Effectiveness of oral health education intervention among female primary school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of oral health intervention on the improvement in knowledge and self-reported oral health behavior among 6-8 year old female primary school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 1661 girls in primary schools who are 6 to 8-year-olds (first, second and third graders). The children's level of knowledge was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire that was formulated for this specific age and divided into two parts; oral health knowledge and self-reported oral health behavior. There were seven multiple choice questions and one true/false question with five underlying parts in the questionnaire which contained basic information about oral health knowledge, oral hygiene practices and certain habits that affect teeth. The questionnaires were distributed before and six weeks after implementation of the oral health educational program to measure the level improvement of knowledge regarding oral health among these children. RESULTS: All the questions showed statistically significant improvement in knowledge and self-reported behavior in the post intervention group. There was a significant increase in the level of knowledge by 11.24% and level of self-reported behavior by 25% after intervention (P < 0.001). The highest net change in the knowledge due to intervention was noted among third graders (13.3%), whereas for self-reported oral health behavior, it was noted among first graders (28.3%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that an easy-to-organize and inexpensive school-based intervention can, on a short-term basis, be effective in improving the knowledge and self-reported oral health behavior of children.

Smoking among dental students at King Saud University: Consumption patterns and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess smoking prevalence among dental students at King Saud University (KSU) and to determine possible risk factors of tobacco use. METHODS: A self-addressed invitation letter was sent to all dental students (males and females) at KSU requesting participation in this study. Data on smoking habits, associated risk factors, and demographic factors, such as age, marital status, residency status, the student's year of study, and grade point average, were collected by an electronic self-administered questionnaire sent via email. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Significant differences between different groups were assessed with a Pearson Chi-Square test at α = 0.05. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and to determine the effect of different risk factors on students' smoking habits. RESULTS: Of the 600 registered dental students, 400 students responded (230 males, 170 females), representing a response rate of 67%. More male than female students were current smokers (27.6% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.001). Most smokers used shisha tobacco only (N = 35, 51.5%), followed by both shisha tobacco and cigarettes (N = 17, 25%), or cigarettes only (N = 16, 23.5%). Male students were about 4 times more likely to be smokers if all or most of their friends were smokers compared to students who had some friends who smoked (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.9-7.7). A high proportion of current smokers (47.8%) reported stress as the main reason for smoking. Twenty-six percent of dental students (N = 87) who are currently nonsmokers reported that they have used tobacco at some point in their lives. Over two thirds of sampled students (63%) believed that public tobacco usage is not well addressed in the current college curriculum. CONCLUSION: Approximately one in every four male dental students at KSU is a smoker. Having friends who are smokers was the most important risk factor associated with smoking. There is a general belief among dental students that public tobacco use is not well addressed in the dental college curriculum.

Perception of BDS students and fresh graduates about significance of professional ethics in dentistry.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness level of undergraduate dentistry students as well as fresh graduates about the significance of professional ethics. METHODS: The cross sectional study was conducted among the 3rd, 4th and final year male and female BDS students as well as fresh graduate Interns from the College of Dentistry, King Saud University from January to June 2011. The students were asked to give their opinion about need for applications of professional ethics in dental practice on a five point Likert Scale varying from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'. Minitab statistical software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Students at all levels considered professional ethics a very important prerequisite for dental practice with overall mean value of 4.42 +/- 0.36. However, the responses from the senior academic levels were significantly on the higher side compared to those from the junior grades. Generally the religious teachings and spirituality was considered as one of the top most motives for practicing professional ethics in dentistry followed by reputation, financial benefits, fear of punishment and self projection, with overall mean values of 3.93 +/- 0.58, 3.81 +/- 0.49, 3.25 +/- 0.94, 3.21 +/- 1.07 and 3.16 +/- 1.04, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present findings revealed that Professional Ethics is appreciated by the students as a highly significant factor for their success in dental practice as well as acquiring a good name and position in the society.

Medical and dental health status of orphan children in central Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the medical and dental health status of orphan children from 4 to 12-years-old, and compare them with children living with their parents. METHODS: This analytical, cross-sectional study took place in 3 government orphanages and 3 ordinary schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July 2011 to January 2012. All orphans aged 4-12 year were selected (N=90). Ninety children living with their parents were selected randomly to serve as the controls. Demographic data, medical, and dental history were obtained through a questionnaire answered by the orphans' foster mothers and children's parents. The study groups were examined to evaluate their caries status using the Decayed-Missing and-Filled Teeth/Surface indices (DMFT/DMFS) for permanent teeth and (dmft/dmfs) for primary teeth. Oral hygiene status (OHI), plaque deposition (PI), and gingival health (GI) were also assessed. Pearson Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Approximately 36% of the orphans had medical conditions compared to 14.4% of the control children. The control children visited the dentist more than the orphans (p<0.001). Approximately 96% of the orphans had dental caries compared to 90% of the control children (p<0.001). Decayed-missing and-filled teeth/surface index scores were higher among orphans (p=0.004) compared to the control children (p<0.001). Orphans scored higher in PI (p=0.009), GI (p=0.002), and OHI (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Medical health conditions were more prevalent among orphans living in government orphanages, but they were provided with good and continuous medical care. However, they had more dental caries and worse oral hygiene, as dental care was provided to them only in case of emergency.