Evaluation of the Frequency of Occupational Hazards Among a Group of Iranian General Dentists and its Prevention Criteria

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of occupational hazards and the criteria for their prevention among Iranian dentists. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 187 general dentists in Kerman. The data collection tool was a questionnaire including personal information (gender, age, marital status, condition and place and years of employment, and the average of weekly working hours) and a valid and reliable questionnaire of occupational hazards, including 24 questions about occupational hazards (6 domain) and nine questions about criteria for the prevention of the risks of dentistry. The t-test, chi-square, and linear regression were used. Results: 92 (49.2%) were men. The mean and standard deviation of the score of occupational hazards was 27.04±16.21 out of 96, and the criteria of prevention were 22.00±7.28 out of 36. Regression analysis showed significant correlations between single statuses, years of occupational and type of employment, weekly work hours and occupational hazards, participation in occupational injury identification courses, and hepatitis vaccination. In addition, there were significant correlations between gender, age, weekly work hours, and preventive measures. Moreover, 3.2% of dentists were in a high-risk group and 26.2% were weak in preventive measures. Conclusion: A total of 32.6% of dentists are at moderate risk of occupational hazards, and 10.7% meet the prevention criteria properly. It is recommended to hold training classes to identify occupational hazards and the criteria for their prevention among dentists

Frequency of Self-Medication and Knowledge about Out-of-Counter Drugs during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Group of Iranian Dental Students

Objective: To study the frequency of self-medication and knowledge about out-of-counter drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic in a group of Iranian dental students. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among dental undergraduates from September 2021 to November 2021 after receiving ethical clearance from the Kerman Medical University Ethical Committee. A valid and reliable questionnaire, consisting of demographic data and questions about self-medication and knowledge about out-of-counter drugs, was sent to participants via E-mail. Data was analyzed by SPSS 26 software by using a t-test. The P-value was considered at a 0.05% significant level. Results: A total of 88 students participated in the study with a mean age of 21.39±3.71 years. Prevalence of self-medication was found in 53.4%. The most common cause for self-medication was headache. Acetaminophen was the most commonly used medicine for self-medication. Females had more self-medication than males, but there was no significant differences. There was no significant differences between entering year to university and self-medication. Younger students had significantly more self-medication (p=0.007). Knowledge about out-of-counter drugs was moderate. Conclusion: Moderate self-medication as noticed. The out-of-counter drugs were the most used. Although out-of-counter drugs seem relatively safe, their improper use can cause serious side effects. Dental students need to be educated regarding appropriate safe medication and out-of-counter drugs

Oral Health Literacy and Related Factors among Pregnant Women Referring to Health Government Institute in Kerman, Iran

Objective: To evaluate oral health literacy among pregnant women in Kerman, Iran. Material and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 169 pregnant women referring  to government institute. Data were collected by demographic profile (including age, number of children, educational level, dental attendance before pregnancy and economic status), 17-item oral health literacy questionnaire consisting of four domains (including reading comprehension, numeracy, listening, and decision-making skills), self-assessment oral health status, DMFT index and oral health behavior. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 software using ANOVA and Chi-square tests at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 27.92 ± 5.25 years, 38.2% of them had bachelor's degree, 35.8% had dental attendance before pregnancy and 29.1% brushed daily their teeth twice or more. Dentists were the most frequent source of oral health information. Moreover, 60.0% believed their oral health was to be moderate, and 59.4% had inadequate oral health literacy. There was also  a  significant  correlation between educational level, monthly income and dental attendance before  pregnancy.  Conclusion: Our results showed inadequate oral health literacy among pregnant women, highlighting the necessity of dental consultation before pregnancy

Assessment of Dental Environment Stress among Clinical Dentistry Students in Kerman Dental School, Iran, in 2014

Background & Objective: Dentistry has been widely acknowledged as being associated with high levels of stress. This stress originates in the process of dental education. The aim of the present study was to evaluate dental environment stress (DES) in students of the School of Dentistry of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 165 students. Data were collected using the Dental Environment Stress Questionnaire (consisting of 32 items in 6 scales) and demographic information questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS software using t-test and ANOVA. P-value was considered at 5%. Results: Of the 165 respondents, 53.3% were women and 78.2% were single. Their mean age was 23.63 ± 2.94 years, and mean score was 16.05 ± 1.10. The mean of DES score was 82.60 ± 14.53 out of a total of 128. In academic factors, fear of exam and failure of the course were the most important stressors. There was a statistically significant association between mean DES score and gender. There was no statistically significant association between mean DES score and marriage status, student`s work, and priority of field selection. Conclusion: The results of the present study were similar to that of previous studies. They showed the existence of DES. Academic factors were one of the most important stressors. Key Words: Dental environment, Stress, Students, Kerman (Iran

Association between number and type of tooth loss on Oral Health Related Quality of life in 35-44 year olds in southeastern Iran.

Oral diseases can affect oral health related quality of life (OHRQol). The aim of the present study was to determine the association between the number and type of tooth loss on OHRQol in 35-44 year old individuals. This cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on 400, 35-44 year old people who visited Kerman clinics. Data were collected by using demographic and oral health behavior questionnaires, clinical examination (DMFT index) and the OHRQol questionnaire (OHIP-14). Data were analyzed in SPSS18, by t-test, X2 at 5% significance level. In the present study 206 (51.5%) were men, the mean age was 39.22±4.98 years and 52.0% had university education. The mean of DMFT and OHIP-14 scores were 13.3±4.5 and 18.6±8.3 (from 56) respectively. Men had lower OHRQol than women, but the difference was not significant. There was significant relation between educational level, oral health behavior, number and type of tooth loss and the OHRQol score. OHRQol was acceptable in this study and had a significant correlation with number and type of tooth loss. Further studies on other age groups is recommended. Keywords: oral health، quality of life, tooth loss, type of tooth loss, 35-44 years old، southeastern Iran

Rate and comparison of periapical inflammatory lesions using clinical diagnosis and histopathological findings during the 18-year study period

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Inflammatory Periapical lesions are the most common periapical lesions. These lesions are often diagnosed based on clinical and radiological examination, which may be different from the histological finding. The present study was carried out with aim to assess the rate and to compare clinical and radiographic features with histological diagnosis of periapical pathology. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on dental school pathology records in Kerman, Iran, from 1996-2014. Cases with incomplete records and without net histology diagnosis were excluded. Age, gender, site of lesion, clinical diagnosis, and histopathological diagnosis were extracted from the records. The data were analyzed using chi-square test in SPSS software. A P value of 5% was considered as the significance level. RESULTS: 1854 cases met the inclusion criteria. 129 of the cases were periapical inflammatory lesions. The mean age of individuals was 29.39 ± 15.14 years. Periapical cysts were the most incident lesions in clinical and histopathologic diagnosis. An overall of 98.9% of histopatologic diagnoses were compatible with clinical diagnosis. Inflammatory periapical lesions in maxilla were greater and this difference was significant (P = 0.001). Inflammatory periapical lesions were higher among men compared to women, with significant difference (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that periapical cysts were the most incident inflammatory lesions followed by periapical granuloma. KEYWORDS: Periapical Lesions; Cyst; Granuloma; Incidence; Inflammatory; Odontogeni

Evaluation of denture hygiene among removable denture wearers referred to clinics of Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The number of patients who need prosthetic treatments has increased. Efficient and regular procedures for cleaning removable dentures are important for maintaining good oral health. The aim of this study was to analyze the oral and prostheses care habits of removable denture users, who attended the clinics of Kerman, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 350 patients, who attended the clinics of Kerman and were chosen by the multistage sampling method. Data were obtained from a checklist consisting of demographic characteristics (age, sex, educational level, kind of prosthesis, age of prosthesis, self-report of halitosis, and smoking status), denture hygiene habits, denture-wearing behavior, and cleanliness of denture by examiner. Data was analyzed using chi-squared test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 58.52 ± 10.78 years, 103 (29.4%) were male and 247 (70.6%) were female. The results showed that 78.6% had complete denture and 12.7% reported halitosis, 55.1% used their denture at night, and 36.4% had poor denture hygiene. Brushing was the most used cleaning method by the patients (36.5%). 60.4% reported never having been instructed by their dentists as to how to clean their dentures. 58.6% had been using the same denture for more than 5 years. There was a significant correlation between the kind of denture, and denture hygiene and education level. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the present study denture hygiene was not favorable. Therefore, dentists should instruct the patients on cleaning their denture in order to prevent denture–induced lesions. KEYWORDS: Complete Denture, Removable Denture, Habits, Hygiene, Dental Car

Evaluation of Type and Frequency of Snacks Consumption in 3-6-Year-Old Children in Rabor and Baft Cities (2011)

Introduction: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease. Diet has a major role in prevention of oral diseases as well as dental caries. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and type of snack consumption among 3-6 year-old-children in Rbor and Baft in 2011. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 240 kindergarten children aged 3-6 years old in Baft and Rabor cities through multiple stratified systematic sampling methods. Data were collected by a demographic questionnaire (sex, parents’ education and their job, and number of children) and 2 checklists consist of daily type and frequency of snack consumption in kindergarten and at home. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 20 software using T and &chi2 tests. Results: In the present study, 125(52.1%) kids were boysand the rest were girls. 45.42% of snacks were cariogenic. The mean of weekly snack consumption by boys and girls were 45.68±18.98 and 46.05±18.10 respectively, and there were not any significant differences between them (P=0.879). The mean of snack consumption at home was meaningfully higher than that at kindergarten (P=0.000). Frequency of snack consumption in Rbor was higher than that in Baft, but the difference was not significant (P=0.493).There were not any meaningful statistical differences between fathers and mothers ‘educational level and the mean of weekly snack consumption (P=0.643 and P=0.762). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study the mean of snack consumption at kindergartens in Baft and Rabor was high. However snacks provide a part of energy for children's growth, choosing healthy snack is necessary for dental health. Key­words: Snack Consumption, 3-6 Years, Children, Baft, Rabor Citation: Torabi M, PourEslami HR, Sajadi A, Karimi Afshar M, Karimi Afshar M. Evaluation of Type and Frequency of Snacks Consumption in 3-6-Year-Old Children in Rabor and Baft Cities(2011)­. Journal of Health Based Research 2015 1(2): 145-153

Evaluation of denture hygiene among removable denture wearers referred to clinics of Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The number of patients who need prosthetic treatments has increased. Efficient and regular procedures for cleaning removable dentures are important for maintaining good oral health. The aim of this study was to analyze the oral and prostheses care habits of removable denture users, who attended the clinics of Kerman, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 350 patients, who attended the clinics of Kerman and were chosen by the multistage sampling method. Data were obtained from a checklist consisting of demographic characteristics (age, sex, educational level, kind of prosthesis, age of prosthesis, self-report of halitosis, and smoking status), denture hygiene habits, denture-wearing behavior, and cleanliness of denture by examiner. Data was analyzed using chi-squared test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 58.52 ± 10.78 years, 103 (29.4%) were male and 247 (70.6%) were female. The results showed that 78.6% had complete denture and 12.7% reported halitosis, 55.1% used their denture at night, and 36.4% had poor denture hygiene. Brushing was the most used cleaning method by the patients (36.5%). 60.4% reported never having been instructed by their dentists as to how to clean their dentures. 58.6% had been using the same denture for more than 5 years. There was a significant correlation between the kind of denture, and denture hygiene and education level. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study denture hygiene was not favorable. Therefore, dentists should instruct the patients on cleaning their denture in order to prevent denture–induced lesions