Free Dental Treatment Research Articles

Assessment of anxiety in patient’s undergone surgical extraction and root canal treatment – A comparative study

: To quantitate and compare the anxiety level associated with patients who have undergone surgical extraction of teeth and root canal treatment.: This study was conducted on 100 patients who reported to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (50) requiring surgical extraction of teeth and Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics (50) requiring root canal treatment. Patients were randomly enrolled for the study and were given a questionnaire after the completion treatment (extraction and root canal treatment). The anxiety levels were evaluated based on the scores of the Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale. : The results of the present study showed that the dental anxiety was higher among subjects who have undergone surgical extraction of teeth when compared to the patients undergone root canal treatment. : In conclusion, maxillofacial surgeons should consider that patients initially visit dental office for treatment of surgical extraction of teeth with severe anxiety which could be due to conditioning or learned responses which these patients might have experienced or first visit. Thus a prior awareness of the patient's predisposition to dental anxiety may be of value, enabling to take appropriate measures pre-operatively. Thus our aim is to give anxiety free dental treatment to the patients and better postoperative recovery.

Post-extraction Clinical Evaluation Using Local Anesthesia Techniques for State SMKPP Students in the Ikur Koto Health Center Area, Padang, West Sumatra

Abstract. The high prevalence of dental and oral health problems in Indonesia shows that many people have problems with dental and oral health. The problem that often arises is cavities and there tends to be major damage to the tooth structure. This condition shows the high need for dental and oral care in the community. The need to perform dental and oral care for individuals is very important to estimate costs, time, and medical personnel. The purpose of community service activities is in the form of social services for free dental and oral treatment to be able to provide services in the form of curative actions which are expected to be able to address related dental and oral problems in a simple manner in the community. The series of treatment programs consists of registration, screening, treatment measures, administering medication if needed, and filling out treatment questionnaires. Based on the results of the evaluation process, it can be concluded that the extraction action given to residents showed no post-extraction complications and treatment showed good results.

Efforts to increase dental and oral health knowledge for the people of Umbulmartani Village

Indonesian people's awareness of dental and oral health is still very low, this can be seen based on the number of people who go to the dentist only when experiencing dental and mouth problems. The purpose of this activity is to increase knowledge about dental and oral health in order to prevent increasing dental and oral health problems in Indonesia. The community service method in the first day, counseling was held on how to maintain healthy teeth and mouth, practice brushing teeth by distributing free toothbrushes and toothpaste. On the second day, free dental and general health treatment was carried out, starting with a vital sign examination and general check-up, followed by a dental and oral examination as well as basic medical treatment and procedures. The results of the service showed that there was an increase in knowledge about dental and oral health by avarage 86,5; 72 medical and 96 dental treatment. This activity ended with the distribution of free groceries to 90 heads of families.

Free dental prosthetic treatment of patients with complicated medical history in Moscow region. Clinical case

Dental care is one of the socially important types of medical care and is highly demanded by the population. An important factor limiting the population’s possibilities for orthopedic rehabilitation is the financial situation of low-income and retired persons. The Government of the Moscow Region has approved more than 120 different measures of social support for residents of the Moscow Region. The social support program of making and repair dentures for Moscow region residents restores chewing efficiency and the budget of the Moscow region finances the performed treatment. The program includes main types of orthopedic constructions. Sometimes clinical cases may require more complex prosthetics due to concomitant pathology. For such cases some kinds of treatment so called ‘expensive’ exist in program. The article describes a clinical case of a patient with a stomatoneurological status who received orthopedic treatment using dental implants within the framework of free dental prosthetics.

Facilitating Access to Dental Care for People Experiencing Homelessness.

Fear, lack of information, and lower health literacy are prominent barriers preventing people experiencing homelessness from accessing dental services. Most of this population are eligible for free dental treatment in Australia, yet few access care. This study evaluated 3 models for facilitating access to dental services for people experiencing homelessness. Three facilitated access models were developed and implemented at 4 community organizations. In model 1, dental appointments were booked on the spot after a screening by dental practitioners. Model 2 also involved dental screenings followed by appointments made via phone call from the service. In model 3, the community organizations referred clients directly to the service where appointments were made via a phone call to the client. The models were trialed with community organizations between 2017 and 2019. For each model, participant demographic information, attendance at subsequent dental appointments, and program operation resource use were collected. Cost-effectiveness was assessed as an incremental cost per additional person attending a dental appointment. A total of 76 people participated in model 1, 66 in model 2, and 43 in model 3. Model 1 was the most effective, leading to 84.2 (confidence interval, 75.8-92.7) of every 100 participants attending a dental appointment. Model 2 had a lower effectiveness of 56.1 (44.6-67.6), and model 3 was the least effective, with a mean of 29.3 (15.0-43.6) per 100 participants attending. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were $51 per additional person attending a dental appointment for model 3 (compared to no strategy) and $173 per additional person attending for model 1 (compared to model 3). Model 3 was the most cost-effective strategy of increasing access to dental care for people experiencing homelessness. Decision makers who find the effectiveness of model 3 insufficient should look instead to employ model 1 or a combination of these 2 models. The importance of face-to-face engagement to foster trust between the individual and health care practitioner was evident. This study provides a range of models for dental and community services to facilitate access to dental care for people experiencing homelessness. Decision makers should consider the needs of vulnerable populations, alternative model designs, and their cost-effectiveness when implementing models of facilitated access to dental care. Face-to-face engagement between clients and dental practitioners by inclusion of a screening stage appears to be instrumental in overcoming barriers to access clinical care.

Evaluation of NHS dental uptake by nursing mothers for local authorities throughout England in 2016-2018.

Introduction NHS dental treatment for pregnant and nursing mothers with children aged less than 1 year is free for the patient. The rationale being women during this time are more susceptible to dental disease. By providing this free service it is hoped that access rates will increase by removing barriers in inequality and therefore reducing dental disease prevalence.Aim Identify variations in the uptake of free NHS dental treatment by nursing mothers during pregnancy across different local authorities in England and investigate possible factors linked to this variation.Methodology Public Health NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) data on mothers' exemption forms was compared to a three-year average from Office for National Statistics (ONS) birth data in 2016, 2017 and 2018; the percentage uptake of free dental care for nursing mothers was derived for lower tier local authorities (LTLAs) in England. Using Local Health (Public Health England) mapping data, this was compared to markers of deprivation and other indices to illustrate poor areas of uptake.Results The proportion of mothers accessing dental care ranged from 28-61%. Correlations between access and socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds within local authorities are illustrated.Conclusion The general low uptake of free dental services among nursing mothers shows more can be done to improve access for this vulnerable group.

Prevalence of dental caries, gingival disease, and periodontal disease in Bihar population: A community-based research

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries, gingival diseases, and periodontal disease among the rural population of Bihar, India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a total sample size of 8200 people with an age group of 20–60 years. Dental caries, gingival health, and periodontal health were recorded using the modified World Health Organization pro forma (1997). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and one-way analysis of variance were applied. Results: Among 8200 patients, the highest incidence of cases was seen in dental caries that is 5800 patients. Two thousand and two hundred patients were having poor gingival status and 2000 patients were suffering from periodontal diseases. Periodontal diseases were significantly more common among people with no education (P = 0.02) and significant in males (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings of this study provided a discernment into the gingival health status, periodontal health status, and the prevalence of dental caries of rural population, which may be useful in planning oral health programs and free services and dental treatment, especially to this rural sector.

Epidemiology and Clinical Management of Early Childhood Caries in Israel.

Aim: The aim of the present review is to describe the current status of early childhood caries (ECC) in Israel in aspects of epidemiology, prevention, and management.Methods: PubMed search was performed using the words caries, children, Israel. Demographic data was collected from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics.Results: The decayed, missing, and filled teeth index was 2.72 in 1992 and 2.56 in 2016. The proportion of restored teeth has increased. A number of preventive programs are ongoing but a general preventive program is lacking at the national level. From 2010, every child in Israel is eligible to receive free dental treatment.Conclusion: The gaps in understanding of the epidemiological profile of ECC in Israel is a call for more research conduct on ECC in the country.

Combining self-management cues with incentives to promote interdental cleaning among Indian periodontal disease outpatients.

BackgroundPeriodontal disease is a significant public health issue worldwide. Motivational techniques in combination with financial incentives are shown to lead to effective behavior change. The current study sought to examine whether a brief oral health promotion program (self-management cues that were based on self-efficacy and self-regulatory skills) in combination with an incentive (free dental treatment) would make a difference in the adoption of regular dental flossing in a population of Indian periodontal disease outpatients.MethodsOne hundred and twelve participants (n = 55 oral health promotion intervention group; n = 57 control group) were assigned to the intervention (self-management cues + incentive) or control groups, and follow-up assessments were performed three weeks later. Flossing frequency, behavioral intentions, and perceived self-efficacy served as dependent variables. Data were analyzed with mixed models, ANCOVAs, and path analyses.ResultsThe intervention yielded effects on flossing frequency (p < 0.01) and flossing intentions (p < 0.01) at follow-up. Women developed stronger intentions than men. Moreover, by path analysis a sequential mediation chain was found that demonstrated an indirect effect of the intervention on flossing via self-efficacy and intentions: the intervention predicted changes in self-efficacy which, in turn, were associated with changes in intentions, predicting flossing frequency at follow up, while controlling for baseline behavior, gender, and age.ConclusionsCombining incentives with minimal self-management cues has been found effective in improving interdental cleaning intentions and habits in periodontal disease patients, and the facilitating role of dental self-efficacy has been demonstrated.

Utilization of free dental health care services provided to the perinatally infected human immunodeficiency virus children in Bangalore: longitudinal study.

Use of Highly active anti-retroviral therapy have increased the life expectancy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients and hence it is imperative that all efforts have to be made by Pediatric dentists to provide a better oral health for these children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of utilization of free dental treatment provided to these perinatally infected HIV positive children who were previously screened as a part of oral health survey. Purposive sampling was used. Perinatally infected HIV children screened for oral health status. Patients not screened during the oral health survey. Attendance records of 319 perinatally HIV infected children consisting of 178 males and 141 females attending a specialized pediatric outpatient clinic at Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health were examined to compare treatment compliance rates. The number of patients in the severe category who completed treatment was significantly less compared with mild and advanced categories (P < 0.001). The difference in the proportion of patients who completed treatment between mild and advanced group was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The results show that children with HIV have significantly lower compliance. Even though all dental treatment provided to them was free of the cost it still had no impetus to encourage them to go through with the treatment.

Dental prosthetic status and needs of adult rural population living in and around Nalgonda: A survey

Aim and Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the dental prosthetic status and needs of adult population in Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh. In order to promote the health of adult population, it is necessary to assess their prosthetic needs that would aid in planning oral health service programs. Materials and Methods: The study population comprised of 625 patients who were divided into two age groups; 35-44 and 65-74 years. Prosthetic status and prosthetic needs were recorded using WHO oral health assessment form. The examination was carried out by two examiners, and inter examiner calibration was done with kappa statistics 88%. Chi-square test was used to compare proportions, and significance level was set at α = 0.05. Results: Among 35-44 years age group, only 11.7% and 5.6% were having some kind of prosthesis in upper and lower arches and among 65-74 years age group; 12.7% and 15.9% were having some kind of prosthesis in upper and lower arches. Among 35-44 years age group, 35.1% and 30.4% require one unit prosthesis in upper and lower arches. Among 65-74 years age group, 25.1% and 24.7% require full prosthesis in upper and lower arches. Conclusion: Most of the prosthetic need was unmet in the study population. In order to improve the oral health status, it is important to educate and motivate the patients regarding oral health care and provide free dental treatment camps in rural areas.

The Influence of an Oral Health Education Program Provided in a Community Dental Clinic on the Prevalence of Caries Among 12-14 Year-Old Children

To evaluate the effectiveness of an oral health education program when given in a public dental clinic, by assessing caries and restorations. This was done by assessing changes in caries prevalence in the mouth of children aged 12 to 14 year- old. Data was obtained from files of patients treated in the Dental Volunteers for Israel (DVI) clinic in Jerusalem. Children must prove understanding and also application of what they learned in the educational program in order to receive restorative dental treatment. 280 children were included in the intervention group. The control group constituted 173 children who had never had any restorative treatment in the DVI clinic. The extent of caries surfaces differed greatly between the intervention and the control groups. 35.2% of the control group, and as many as 64% of the intervention group had low caries (DMFS < 3). The situation is reversed when comparing the difference in the restored teeth surfaces between the two groups--56.6% of the control group had no restorations and 66.2% of the children in the intervention group had treated teeth. DMFS scores reveal fewer differences between the two groups. The mean carious surface was 1.8 times greater in the control group, and the restored surfaces were 2.1 times greater for the intervention children. Nevertheless when comparing DMFS means between control and intervention groups t-test result shows no statistical significant difference for the slightly lower DMFS levels in the intervention group. This study shows that even a comprehensive preventive program given by professional personnel, followed by free dental treatment, is not enough to improve dental health status for children from a lower socioeconomic class. Still, a consideration of the ethical responsibility of the profession to educate children about oral diseases and their prevention should be carried out, irrespective of the implementation of the knowledge.

Risk indicators for tooth loss due to caries and periodontal disease in recipients of free dental treatment in an adult population in Bangladesh.

The aims of this study were first to identify the risk indicators for permanent tooth extraction in patients who were receiving free dental treatment, and second to determine whether or not the reasons for tooth extraction are related to socio-demographic factors. Bangladeshi adults who visited Dhaka Dental College Hospital participated in this study. For each extraction, the clinician recorded age, sex, educational status, type of tooth extracted, dietary habits, oral hygiene, history of smoking and betel quid chewing and reasons for tooth extraction. A series of bivariate analyses and logistic regression analyses were carried out to assess the effects of major variables. A total of 868 teeth were extracted from 582 patients. Among them, 586 (67.5%) of the teeth were extracted due to caries and its sequelae, 161 (18.5%) and 121 (13.9%) were extracted for periodontal and other reasons. Logistic regression analysis revealed that tooth extraction due to caries had significant associations with age (P = 0.0001), tooth type (P = 0.013), consumption of sweets, snacks and soft drinks (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0001, respectively), frequency of teeth cleaning (P = 0.007) and dental attendance pattern (P = 0.004). For tooth extraction due to periodontal disease, associations with age (P = 0.001), educational level (P = 0.018), tooth type (P = 0.024), betel quid chewing (P = 0.0001), smoking habit (P = 0.032), method of teeth cleaning (P = 0.001) and the use of dentifrices (P = 0.024) were statistically significant. In this group of patients, caries and its sequelae were the most common reasons for extraction of teeth, followed by periodontal disease. Betel quid chewing, smoking and dietary and oral hygiene habits were also significant predictors of tooth loss.

Oral findings of Down syndrome children in Chennai city, India

To assess the common oral findings and anomalies of Down syndrome (DS) children in Chennai city, India. Among the 130 DS children examined, 102 children aged 15 years and below were included in the study. There were 57 male children and 45 female children in the total study sample. A specially prepared case record was used to record the following findings in each child: a brief family and personal history; anomalies of soft tissues, teeth, occlusion, and temporomandibular joint. Age wise and sex wise comparisons of the findings were done. About 97 children (95%) had the habit of regular tooth brushing. Everted lower lip (66%), retained primary teeth (31%), and midface deficiency (76%) were the most commonly seen soft tissue, dental, and occlusion anomalies, respectively. Midface deficiency was the most common orofacial anomaly seen in these children, followed by everted lower lip and retained primary teeth. Almost all the children had a regular tooth brushing habit. All the children examined were offered free dental treatment in our dental college.

Report on the activities carried out by ‘Sonrisas’ to promote oral health: the experience of a Canadian dental hygienist in the Dominican Republic

Smiles Foundation is a non-profitable organization established in Canada as a sister foundation to the Dominican Fundacion para la Prevencion y la Salud Bucal de los Ninos "Sonrisas" the Dominican Republic, which provides free dental treatment and oral health education to underprivileged children. Its founder Elina Katsman, a Canadian dental hygienist embarked on this project in 1986, and started giving lectures in the small community of Samana along with two local nurses that she trained in the principles of oral hygiene and related primary health care. Today, the foundation runs eight dental clinics and five mobile units that serve remote areas and has benefited 1,723,119 people in total. The aim of this article was to report on the growth that Smiles Foundation has experienced to promote oral health among children and adults in the Dominican Republic including its activities and the results it has achieved up until 2005.

Pattern of tooth loss in recipients of free dental treatment at the University Hospital of Amman, Jordan.

The aim of this study is to document reasons for tooth loss in disadvantaged Jordanians who seek free dental care at the University Hospital/Dental Clinics. A 4-year (1998-2001) prospective study was undertaken involving 2200 randomly selected patients from this subpopulation. Of their 3069 lost teeth, 46.9% were lost due to caries and its sequel; 18% were lost because of periodontal disease; 8% were lost for a combination of caries and periodontal disease; 19.4% for pre-prosthetic reasons; 4% for orthodontic reasons; 2.8% for eruption problems and 0.7% due to trauma. Logistic regression analysis for reasons of tooth loss in this sector revealed that caries and its sequel was the predominant cause of tooth loss in patients <or=40 years of age whereas periodontal extractions were predominant for the above 40-year-old group. In addition, the most frequently extracted teeth, due to caries, were lower first and second molars while lower incisors were most commonly extracted for periodontal disease. Premolars were extracted for orthodontic reasons, upper incisors for trauma, third molars for eruption problems and canines for pre-prosthetic reasons. In conclusion, dental caries was the main reason for removal of teeth in adults attending the University of Jordan free dental casualty clinic. Therefore, in order to reduce the rate of dental extractions in this sector of the Jordanian population, efforts should focus on prevention and treatment of caries. Efforts should also be made to change the values and beliefs of this sector towards the importance of natural dentition.

Dental health and access to dental treatment: a comparison of drug users and non-drug users attending community pharmacies.

To investigate the self-reported oral health, access to dental treatment and recent use of dental services among a group of drug users attending community pharmacies and to make a comparison with a group of age and gender matched community non-drug users/patients not using services for drug users. Review instrument completed by pharmacist interviewing drug users and other pharmacy users. Community pharmacists All known drug users attending participating pharmacies plus an equivalent number of age and gender matched non-drug using pharmacy customers. Final sample size drug users N = 125; non-drug users N = 129. The data show that drug users self-report considerably more difficulty in accessing dental treatment, are less likely to have visited the dentist in the last 12 months and have a significantly higher level of self-assessed oral health problems, with less use of treatment services than non drug users. Drug users need to be encouraged to access free dental treatment available to them on the NHS. Closer collaboration between the dental profession and others in contact with drug users, such as community pharmacists, may enhance uptake of dental services.

Dental health access — are drug users encouraged to use our services?

Objective To investigate the self-reported oral health, access to dental treatment and recent use of dental services among a group of drug users attending community pharmacies and to make a comparison with a group of age and gender matched community non-drug users/patients not using services for drug users. Method Review instrument completed by pharmacist interviewing drug users and other pharmacy users. Setting Community pharmacists Sampling All known drug users attending participating pharmacies plus an equivalent number of age and gender matched non-drug using pharmacy customers. Final sample size drug users N = 125; non-drug users N = 129. Key findings The data show that drug users self-report considerably more difficulty in accessing dental treatment, are less likely to have visited the dentist in the last 12 months and have a significantly higher level of self-assessed oral health problems, with less use of treatment services than non drug users. Conclusions Drug users need to be encouraged to access free dental treatment available to them on the NHS. Closer collaboration between the dental profession and others in contact with drug users, such as community pharmacists, may enhance uptake of dental services.

Capitation registration and social deprivation in England. An inverse 'dental' care law?

To examine associations between NHS child dental registration data and area deprivation scores of English Health Authorities (N= 100) in 1996/97 and 1997/98. The Department of the Environment index of local conditions and the Jarman Underpriviledge Area Score from the 1991 census were used to measure deprivation. Prior to September 1997, children got free dental treatment under a capitation scheme with an NHS dentist. If they did not attend within 24 months their registration lapsed on the last day of December of the second registration year and they were deleted from the capitation list. After September 1997 the registration period was reduced to 15 months. Curve-linear regression of the Health Authority (HA) percentage of children registered, lapses in capitation registrations and deprivation scores. In England 68% of children were registered in December 1996. The percentage registered in each Health Authority was associated with deprivation (DoE, r2=0.33, Jarman, r2=0.27 p<0.01). In January 1997, 17.8% (1,345,142) of children registered lapsed (HA range 12.8% to 30.3%) and this was also significantly associated with deprivation (DoE r2=0.66, Jarman, r2=0.51 p<0.01). Similar results were found in 1997/98. Registration and lapse rates were significantly associated with social deprivation confirming that there is an inverse 'dental' care law for children in England. NHS capitation may widen dental health inequalities.

The Prevalence and Treatment of Dental Caries among Israeli Permanent Force Military Personnel

A survey was conducted to determine dental caries prevalence and treatment among 1,095 25- to 44-year-old permanent force Israeli military personnel. Caries experience, by decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT), was 11.66, with an average of 1.37 untreated caries, 2.40 extracted teeth, and 7.90 treated teeth. Caries was positively associated with age (p < 0.001). Females demonstrated statistically higher DMFT levels than males (p = 0.009). Negative associations were detected for education levels and untreated and extracted components (p < 0.001), and a positive association was detected for the treated caries component (p < 0.001). Permanent military personnel treated by private dentists exhibited 17.6% untreated caries, compared with 9.4% among personnel treated in the army. Officers had lower levels of untreated caries (8.6%) than others (13.3%). Among the present population, 77% had attended a dental clinic in the preceding 2 years. Permanent force personnel are offered free, comprehensive, and accessible dental treatment. The data emphasize a need for further dental health education.