Dental Program Research Articles

RABA (Rifka's Applied Behaviour Analysis) Model To Improve Tooth Brushing Skills of Autistic Children

Autistic children experience barriers to social interaction, communication, behavior, language, emotion and imagination. Autistic children have different characteristics from children in general. Children are not yet able to brush their teeth properly and there is no special dental health program for children with autism. The RABA (Rifka's Applied Behavior Analysis) is arranged according to their characteristics.This study aimed to develop RABA (Rifka's Applied Behavior Analysis) to improve brushing skills and decrease debris index in children with autistic children.This type of research is uses RD method and model trial (Quasi-Experiment Pretest and Posttest with Control Group Design). The research subjects of autistic children were divided into 2 groups. The results of the model design are validated by experts. Data were tested using intraclass correlation coefficient, Chi Square, Shapiro wilk, repeated measure annova, independent sample t-test.Expert validation of RABA (Rifka's Applied Behaviour Analysis) model averaged 85.46 (very feasible) to improve brushing skills and decrease debris index of autistic children with a p-value of 0.000. This model effectively to improve the brushing skills of autistic children with a p-value (0.033) and decrease the debris index of autistic children with p-value (0.004) compared to the control group. The application of the RABA (Rifka's Applied Behavior Analysis) model was effective to improve brushing of autistic children compared to the control group.

Democratization of access to Brazilian Higher Education: the evening program in Dentistry from the perspective of social justice

Resumo Este artigo analisa a oferta de vagas no curso noturno de Odontologia de uma universidade federal enquanto democratização da Educação Superior com justiça social. Relata pesquisa empírica com ingressantes e concluintes do diurno e noturno, realizada por meio de aplicação de questionário e consulta a microdados do Censo da Educação Superior. A análise envolveu distribuição de frequências e teste estatístico. O curso de Odontologia noturno recebe mais estudantes acima de 25 anos, primeiros da família a cursar graduação, com intervalo de três anos ou mais entre o fim do Ensino Médio e o ingresso no curso, trabalhadores e com renda familiar menor que os ingressantes do diurno. O curso noturno tem menor número de concluintes pretos e pardos e de egressos das escolas públicas do que os ingressados, o que denota a fragilidade destes grupos na permanência e conclusão da Educação Superior. A oferta de vagas noturnas de Odontologia em universidade federal contribui para a justiça social na Educação Superior, ainda que seja necessário avançar na redução das desigualdades sociais e educacionais.

Water pollution with fluoride in the Republic of Moldova and its impact on oral health

Water quality, especially drinking water quality, is one of the most essential requirements for the survival of not only mankind but all terrestrial life on Earth. As a determining factor of health, the quality of drinking water must correspond to sanitary regulations, and the violation of the water protection regime results in pollution. Water pollution is one of the major threats to public health in the Republic of Moldova. According to data compiled by the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, globally, the Republic of Moldova was placed 83rd out of 180 countries in terms of drinking water quality, the first place being occupied by the countries with the highest drinking water quality. The „age-standardized life-years lost per 100,000 people due to exposure to unsafe drinking water (Daily rate)” is a measure used to evaluate the quality of water. The Daly score for the Republic of Moldova in 2022 was 50.0. The Republic of Moldova is considered a biogeochemical zone with regard to some chemical elements in the environment, including the content of fluorine in groundwater, soil, and subsequently in food products. The analysis of water samples taken by the National Public Health Center of the Republic of Moldova demonstrated that in 90% of cases, water sources subjected to laboratory investigations for microbiological and chemical parameters (boron, fluorine, and nitrates) do not meet the requirements. The present study was a prospective, observational one, the main objective of which was to evaluate the epidemiological dental characteristics of children from the fluorosis-endemic area of the Republic of Moldova. The study targeted 520 12- and 15-year-old children from Fălești district, where the fluoride concentration in drinking water exceeds 16 times the permissible norm of 16.2 ppm/l. Thus, the prevalence of dental fluorosis in this locality (Dean index ≥1) was 98.7 for 12-year-old children and 100% for 15-year-old adolescents. The prevalence of dental caries was 51.2% with an intensity of 2.1 for 12-year-old children, and for 15-year-old children, the prevalence was 67.1% with an intensity of 3.5. Children’s age and severity of dental fluorosis were independent predictors of dental caries intensity. Thus, a positive correlation was established between the severity of dental fluorosis and the intensity of dental caries in both study groups and in all groups of teeth. The percentage of children with a COAD index (decayed, filled, or absent teeth) ≥1 was higher in those whose Dean index was ≥ 5 in the second molar compared to other groups of teeth. Conclusion. Dental fluorosis remains the most common dental disease in fluorosis-endemic areas, and the severity of fluorosis increases with increasing fluoride concentrations in drinking water. Contrary to the previously established opinion, tooth decay also develops in children from endemic areas of fluorosis, and its frequency and intensity are directly correlated with the concentration of fluoride in drinking water. The higher the concentration of fluoride, the higher the values of the prevalence indices and intensity of dental caries. Republic of Moldova performs suboptimally in the prevention of oral diseases in the pediatric population, and the implementation of dental disease prevention programs would have major implications for improving dental morbidity.

Locating centric occlusion by using intraoral scanners and open access or dental computer-aided design programs: A dental technique

When using conventional methods, centric occlusion (CO) can be determined on conventional gypsum casts that are mounted in an analog articulator at centric relation (CR). In the digital environment, intraoral scanners (IOSs) can be used to record maxillary and mandibular scans articulated in CR. However, a digital protocol to locate the CO on articulated intraoral digital scans at CR by using computer-aided design (CAD) programs is needed. The present manuscript describes a straightforward technique to record CR by combining an IOS and a Kois deprogrammer. Afterwards, the acquired digital data are imported into a CAD program to locate CO. The technique includes a complete digital protocol to locate CO by using 3 different CAD programs: open-access non-dental, open-access dental, and dental CAD program.

Case-based learning in undergraduate orthodontic education: A cross sectional study.

Student centric learning approaches have been reported to be effective in introducing higher order cognitive skills required by the health professionals. However, learners' perceptions must be constructively aligned with new learning interventions to achieve a positive impact on their learning. The aim of this study was to explore the learning experiences of undergraduate dental students with case-based learning in orthodontics. A case-based learning model was introduced on orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning for final year students on a Bachelor of Dentistry programme toward the end of their academic year. A survey was conducted to explore the perceptions and experiences of the participants. The research instrument was based on a previously validated questionnaire and included information on demographics and consisted of 12 items aimed at evaluating the benefits and challenges of cased based learning. All 67 students in the final-year cohort participated in study, yielding a response rate of 100 percent. Participants across the board perceived CBL to be an effective strategy to learn the subject content and helpful in improving the students' skills in orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning and team-working. CBL did not pose any significant challenges or barriers to student learning. Participants reported high acceptance of CBL in orthodontic teaching and learning and a positive impact on their educational experiences. CBL was perceived to be an appropriate strategy to enhance the diagnostic, treatment planning and team-working skills of dental students.

Oral health status among the transgender population of India: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The invisibility of the transgender population within official records, combined with other socio-economic factors, impacts oral health status among transgender people. Hence, our systematic review and meta-analysis aim to generate a pooled estimate of the oral health status of the transgender community in India. A systematic search was performed across four databases. The studies included a quantitative research design conducted in India and involved self-identified transgender individuals. The pooled prevalence was determined at a 95% confidence interval (CI). Q-statistics and the I2 test were utilized to evaluate the source of heterogeneity. Leave-one-out analysis and Baujat plots were used to detect outliers within the studies. A Doi plot and LFK index were employed to assess the publication bias. A total of 12 studies comprising 1566 transgender participants were included. The pooled prevalence of toothbrush use among transgenders in India was found at 83% (95% CI: 0.73-0.91), smoking=12% (CI: 0.03-0.26), smokeless tobacco=53% (CI=0.38-0.68), dental caries=78% (CI: 67%-88%), calculus=65% (CI: 0.4-0.86), and bleeding 18% (CI:0.08-0.32). Oral health disparities among Indian transgender individuals are evident in the low toothbrush usage, an elevated prevalence of tobacco use, and dental disorders such as calculus, cavities, and bleeding. Tailored dental health programs that include inclusive healthcare services and awareness are essential. CRD42023468872.

Regular dental check-up status and related factors among Thai residents in Japan.

The objectives of this online study were to determine the status of regular dental check-ups among Thai nationals living in Japan and to identify barriers to regular dental check-ups by comparing them with general health check-ups. We conducted the online survey twice, in 2021 and 2022, among Thai nationals aged 18years and older living in Japan via social networking services by an organization that supports Thai nationals living in Japan. Respondents between the ages of 30 and 59 were included in this study. Independent factors included gender, age, length of stay in Japan, family economic status, confidence in Japanese and stay for work purposes. Dependent factors were regular dental check-ups and general health check-ups in the past year. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were used for analysis. 56.6% of respondents had regular dental check-ups. The adjusted odds ratio for the proportion of people with regular dental check-ups was significantly higher for those with high economic status, 2.15 (1.06-4.33), compared with those with low economic status. It was also significantly higher 1.88 (1.10-3.21) for those with confidence in the Japanese language compared with those without. The study suggested the need for Japanese language support in addition to financial support for dental health prevention programs for foreigners living in Japan.

A service-learning framework to address accreditation standards: Self-Assessment, communication skills, health literacy, and cultural competence.

Pre-doctoral dental programs must provide opportunities for students to become proficient in self-assessment, communication skills, health literacy, and cultural competence, essential for independent unsupervised practice. This study aimed to assess how student learning through a classroom education service-learning program addresses the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards 2-11 and 2-17; specifically through the examination of self-assessment, communication skills, health literacy, and cultural competence. This 2022 retrospective mixed methods cohort study examined unstructured faculty comments on drafted lesson plans and structured evaluations of classroom education service-learning rehearsal sessions. A random sample of faculty comments from three academic years, 2018, 2019, and 2020, were deidentified and analyzed by five researchers for emerging themes using NVivo. Quantitative data from rehearsal presentations were analyzed with descriptive statistics to assess the concordance of self and faculty feedback on specific evaluation criteria. Six major themes from faculty lesson plan feedback emerged: knowledge, professionalism, communication, presentation skills, cultural competence, and program logistics. Concordance between faculty feedback and student self-assessment ranged from 83% to 92.4% across all evaluation criteria over the 3 years: spoke clearly and confidently at the right pace, provided accurate dental terminology and facts, used grade-appropriate language, provided clear instructions to follow, appeared enthusiastic throughout the rehearsal presentation, and designed a well thought out lesson plan that will engage children for the entire presentation. Findings support the classroom education service-learning program as a framework to provide opportunities for student self-assessment and feedback on communication skills, health literacy, and cultural competence aligned with CODA standards 2-11 and 2-17.

Socio-demographic predictors of not having private dental insurance coverage: machine-learning algorithms may help identify the disadvantaged

BackgroundFor accessing dental care in Canada, approximately 62% of the population has employment-based insurance, 6% have some publicly funded coverage, and 32% have to pay out-of pocket. Those with no insurance or public coverage find dental care more unaffordable compared to those with private insurance. To support the development of more comprehensive publicly funded dental care programs, it is important to understand the socio-demographic attributes of all those, who find dental care unaffordable.MethodsThis study is a secondary analysis of the data collected from Ontarians during the latest available cycle of the Canadian Community Health Survey (2017-18), a cross-sectional survey that collects information on health status, health care utilization, and health determinants for the Canadian population. First, bivariate analysis was conducted to determine the characteristics of Ontarians who lack dental insurance. Afterwards, we employed machine learning (ML) to analyze data and identify risk indicators for not having private dental insurance. Specifically, we trained several supervised ML models and utilized Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) to determine the relative feature importance for not having private dental insurance from the best ML model [the gradient boosting (GBM)].ResultsApproximately one-third of Ontarians do not have private insurance coverage for dental care. Individuals with an income below $20,000, those unemployed or working part-time, seniors aged above 70, and those unable to afford to have their own housing are more at risk of not having private dental insurance, leading to financial barriers in accessing dental care.ConclusionIn the future, government-funded programs can incorporate these identified risk indicators when determining eligible populations for publicly funded dental programs. Understanding these attributes is critical for developing targeted and effective interventions, ensuring equitable access to dental care for Canadians.

Differences in Perceived Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Military Dental Postgraduate Residents.

In military training settings, stress can improve focus and motivation fostering effective learning. However, high perceived stress can be debilitating resulting in poor learning and clinical errors. Multiple studies have focused on medical residency stress; but there has been minimal focus on dental residents and even less on the impact of the unique stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceived stress of residents in a military dental residency training program and explore the association among perceived stress and anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and social support. Dental residents (N = 20) at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School participated in this study. Residents were assessed via self-report measures quarterly from March 2020 through June 2021. The assessment included measures of anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), perceived stress (PSS), fatigue (FSI), and social support (DUKE-SSQ). Before the pandemic shutdown, 60% of participants reported high perceived stress. These residents reported an initial decrease in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fatigue compared to residents reporting low pre-pandemic perceived stress but returned to baseline levels post-shutdown. Additionally, the high stress participants reported lower social support. Based on pre-pandemic perceived stress, participants responded differently to the impact of the pandemic shutdown. The low baseline stress participants may have a more robust sense of grit and resilience. These findings suggest that postgraduate dental training programs should integrate coping skills training opportunities, especially for residents reporting high perceived stress before residency.

Expectancy from, and acceptance of augmented reality in dental education programs: A structural equation model.

Dental schools need hands-on training and feedback. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies enable remote work and training. Education programs only partially integrated these technologies. For better technology integration, infrastructure readiness, prior-knowledge readiness, expectations, and learner attitudes toward AR and VR technologies must be understood together. Thus, this study creates a structural equation model to understand how these factors affect dental students' technology use. A correlational survey was done. Four questionnaires were sent to 755 dental students from three schools. These participants were convenience-sampled. Surveys were developed using validity tests like explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses, Cronbach's ɑ, and composite reliability. Ten primary research hypotheses are tested with path analysis. A total of 81.22% responded to the survey (755 out of 930). Positive AR attitude, expectancy, and acceptance were endogenous variables. Positive attitudes toward AR were significantly influenced by two exogenous variables: infrastructure readiness (B=0.359, β=0.386, L=0.305, U=0.457, p=0.002) and prior-knowledge readiness (B=-0.056, β=0.306, L=0.305, U=0.457, p=0.002). Expectancy from AR was affected by infrastructure, prior knowledge, and positive and negative AR attitudes. Infrastructure, prior-knowledge readiness, and positive attitude toward AR had positive effects on expectancy from AR (B=0.201, β=0.204, L=0.140, U=0.267, p=0.002). Negative attitude had a negative impact (B=-0.056, β=-0.054, L=0.091, U=0.182, p=0.002). Another exogenous variable was AR acceptance, which was affected by infrastructure, prior-knowledge preparation, positive attitudes, and expectancy. Significant differences were found in infrastructure, prior-knowledge readiness, positive attitude toward AR, and expectancy from AR (B=0.041, β=0.046, L=0.026, U=0.086, p=0.054). Infrastructure and prior-knowledge readiness for AR significantly affect positive AR attitudes. Together, these three criteria boost AR's potential. Infrastructure readiness, prior-knowledge readiness, positive attitudes toward AR, and AR expectations all increase AR adoption. The study provides insights that can help instructional system designers, developers, dental education institutions, and program developers better integrate these technologies into dental education programs. Integration can improve dental students' hands-on experience and program performance by providing training options anywhere and anytime.

Effectiveness of a flipped classroom for undergraduate in implant dentistry hands-on course

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the learning in the implant dentistry hands-on course to that of the flipped classroom (FC) and the traditional lecture cohorts (control).Materials and methodsIn this study,80 students were enrolled for the first time in an implant dentistry program. Subsequently, they were divided into two groups. The first, the FC group, which had free access to a video with a PowerPoint presentation on the Chaoxing-WHU-MOOC platform about the implant placement on first molar sites before class. The second, the control group, which attended a didactic lecture describing implant practice on the first molar site via a bidirectional multimedia interactive teaching demonstration and then operated on a simulation model. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the deviation gauge were utilized to analyze the accuracy of the implant placement in the students’ models. An online satisfaction questionnaire was distributed to both groups one week after the class.ResultsThe linear deviation of the CBCT examination did not show any statistical difference between the two groups concerning cervical, apex, and angular. A significant buccal deviation was observed in the control group compared with the FC group (mean: 0.7436 mm vs. 0.2875 mm, p = 0.0035), according to the restoration-level deviation gauge. A total of 74.36% of students in the FC group placed implant within 0.5 mm buccal-to-lingual deviations, but only 41.03% of students in the control group reached within 0.5 mm buccal-to-lingual deviation ranges. Additionally, 91.67% of the students in the FC group and 97.5% of the students in the control group were satisfied with the practical implant class.ConclusionFC was more effective than a didactic lecture for implant dentistry practical skill acquisition.

Students' Perspective on Undergraduate Research Experiences in Indonesian Dental Schools.

Undergraduate (UG) research is considered as an essential part of dental education. Numerous dental schools have included required course-based undergraduate research in their curricula. However, the implementation of UG research courses in the curriculum may vary between dental schools. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate student perspectives on UG research in the curriculum of Indonesian dental schools. A total of 203 participants from 10 dental schools returned the questionnaire. The participants were clinical students of the dentistry profession program who completed their undergraduate dentistry program from 2017 to 2022. The majority of study participants favored UG research in the curriculum of the undergraduate dentistry study program. Less than 20% participants perceived UG research experiments were not important in dental education. Factors that influenced these perceptions included the availability of adequate time to complete the course and sufficient support from research supervisors. Recommendations for improvement included providing an adequate time to complete UG research and adequate supervision to guide students to understand the conceptual background information of the research topics, designs, and scientific communication of data interpretation. Regular monitoring of students' performance and progress would ensure completion of UG research courses in a timely manner. In conclusion, although UG research as a compulsory course in the Indonesian dental curriculum was well received by the students, overcoming the challenges is essential for the improvement of the research environment for undergraduate dental students.

Clinical Experience Comparison of Foreign-Trained Dentists and Domestic Dental Students: One Institution's Experience.

This study compared the clinical experiences of foreign-trained dentists (FTDs) enrolled in an Advance Standing DMD Dental Program (DMDAS) with those of the domestic dental students (DMD) at the University of Illinois Chicago, College of Dentistry (UIC-COD). A cross-sectional retrospective chart review of patients treated by 295 DMD and 253 DMDAS predoctoral dental students was completed at the UIC-COD. The data were retrieved from the electronic health record system (axiUm) for the graduated classes of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 on various performed clinical procedures as measured by relative value units (RVUs). The retrieved data were used to compare the clinical experiences of DMDAS vs. DMD students. Descriptive (mean) and statistical (independent t-test) analyses were used (α = 0.05). The results indicated that DMD and DMDAS students had comparable clinical experiences in several disciplines, including diagnosis, prevention, direct/indirect restorations, endodontics, periodontics, complete dentures, removable partial dentures, implants/fixed partial dentures, and oral surgery. There was a statistical difference in total RVUs for diagnosis (p = 0.002) and direct restorations (p < 0.001), in which DMD students had more experience. The 28 month program for FTDs appeared to be a reasonable timeframe to obtain an adequate number of varied clinical experiences as compared with the traditional four-year program at the UIC-COD.

Exploring dental professionals’ outlook on the future of dental care amidst the integration of artificial intelligence in dentistry: a pilot study in Pakistan

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to explore the perspectives, familiarity, and readiness of dental faculty members regarding the integration and application of artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry, with a focus on the possible effects on dental education and clinical practice.MethodologyIn a mix-method cross-sectional quantitative and quantitative study conducted between June 1st and August 30th, 2023, the perspectives of faculty members from a public sector dental college in Pakistan regarding the function of AI were explored. This study used qualitative as well as quantitative techniques to analyse faculty’s viewpoints on the subject. The sample size was comprised of twenty-three faculty members. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, while the qualitative data was analysed using theme analysis.ResultsPosition-specific differences in faculty familiarity underscore the value of individualized instruction. Surprisingly few had ever come across AI concepts in their professional lives. Nevertheless, many acknowledged that AI had the potential to improve patient outcomes. The majority thought AI would improve dentistry education. Participants suggested a few dental specialties where AI could be useful.ConclusionThe study emphasizes the significance of addressing in dental professionals’ knowledge gaps about AI. The promise of AI in dentistry calls for specialized training and teamwork between academic institutions and AI developers. Graduates of dentistry programs who use AI are better prepared to navigate shifting environments. The study highlights the positive effects of AI and the value of faculty involvement in maximizing its potential for better dental education and practice.

Community-based dental education in Iranian dental schools

BackgroundCommunity-based dental education (CBDE) has been an essential advancement in dental education in recent decades, enhancing it in many aspects. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and improvements of CBDE in dental schools in Iran.MethodsIn the present descriptive study, an electronic questionnaire, including 18 “yes/no”, “multiple choice”, and “short answer” questions about the nature and extent of CBDE and students’ experience in CBDE, was used. In early 2021, the questionnaires were mailed to the deans of all 43 dental schools in Iran under the supervision of the Council for Dental Education of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Reminder calls were made after 6 and 12 weeks. Dental schools that did not follow the CBDE program were excluded. The responses were analyzed descriptively.ResultsThirty-six dental schools completed the questionnaire (response rate: 84%). Seventeen schools (47%) reported having CBDE in their dental program. Sites lacking a well-equipped dental setting were the most used out of all extramural sites. The number of weeks dedicated to CBDE ranged between 1 and 20 (median: 4). The most common dental procedures practiced in extramural sites were pediatric dentistry (100%), restorative dentistry (71%), and dental examination (59%). The student-to-supervisor ratio in CBDE ranged between 3 and 15 (median: 5). In most schools (65%), the staff involved in directing CBDE were Community Oral Health PhDs.ConclusionsAn increasing number of Iranian dental schools have integrated CBDE into their undergraduate dental curriculum. The characteristics and extent of this educational strategy vary widely among dental schools. CBDE can be more effective by making positive changes in dental programs.

Exploring environmental sustainability in dentistry among students and educators in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional survey

ObjectivesCreating environmentally sustainable healthcare culture within the dental field requires embedding the content in the dental curriculum at the undergraduate level. This study aimed to explore the current awareness and drivers among dental students and educators regarding environmentally sustainable dentistry (ESD) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and identify barriers and enablers to embrace it.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using online questionnaires was carried out in six undergraduate dental education institutes within the UAE. Data analysis included descriptive statistics.ResultsIn total 153 students and 53 educators participated in the survey. Most students and educators were not aware of any ESD content in their curricula. However, the majority of educators were familiar with the concept of ESD, while students were mostly unfamiliar or slightly familiar. Nonetheless, students largely agreed on its importance and their interest in learning it, as they viewed it relevant to their future practice. Educators agreed that the dental profession has a responsibility to be environmentally friendly and expressed their desire in introducing ESD content into the curricula. Several barriers were reported such as lack of knowledge, curricula space, educational resources, and time. Meanwhile, enablers included providing ESD capacity building, training and resources.ConclusionsThere was no explicit presence of ESD content in the dental curricula in the UAE. Despite the lack of adequate awareness on this topic among educators and more so among students, they both had positive views towards incorporating ESD into dental curricula. Overall, this study highlighted the importance of promoting ESD in dental programs. Clinical significance: ESD is gradually becoming a critical aspect of modern oral healthcare system. It has been mandated in the dental curricula in several regions globally. Embedding ESD in the UAE dental curricula would have several benefits for the environment as well as the future of the dental profession in the region. The clinical significance includes, but not limited to, improved treatment outcomes; patients, students and staff health and well-being; reduced health risks, and cost savings.

АНАЛИЗ ФАКТОРОВ РИСКА КСЕРОСТОМИИ И ЗДОРОВОГО ОБРАЗА ЖИЗНИ СТУДЕНТОВ СТОМАТОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ФАКУЛЬТЕТА УРАЛЬСКОГО ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО МЕДИЦИНСКОГО УНИВЕРСИТЕТА

Subject. Xerostomia. Objectives. To analyze risk factors, to identify the incidence of xerostomia and a healthy lifestyle of students of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Ural State Medical University (USMU). Methodology. The work was carried out at the Department of Therapeutic Dentistry and Propaedeutics of Dental Diseases, at the Department of General Chemistry of USMU, at the Department of Controlled Systems Modeling of UrFU. The objects of the study were: a questionnaire consisting of two parts and volunteers – students of the Faculty of Dentistry of USMU. The first part of the questionnaire is based on the questionnaire "List of cases of xerostomia" modified by the authors of this study to 12 questions. The second part of the questionnaire (author's) consists of 29 questions on a healthy lifestyle (HLS), which also affect the development of xerostomia. Thus, the total number of questions in the questionnaire was 41. Statistical processing of the results was carried out on a personal computer using the Microsoft Excel 2007 application software package; the reliability of the differences was assessed by the Student's t-distribution using the Statistica 6.0 software package; the confidence interval for mathematical expectation M ± m was determined, where M is the sample average. The differences are considered. Conclusions. Students of the Faculty of Dentistry of USMU adhere to the rules aimed at maintaining the health of the oral cavity: they change their toothbrush (from 3 to 5 times a year – 85%), brush their teeth for at least three minutes (more than 48%) twice a day (77.7%) and use additional means of interdental hygiene (76.7%). 38% indicate dry lips. Dryness in the nose is emphasized by 14.1% of students. "Dry mouth is associated with elevated blood sugar", 2% of the study participants noted. It is advisable to investigate the problem of prevention of dental diseases, individual and professional oral hygiene programs, as well as regular general hygiene measures and the elimination of bad habits among students.

Dental status of children of early and preschool age in Moscow

INTRODUCTION. Conducting an epidemiological survey allows us to obtain reliable initial data on the level of prevalence and intensity of dental diseases, identify priority needs for providing all types of dental care to children, plan and implement dental programs, focusing on the initial dental status of the child population at different age periods.AIM. To study the dental status of children of early and preschool age based on data from a cross-sectional epidemiological study.MATERIALS AND METHODS. A cross-sectional epidemiological survey of the child population was conducted as part of preventive medical examinations of minors to study the dental morbidity of children of early (1–3 years) and preschool (4–6 years) age in Moscow. The study involved 1470 Moscow children aged 1 to 6 years old. The results of the survey were processed statistically.RESULTS. Data analysis showed that the indicator of the need for oral sanitation tends to increase as children grow older. A statistically significant dependence of the need for rehabilitation on the age group was revealed. The indicator of previously sanitized children is variable at different age periods. The rate of natural sanitation decreases as children grow older. A statistically significant dependence of natural sanitation on the age group was revealed. Categorical variables (absolute and relative) of the need for sanitation are higher among girls in all age groups and lower among boys. But statistically significant differences in the need for sanitation in boys and girls were observed only in the age group 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. In the age groups of 2, 4 and 6 years, there was a similar need for sanitation among boys and girls; no statistically significant differences were identified, despite the fact that categorical variables (absolute and relative indicators) indicated a higher need for sanitation of the oral cavity in girls than boys.CONCLUSIONS. Categorical (absolute and relative) variables indicate that the need for oral sanitation in girls is higher than in boys at all age periods.

Exploring Association of Level of Empathy with Demographic Factors among Medical and Dental Students, A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Being an effective physician, one must possess both clinical expertise and a specific range of emotional competencies, including empathy. Objective: To determine the empathy scores among medical and dental students and to correlate them with demographic factors like age, gender and academic year. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 324 students from medical and dental programs at a private medical and dental college in Lahore. Empathy levels were measured using Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy- student version (JSPE-S). Data analysis was done using SPSS 24.0. Non-parametric tests were applied to find the significant difference between average scores of JSPE-S and all sub-scales across gender, age, academic year and medical program. Results: The mean empathy score on JSPE-S was 66.7. Difference of JSPE-S overall empathy score between age-groups was statistically significant (p-value 0.02). Among the medical and dental students significant difference was found between average scores of perceptive taking and compassionate care. No correlation was found between empathy scores and gender. However, empathy scores were low during initial years of medical school, being the highest in fourth year and then declining again. Conclusions: It was concluded that empathy is associated with demographical factors. Among the medical and dental students’ significant difference was found between average scores of perceptive taking and compassionate care. Although no difference in empathy scores was found between the two genders however, it declined as students gained more exposure to patients in their senior years