RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Nowadays, tobacco consumption has become one of the major public health problems and is the leading cause of escapable illness and death. A significant role is played by dental professionals in the identification of smokers; they are, thus, in a better position to offer preventive care. The aim of the present study was to systemically review the knowledge and attitude of dental practitioners toward tobacco cessation. METHODS: A literature search was performed in PubMed Central and Cochrane Library, Medline-PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar up to 2018 to identify appropriate studies. Full-text original research articles of the cross-sectional design were only included in the study. Our target was to systemically review the knowledge and attitude of dental practitioners toward tobacco cessation. RESULTS: The present review included a total of nine articles (studies) that fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Two articles which were hand searched and one article which was obtained through contact with experts were included. The results of the review revealed that the dental practitioners in most of the included studies lack satisfactory knowledge and were unaware of existing referral pathways to specialist smoking cessation services. At the same time, most of the dentists have a positive attitude toward tobacco cessation. CONCLUSIONS: Dental professionals are aware of their obligations toward smoking cessation counseling for patients but certain barriers including lack of time, confidence, and training prevent them from practicing the same in their daily routine. The dental professionals should obtain appropriate training and attain knowledge along with quantifiable skills for the prevention and cessation of tobacco use.
RESUMO
The healthcare industry worldwide is undergoing a radical transformation. An enthusiastic healthcare system of the Government of India (GOI) continually tries to tackle numerous challenges facing the system. The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) program has provided secondary level healthcare facilities to more than 36 million families across most states in India. This particular health insurance initiative was taken by the GOI with the purpose to safeguard the pitiable or marginalized Indian population or those households who are facing economic risks due to hospitalization and their everyday expenditures. RSBY provides affordable and accessible healthcare services along with insurance coverage for secondary care. However, it is limited to inpatient treatment or hospitalization. For outpatient coverage many strategies have been applied but low enrolment is still an existing flaw under this streamer. The present paper discusses various features of RSBY, outpatient projects undertook, and various obstacles that can be removed to integrate this insurance scheme with primary healthcare in India.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The consequences of oral issues among drug users necessitate the implementation of a comprehensive dental care program. Integrated oral health-care services should be programmed for the management of drug addiction as a multi-organ disease needs a multi-disciplinary approach. AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding the management of patients with substance usage at a dental clinic. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 208 dentists working as clinicians. A self-structured 27-item questionnaire consisting of questions related to the management of patients with substance usage at a dental clinic was distributed to them. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and descriptive and analytical tests, including mean, standard deviation, and Chi-square test were used. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Majority of the dentist irrespective of qualification were unaware of the modalities regarding the management of the patients with substance usage at the dental clinic. Most dental clinicians were having a positive attitude regarding such patients and agreed that abuser should be identified and managed in dental settings. CONCLUSION: Educating dental graduates and postgraduates about the oral implications of substance usage and making it a part of the dental curriculum may help us deal with the global issues of substance usage. The dental setting is recognized increasingly as an untapped venue for the delivery of medical screenings, given the long-term nature and frequent contacts associated with the patient-dentist relationship.
