Oral Health Behavior and Dental Caries status: A comparative study between rural and urban school-going children in Dhaka Division

Introduction: The importance of oral health in children is paramount. Proper techniques of brushing and the influence of fermentable carbohydrates in dental caries should be taught at the early childhood stage. Objective: To estimate the mean deft, DMFT, Oral health-related behavior, and practice among the selected rural and urban school-going children in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 593 (152 rural and 441 urban children) school children using the purposive sampling technique. Data were collected from 3 urban schools and 1 rural school, using an interview-based structured questionnaire and oral examination. Consent was taken both from the college authority and participants before data collection. Descriptive analysis was performed. Results and Discussion: The study was carried out among 593 school children with an age range between below 5 years to above 15 years old. The majority of the students at urban schools brush their teeth twice daily while most rural school children brush their teeth once daily. Most of the students use toothbrushes and toothpaste as cleaning aids, however, the majority of them usually brush before meals. In addition, the majority of the students at rural and urban schools do not brush their teeth after taking sweet foods. Mean deft in deciduous teeth is high among rural school children (2.07) while mean DMFT in permanent teeth is high among urban schools. Conclusion: Organized and systemic community oral health promotion should be strengthened and a prevention-oriented oral health system is needed for promoting future oral self-care practices among school children

Exploring the knowledge, awareness and practices of COVID-19 among dentists in Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Investigation

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unpre-cedented strike on humanity around the world . The scenario in Bangladesh is getting worse day by day, and every aspect of the society is observing its impact. Health care professionals are at a greater risk of contracting the disease while caring for patients. Objective: The research objective is to explore knowledge, awareness, and practices of registered dentists regarding COVID-19 epidemiology and transmission during the rapid outbreak of this highly contagious virus in Bangladesh. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among the dentists who were enrolled with their valid unique Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) registration number. A structured questionnaire was distributed among the dentists through different social media platforms. A total of 184 dentists participated in the survey between March and April 2020. Both descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Results:The dentists' mean age was 31.75 years, with a standard deviation of 6.5 years. About 29.3% of dentists completed their postgraduate qualification, and 76% of them were engaged in private practice at the time of data collection. Compared to the dentists with undergraduate education, the dentists with a postgraduate education are three times (OR=3.1, 95%CI 1.2-7.9 and over 5 times (OR=5.3, 95% CI: 1.2-23.3) more likely to have) better knowledge and practices toward COVID-19 respectively. Dentists aged 26-30 years are less likely to have good practices than the younger dentists (OR: .1; 95% CI: .01-.5). However, dentists with less than five years experience are 10.3 (1.6-68.9) times more likely to have good practices compared to the dentists with more experience. Conclusion: Majority of the dentists from Bangladesh have shown good knowledge, awareness, and practice regarding COVID-19. We recommend that the healthcare authorities, professional organizations, and hospitals coordinate, and conduct mandatory advanced infectious disease training for all the practicing dentists in the country.Antecedentes: la pandemia de COVID-19 ha desatado un ataque sin precedentes contra la humanidad en todo el mundo. El escenario en Bangladesh empeora día a día, y todos los aspectos de la sociedad están observando su impacto. Los profesionales de la salud corren un mayor riesgo de contraer la enfermedad mientras atienden a los pacientes. Objetivo: El objetivo de la investigación es explorar el conocimiento, la conciencia y las prácticas de los dentistas registrados con respecto a la epidemiología y transmisión de COVID-19 durante el rápido brote de este virus altamente contagioso en Bangladesh. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta transversal basada en la web entre los dentistas inscritos con su número de registro único válido del Consejo Médico y Dental de Bangladesh (BMDC). Se distribuyó un cuestionario estructurado entre los dentistas a través de diferentes plataformas de redes sociales. Un total de 184 dentistas participaron en la encuesta entre marzo y abril de 2020. Se realizó tanto análisis descriptivo como análisis de regresión logística multivariable. Resultados: La edad media de los odontólogos fue de 31,75 años, con una desviación estándar de 6,5 años. Aproximadamente el 29,3% de los dentistas habían completado su título de posgrado y el 76% de ellos se dedicaba a la práctica privada en el momento de la recopilación de datos. En comparación con los dentistas con educación universitaria, los dentistas con educación de posgrado tienen tres veces (OR = 3,1, IC del 95%: 1,2 - 7,9 y más de 5 veces (OR = 5,3, IC del 95%: 1,2 - 23,3) más probabilidades de tener) mejores conocimientos y prácticas hacia COVID-19 respectivamente. Los dentistas de 26 a 30 años tienen menos probabilidades de tener buenas prácticas que los dentistas más jóvenes (OR: .1; IC del 95%: .01 - .5). Sin embargo, los dentistas con menos de cinco años de experiencia tienen 10,3 (1,6 - 68,9) veces más probabilidades de tener buenas prácticas en comparación con los dentistas con más experiencia. Conclusión: La mayoría de los dentistas de Bangladesh han demostrado un buen conocimiento, conciencia y práctica con respecto a COVID-19. Recomendamos que las autoridades sanitarias, las organizaciones profesionales y los hospitales coordinen y lleven a cabo una formación avanzada obligatoria sobre enfermedades infecciosas para todos los dentistas en ejercicio del país

Psychological Distress among Bangladeshi Dental Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Psychological sufferings are observed among dental students during their academic years, which had been intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: This study assessed the levels and identified factors associated with psychological distress, fear and coping experienced by dental undergraduate students in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross sectional online survey was conducted during October-November, 2021. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) were used in order to assess psychological distress, fear and coping strategies, respectively. Results: A total of 327 students participated; the majority (72%) were 19–23 years old and females (75%). One in five participants were infected with COVID-19 and 15% reported contact with COVID-19 cases. Negative financial impact (AOR 3.72, 95% CIs 1.28–10.8), recent or past COVID-19 infection, and contact with COVID-19 cases were associated with higher levels of psychological distress; but being a third year student (0.14, 0.04–0.55) and being satisfied about current social life (0.11, 0.03–0.33) were associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Being a third year (0.17, 0.08–0.39) and a fourth year student (0.29, 0.12–0.71) were associated with lower levels of fear. Health care service use and feeling positive about life were associated with medium to high resilience coping. Conclusions: This study identified dental students in Bangladesh who were at higher risk of psychological distress, fear and coping during the ongoing pandemic. Development of a mental health support system within dental institutions should be considered in addition to the academic and clinical teaching