Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Dentists in Caribbean Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected dentists globally, both financially and mentally. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of dentists in Caribbean countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A non-probability sample was obtained from dentists in more than ten different Caribbean countries. They were invited to complete a self-reported questionnaire, which was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021. Ethics approval was sought and an exemption was received from the UWI ethics committee. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-two dentists responded. More than one-third (38.8%) were in the >35-45 age group, and 58.6% were females. Most (84.9%) were general dentists and 75% were stressed by the COVID-19 situation with 80.9% being affected financially. The majority, 94.7%, believed that the highest risk of transmission of COVID-19 was via aerosol-generating procedures and 87.5% were worried about contracting it clinically. The majority (69.1%) were willing to receive the vaccine, the main reason reported for vaccine hesitancy was due to the possible side effects (35.3%). Most (75%) consumed alcohol. When the locus of control was determined, 54.6% felt they were in control of protecting themselves while 52% felt that external factors controlled their lives. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that most dentists in the Caribbean were knowledgeable about COVID-19 and followed current guidelines in their practice and were willing to receive the vaccine.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Dentists in Caribbean Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected dentists globally, both financially and mentally. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of dentists in Caribbean countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A non-probability sample was obtained from dentists in more than ten different Caribbean countries. They were invited to complete a self-reported questionnaire, which was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021. Ethics approval was sought and an exemption was received from the UWI ethics committee. Results: One hundred and fifty-two dentists responded. More than one-third (38.8%) were in the >35­45 age group, and 58.6% were females. Most (84.9%) were general dentists and 75% were stressed by the COVID-19 situation with 80.9% being affected financially. The majority, 94.7%, believed that the highest risk of transmission of COVID-19 was via aerosol-generating procedures and 87.5% were worried about contracting it clinically. The majority (69.1%) were willing to receive the vaccine, the main reason reported for vaccine hesitancy was due to the possible side effects (35.3%). Most (75%) consumed alcohol. When the locus of control was determined, 54.6% felt they were in control of protecting themselves while 52% felt that external factors controlled their lives. Conclusions: The findings suggest that most dentists in the Caribbean were knowledgeable about COVID-19 and followed current guidelines in their practice and were willing to receive the vaccine.

Self-Rated Oral Health and Associated Factors among an Adult Population in Rural India-An Epidemiological Study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the perception of oral health status and its associated factors among adults living in rural areas in Karnataka state, India. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in the age group of 35-54 years old residing in villages in a southern state in India. The main outcome measure was poor self-rated oral health (SROH) among adults in rural India. RESULTS: About 873 adults participated in the study. The prevalence of poor SROH was 15.2%. Adults of age 40-44 years, females, those in lower socioeconomic conditions, and those with high caries experience (DMFT ≥ 4) and periodontal disease were associated with poor SROH. Those who had visited a dentist in the previous one year were 1.9 times more likely to report poor oral health. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 15% of rural people reported poor oral health. Socioeconomic conditions, sex, age, smoking, and dental visiting were associated with poor SROH. People's perception of poor oral health was associated with severe periodontitis and DMFT ≥ 4. A dose-response relationship was observed between experience with dental caries and poor SROH.

COVID-19 Stressors among Dental Academics at UWI­A Caribbean Perspective

COVID-19 is a pandemic that has a ected health care personnel worldwide. Dentists have a high risk of contracting COVID-19 given the face-to-face contact required in daily interactions with their patients. This study aimed to determine the stressors experienced by academic dentists due to the COVID-19 situation in Trinidad and Jamaica. All academic staff at the University of the West Indies (UWI) dental schools (St. Augustine and Mona campuses) were invited to complete a self-reported questionnaire, which was conducted for one month from May to June 2020. Thirty-two dental academics responded and the response rate was 61.54%. More than a third (34.4%) were in the 25­35 age group, 71.9% were females. The most common speciality (20.7%) was restorative dentistry. Just over one-third (38.7%) had been in academia for 5­10 years. Most (40.6%) were apprehensive about infecting their family. When the locus of control was determined, just over half (53.1%) felt they were in control of protecting themselves while 34.4% felt that external factors controlled their lives. The findings suggest that academic sta at UWI dental schools (Trinidad and Jamaica) were stressed by the COVID-19 situation. The vast majority were worried about infecting their families.

Is Periodontitis Independently Associated with Potentially Malignant Disorders of the Oral Cavity?

Objective: To examine if periodontitis is independently associated with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) in a rural Indian adult population aged 35-54 years. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural India from 2011 to 2012. Multistage stratified cluster random sampling was followed to recruit 1401 participants aged 35-54 years. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data on sociodemographic factors, tobacco and alcohol use. Oral examinations were done to record OPMD, periodontal findings and missing teeth. Univariate, bivariate and multivariable analyses were achieved using SPSS version 16 Chicago, SPSS Inc. OPMDs (leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and suspicious malignant lesion) whether present or absent were selected as outcome variables; age, sex, socioeconomic factors, smoking, tobacco-chewing status, alcohol use, and periodontitis were considered as the predictor variables. Results: Among 873 participants, 44 demonstrated 47 lesions. Leukoplakia (n=21), erythroplakia (n=3), OSF (n=21), and suspicious malignant lesions (n=2) were present, strongly associated with past tobacco-chewing status [OR=9.22 (2.57-33.15)], current tobacco-chewing status [OR=15.49 (6.20-38.74)] and moderate/severe periodontitis [OR=3.19 (1.11-9.12)]. Conclusion: Periodontitis is a risk indicator for OPMD, independent of socioeconomic factors and tobacco-chewing. Tobacco-chewing status, both past and current, was strongly associated with OPMD in our rural Indian population.

Association between dental visiting and missing teeth: Estimation using propensity score adjustment.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the association between dental visiting and missing teeth using propensity score (PS) adjustment to control for confounding bias, and to compare the estimates with those obtained from traditional regression models. METHODS: A population-based study was conducted on adults aged 35-54 years in India. Multistage stratified cluster random sampling was used. Data were collected through interviews and oral examinations. The exposure factor was 'dental visiting', and the outcome was number of missing teeth. Sociodemographic factors, oral hygiene practices, periodontal disease, and caries experience were the covariates. Inverse probability weight (IPW) calculated from the PS for dental visiting from a logistic regression model was used to balance the covariates. The association between dental visiting and missing teeth was estimated from log-binomial regression models with and without using IPW. RESULTS: Of the 873 participants, 77.7% visited a dentist. The ≥1 missing teeth prevalence was 65.3%. Post-IPW adjustment covariate standardized bias between groups with or without dental visit was lower than the pre-IPW adjustment. Those who visited a dentist had an adjusted prevalence ratio of 2.40 when IPW was used, and 2.03 when IPW was not used. CONCLUSION: Dental visiting was strongly associated with missing teeth in this rural population.

Knowledge of dental decay and associated factors among pregnant women: a study from rural India.

PURPOSE: To assess the knowledge of dental decay among pregnant women and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics and caries experience in rural India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 381 pregnant women in southern India. Variables and knowledge of dental decay were recorded using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Dental caries was recorded by a calibrated examiner as per WHO guidelines. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents were under 30 years of age (91.6%), utilised a public health-care delivery system (57.2%), were primigravid (63%), had a pre-universtiy diploma (64.8%) and were in the 3rd trimester (63%). Overall, poor knowledge was expressed by 12% to 37% of the women. The mean (±SD) DT (decayed teeth), MT (missing teeth), FT (filled teeth) and DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth) were 3.08 (±2.6), 0.93 (±2.23), 0.39 (±1.14) and 4.4 (±3.56), respectively. There were no significant differences in the responses to the knowledge of caries with respect to age and trimester. Educational status, health-care delivery system and number of pregnancies had a significant association with knowledge of caries. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the limited knowledge of dental decay among pregnant, rural, southern Indian women. Preventive programmes for pregnant women should be designed based upon a thorough interview including an informative session on the specific risks during this period, in order to motivate the patient towards oral health and implement the needed prophylactic measures.

Oral health impact, dental caries, and oral health behaviors among the National Cadets Corps in South India.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the oral health impact and to evaluate the association between socioeconomic status, oral health behaviors, dental caries experience, and oral health impacts among children enrolled in the National Cadets Corps. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 389 male cadets aged between 13 and 15 years. Sociodemographic and oral health behavior-related information was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The Child-Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) Index was used to assess the oral impacts. The cadets were clinically examined for caries experience using decayed, missing, filled tooth index. RESULTS: A total of 359 children completed all stages of the survey. The mean age of the children was 13.96 ± 0.6 years. Fifty-five percent of the participants experienced at least one impact in the last 3 months. The mean OIDP score for the population was 12.13 ± 5.85. The most prevalent impact was difficulty in eating (37%), and the least affected daily performance was social contact (17%). Dental attendance and caries experience were significant predictors of oral impacts. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that oral health had a significant impact on quality of life. Caries experience and past dental visits were associated with oral health-related quality of life among this study population.

Oral health status and treatment need among preschool children attending Anganwadi centres - a comparative study.

PURPOSE: To assess and compare the oral health status and treatment need among the preschool children attending Anganwadi Centres associated with a special learning programme (SLP) and the control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed to include 3- to 5-year-old preschool children attending Anganwadis. An Anganwadi (meaning courtyard) Centre is the focal point for the delivery of services to children and mothers. The Anganwadis associated with the special learning programme and the control group Anganwadis consisted of 255 and 275 children, respectively. The special learning programme comprised general health education and growth monitoring services that were continuously reinforced to expectant and nursing mothers of children below 6 years of age by a team of members of a nearby medical college. Information on demographic and socioeconomic parameters (maternal literacy and occupation, paternal literacy and occupation, family income), oral hygiene practices, dietary habits and dental visits was obtained, and oral examination was done in the two groups. RESULTS: The mean plaque index and mean gingival index score among the SLP Anganwadi group were 0.18 ± 0.22 and 0.15 ± 0.28, respectively, and among the control group these indices were 1.06 ± 0.50 and 0.50 ± 0.00, respectively. The mean dmft score among the SLP group was 3.40 ± 4.84 vs 4.32 ± 4.69 in the control group (p < 0.05). The distribution of children without any treatment need was 50.2% in the SLP group and 33.5% in the control group. CONCLUSION: The SLP Anganwadi group had a better oral health status and less treatment need than the control Anganwadi group. This demonstrates that there is a beneficial effect of general health education on oral health.

Oral health status and practices of 5 and 12 year old Indian tribal children.

OBJECTIVES: To assess oral health status and practices of 5- and 12-year-old Tribal school children. METHODS: A total of 418, 5-year-old children and 327, 12-year-old children were enrolled Information on demographic characteristics of participants along with oral health behavior was collected. Clinical data were collected on dental fluorosis, periodontal status, dental caries and treatment needs. Dean's index criterion was used to assess dental fluorosis. Community Periodontal Index (CPI) for periodontal conditions and Dentition status and treatment needs for dental caries were recorded. RESULTS: Between meal sugar consumption was high (100%). None of the children in both the age groups had visited trained health personnel for dental treatment. Dental fluorosis prevalence in 5- and 12-year olds was 11.9% and 22.9% respectively. Bleeding on probing and calculus was common between both the age groups. A low mean number of healthy sextants were found and this decreased with age. Mean dmft/DMFT values for 5- and 12-year olds were 4.13 +/- 3.90 and 1.15 +/- 1.62. Significant caries index (SIC) scores for 5- and 12-year olds were 7.17 +/- 4.30 and 3.78 +/- 3.21 respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study reveals high sugar consumption, dental fluorosis, poor oral hygiene, and untreated dental disease of tribal children. Under these circumstances, the implementation of preventive programs including restriction of sweets in school premises for the tribal children is the key to good oral health.

Poor oral health in patients with coronary heart disease: a case-control study of Indian adults.

AIM: The present study was conducted to quantitate the oral health of coronary heart disease patients and compare them with controls for a valid inference METHOD: A total of 100 medically diagnosed coronary heart disease patients were compared with 100 controls using the World Health Organization (WHO) oral health assessment form. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (version 10) software. RESULTS: Statistically higher mean sextant value for shallow pockets 4-5 mm, CPI (Community Periodontal Index) score 3 and LOA (Loss of attachment) score 1,2 was found for cases as compared to controls (p≤0.05). Similarly, higher mean DMFT (Decayed-Missing-Filled Teeth) and missing teeth were observed for cases as compared to controls (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study shows a slight increase in the level of mild periodontal disease in coronary heart disease patients as compared to controls, with a non-significant difference in dental caries.

Oral health status and treatment needs of children attending special schools in South India: a comparative study.

The aim of this study was to assess and compare oral health status and treatment needs of children with special healthcare needs (SHCN) between the ages of 5 and 15, with a matched group of healthy children, in Udupi District of South India. A cross-sectional study of 265 children with SHCN was compared to 310 healthy children to assess differences in periodontal status, dentition status, treatment needs, and dentofacial anomalies using the WHO criteria. Chi-square, t-test, and Z-tests were performed to compare different variables. p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A significantly higher prevalence of caries (89.1%), malocclusion, and poorer periodontal status was observed among children with SHCN compared to the healthy control group. Improving the oral health of these children will require maintaining good oral hygiene practices, which can be achieved with appropriate target-based oral health approaches.

Mobile phone hygiene: potential risks posed by use in the clinics of an Indian dental school.

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine the level and type of bacterial contamination of the mobile phones of dental personnel involved in direct patient care and to determine the usefulness of cleaning with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol for decontamination. Dental faculty and trainees in an Indian dental school were asked to participate in a study in which a questionnaire concerning patterns of mobile phone use and disinfection was administered. Swabs from mobile phones of the participants were taken using moist sterile swabs and plated on blood agar plates. The bacteria isolated were identified by biochemical tests. Eighteen percent of the participants (n=9) reported using their phones while attending patients. Nearly 64 percent (n=32) used their mobiles for checking time, and 64 percent (n=42) reported never cleaning their phones. In total, fifty mobile phones were cultured for microorganisms: 98 percent (n=49) were culture-positive, and 34 percent (n=17) grew potentially pathogenic bacteria. There was significant reduction in the mean number of colony-forming units after decontamination with alcohol (p<0.001). The bacterial load was reduced by around 87 percent. The results of this study show that mobile phones may act as an important source of nosocomial pathogens in the dental setting. Therefore, it is important for dental school administrators to encourage higher compliance with hand-washing practices and routine surface disinfection through framing of strict protocols to reduce the chances of occurrence of nosocomial infections.

Microbial contamination of the white coats of dental staff in the clinical setting.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although wearing a white coat is an accepted part of medical and dental practice, it is a potential source of cross-infection. The objective of this study was to determine the level and type of microbial contamination present on the white coats of dental interns, graduate students and faculty in a dental clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaire and cross-sectional survey of the bacterial contamination of white coats in two predetermined areas (chest and pocket) on the white coats were done in a rural dental care center. Paired sample t-test and chi-square test were used for Statistical analysis. RESULTS: 60.8% of the participants reported washing their white coats once a week. Grading by the examiner revealed 15.7% dirty white coats. Also, 82.5% of the interns showed bacterial contamination of their white coats compared to 74.7% graduate students and 75% faculty members irrespective of the area examined. However, chest area was consistently a more bacterio-logically contaminated site as compared to the pocket area. Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed resistant varieties of micro-organisms against Amoxicillin (60%), Erythromycin (42.5%) and Cotrimoxazole (35.2%). CONCLUSION: The white coats seem to be a potential source of cross-infection in the dental setting. The bacterial contamina-tion carried by white coats, as demonstrated in this study, supports the ban on white coats from non-clinical areas.

Oral health status and treatment needs of a rural Indian fishing community / Estado de la salud oral y necesidades de tratamiento en una comunidad rural pesquera India

A study was conducted to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of a rural Indian fishing community. The fishing community had poor access to dental care. The survey was carried out using the WHO 1997 criteria in natural daylight. Convenience sampling method was employed and all the subjects available were examined. The results of this survey revealed that a large percentage of the population was afflicted with dental caries and periodontal disease. The unmet treatment need was found to be high in the study population. Appropriate oral health education and treatment is needed for this rural community.

Se llevó a cabo un estudio con el objeto de evaluar el estado de la salud oral y las necesidades de tratamiento en la comunidad rural pesquera India. El acceso de la comunidad pesquera al cuidado dental era pobre. La encuesta se llevó acabo con los criterios de la OMS 1997 a la luz natural del día. Se empleó el método de muestreo por conveniencia y se examinaron todos los sujetos disponibles. Los resultados de este estudio revelaron que un gran porcentaje de la población padece de caries dentales y enfermedades periodontales. Se halló que la necesidad de tratamiento sin atención era alta en la población bajo estudio. Se necesita tanto tratamiento como educación para la salud oral adecuada en esta comunidad rural.

Oral health status and treatment needs of a rural Indian fishing community.

A study was conducted to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of a rural Indian fishing community. The fishing community had poor access to dental care. The survey was carried out using the WHO 1997 criteria in natural daylight. Convenience sampling method was employed and all the subjects available were examined The results of this survey revealed that a large percentage of the population was afflicted with dental caries and periodontal disease. The unmet treatment need was found to be high in the study population. Appropriate oral health education and treatment is needed for this rural community.