Evaluation of Perceptions of Tobacco Cessation among the Individuals Attending a Tertiary Care Dental Hospital - A Mixed Methods Design.

INTRODUCTION: In India every year, an estimated 1 million people die from tobacco-related illnesses, which could have been avoided by stopping tobacco use. This study aimed to determine the tobacco dependence and perceptions about tobacco cessation among the patients attending a tertiary care dental hospital. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was conducted among the individuals visiting the dental hospital. Self-administered questionnaires were used to record quantitative data on the current and past tobacco history, tobacco dependence, and quit attempts. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data on the perceptions on tobacco quitting. RESULTS: About 52% of participants had made an attempt to quit tobacco in the past. The majority of the smokers (82.7%), smokeless tobacco (SLT) users (71.3%), and dual users (83.1%) reported being in the contemplation phase of quitting tobacco. SLT users (12.3%) reported to have taken action in the past to quit tobacco compared to 9.6% smokers, and 1.4% of dual users. Doctors advise, motivation from family and friends motivated the participants to quit tobacco. The risk perception of tobacco use was reported as death, cancer, dental diseases, systemic diseases like chest congestion, cough, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and general body weakness. However, some of the participants were unaware of the methods to quit tobacco, some had misconceptions that shifting to other forms of tobacco and alcohol could help in quitting, and considered SLT to be less harmful than smoking forms. CONCLUSION: Majority of the participants were willing to quit tobacco and had taken measures to quit in the past. There is a need to increase the awareness among the tobacco users about the health risk of tobacco use, and motivate them to utilize the existing cessation services available.

Effectiveness of an oral health training program for nursing professionals in India: An interventional study.

OBJECTIVES: Nursing professionals form the first line of contact and are in a unique place to provide appropriate oral advice to patients. The study assessed the effectiveness of oral health training program for nurses. DESIGN: The effectiveness of the program was evaluated by a pre and post questionnaire assessment on 50 nurses. RESULTS: Nursing professionals had a significant increase (p < .003) in post-training knowledge scores compared to pre-training scores. CONCLUSION: Improvement in oral health knowledge of nursing professionals has the potential for translation into practice for oral health promotion of patients and the general population.

Facio-odontometric analysis in mass disaster victim identification - A novel approach.

INTRODUCTION: Forensic dentistry is an evolving field in legal medicine. In mass disasters, the co-mingled body parts can be misplaced; however, the intervention by dental experts can efficiently sort out the dispute. Understanding the fact that, rule of phi applies to all that exists in nature, in the present study, we aimed to correlate the Total Maxillary Arch Perimeter with the Total Body Height of an individual in cases scenarios where only the skull along with maxilla is the only leftover remains of the unidentified. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational study was designed involving ninety subjects comprising 45 males and 45 females of age 25 to 30 years for the following parameters. Total Body Height (TBH) was measured in centimetres using anthropometric rod. Total Facial Height (TFH) was then measured from nasion to gnathion using digital vernier caliper. Total Maxillary Arch Perimeter (TMAP) was measured from the maxillary arch model cast using digital vernier caliper. RESULTS: The Total Maxillary Arch perimeter has significant positive correlation with Total Body Height as well as Total Facial Height of an individual. The regression equation was positively established for the prediction of Total Body Height from the known Total Maxillary Arch Perimeter as Total Body Height = 80.91762 + 0.718777 (Total Maxillary Arch Perimeter). CONCLUSION: The Total Maxillary Arch Perimeter can be used as a predictive tool in estimating the Total Body Height of the individual where the skeletal remains of the skull along with maxilla is only present.

Empowering AYUSH health professionals on oral health promotion in a tertiary care dental hospital in India: An interventional study.

BACKGROUND: The extensive reach of AYUSH health professionals allows them to provide profound quality care to the unreachable. These professionals from the traditional system of medicine form fundamental part of the health care system. If adequately trained on oral health they can play a remarkable role in oral health promotion and prevention of oral diseases. OBJECTIVE: A training strategy was thus chalked out and this study was conducted to assess the knowledge of AYUSH health professionals on oral health and the impact of this training intervention in improving their knowledge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An interventional study via self structured pre and post questionnaire on 49 participants assessed the knowledge of participants on oral health promotion. The needs assessment revealed that all the AYUSH health practitioners felt the need to participate in oral health promotion training. RESULTS: A significant increase in mean knowledge scores from 12.56 ± 2.26 to 15.26 ± 1.40 of AYUSH professionals was seen after a one day training programme. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that the utilization of AYUSH health professionals for oral health promotion and education can aid as a valuable tool for population based oral health promotion approaches.