Dental caries, oral hygiene status and deleterious habits among migrant construction workers of Belagavi, India.

Background: Occupation significantly influences oral health, with factors like the work environment, stress levels, access to dental care, and job-related habits playing crucial roles. The oral health of construction workers, especially migrant workers, is a noteworthy concern. Understanding the oral health of this population is crucial for enhancing their quality of life through various means. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dental caries, oral hygiene status, and deleterious habits in this occupational group of Belagavi district, Karnataka. Materials and methods: Study design was cross-sectional in nature. Before commencement of the study a pilot study was conducted. Multi-stage random sampling technique was employed, and 610 participants were recruited for the study. Trained and calibrated examiners recorded WHO dentition status and treatment needs (2013) and Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S). Collected data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of dental caries among construction workers was significantly high (81%), and poor oral hygiene was observed among 36.9% of them. The prevalence of smoking, the tobacco chewing habit, and alcohol consumption among the construction workers was found to be 21.6%, 59.9%, and 37.3%, respectively. The dependence of OHI-S and DMFT on predictors (age, gender and deleterious habits) was found to be 21.5% and 39.6%, respectively. Conclusions: Migrant construction workers in Belagavi had a high caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene status, and a high prevalence of deleterious habits such as tobacco use. These results emphasize the necessity of awareness and dental health education programs to improve the oral health of construction workers.

Effectiveness of spaced repetition learning using a mobile flashcard application among dental students: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dental education in India predominantly relies on traditional lecture-based learning (LBL), which may hinder student engagement and learning outcomes. To address these limitations, innovative learning methodologies, such as spaced repetition learning (SRL), are imperative. SRL prioritizes active recall and can enhance long-term knowledge retention. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of SRL delivered through a mobile flashcard application, in enhancing knowledge retention among dental undergraduates. METHODS: This single-blind randomized controlled trial (CTRI/2023/10/059347), conducted in Belagavi, India, involved 90 dental students who were equally distributed into control (LBL) and test (lecture followed by SRL demonstration) groups after randomization. Rigorous expert review ensured the quality of PowerPoint presentation and mobile flashcard contents. Knowledge assessments were conducted at baseline, first, and third months using a validated and reliable questionnaire. A perception survey on learning techniques was administered after the first month. Analysis methods included descriptive analysis, Pearson's chi-square test, independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni's post hoc test. RESULTS: The pre- and post-intervention knowledge showed no significant differences, but the SRL group exhibited significantly higher retention at both first month (p ≤ 0.001) and third months (p ≤ 0.001) than the LBL group. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant pairwise differences in mean knowledge scores in SRL group. Students had significantly favorable perception toward SRL than LBL group. CONCLUSION: SRL delivered through mobile flashcards significantly enhances knowledge retention compared to LBL among dental students. Positive student perceptions support SRL's integration into dental curricula, with implications for improving knowledge retention among them.

Awareness and Perception of Dental Undergraduates in Belagavi District Towards the Newly Proposed National Exit Test for India.

BACKGROUND:  The National Dental Commission Bill of 2023 introduced the National Exit Test (NExT) as a common final examination for all dental graduates in India, granting them the license to practice. This study evaluated dental undergraduates' awareness and perceptions of the newly proposed NExT. METHODS:  A self-administered questionnaire in English comprising 23 close-ended questions was used to assess the awareness and perception of the students. A pilot study was conducted to determine the sample size, and 510 students were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The survey was administered to students ranging from 1st to 4th-year undergraduates and interns from two dental colleges in the Belagavi District, India. The questionnaire demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.86) and a content validity ratio 0.82. RESULTS:  Interns had the highest mean awareness (39.56 ± 8.99) and perception (40.87 ± 5.56) scores, whereas first-year students had the lowest, with statistically significant differences among the groups (p ≤ 0.001). Although 81% of students were aware of NExT in India, only 17.3% found it student-friendly. A positive correlation was seen between the perception and awareness scores (r = + 0.242; p ≤ 0.001). The dependence of awareness and perception scores on predictors such as age, gender, and year of study were 16.7% and 15.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION:  Interns displayed a positive perception and higher awareness of NExT, whereas first and second-year dental students exhibited lower awareness and apprehensive perceptions. The introduction of NExT promises to enhance the overall quality of dental education on a national scale by providing high-quality care to patients.

Subacute stroke: new-onset poststroke bladder and bowel dysfunctions and possible associated factors.

PURPOSE: Bladder and bowel poststroke dysfunctions negatively impact patients' health. Stroke-related characteristics associated to these dysfunctions are poorly known. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of new-onset poststroke bladder and bowel dysfunctions, characterize their associated factors, and describe the dysfunctions' clinical approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 157 patients admitted to a single hospital's stroke unit with a first-ever stroke, during 3 months. An 18-item questionnaire was applied to assess dysfunctions pre and poststroke. The McNemar test was used to compare pre and poststroke prevalence. A logistic regression was used to estimate associations (OR, 95% CI) between individual characteristics and new-onset dysfunctions. RESULTS: We had 113 (72%) respondents. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of bladder and bowel dysfunctions poststroke (p < 0.001). Higher stroke severity was significantly associated with both new-onset poststroke bladder and bowel dysfunctions (OR = 15.00, 95% CI [4.92,45.76] and OR = 5.87,95%CI [2.14,16.12], respectively). Total anterior circulation strokes, cardioembolic strokes, and lower functionality at discharge were also significantly associated with both dysfunctions. Thirteen patients (11.5%) reported that health professionals addressed these dysfunctions. CONCLUSIONS: Poststroke bladder and bowel dysfunctions are highly prevalent. Being aware of their epidemiology helps draw attention to patients at higher risk of developing these dysfunctions, enhancing the rehabilitation process.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONPoststroke bladder and bowel dysfunctions are highly prevalent and under-recognised consequences of stroke.Being aware of their epidemiology and associated factors may help identify patients at higher risk of developing these dysfunctions.It is necessary to raise clinical awareness to ensure a more efficient diagnostic and therapeutic approach, enhancing patients' rehabilitation process, quality of life and lowering collateral societal burden.

Dental curriculum reform in India: Undergraduate students' awareness and perception on the newly proposed choice based credit system.

Background: Dental education plays a crucial role in producing competent dental professionals who can cater to the diverse needs of patients. This study aimed to assess the awareness and perception of the newly proposed Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) by the Dental Council of India (DCI) among dental undergraduate students in Belagavi City, India. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional design and was conducted among undergraduates and interns of two dental colleges in Belagavi, India. A pilot study was conducted, which was followed by sample size estimation. A total 480 participants were recruited by simple random sampling technique. The questionnaire used was self-administered and comprising 23 close-ended questions in English, for which the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be 0.85, with an 84% score for face validity and a content validity ratio of 0.78. Results: The mean awareness and perception scores were highest among interns, while it was lowest among the first years. Majority of the study participants (62.7%) were unaware of this new curriculum whereas almost half (49%) of them found it to be student-friendly. A positive correlation was seen between the perception and awareness scores (r = +0.270, P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that a significant proportion of dental undergraduates lacked awareness regarding the implementation of the new curriculum, however they had a positive outlook towards it. The adoption of this model appears to be a promising initiative towards enhancing the quality of dental education at a national level.

Assessing effectiveness of braille and audio-tactile performance technique in improving oral hygiene status of young adults with visual impairment.

INTRODUCTION: Young adults with Visual impairment (VI) challenge the dentists' skills and knowledge due to a higher risk of developing oral diseases due to difficulty in attaining good oral hygiene (OH). AIMS: To assess the effectiveness of ATP (Audio-Tactile Performance) technique and braille versus braille alone in improving OH status of young adults with VI. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A parallel arm, randomized controlled trial was conducted among 70 young adults with VI. Participants were randomly allocated to either test group (braille combined with ATP) or control group (braille alone). A pre-validated braille questionnaire was used to obtain the baseline data followed by clinical examination. OH status assessment was recorded through Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PI) proforma followed by a thorough ultrasonic oral prophylaxis. Periodic reinforcement was carried out on the 7th day, after 1 month and 3 months. The outcomes were assessed at the end of 3rd and 6th month. RESULTS: There was an increase in the knowledge scores after 3 and 6 months and attitude scores, GI scores and PI scores after 6 months in the test group compared to the control group and this difference was found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study showed that a combination of ATP and braille proved to be more effective than braille alone in improving the knowledge and OH status of young adults with VI.

[Spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome]. / Síndrome de hipotensão espontânea do líquor.

Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension is a rare syndrome, characterized by orthostatic headaches, low CSF pressure and characteristic aspects on MRI. The authors describe a clinical case of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension, in which the MRI investigation revealed a low position of the cerebellar tonsils, a diffuse and symmetric dural enhancement and an engorgement of the cervical epidural venous plexus. The authors make a review of the physiopathology, clinical and radiological aspects related to this syndrome.

A relação alcoolismo e trauma no município de Ponta Grossa, 2003 / Relation alcoholism and trauma in the city of Ponta Grossa, 2003

Essa pesquisa caracteriza-se como um estudo exploratório apoiado em revisão bibliográfica e estudo documental, com ênfase no aspecto quantitativo, pelo fato do autor trabalhar na instituição em questão. (S.I.A.T.E- Ponta Grossa), considerou-se também um processo de observação participante. Foi analisado os formulários padrão do S.I.A.T.E. Ponta Grossa, no período de março de 2003 a maio de 2003, que incluíram todas as ocorrências atendidas relativas ao trauma. O resultado final totalizou 797 ocorrências, em que se envolveram 897 vítimas. Houve maior predomínio das situações violentas nos finais de semana com incremento global das causas externas em geral. O abuso de bebidas alcóolicas, mais freqüentes em fins de semana, apresenta-se outra vez como uma perigosa associação, que deveria ser alvo circunstanciado e interinstitucional das atenções, com fins preventivos. Foi encontrado significativa presença de alcoolismo nas diversas ocorrências: 25,30 por cento. O maior percentual foi obtido nas Agressões com 66,35 por cento, seguida de Ferimentos por arma branca 63,15 por cento. Nos acidentes de trânsito foi constatado 15 por cento de etilismo. Os valores de envolvimento de álcool obtidos foram de modo geral, em maior percentual em relação a outros estudos nacionais ou internacionais, provavelmente pela metodologia ali empregada, visto que a alcoolemia registrada baseia-se em níveis maiores de teor alcoólico, em geral acima de 0,5 g/l enquanto o presente estudo se baseia em hálito etílico e/ou sinais clínicos de alcoolismo. As vítimas fatais, desse estudo, submetidas ao registro de alcoolemia pelo I.M.L. em total 10 (dez) resultou positiva em 50 por cento dos casos.