Comparative evaluation of effect of microcurrent electrical stimulation on acupoints to control gag reflex in patients receiving prosthodontic treatment: An in vivo study.

Aims: The aim of this study is to see if microcurrent electrical stimulation on two acupoints, auricular and Hegus, can help patients prevent their gag reflex. Settings and Design: This was an in vivo cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients were randomly assigned to three groups: A, B, or C, of ten patients present in each group. Group A and Group B undergone electroacupuncture (microcurrent electrical stimulation) using electroacupuncture device on auricular point and Hegus point (Li 4), respectively, for 1 min and Group C formed the placebo group, point Shou San Li (Li 10). The gag severity index and the gag prevention index were used to measure the gag reflex, which was done in two steps. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL, USA) version 24 software was used for statistical analysis. Paired t-test, one-way analysis of variance test, post hoc Bonferroni test was used to analyse and compare the data. Results: It was found that Point A and Point B were significantly effective in reducing the severity of gag reflex. Point C demonstrated insignificant results. In addition, Point B (Hegus [Li4]) is more effective than Point A (auricular) in controlling the gag reflex in patients within the set age group of 20-70 years of age. Conclusions: Microcurrent electrical stimulation is a useful adjuvant in the treatment of unfavorable gag reflexes during routine dental procedures. Point Hegus and point auricular acupuncture are both useful in decreasing the severity of gag reflex, with point Hegus being more effective than point auricular.

Perception of interns regarding influence of dressing on professional performance at workplace in dentistry.

Background: In a health-care setup, interpersonal communication plays a pivotal role in the attainment of professional outcomes. Dressing is an indirect mode of communication. Since ancient times, it is assumed that doctor's clothing have a positive effect on the minds of patients. This survey evaluates the perception of interns from dental sciences regarding the impact of dressing on professional performance at workplace. Materials and Methods: A self-designed questionnaire was distributed among a batch of interns who were willing to participate in the survey. Seventy-six interns returned the responses which were complete without any duplication. All the survey forms were scrutinized and the data were collated. Qualitative analysis of the assembled data was performed to evaluate intern's perception about the association between dressing and professional performance at workplace. Results: Results of the survey demonstrated that 81.6% of the participants dress up to work as per their temperament. About 65.8% of the participants believed that dental professionals should choose formal wear for workplace settings. Majority of the participants, i.e., 67.1%, believed that dressing affects perception on personality traits such as dignity and character of a professional. A wide number of interns perceived that dressing alters the behavior of self, patients, and colleagues (55.3%, 71.1%, and 68.4%, respectively). The result of this survey also showed a positive correlation between dressing and professional traits such as confidence, responsibility, and efficiency (75.0%, 63.2%, and 63.2%, respectively). Notably, 55.3% opined against enforcing a dress code for dental institutions/dental offices. Conclusion: The result of the study represents the positive influence of dressing on professional performance at workplace in dentistry as perceived by interns from the faculty of dental sciences.

Résumé Contexte: Dans une configuration de soins de santé, la communication interpersonnelle joue un rôle central dans l'atteinte des résultats professionnels. Pansement est un mode de communication indirect. Depuis l'Antiquité, on suppose que les vêtements de médecin ont un effet positif sur l'esprit des patients. Cette enquête évalue la perception des stagiaires en sciences dentaires concernant l'impact de l'habillage sur la performance professionnelle au travail. Matériels et méthodes: Un questionnaire auto-conçu a été distribué à un groupe de stagiaires disposés à participer auenquête. Soixante-seize stagiaires ont renvoyé les réponses qui étaient complètes sans aucune duplication. Tous les formulaires d'enquête ont été examinés etles données ont été rassemblées. Une analyse qualitative des données assemblées a été effectuée pour évaluer la perception des stagiaires sur l'association entre habillage et performance professionnelle sur le lieu de travail. Résultats: Les résultats de l'enquête ont démontré que 81,6 % des participants s'habillaient travailler selon son tempérament. Environ 65,8% des participants pensaient que les professionnels dentaires devraient choisir des vêtements de cérémonie pour le lieu de travail réglages. La majorité des participants, c'est-à-dire 67,1%, croyaient que l'habillement affecte la perception des traits de personnalité tels que la dignité et le caractère d'un professionnel. Un grand nombre d'internes ont perçu que s'habiller modifie leur comportement, celui des patients et des collègues (55,3 %, 71,1 % et 68,4 %, respectivement). Le résultat de cette enquête a également montré une corrélation positive entre l'habillement et les traits professionnels tels que la confiance, responsabilité et efficacité (75,0 %, 63,2 % et 63,2 %, respectivement). Notamment, 55,3 % se sont prononcés contre l'application d'un code vestimentaire pour les soins dentaires institutions/cabinets dentaires. Conclusion: Le résultat de l'étude représente l'influence positive de l'habillement sur la performance professionnelle à milieu de travail en dentisterie tel que perçu par les stagiaires de la faculté des sciences dentaires. Mots clés: Dentisterie, habillage, interne, performance professionnelle, lieu de travail.

Evaluating the Color Stability of Ocular Prosthesis after Immersion in Three Different Immersion Media: An In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Immersion media such as ophthalmic irrigation solution, eye lubricant solution, and neutral soap solution will be the best, which will help in the longevity as well as the color stability of ocular prostheses. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare color stability of ocular prosthesis after immersion in three different immersion media. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 90 samples of scleral acrylic resin were prepared, which were painted with natural dry earth pigment NEAS and then were divided into three groups. These samples were checked before and after immersion in respective media after 8 weeks. To assess the color change, a spectrophotometry test was performed and the results were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey's test. RESULTS: Among all the three groups, the samples immersed in neutral soap solution proved to be most color stable, followed by eye lubricant solution, and the least color stable among the three was ophthalmic irrigating solution. CONCLUSION: The neutral soap solution proved to be the most color stable.