Reliability and Validity of a Nepalese Version of the Oral Health Impact Profile for Edentulous Subjects.

PURPOSE: To assess the reliability and to validate the translated Nepalese version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-EDENT-N) in Nepalese edentulous subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The international guidelines for translation and cross-cultural adaption of OHIP-EDENT were followed, and a Nepalese version of the questionnaire was adapted for this study. Eighty-eight completely edentulous subjects were then selected for the study and completed their responses for the questionnaire. The reliability of the OHIP-EDENT-N was evaluated using internal consistency. Validity was assessed as construct and convergent validity. Construct validity was determined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The correlation between OHIP-EDENT-N subscale scores and the global question was investigated to test the convergent validity. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for the total score of OHIP-EDENT-N was 0.78. Construct validity was assessed by factor analysis: 70.196% of the variance was accountable to five factors extracted from the factor analysis. Factor loadings above 0.40 were noted for all items. In terms of convergent validity, significant correlations could be established between OHIP-EDENT-N and global questions. CONCLUSIONS: This study has been able to establish the reliability and validity of the OHIP-EDENT-N, and OHIP-EDENT-N can be a considered a reliable tool to assess the oral health related quality of life in the Nepalese edentulous population.

A questionnaire study on the impact on oral health-related quality of life by conventional rehabilitation of edentulous patient.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether complete dentures improve the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of edentulous patients, and to assess any associations related to age, gender, and OHRQoL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hundred edentulous patients who required conventional complete denture treatment were selected for this study. The following inclusion criteria were established: edentulous in both jaws with no previous history of denture treatment and no significant medical history. The patients were selected who satisfied the criteria associated with the class I prosthodoctic diagnostic index. OHRQoL of the patients were assessed twice, once pre treatment (at the first visit) and once post treatment (8 weeks post insertion of dentures) using an instrument called OHIP-EDENT-N. Significant differences in the OHIP-EDENT-N scores between pre treatment and post treatment were calculated using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. Gender differences were assessed using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: After provision of new complete dentures, all domains of the OHIP-EDENT-N showed significant improvements except physical pain and social disability. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that conventional complete denture improved the OHRQoL of edentulous patients.

Knowledge and perception about dental implants among undergraduate dental students.

INTRODUCTION: Awareness about dental implants is increasing among dental patients, which demands a higher level of competence for dental students. So, the objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and perception of undergraduate dental students about dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted after taking ethical clearance and approval from the Institutional Review Committee of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences and informed consent from each dental college of Nepal. The sample included all those students who were present at the time of survey. Data collection were carried out during the academic schedules of the colleges, supervised, and monitored by the investigators themselves. Collected data were coded, entered in Microsoft excel 2013 and descriptive analysis was carried out. RESULTS: A majority of the total (54.6%) and 59.2% of 5th year respondents perceived to be moderately well-informed about dental implants. The main advantage of dental implants was thought to be longevity by 53.1% of total and 48.4% of 5th year students; only 27.6% of the total and 42.2% of 5th year students said the main advantage of dental implants is they are more conservative than other tooth-replacement modalities. Highest percentage of the total respondents (31.9%) said most important factor for implant success to be implant type and material, whereas 59.8% of 5th year students said case selection. Those who felt dental implants require additional oral hygiene maintenance and care by the patient and dentist were 58.4% of total and 75.1% of 5th year students. Over two-thirds (67.5%) of total thought that economic feasibility will limit use of dental implants in Nepal. The difficulty encountered to place implants was perceived to be average by 56.8% of total and 58.1% of 5th year. There were differences in the perception and knowledge at different academic levels, but not as expected. CONCLUSIONS: It could not be concluded that knowledge about dental implants increased with increase in academic level. Even at the late-clinical year a majority of students gave unsatisfactory responses.

Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude Regarding Dental Implants among Dental Interns.

INTRODUCTION: Implant therapy is an elective dental procedure of dental rehabilitative treatment. Objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitude of dental interns of Nepal toward dental implants and to see associations of the responses with gender and geographic location of dental college. METHODS: It was conducted from June 2016 to June 2017 after taking ethical clearance and approval from the research committee. The sample included the interns who were present at the time of the survey. Data collection was done through a cross-sectional questionnaire survey, during clinical postings of the interns at all the dental colleges of Nepal, supervised and monitored by the investigators themselves; coded and entered in Microsoft Excel 2013 and statistical analysis was done by SPSS 20 version. RESULTS: A majority of the interns said they are moderately well informed about dental implants 141 (50.36%); main advantage of dental implants is they are conservative 164 (58.6%); most important factor for implant success is case selection 143 (51.07%); the longevity of dental implants is 10-20yrs, 162 (57.85%), 188 (67.14%) agreed that they were not provided with sufficient information and 191 (68.21%) stated that they need more information; 180 (64.3%) felt the difficulty encountered while placing implants is average and 229 (81.78%) stated that they need more hygiene care than natural teeth. There were major differences in the mindset to some other questions. Significant associations were seen with the location of college for some responses. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of interns have knowledge regarding dental implants, but the percentage of those who gave unsatisfactory answers is also large. They have a positive attitude towards gaining more information through various means.

Preferred Source and Perceived Need of More Information about Dental Implants by the Undergraduate Dental Students of Nepal: All Nepal Survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to know the preferred source and perceived need of more information about dental implants by the undergraduate students of Nepal and their association with academic levels and gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was conducted in all the dental colleges of Nepal from June 2016 to June 2017 after taking ethical clearance and approval from the research committee of BPKIHS. It included all those who were present at the time of survey. Data collection was done through a cross-sectional questionnaire survey during the academic schedule of the colleges, supervised and monitored by the investigators themselves. The collected data were coded and entered in Microsoft excel 2013, and statistical analysis was done by SPSS 20 version. RESULT: A majority of the respondents agreed that they were not provided with sufficient information about implant treatment procedures during their BDS program (65.3%), would like more to be provided in the curriculum (95.1%), and would like to get additional reliable information from dental consultants and specialists (40.7%) and training on it from fellowship programs conducted by universities (39.2%). Significant association was seen between the responses and academic levels. CONCLUSION: Undergraduate dental students of Nepal want more information about dental implants through various means.

Fabrication of Closed Hollow Bulb Obturator Using Thermoplastic Resin Material.

Purpose. Closed hollow bulb obturators are used for the rehabilitation of postmaxillectomy patients. However, the time consuming process, complexity of fabrication, water leakage, and discoloration are notable disadvantages of this technique. This paper describes a clinical report of fabricating closed hollow bulb obturator using a single flask and one time processing method for an acquired maxillary defect. Hard thermoplastic resin sheet has been used for the fabrication of hollow bulb part of the obturator. Method. After fabrication of master cast conventionally, bulb and lid part of the defect were formed separately and joined by autopolymerizing acrylic resin to form one sized smaller hollow body. During packing procedure, the defect area was loaded with heat polymerizing acrylic resin and then previously fabricated smaller hollow body was adapted over it. The whole area was then loaded with heat cure acrylic. Further processes were carried out conventionally. Conclusion. This technique uses single flask which reduces laboratory time and makes the procedure simple. The thickness of hollow bulb can be controlled and light weight closed hollow bulb prosthesis can be fabricated. It also minimizes the disadvantages of closed hollow bulb obturator such as water leakage, bacterial infection, and discoloration.