Assessment of dental professionals' maintenance of management practices developed and incorporated during COVID-19 pandemic - a cross-sectional study.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of emerging public health problems for the past few years. Due to its contagious nature, health care professionals especially dentists, incorporated various modifications in their practices to prevent themselves and their patients from the risk of getting infected. Objective: The present study aims to assess whether dental professionals are still continuing with those modifications in practice in current times. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 415 subjects after getting due approval from concerned authorities and consent from the subjects. Systematic random sampling methodology was employed for selection for study sample. The study employed a self-constructed questionnaire which was divided into 2 parts and information regarding demographic profile, practice modifications and safety protocols was gathered from subjects. Statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square test and multiple regression analysis. Results: Only 8.6% of subjects were currently continuing with their all previous practice modifications. A vast majority of subjects (83.8%) were not deferring treatment of patients showing suspicious symptoms. Approximately 89% of subjects were not sanitizing the operating area at the end of the working day. More than two-thirds (76.4%) of the subjects stated that the pandemic was over. Female gender (OR:1.67) and high level of education (OR:2.45) had an important effect on the continuation of practice modifications. Conclusion: Very few subjects were adhering to all practice modifications previously incorporated. Dental professionals should not let their guard down even if COVID-19 cases have reduced considerably. The information collected will be useful for the dental community and further studies should be carried out.

Students' preferences regarding teaching methodology in dental education - a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of dental education is to prepare competent ethical professionals with critical thinking, reasoning and analyzing skills along with ability of application of clinical skills and judgement in treating a patient. The present study was designed with the objective to elicit the preferences of dental students regarding the utility of the prevailing teaching and learning methods and teaching aids. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate dental students. Study population consisted of 382 dental students. A self-designed close-ended questionnaire written in English was constructed specifically for the study. The questionnaire was divided into two sections. Information regarding various teaching and learning methods both in theory and practical/clinical classes was obtained from the students. Results were calculated using numbers and percentages only. RESULTS: The mean age of the students was 20.49 + 2.4 years. Problem based learning (PBL) was rated very useful by 76% (290) and useful by 24% (92) of subjects. Performing clinical/practical procedure individually rather than in group was rated very useful by 31% (118) of subjects. Use of power-point along with the blackboard was rated as the most useful method by 95% (363) of subjects. Majority of subjects (61%, 233) felt that 40 minutes duration of lecture was more useful as compared to 30 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study concludes that dental students prefer active teaching learning methodologies and combination of audiovisual aids. Hence it is suggested that collaboration of different active teaching methods and aids should be adopted by the teachers in order to enhance the student learning process.

Periodontal health status of transport workers of a union territory in India: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent dental diseases, which affects the adult population of the world, varying only in degree from mild to severe. Transport industry is considered an important pillar for socioeconomic development of any nation. The present study was carried out to assess the periodontal health status of transport workers working in Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) buses, Chandigarh (Union territory). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on all available CTU workers at all three bus depots. The data were recorded on a modified WHO format (1997). A total of 998 subjects were included for community periodontal index (CPI) and attachment loss computations after doing necessary exclusions. Periodontal status was evaluated using CPI. RESULTS: About 8.13% of the subjects had healthy periodontium while maximum subjects (73.2%) had a score 2 (calculus) as evaluated by CPI. 3.4% (12) of the subjects belonging to upper middle class had deep pockets as compared to 1.9% (10) of the subjects in the lower middle class. None of the subjects in the upper high, high, and upper middle socioeconomic status (SES) category had a loss of attachment score 4. 25.9% of the postgraduates had a CPI score of 0 whereas 0.7% high school subjects had a loss of attachment score 4. CONCLUSION: Advanced periodontal disease (CPI score, 4) affected small number of subjects with maximum subjects (73%) having a CPI score of 2. There was statistically significant association of SES and education level with the CPI score and loss of attachment level.

Periodontal health status and treatment needs of the rural population of India: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is of public health concern and hence data on its prevalence rate are necessary. We have documented the prevalence pattern of periodontal disease in a rural population of Belgaum district, India, and identify the optimal treatment needs (TNs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried on 1680 dentate adult subjects, examined from 12 villages in Belgaum district, Karnataka, India for prevalence of periodontal status and their TNs (using Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs [CPITN]). RESULTS: Increase in CPITN score positively correlated with age. Only 4.3% (13) of subjects in the age-group of 20-29 had a CPITN score of 4 indicative of pockets of 6 mm or more when compared to 26% (91) of subjects in the age-group of 45-60 years. 92% (569) of the subjects in the age-group of 30-44 were having a TN score 2 whereas only 5.3% (33) of subjects were having a TN score 0 in the same age-group. Significantly higher need for treatment was observed in males, smokers and subjects using finger and tooth powder. Surprisingly diet of the subjects did not influence TNs. CONCLUSION: Increased prevalence of periodontal diseases and TNs was observed. There is a need for initiating adequate awareness regarding oral hygiene, specifically primary prevention could help in reducing the prevalence of periodontal disease.

Oral health knowledge and awareness among pregnant women in India: A systematic review.

Pregnancy is a unique period during a woman's life and is characterized by complex physiological changes, which may adversely affect oral health. The present systematic review was conducted to assess knowledge and awareness regarding oral health among pregnant women in India. Relevant cross-sectional observational studies were included in the systematic review to assess the level of knowledge and awareness regarding oral health among pregnant women in India. Seven studies out of 255 were finally included in the present review after conducting both electronic and manual search of scientific databases. Potential biases were reported and appropriate data were extracted by the concerned investigators. Almost 67% of the subjects had good knowledge and awareness regarding oral health in one of the study findings. Knowledge regarding effect of decayed teeth on the appearance of the people was significantly related to the parity status of the subjects (P = 0.024) in other study reports. Very few subjects (17.1% and 37.5%) felt the need for visiting a dentist during pregnancy in two studies. The results of the present review showed that pregnant women had poor knowledge and awareness regarding oral health. Therefore, there is an urgent need for education and motivation of expectant mothers regarding oral health through various health promotion interventions.