Oral Hygiene Practice among 18-year-old Norwegian Adolescents Using Health Belief Model: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives  The aim was to compare oral hygiene practice (brushing/flossing) among 18 years old from two regions, Hordaland County, Norway, and possible perceptional correlates using the Health Belief Model. Materials and Methods  The participants from six municipalities from the south district with high prevalence of dental caries to six municipalities from the rest of Hordaland county, with low prevalence of dental caries (control), using a web-based questionnaire. Statistical analyses: the Mann–Whitney U test was used and the t-test for independent samples. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses to examine associations. Results  A total of 416 people participated. The south district’s participants had lesser percentage brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, they significantly visited lesser the dental service, perceived more susceptibility to dental caries, and lower benefits of brushing/flossing compared with the controls. Girls (odds ratio [OR]: 0.34) who perceived higher severity of dental caries (OR: 1.86), higher self-identity (OR: 2.14), and lesser barriers to brushing (OR: 0.14) had higher odds to brushing twice a day compared with their counterparts. Girls (OR: 0.34) who perceived higher severity of dental caries (OR: 2.34), higher benefits (OR = 2.8), and lesser barriers to flossing (OR = 0.23) had higher odds to flossing at least once a day compared with their counterparts. Conclusion  South district’s participants significantly had some of risk factors to the recommended brushing/flossing practice compared with the control and these might help in explaining the difference in oral hygiene practice.publishedVersio

HIV and AIDS related knowledge, source of information, and reported need for further education among dental students in Sudan- a cross sectional study

Background: Information on the HIV and AIDS-related knowledge among dental students provides a crucial foundation for efforts aimed at developing an appropriate dental curriculum on HIV and AIDS, and for attracting the attention of dental school educators towards the subject. Purposes: Focusing on a census of dental students attending their 3rd, 4th and 5th study year at publicly – and privately funded dental faculties in Khartoum, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and socioeconomic correlates of dental students' knowledge, sources of information and reported need for further education related to HIV and AIDS. Methods: At the time of the survey (March–May 2007), the total number of dental students registered was 782 of which 642 (response rate 82%, mean age 21.7 year, 72% girls) completed anonymous selfadministered questionnaires in supervised class room settings. Results: A total of 49% and 86% had correct sum scores with respect to knowledge of transmission through contamination and through shaking hands and eating, respectively. About half the dental students recognized a need for further education across HIV related issues, varying from 75% (basic HIV/AIDS related issues) to 84% (patient management). Only 38% of the students had correct sum scores regarding various occupational groups at risk for contacting HIV and AIDS. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to privately funded dental school students, publicly funded dental school students were less likely to have correct knowledge about modes of HIV transmission (OR = 0.6) and occupational risk groups (OR = 0.6) and to have received information from lectures/health care workers (OR = 0.5). Conclusion: Students attending privately funded schools were more knowledgeable about various HIV related issues than students from publicly funded schools. About half of the students investigated had received HIV/AIDS information from various sources and reported need for further education. This suggests that students are not adequately prepared for treating patients with HIV infection and AIDS and that the dental school curriculum needs improvements. Differences between public and private dental schools should be considered when planning such improvements

HIV and AIDS related knowledge, sources of information, and reported need for further education among dental students in Sudan- a cross sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Information on the HIV and AIDS-related knowledge among dental students provides a crucial foundation for efforts aimed at developing an appropriate dental curriculum on HIV and AIDS, and for attracting the attention of dental school educators towards the subject.</p> <p>Purposes</p> <p>Focusing on a census of dental students attending their 3^rd, 4^thand 5^thstudy year at publicly – and privately funded dental faculties in Khartoum, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and socio-economic correlates of dental students' knowledge, sources of information and reported need for further education related to HIV and AIDS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>At the time of the survey (March–May 2007), the total number of dental students registered was 782 of which 642 (response rate 82%, mean age 21.7 year, 72% girls) completed anonymous self-administered questionnaires in supervised class room settings.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 49% and 86% had correct sum scores with respect to knowledge of transmission through contamination and through shaking hands and eating, respectively. About half the dental students recognized a need for further education across HIV related issues, varying from 75% (basic HIV/AIDS related issues) to 84% (patient management). Only 38% of the students had correct sum scores regarding various occupational groups at risk for contacting HIV and AIDS. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to privately funded dental school students, publicly funded dental school students were less likely to have correct knowledge about modes of HIV transmission (OR = 0.6) and occupational risk groups (OR = 0.6) and to have received information from lectures/health care workers (OR = 0.5).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Students attending privately funded schools were more knowledgeable about various HIV related issues than students from publicly funded schools. About half of the students investigated had received HIV/AIDS information from various sources and reported need for further education. This suggests that students are not adequately prepared for treating patients with HIV infection and AIDS and that the dental school curriculum needs improvements. Differences between public and private dental schools should be considered when planning such improvements.</p

HIV and AIDS related knowledge, source of information, and reported need for further education among dental students in Sudan- a cross sectional study

Background: Information on the HIV and AIDS-related knowledge among dental students provides a crucial foundation for efforts aimed at developing an appropriate dental curriculum on HIV and AIDS, and for attracting the attention of dental school educators towards the subject. Purposes: Focusing on a census of dental students attending their 3rd, 4th and 5th study year at publicly – and privately funded dental faculties in Khartoum, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and socioeconomic correlates of dental students' knowledge, sources of information and reported need for further education related to HIV and AIDS. Methods: At the time of the survey (March–May 2007), the total number of dental students registered was 782 of which 642 (response rate 82%, mean age 21.7 year, 72% girls) completed anonymous selfadministered questionnaires in supervised class room settings. Results: A total of 49% and 86% had correct sum scores with respect to knowledge of transmission through contamination and through shaking hands and eating, respectively. About half the dental students recognized a need for further education across HIV related issues, varying from 75% (basic HIV/AIDS related issues) to 84% (patient management). Only 38% of the students had correct sum scores regarding various occupational groups at risk for contacting HIV and AIDS. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to privately funded dental school students, publicly funded dental school students were less likely to have correct knowledge about modes of HIV transmission (OR = 0.6) and occupational risk groups (OR = 0.6) and to have received information from lectures/health care workers (OR = 0.5). Conclusion: Students attending privately funded schools were more knowledgeable about various HIV related issues than students from publicly funded schools. About half of the students investigated had received HIV/AIDS information from various sources and reported need for further education. This suggests that students are not adequately prepared for treating patients with HIV infection and AIDS and that the dental school curriculum needs improvements. Differences between public and private dental schools should be considered when planning such improvements.publishedVersio

Utilization of dental health care services in context of the HIV epidemic- a cross-sectional study of dental patients in the Sudan

Background: HIV infected patients should be expected in the Sudanese dental health care services with an increasing frequency. Dental care utilization in the context of the HIV epidemic is generally poorly understood. Focusing on Sudanese dental patients with reported unknown HIV status, this study assessed the extent to which Andersen's model in terms of predisposing (sociodemographics), enabling (knowledge, attitudes and perceived risk related to HIV) and need related factors (oral health status) predict dental care utilization. It was hypothesized that enabling factors would add to the explanation of dental care utilization beyond that of predisposing and need related factors. Methods: Dental patients were recruited from Khartoum Dental Teaching Hospital (KDTH) and University of Science and Technology (UST) during March-July 2008. A total of 1262 patients (mean age 30.7, 56.5% females and 61% from KDTH) were examined clinically (DMFT) and participated in an interview. Results: A total of 53.9% confirmed having attended a dental clinic for treatment at least once in the past 2 years. Logistic regression analysis revealed that predisposing factors; travelling inside Sudan (OR = 0.5) were associated with lower odds and females were associated with higher odds (OR = 2.0) for dental service utilization. Enabling factors; higher knowledge of HIV transmission (OR = 0.6) and higher HIV related experience (OR = 0.7) were associated with lower odds, whereas positive attitudes towards infected people and high perceived risk of contagion (OR = 1.3) were associated with higher odds for dental care utilization. Among need related factors dental caries experience was strongly associated with dental care utilization (OR = 4.8). Conclusion: Disparity in the history of dental care utilization goes beyond socio-demographic position and need for dental care. Public awareness of HIV infection control and confidence on the competence of dentists should be improved to minimize avoidance behaviour and help establish dental health care patterns in Sudan.publishedVersio

Norwegian Orthodontists’ Experience and Challenges With Treatment of Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate

Background: Patients born with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) have orthodontic treatment challenges due to maxilla deficiency, malocclusions, and dental abnormalities. In Norway, orthodontic treatment is done by centralized CL/P teams. Due to traveling restrictions, this treatment might be done locally in the future. The experience of Norwegian community orthodontists in managing such patients has not been investigated previously. Objective: To assess Norwegian orthodontists’ management of patients with CL/P and need for further education. Material and Methods: All orthodontists in Norway were sent a questionnaire about their experience, challenges, and knowledge and asked about their need of further theoretical education and clinical training in the management of patients with CL/P. Results: Norwegian orthodontists’ standard of knowledge of CL/P treatment is adequate. However, few respondents have treated a high number of cleft patients. Eighty-six percent of the participants believed that treating CL/P patients involves challenges, such as time-consuming treatment and technical difficulties. Increased perceived need for more education was revealed among participants stated unpreparedness during education (4 folds), encountered challenges, and lack of knowledge (almost 3 folds). Conclusions: The study revealed that community orthodontists in Norway lack experience and acknowledged the challenges in treating patients with CL/P. Most of the respondents perceived a need for additional education and clinical training to treat CL/P patients competently. The findings suggested more focus on patients with CL/P management in the curricula and more collaboration between centralized CL/P teams and community orthodontists.publishedVersio

Oral-health-related background factors and dental service utilisation among Sudanese children with and without a congenital heart defects

Background: Sudanese children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) were found to have poorer oral health than those without CHDs. The aims of this study were to: describe the patterns of oral-health-related background factors in children with and without CHD and explore any differences, and to evaluate the effects of background factors on caries and gingivitis prevalence and dental services utilisation. Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, caregivers of children aged 3–12 years with (CHD cases n = 111) and without CHDs (Controls n = 182), underwent face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire items covered several oral health background factors (independent variables) including: child’s health status, oral hygiene practices, dental services utilization, mother’s level of education, and caregiver’s perception and awareness of their child’s oral health. The relationship between these factors and occurrence of ‘caries’ and ‘gingivitis’ as well as ‘child’s dental services utilisation’ (dependent variables) were explored using multiple adjusted and hierarchal logistic regression analyses. Results: Compared with controls, CHD cases had lower frequencies of brushing and use of fluoridated toothpaste, and their caregivers were less knowledgeable about caries. Among CHD cases, the variables (brushing and fluoridated toothpaste use) had significant impacts on caries prevalence (odd ratio (OR) =5.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4–22.8 and OR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1–0.8 for infrequent compared to frequent ones, respectively) as well as the mother’s level of education (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.0–6.4). When differences in background factors were controlled for, the adjusted ORs for caries and gingivitis prevalence in CHD cases compared with controls were 1.8, (95% CI: 1.1–3.2) and 5.3 (95% CI: 2.9–9.4), respectively. Among CHD cases, the child’s age (8–12 years: OR = 11.9, 95% CI: 1.9–71.6), and the mother’s level of education (lower education: OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.03–0.9) were significantly associated with the child’s dental services utilisation. Conclusions: Lower frequencies of brushing and use of fluoride tooth paste were reported among CHD cases, and brushing had the predominant significant impact on caries prevalence. The child’s age and the mother’s level of education were the main factors affecting the child’s (CHD cases) dental services utilisation.publishedVersio

Aspects of Oral Health Care Services in the context of HIV and AIDS in the Sudan

Introduction: Sub-Saharan Africa is a home to 67% of all people living with HIV-infection. War and the resulting population movements, Sudan's long borders with countries which have high HIV-prevalence, all these conditions beside others interacted to provide an enabling environment for rapid spread of HIV infection. As the increase of the epidemic, the demand for care rises for those living with HIV and AIDS, with no exception among health workers. Objectives: the overall aim of this thesis was to assess HIV and AIDS-related aspects in dental services in the Sudan. The thesis had the following specific objectives; to evaluate the HIV and AIDS-related knowledge of dental students, sources of information, and their perceived need for further education. To predict the intention of senior dental students in Sudan together with dental and medical students in Tanzania to provide surgical treatment to patients infected with HIV applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB). To asses the dental patients’ utilization of dental services in the context of HIV and AIDS in Sudan using Andersen's Behavioral model of Health services utilization. Methodology: A census of senior dental students (3rd to 5th study year) in six dental faculties in Sudan beside dental and medical students in Tanzania participated in a self-administered questionnaire. A census of all dental patients attended two dental teaching hospitals (out-patient) in Khartoum during the period of the study. A designed interview was used, followed by a clinical examination. Results: Students from private dental schools were more knowledgeable about various HIV related issues than their counterparts from public dental schools. Publicly funded dental school students were less likely to have correct knowledge about modes of HIV transmission (OR = 0.6) and occupational risk groups (OR = 0.6) and to have received information from lectures/health care workers (OR = 0.5). Tanzanian and Sudanese students showed a strong intention to provide care for patients with HIV and AIDS. Theory of Planned Behavior accounted for 51% (43% in Tanzania and Sudan) of the variance in intention across study sites. Across both study sites, attitudes were the strongest predictor of intention followed in descending order by subjective norms, moral norms and perceived behavioral control. With a response rate of 52% of dental patients, among predisposing factors; travelling inside Sudan (OR= 0.5) were associated with lower odds and females were associated with higher odds (OR= 2.0) for dental service utilization. While among enabling factors; higher knowledge of HIV transmission (OR = 0.6) and higher HIV related experience (OR = 0.7) were associated with lower odds, whereas positive attitudes towards infected people and high perceived risk of contagion (OR = 1.3) were associated with higher odds for dental care utilization. Among need related factors dental caries experience was strongly associated with dental care utilization (OR= 4.8). Conclusion: Students attending private dental schools were more knowledgeable about various HIV related issues than students from public dental schools. About half of all students reported need for further education. This suggests that students are not adequately prepared for treating patients with HIV infection and AIDS and that the dental school curriculum needs improvements. The TPB is applicable to students' care delivery intentions in the context of HIV and AIDS across the two countries investigated. It is suggested that attitudes, subjective norms, moral norms and perceived behavioral control are key factors in students' willingness to treat AIDS and HIV infected patients and should be targets of interventions aimed at improving the quality of health care delivery in this context. Disparity in the dental care utilization goes beyond socio-demographic position and need for dental care. Public awareness of HIV infection control and confidence on the competence of dentists should be improved to minimize avoidance behavior and help establish dental health care patterns in Sudan

Dental caries level among patients attending dental clinics complex at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia: A retrospective study

Introduction: Dental caries or tooth decay is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in adults and children worldwide, as it affects 60–90% of school-aged children and the vast majority of adults, and it is the primary cause of pain and tooth loss in the oral cavity. Aims: This retrospective study aimed to assess the level of dental caries among patients attended the King Faisal University dental clinics complex during the study period. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based study includes all patients who attended from September-December 2021. Secondary data included the level of dental caries experience, calculus level, plaque level using the oral hygiene index, and an assessment of dietary habits and oral health-related behaviors. We used frequencies for the categorical variables while mean (SD ±) for the quantitative variables, t -test with mean differences, and Pearson Correlation with 95% Confidence Intervals and 0.05 P -values as the significance level. Results and Discussion: 255 patients with a mean age of 28.21-year (SD ± 12.9), (42%) of them had generalized plaque, (25.9%) had generalized calculus, and (81.6%) had oral hygiene index scores ranging between 2 to 4. The prevalence of dental caries among the patients was (99.2%) with a DMFT mean of 9.51-teeth (SD ± 5.6). DMFT was significantly associated with the level of calculus as those with generalized calculus had a higher DMFT compared to localized, and was significantly associated with health education received (P -value 0.005, P = 0.028). Self-care evaluation and weekly dietary practices significantly correlated to dental caries' level (Pearson Correlation - 0.28 and 0.14, P -values 0.00 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusion: This study reported a high level of dental caries experience, which is in accordance with the level in Saudi Arabia reported by other studies. The study also demonstrated the relation of the level of dental caries with the level of calculus as well as behavioral aspects such as self-care evaluation, weekly diet practices, and dietary habits factors