Determinants of Tobacco Use among Children of a Rural Village in India: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. It is both a major social and health problem. According to National Sample Survey Organization of Government of India about 20 million children of ages 10-14 are estimated to be tobacco-addicted. There are grave consequences of tobacco both socially and also on health thus it is of utmost importance to understand the factors leading to its use and to plan strategies to reduce its intake. However, the health implications of this social issue in a rural context have not been explored. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: this study makes an attempt to explore the health and social implications of tobacco usage by the children below the age of 14 years in hamlet. MATERIALS AND METHODS:   The present study employed a qualitative study design. Data was collected using focus group discussion and in-depth interview of key informants. Thematic analysis for exploring the explicit and implicit meanings within the data was done. The themes which emerged were knowledge about tobacco and the various products available, children and parents' tobacco use and habits, the health and social implication of tobacco use, reasons for tobacco use by the children. RESULTS: It was found tobacco use by the children was very common in the community. Parent, peer pressure, sibling pressure were found to be playing important role in the initiation of tobacco habit by the child. Further illiteracy and lack of awareness was also lead to tobacco use among children. CONCLUSION: The study identifies education and awareness of parents about the ill-effects of tobacco play an important role as parents act as role model for their children, thus equal stress should be laid in improving the parental habits. Even raising the prices of tobacco products can help in controlling this habit.
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Disaster Management and General Dental Practitioners in India: An Overlooked Resource.

OBJECTIVE: To assess General Dental Practitioners' (GDPs) in India willingness to participate in disaster management and their previous training pertaining to disaster management, and to assess GDP objective knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding disaster management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted on all GDPs of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Willingness to participate, perceived knowledge, perceived effectiveness, objective knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding disaster management were assessed through questionnaire method. Information also was collected regarding age, gender, religion, and residence. RESULTS: A total of 142 out of 180 GDPs participated in the study, representing a response rate of 79%. A majority (85%) of respondents were willing to participate in disaster management. Mean score for knowledge was 12.21%, for attitude was 33.56%, for behavior was 14.50%, and for perceived effectiveness was 9.08%. Significant correlations were observed between qualification and perceived effectiveness (P=.003), and between attitude and years of practice (P=.04). Willingness to participate in disaster management and age showed significant association (P=.000). CONCLUSIONS: High willingness and attitude to participate in disaster management was observed among respondents. Low knowledge and behavior scores were observed among GDPs.

Dental anomalies of the deciduous dentition among Indian children: a survey from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

BACKGROUND: Anomalies and enamel hypoplasia of deciduous dentition are routinely encountered by dental professionals and early detection and careful management of such conditions facilitates may help in customary occlusal development. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypodontia, microdontia, double teeth, and hyperdontia of deciduous teeth among Indian children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 1,398 children (735 boys, 633 girls). The children were examined in department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry in Jodhpur Dental College General Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Clinical data were collected by single dentist according to Kreiborg criteria, which includes double teeth, hypodontia, microdontia, and supernumerary teeth. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the descriptive analysis and chi-square test. RESULTS: Dental anomalies were found in 4% of children. The distribution of dental anomalies were significantly more frequent (P = 0.001) in girls (5.8%, n = 38) than in boys (2.7%, n = 18). In relation to anomaly frequencies at different ages, significant difference was found between 2 and 3 years (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Double teeth were the most frequently (2.3%) observed anomaly. The other anomalies followed as 0.3% supernumerary teeth, 0.6% microdontia, 0.6% hypodontia. Identification of dental anomalies at an early age is of great importance as it prevents malocclusions, functional and certain psychological problems.

Color stability of esthetic restorative material after topical fluoride application

AIM: Present study was conducted to compare the effect of topical fluoride agents on color change of three aesthetic restorative materials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Restorative material used were Ketac Fill type II (GIC), Filtek Z350(Composite) and Beuttifull II (Giomer). Topical Fluorides used were Pascal (1.23% APF gel) and Fluoride Varnish (Bifluoride). 24 samples of each restorative material were prepared, which were divided into 8 each, among three groups. Treatment of Group A with APF gel, Group B with Varnish was done and Group C with distilled water which was used as a control, followed by immersing of samples in artificial saliva for 48 hr. Samples were then subjected to colorimetric analysis. Data collected was statistically analysed using one way ANOVA and Tukys Post Hoc Test. RESULTS: GIC showed statistically significant change in color in both APF and Varnish group compared to composite and Giomer after 48 hr. CONCLUSION: Present study concludes that Topical fluoride agents have detrimental effect on color of aesthetic restorative materials. Giomer was least effected out of the three restorative materials and this can be used as alternative to other restorative material.

Exploring the predictors of quitting tobacco usage among patients attending a private dental institution--a survey from Jodhpur, India.

BACKGROUND: Burden of tobacco epidemic has swiftly moved to developing countries making the exploration of predictors of quitting tobacco usage extremely important. AIM: To assess the willingness to quit tobacco use and to ascertain the predictors of quitting tobacco as well as tobacco dependency by employing Fagerstrom scale. METHODS: The study consisted of 252 subjects visiting the Public Health Dentistry department in a Dental institution JDCGH (Jodhpur Dental College General Hospital), Rajasthan, India. Data on demographic information, tobacco usage and quitting, information on reasons for quitting like; self-concepts, social concerns, legal issues, and health concern was collected by interview schedule method. RESULTS: Overall 76% of the study participants were planning to quit. Demographic variables like age, marital status and religion were significant predictors of planning to quit tobacco usage (p ≤ 0.05). Significant relationship was observed on Fagerstrom Scale with place of residence, type of tobacco use and frequency of tobacco use (p ≤ 0.05). The most frequent cited reason for quitting tobacco usage was spitting and ash dropping which was embarrassing in-front of others (75.65%) and least reported reason was future health concerns (33.16%). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the respondents had favourable attitude towards quitting tobacco usage and social concern was the main predictor of quitting tobacco usage. Less reported reasons like legal issues and health concerns have to be explored in depth. The present study highlights the need for more researches exploring the predictors of quitting tobacco usage in India and further nationwide study.