The Role of the Indian Political Regime in Higher Education Reforms for Innovation Drive: Key Comparisons With China.

As primary drivers of global growth, China and India as Asian giants are on the path to reforming their higher education systems to drive innovation. This paper based on both primary and secondary data sources investigates how India's democratic political leadership has facilitated higher education reform for fostering innovation while underlining key differences in the policy approach of the Chinese leadership. Findings identify the areas of reform for India and also reveal that epistemic boundaries between India and China are beginning to blur so far as right-wing ideological regimentation is concerned, with possible implications for innovation.

Development and validation of a risk-of-bias tool for assessing in vitro studies conducted in dentistry: The QUIN.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have emerged as forerunners of evidence-based dentistry, but assessing the quality of the available research is essential so that it can be applied to clinical practice. While a wide variety of risk-of-bias tools are available, each specifically developed for different study designs, a comprehensive tool exclusively framed to assess the quality of in vitro dental studies is lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a tool to evaluate the quality and risk of bias of in vitro dental studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Delphi panel was established to conceptualize and develop the Quality Assessment Tool For In Vitro Studies (QUIN Tool). The tool was evaluated by using content validity and reliability testing methods. RESULTS: The QUIN Tool includes 12 points along with scoring and grading options to allow clinicians to evaluate the quality of in vitro studies. This tool shows good content validity and reliability. CONCLUSIONS: The QUIN Tool is user-friendly, efficient, and effective for evaluating the risk of bias of in vitro studies.

Assessment of validity and reliability of Hindi version of geriatric oral health assessment index (GOHAI) in Indian population.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to translate the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) into the Hindi language and assess its validity and reliability for use among people in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GOHAI was translated into the Hindi language and self-administered to 420 subjects aged 55 years or above. The measures for reliability, and concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity were assessed. The questionnaire sought information about sociodemographic details, habits related to tobacco, dental visits, tooth brushing, and self-reported perceptions of general and oral health. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha (0.774) showed high internal consistency and homogeneity between items. Low GOHAI scores were associated with the perceptions of poor oral and general health, low satisfaction with oral health, and a perceived need for dental care. Respondents with high socioeconomic status were likely to have high GOHAI scores. CONCLUSION: The Hindi version of the GOHAI demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability, and will be an important instrument to measure oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) for people in this region.

COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and adherence among pregnant and lactating high-risk group individuals of Maharashtra State, India.

BACKGROUND: Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the release of the COVID (Corona Virus Disease)-19 vaccine was highly anticipated. Nevertheless, vaccine availability does not symbolize the end of pandemic due to ongoing vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccination movements. The objective of this study is to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant and lactating individuals in Maharashtra state, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted via a hybrid approach using various digital portals such as Whatsapp, telegram, and physical distribution to those who did not have access to smartphone devices. A probability proportional sampling strategy was deployed. A pre-validated structured self-administered questionnaire tool designed by Freeman et al. 2020 (Oxford COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale) was used, which consisted of seven close-ended targeted and focused questions. Analysis of several survey items and vaccine acceptance was conducted using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that 58% of individuals were willing to take vaccines after government approval and 26% of individuals showed hesitancy toward vaccination. When compared, lactating individuals showed less vaccine hesitancy (22%) than pregnant individuals (27%). The maximum vaccine hesitancy was observed in the third trimester of pregnancy (29.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Trust in vaccines is a crucial factor and is dependent on the ability of the government in promoting vaccines through effective communication; this can be one of the reasons for the high level of acceptance and awareness toward COVID-19 vaccination in this study.

Multidimensional perfectionism trends among various core and allied health care professionals in a major Indian metropolitan city of Western India.

BACKGROUND: This exploratory study was done to assess the multidimensional perfectionism trends among various core and allied health care professionals in a major Indian metropolitan city of western India. Unlike other scales, here we considered both individual and intersubjective components of perfectionism by introducing three trait dimensions - self-oriented perfectionism, other-oriented perfectionism, and socially prescribed perfectionism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive type of study was conducted with total sample consisting of 500 participants with the main motive of evaluation and comparison of the multidimensional perfectionism among interns of the core and allied health care professionals from fields of medicine, dentistry, ayurveda, and homeopathy residing in the major Indian metropolitan cities of western India. RESULTS: This study showed that under the self-oriented domain, highest mean score is of medical faculty (73.97). In other-oriented domain, dental (62.62) and homeopathy (62.38) professionals have almost similar mean. Lowest being of ayurveda (61.65) compared to the highest score of the medical fraternity (67.62). In the socially prescribed domain, medical professionals (65.53) have the highest mean though it is the lowest mean value of the medical faculty compared to other two domains. Chi-square test is applied to the data for the questions among all the three domains. Correlation has been deduced by applying Pearson's correlation to the collected data from the study. The degree of correlation between self-oriented with self-oriented is 1, self-oriented with other-oriented is 0.763, and that of self-oriented with socially oriented is 0.678. CONCLUSION: Medical professionals scoring maximum in self-oriented perfectionism compared to other two domains reflect their extreme personal standards. Medical professionals are followed by dental professionals in self oriented perfectionism who are demanded of perfection in their routine practice. Ayurveda and homeopathy professionals scored better in other-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism attributing to their sentiments of fulfilling the expectations and demands of others.

Age Estimation in Children by the Measurement of Open Apices in Teeth: A Study in the Western Indian Population.

In forensic sphere and clinical dentistry, age estimation is a topic of utmost importance. Various techniques are employed in children to determine age; however, dental development has proven to be an appropriate method because of its low variability. Cameriere's method is a widely accepted method of age estimation in children, which is carried out by measuring the projections of open apices and also the heights of developing permanent teeth seen on panoramic radiographs. The aim of this study is to establish a new formula for age estimation in the Western Indian population by measuring the open apices of mandibular teeth using Cameriere's European formula. For this study, we included 311 panoramic radiographs of healthy children living in Western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa) aged 4-15 years which were analysed by two independent researchers. Seven left permanent mandibular teeth were assessed for length and width of open apices. Dental maturity was evaluated using measurements of the left seven permanent mandibular teeth (x i = A i /L i , i = 1,…, 7), the sum of the normalized open apices (s), and the number (N0) of teeth with complete root formation. A linear relationship between open apices, N0, age, and other factors was evaluated with the aid of a stepwise multiple regression model. A stepwise linear regression showed that all parameters, gender, s, N0, and x 5, were significantly associated with age (R = 85%). No statistically significant difference was found between the predicted and actual chronological age of children in the age group of 4-13 years using the regression equation for the Western Indian population. The present research suggests that the new regression formula developed will be more accurate for age assessment in the Western Indian population.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Advanced Local Anesthetic Techniques among Students Attending a Private Dental College in Navi Mumbai, India: A Cross-sectional Study.

Aim and objective: Local anesthesia (LA) administration is an anxiety-provoking phenomenon in patients. Several alternative and advanced techniques make LA administration patient-friendly. This study assesses the knowledge, attitude, and practices of these advances, creating awareness and encouraging further studies and innovations to make these techniques more accessible, available, and economical to be utilized in the Indian population for controlling pain by targeting the budding dentists who actively imbibe and are abreast with the current state of affairs. Methods and materials: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among the undergraduate and postgraduate students of a private college in Navi Mumbai. The self-administered questionnaire contained 13 questions. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 software and a Chi-square test were applied. Results: A majority of the respondents were unaware of the alternative techniques (59.4%) with a significant difference between undergraduates and postgraduates. 95.7% thought conventional methods caused dental anxiety and 55.1% thought alternatives would be better. The pain management techniques currently used were mostly reassurance and distraction (84.2%) and Topical anesthesia (74.9%). Only 9.6% had actually practiced these techniques, the reason for inexperience being inadequate knowledge. Out of those who had used these techniques, 47.82% saw positive results with patients experiencing less pain. Conclusion: Knowledge of advanced local anesthetic techniques in the dental fraternity is necessary to enhance practice and provide the best care to the patients. Its inclusion in the curriculum with adequate practical training shall ensure its use efficiently. Clinical significance: Today dentistry is propelling toward minimally invasive, painless, and patient-friendly procedures. The incorporation of advanced LA techniques to help achieve this goal begin with assessing its awareness among future dentists which would help make them accessible and affordable and contribute toward providing patients a holistic treatment. How to cite this article: Bhanushali NV, Atre SY, Kumar V, et al. Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices regarding Advanced Local Anesthetic Techniques among Students Attending a Private Dental College in Navi Mumbai, India: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(1):94-98.

Root canal anatomy of human permanent mandibular incisors and mandibular canines: A systematic review.

Mandibular incisors and canines show variations in their root canal anatomy. It is imperative to be aware of these variations to lower the frequency of missed canals. The objective was to systematically review the existing studies to recognize the root and root canal anatomy of the mandibular incisors and canines among the population of various geographical locations, as studied by different methods. This systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database under the number CRD42020185146. An exhaustive search was undertaken in three electronic databases - MEDLINE PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar - along with hand-searching for the identification of studies. Studies were selected following strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Selected studies were scored using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool for prevalence studies to determine the risk of bias. This review included data from 26 countries including the analysis of 71,404 mandibular anterior teeth. The risk of bias of all included studies was either low or moderate. Overall, it was seen that the percentage of second canals was higher in lateral than in central incisors. Mandibular canines occasionally showed the presence of two roots. Deviations in anatomy were high in the Middle Eastern European countries and the Indian subcontinent. Limitations are as follows: lack of homogeneity across data reported in the studies concerning the methods used to study the root canal anatomy. Diversities seen in the root canal configurations of mandibular incisors and canines vary according to ethnicity, and thus, one must have a thorough knowledge before commencing endodontic treatment.

Include-integrate-involve: Deciphering oral healthcare providers' professional demeanor towards sexual and gender minority cohorts in a metropolitan city of western India.

OBJECTIVES: The Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGM) have been subject to disparities in healthcare. This study gauges and compares the demeanor of oral health task force in privately-funded and government-funded dental schools of India towards SGM cohorts. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional, point prevalent study was conducted following standard statements of the STROBE guidelines and using the Medical Condition Regard Scale (MCRS). It was conducted among the clinical oral health taskforce hailing from private-funded and government-funded institutes. METHODS: One-way ANOVA test computed differences in mean MCRS scores among the undergraduates, postgraduates and faculty. Independent t-test compared responses of participants from private institutions and government institutions using SPSS version 17 statistical software. RESULTS: All the respondents were mostly but not completely satisfied to work with SGM patients (MCRS score â€‹= â€‹4.55 â€‹± â€‹1.114) indicative of some underlying hesitance. Though everyone had a positive regard, undergraduates and those from private institutions felt more compassionate and showed greater willingness to put in extra efforts to help them feel at ease (P-value <0.05). This is interpretive of more receptiveness towards specialized training and policy reforms of these individuals. CONCLUSION: The significant differences between institutes and designations highlight disparities in knowledge and training resulting in the underlying hesitation. Health education urgently needs a targeted and focused SGM-related training program to deconstruct these disparities and provide equitable oral and general health for all individuals irrespective of their sexual orientation.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding intellectual property rights among dental task force attending private dental colleges in Navi Mumbai: a cross-sectional study.

Intellectual property rights such as Copyright, Trademark, Patents and Trade secrets etc. help us to gain some protection against certain inventions by acknowledging the founder. In today's industry it is agreed that Intellectual Property Rights has a big role to play. This current study envisages the knowledge, attitude, practice regarding Intellectual Property Rights among dental task force attending private dental colleges.The survey was conducted among students of which were Interns, Post Graduates, faculty members and other dental surgeons attending private dental colleges in Navi Mumbai. The subjects of this study comprised of a total of 1020 students, faculty members and other dental surgeons from five different private dental institutes. The survey includes closed ended questions. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 17. Explaining calculations were used to summarize all the answers. A total of 889 students, faculty and other dental surgeons from private dental colleges responded. Results showed that about 83.5% believe the statement "Articles and other publications are protected by copyright." 66.6% of participants would select trademark in order to protect their clinic or organization name. About 38.7% were aware of the term Intellectual Property Rights. It also suggests that only 10.9% have attended any seminar/conference pertaining to IPR. The students and faculty members have an overall sense of eagerness to learn and gain more knowledge based on IPR. Thus conducting more workshops and seminars based on IPR should be encouraged.