Dental students' opinions and knowledge about caries management and prevention

Students' attitudes toward caries prevention can impact their receptivity to training and subsequent involvement in preventive services in their future practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate dental students' opinions and knowledge regarding caries management and prevention at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. A twenty-six-item written survey instrument was administered to third- and fourth-year dental students. The response rate was 92.3 percent (72/78) for third-year and 45.5 percent (35/77) for fourth-year students. In their responses, 83 percent reported they would use chlorhexidine rinses for caries control, and 51 percent would use salivary tests for detecting cariogenic bacteria. Ninety-two percent reported they would use fluoride varnishes for caries control, and 40 percent were not sure if varnishes have associated dental or medical side effects. The majority of respondents felt that training and practice on caries prevention should be increased. Favorable responses to increasing education in preventive dentistry indicate that students may be receptive to modern caries management and prevention principles. This study suggests there is a need to update and integrate a more comprehensive caries prevention program into the predoctoral dental curriculum. Such programs should stress, in addition to actual training, the importance of prevention in students' future practice.     

杭州某高校大学生口腔健康认知及行为调查分析

摘要 目的 调查在校大学生口腔健康知识以及口腔保健行为情况。方法 采用问卷调查的方法,对杭州师范大学非口腔专业474名在校大学生进行现场问卷调查。结果 在接受调查的474名大学生中认为龋齿、牙周病主要原因是牙菌斑仅占18.7%。使用牙线和漱口水的分别占8.4%和15.5%。能定期到诊所清洁牙齿的占仅9.0%。当牙疼时,马上找牙医做治疗的占33.3％。结论 在校大学生的口腔保健知识较差,对于口腔保健以及就医意识不强,在大学校园开展口腔保健健康教育是必要的。     

Dental students' attitudes toward homeless people while providing oral health care

Homeless people have multiple barriers in accessing health care services, and health care providers' negative attitudes toward homeless people have been suggested as part of the problem. Studies on dental students' attitudes toward homeless people are lacking, so our aim was to understand dental students' attitudes. Dental students under the supervision of faculty members spent one day per week for seven weeks at the University of Southern California Union Rescue Mission Dental Clinic providing comprehensive dental services to homeless patients. Students completed the attitudes towards the homeless questionnaire (ATHQ) before and after the rotation with an experience evaluation questionnaire at the end. Data were collected over two years. A total of 242 students completed the questionnaires. The score on the ATHQ after rotation increased slightly but statistically significantly (70.36 pretest/71.38 posttest, P=0.01). Students' age, gender, and prior contact with the homeless population were not related to their attitudes toward homeless patients. Eighty-five percent agreed that the rotation made them feel more comfortable treating homeless patients, and 98 percent agreed that the patients made their experience enjoyable. Results suggest that dental students had positive attitudes toward the homeless and their scores on the ATHQ improved slightly after providing care.     

Dental care habits and knowledge of oral health in insulin-dependent diabetics

Abstract – The aim of this study was to investigate dental care habits and knowledge of oral health in age- and sex-matched adult long and short duration insulin-dependent diabetics and non-diabetics. Ninety-four long and 86 short duration diabetics and 86 non-diabetics, aged 20–70 years, participated in the study. All subjects answered a questionnaire with 38 questions about dental visits, attitudes to and knowledge of dental diseases, toothcleaning, dietary and smoking habits, and oral sensations. Among the diabetics there was a rather large group that did not visit a dentist annually. The diabetics also required more emergency dental care and were not as willing as the non-diabetics to spend time and money on their teeth. The compliance with dietary advice was poor among the diabetics. Oral discomfort such as prickling and burning sensations, metallic and bad taste was rare in both diabetics and non-diabetics. In the diabetics, however, a feeling of mouth dryness was common.     

Dental care habits and knowledge of oral health in insulin-dependent diabetics

The aim of this study was to investigate dental care habits and knowledge of oral health in age- and sex-matched adult long and short duration insulin-dependent diabetics and non-diabetics. Ninety-four long and 86 short duration diabetics and 86 non-diabetics, aged 20-70 years, participated in the study. All subjects answered a questionnaire with 38 questions about dental visits, attitudes to and knowledge of dental diseases, toothcleaning, dietary and smoking habits, and oral sensations. Among the diabetics there was a rather large group that did not visit a dentist annually. The diabetics also required more emergency dental care and were not as willing as the non-diabetics to spend time and money on their teeth. The compliance with dietary advice was poor among the diabetics. Oral discomfort such as prickling and burning sensations, metallic and bad taste was rare in both diabetics and non-diabetics. In the diabetics, however, a feeling of mouth dryness was common.     

Dental students' knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated final year dental students' knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), lesions associated with HIV, potential transmission routes of HIV, and their perception of the teaching received on cross-infection precautions, virology, sterilization practice and procedure, barrier dentistry and recognition of blood-borne virus risk group. METHODOLOGY: Structured questionnaires on knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus were filled by final year dental students of University of Lagos, Nigeria. A total of 35 out of 37 questionnaires were returned filled giving a response rate of 94.6%. RESULTS: Most of the students rated the teaching they received on cross-infection precautions, sterilization practice and procedure, as adequate. More than a quarter (28.5%) of the students rated the teaching they received on virology and recognition of blood-borne virus risk group to be less than adequate. Most of the students were able to recognize the association of oral Kaposi sarcoma, oral candidiasis, oral hairy leukoplakia, and salivary gland enlargement with HIV infection. There was a much lower level of knowledge of oral melanotic hyperpigmentation and idiopathic thrombocytopaenic pupura. Their knowledge of HIV and its potential transmission routes were adequate. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that final year dental students of the University of Lagos in southwestern region of Nigeria had adequate knowledge of routes of transmission of HIV in clinical practice. However, there is need for improvement in teaching of the students on virology and recognition of blood-borne virus risk group.     

Patients' knowledge and opinions regarding osteoporosis,osteoporosis treatment,and oral health care

BackgroundIn this study, the authors assessed the knowledge and opinions of patients regarding osteoporosis and the associations among osteoporosis, osteoporosis treatments, and oral health care use.MethodsOutpatients with osteopenia or osteoporosis completed a questionnaire, including sociodemographic data, internet use, osteoporosis status, oral health care use status, and knowledge regarding the effect of osteoporosis pharmacotherapy on dental procedures.ResultsAmong 258 patients (mean [standard deviation] age, 68.5 [9.3] years; 93% female), 83.9% had osteoporosis, one-third had previous osteoporotic fracture, and 74.4% took osteoporosis medication, mostly antiresorptive agents. In addition, 66.3% had more than 12 years of education, and 53.9% used the internet daily. A total of 79.9% visited a dentist during the past year, and 29.0% had undergone an invasive procedure. Yet 46.5% estimated that their dentist did not know that they had osteoporosis. Approximately one-half of the participants responded that they did not know the answers to knowledge questions regarding associations between osteoporosis, its pharmacotherapy, and oral health care. Of the patients who answered questions about associations between osteoporosis and oral health care, 70% incorrectly believed osteoporosis increased gingival disease, and 30% incorrectly thought medications should be discontinued before caries restoration.ConclusionsOutpatients with osteoporosis or osteopenia who responded to a questionnaire had limited knowledge about associations among osteoporosis, osteoporotic treatment, and oral health care.Practice ImplicationsDentists should review previous and current medical treatments with their patients, including osteoporosis diagnoses. The medical community should make more efforts to provide balanced, accurate information to help patients prioritize health care treatment and avoid unnecessary interruptions in osteoporosis treatment.     

Dental and medical health status and oral health knowledge among visually impaired and sighted female schoolchildren in Riyadh: a comparative study

Background

The impact of visual impairment on oral health in the literature is inconclusive, and the available information on the medical and dental health status of visually impaired children is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental and medical health status, and to assess the oral health knowledge of visually impaired girls aged 6–12 years, and compare them to that of sighted children.

Methods

This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 79 visually impaired and 83 age-matched sighted female primary school children. The children’s demographic data, medical history, and dental history were obtained through a validated questionnaire. The study population was examined to evaluate their dental caries status using the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth/Surface indices DMFT/DMFS/ and dmft/dmfs for permanent and primary teeth, respectively. Oral hygiene index (OHI), Plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were obtained for periodontal evaluation. Pearson’s Chi-square test and t-test were used for the statistical analyses.

Results

The general health for both groups was found to be good; however, 21.5% of the visually impaired children had systemic diseases compared with only 4.8% of the sighted children (P?=?0.002). Statistically significant differences (P?<?0.001) were found between the two groups with regards to OHI. Among the sighted children, 49.4% had good oral hygiene compared with only 22.8% of the visually impaired group. The plaque accumulation was found to be greater among the visually impaired group and gingivitis was also higher. The DMFS score was found to be higher (P?=?0.03) among the visually impaired group.

Conclusions

The visually impaired children had more medical conditions and poorer oral health status compared to their sighted peers.

     

Improving the oral health knowledge of osteopathic medical students

Due to a complex set of circumstances including culture, poverty, low educational achievement, and limited access to dental care, the oral health of rural Appalachians is poorer than that of people in other parts of Kentucky. Limited health care dollars go to primary medical care which may be the only contact these individuals have with the health care system. Consequently, primary care physicians can help improve oral health. The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) and the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (PCSOM) developed an oral health education block for third-year PCSOM students. Eleven UKCD faculty and one PCSOM faculty participated in the two-day, sixteen-hour oral health curriculum. Knowledge retention data from the post-tests was collected four months after the educational program. Students significantly improved their performance in six of the topic areas, with performance staying the same in one area and dropping significantly in one area. Focus groups were conducted with sixteen (two groups of eight) randomly selected students one year after the educational program. Students reported using the knowledge and oral exam techniques included in the course and felt that it was a valuable addition to their curriculum.     

Dental students' knowledge about careers in academic dentistry

The purposes of this study were to determine the knowledge of fourth-year dental students regarding certain issues related to an academic career and to ascertain their intent to pursue such a career. Factors contributing to the students' intent to pursue academia were assessed, including the effect of dental school programs designed to educate students about a career in dental education. Surveys were sent to twelve U.S. dental schools that reported having either a mandatory or elective academic career educational program or no program at all. The surveys were completed by fourth-year dental students who were queried as to their knowledge of selected academic issues. Surveys were returned by 561 students from eleven of the twelve selected dental schools. Knowledge level of academic issues among respondents was overwhelmingly low. Factors contributing to the intent to pursue some form of faculty career were gender, plans to specialize, knowledge of academic issues, having a parent in higher education, and personal teaching experience. The results of this study suggest that dental students in general do not possess the knowledge and information necessary to make an informed decision regarding a career in dental education.     

Dental students' knowledge and perceptions of non-invasive dental caries management

Background:  An evidence-based, risk-specific, and non-invasive modality for caries management was implemented in the University of Sydney dentistry curriculum. This study reviews its impact on student learning outcomes and their perceptions of the efficacy of a risk-based caries management.
Methods:  One hundred and nine Year 3 and Year 4 students were invited to complete a questionnaire to assess their understanding of the protocols and their perceptions of both the education process and value of the non-invasive treatment modality.
Results:  A response rate of 93% Year 3 and 46% Year 4 students was obtained. They correctly identified high and low risk cases but Year 3 students were inclined to misclassify medium risk cases. Most understood correctly that enamel lesions should be arrested and remineralized but were often more radical in dealing with dentine lesions. Students who believed the protocols were useful and who spent more time on preventive care were less likely to restore enamel and dentine lesions.
Conclusions:  A modest level of knowledge concerning application of the non-invasive caries management system to paper-based clinical case studies was demonstrated. Protocol misinterpretation may reflect inconsistent instruction by some clinical tutors. It is hoped that the promulgation of evidence-based dentistry will overcome these barriers in future.     

Dental students' knowledge of an exposure to cleft palate

A questionnaire was administered to 108 dental students from West Virginia University to assess their knowledge of cleft palate. Results revealed areas of deficiency in basic knowledge and exposure to clefting. When these data were compared to those from an earlier study (Lass et al., 1973) differences were found of varying type. A comparison between dental and medical students revealed that the basic knowledge of cleft palate and associated problems were not different between the two groups. However, the dental students had done more reading than the medical students and had the topic of cleft palate included in their coursework.     

Dentists’ knowledge and opinions about oral mucosal lesions

This study aims to identify, compare and analyse the knowledge and opinions of dentists regarding oral mucosal lesions and evaluate the differences between the attitudes of dentists by practice settings. 300 dentists were enrolled in the study. Three groups were formed. The first group included general dental practitioners working in private dental offices; the second group were dentists practising in dental polyclinics; the third group was composed of dentists employed at universities in Istanbul, working in departments except for the department of oral surgery and medicine. A 17-item self constructed questionnaire investigating demographic attributes, dental practice characteristics, oral mucosal lesions (OML) knowledge and respondents’ opinions was completed and all questions were asked by the same author. 85% of the dentists admitted difficulties in diagnosing OML. 62% failed to update their knowledge from the literature, 93% did not undertake biopsies or consult other practitioners. Dentists practising at universities attempted to treat fewer patients with OML (p = 0.0001). The results of this questionnaire conclude that most dentists experience difficulties in diagnosing some OML.     

Dental hygienists' knowledge and opinions of oral-systemic connections: implications for education

Although associations between periodontal and systemic health have been well established, there is little evidence regarding dental hygienists' knowledge of the oral-systemic connection. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge levels of North Carolina dental hygienists regarding oral-systemic connections and their attitudes and confidence about incorporating this knowledge into clinical practice. A survey was developed, pilot tested, revised, and mailed to 1,665 licensed dental hygienists in North Carolina. After three mailings, the response rate was 62 percent, with 52 percent (N=859) meeting the inclusion criteria. The majority (>80 percent) of the respondents correctly identified risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but were less knowledgeable about risk factors for osteoporosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Most knew that there is strong evidence linking periodontal disease with CVD (77 percent) and diabetes (70 percent). The majority felt that dental hygienists should be trained to identify risk factors for oral-systemic disease (94 percent) and to actively manage patients with systemic disease (78 percent). Eighty-eight percent felt that dental and medical professionals should be taught to practice collaboratively. These dental hygienists had a high level of knowledge in some areas of oral-systemic disease but could improve their confidence levels and knowledge through expanded content in their educational programs and continuing education. Inter-professional education and collaboration would also assist in integration of knowledge into clinical practice.