Assessment of Dental Caries, Periodontal Status, and Personality Trait among Population of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Assessment of dental caries, periodontitis, and personality trait among population of Dehradun. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This survey was conducted on 480 subjects age ranged 34-45 years of both genders (males-250, females-230). Decayed Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, periodontal status, and personality trait were recorded. RESULTS: Age group 34-39 years is comprised of 130 males and 140 females and 40-45 years had 120 males and 90 females. Maximum males (120) were laborer and females were housewife (160). Commonly used method of oral hygiene practice was tooth powder by 80 males and 103 females. Maximum subjects of extroversion (180) was seen in age group 40-45 years, maximum females (110) were housewife with extroversion trait, maximum extroversion trait subjects were using tooth powder (113) and datum (100). Mean DMFT score in subjects was 2.52 and community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) score was 3.41. There were 310 extroversion subjects, 120 neuroticism subjects, and 50 combinations of both extroversion and neuroticism. There was a significant difference in mean missing teeth and DMFT in subjects with different personality traits (p < 0.05). The post hoc test showed that mean missing teeth between group E and group E + N was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The post hoc test showed that the mean sextant value for score 2 between group E vs N found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Neurotic individuals were found to have poorer periodontal health as compared to extroverts. CONCLUSION: Authors found that personality trait such as psychological factors have greater impact on status of dental caries and periodontitis. Extroverts had less dental caries and better periodontal status when compared to other personality traits. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Psychological factors have a great impact on status of dental caries and periodontitis. By assessing various psychological factors, the occurrence of both can be avoided. Thus by improving oral health, overall health of an individual can be improved.

Assessment of Various Dental Occupational Hazards and Safety Measures among Dentists of Odisha, India.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Dental professionals are more prone to get exposed to various occupational health problems. The aim is to assess various dental occupational hazards and safety measures among dentists of Odisha, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted among 572 dental professionals of both genders. A self-administered questionnaire which comprises name, age, gender, number of years of experience, type of occupational hazard, awareness of occupational hazards, safety measures practiced, and working hours per week was given to dental professionals and the responses were recorded. RESULTS: 545 (95.2%) dentists were responded out of 572 participants. Age group 20-40 years had 55 males and 24 females, 40-60 years had 154 males and 84 females, and >60 years had 116 males and 60 females. 220 dentists had 10-15 years of experience, 190 had 5-10 years, 60 had <5 years, 40 had 15-20 years, and 35 had >20 years. The difference was significant (p < 0.05). The most common occupational hazard was musculoskeletal disorders seen in 480 (88%), stress in 273 (50%); maximum occupational hazard (52%) was noticed in dentists with <5 years of working experience; proper safety protocols adopted by dentists were the use of sterilized instruments 99%, gloves 98%, face mask 82%, vaccination against hepatitis 54%, head cap 51%, eyewear 12.6%, and proper waste disposal 7%. The difference was significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The chances of occupational hazards are more common in dentists. The prevalence was higher among dentists with less than 5 years of experience. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Knowledge and awareness about occupational hazards can help prevent complications due to occupational hazards in dental practice.