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   2016| July-December  | Volume 6 | Issue 2  
    Online since January 11, 2018

 
 
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ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Knowledge awareness and prescription practice of antibiotics among private dental practitioners in Mangalore
Anahita Punj, Santhosh B Shenoy, Biju Thomas, Amitha Ramesh
July-December 2016, 6(2):72-77
DOI:10.4103/jeed.jeed_1_17  
Background: Dental practitioners commonly prescribe antibiotics to treat dental infections. Literature suggests that inappropriate use of antibiotics is common in dental practice. Proper use of antibiotics thus becomes essential to ensure that effective and safe treatment is available and that practices that may enhance microbial resistance are avoided. To improve the standards of care, dentists need to keep themselves updated with the current patterns of antibiotic prescription and their use. Aim: This study aims to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of antibiotic use/misuse, and prophylactic use among private dental practitioners of Mangalore by studying their prescription pattern. Subjects and Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to all the private dental practitioners in Mangalore, who willingly consented to participate in the study. The responses obtained were then analyzed. The distribution of variables was described in terms of frequency and percentage. Results: Penicillin group (amoxicillin) was the most common prescribed antibiotic for almost all dental infections, followed by the combination of amoxicillin and metronidazole. Tetracycline was most commonly prescribed for periodontal diseases. Although dentists had adequate knowledge in prescribing antibiotics for dental infections, some lacked knowledge regarding the indications of antibiotic prophylaxis needed in cardiac conditions, rheumatic fever or sinusitis. There were others who were unaware of the alternative antibiotic choices required in necessary cases. Conclusion: The therapeutic prescribing of antibiotics in general dental practice varies widely and is suboptimal. There is a clear need for the development of prescribing guidelines and educational initiatives to encourage the rational and appropriate use of the antibiotics in general dental practice.
  4,367 452 -
Stress and the pediatric dental resident: Contributing factors and coping mechanisms
LaQuia A Vinson, Julie Quinn Nies, James E Jones, Angela M Tomlin, Richard D Jackson, Brian J Sanders
July-December 2016, 6(2):61-66
DOI:10.4103/jeed.jeed_23_16  
Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine self-reported stress levels and coping mechanisms utilized by current pediatric dental residents to generate recommendations to program directors. Subjects and Methods: A 26-question online survey was completed by 250 current United States and Canadian pediatric dental residents and summarized using frequencies and percentages. Statistical Analysis Used: Relationships between various factors and stress levels were evaluated separately using Mantel-Haenszel Chi-square tests for ordered categorical responses. Relationships between various factors and depressive symptoms were evaluated separately using Pearson Chi-square tests. All test were performed with a significance level of P = 0.05. Results: Forty percent of respondents report their stress level as high or medium-high. Stress levels were individually related to gender, academic demands, clinical demands, sleep factors, and hours per week devoted to the residency program. The most common coping mechanisms employed include exercise or sports (68%), television (66%), and socializing (62%). Conclusions: Prospective applicants should recognize the potential for additional stressors that present when one enters into a postgraduate training program; current residents should monitor their stress levels and employ healthy coping mechanisms. Program directors should be cognizant of lifestyle burdens encountered as a resident, evaluate stress levels at timely intervals, and refer to appropriate health and wellness assistance programs as necessary.
  3,628 392 -
Relationship between sociodemographic factors and oral cancer awareness and knowledge: A hospital-based study
Durgadevi Pancharethinam, Mariappan Jonathan Daniel, Saravanan Subbiah, Subramanian Vasudevan Srinivasan, Vannathan Kumaran Jimsha
July-December 2016, 6(2):56-60
DOI:10.4103/jeed.jeed_26_16  
Background: Cancer is a menace to public health and is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality. The incidence of oral cancer among men in Pondicherry is found to be one of the highest rates of cancer in the world. The present survey was conducted to assess the relationship between sociodemographic factors and oral cancer awareness level. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among the patients who reported to the dental college and hospital in Pondicherry for routine dental examination. The questionnaire comprised of 19 questions that assessed the participant's awareness regarding oral cancer, signs and symptoms, and the risk factors. Sociodemographic information was also recorded. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Results: A total of 503 participants participated in the study comprising 61.6% males and 38.4% females. A significant difference was noted in awareness level and knowledge with respect to gender, place of residence, and marital status (P < 0.001). Males had higher mean scores when compared to females and urban population was more knowledgeable compared to rural group. Post hoc analysis showed that the awareness was least among the older age group (>50 years) with a significant statistical difference (P < 0.001). Comparison between different education groups revealed a higher awareness level among the graduate group, and working group was more knowledgeable in all three domains. Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors were found to be significantly associated with oral cancer awareness, knowledge of early symptoms, and risk factors.
  3,384 407 -
Perceived sources of stress among Palestinian dental students: A descriptive cross-sectional study
Tarek H Rabi, Naji Ziad Arandi
July-December 2016, 6(2):67-71
DOI:10.4103/jeed.jeed_12_16  
Background: Dental education can be implicated with higher perceived levels of stress among dental students owing to the fastidious facet of the clinical and didactic dental curricula. Aim: The aim of the study was to identify the perceived sources of stress among dental students and to investigate specific stressors related to the gender and year of study. Materials and Methods: The students from the 2nd to 5th year of the dental school of Al-Quds University, Palestine, were invited to participate in the study. The Dental Environment Stress-30 questionnaire survey instrument was employed to conduct the survey among the students. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate methods were used to examine the patterns of association between individual stressors, factor scores, and students' characteristics. Results: One hundred and eighty-two students comprised the study's analytical sample, with two-thirds of those being female. A four-factor solution emerged and included “academic workload,” “clinical training,” “time constraints,” and “self-efficacy beliefs” factors. “Fear of failing a course or a year,” “examinations and grades,” and “lack of time for relaxation” were among the top individual-item stressors reported by students. Primary sources of stress in the dental students were an ambiguity in self-efficacy belief, workload, and performance pressure. Females reported higher perceived stress than males. Conclusion: Increased workload, time constraints, and some aspects of clinical training were the top stressors among the Palestinian dental undergraduates. This study emphasizes the need to implement a positive learning environment by employing strategies to combat the high levels of stress prevalent in dental schools.
  3,190 287 -
Periodontal knowledge and awareness among South Indian medical professionals: A questionnaire-based survey
G Sivaram, Divya Kumar, Puja Hariepriya, Jennifer Jeyaruby
July-December 2016, 6(2):85-88
DOI:10.4103/jeed.jeed_46_14  
Aim: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of periodontal disease, its etiology and management among medical professionals. Materials and Methods: The 300 medical professionals included in this questionnaire-based survey comprised of doctors from government medical colleges and consultants in various specialties in private hospitals and clinics. The participants comprised of equal numbers of subjects in the medical profession including interns, postgraduates, and consultants. Results: The results from the questionnaire-based survey indicated that knowledge about periodontal terminologies was high among medical professionals. However, mixed response was elicited regarding the etiology, treatment, and current trends in periodontal practice. Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge of periodontal terminologies, the etiopathogenesis, treatment options and the current therapeutic trends amongst medical professionals can greatly contribute towards motivating patients for treatment and also provide necessary referrals.
  3,030 256 -
A multicenter survey of factors influencing knowledge, attitude and behavior of dentists towards blood borne virus infected patients and associated infection control guidelines
Syed Hammad Ahsan, Khalid Jamal Howran Alanazi, Zaina Haif Al-Qahtani, Sahar Adnan Turkistani, Mohammad Riad Siblini, Marwan Al-Arabi
July-December 2016, 6(2):78-84
DOI:10.4103/jeed.jeed_17_16  
Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge, attitude, and behavior (KAB) of dentists toward blood-borne virus (BBV) diseases, associated hazards, and infection control guidelines and to determine factors which influence KAB of dentists toward above-mentioned variables. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey. Eighty-four dentists were provided a self-prepared, structured questionnaire. The dentists were of varying specialties and health-care sectors. Frequency distribution and Fisher's exact test were performed. Results: Most of the dentists knew the common oral manifestations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, but none knew all. Many dentists were not aware of mode of transmission of hepatitis D virus (HDV) (n = 42), herpes simplex virus (n = 50), and herpes zoster virus (n = 47). Over half of the dentists (n = 43) did not know that hepatitis C virus vaccine does not exist. Many dentists (n = 63) knew that interferon is used for treating hepatitis B virus infection. Knowledge of HDV transmission and infection control officer availability in dentist's clinic were influenced by a number of continued dental education (CDE) hours and workplace of dentist. Most of the dentists were not aware of National Health Service guidelines for BBV-infected dentists practicing exposure-prone procedures (EPPs). Conclusion: KAB of dentists was influenced by a number of CDE hours and workplace of dentist. We request the dental authorities to increase the number of infection control-based CDE hours, BBV educational campaign for dentists and to issue a guidelines for BBV-infected dentists practicing EPP.
  2,995 244 -
REVIEW ARTICLE
Dental duality
K Sadia Ada, Akila Ganesh, Rajkumar Manohar
July-December 2016, 6(2):53-55
DOI:10.4103/jeed.jeed_13_17  
Can dentistry be labeled as a profession or a commercial business? This is a significant and thought-provoking question that lingers on in the minds of many, often jeopardizing our profession's image among the public. The question, however, is ironically akin to being two sides of the same coin, but what assumes priority puts forward the concept of dental ethics. Hence, is dentistry a profession/business? The answer may be both, but the question lies as to, what is being given more weightage? Every dentist's chief motive should be to benefit the patient, with the financial rewards being only secondary. This is where our dental ethics comes into play. The label “profession” is cherished because it suggests a special social status. Hence, the question arises as to what exactly is meant when dentists claim to be professionals and more importantly whether they can justifiably lay claim to this label.
  2,784 238 -
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