Influence of maternal and child factors on the dental service utilization among preschool children in Bangalore urban district: a cross-sectional study

Background: Dental visit is considered primary marker of oral care. Maternal characteristics, attitudes and psychosocial factors and the child’s oral health may influence dental visits of preschool children. This study aimed to determine the influence of maternal and child factors on dental services utilization among preschool children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 preschool children and mothers visiting Anganwadis and Primary Health Centres in Bangalore Urban District. Mothers answered questions on socio-demographic characteristics and dental attendance. Maternal dental anxiety and child’s oral health-related quality of life were assessed using modified dental anxiety scale and early childhood oral health impact scale respectively. Oral health of children and mothers were assessed using WHO oral health assessment form 2013 for children and adults respectively. Descriptive statistics, Poisson’s regression with robust variance and mediation analysis were performed and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The proportion of dental visit among preschool children was 13.5%. Majority of the mothers had high dental anxiety (76.2%) and perceived their children’s oral health-related quality of life to be good (71.2%). The caries experience in mothers and children were 63.5% and 54.2% respectively. Mothers with higher education (PR=2.05, p=0.037), caries experience (PR=3.17, p<0.001) and poor perception of child’s oral health-related quality of life (PR=5.88, p<0.001), and children with pain experience (PR=1.62, p=0.003) and decayed teeth (PR=1.81, p=0.017) influenced children’s dental visit. Maternal perception on child’s oral health-related quality of life mediates the relationship between child’s oral health and dental visit. Conclusions: The utilization of dental services among preschool children was low. Maternal and child oral health factors influenced the child’s dental service utilization. Hence, oral health promotion approaches towards mothers and children is the need for the hour

Association of periodontal health with physical and emotional well-being among pre and postmenopausal women in Bangalore: a cross sectional study

Background: Menopausal transition is frequently accompanied by physical, emotional as well as periodontal health changes in pre and postmenopausal women due to the decline in circulating blood oestrogen levels. Aim was to investigate the association of periodontal health with physical and emotional well-being among pre and postmenopausal women aged 35-65 years. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 150 pre and 150 postmenopausal women in Bangalore urban district Women Health Questionnaire was used to assess physical and emotional well-being. WHO Oral Health Assessment form for adults 2013 along with plaque and gingival indexes were used to assess the periodontal health status. Descriptive, bivariate, multiple linear regression analysis were carried out. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age among pre and postmenopausal women were 40.09±2.24 years and 55.42±5.7 (p<0.001). The mean scores of depression/anxiety mood; somatic symptoms; memory/concentration; vasomotor symptoms; sleep problem was significantly higher in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal group (p<0.001). The mean number of teeth with gingival bleeding (12.93±8.0 and 6.94±5.68); deep periodontal pocket (2.05±1.61 and 0.44±0.97) were higher in postmenopausal group in comparison to the other group respectively (p<0.001). Depression was significantly associated with periodontal health of women in both the groups. Conclusions: Women after menopause experienced more physical and emotional changes. Periodontal health status was found to be poor among postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women

Perceptions regarding minimal intervention dentistry among dental interns in India: A cross-sectional survey

Purpose: Minimal intervention dentistry (MID) is a treatment philosophy that emphasizes protection of existing tooth structure. It has been incorporated in the dental curricula worldwide in the management of dental caries. There is limited evidence that whether the familiarity with MID principles imbibed through the curriculum is translated into clinical decision-making and practice. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice and behavior of dental interns toward MID. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the year 2014 for a period of 2 months among dental interns of all the dental colleges in Bengaluru city using a self-administered validated questionnaire. In addition to the demographic profile, 25 questions focused on knowledge, attitude, practice and behavior toward MID. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 417 questionnaires were found to be legible with an overall response rate of 90%. The mean scores for knowledge (3.40 ± 0.85), attitude (18.74 ± 2.8), practice (27.55 ± 6.8), and behaviour (1.11 ± 0.9) showed that these interns had adequate knowledge and a positive attitude toward MID. However, their behavior toward MID was negative, and they did not practice MID very often. The mean attitude score showed a significant correlation with knowledge and practice. Conclusion: Interns exhibited adequate knowledge and positive attitude which they acquired through their undergraduate curriculum, but it failed to create positive behavior toward practicing MID. Hence, it can be suggested that there is need to instill positive behavior among students so that they practice MID routinely

Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Dental Settings: An Exploratory Survey in ‎Bangalore City, India

Background: Smoking and other forms of tobacco use remain the most significant worldwide public health problem. The dental practice is being identified as potential location for smoking cessation activity. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) promotes the chances of tobacco cessation, however, evidence related to prescription of the NRT in dental settings is lacking. This study aimed to assess and compare the attitudes, practices, beliefs, and barriers in prescribing NRT for tobacco cessation among dental interns and post-graduates (PGs). Methods: For a cross-sectional survey among 232 participants from 10 dental colleges in Bangalore, India, a 21-item questionnaire was developed: 11-item based on attitudes and practices toward tobacco cessation and 10-items regarding scope and challenges in prescribing NRT. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and test of proportions. Findings: Majority of participants reported ongoing tobacco cessation activity in their college. Statistically significant difference was found between interns and PGs for items related to tobacco cessation practice (assisting, providing follow-up visit). Regarding NRT, significant differences were seen for items related to practice (assisting, assessing motivation for NRT), belief (not an appropriate activity for dentist, a valuable resource, increase in quit attempts) and barriers (bitter taste, cost, and fear of addiction) (P < 0.050). The majority of the PGs suggested cessation center followed by health care workers and pharmacists for the provision of subsidized nicotine gums. Conclusion: Favorable practices and beliefs are seen regarding the prescription of NRT among interns and PGs although differences exist. Time, cost, and taste emerged as major barriers