Perceptions and challenges of a first-year dental student - A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Undergraduate dental training is demanding and rigorous, unaware students face a lot of challenges after entering the course. Thus, the study aims to find out from a dental sophomore the challenges they face during the first year of dental school. Methodology: An e-questionnaire study was conducted on 932 second-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery students of India. The questions help us gauge problems and hurdles faced by a dental sophomore like information related to difficulty levels, laborious nature and so on. Chi-square test is to find out relativity and association between the variables. Results: Pre-clinical prosthodontics was found the most laborious and a gender-wise significant difference (P < 0.01) was noted amongst females (437, 71.06%) and males (157, 49.53%). Conclusion: This study highlighted that students are usually unaware about the course, the type of content reading, learning, laborious nature of practical work and so on.

Comparison of Self-Reported Empathy Levels among Dental Undergraduate Students in Northern India: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

CONTEXT: Empathy is one of the fundamentals of communication relevant within the practice of dentistry, and the research is limited in this field. AIMS: The present study was conducted to assess the self-reported empathy levels among dental undergraduate students in Lucknow city of Northern India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among three dental colleges of Lucknow city during July 2019-September 2019. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: E-survey link was circulated among 790 students through e-mails. It has two parts. The first part included sociodemographic information, wherein the second part, the empathy level of students was assessed using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Health Profession Students Version Questionnaire. The possible score range is 20-140: the higher the mean score, the higher the self-reported empathy level. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data collected were analyzed using SPSS software version 24. Chi-square test was used to test gender distribution differences among different years. One-way analysis of variance including post hoc tests was used to compare the differences between study variables. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation empathy score was 92.55 ± 11.85, 91.85 ± 12.23, 93.25 ± 11.24, 93.37 ± 12.31, and 88.34 ± 12.01 among the first-year, second-year, third-year, final-year, and interns' students, respectively, with a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded from the results of the present study that the mean empathy score was highest among final-year students which is suggestive of the impact of education in behavioral sciences.

Prevalence of dental fluorosis and treatment needs among 11-14 years old school children in endemic fluoride areas of Haryana, India.

INTRODUCTION: Dental fluorosis is a major endemic oral disease characterized by hypo mineralization of enamel caused due to consumption of water containing high concentration of fluoride during developmental stages of teeth. AIM: To assess the prevalence of dental fluorosis among 11-14 years old school children in endemic fluoride areas of Haryana and to find their treatment needs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2200 school children in endemic fluoride areas of Haryana (India) for a period of six months. Dental fluorosis was recorded by the Thylstrup-Fejerskov index (TF index) given by Thylstrup A, Fejerskov O. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data entry and analysis were performed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 18.0. Chi square test was used to find association between TFI scores and gender, age categories. The level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Prevalence of dental fluorosis (TFI) reached 96.6% with most children falling in TFI score 2, 3, 4 and 5 categories. Mean TFI score of study population was found to be 3.19 ± 1.551. There was significant difference found between gender and prevalence of dental fluorosis (P = 0.00). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed the increased prevalence of dental fluorosis in endemic fluoride areas with mild to moderate level of dental fluorosis.

Validation of Hindi (Indian) version of the child perceptions questionnaire (CPQ11-14) among 11-14 year old School Children.

CONTEXT: Oral health is a fundamental aspect of general health which significantly affects quality of life (QoL) of an individual. Oral health-related QoL is a multidimensional concept determined by race, education, culture, and experiences related to oral diseases. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the Hindi (Indian) version of the child perceptions questionnaire (CPQ11-14) among 11-14-year-old school children in Rohtak City, Haryana, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 586 children in Rohtak city, Haryana, India, to find out the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of CPQ11-14. The original version of CPQ11-14was translated to Hindi language, and the dental caries experience was measured by caries assessment spectrum and treatment index. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS 18. Reliability was assessed in 2 ways: internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability. The level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Construct validity was confirmed demonstrating statistically significant associations between total CPQ11-14 score and global ratings of oral health (P = 0.00) and overall well-being (P = 0.00). Mean CPQ11-14scores (20.30 ± 10.91) including all the domain scores were higher among children without dental caries when compared to children with dental caries (19.79 ± 9.88) and the instrument was not able to discriminate between two clinical groups significantly (P = 0.08). CONCLUSION: The Hindi version of the CPQ11-14 questionnaire is a reliable instrument having good reliability, good construct, and convergent validity but lacks discriminant validity. Shorter forms of CPQ11-14may be more useful when compared to original construct.

Empathy among dental students: A systematic review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Empathy is just as relevant within dentistry, although research is limited in this field and very less is available in the current literature. The demonstration of empathy by dentists has been correlated with decreased dental fear. The authors systematically reviewed the literature to investigate empathy levels among dental students. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken concerning dental students' empathy, published from November 2016 to June 2018, using manual methods and the PubMed, PMC, PsycINFO, and other databases. Articles not in English and not concerned with dentistry were excluded, and intervention studies intended to enhance empathy, opinion articles, and reviews or reports of nonoriginal research were excluded. Eligible studies were those published from January 1, 2005, to May 31, 2017, in English language. A total of 34 full-text articles were obtained and assessed. Of these 34 papers, only seven publications were considered to have met the inclusion criteria and were directly related to the aim of literature search. RESULTS: Only seven articles that provided data and evidence describing empathy among dental students were included. Four studies reported that the difference in mean empathy level across the year of study was statistically significant (P < 0.05), and one reported that there was no significant difference in empathy scores between the year levels of study. Three articles reported that males had higher mean empathy score than females, whereas vice versa was found in the remaining four articles. CONCLUSION: This article demonstrates that there is only a limited evidence to provide the understanding of empathy among dental students. The results indicated that as patient exposure increases, the empathy level decreases among dental students. Furthermore, it is observed that education in behavioral sciences may be effective in increasing self-reported empathy, and further training may be necessary to maintain high levels.

Relationship of sociodemographic factors on dental caries experience among 11-14-year-old schoolchildren in India.

BACKGROUND: As dynamics of caries is changing, there is a need to understand the impact of sociodemographic factors on dental caries to broaden the horizon of dental caries etiology. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of sociodemographic factors on dental caries experience among 11-14-year-old schoolchildren in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 11-14-year-old schoolchildren in 2015 at Rohtak, India, after approval from the Institution's Ethics Committee. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique was employed for selecting a school randomly from every cluster. Every odd-numbered child from selected class was included in the study through systematic random sampling. Demographic factors were recorded such as education, occupation, income, and socioeconomic status (SES) were assessed using modified Kuppuswamy classification (Oberoi SS 2015). Dental caries was recorded using Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment index. Data were analyzed using SPPS 18, Kruskal-Wallis, and Chi-square tests were used with P value fixed at 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries was 28.6% with mean decayed, missing, or filled teeth of 0.60 ± 1.13. Age, gender, position of child, number of siblings, type of family, father's and mother's education, and father's occupation had no significant relationship with dental caries (P > 0.05), whereas mother's occupation, family income, and SES were significantly related to dental caries (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High socioeconomic status of parents had a significant role on increased dental caries experience among children.

Assessment of Dental Caries Spectrum among 11 to 14-Year-Old School Going Children in India.

INTRODUCTION: The quantification of dental caries is usually done by DMFT index but efforts are being made to find an alternative. Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) is a recent, innovative caries assessment tool which can be used in epidemiological surveys. AIM: To assess dental caries using CAST index among 11-14-year-old school children in Rohtak city, Haryana, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 11-14-year-old children in schools of Rohtak City using multi stage cluster sampling technique. Rohtak city was divided in to nine clusters. In the 2nd stage, one school was randomly selected from each cluster with lottery method. Finally from each selected school, every odd roll number child between age group 11-14 years, were enrolled to reach a sample of 586. Caries was recorded using the CAST index. Each child was clinically examined by a trained examiner using CAST index. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done and Chi-square test was used to find association between caries prevalence and gender. Mann-Whitney U test was used to find any difference of mean DMFT between different age groups. RESULTS: A total of 586 children were examined. Prevalence of dental caries was 28.6%. Highest caries was observed in lower right first molar and lower left first molar (13.8% and 11.6%) respectively. Pulpal involvement in lower molars was found more than the upper molars. CONCLUSION: CAST index presents a simple hierarchical structure of caries spectrum and is a promising index for epidemiological studies with complex quantifiability.

Comparison of Dental Caries Experience in Children Suffering From Epilepsy with and without Administration of Long Term Liquid Oral Medication.

INTRODUCTION: Sucrose is added as sweetening agent in liquid oral medication (LOM) to mask the acrid taste of medicines which may be potentially cariogenic. Many children under long term LOM therapy for treatment of epilepsy may be susceptible to dental caries. AIM: To assess and compare dental caries experience in children under long term liquid oral medication with those not under such medication among 2-12 years old children suffering from epilepsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken on a total of 84 children aged 2-12 years, who were suffering from epilepsy receiving liquid oral medication for more than 3 months were selected (study group) and for comparison 106 children of similar age group and disease but on other forms of medication were included as control group. Dental caries was assessed using DMFT/DMFS (Decayed, Missing, Fillled Teeth / Surfaces), dmft/dft and dmfs/dfs indices. One-way ANOVA and t-test were used with p-value fixed at 0.05. Univariate logistic regression was applied. RESULTS: Children on LOM were at increased risk of dental caries than those with other forms of medications (OR: 2.55, 95% CI (2.37-4.15) p=0.000, HS). Caries prevalence was high in the study group (76.1%) when compared to control group (55.6%). CONCLUSION: Long term use of liquid medicines containing sucrose is a risk factor for dental caries among children with epilepsy.

Effectiveness of oral health education versus nicotine replacement therapy for tobacco cessation- a parallel randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: India has millions of tobacco users. It is the leading cause of deaths due to oral cancer and hence needs effective strategies to curb it. Hence the aim of present study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of Oral Health Education (OHE) and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in tobacco cessation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical trial consisted of Manohar Lal Kapoor (MLK) factory workers (n= 40) giving history of tobacco consumption (smoking/smokeless) within past 30 days. They were randomized into OHE (n=20) and NRT (n=20) groups. Baseline evaluation (demographic, smoking/ smokeless behaviour) was done. Fagerstrom test was used for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and to assess nicotine addiction level. Follow up was done at an interval of 1week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months to assess the reduction in the mean FTND score. "Nano-CheckTM Rapid Nicotine test" was used for the qualitative detection of cotinine in human urine. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed (Paired and Unpaired t test). RESULTS: In both OHE and NRT group there was a significant reduction (p< 0.00001) in mean Fagerstrom score at every follow up but when both the groups were compared mean Fagerstrom score reduction was more in NRT than OHE at all time interval though it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NRT is better than OHE when both the groups were compared. However, it was found that any intervention given to tobacco users either NRT or OHE is helpful for the patients in the process of quitting tobacco. KEY WORDS: Tobacco cessation, nicotine replacement therapy, oral health education, fagerstrom test, urine cotinine.

Effectiveness of outreach program: a three year follow-up study among 12 years school students in lucknow.

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of outreach program in the 12 years school going children during a three year follow up period of Lucknow city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A random sample of 298 school going children of age 12 years was drawn from adopted schools of Lucknow. Three years later the same population was re-examined with a population of 242 children of 15 y age group. The oral health status of these children was accessed by using WHO 1997 profoma. RESULTS: Significantly (p<0.001) higher proportion of children had healthy gingival, healthy periodontal status after three years. The difference in regard to crowding in the incisal segment in 2010 and 2013 was statistically highly significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings of the study showed that after providing regular dental check up and treatment camps in the three adopted schools after three year follow up study from 2010-2013 showed positive impact on the children oral hygiene status and has been estimated to be on the more positive aspect in future also.

Hirudotherapy in Medicine and Dentistry.

The concept of Unani medicine is based on balancing body humours, the imbalance of which causes diseases. The application of leech therapy in medical and dental science is well recognized. Although easy and non-invasive, complications also exist. The article aims to presents a brief review on the applications of leech therapy. The physiological effect, along with its therapeutic role in cancer, diabetes and dentistry have been underlined. Complications of leech therapy have also been dealt with.

Prevalence of Malocclusion and its Psycho-Social Impact among 12 To 15-Year-old School Children in Lucknow City.

BACKGROUND: Facial aesthetics affects how people are perceived by society and how they perceive themselves. Anterior malocclusion can have an impact on the overall facial appearance. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and its psycho-social impact among 12 to 15 yrs old school children in Lucknow city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of collection of information for psychosocial assessment using a questionnaire and clinical examination of malocclusion. Data regarding psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics was collected using a Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) given by Klages et al., (2006). RESULTS: 15.57% children belonged to the definite malocclusion category and 5.41% to the handicapped malocclusion category. The mean Dental self confidence score differed significantly among both male (p≤0.001) and female children (p≤0.001) across the age groups. The mean Social impact score did not differ significantly among both male (p≤0.31) and female children (p≤0.12) across the age groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study imply that dental aesthetics had a significant impact on the psychosocial aspects of human life irrespective of the gender.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy versus Basic Health Education for Tobacco Cessation among Tobacco Users: A Randomized Clinical Trail.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco is the greatest disease-producing product which is known to man and it is a primary cause of many oral diseases and adverse oral conditions. This study was conducted to bring the behavioural changes and to educate individuals about the harmful effects of tobacco. METHOD: Subjects reporting to the tobacco cessation centre of the Department of Public Health Dentistry and giving a history of tobacco consumption (smoking/smokeless) within past 30 day period were randomized into 2 groups: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) group (study group) and Basic health education (BHE) group (control group). Baseline evaluation (of demographic parameters, smoking/ smokeless behaviour) was done and Fagerstrom's test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used to assess subjects' nicotine addiction levels. Follow up was done at intervals of 2 weeks and 4 weeks to assess the reduction in the mean FTND score. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed (Paired and Unpaired t-test). RESULTS: Of all the subjects who reported to the department, 40 subjects were recruited in the study. A majority of the subjects were males who belonged to rural areas, who had completed high school and most of them had consumed more than 10 sachets of pan masala daily, for an average of 10 years. In both CBT and BHE groups, significant reductions in mean Fagerstrom scores at 1st and 2nd follow ups from baseline and between 1st and 2nd follow ups were seen. But when both groups were compared, reductions in mean Fagerstrom scores were found to be more in CBT group than in BHE group at all time intervals, though it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Any intervention given to tobacco users from either CBT or BHE groups, helped the patients in quitting habit of tobacco.

Dental patient's knowledge and perceptions about the effects of smoking and role of dentists in smoking cessation activities.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the following study is to assess the knowledge of patients about the consequences of smoking on the general and oral health, to analyze the patient's perceptions about the role of dentists in smoking prevention, counseling and cessation and to analyze the willingness of smokers to quit smoking following dentist's advice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted in a sample of 486 dental patients visiting Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluruin the month of August 2011 using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was performed to analyze data. RESULTS: The patients had good knowledge about the effects of smoking on general and oral health. Statistically significant difference was observed in the knowledge of smokers and non-smokers about the effects of smoking on ageing (P = 0.008) and oral cancer (P = 0.0012). Patients had a positive perception about the role of dentists in smoking cessation activities. Smokers exhibited a willingness to quit if suggested by the dentist. CONCLUSION: Patients perceive that dentists can play an important part in smoking cessation activities. Hence, dentists should not hesitate to give smoking cessation advice to their patients and grasp this opportunity to improve the general and oral health of the community.

Comparative efficacy of oil pulling and chlorhexidine on oral malodor: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Oral malodor affects a large section of population. Traditional Indian folk remedy, oil pulling not only reduces it but can also bring down the cost of treatment. AIMS: To compare the efficacy of oil pulling and chlorhexidine in reducing oral malodor and microbes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three week randomized controlled trial was conducted among 60 students of three hostels of Maharani College of science and arts and commerce and Smt V.H.D.College of Home Science. The hostels were randomized into two intervention groups namely chlorhexidine group, sesame oil and one control (placebo) group. Twenty girls were selected from each hostel based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Informed consent was obtained. The parameters recorded at the baseline (day 0) and post intervention on day 22 were plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), objective (ORG1) and subjective (ORG2) organoleptic scores and anaerobic bacterial colony (ABC) count. Intra and inter group comparisons were made using Kruskal Wallis test, Wilcoxan sign rank test, ANOVA and student t-test. RESULTS: There was significant reduction (p<0.05) in the mean scores of all the parameters within sesame oil and chlorhexidine group. Among the groups significant difference was observed in objective and subjective organoleptic scores. Post hoc test showed significant difference (p<0.000) in mean organoleptic scores of sesame oil and placebo and chlorhexidine and placebo group. No significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between sesame oil and chlorhexidine group. CONCLUSION: Oil pulling with sesame oil is equally efficacious as chlorhexidine in reducing oral malodor and microbes causing it. It should be promoted as a preventive home care therapy.

The maternal socioeconomic status and the caries experience among 2-6 years old preschool children of lucknow city, India.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the maternal socioeconomic status and the caries experience among 2-6 years old preschool children of Lucknow city, India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample of 512 preschool going children were selected through a multistage cluster random sampling. Their mothers provided information regarding their demographic data. Their socioeconomic statuses were elicited by using the modified B.G.L. Prasad's classification for the year 2010. Their mothers' education, occupations and incomes were also recorded. The dental caries experience was recorded by using the dentition status and the treatment needs (WHO Basic Oral Health Survey 1997). The association between the socioeconomic status and the caries experience was obtained by using the Chi - square test. One way ANOVA was used for the multiple group comparisons. RESULTS: The prevalence of nursing caries was 33.01%. The association between the presence of nursing caries and a lower status of the mother's education and occupation and socioeconomic position proved to be statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Instilling positive attitudes in the parents, especially in the mothers, towards the prevention of nursing caries, would reduce its prevalence at this tender age of life.