The Oral Health Condition of Patients on Hemodialysis at a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Eastern Nepal.

Objectives: This study was done to compare the oral health of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis to healthy individuals and to assess the effect of the duration of dialysis on oral health. Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among purposively selected 54 cases undergoing dialysis and 54 apparently healthy controls. Caries experience and periodontal status were recorded under similar examination conditions and compared between cases and controls. The correlation between oral health and the duration of dialysis was assessed. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 47.09 ± 12.23 years. Median caries experience among cases and controls was two (0-26) and three (0-15), respectively (p=0.013). Periodontitis among the two groups was found to be significantly different with a greater number of cases showing increased severity (p < 0.001). The severe form of periodontitis was associated with a greater mean duration of dialysis. Conclusion: Significant differences exist between the periodontal health of patients undergoing dialysis compared to healthy controls. Longitudinal studies are required to check the causal effect of CKD on periodontitis.

Dental Caries in Permanent First Molar and Its Association with Carious Primary Second Molar among 6-11-Year-Old School Children in Sunsari, Nepal.

The permanent first molar (PFM) plays an essential role in maintaining the dental and overall health of an individual. It is the most susceptible tooth to dental caries due to its early eruption and location near the primary second molar in the oral cavity. We assessed the clinical status of the PFM and its association with carious primary second molars among 6-11-year-old children in Sunsari, Nepal, from January 2019 to December 2021. We recorded DMFT/DMFS and dft/dfs indices of the first permanent molar and secondary primary molar. Chi-square, logistic regression, and Spearman rank correlation (r s) were used to explore the association between carious molar lesions. Of the 655 children, only 612 had all first permanent molars. The prevalence of caries was higher in the second primary molar (70.9%) than in the PFM (38.6%). In both molars, the occlusal surface was the most commonly affected surface by dental caries. A significant association (p < 0.01) was found between the decayed primary second molar and the decayed PFM. A moderate but statistically significant correlation (p < 0.01) was found between the occurrence of dental caries in both the molars.

Acceptance and hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccine among Nepalese population: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is an emerging infectious disease with a high transmission rate and substantial deaths. Various vaccines have been developed to combat it. This study is aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among the Nepalese population through a web-based survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a web-based cross-sectional descriptive study of Nepalese people 18 years and above from different regions of Nepal who use social media (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit) as well as instant messaging applications (Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp). The duration of the study was 3 months from 1st June 2021 to 31st August 2021. The sampling technique used was self-selected non-probability sampling. A validated questionnaire had been taken to record the data. RESULTS: A total of 307 participants were included in the study. About three-fourths of participants 231 (75.2%) had not been vaccinated while 76 (24.8%) had been vaccinated with COVID -19 vaccine. Out of 231 non-vaccinated participants, most of participants 213 (92.2%) had shown acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than two-thirds of participants believed that the vaccine would protect them, their family members, and the community from having COVID-19 in the future. Very few participants 18 (7.2%) were hesitant to receive the vaccine against COVID-19. About two-thirds of participants were being afraid of adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine while more than half of participants hesitated due to lack of enough information regarding COVID-19 vaccine. CONCLUSION: This study can aid in the planning of vaccination campaigns and the direction of future public health efforts aimed at increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

Musculoskeletal complaints and associated factors among dental practitioners of Nepal: a nationwide survey.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) constitute a significant occupational hazard among dental practitioners. An online-based e-survey was conducted among 252 registered dentists of Nepal using the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) to assess musculoskeletal complaints and work-related characteristics. Musculoskeletal complaints in lower regions were found to be highly prevalent among dental practitioners with prevalence of 76, 27 and 28.2% in the last 12 months, 1 month and 7 days, respectively, followed by musculoskeletal complaints in the neck, wrist/hand and shoulder. Musculoskeletal complaint during the last 12 months was significantly associated with age, years in dental practice after graduation and leave from duty in the past 12 months. Similarly, educational qualification, medical comorbidities and leave from duty were associated with complaints in the last 1 month. Musculoskeletal complaint during the last 7 days was associated with gender, working hours in a day, practice of four-handed dentistry and patients examined in a day.

Self-medication Practice of Antibiotics among Medical and Dental Undergraduate Students in a Medical College in Eastern Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Self-medication plays significant role in the development of adverse drug reactions, antibiotic resistance, and masking of underlying diseases. Medical students have some knowledge about the use of antibiotics and have a higher chance of irrational and injudicious use. This study aims to find the prevalence of self-medication practice of antibiotics among medical and dental undergraduate students. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among medical and dental undergraduate students from the first year to the fifth year at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences from 1st June 2018 to 30th August 2018. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC/1210/018). Whole sampling was done. Data was collected using a self-responding, semistructured questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 11.5. RESULTS: In total 558 students, the prevalence of self-medication practice of different antibiotics was 285 (51.1%) within the past year. Among self-medicated students, 152 (53.3%) were males. The common drug self-medicated was Azithromycin 80 (28.1%) and the common medical condition to use non-prescription antibiotics was for treatment of sore throat with runny nose 129 (45.3%). The main source for obtaining non-prescription antibiotics were retail pharmacies 157 (55.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Self-medication with antibiotics was at increasing rate with each succeeding years of the medical courses. Medical students should be made aware of the rational use of antibiotics by incorporating appropriate courses in their academic curriculum for more refined practice on antibiotics rather than advancement of theoretical knowledge alone.

Evaluating Sanitization of Toothbrushes Using Various Decontamination Methods: A Meta-Analysis.

Toothbrushes play an essential role in personal oral hygiene by effective plaque removal.However, they get heavily contaminated by bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and fungi which may originate from the oral cavity after every use as well as from the environment where they are stored. This systematic review was conducted to identify various decontamination interventions attempted scientifically and it summarizes the efficacy of each. Meta-analysis illustrated that the use of Ultra-violet rays and Microwave had a significant effect on reduction of the microbial count of a used toothbrush with a mean difference of -2.61 and CI (-4.66,-0.76) with I2=98%. When compared with non-active treatment group, the natural agents (garlic, green tree and tea-tree oil) proved to sterilize the toothbrushes effectively with mean difference of -483.34, CI (-914.79, -51.88) and I2=100%.In contrast, chlorhexidine showed the insignificant result with a mean difference of -347.55 and CI (-951.90, 256.80) with I2=100%. The evidence from this review suggests that decontaminating toothbrush reduces bacterial load. Toothbrushes exposed to radiation and natural agents proved to sanitize them effectively but chlorhexidine rendered insignificant results. Keywords: Chemical agent; disinfection; radiation; microbial load; natural agent; toothbrush.

Translation and validation of the Nepalese version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index.

OBJECTIVE: To translate and validate the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) (Nepali version) from original English version. BACKGROUND: Growing numbers of elderly people have problems in different aspects of oral health increasing the demand for dental care services among them GOHAI may be one of the effective means of gathering information on oral health problems of the elderly people. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 168 individuals ≥60 years from seven old-age homes located in Eastern Nepal were included in the study. The Nepali version of GOHAI was translated and validated. RESULTS: A total of 168 elderly people (79 male and 89 female participants) completed GOHAI questionnaire. The mean age (±SD) of the participants was 72.49 (±10.00) years. The mean GOHAI score (±SD) was 42.29 (±6.93) and ranged from 17 to 59. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the Nepali version of GOHAI (GOHAI-N) was 0.74, which is categorised as very good agreement. Analysis of discriminant validity showed that lower mean GOHAI score was seen in study participants with more number of missing and decayed teeth. However, those who had more than one filled surface had higher mean GOHAI score. CONCLUSION: The Nepali version of the GOHAI exhibited acceptable reliability and validity when used for older people residing in old age homes. The GOHAI-N showed good consistency and homogeneity among the items.

Amelogenesis Imperfecta: A Case Series from the Community.

Amelogenesis Imperfecta is a hereditary disorder affecting the formation of enamel structure. Two female children and one male (11 years, 12 years and 6 years respectively) reported with chief complaint of yellowish discoloration of teeth since their childhood. They reported that they had similar discoloration in their deciduous teeth. Clinical examination showed generalized deposits of plaque and calculus, yellowish discoloration of the teeth with chipping off of the incisal and cuspal enamel structures. OPG revealed thin lining of enamel with thick dentin layer and pulp chamber. PA view revealed unfused anterior fontanels and lateral cephalogram indicated vertebrae in growing phase. The patients were instructed to maintain proper oral hygiene and regular follow up till the growth cessation. Permanent skeletal, functional, esthetic needs is addressed after growth completion. Oral rehabilitation through multidisciplinary approach can certainly provide a good prognosis and patients were counselled and motivated to maintain good oral hygiene. Keywords: Amelogenesis Imperfecta; esthetic; yellowish discoloration.