Perspectives of Indian dental residents on novel online practical examination during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the graduating dental residents' perspectives on the online clinical examination format. METHODS: The questionnaire used to assess the perspectives was developed via a focus group discussion and was validated for face and content validity, readability testing, and pilot testing for the online version. This self-administered, online questionnaire integrated 15 Likert-scale-based multiple choice questions and one open-ended question. It was distributed to the residents across 16 dental schools after the clinical examination was completed. The perspectives regarding examination preparation, the ability to transition to online mode, and the performance in the examination were assessed. Descriptive statistical analysis (counts and percentages) was performed. RESULTS: A total of 256 subjects participated in the study by returning the online survey. In the preparation phase, 70.7% (n = 181) residents reported anxiety and 56.1% (n = 144) reported stress. During the examinations, only 13.6% (n = 35) of the participants reported difficulty with internet speed. The majority, 64.6% (n = 165) of the participants reported that the absence of an external examiner face-to-face reduced anxiety. The compiled answers to the open-ended question revealed that residents expressed inconvenience in digitizing the academic logbooks and clinical work. The poor quality of sound and images affected the display of skills. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed a moderate level of acceptance for the novel online practical examination method. The residents reported stress before and during the examination due to the sudden transition to an online examination. The online practical examination with modifications might be a viable alternative to the in-person clinical examination.

Time and Eruption Sequence of Permanent Teeth in Hyderabad Children: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

CONTEXT: Eruption of teeth is influenced by various factors. Very few studies were carried out in the past on the eruption time of teeth in the Indian population. AIM: The aim of the study is to determine the time and sequence, gender differences, pattern of symmetry in the eruption of permanent teeth in Hyderabad children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1654 schoolchildren (806 girls and 848 boys) in the age group of 5 to 15 years from Hyderabad were examined for the status of eruption of permanent teeth. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Results were subjected to probit's regression analysis. The average age at eruption of permanent teeth, excluding third molars, was given as the mean [± standard deviation (SD)] in months for each gender. A table of percentiles of the eruption time was also determined. RESULTS: Unlike most of the earlier studies which showed that girls are ahead of boys in permanent teeth emergence, no such pattern was observed. No significant difference was found in the eruption of permanent teeth in right and left arches. Eruption of all the mandibular teeth, with the exception of right first premolar (44) in both the genders, was earlier than their maxillary counterparts. There was overall delay in the eruption of permanent teeth and significant delay in the eruption of lower canines in both genders. CONCLUSION: The significant delay in the eruption of permanent mandibular canines is relevant for orthodontic treatment planning.How to cite this article: Chaitanya P, Reddy JS, Suhasini K, Chandrika IH, Praveen D. Time and Eruption Sequence of Permanent Teeth in Hyderabad Children: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2018;11(4):330-337.