Traumatic dental injuries to the anterior teeth among 12-year and 15-year-old schoolchildren of urban and rural areas of Bhopal District, Central India: A prevalence study

Background: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are one such condition that can occur at any age, but the trauma to children′s teeth occurs quite frequently. TDIs involving the anterior teeth may not only lead to restriction in biting, phonetics, and esthetics but also have an impact on a child′s personality and quality of life. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of the TDIs of the permanent anterior teeth among 12-year- and 15-year-old schoolchildren of urban and rural areas of Bhopal district, Central India. Materials and Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried on 1100 schoolchildren. For the selection of schools, a three-stage sampling procedure was adopted. A specially prepared and pretested pro forma designed for collecting all the required and relevant general information and clinical findings. The pro forma including the demographic data and questions regarding history of injury to detect the cause, place, duration of trauma to anterior teeth as well as those seeking the treatment for concerned problem was recorded. For clinical examination of TDI to anterior permanent teeth, the World Health Organization (International Classification of Diseases to Dentistry and Stomatology) classification of tooth fracture was used. SPSS version 20 was used for the statistical analysis. The Chi-square test used for categorical data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence rate of TDIs to permanent incisor teeth was 12.8%. The prevalence of TDI was higher in rural areas compared to urban areas. The major cause of TDI was sports activities. Conclusion: This indicates the need for community health activities and awareness program

Dental caries prevalence and treatment needs among 12- and 15-year-old school-going children of rural and Urban Areas of Bhopal District, India

Introduction: Dental caries is highly prevalent among children and persists to be a significant public health problem worldwide. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs of 12- and 15-year-old schoolchildren of Bhopal district and to compare the dental caries levels and treatment needs of government schoolchildren of urban and rural areas of Bhopal district. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 12- and 15-year-old urban and rural school-going children of Bhopal district. A total of 1100 schoolchildren were screened using a multistage sampling procedure. The children were examined according to the dentition status and treatment needs, WHO (modified) oral health assessment. Student's t-test was used for continuous variables and Chi-square test used for categorical data and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of dental caries at the age of 12 years was 33.5% and 26.5% at the age of 15 years. Dental caries was higher in urban schools as compared to rural schools. The maximum need was for one-surface restoration. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries at both the age groups was low. This suggested a need of dental health education program including proper oral hygiene instruction which helps children to improve positive dental attitude and behavior

Knowledge and attitude toward informed consent in medical and dental practitioners, of Bhopal City, India

Background: Consent is a lawful right of a patient that makes a decision their involvement in clinical procedures. The meaning of consent is that patient not to be touched or in nevertheless treated without their permission, it deems like an endorsed inquiry for their protection. Concept of consent is an endeavor by which the patient can take part in clinical judgment concerning their treatment and protect each and every patient against any litigation. Thus, knowledge and approach of consent are foremost important due to encroachment in clinical procedures in dental and medical field as well as it is also important for general population. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to appraise the knowledge and attitude toward informed consent in medical and dental practitioners of Bhopal city, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional assessment was carried out among 200 medical and dental practitioners of Bhopal city. A self-administered, close-ended planned questionnaire was used to evaluate their knowledge and attitude regarding informed consent. This questionnaire consists of 10 and 5 questions of knowledge and attitude, respectively. The response format was obtained by a 3-point Likert scale. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20; Chi-square test was used for data analysis. Result: Knowledge and attitude regarding informed consent were uneven amid medical and dental professionals. Although it was slight higher in medical professionals. Conclusion: An unbalanced knowledge of informed consent in medical and dental professionals recommended; a need to conduct assort of awareness programs and workshops regarding informed consent. Thus, this gap of knowledge can fill and an affirmative attitude can develop

Assessment of dental erosion status among battery factory workers in Mandideep, India

Introduction: Occupational factors may be considered responsible for dental erosion among battery&nbsp; factory workers since they were exposed to sulfuric acid fumes created by the harmful processes known as forming and charging.Methods: A sample consisted of 138 battery factory workers (85 acid exposed workers and 53 controls) drawn as a convenient sample from 3 different battery factories of Mandideep, India. A pre-tested proforma, completed by interview, was used to collect information on medical and dental histories. Clinical examination of battery factory workers was done to assess dental erosion using tooth wear index given by Smith and Knight. Data related to dental erosion score of acid worker and&nbsp; control group was compared using Mann Whitney U test. Categorical data was analyzed by chi-square test.Results: The battery factory workers showed a propensity for higher erosion scores. The result of present survey showed a total of 74 percent of acid exposed workers had erosion compared to 37.7&nbsp;&nbsp; percent of the controls. Statistical difference in erosion scores between acid exposed group and control group was found significant (p value&lt;0.05).Conclusion: Present study revealed that long term exposure of sulphuric acid mists in the working environment significantly increased the chances of dental erosion among exposed workers. There is urgent need for surveillance and routine monitoring of acid fumes at workplace coupled with education about occupational hazards, positive worksite oral health promotion and training for standardized behaviors such as use of personal protective equipment to decrease occupational erosion. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v4i1.1216