department of Microbiology, Sinhgad Dental College, Pune, between January 2010 and June 2010. Materials and Methods: A total of 48 males with severe chronic periodontitis (CAL≥5mm) were divided into two groups, Group I (n=30, mean age=44.2±5.88 yrs) with smoking habit, Group II (n=18, mean age 41.72±4.36yrs) without any smoking habit. Nonsmokers with slight chronic periodontitis (CAL<3mm) were enrolled as controls, Group III (n=16, mean age 39.64±5.04 yrs). Periodontal status was evaluated by measuring gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Salivary samples were subjected to real time PCR for detection of H. pylori DNA. Result: Periodontal parameters were significantly different between Group I and II compared to Group III (P=.001). Overall, H. pylori was not detected in Group III (100% negative), whereas 5.5% of Group II and 13.3% in Group I patients showed presence of H. pylori. Chi-square test showed a significant difference (P=.003) between Group I and Group III however it was seen that there was an insignificant difference between Group I and Group II (P=.312) and between Group II and Group III (P=.186). Conclusion: The smokers with chronic periodontitis may be at a relatively higher risk of H. pylori presence in the oral cavity, than non smokers. The study needs validation on a larger sample size.
ABSTRACT
Background: Gibberish meditational technique claims to reduce the stress and decrease unnecessary thought currents helping the practitioner to be relaxed and attentive. Aims & Objective: The aim of the present study was to know the effect of this technique, just prior to a learning session, on the student’s academic performance, perception and pulse rate. Material and Methods: 87 dental students were divided into two groups by systematic allocation. One group practiced Gibberish meditation technique and the other was control group. Both groups attended a one hour lecture as a part of their regular lecture series. Results: Results did not show any significant difference between the groups in academic performance, although meditation group scored higher. Significant number of students in gibberish group reported to be more attentive, comfortable, relaxed and had better memory and had significant reduction in mean pulse rate. Students expressed a feeling of relaxation and of having a fun filled learning atmosphere after meditation. Conclusion: This simple and easy technique of meditation could be adopted to enhance student learning.
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.