Dental Institution Research Articles

Health care seeking behaviour of patients reporting to a dental health Institution- A cross sectional study

This study aimed to assess the factors influencing healthcare-seeking behaviour among patients presenting to a dental institution. Oral diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal diseases are prevalent global health concerns, particularly in developed countries, whereas oral cancers are more common in developing countries. In India, there is observed lower utilization of dental care services and higher rates of dental problems. This descriptive study involved 220 patients who visited a dental college and hospital in India. Patients were interviewed to gather information on their chief complaint, history of previous treatment for the complaint, and reasons for delaying dental treatment. The study identified several key factors contributing to delays in seeking dental treatment. Negligence was cited by 27.1% of patients, absence of symptoms by 14.5%, and financial constraints by 9%. Gender, occupation, and education level of patients also showed varying impacts on healthcare-seeking behaviour. Negligence, lack of symptom awareness, and financial constraints, particularly in rural and suburban areas were the significant barriers to timely dental treatment among patients in a dental institution in India.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Barriers toward Smoking Cessation Counseling: A Cross-Sectional Study among Clinical Dental Students in Indonesia

Abstract Objectives The World Health Organization has promoted the integration of smoking cessation programs into normal dental treatment since they have significant positive effects on oral health. However, there are stillmany barriers including a lack of knowledge about the smoking cessation counseling (SCC). The high incidence of smoking is an important health challenge in Indonesia. This study determined the relationships between sociodemographic factors and knowledge about the effects of smoking on oral health, as well as knowledge of, attitudes about, and barriers to SCC among clinical dental students in Indonesia. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study utilizing a questionnaire involving clinical dental students throughout Indonesia. Clinical dental students from 32 dental schools in Indonesia were invited to participate in the study. Twenty-seven dental schools agreed to participate in the study and the estimated sample size was 416 participants. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, smoking status, knowledge about the effects of smoking on oral health, and knowledge of, attitudes about, and barriers to SCC. Statistical Analysis Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to determine differences in knowledge about the effects of smoking on oral health and the knowledge of, attitudes about, and barriers to SCC among clinical dental students' sociodemographic factors and smoking status. The Spearman's correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between knowledge of, attitudes about, and barriers to SCC. Results A total of 614 students participated in the study. Significant differences were found in students' knowledge regarding the effects of smoking based on smoking status, SCC based on educational stages, attitudes based on sex and smoking status, and barriers based on sex (p < 0.05). Significant relationships were found between students' knowledge of the effects of smoking and of SCC (r = 0.226), knowledge of the effects of smoking and attitudes about SCC (r = 0.110), knowledge of and attitudes about SCC (r = 0.162), knowledge of and barriers to SCC (r = –0.17), as well as attitudes about and barriers to SCC (i = –0.224). Conclusion Clinical dental students' knowledge regarding SCC are lacking, but they have positive attitude regarding SCC. It is necessary to improve education quality in every dental educational institution related to SCC.

Prescription of potentially inappropriate medications in older adults; data from a dental institution

Objectives: To determine the types and frequency of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed to geriatric patients while considering the patients’ age groups and their American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status.Study Design: We performed a five-year retrospective chart review of patients aged 65 and above who were seen in a dental institution. Patients’ medical history, PIM prescriptions, and prescribers’ specialty and professional status were analyzed.Results: Out of 10675 geriatric patients identified, 6.2% (n=662) received PIM prescriptions. Of those, 77% received one PIM while the others (23%) received anywhere between 2 to 6; the majority (73.7%) of these 662 patients fell within an ASA III physical status. NSAIDs were the most prescribed PIM (provided to 60.1% of subjects) followed by opioids (provided to 32.5% of subjects). Both NSAIDs and opioids were largely provided by providers in oral and maxillofacial surgery followed by those in restorative dentistry and periodontics. Benzodiazepines were mostly prescribed by endodontics providers, while tricyclic antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and anticonvulsants were mostly prescribed by oral medicine providers. Residents prescribed opioids at similar rates to faculty (p=0.78) but exceeded faculty in prescribing benzodiazepines (p<0.001).Conclusion: PIMs were prescribed at low percentages to geriatric patients; however, most prescriptions were provided to patients classified with ASA III status. Further efforts are indicated, at institutional and national levels, to monitor/limit PIMs provided to geriatric population.

Newer Technological Advances: A Step Towards Better Dental Care

Background Advanced technologies have drastically impacted the practice of dentistry in order to treat patients more effectively and efficiently. Objective: The goal of this systematic review was to give a thorough overview of the most widely applied advanced technology and its uses in dentistry. Materials and Methods This assessment adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) guidelines and its extension, PRISMA-S, which focuses on reporting literature searches in systematic reviews. The aim was to identify the prevalent applications of advanced technology in dentistry. To achieve this, search engines were employed to extract pertinent data from databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The systematic review was conducted in an Indian dental institution after registering in PROSPERO. According to database searches, the most popular advanced technologies utilized by dentists from 2013 to 2023 were included. Results Only 30 publications that offered comparative and systematic reviews of cutting-edge dental technology were selected from all the eligible articles out of 527 identified articles. Following the fulfillment of the inclusion criteria, this systematic review incorporated all research studies pertinent to artificial intelligence and machine learning (n=10), robotics in dentistry (n=10), and 3D printing (n=10). Conclusion Integrating new technologies into traditional dental practices has the potential to not only enhance patient outcomes but also elevate clinician satisfaction and career prospects.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Dental Students, Interns and Practitioners Towards the Phase-Down of Dental Amalgam in A Dental Institution of Libya

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Dental Students, Interns and Practitioners Towards the Phase-Down of Dental Amalgam in A Dental Institution of Libya

Perception of Virtual Education Learning among Dental Residents and Faculty during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted a rapid shift from in-person to virtual learning in dental education. This study aims to assess the perceptions of virtual education learning among dental residents and faculty and employ regulatory focus theory (RFT) to understand the impact of motivational orientations on virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 46 dental residents and 10 faculty members in a dental institution participated in the study (June-August 2021). Questionnaires were used to obtain data on demographics, perceptions of virtual learning, burnout, and RFT types (promotion and prevention focus). Multiple regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with perceptions of virtual learning and burnout. Overall, 70% of residents and 44% of faculty found virtual learning effective. Younger residents with less experience preferred virtual learning more than their older, experienced peers. Residents trained outside the U.S. and Canada favored in-person learning more than those trained within. Furthermore, residents with a higher promotion focus score found virtual learning more interactive for didactic courses. Additionally, 52% of residents experienced burnout, with a higher incidence among females (p = 0.044). Virtual learning is well received by dental residents and faculty, with potential for continued use post-pandemic. Future efforts should focus on creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment that meets the motivational and well-being needs of dental residents and faculty.

Framework for managing inappropriate behavior in clinical dental learning environments.

Workplace violence (WPV), such as physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening behavior, commonly occurs within healthcare settings including dentistry. The objective of this study was to analyze the behavioral and environmental factors contributing to WPV, determine its prevalence within one dental institution, and develop a WPV prevention and management protocol that is dental specific. To identify factors that impact WPV occurrence, the PRECEDE-PROCEED planning model was employed. A pilot cross-sectional survey was then conducted among faculty, staff, and dental learners (students/residents) to evaluate the prevalence of WPV incidents experienced and witnessed over the past year. The survey also assessed the locations where incidents took place, their type, and the strategies employed to manage them. A comprehensive protocol aimed at preventing and managing WPV in dental settings was subsequently developed. Multiple factors influence the occurrence of WPV. The prevalence of experienced and witnessed WPV incidents was 22% and 24% among faculty/staff and 7% and 5% among learners, respectively. Verbal aggression was the most common type of WPV. Most respondents lacked awareness of the available reporting mechanisms for WPV. A WPV prevention and management protocol was developed, consisting of five steps: intervene, report, document, access support services, and resolve (IRDAR). Administrators must have a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence of violence in their workplace and the underlying factors that contribute to it in order to take appropriate action. IRDAR is a clearly defined and easily implemented protocol designed for preventing and managing WPV in dental learning environments.

Occupational percutaneous injuries and exposures at a dental teaching institution from 2017 to 2023

Background: All dental professionals face the risk of occupational percutaneous injuries and exposures. Previous studies have reported high incidents of percutaneous injuries among dentists. This study examined injury data over six years at a large teaching institution for trends to increase awareness and to design appropriate interventions to reduce injury rates. Method: Study injury data was collected for the department of employee and occupational health. The data was entered into an electronic incident reporting system from 2017-2023. Statistical analysis was performed with Openepi to determine injury trend by year and overall association by activity type. Result: There was a total of 168 injuries reported between 2017 and 2023. A majority of the injuries (54%) were caused by a needle or sutures followed by instruments at 41%. Most of the injuries (44%) occurred during treatment and while cleaning the surgical spaces at 15%. Only 13% of the injuries were attributed to handling or recapping needles. Chi-square test 0.2618 (p&gt;.05) indicated there was no significant difference between years and number of injuries. Overall chi-square p ( &lt; 0 .001) by activity type was significant indicating risk was not equal across all activities. Conclusion: Injuries declined during COVID-19 but soared back up in 2023. Needles, sutures, and instruments were the predominant source of injuries. Injuries occurred during treatment (43%), while cleaning the surgical space (15%) and while recapping or handling needles (13%). This study is the first step in understanding the trend and factors attributing to injuries to implement appropriate corrective actions. Further analysis should be conducted to identify specific procedures or clinical activities exposing employees to Occupational percutaneous injuries.

Strength of motivation of 1st year dental students of a dental institution: A cross-sectional study.

The study aims to evaluate the motivation levels of dental students, with an emphasis on first-year BDS students, by utilizing the Strength of Motivation for Medical School (SMMS) questionnaire. It was a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study targeting 89 first-year BDS students enrolled at Lahore Medical and Dental College from 5th June to 18th August 2023. The Strength of Motivation for Medical School (SMMS) questionnaire was given to the participants after ethical board approval. Data analysis was done through SPSS version 26. The SMMS score was presented as the means standard deviation and an independent t-test was used to find the difference between the groups. The maximum score possible is 80 and the minimum is 16. The higher the score, the greater the strength of motivation. In this study, a total of 89 first-year BDS students completed motivation questionnaires, with 34.8% males and 65.2% females. The average age was 19.92 ± 3.13. The overall Strength of Motivation Score (SMMS) averaged 45.53 ± 6.82. Results indicated 9% low, 89.9% moderate, and 1.1% strong motivation. Females had a slightly higher mean SMMS (45.93 ± 6.88) than males (44.80 ± 6.76), but the difference was deemed insignificant (p = 0.462) via independent t-test. Motivation is vital to achieving excellence in academic pursuits. Nevertheless, there isn't a single criterion that can be utilized to assess success and motivation. Our primary focus must be on every possible outcome of success, not just the scoring criteria.

Human rights among Korean dental hygiene students in hospital clinical practice

BackgroundThe human rights of dental hygiene students should be guaranteed during practice at medical institutions for their mental and physical health as well as professionalism, for patient safety. Safe and well guaranteed clinicians can perform their work in a more stable way. This study investigated the human rights circumstances of dental hygiene students during their hospital clinical practice at dental institutions.MethodsThis study used a cross-sectional survey design. Convenience sampling was conducted on 121 third- and fourth-year dental hygiene students from universities in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon. The survey used the Human Rights Indicators for Dental Hygiene Students to investigate the rights to safety, equality, and personality to understand participants’ experiences of guaranteed fundamental rights. Data were collected from October 31 to November 8, 2019. A chi-square test was used to assess differences in experience according to general characteristics.ResultsDuring dental hygiene practice at dental institutions, less than 50% of students felt safe. When human rights violations occurred in dental institutions, only 42.4% of students received guidance on response measures from their universities. While 72.1% of students who practiced at dental university hospitals were given information on first aid supplies (facilities) within dental institutions, only approximately 45% of students who practiced at lower-scale dental institutions were given this information (p < 0.05). Regarding equality rights, only 52.5% of trainees reported that they had received equal treatment from healthcare workers during hospital clinical practice.ConclusionsDuring dental practice at dental institutions, Korean dental hygiene students confirmed that human rights (including safety rights, equality rights, and personality rights) were guaranteed to varying degrees. Dental hygiene students’ rights during hospital clinical practice in dental institutions should be guaranteed across institutions regardless of their scale. This is necessary for dental hygiene students’ human rights and safe policies and guidelines in dental institution clinical practice and regular monitoring systems.

ChatGPT as a Tool for Oral Health Education: A Systematic Evaluation of ChatGPT Responses to Patients’ Oral Health-related Queries

Abstract Background: ChatGPT holds promise in oral health education, provided valid concerns are proactively examined and addressed. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate ChatGPT responses to patients’ most common queries about their oral health. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to gather a dataset of oral health-related queries from patients attending a dental institution. The dataset was preprocessed and formatted to remove any irrelevant or duplicate queries. Then, we supplied the dataset to ChatGPT to generate responses. We asked two dental public health experts to independently review the ChatGPT responses for clarity, accuracy, relevance, comprehensiveness, consistency, acceptance, and bias using a 5-point Likert scale. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate interrater reliability. Scores were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 563 oral health-related queries were gathered from 120 patients. After removing the irrelevant or duplicate queries, 105 were included in the final dataset. The ICC value of 0.878 (95% confidence interval range from 0.841 to 0.910) showed good reliability between the reviewers. The majority of ChatGPT responses had a clear understanding (95.24%), were scientifically accurate and relevant to the query (87.62%), were comprehensive (83.81%), were consistent (84.76%), and were acceptable without any edits (86.67%). The reviewers strongly agreed that only 40.96% of the responses had no bias. The overall score was high with a mean value of 4.72 ± 0.30. The qualitative analysis of comments on ChatGPT responses revealed that the responses were rather long and more comprehensive. Conclusions: ChatGPT generated clear, scientifically accurate and relevant, comprehensive, and consistent responses to diverse oral health-related queries despite some significant limitations.

Integrating person-centered care into dental education: An oral medicine perspective.

Dental education is moving toward models of education and care that are person-centered. The purpose of this article is to explore and describe the teaching and patient care model (the attending-based model) used for the past 50 years in the oral medicine department at one dental education institution. This article briefly discusses how this teaching model promotes person-centered care and the biopsychosocial model, while highlighting some of the barriers, benefits, and opportunities to wider adoption in dental education.

Physical exercise habits of Undergraduate Students in a Teaching Dental Institution in Guntur

Introduction To assess the physical exercise habits of undergraduate dental students in a teaching institution in Guntur. Material and Methods A cross-sectional semi-structured questionnaire-based survey was carried out among under graduates of the dental institution in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Descriptive statistics were computed. Results 26.4% of the participants go for walking whereas 12% of them practice workouts and 0.5% of them go for swimming.11% of the participants were interested in doing meditation does not exercise whereas 9.5% of them are too tired with daily schedule and 5.9% of them does not have time to practice physical activity. Majority of the first and final year students does not practice physical activity, whereas 2nd and 3rd year BDS students and interns practice physical activity. Conclusion The study concluded that about 46.5% of students are not performing any kind of physical exercises. This investigation gives knowledge into the level of importance among students regarding physical activity. Key Words Dental students, Physical activity, BMI (Body Mass Index).

Association of Anxiety in Patients Visiting Dental Institution

Association of Anxiety in Patients Visiting Dental Institution

Assessment of Perception of Learning by Undergraduate Dental Students in Delhi-NCR Region using Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Education in any dental institution and curriculum plays a vital role in the growth of students, which will help them acclimatize to the increased demand for dentistry. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the students’ perception of course curricula in three dental institutes in the Delhi-NCR region among undergraduate students and interns. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students from first year till interns in three dental institutes of the Delhi-NCR region based on the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire. The DREEM questionnaire was distributed using Google Forms. Six hundred seventy students from three institutes participated in the questionnaire, and data were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis by the Kruskal–Wallis and the Mann–Whitney test. Results: The total mean DREEM score was 158.8/200 in the present study, which is excellent. The overall scoring of the domain showed a significant difference for the fourth BDS for students’ perception of atmosphere (P = 0.001) and for the third-year students for students’ academic self-perception (P = 0.004). In the present study, all subdomains scored &gt; 2, which means students had positive attitudes toward learning. Conclusion: Although students had positive learning perceptions in all three institutes, there were some problematic areas, such as stress during dental courses, for which policies should be formulated and implemented in dental institutes. The students were found to be too tired at the dental institute; they could not enjoy the program. Student-centered teaching programs can be employed to improve on the weaknesses of institutes.

A Scientometric Study of Saudi PubMed-Indexed Endodontic Research.

Scientometric studies play a crucial role in quantitatively assessing the impact and quantity of scholarly articles, providing a basis for policy-making and informed decision-making processes. Given the ongoing transformation within the Saudi scientific community across various domains, it is essential to establish a baseline for high-quality endodontic research. A comprehensive search in the PubMed database, using the keywords ["Saudi" OR "Saudi Arabia"] within the time frame of 2014 to 2021. The screening process involved evaluating the title and abstract of each article, with only those classified as endodontic articles included for analysis in this study. The analysis included factors such as the type of paper, the authors, the citations, and the year of publication. Featuring one or more authors affiliated with a Saudi dental institution, 70 papers were specifically categorized as endodontic papers. The most prevalent type of paper was case reports, accounting for 27 articles (28%), followed by literature reviews with 13 articles (18%). The number of authors ranged from one to ten, with a general trend of increasing publication rates over the years. In terms of citations, only four papers received more than 20 citations, while the majority of papers garnered between one and ten citations. Most articles in the field of endodontics exhibited low-level evidence. Therefore, it is recommended that the quality of research output and evidence be enhanced.

Character Strength Profile Related to Courage as Virtue among Dental Professionals.

In the background of reported high distress among medical students and health professionals, character building at the level of health institutions may be helpful for augmenting academic performance and nurturing well-being during the training period of budding health professionals. This study aims to assess non-cognitive positive traits, particularly Values in Action-character strengths related to the virtue of courage among trainees and doctors. It may reveal the association of challenging situations being faced in health profession with inculcation of the virtue of courage. Data regarding character strengths profile with reference to the psychological virtue of courage among students and residents of dental institution (n = 54) were collected and analyzed. Participants of all the three groups were found to display at least a minimum of each of the character strengths included in the virtue of courage. Perseverance was significantly higher in postgraduate students than undergraduate students and senior residents. Recurrent physician burnout has been reported to be associated with distress symptoms during their medical education at least once. Positive institutions may play an important role to reduce the intensity and incidence of distress sequelae among medical students by taking initiatives for character building, with reference to augmenting character strengths of virtue of courage.

Predicting Success: A Comprehensive Analysis of High School and Admission Test Scores on Future Academic Performance of Dental Students.

Introduction Dental school admissions in Pakistan traditionally rely on Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC), University of Health Sciences (UHS), and National Testing Service (NTS) scores, with limited research available on their predictive validity for dental school performance. This study aims to investigate the correlation between a student's first-year dental school performance and their HSSC, UHS, and NTS scores. Methods A total of 282 records, spanning the years 2016 to 2020, were obtained from a single private dental institution. The data included HSSC, UHS, and/or NTS scores, with the first professional examination results as the dependent variable. Statistical analysis was conducted using the StatisticalPackage for the Social Sciences (IBMSPSSStatisticsforWindows,IBMCorp., Version 25.0, Armonk,NY), encompassing descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results Pearson's coefficients revealed weak to moderate positive correlations between the first professional examination and HSSC (r=0.209, p<.01), UHS (r=0.344, p<.01), and NTS (r=0.350, p<.01), all statistically significant at p < 0.01. Multiple regression analysis indicated that UHS scores contributed the highest explanatory power (R² = 0.146) in predicting first professional examination results. Conclusion A positive correlation between HSSC, UHS, and NTS scores with dental students' performance in the first professional examination is observed. However, the correlations are moderate, highlighting the importance of incorporating assessments that consider cognitive, behavioral, and skill-related aspects in admissions processes. Given the evolving landscape of dental education, these findings underscore the need for a holistic approach to identify candidates better equipped to serve the healthcare sector.

Are we gaining valid consent for dental extractions? A retrospective audit on restorability assessment at one dental institution.

Introduction This paper explores the widely relevant topic of obtaining valid consent in dental practice, focusing on assessing restorability of teeth planned for extraction. The General Dental Council stresses discussing treatment options, benefits and risks for informed decision-making. The study evaluates if pertinent factors, including tooth structure, endodontic status, periodontal health and patient considerations, are considered before consent.Aim To ensure restorability has been assessed and all options communicated with patients for completeness of the consent process before tooth extraction.Objective To assist clinicians in their systematic assessment of a tooth's restorability and provide a framework for contemporaneous documentation.Materials and methods A two-week retrospective audit of oral surgery outpatients at a dental hospital in London was conducted, analysing the frequency of restorability discussions and patient involvement in decision-making. A simplified restorability guide and educational interventions were introduced to target the set standard of 100% of consenting clinicians to discuss restorability with patients.Results Results from two audit cycles show a significant increase in documented restorability discussions and consideration of patient factors.Discussion The study recognised restorability assessment subjectivity, thus creating a simplified tool for clinicians. Patients may lack awareness of restorability options, consequences of edentulism, future costs and tooth replacement considerations, emphasising the importance of documented discussions.Conclusion Educational interventions and a simplified restorability guide proved beneficial and showed significant improvement in communication with patients regarding restorability and gaining valid consent. Further consideration should be given to barriers patients face when opting for tooth extraction of their restorable teeth, including discussions regarding long-term consequences.

Oral Hygiene Index in Children Aged 7-10 Years with Stainless Steel Crowns: Retrospective Study

Introduction: Stainless steel crowns are the best treatment option for restoring primary carious teeth. However maintaining good oral hygiene in children with crowns can be difficult. Plaque and calculus deposits in these teeth will damage the usual teeth nearby.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This study was done to determine the OHI score in children under the age group of 7-10 years with stainless steel crowns. Data was gathered from a private dental institution's patient record system, with gender and the inclusion criteria was patients with stainless steel crowns. The study was conducted between September 2020 and March 2021. 114 patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion requirements being included in the report. Chi square test and descriptive analysis was done.&#x0D; Results: More than 50% of the children with stainless steel crowns had moderately good OHI scores. Girls had better oral hygiene scores compared to boys.&#x0D; Discussion: Males generally visit the dentist less frequently than females, and seek oral therapy for an acute condition rather than disease prevention. Females have more positive views toward dental appointments, are more knowledgeable about oral health, and practice better oral hygiene than females.&#x0D; Conclusion: Girls with stainless steel crowns had better oral hygiene scores compared to boys.