Oral health status of residents of elderly homes

Maintenance of oral health is fundamental to prevent any oral and systemic diseases, to achieve the highest level of physical, mental, and social well-being and to attain successful ageing, thereby significantly contributing to the better quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of residents of elderly homes in Alexandria. The subjects comprised 238 residents aged 60 years and above residing in all governmental elderly homes in Alexandria. Data was collected using three tools: Structured interview sheet to collect data about personal characteristics of the elders, Kayser-Jones Brief Oral Health Status Examination to assess the oral health status of the elders, and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index to assess the elders physical and psychosocial function accompanying oral health problems. The study revealed that the majority of the institutionalized elders had one or more oral health problems particularly tongue lesions, gingival lesions, and denture related lesions that need immediate referral to appropriate specialist. The poor oral health status is mostly the outcome of each of significant factors including age, sex, level of education, financial status, smoking, and follow-up pattern. Moreover, oral health problems have serious physical and psychological impact on the majority of the residents of elderly homes. Therefore, educational programs should be planned and offered on a regular basis for nurses and caregivers to conduct the oral screening at regular intervals for the institutionalized elders

survey of computer and internet use among students in the faculty of dentistry, alexandria university

The present study was conducted in Alexandria Faculty of Dentistry, in December 2004 to assess computer and internet use among undergraduate students. A comprehensive questionnaire including 22 computer and internet-related items was designed and distributed to students in laboratory or clinical sessions. A total of 979 students [303 of them males] completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 74.4%. The results of the study revealed that 91% of students had access to computers and 76.4% of them owned these computers. About 92.8% could use computers and 36.8% used them regularly for more than 3 years, while only 7.2% of the total sample reported that they never used computers. Most students used the internet and e-mail [82.8% and 71.4% respectively] mainly for personal reasons than for their studies. A high percentage of students judged themselves to be proficient [either moderate or very good] in word, internet and e-mail [72.2, 73.5 and 69.6% respectively]. The majority of students had not received formal computer courses [62.5%], while 62.1% of them declared their need to take computer courses in different programs. Males, students whose fathers have a university degree and students graduating from private secondary schools were more likely to be experienced computer users, have access to modern computers and to be proficient in word, internet and e-mail. The study indicates that dental students in Alexandria University have an adequate access and positive general use of ICT resources. However, they need some training in different programs