A Study to Evaluate the Knowledge and Awareness amongst Dental Professionals about COVID-19 Outbreak - A Survey

Across the globe, there have been reports which have shown that all the dental professionals and the field of dentistry to be more vulnerable to the coronavirus infection. Dentists in general are comparatively more prone to infections as they are more exposed to aerosols and droplets emerging out of the patient’s oral cavity. This scare of coronavirus has unmasked the crevices in the integration of the dental health care professionals in to the public health care sector of various countries. It has significantly sidelined the dental treatment approach towards the patients and for the dental team as well. At this point, it is very difficult to project and calculate the exact number of cases of Covid-19 carriers or infected who are being treated by dentists. Such a preliminary survey will give us an idea about the precautionary measures that can be taken or being taken in dental practice. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice amongst dental professionals of different specialties about the Covid-19 and precautionary measures at different levels. METHODSAn online questionnaire based survey was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice amongst the dental professionals of different specialties about recent Covid 19 pandemic all over the world. A total of 250 participants were sent a survey questionnaire via Google Survey form. The responses were accepted in a 2 week time frame. The survey majorly focused on the clinical practice awareness and precautions taken by the dental professionals at their university / institute / college / private clinics while treating their patients based on which their knowledge and awareness were assessed. Demographic characteristics of study participants and their knowledge, awareness and practice related to Covid-19 were presented using descriptive statistics (mean and frequency distribution). RESULTSTwo hundred and forty-four (97.6 %) out of 250 participants surveyed responded to the questionnaire. Overall awareness amongst dental professionals was seen to be adequate with maximum correct responses received from the Teaching faculty of different institutes. Regarding the precaution level taken at the respective Institute / College / University the average score calculated on the base of responses was 6.92. CONCLUSIONSThe survey concluded that there is a dire need for regular educational interventions regarding the spread of the diseases and infection control at definite intervals. All dental professionals must be well aware of the protection kits available and their appropriate use during patient diagnosis and treatment planning

Denture Adhesives - Knowledge and Tradition among Denture Wearers in Western Maharashtrian Population - A Survey.

Denture adhesives play a vital role in retention of complete dentures, wherever indicated. Dentists need to know about denture adhesives to be able to identify those patients who actually need them and to be able to educate them about the advantages, disadvantages and correct use of these products. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge about denture adhesives among complete denture wearers indicated for use of denture adhesives visiting Dental Colleges in Western Maharashtra. METHODSThe study was conducted on 300 completely edentulous patients with conventional complete dentures indicated for use of denture adhesives. RESULTSPatients (n= 300) who were wearing ill - fitting complete dentures and required use of denture adhesives were selected, their response about knowledge was assessed by questionnaire survey and those who knew about it were instructed to demonstrate the application of denture adhesive to the intaglio surface of complete denture. 34.7% (n1= 104) of the total subjects (n= 300) had heard about denture adhesives. Out of these 104 subjects, 69.2% (n1= 72; CP= 24%) had used and 77.8% (n1= 81; CP= 27%) knew when to use denture adhesives. Out of 72 subjects who had used denture adhesive, only 30.5% (CP= 7.3%) could demonstrate the adequate technique to use denture adhesive. CONCLUSIONSKnowledge about use of denture adhesives for those who are in need per se has to be spread along with right technique of its use. The indication of its use, and correct technique/techniques of application, should be taught to the patients who demand the use of denture adhesives.

Evaluation of Selection of Various Treatment Modalities Chosen by Subjects for Replacing Single Missing Tooth - A Questionnaire Survey in Western Maharashtra Population.

This survey was done to evaluate awareness of various treatment modalities forreplacing single missing tooth among the people of western Maharashtra. Wewanted to assess gender wise awareness of patients regarding fixed dentalprosthesis as a treatment modality for replacement of missing tooth.METHODSThis cross-sectional study was done on 150 subjects visiting the dental college usinga self-administered structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was pre-testedthrough a pilot survey. Data was evaluated using version 16.0 of the SPSS. ChiSquare test and ANOVA were used as test of significance at p < 0.05.RESULTSOut of 150 subjects, 87 were males and 63 females. Around 64% of the subjectswanted to replace missing tooth due to difficulty in masticatory function; yet 14%knew the importance of aesthetic and speech as well. All subjects preferred fixedprosthesis for replacement of missing tooth, but higher cost of the procedure andfear of surgical trauma were the main factors for not undergoing implant treatment.Dental professionals were the main source of information about different treatmentprocedures followed by media.CONCLUSIONSThere is a strong level of awareness among the subjects about the fixed treatmentprocedure, but more than half of the subjects did not have knowledge about theimplants. It also revealed the need to provide the subjects with more knowledgeabout this treatment modality. Dental awareness is therefore necessary in order tocultivate a positive attitude towards dental implants amongst the community

Customized Attachment Retained Hollow Cheek Plumper to Enhance Esthetics in Elderly: Report of a Novel Technique

Introduction: Esthetics is an integral part of dental treatment.Geriatric patients with completely edentulous arches areincreasingly demanding improved esthetics at the end oftreatment. Sunken cheeks are one of the major prostheticcomplication post denture insertion if the cheeks are notadequately supported by prostheses.Case Report: Cheek plumper is prosthesis that extend nearpremolar–molar region to support the cheek in edentulouspatients. They may either be attached or detachable accordingto requirement of case. This article describes the use andfabrication of a customized attachment for cheek plumperusing dowel pins commonly used in dental laboratories forfixed dental prosthesis fabrication.Conclusion: This article describes an innovative, simpleand cost-effective attachment system used in completelyedentulous patient requiring complete denture prostheses withdetachable cheek plumper.

Use of heat cure clear acrylic as a permanent denture base material: a case report

Clear acrylic denture base material finds is use in the fabrication of implant guides, surgical stents, and guiding flanges in dentistry. Given its excellent transparent property, the material will show the original gingival pigmentation which mimics the natural gingiva. In this case report one such attempt was made to use the clear acrylic denture so as to reflect the patients' original gingival pigmentation.

Methods for identification of complete dentures.

A simple method of placing a computer generated identification label on complete dentures has been described in the article. The equipments required are a computer printer and a film of transparency sheet. The denture labeling can be done with prefabrication or postfabrication technique.