Microbial contamination of the white coats among preclinical and clinical dental students: A comparative cross-sectional study

Introduction: White coat is associated with standard of professionalism and care and helps in gaining the trust of their patients. On the other hand, these white coats are known to be potentially contaminated with pathogenic bacteria and there has been always a concern about the risk of transmitting pathogenic bacteria in hospital settings. Aims: The aim was to know the difference in microbial contamination of white coats between preclinical and clinical dental students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study done on dental students in a dental institution in a South Indian state. Fifty dental students (25 preclinical and 25 clinical) were included. Sterile saline dipped cotton swabs were used to collect samples from predetermined areas. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to test the significance. SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Results: Clinical students (16%) had more pathogens on their white coats than preclinical students (8%), whereas nonpathogenic commensals were more in nonclinical students (84%) compared to clinical students. Conclusions: White coats are contaminated by bacteria, but further research should be carried to know the virulence of these bacteria in susceptible individuals

Microbial contamination of the white coats among preclinical and clinical dental students: A comparative cross-sectional study

Introduction: White coat is associated with standard of professionalism and care and helps in gaining the trust of their patients. On the other hand, these white coats are known to be potentially contaminated with pathogenic bacteria and there has been always a concern about the risk of transmitting pathogenic bacteria in hospital settings. Aims: The aim was to know the difference in microbial contamination of white coats between preclinical and clinical dental students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study done on dental students in a dental institution in a South Indian state. Fifty dental students (25 preclinical and 25 clinical) were included. Sterile saline dipped cotton swabs were used to collect samples from predetermined areas. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to test the significance. SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Results: Clinical students (16%) had more pathogens on their white coats than preclinical students (8%), whereas nonpathogenic commensals were more in nonclinical students (84%) compared to clinical students. Conclusions: White coats are contaminated by bacteria, but further research should be carried to know the virulence of these bacteria in susceptible individuals

Assessment of the Status of National Oral Health Policy in India

Background National oral health policy was conscripted by the Indian Dental Association (IDA) in 1986 and was accepted as an integral part of National Health Policy (NHP) by the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare in one of its conferences in the year 1995. Objectives of this paper were to find out the efforts made or going on towards its execution, its current status and recent oral health-related affairs or programs, if any. Methods Literature search was done using the institutional library, web-based search engines like ‘Google’ and ‘PubMed’ and also by cross referencing. It yielded 108 articles, of which 50 were excluded as they were not pertinent to the topic. Twenty-four were of global perspective rather than Indian and hence were not taken into account and finally 34 articles were considered for analyses. Documents related to central and state governments of India were also considered. Results All the articles considered for analysis were published within the past 10 years with gradual increase in number which depicts the researchers’ increasing focus towards oral health policy. Criticisms, suggestions and recommendations regarding national oral health programs, dental manpower issues, geriatric dentistry, public health dentistry, dental insurance, oral health inequality, and public-private partnerships have taken major occupancies in the articles. Proposals like “model for infant and child oral health promotion” and “oral health policy phase 1 for Karnataka” were among the initiatives towards national oral health policy. Conclusion The need for implementation of the drafted oral health policy with modification that suits the rapidly changing oral health system of this country is inevitable

Zodiac Signs Personality Traits and Dental Specialty

Introduction: Astrologers assume that the sun sign dictates personality. A relationship between personality traits and sun signs exists, though a degree of relation could vary. Selecting a career is thought to be dependent on a number of factors and the perceived suitability of one’s personality characteristics to a certain career is one among other factors. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore zodiac signs and related personality traits of dental students and their perception toward dental specialties. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among (n = 447) undergraduates and postgraduate dental students in Andhra Pradesh. A pretested 3 questionnaire was used to collect data regarding demographics, education level, zodiac-related personality traits, and preferred dental specialty, which was assessed using Google Forms. A Chi-square test was done to know the association. Results: There is a statistical significance (<0.001) between the zodiac sign and the dental specialty they prefer. Majority of extroverts preferred surgery and conservative, while introverts chose pedodontics and periodontics. Ambiverts chose orthodontics and public health dentistry. Conclusion: Different personality types choose different specialties. There might be connections to zodiac signs that demand further research

Association between tobacco usage and dental caries among 35–44-year-old fishermen of North Coastal Region of South Indian State, Andhra Pradesh

Introduction: Tobacco usage is popular among rural and urban communities of India. Sporadic studies that were conducted to know the caries experience among tobacco users yielded conflicting conclusions. Fisherfolk communities form a special population in light of the variations in their dietary habits compared to general population. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the dental caries (DC) experience among tobacco users and nonusers in fisherman communities residing in the north coastal region of a south Indian state. Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional survey was done in fisherman community belonging to a north coastal region of a South Indian state. Stratified randomized sampling technique was employed to recruit 374 adult participants aged 35–44 years. The survey included interviewer-administered questionnaire and clinical examination for measuring DC experience. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data, brushing aids, 2 days sweet score, and a detailed record on tobacco use of subjects. Decayed missed and filled index (DMFT) and Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) were recorded. The study participants were dichotomized based on tobacco usage. The tests used were independent samples t-test, analysis of variance, and Chi-square test. Results: DC was present among 46.5% of tobacco users and 65.8% of nonusers. The mean DFT score for tobacco users (0.62 ± 0.23) was less when compared to that of nonusers (1.40 ± 0.52) after excluding missing component, which is statistically significant (P < 0.001). The mean OHI-S was higher among tobacco users than nonusers. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean sweet scores between these two groups (P = 0.172). Conclusion: Despite higher mean OHI-S scores among tobacco users and similar sweet scores among both the groups, DC experience among tobacco users was less when compared to nonusers. Longitudinal studies are recommended for further confirmative evidence

Is the Intention Being Realized in Execution: Evaluation of Oral Health Promotion Program at a South Indian University

Introduction: There are accessibility problems for rural Indian population with respect to oral health care. Dental Council of India envisioned that establishment of satellite clinics would be a beneficial strategy for rural population to have better access to oral health care, curtailing the accessibility problems and financial barriers for oral health care utilization to some extent. Aim and Objective: The aim of this study was to procure data on the functioning of these satellite clinics and evaluate an oral health promotion program in a satellite clinic located in a South Indian university. Materials and Methods: A total of 301 participants were selected through two-stage random sampling to evaluate the functioning of a dental satellite clinic located in a South Indian university. The data collected include demographics, utilization of services at the satellite clinics, and self-reported oral and general health status. Results: The utilization of services was only 9.3%, and a majority of the participants were not aware of the existence of the clinic. Promotion of available services and provision of oral health education were the major suggestions received from the study participants. Conclusion: Evaluation of satellite clinics both from the students’ perspective and with regard to oral health status of concerned populations must be seriously undertaken

Sugar score and dental caries experience among high school children

Aim or Purpose: To know the association between sugar score and dental caries experience among high school children in East Coastal Region of India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study with clinical examination was carried out on 750 high school children. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee, SIBAR Institute of Dental Sciences and was later approved by the Nandamuri Taraka Rama (NTR) University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada (Pr.201/IEC/SIBAR/2019-D190030903). Dental caries was measured using WHO criteria (1997) and sweet score was measured using the Nizel and Papas 24 hour diet approach. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, spearman correlation test, and binary logistic regression were utilized for factual investigation with level of significance at p<0.05. Results: With mean age as 14.9 ± 0.693, the children mean DMFT was 0.72 ± 1.06 and children with one and two carious lesions were 169 (22.3%) and 91 (12.1%) respectively, for a total prevalence of 39.2%. Only 233 children (31.1%) had no sugar exposure at all per day while 38.1% having one sugar exposure per day. The sweet score was excellent in 488 (65.1%) subjects, with few pupils (4%) in the ''Watch out zone'' with a statistically significant (P = 0.0001) relationship between DMFT, daily sugar exposure frequency, and the sweet score. Conclusions: Low sugar scores and dental caries experience in the study population reflects controlled environment on diet and hygiene practices. However, a strong primary message regarding the harmfulness of sugar in non-communicable diseases should be conveyed to children because there is direct observation between the frequency of sugar consumption and dental caries

Assessment of periodontal health among jail inmates of Guntur city Andhra Pradesh: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Oral health is an integral part of general health. Various factors are responsible for maintenance of good oral health. Socioeconomic status, occupation, education are playing major role in the maintenance of good oral health. Prisoners are psychologically, socially, morally and economically affected group, which makes them to neglect their general, as well as oral health. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study was designed and undertaken at district prison in Guntur city to assess the periodontal health status and loss of attachment (LOA) in accordance with their years of imprisonment. Results: The total prison population of the district prison was 180 (145 males, 35 females) with the age group of 18-65 years. Calculus was observed among 38.8% of total inmates, and it was observed more 25 (35.7%) who were imprisoned for 4-6 years. Pockets measuring 4-5 mm was observed among 15.5% of total inmates and it was observed 10 (35.7%) who were imprisoned for 2-4 years. Pockets measuring >6 mm were observed among 5%of total inmates and it was observed more 4 (40%) who were imprisoned for >6 years. There was highly statistically significant differences in LOA scores between the inmates imprisoned for a different period of imprisonment (P = 0.005). Conclusion: This study conducted in central jail has clearly indicated that their periodontal health status is poor because of lack of knowledge on oral health care measures and accessibility to aids used in oral hygiene practices. Preventive measures to improve dental care and provision of dental health education are very much necessary to ensure optimum oral health among the inmates

Evaluation of dent-o-myths among adult population living in a rural region of Andhra Pradesh, India: A cross-sectional study

Context: Even though dentistry is one of the very highly developed fields among the medical sciences, false traditional beliefs and nonscientific knowledge may seed myths that create hindrance in the recognition of scientific and modern dental treatments, thereby acting as a barrier against the utilization of oral health-care facilities. Aims: The present study was an attempt to evaluate various dental myths prevailing in a rural population. Settings and Design: The study sample comprised of 305 subjects aged 18 years and above, acquired from six randomly chosen villages of Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out to assess the various dental myths. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using chi-square and multinomial logistic regression tests in SPSS version 20. Results: The mean age of the study population was 38.03 ΁ 15.15 years, 57.4% of whom were males and 42.6% females. Of the subjects, 58.7% felt that deciduous teeth did not need any treatment procedures as they would be exfoliated anyway; 40% of those who had never visited a dentist before felt that extraction of the upper teeth affected eye vision. Of individuals aged 18-39 years, 47.6% believed that cleaning with salt made teeth white and shiny. Only a few (3.9%) believed absolutely no dental myths, whereas most (96.1%) believed one myth or another. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that dental myths are still prevalent and that they need to be addressed to achieve optimal dental health