Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of Undergraduate Dental Students on Information and Communication Technology and Computer-assisted Learning.

Introduction: The use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education and clinical purposes is growing immensely. The usage skill, attitude of dental students, and difficulties faced by students are important concerns to be addressed. Objective: The study was designed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and skills of ICT of undergraduate dental students via assessing the ease of computer and internet use among students, the level of computer skills and training of the students, and usage pattern of computer activities. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among students of three dental colleges in Haryana using a self-designed questionnaire having sections related to demographics, devices, softwares and search engine usage, ICT skills, ICT attitude, and educational and social use. Results: The response rate was 81.96%. A total of 99.1% of the individuals responded affirmatively to the usage of mobile phones, 48.4 and 13.1% for laptops and tablets, respectively. The average duration of use of smartphones per day was 4.2121 ± 2.834 hours. Google was opted as the most popular search engine used and PubMed the least popular. Only 12.9% of participants showed a negative attitude toward the use of ICT in studies. More social use than academic use was observed. Attitude scores showed a significant correlation with the educational use of ICT (r = 0.89, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Most of the participants were well acquainted with the usage and had a positive attitude toward ICT for educational purposes. Sensitization and training in scientific literature search and basics of ICT and their practical utilization in dental education, research, and practice should be included in the curriculum. How to cite this article: Sikka N, Arya L, Bala S, et al. Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of Undergraduate Dental Students on Information and Communication Technology and Computer-assisted Learning. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(5):711-715.

Effect of Dental Environment Stressors and Coping Mechanisms on Perceived Stress in Postgraduate Dental Students.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dental environment stressors and coping mechanisms on perceived stress in postgraduate dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 250 postgraduate students from four dental colleges. Modified dental environment stress (DES) questionnaire was used to study the dental environment-related stressors, perceived stress score (PSS) to measure the extent of stress perception, and brief COPE (BC) scale to measure the use of various coping strategies deployed to combat stress. An independent T-test was used to determine the associations of these measures with gender and marital status and one-way ANOVA for associations with year of study. Hierarchical regression was used to determine the effect of demographic factors, career-related psychological background, health-related habits, DES, and BC score on PSS. RESULTS: "Synopsis, thesis, library dissertation" and "lack of adequate infrastructure" were reported as the highest stressors by the postgraduate students. Only 4.8% of respondents perceived low stress, while 65.2% perceived high stress. A high correlation between the DES score and PSS was observed. Active coping, acceptance, and positive reframing were the most commonly utilized coping strategies. Planning and use of emotional support were the only coping strategies that were significant negative predictors of PSS. Problem-focused coping strategies had a positive, but non-significant correlation with PSS, while emotion-focused coping strategies had a significant negative correlation with PSS. CONCLUSION: Postgraduate dental environment causes a high-stress perception in students and reactive coping strategies have only a limited role in reducing stress perception. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Sikka N, Juneja R, Kumar V, et al. Effect of Dental Environment Stressors and Coping Mechanisms on Perceived Stress in Postgraduate Dental Students. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(5):681-688.

Sex differences in health status, healthcare utilization, and costs among individuals with elevated blood pressure: the LARK study from Western Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Elevated blood pressure is the leading risk factor for global mortality. While it is known that there exist differences between men and women with respect to socioeconomic status, self-reported health, and healthcare utilization, there are few published studies from Africa. This study therefore aims to characterize differences in self-reported health status, healthcare utilization, and costs between men and women with elevated blood pressure in Kenya. METHODS: Data from 1447 participants enrolled in the LARK Hypertension study in western Kenya were analyzed. Latent class analysis based on five dependent variables was performed to describe patterns of healthcare utilization and costs in the study population. Regression analysis was then performed to describe the relationship between different demographics and each outcome. RESULTS: Women in our study had higher rates of unemployment (28% vs 12%), were more likely to report lower monthly earnings (72% vs 51%), and had more outpatient visits (39% vs 28%) and pharmacy prescriptions (42% vs 30%). Women were also more likely to report lower quality-of-life and functional health status, including pain, mobility, self-care, and ability to perform usual activities. Three patterns of healthcare utilization were described: (1) individuals with low healthcare utilization, (2) individuals who utilized care and paid high out-of-pocket costs, and (3) individuals who utilized care but had lower out-of-pocket costs. Women and those with health insurance were more likely to be in the high-cost utilizer group. CONCLUSIONS: Men and women with elevated blood pressure in Kenya have different health care utilization behaviors, cost and economic burdens, and self-perceived health status. Awareness of these sex differences can help inform targeted interventions in these populations.

Factors causing stress in postgraduate dental students during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the academic and clinical training of postgraduate dental students. This study aimed to assess various factors causing psychological stress in them, and the extent of stress perception during pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 250 postgraduate students from nine dental colleges of Haryana and National Capital Region, India, responded to an online questionnaire sent electronically to them in September 2020, which included modified dental environment stress (DES) score, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and questions regarding COVID-associated stress (CAS). Students already diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder or having a history of any major adverse event during the last 6 months likely to affect their psychological health were excluded from this study. The data obtained were analyzed using Chi-square test, Independent t-test, univariate ANOVA with post hoc tests, Pearson moment correlation, and multiple hierarchical regression tests. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: DES score was moderate for 48.8% and high for 34.4% of the participants. PSS was moderate for 69.2% and high for 18.8% of the participants. The most stressful factor in dental environment was the pattern of university examination, while the most stressful factor specific to COVID-19 was the fear of family members contracting the infection. PSS score was significantly higher in female participants. DES and CAS scores were significantly higher in students staying in hostels. Multiple hierarchical regression model depicted gender, mean health, and DES score as significant predictors of PSS. CONCLUSION: Postgraduate dental students reported the adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic upon their training and prospects as a reason for the increase in stress.

A toolkit for building medical programs for asylum seekers: Resources from the Mount Sinai Human Rights Program.

Forced migration has reached a peak worldwide and healthcare professionals and trainees are increasingly volunteering with medical human rights programs. The Mount Sinai Human Rights Program (MSHRP) provides pro bono forensic medical, gynecological, and psychological evaluations to document evidence of human rights abuses experienced by asylum seekers. From 2015 through 2018, MSHRP refined its workflow and processes to facilitate the coordination of 305 forensic asylum evaluations and 117 continuity care referrals. Here, we present a toolkit including data management tools, guiding questions to consider when establishing or expanding an asylum clinic, and key challenges and solutions from MSHRP's experience in service delivery. Building on existing descriptions of asylum clinics, this paper provides specific resources intended to help new programs hone their models to meet the increasing demand for forensic medical evaluations of asylum seekers and provide appropriate continuity care.

A Near-Peer Educational Model for Online, Interactive Learning in Emergency Medicine.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a large disruption in the clinical education of medical students, particularly in-person clinical activities. To address the resulting challenges faced by students interested in emergency medicine (EM), we proposed and held a peer-led, online learning course for rising fourth-year medical students. METHODS: A total of 61 medical students participated in an eight-lecture EM course. Students were evaluated through pre- and post-course assessments designed to ascertain perceived comfort with learning objectives and overall course feedback. Pre- and post-lecture assignments were also used to increase student learning. RESULTS: Mean confidence improved in every learning objective after the course. Favored participation methods were three-person call-outs, polling, and using the "chat" function. Resident participation was valued for "real-life" examples and clinical pearls. CONCLUSION: This interactive model for online EM education can be an effective format for dissemination when in-person education may not be available.

Momentousness of denture labeling using Aadhaar number in Indian population.

Personal identification is of prime importance for forensic and medicolegal purposes especially in case of natural calamities, accidents, state of unconsciousness, or loss of memory. The denture labeling is an important method which has been acknowledged by the field of dentistry. Various denture labeling techniques have been advocated but none of them is universal. Aadhaar is the instantly verifiable national identification number assigned to residents of India, which is currently being used vastly by the Government of India. The article describes a simple, economical, and permanent method for inclusion of Unique Identification Number and bar code in dentures.

Animal Bite in a 6-month-old Child and Facial Injury with Associated Unusual Nasal Injury: Management of Injuries along with 1-year Follow-up.

In children, accidental injuries (AI) are the most common cause of major trauma. Although rare, nonaccidental injuries (NAI) can also cause major trauma. Among NAI, animal bites form a significant fraction. Animal bites form a significant fraction of NAI in children. Amongst animal bites, dog and cat bites are the most common. In adults, the likelihood of bites is on leg/thigh but in children due to their low stature, bites are more common on scalp, head, neck, or chest region. As children have lower tissue mass/size, what appears a small wound in adults comparatively appears as a larger wound in children, causing severe disfigurement. The present paper discusses cat bite injury to maxillofacial region, distinguishing from other differential diagnoses. Potential complications, initial management, and total rehabilitation of facial injuries especially nasal injury caused by a cat in a 6-month-old child are also discussed. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Sikka N, Jayam C, Choudhary RS, et al. Animal Bite in a 6-month-old Child and Facial Injury with Associated Unusual Nasal Injury: Management of Injuries along with 1-year Follow-up. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(6):560-565.

Expression and Significance of Cadherins and Its Subtypes in Development and Progression of Oral Cancers: A Review.

Cadherins are a family of transmembranous glycoproteins responsible for calcium-dependent intercellular adhesion. Absence or loss of function of E-cadherin leads to the disappearance of epithelial characteristics of the cells and generates higher invasiveness for extracellular matrices. That is why cadherin expression is considered to be a decisive indicator for differentiation, aggressive behaviour, high proliferation, metastasis, poor prognosis and invasiveness of human carcinoma cells. In this review, the role of cadherin expression was focused on, both in development and carcinogenesis, paying particular attention to mechanisms involved in its down-regulation. The elements common to this process in both physiological and pathological situations was analysed, particularly in relation to one of the most common malignancy, oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of severe Siebert's Class III defect with modified Andrews bridge system.

Prosthetic dentistry involves the replacement of missing and contiguous tissues with artificial substitutes to restore and maintain the oral functions, appearance, and health of the patient. The treatment of edentulous areas with ridge defects poses a challenging task for the dentist. Management of such cases involves a wide range of treatment options comprising mainly of surgical interventions and non surgical techniques such as use of removable, fixed or fixed- removable partial dentures. But each treatment plan undertaken should be customized according to patient needs. A variety of factors such as quality and quantity of existing contiguous hard and soft tissues, systemic condition and economic status of the patient play an important role in treatment planning, clinical outcome and prognosis. This case report presents the restoration of a Seibert's Class III ridge defect by an economical modification of Andrews Bridge in a 32 Year old patient.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of a child with velopharyngeal dysfunction - A case report.

The speech of person is a unique mode of expression for an individual. Alterations or deviation from normal speech leading to nasal and unintelligible speech have enormous effects on the psychological well being of a person as it hampers social interactions. The anatomic or functional anomalies occurring as a result of congenital or traumatic defects leading to velopharyngeal dysfunctions influence the speech by making it completely atypical. The cleft palate patients may have residual velopharyngeal inadequacy even after surgical repair. A removable palatal lift appliance in conjuction with speech therapy is a viable treatment option for such patients as it is economical, easy to fabricate and easy to use.