Mamata Hebbal

Mobile-phone text messaging (SMS) for providing oral health education to mothers of preschool children in Belgaum City:

We compared the effectiveness of two media (text messages and pamphlets) in imparting health education to mothers of preschool children. Mothers and their children were randomized into two groups. There were 72 mothers and their children in the pamphlet group and 71 in the text message group. The mothers were given health education by one of the two modes for four weeks. Knowledge, attitude and practices of the mothers were assessed by a questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Visible plaque scores of their children were also recorded pre- and post-intervention. There were significant improvements in knowledge (P < 0.001), attitude (P < 0.001) and practices (P < 0.001) in both groups. There was also a significant reduction in visible plaque scores (P < 0.001) in both groups. Text messaging was more effective than pamphlets in improving knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers, but the comparative reduction in plaque score between groups was not significant. Text messaging appears to be an effective means of imparting oral health education.

Relative contribution of caries and periodontal disease in adult tooth loss among patients reporting to the Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, India

OBJECTIVES To examine the reasons for tooth loss in an adult population. METHODS Patients who reported to the department of prosthodontics in Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, located in the north-western part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern region of India over a period of 2 months, with at least one missing tooth (excluding third molars) constituted the sample size. There were a total of 365 patients (185 females and 180 males) within the age group of 16-84 years (mean age 51.06 +/- 16.47 years) who fulfilled this criterion. Socio-demographic profile was recorded along with a clinical examination for assessing the number and pattern of tooth loss. The reasons for tooth loss were recorded according to the history reported by the patient. RESULTS In the present study of 365 patients, 58.9% of the patients were completely edentulous, 41% were partially dentate, of which 20.8% had lost their teeth from caries, 11% from periodontal disease and 9.3% from a combination of reasons. More females had lost their teeth because of dental caries whereas more males had lost their teeth because of periodontal disease, this being statistically significant. (chi2 = 16.53, p = 0.001). Highly significant results were obtained for age and reasons for tooth loss. (chi2 = 150.39, p < 0.001). Irrespective of the socio-economic status, dental caries was the most common cause for tooth loss in partially dentate patients though it was not statistically significant (chi2 = 13.62, p = 0.325). Mandibular first molars were the teeth most frequently lost due to dental caries. The maxillary left central incisor was most frequently lost due to periodontal disease, followed by the maxillary right central incisor. CONCLUSIONS Since both dental caries and periodontal disease contributed to tooth loss at different ages, risk indicators need to be identified.

Evaluation of knowledge and plaque scores in school children before and after health education.

Background: Health education is a process of transmission of knowledge and skills necessary for improvement in quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the oral hygiene related knowledge and plaque scores of 12-year-old school children in Belgaum city before and after health education. Methods: Three schools of Belgaum city were randomly selected and assigned into one of three health educational groups – group I (audiovisual aids), group II (chalk and blackboard) and group III (no health education). Oral health related knowledge and plaque scores were assessed in all the groups before and after health education. Results: The mean knowledge score before intervention in group I was 7.94, in group II was 7.86 and in group III was 7.74 (P=0.86). After intervention, the mean knowledge score was 14.42 in group I, 12.7 in group II and 9.58 in group III (P<0.001). Plaque scores in the three groups were similar and statistically nonsignificant at baseline. After the oral health education, the mean plaque scores were 0.627 in group I, 0.8826 in group II and 1.0156 in group III. Within the group comparisons revealed a statistically improved oral hygiene with decreased plaque scores in all the three groups. Conclusion: Health education by audiovisual aids could be an effective preventive measure against plaque-related oral diseases.

Dental ergonomics to combat musculoskeletal disorders: a review.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are significant workplace problems affecting occupational health, productivity and the careers of dental professionals. The prevalence of MSDs is on the rise for all types of dental workers. In spite of different patterns of work culture, there are parallel levels of symptoms in dentists across nations. Risk factors for MSDs are multifactorial. Symptoms appear very early in careers, with higher prevalence of MSDs even during educational training. Ergonomics improvements, health promotion and organizational interventions are necessary to reduce the risk. An interdisciplinary approach with progressive efforts should be taken to address MSDs in dental professionals.

A Review of Efficacy of Various Modes of Chlorhexidine Delivery

Abstract There has been an intensive search for many years for chemical agents that could supplement or even supplant patient-dependent mechanical plaque control and thus reduce or prevent oral diseases. The amount of literature relating to the use of chlorhexidine in plaque control is immense; the proof of the agents efficacy regarding such a role is beyond dispute. After three decades of use by the dental profession, chlorhexidine is still recognized as the gold standard against which other antiplaque and antigingivitis agents are measured. Chlorhexidine appears to be mainly useful in situations in which oral hygiene is difficult, compromised or impossible. Most research has been concerned with chlorhexidine mouthrinse; however, similar applications could involve chlorhexidine spray, gel, toothpaste and chewing gum. This article reviews the literature on the indications and various modes of delivery of chlorhexidine and provides guidelines on its usage.

Self-reported assessment of intraoral prostheses among patients attending the prosthodontic department in a dental institute in India.

Aim:  This study was conducted to provide a patient assessment of intraoral prostheses among subjects who reported to the Department of Prosthodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum.

Optimizing human factors in dentistry

Occupational health hazards among dental professionals are on a continuous rise and they have a significant negative overall impact on daily life. This review is intended to provide the information regarding risk factors and to highlight the prevention strategies for optimizing human factors in dentistry. Risk factors among dentists are multifactorial, which can be categorized into biomechanical and psychosocial. To achieve a realistic target of safety and health at work, prevention is clearly the best approach; therefore, musculoskeletal disorders can be reduced through proper positioning of dental worker and patient, regular rest breaks, general good health, using ergonomic equipment, and exercises designed to counteract the particular risk factors for the dental occupation. However, substantial evidences are still required to elucidate the potential risk factors and to formulate effective prevention programs.

Does prosthodontic rehabilitation change the eating patterns among completely edentulous patients

OBJECTIVE  Nutrition is compromised in completely edentulous individuals. As there is limited literature available on the nutritional health of the elderly in the Indian population, the present study was undertaken to assess these changes before and 1 month after placement of complete dentures in a dental hospital in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS The 10-item closed-ended questionnaire was completed by the investigator who interviewed the subjects (n = 35) before placement of complete dentures and 1 month later. RESULTS A statistically significant difference was found for having an illness or condition that led to a change in the type and/or amount of food eaten (p = 0.013); eating few fruits, vegetables, or milk products (p = 0.005) and having oral problems that made it difficult to eat (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Prosthodontic rehabilitation improved the eating pattern with increased intake of fruits, vegetables and milk products.

Questionnaire vs clinical surveys: The right choice?-A cross-sectional comparative study

PURPOSE To investigate the practical value of using questionnaires (self perceived assessment) as compared with clinical examinations (normative assessment) and to evaluate the role of socioeconomic status and implications of the results in understanding the public perception of oral health. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional single-blind study. A purposive sample of 860 bank employees of Belgaum city, India, were asked to fill in a close-ended questionnaire inquiring about their socioeconomic status, dental, periodontal health levels and treatment needs. Clinical examinations, employing the WHO dentition status and Community Periodontal Index, were performed to determine normative status and needs. Perceived and normative assessments were compared for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS The kappa values ranged from 0 (treatment needs) to 0.67 (for prosthesis). The degree of agreement with the following kappa values and sensitivity was seen in filled teeth (0.52, 60%), missing teeth (0.62, 83.8%), and prosthesis (0.67, 58.3%). However, the disagreement was seen with all other questions with average kappa value of 0.20. CONCLUSIONS Self-assessment questionnaires were of low value in evaluating dental, periodontal health status and treatment needs in the study subjects. Findings reflect a low level of awareness that may influence care-seeking behavior and socioeconomic status has a clear role to play in dental health perception.

Awareness regarding oral cancer and oral precancerous lesions among rural population of Belgaum district, India

Belgaum district of Karnataka state is well known for high production and consumption of tobacco in Southern India. This study aimed to investigate the rural population’s awareness of oral cancer, precancerous lesions and their risk factors. Data were collected via face to face interviews using a pretested and validated questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised two parts: part one had questions concerning socio-demographic data and part two consisted of 25 questions pertaining to people’s attitudes to and awareness of risk factors for oral cancer and precancerous lesions. One researcher interviewed participants and recorded the responses verbatim. Of the participants, 17% identified all the symptoms of oral cancer and 27.8% identified all the symptoms of oral precancerous lesions. Approximately 90% of the participants had never noticed statutory warnings on tobacco and alcohol products. Awareness was especially poor in people of lower socio-economic status. This study highlights a need for education concerning the risk factors for oral cancer, its clinical manifestations and the impact of adverse habits on long term health. Health education campaigns emphasizing oral cancer need to be integrated with broader public health messages.