Assessing Moral Skills in General and Post-Graduate Dental Students in the Southeast of Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To assess the level of moral skills in dental students and residents. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study was conducted on dental students and residents of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, selected by census sampling. Data collection tools included a demographic information checklist (age, gender, marital status, educational level (before basic sciences, after basic sciences, residency), and Moral skills inventory questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a T-test and multiple regression analysis at a confidence level of 95%. Results: The total score of the moral skills questionnaire was about 44 out of 80, and there was no difference between males and females in moral skills (p=0.79). However, there was a significant difference in moral sensitivity between married and single students (p=0.036). Residents gained significantly higher moral integrity scores than students (p=0.046). Conclusion: The study highlights that the level of professional moral skills in Kerman dental students and residents was acceptable. Single students got higher scores in the moral sensitivity domain, although residents got the highest scores in the moral integrity domain. There was no significant correlation between gender and the level of moral skills

Reviewing the Dental Students’ Skills and Habits in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: Adequate time and an organized plan to study have an efficient role in improvement educational performance. This study was performed to determine the dental students’ skills and habits in Kerman dental students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on Kerman dental students in 2013. Data were collected by questionnaire in 2 parts, demographic characteristics and study skill and habits consist of 24 questions in 6 domains. Higher scores indicated more appropriate study skills and habits. Results: 48.1% were males and 51.9% were females, with mean age of 23.46 ± 6.09 years. The mean score was 71.32 ± 10.65 out of 120. There was a significant correlation between the students’ total mean score (P = 0.049), mean of study hours (P = 0.033) and studying before class (P = 0.050) with the mean score of questionnaire. 7.7%, 85.9%, and 6.4% had good study skills, moderate and poor study skills and habits, respectively. 51.9% had 2-4 hours daily study, and 46.8% had 6-8 hours daily in exams interval. Conclusion: Study skills and habits in this study were moderate. Teaching study skills can help dental students in better learning and understanding. Keywords Studying skills Studying habits Dental student

Are Panoramic Radiographies Requested by General Dentists in Kerman Based on FDA Recommendations?

Background: Panoramic radiography is a simple and valuable diagnostic tool in dentistry. The aim of the present study was detecting factors influencing panoramic radiography requests by general dentists in Kerman and their compatibility with FDA recommendation. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on general dentists in Kerman. Data were collected by a questionnaire including demographic variables as well as factors influencing the selection of panoramic radiography and the diagnostic value of panoramic as compared to intra oral radiography. Data were analyzed through SPSS 19 and using t- test and linear regression test. P<0.05 was considered as the statistical significant level. Results: In the present study, 67.9% were men with mean age of 35.3±8.71 years and mean time since graduation was 6.23±5.18 years. Mean score of factors influencing panoramic radiography request was 88.80±4.78 and mean score of the diagnostic value of panoramic as compared to intra oral radiography was 13.80±11.28. There was a significant relationship between responding to the questions related to the diagnostic value of panoramic radiography and participating in continued education programs. Conclusion: Request of panoramic radiography among the general dentists in Kerman is in some cases not according to FDA guidelines and more supervision is recommended

Assessment of Mental and Spiritual Health Among Iranian Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To investigate the relationship between mental health and spiritual well-being among general and post-graduate dental students. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study conducted on 268 general and post-graduate dental students. Data collection tools included the Mental Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28: General Health Questionnaire) and the Spiritual Health Questionnaire. The data were analyzed by the SPSS version 25 using Independent Samples t-test, One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, Multiple linear regression with a significant level at 0.05. Results: The total score of the Spiritual Health Questionnaire was 71.48 ± 0.507 and the Mental Health Questionnaire was 40.31±0.65. There was a significant difference in the spiritual health status between the general and post-graduate students (p=0.009). Overall, there was a significant positive relationship between the students' spiritual health and mental health (p=0.045), although a significant relationship was evident between mental health and age of the students (p=0.019). Conclusion: The spiritual health was high in the dental students and Kerman University of medical sciences residents. Also, there was a positive significant relationship between spiritual and mental health

The Stress Level and Related Factors in Students of School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: Dentistry is a stressful job and dental students are exposed to educational and environmental stresses. The aim of this study was to determine the stress level in dental students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on students of School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data were collected by Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) standard questionnaire and analyzed by linear regression and t-test. Results: 32.6% of students had moderate and 4.3% had severe stress. There was no significant differences between sex, academic year, mean of scores, and stress level. Married students had more stress (P = 0.037). Students staying with their parents had low stress level (P = 0.047). In 66% of students, the university issues were stressor. Conclusion: Based on the result of this study, stress level among dental students is fairly high; greater attention to this issue is recommended. Keywords Stress Dental students Kerman Ira

Exam Anxiety among Dental Students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2013

Background & Objective: Exam anxiety is a significant problem among university students and can be accompanied by a decline in performance and severe psychological problems. This study was designed to investigate exam anxiety levels among dental students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2013. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on dental students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. The participants were selected using census method. The data collection tool was a questionnaire consisting of the 20-item standard Exam Anxiety Questionnaire (Spielberger), demographic characteristics, causes of anxiety, methods of decreasing exam anxiety, and exam method. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, and linear regression and Student's t-test. Results: Of the participants, 56.57% were men, their mean age was 22.7 ± 2.18, and 37.71% lived with their parents. The mean score of the exam anxiety questionnaire was 47.29 ± 10.57, the maximum score being 80. The first activity during leisure time was exercising (30%) and fear of failure was the first cause of exam anxiety. Theoretical final exams were the cause of the exam anxiety in 54.90% of participants. Seeing friends was the most common method of decreasing anxiety. There was no significant correlation between mean exam anxiety score and sex, age, academic year, marriage status, and academic performance. A significant correlation was observed between area of residence and mean exam anxiety score. Conclusion: Based on our findings, dental students had varying degrees of exam anxiety. Thus, we recommend the training of exam anxiety reduction methods during the course of the term by professionals. Keywords Exam anxiety Dental students Kerman (Iran

Assessing Moral Skills in General and Post-Graduate Dental Students in the Southeast of Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To assess the level of moral skills in dental students and residents. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study was conducted on dental students and residents of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, selected by census sampling. Data collection tools included a demographic information checklist (age, gender, marital status, educational level (before basic sciences, after basic sciences, residency), and Moral skills inventory questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a T-test and multiple regression analysis at a confidence level of 95%. Results: The total score of the moral skills questionnaire was about 44 out of 80, and there was no difference between males and females in moral skills (p=0.79). However, there was a significant difference in moral sensitivity between married and single students (p=0.036). Residents gained significantly higher moral integrity scores than students (p=0.046). Conclusion: The study highlights that the level of professional moral skills in Kerman dental students and residents was acceptable. Single students got higher scores in the moral sensitivity domain, although residents got the highest scores in the moral integrity domain. There was no significant correlation between gender and the level of moral skills

Immunohistochemical Evaluation of P53 and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Proteins Expression Levels in Gingival Tissue of Opium-dependent Patients

Background: Although evidence indicates that tobacco use is one of the risk factors for oral cancer, the relationship between opium addiction and oral cancer has not yet been evaluated. The present study was performed aiming to evaluate P53 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in the gingival tissue of opium-dependent patients.Methods: 102 individuals (70 men and 32 women) were entered in the study. 63 and 39 individuals were included in the opium-dependent group and opium-independent group (control group), respectively.  1 gingival biopsy was taken from each individual. The biopsies were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde solution and embedded in paraffin at 56  ̊C. The slides were then stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (H & E) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) evaluation was performed with the antihuman antibodies of P53 and EGFR. The protein expression level was later assessed and data were analyzed statistically.Findings: P53 expression was higher among the opium-dependent group, however the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.052). EGFR expression was significantly higher among the opium-dependent group compared to the control group (P = 0.006).Conclusion: Opium dependency significantly affects EGFR expression in gingival tissue, however it seems to have no significant effect on P53 expression

Assessing the Knowledge of Students about Dental Bleaching in Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran

Statement of the Problem: An attractive smile and white teeth give self-confidence and provide impression of health, which help individuals for social and interpersonal success. Increasing demand for tooth bleaching and lack of relevant information on the other hand, necessitate a new investigation to assess the knowledge of the students about dental bleaching in Kerman. Purpose: This study was designed to assess the overall knowledge of the students of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman regarding dental bleaching and their tendency to perform it. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study enrolled 384 students who were selected by simple random sampling. A valid and reliable self-administered researcher-made questionnaire was employed to collect data about demographic information, health behavior, tooth bleaching, and the tendency to perform .This tool contained 8 questions with the focus on the knowledge of dental bleaching. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 21 and regression analysis at a significant level of 0.05. Results: Overall, 59.55% of participants were male and 40.45% were female students. Most likely, the source for gaining information was internet. In this regard, 29 individuals were dissatisfied with tooth color, 27 ones with the appearance of teeth, 13.5% have done tooth bleaching, and 69% had tendency to do that. The preferred knowledge was about the difference between scaling and root planning (SRP) and bleaching. There was no significant difference between age, gender, and marital status variables with the knowledge of dental bleaching. Tooth color satisfaction increased the tendency to do bleaching about 1.87 times. Conclusion: The study highlights that 69 % of the students had a tendency to do the bleaching, their knowledge was moderate, and there was no statistical relationship between knowledge, gender, and marital variables. Color variable had an overall positive effect on the tendency to do the bleaching

Effective Factors on Theoretical Classes Attendance of Dentistry Students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: Classrooms are suitable environment for transferring teachers’ experiences to students and gaining a better understanding of educational contents. The students’ absence from theoretical classes has been one of the increasing and most important educational problems in medical universities in recent years. This study was performed to determine factors effective on theoretical class attendance according to the point of view of dentistry students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2012. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 students of the School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, in 2012. Data collection tool was a questionnaire consisting of 2 parts: demographic characteristics and effective factors on theoretical class attendance questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 20 questions scored based on a 5-point Likert scale, from very effective to ineffective, and scores ranging from 0 to 80. Higher scores indicated more effective factors. Data were analyzed by SPSS software through linear regression analysis. Values of P < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Of the 150 participants, 58.7% were female, 83.3% were single, and 61.3% were native students. The mean age of the participants was 20.7 ± 1.7 years. The mean score of the students was 58.24 ± 9.59. A significant statistical relationship was observed between area of residence, year of education, and sex of students and mean score of questionnaire. Among factors effective on theoretical class attendance, the highest score belonged to appropriate teaching method, teachers' scientific proficiency, students' interest in the related topic. However, taking part in the class as a duty and active involvement of students had the lowest scores. Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that attendance in classes is affected by factors related to both teachers and students. However, appropriate teaching method, teachers' scientific proficiency, and students' interest in the related topic are the main factors which determine students' attendance in the classes. Keywords Effective factors Attendance Theoretical lessons Dentistry students Kerman (Iran