Factors that limit access to dental care for person with disabilities

Objective: To assess the perceived barriers to oral health care for persons with disabilities living in Islamabad. Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted at general community organizations in Islamabad providing services to Persons with Disabilities [PWDs] from Jan 2013 to Jun 2013 over a period of 6 months

Material and Methods: A total of 500 persons with disability who were dependent on someone to reach dental facilities were included in the study while those who were not dependent on someone were excluded from the study. A 12-item self-administered questionnaire was used. Patient's demographic data, type of disability and barriers to oral health care were recorded. Finally data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20

Results: Out of 400 respondents the most common disability was physical impairment [33.25%] followed by visual impairment [20.75%] and polio [14.75%]. The major barriers to oral health care were transportation difficulty [48%] followed by high cost of dental treatment [39.5%] and inability to sit on dental chair /co-operate with dentist [31.25%]

Conclusion: Significant barriers exist that limit the access to dental care for Person with Disabilities [PWDs]

Awareness about prosthodontic treatment for missing natural teeth among patients seen at afid

Loss of teeth significantly impairs oral functions and masticatory efficiency. Due to lack of awareness about importance of prosthodontic replacement, mostly patients do not seek treatment immediately after tooth loss. Patients with different educational and socioeconomic background may have different reasons for not replacing teeth after extraction such as financial issues, lack of time and lack of motivation. The objective of this study was to determine the awareness level about prosthodontic treatment for missing natural teeth among patients seen at prosthodontic department of AFID in Rawalpindi. The study was carried out on 137 subjects over a period of almost six months. Based on the criteria of awareness defined in methodology, 19 patients [13.9%] had low awareness level, 89 [65%] had medium awareness level and 29 [21.2%] had high level of awareness. There was significant association of awareness level with gender [p=0.009], education [p=0.00] and occupation [p=0.001]. It was concluded that patients visiting AFID have medium level of awareness about prosthodontic treatment options. Dentists were the most common source of information for the patients in terms of education about different treatment options available to replace the missing teeth

Effect of career counseling on postgraduate education preferences of dental students

To determine the factors responsible for and the effectiveness of career counselling on postgraduation preferences. Sequential mixed method study. Army Medical College and Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry Rawalpindi Pakistan. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire. In which questions were asked under different themes. All those participating in the survey were being delivered a series of 2 lectures on career counselling, with 1 week gap between the lectures. After that the same questionnaire, containing some additional questions, were filled up by the participants. A total of 100 students/ house officers participated in this study. Eighty eight percent had knowledge about post-graduation programs in dentistry. McNemar's test showed that difference in choice of postgraduation was not significant [p=0.458]. Marginal homogeneity test used for the 1st option of postgraduation before and after counselling session was statistically significant [p=0.046]. Factors affecting the choice of specialty were better chances of getting job 62% [n=62], better chances of earning 84% [n=84] and would be less hectic 71% [n=71] and 78% [n=78] were passionate regarding the choice of specialty. Marginal homogeneity test applied for 1st choice of institution for post-graduation was statistically significant. Fifty nine percent [n=59] participants described low income and no stipend as a major barrier for post-graduation. Ninety two percent [n=92] of participants described that the career counselling session has increased their knowledge and broadened their horizon. Career counselling made statistically significant difference in the choice of specialty before and after the session and it was very effective for participants in selecting their preferences

Pattern of acquired postsurgical unilateral maxillary defects for prosthodontics rehabilitation in patients at AFID

To determine the pattern of acquired postsurgical unilateral maxillary defects [Aramany Class I] for Prosthodontics rehabilitation in patients at AFID. A descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry from August 2014 to March 2015. A total of 65 acquired unilateral postsurgical maxillary defect patients referred from Oral and Maxillofacial surgery department, with an age ranging between 25-70 years. Only Aramany Class I post-surgical defect patients were included in this study. Out of 65 patients 34 were male and 31 were female. The mean age of patients was 41+6.921 SD. Almost all of the patients 98.46% [n=64] belonged to a poor socioeconomic status. 81.5% [n=53] of the unilateral maxillary defect were on the left side where as 18.5% [n=12] were on the right side. Chi square test used to determine the association of gender with pattern of maxillectomy was not significant [p=0.859]. Logistic regressions wald test used to determine the association of age with maxillary defect was significant [p=0.000]. Within the limitations of this study, the pattern of Aramany Class I post-surgical defect was more prevalent on the left side as compared to the right side and most of the patients belonged to poor socioeconomic status irrespective of the age of patients

Effect of 2% chlorhexidine root canal irrigating solution on postoperative pain

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of postoperative pain after cleaning and shaping of root canals using chlorhexidine irrigant for debridement.Study designwasRandomized Controlled Trial. The study was conducted in Operative Dentistry Department, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi from October 2013 to October 2014 over a period of 12 months. A total of 220 patients with mandibular first premolar teeth having symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were divided into two equal groups. Group A patients were treated with 2% Chlorhexidine solution and Group B patients were treated with normal saline solution, that is, Control Group. Patient's pain response was recorded immediately after procedure and after 6 hours of treatment, using Visual Analogue Scale. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. The studied subjects were 220 with mean age 32.84 [SD +8.836]. Each Group had 110patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the gender of the patients among both groups.Mild pain immediately after treatment was noted in 54.1% [n=119] of patients whereas 45.9% [n=101] patients had moderate pain. Mild pain after 6 hours of treatment was noted in 76.4% [n=168] of patients and 23.6% [n=52] had moderate pain. Within the limitations of this study, it is concluded that the use of 2% Chlorhexidine solution did not had significant effect on the reduction of post-operative pain