KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES REGARDING NEEDLESTICK INJURIES AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS

ABSTRACTObjective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among dental students on needle stick injuries (NSIs).Methods: A validated questionnaire of 23 questions regarding the basic knowledge, attitude and practices about NSIs was distributed among100 students randomly belonging to 3rd year, final year, and internship (5 year trainee) of undergraduate dental program in Saveetha Dental Collegeand Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai. The data extracted were tabulated, statistically analyzed and results obtained. Results were calculated onthe basis of frequency and percentages using SPSS.thResults: About 87% of students had received hepatitis B (HBs) vaccination of which only 47% had carried out anti-HBs antibody check-up. Although35% had suffered NSI, 15% of them did not report the incident of NSIs. However, only 37% of students knew about Universal Precaution guidelines.76% of students had the habit of recapping the needle after injection.Conclusion: This study revealed that knowledge of dental students about the risks associated with NSIs and use of preventive measures was inadequate.A standard protocol regarding the training as well as adapting preventive measures should be formulated in all dental institutions. The implementationof Universal Precautions, elimination of needle recapping, use of safer needle devices, and use of sharps containers for safe disposal will reduce NSIs.Keywords: Knowledge, Awareness, Needle stick injuries, Universal Precaution Guidelines, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Health-care workers

THE EMERGING ROLE OF BOTULINUM TOXIN IN THE TREATMENT OF OROFACIAL DISORDERS: LITERATURE UPDATE

Botulinum toxin (BTX) is a lethal neurotoxin produced by Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. It is the first toxin used fortherapeutic purposes since 1989. BTX treatment is relatively safe and efficacious, less invasive, conservative, and the effects are faster and reversible.The purpose of this article is to review the literature regarding the applications of BTX in the treatment of various orofacial disorders, their mechanismof action, contraindications, and complications. From the recently published literature, it is clear that the role of BTX as a therapeutic agent for severalconditions is expanding. With the training of BTX-A injection techniques and adequate knowledge about treatment protocols, general dentists cansafely administer BTX injections. The ability to use Botox as an adjuvant and primary mode of the treatment for various maxillofacial disorders offersexciting treatment options for dentists and patients in the future

LOCAL HEMOSTATIC AGENTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BLEEDING IN ORAL SURGERY

ABSTRACTBleeding intraoperatively and postoperatively in oral surgery poses a great threat to the patient and can lead to serious untoward consequences ifuncontrolled. The dentist should be familiar with the range of hemostatic agents available and their application during different types of bleedingepisodes. Bleeding complications can occur in healthy as well as systemically compromised patients. Having a broad knowledge of the managementapproaches will allow the clinician to know when to apply a particular approach. Unfortunately, some of the most useful preventive measures andmanagement techniques are not utilized because of a lack of understanding of the coagulation process and/or the approaches and materials that areavailable. The purpose of this article is to review the literature regarding the applications of various local hemostatic agents in the management ofbleeding in oral surgery, their mechanism of action, and contraindications. Furthermore, the novel hemostatic agents such as HemCon dental dressingand Quikclot are also discussed. Local hemostatic agents are very useful in controlling bleeding during oral surgical procedures in patients withcongenital and acquired bleeding disorders and also in patients who are on antithrombotic medications for their systemic conditions.Keywords: Hemostasis, Local hemostatic agents, Oral surgery, Bleeding

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES REGARDING INFECTION CONTROL AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding infection control procedures among undergraduate dental students. Methods: A validated questionnaire of 23 questions regarding the basic knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding infection control in dental clinics was distributed among 150 students randomly belonging to third year, final year, and internship (fifth year trainee) of undergraduate dental program in Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai. The data extracted were tabulated, statistically analyzed, and results obtained. Results were calculated on the basis of frequency and percentages using SPSS. Results: Nearly, 81.3% of students agreed that disinfection of dental clinic is important to prevent cross-infection among patients and dental personnel. 94.6% of dental students agreed that proper isolation during treatment is important for infection control in dentistry. 92% were aware of post-exposure prophylaxis against hepatitis B virus (HBV). 53.3% of them answered that HBV infection has the highest risk of transmission in the dental setting. 88% of students use gloves, face mask, head cap, gown always. 65.3% of dental students were willing to treat patients with infectious diseases after following universal/standard precautions. Conclusion: Dental students in this study have a good level of knowledge and positive attitudes about infection control. However, the knowledge acquired must be transferred into daily practice. Continuing education programs and refreshing courses regarding cross infection control procedures are necessary to update the knowledge of dental practitioners. Keywords: Infection control, Knowledge, Dental students, Dental safety, Practices, Hepatitis B virus

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DENTAL ANXIETY AND PAIN EXPERIENCE DURING DENTAL EXTRACTIONS

ABSTRACTObjective: To assess the effects of anxiety on pain experienced during dental extractions.Methods: A prospective study was conducted during the academic year July-September 2016, randomly among 60 dental patients who visited theoutpatient Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University, Chennai, for single tooth extraction. Anxietywas measured using the Hamilton anxiety rating scale. The pain was measured using the pain visual analog scale (VAS) for the level of pain perceivedduring extraction. Data collected were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows, Version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA)and results obtained.Results: From regression analysis, R2=0.605 which meant that the independent variable (anxiety) explained 60.50% of the variability of the dependentvariable (pain) with significant t-value. There was a statistically significant correlation between VAS and total anxiety score (p<0.05). This stronglysuggests that an increase in pain level is associated with an increase in anxiety level.Conclusion: Pre-operative dental anxiety is a major predictor of pain experienced by patients during dental extractions. Hence, it is an important toreduce anxiety before treatment to reduce pain during the treatment. Pharmacologic modalities like sedation can be used for reducing anxiety andpain related to the treatment in indicated patients.Keywords: Dental anxiety, Sedation, Anesthesia, Pain, Tooth extraction

DENTAL MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS ON ANTIPLATELET THERAPY: LITERATURE UPDATE

ABSTRACTAntiplatelet drugs are used in the prevention and management of arterial and venous thrombi. These drugs are associated with an increase in bleedingtime and risk of post-operative hemorrhage. Because of this, dental surgeons recommend their patients to stop the therapy before surgical procedureswhich may in turn cause fatal thromboembolic complications. This article reviews the commonly used antiplatelet drugs, dental management ofpatients on these drugs when subjected to minor oral surgical procedures. The objective of this article is to review various literature, whether todiscontinue or continue antiplatelet therapy during dental surgical procedures, and current consensus and recommendations have been established.It is concluded that antiplatelet monotherapy and even antiplatelet dual therapy can be safely continued on patients during dental surgical procedures,and there is no need for altering or discontinuing the drugs. Post-operative bleeding can be managed by local hemostatic measures.Keywords: Aspirin, Antiplatelet therapy, Bleeding, Thromboembolism, Dental extraction

KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS, AND PRACTICES REGARDING BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practices of dental students regarding biomedical waste (BMW)management.Methods: A self-administered structured questionnaire consisting of 16 questions on knowledge, awareness, and practices about BMW managementwas distributed among 100 students randomly belonging to 3rd year, final year and intern students of Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University,Chennai. The data extracted were tabulated, statistically analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 and results obtained. The data were analyzed using ANOVAtest (all the results are calculated at 1% level of significance) and Post-hoc test.Results: Overall, 67% respondents were aware of the existing BMW management policy systems in India. 62% of students were aware about thecorrect color coding management system for hospital waste management that prevails in India. 86% of students knew about the dental wastecategories of materials used in dentistry. There was a statistically significant difference of knowledge levels among the 3rd year, final year students andthe interns. 100% practice discarding sharps in the puncture-proof containers. Only 27% of the respondents discarded the extracted tooth in a properway. Only 51% of them have attended previous training programs on dental waste management. There was also a statistically significant difference ofBMW disposal practices among the three groups.Conclusion: The majority of dental students in our study have good level of knowledge and awareness regarding BMW management in dental clinics.However, their practice toward BMW disposal was poor. Hence, the knowledge acquired must be put into practice. Intern students have the highestlevel of knowledge and practices toward dental waste disposal when compared to final year and 3rd year students. Hence, these findings imply thatproper training, continuing education programs, and short-term courses about BMW management, and infection control procedures are requiredto motivate the dental students and dental auxiliaries. The importance of training regarding BMW management must be emphasized as the lack ofproper and complete knowledge about BMW management impacts practices of appropriate waste disposal

KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS REGARDING ANTIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS FOR INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS

ABSTRACTObjective: To evaluate the knowledge and awareness regarding antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis (IE) among undergraduate dentalstudents.Methods: A validated questionnaire of 16 questions, regarding the basic knowledge and awareness about antibiotic prophylaxis for the preventionof IE, was distributed among 100 students randomly belonging to final year and internship (5 year trainee) of the undergraduate dental program inSaveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai. The data extracted were tabulated, statistically analyzed, and results obtained.Results were calculated on the basis of frequency and percentages using SPSS Version 20.0.thResults: About 73% of the students were aware of IE prophylaxis, and 40% of dental students were exposed to treating patients susceptible to IE.56% of participants answered that amoxicillin is the first line of antibiotic for IE prophylaxis and 59% replied 2 g PO 1 hr before the appointment isthe recommended regimen. 36% said that erythromycin is no longer recommended by American Heart Association for IE prophylaxis. However, onlyone-third of the participants knew about the cardiac conditions and dental procedures that require antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of IE.Furthermore, only 16% knew about the recommended dosage of clindamycin.Conclusion: This study revealed a reasonable knowledge and awareness about IE prophylaxis among undergraduate dental students but wasinadequate. Hence, this study emphasizes the need for improved education in the teaching curriculum for dental students regarding IE prophylaxis.A standard protocol regarding the training as well as preventive measures for IE should be formulated for the dental students and the knowledgeacquired must be transferred into practice.Keywords: Infective endocarditis, Prophylaxis, Antibiotics, Dental students, Knowledge

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND AWARENESS OF DENTAL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS REGARDING HIV/AIDS PATIENTS

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, awareness and the attitude of dental students towards HIV/AIDS patients and to know whether knowledge has any influence on the attitude and willingness to treat HIV/AIDS patients.Methods: A self administered structured questionnaire consisting of 19 questions on knowledge, attitude and awareness about HIV/AIDS was distributed among 100 students randomly belonging to third year, final year and intern students of saveetha dental college, saveetha university, chennai. The data extracted were tabulated, statistically analyzed using SPSS Version 20.0 and results obtained.Results: The results revealed that many of the respondents demonstrated a good level of knowledge. The total mean knowledge score was 73% (good knowledge).There was a statistically significant difference of knowledge levels among the third year, final year students and the interns. The overall mean attitude score was 62.7% (negative attitude). There was no statistically significant difference of attitude among the three groups.Conclusion: Majority of dental students in our study have good level of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. Final year students have the highest level of knowledge and third year students have minimum level of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. Irrespective of the year of study, majority of the students showed a negative attitude towards HIV/AIDS patients and only a few among the interns showed a positive approach towards treating HIV patients. Hence these findings imply that there is a need to improve educational methods to more clearly address misconceptions and attitudes towards the disease. Â

KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS ABOUT ORAL CANCER AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS

ABSTRACTObjective: To assess the knowledge and awareness about oral cancer among undergraduate dental students.Methods: A validated questionnaire of 10 questions, regarding the basic knowledge and awareness about oral cancer was distributed among the3rd year, final year, and internship (5 year trainee) of undergraduate dental program in Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha University,Chennai. The data extracted were tabulated, statistically analyzed, and results obtained.thResults: About 41% of participants were unaware about the treatment costs for oral cancer and 33% of them said that they do not inform the patientsabout the risk factors of oral cancer. 36% of participants were unsure about where to refer the patients with oral cancer. 96% of students preferred tohave more training toward oral cancer diagnosis methods and treatment options available.Conclusion: Although the basic knowledge of the students is good, it is not adequate enough and practices about risk factors had to be reinforcedamong these students so that they can help the patients in tobacco and alcohol cessation and contribute in the prevention of oral cancers. The dentalcurriculum for students should lay more emphasis on diagnostic and prognostic factors of oral cancer. Morbidity and mortality are likely to be reducedif future dentists know how to prevent and detect oral cancer.Keywords: Knowledge, Awareness, Oral cancer, Dental students