Assessing the effect of oral diseases on oral health related quality of life of institutionalized elderly using Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: India establishes a geriatric population of about 80 million which is 7.2% of the total population. The geriatric population is often faced by a negative impact on their quality of life due to poor oral health. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of oral disease on daily activities and quality of life among the institutionalized elderly in Kanpur, India. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total of fifty-six patients were purposively selected from two old age homes through convenience sampling technique. To assess the oral health status WHO basic oral health survey form (1997) was used. Short version of Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP - 14) questionnaire was used to assess the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). Independent t-test and ANOVA test was done to determine the relationship between the groups. RESULTS: Presence or absence of grossly decayed teeth, chronic periodontitis, based on edentulism and remaining sound teeth status produced no significant differences in any of the domains. In comparison with males, females experienced greater impact of oral diseases with respect to mean OHIP-14 score; however, it was non - significant (p=0.45). CONCLUSION: Oral health status of the institutionalized subjects in Kanpur city is poor, with edentulism and periodontitis. The effect of oral diseases on the lives of elderly is comparatively low and is non-significant.

Knowledge regarding prescription of drugs among dental students: A descriptive study.

INTRODUCTION: The act of indicating one or more drugs to be taken by the patient, its dosage, and the interval of the treatment is known as prescribing. It is a dynamic and individualized clinical process. Cultural, social, economic and promotional factors can influence the pattern of prescription. Thus the present study was conducted to evaluate the drug prescription knowledge in third year and final year dental students at Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. METHODOLOGY: A questionnaire consisting of 10 open-ended questions was used in a study which was conducted among 170 male and female, third year and final year dental students of Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre. Tables and graphs were used to represent data. RESULTS: Pain was found to be the most important reason for prescribing medication. Diclofenac was found to be the most commonly prescribed NSAID. While amoxicillin was found to be the most widely prescribed antibiotic. Lack of knowledge about drug posology was the basic reason for error done by students. Maximum number of students gets their information for prescribing drugs from their professors. Maximum number of students was unacquainted about the WHO Guide to Good Prescribing. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of prescribing drugs is of utmost need for good dental practice and hence, it is essential to expand the knowledge related to pharmacological therapy and to know about the proper therapeutic guidelines. With the help of WHO Guide to Good Prescribing, and some educational programs students will develop better prescribing skills.