ABSTRACT
AIM: The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship of trace elements present in drinking water and dental caries in children aged 12 years in rural areas of Andhra Pradesh India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 451children aged 12 years. Clinical examination was carried out and caries experience was recorded. Drinking water samples were collected and subjected to trace element analysis using ICP-MS equipment. Oneway ANOVA, Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and Multiple Logistic Regression were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant relation was found between caries and trace elements like Vanadium (p<0.001), strontium (p<0.001) and lead (p<0.01) in the drinking water. CONCLUSION: It may be postulated from this study that a mixture of trace elements such as fluorine, strontium, boron, and molybdenum may work together to retard caries.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine dental graduates' perceptions of learning environment in a prosthodontic department in a dental institute in India. The 60-item closed-ended, cross-sectional questionnaire with five options was completed by the dental graduates and the dentists. The data obtained was analyzed using statistical software. The mean, SD, frequency and percentages were calculated wherever appropriate. The questionnaire was answered by 242 dentists and dental graduates. Of the seven Dental College Learning Environment Survey scales, the highest mean scores were for student to student interaction (2.76+/-0.53) followed by meaningful learning experience (2.67+/-0.39). The lowest scores were for flexibility (2.26+/-0.51) followed by supportiveness (2.40+/-0.59). The lowest mean scores obtained for the 'flexibility scale' conveys that the opportunity for the faculty and students to modify the learning environment are less than for the other categories, and there is thus a need to modify the learning environment. Faculty should also increase their support to the students by contributing to an effective and meaningful interaction by creating a congenial environment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Curriculum , Dentists , Education, Dental , India , Learning , Pliability , Prosthodontics , Weights and Measures , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Purpose: To investigate the practical value of using questionnaires (self perceived assessment) as compared with clinical examinations (normative assessment) and to evaluate the role of socioeconomic status and implications of the results in understanding the public perception of oral health. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional single-blind study. A purposive sample of 860 bank employees of Belgaum city, India, were asked to fill in a close-ended questionnaire inquiring about their socioeconomic status, dental, periodontal health levels and treatment needs. Clinical examinations, employing the WHO dentition status and Community Periodontal Index, were performed to determine normative status and needs. Perceived and normative assessments were compared for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. Results: The kappa values ranged from 0 (treatment needs) to 0.67 (for prosthesis). The degree of agreement with the following kappa values and sensitivity was seen in filled teeth (0.52, 60%), missing teeth (0.62, 83.8%), and prosthesis (0.67, 58.3%). However, the disagreement was seen with all other questions with average kappa value of 0.20. Conclusions: Self-assessment questionnaires were of low value in evaluating dental, periodontal health status and treatment needs in the study subjects. Findings reflect a low level of awareness that may influence care-seeking behavior and socioeconomic status has a clear role to play in dental health perception.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dental Health Surveys/methods , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mouth Diseases/diagnosis , Needs Assessment , Oral Health/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Reference Values , Self-Examination , Sensitivity and Specificity , Single-Blind Method , Socioeconomic Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
The informed consent process allows the patient or legal guardian to participate in and retain autonomy over the medical service received. Obtaining informed consent may also decrease the practitioner’s liability from claims associated with miscommunication. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and practices of general dental practitioners (GDPs) regarding informed consent. 118 GDPs in Belgaum city, Karnataka, India, were given questionnaires asking for information on their knowledge and practices related to informed consent. The questions covered general information, treatment-specific issues and the consent process. 80 responses were received out of which 44 were complete. 63.6% of GDPs reported that they obtained written consent. All of them reported that they obtained only general consent. 4 of them obtained written consent in the local language. 37 said they gave a detailed explanation of the procedure. 3 said they did not inform their patients on radiation exposure. Dentists should upgrade their knowledge regarding legal jurisprudence and legal medicine to avoid any litigation.