COVID-19 Related Knowledge, Attitude, Practice Evaluation among Indian Dental Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the awareness about COVID-19 among dental patients and determine the association between COVID-19 awareness and perceived stress among dental patients. Material and Methods: A selfadministered knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) questionnaire and perceived stress scale (PSS) were employed to assess the knowledge and attitude among dental patients visiting the outpatient department. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. An independent t-test was used to compare the KAP and PSS scores based on age, gender, occupation and the responses to unscorable questions. Spearman's correlation was employed to assess the association between KAP and PSS scores. Results: The older participants (mean KAP score = 16±2.2), the participants who answered that the Coronavirus outbreak changed their daily routine (mean KAP score = 15.8±2.2) and the participants who answered that they changed their plans due to the Coronavirus outbreak (mean KAP score = 16±2.14) had significantly higher KAP scores when compared to their respective counterparts. The Spearman's correlation value of -0.45 suggested a moderate negative association between the KAP and PSS scores, but this correlation was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The participants had a moderate to good level of knowledge related to COVID-19 and were positive in their approach and outlook on overcoming the pandemic.

Quantifying health utilities of young adult orthodontic patients using the time trade-off method: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Objective: To study the feasibility of time trade-off (TTO) method in quantifying health utility ratings in different types of malocclusion. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 70 orthodontic patients aged 18 years or above, reporting for treatment/consultation, were included and interviewed. Malocclusion-related health utilities were assessed through the TTO method, and oral health-related quality of life was measured with the help of Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ). Angle's classification of malocclusion was recorded. Bivariate analyses and multivariate Poisson's regression were done to find out an association between the oral health utility values, OQLQ and demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion had lower health utility values than those with Class I and Class II malocclusions (p=0.013). Poisson's regression showed that Angle's Class II division 1 (0.90, CI 0.84 to 0.97), Class III (0.68, CI 0.59 to 0.95) and Skeletal malocclusion (0.79, CI 0.71 to 0.87) and OQLQ scores (1.0, CI 1 to 1.003) were found to be significant predictors of TTO utility scores. Conclusions: TTO utilities were found to be valid and well correlated with clinical findings. Health utilities could serve as useful and reliable markers of health-related quality of life (HRQL) among individuals or communities and help cost-effective preventive or intervention programs planning.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estudar a viabilidade do método Time trade-off (TTO) para quantificar escores de valoração da saúde em diferentes tipos de má oclusão. Material e Métodos: Neste estudo transversal, foram incluídos e entrevistados 70 pacientes ortodônticos com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos, que compareceram para tratamento/consulta. A valoração da saúde em relação à má oclusão foi avaliada por meio do método TTO e a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal foi medida com a ajuda do Questionário de Qualidade de Vida Ortognática (Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire, OQLQ). A classificação da má oclusão segundo Angle foi registrada, e análises bivariadas e regressão multivariada de Poisson foram feitas para verificar qualquer associação entre os escores de valoração da saúde bucal, OQLQ e características demográficas e clínicas. Resultados: Os pacientes com má oclusão esquelética de Classe III apresentaram escores de valoração da saúde mais baixos do que aqueles com má oclusão de Classe I e Classe II (p=0,013). A regressão de Poisson mostrou que a Classe II de Angle divisão 1 (0,90, IC 0,84 a 0,97), Classe III (0,68, IC 0,59 a 0,95), má oclusão esquelética (0,79, IC 0,71 a 0,87) e os escores do OQLQ (1,0, IC 1 a 1,003) foram considerados preditores significativos dos escores de valoração pelo método TTO. Conclusões: Os escores do TTO foram considerados válidos e bem correlacionados com os achados clínicos, e podem servir como marcadores úteis e confiáveis da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (health-related quality of life, HRQL) entre indivíduos ou comunidades, e ajudar no planejamento de programas de prevenção ou de intervenção, com uma boa relação custo-benefício.

Effect of life course factors on dental fear among adult dental patients attending out-reach clinics in a rural area of Southern India

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of life course factors on dental fear among adult dental patients attending out?reach clinics in a rural area of South India. The objectives were to measure dental fear and changes in socio?economic status during the life course among the study population and to know whether social mobility reduced/increased dental fear. Methods: Dental fear scale and life course data were collected from 403 respondents. The improvement status of individual life course criteria was categorised into “less/minimal”, “stable”, or “upwardly mobile”. Results: The odds of dental fear in the group showing less or minimal upward social mobility was two times that of the stable group [p = 0.022; 95% confidence interval (C.I): 1.104–3.598], whereas the odds of dental fear in the group showing more or good upward social mobility were 4.5 times that of the stable group [p = 0.001; 95% C.I: 1.928–10.515] when adjusted for covariates, that is, participant age, gender, and education and past history of dental avoidance. Conclusion: Social mobility was found to be a risk indicator for dental fear. Dental services may have been affected even with increased standards of living because of psychological factors such as dental fear.

Evaluation of Sugar Content and Erosive Potential of the Commonly Prescribed Liquid Oral Medications

Abstract Objective: To assess the total sugar content, endogenous pH, total soluble solids content (TSSC) and titratable acidity of the commonly prescribed long-term and short-term liquid oral medicines (LOM) for children and to compare the erosive potential with the total sugar content and total soluble solids of the LOM. Material and Methods: Twenty-three most commonly prescribed pediatric LOM were evaluated in-vitro for the cariogenic and erosive potential. Manufacturers' information on labels, endogenous pH, titratable acidity, TSSC, and the total sugar content was determined. Descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U test were applied. Results: Overall, 22 LOM contained sugar. Only 3 LOM revealed the sugar content of the formulation but did not disclose the quantity (Cheston, Ventorlin and Eptoin). None of the samples revealed the sugar content as well as endogenous pH in their labels. The overall mean total sugar content was 6.92 ± 3.49 g/100ml, ranging from 3.40 ± 0.00 (corticosteroids) to 9.67 ± 0.61 (antitussive/expectorant). The mean endogenous pH for the total sample of medicines was 5.91 ± 1.51 (range of 3.5 to 10.3). Eptoin (0.013%) presented the lowest titratable acidity and Imol (1.171%) presented the highest titratable acidity with an overall mean of 0.40 ± 0.73. Omnacortil and Epilex presented the highest TSS content (19.3%), and Ventorlin presented the lowest TSS content (18.7%) with an overall mean of 18.97 ± 0.19. Over twelve medicines were identified to have the potential to cause dental erosion. No significant differences were seen in the total sugar content, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and the endogenous pH between the short-term and long-term LOMs (p=0.145, p=0.263, p=0.067 and p=0.107), respectively. Conclusion: The pediatric LOMs showed the presence of the sugar, low endogenous pH, high titratable acidity and high total soluble solids.

Factors affecting the interrelationship between cynical hostility and dental anxiety among dental patients

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between dental anxiety and cynical hostility in a sample of dental patients and to study the possible role of socioeconomic status (SES) in this relationship. Materials and Methods: A total of 288 dental patients completed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of the cynical distrust scale (CDS) and the modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS). Data on sociodemographic characteristics were also collected. Results: Dental anxiety as reflected by mean MDAS scores was significantly higher among the younger age group (P = 0.002), among females (P = 0.025), and the lower SES groups (P = 0.001). Cynical hostility was significantly higher among the older age group (P = 0.03), among males (P = 0.02), and among the lower SES groups, respectively, (P = 0.001). When the CDS scores for individuals with and without dental anxiety were compared within the context of the three socioeconomic strata, there was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.029) in scores between the two anxiety groups in the middle socioeconomic strata where the cynical distrust scores were lower among the anxiety group. Discussion: Mediation analysis revealed that SES played an important role in the association between dental anxiety and cynical hostility. It also showed that the mediating effect is not uniform across socioeconomic strata and may be different in different societies with their own unique population structures and classes.

Socioeconomic mobility and tobacco consumption patterns in fish industry workers in Udupi District of coastal Karnataka.

Aim: The aim of this study was to understand the tobacco consumption patterns and their relationship with life course socioeconomic mobility among fish industry workers as this could provide important information in dealing with the tobacco problem in this very vulnerable population. Materials and Methods: Socioeconomic life course data and information about tobacco habits was collected from 102 fish industry workers. A subject was considered to be upwardly mobile if the family head's educational attainment and the number of earning members increased and the number of children and dependents decreased since childhood in his or her household. Oral examination was also done for malignant/premalignant lesions. Results: Of the 102 subjects, 64 regularly consumed tobacco either in smoking or smokeless forms and the common reasons for the habit were the co-workers' influence and to keep awake at work. Fourteen subjects had premalignant lesions in the oral cavity and all them were in the buccal mucosa. The prevalence of the tobacco habit was much lesser (25%) among the upwardly mobile group when compared to the minimal or no improvement group (75%). A majority of those free from the habit (73.7%) were belonging to the group, which showed improved educational attainment. Among those with good social mobility, the percentage of workers with high frequency of tobacco consumption and those with a longer duration of the tobacco habit was low when compared to the minimal social mobility group. Conclusion: A holistic approach consisting of efforts to improve the overall socioeconomic conditions can be more effective than piecemeal solutions in dealing with the tobacco menace.

Dental caries experience in high risk soft drinks factory workers of South India: A comparative study.

Background: The consumption of soft-drinks has been associated with dental caries development. Objective: The aim was to evaluate dental caries experience amongst the workers working in soft-drink industries located in South India and compare it with other factory workers. To evaluate the validity of specific caries index (SCI), which is newer index for caries diagnosis. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 420 workers (210 in soft-drinks factory and 210 in other factories), in the age group of 20-45 years of Udupi district, Karnataka, India. Index used for clinical examination was decayed, missing, filled surfaces (DMFS) index and SCI. Results: The mean and standard deviation (SD) of decayed surface (5.8 ± 1.8), missing surface (4.3 ± 2) and filled surface (1.94 ± 1.95) and total DMFS score (12.11 ± 3.8) in soft-drinks factory workers were found to be significantly higher than the other factory workers. The total SCI score (mean and SD) was found to be significantly higher in soft-drinks factory workers (5.83 ± 1.80) compared with other factory workers (4.56 ± 1.45). There was a high correlation obtained between SCI score and DMFS score. The regression equation given by DMFS = 1.178 + 1.866 (SCI scores). Conclusion: The caries experience was higher in workers working in soft-drinks factory and this study also showed that specific caries index can be used as a valid index for assessing dental caries experience.