RESUMO
To compare the effectiveness of various modes of oral health education in visually impaired children. A total of 100 students aged 8-15 years were included. The children were divided randomly into four groups. Children in Group I received oral hygiene instructions through Braille pamphlets. In Group II, children received instructions through nonvisual desktop access (NVDA). For children in Group III, both Braille and NVDA were used to deliver the instructions. Children included in Group IV served as controls, who did not receive any information in any form for the study period. After oral examination to record plaque and OHI-S scores, a questionnaire was given to the children to assess their knowledge scores. The same questionnaire was repeated after 1 month to reassess the knowledge score in different groups. Chi-square test, Wilcoxon test, and post hoc analysis tests were used. The mean plaque scores among the control group children at the follow-up were significantly higher (2.5 ± 0.64) than any other group. Similarly, the control group had higher mean oral hygiene simplified scores (1.75 ± 1.32) than the Braille (1.12 ± 0.65), NVDA (0.85 ± 1.38), and Braille + NVDA (0.2 ± 0.64) groups at follow-up. With regards to the mean total knowledge score, the control group scored the least (2.16 ± 1.46), while the Braille, NVDA, and Braille + NVDA groups scored 3.16 ± 1.43, 4.52 ± 1.12, and 6.36 ± 0.52, respectively. Combination of Braille and NVDA was found to be effective in educating and motivating visually impaired children regarding maintenance of oral hygiene.
RESUMO
Introduction: Cancers affecting the parts of the head and neck significantly impact patients. Among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, the visible signs and symptoms of the disease or the side effects of treatment modalities can cause various degrees of functional impairment such as mastication, swallowing, communication, and disfigurement. Objective: To assess psychological distress and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients after 3 and 6 months' post-treatment. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based follow-up study was conducted among head and neck cancer patients who came for routine follow-up after treatment in five cancer hospitals in Hyderabad City. Patients were categorized based on the treatment into surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and combination of all and the same subjects were followed; after 3 months, psychological distress and quality of life were assessed by distress thermometer and functional assessment of cancer therapy head and neck (FACT H and N). Results: A total of 235 participants were included in the study. Mean age was 58.2 ± 8.7 years. The mean scores of psychological distress at baseline were 4.6 ± 1.2, and after follow-up, it was 3.4 ± 1.2 and the mean scores of quality of life at baseline were 76.4 ± 15.6, and after follow-up, it was 75.5 ± 12.5. Conclusion: The mean scores of psychological distress had reduced from baseline to follow-up with negligible improvement in the quality of life.
RESUMO
Aim: The aim of the study is to know about the awareness of probiotics among undergraduate dental students. Materials and Methods: We conducted cross-sectional research where we had distributed a questionnaire consisting of ten open-ended questions, among 150 dental students through emails. The questions were based on the utilization of probiotics in dentistry. The data obtained was statistically analyzed with the help of Chi-square test. Results: In our study, we noted that most of the participants were aware of the term probiotics and had general ideas but were not fully aware of its pathogenesis. Around 83.2% of the participants were aware of probiotics and general concepts. We also noted that only 42.5% of the students agreed that probiotics can be used in the management of halitosis as well as periodontitis. Conclusion: We concluded that most of the dental students had a lack of awareness as well as were not familiar with the usage of probiotics in dentistry.