Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

G. Harini ¹, L. Leelavathi ²

Affiliations
1 Graduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IN
2 Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IN

Abstract

Tobacco products are products made of leaf tobacco and contain the highly addictive ingredient, nicotine. Tobacco use is one of the main risk factors for cancer, cardiovascular diseases and lung diseases. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) help the tobacco users to quit the usage of tobacco products. They provide nicotine to the tobacco users thus temporarily replace much of the nicotine from cigarettes to decrease motivation to smoke and nicotine withdrawal symptoms, thus easing the transition from cigarette smoking to complete abstinence. Tobacco users may quit tobacco without using NRT, but most of those who attempt quitting do not succeed on the first try. NRT only deals with the physical dependence. It’s not meant to be the only thing you use to help you quit smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy along with behavioral counselling help the persons who find difficult to quit the habit. Hence, a review was done about the different types of nicotine replacement therapies.

Keywords

Nicotine, Patches, Gum, Lozenges, Tobacco Use.

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Sindhu Priya Kuppusamy Sundaram Murthy ¹, L. Leelavathi ²

Affiliations
1 Under graduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IN
2 Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IN

Abstract

Aim: To assess the effect of coca cola and diet coca cola on surface enamel roughness.

Materials and Method: In this vitro study, there were 8 teeth extracted and these specimens were prepared with 4 teeth immersed with coca cola and 4 teeth in diet Coca Cola of 40ml at room temperature for 5 minutes each. The enamel micro hardness of enamel was tested using Vickers hardness test. On each specimen, one indentation of 100 μm were made using a load of 25 gf for 5 s in a micro durometer and it was done as a single-blind test and the final results were further compared using t-test.

Results: There has been considerable reduction in enamel hardness when the teeth are dipped in coca cola and slight and negligible reduction in hardness when dipped in diet coca cola. Mean Difference in Coca Cola - 84.05 and DIET Coca Cola - 16.725. All the teeth except those exposed to Coca Cola showed a statistically significant decrease in the surface VHN (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed significant reduction in the enamel hardness after treating with coca cola, whereas very minimal reduction in enamel hardness when treated with diet coca cola.

Keywords

Coca Cola, Vickers Hardness Test. Surface Roughness, Micro Hardness, Statistically Significant.

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Sisira Padavala ¹, L. Leelavathi ²

Affiliations
1 Undergraduate Student, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IN
2 Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IN

Abstract

Background: Obesity has been described as one of the most neglected public health problems, affecting both developed and developing countries. The prevalence of obesity has increased substantially in the last few decades. Obesity has been suggested to be a risk factor for periodontitis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess any possible relationship between obesity and periodontal diseases in patients attending Saveetha Dental College.

Materials and Method: This study was conducted on patients in Saveetha Dental College, Chennai. Both male and female patients were included in the study. The body mass index was calculated for each patient along with the Russell’s periodontal index. Statistical Analysis was done.

Results: More than half of the study participants were obese. An association between obesity and periodontal disease was found. The obese subjects were found to have destructive periodontal disease.

Conclusion: It was found from the study that there exists a relation between obesity and periodontal disease. It is the duty of the dental professionals to create awareness among the patients about the relationship of oral health and general health.

Keywords

Obesity, Periodontitis, Oral Care, Over Weight.

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Nirisha Sriram ¹, L. Leelavathi ²

Affiliations
1 Under graduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IN
2 Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IN

Abstract

Aim: Evidence based medicine can be used to increase the confidence and overall outcome of the treatment offered to the patients. Hence the study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice among medical and dental students towards evidence based medicine and dentistry.

Materials and Method: A questionnaire based study was conducted among dental and medical students in Chennai to assess the importance and the need for evidence based medicine. A total of 50 dental and medical students each was included in the study. Data was collected and descriptive statistics was done.

Results: It was found from the study that about 7% of the medical students used PubMed journal as a referral in their daily practice while 6% of the dental students used PubMed journal as a referral in their daily practice. About 8% of the medical students understood the terms used in study while 6% of the dental students understood the terms used in studies. 41% of the medical students and 38% of the dental students were welcoming to practising evidence based medicine.

Conclusion: Medical and dental students almost have the same amount of knowledge when it came towards understanding and practising evidence based medicine. Though the study participants reported that they were aware of PubMed and Cochrane only few of them used them in decision making. EBD approach empowers clinicians to question and consider the use of the current best evidence in decision‑making on the management of individual patients.

Keywords

Evidence Based Medicine, Medical Curriculum, Dental Curriculum, Journals.

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N. Prashaanthi ¹, L. Leelavathi ²

Affiliations
1 Under Graduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IN
2 Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IN

Abstract

Background: Doctor and patient’s relationship is always based on trust and confidence. In today’s world patients have become more aware of their right‑legal literacy. The dental profession requires knowledge and skill which serves the individuals. It’s the responsibility of the dental health professional to provide accurate health services to the patients and the society.

Aim: To assess the knowledge about consumer protection act and informed consent among dental students.

Materials and Method: A total of 198 dental students were taken into study. A questionnaire consisting of 18 questions was framed and was circulated using online survey link. The results were tabulated and analysed.

Results: About 8% of the students have told immigrants does not require consent form and 39% have said both verbal and thumbprint as consent for illiterate people. At about 11% have said they are not aware about professional indemnity insurance. While 39% have said both verbal and thumbprint as consent for illiterate people.

Conclusion: The results showed that the dental students had an average knowledge on CPA and informed consent while their knowledge was below average about professional indemnity insurance.Majority had awareness regarding CPA but practice of taking consent and utilisation of professional indemnity insurance among dental students were less than adequate.

Keywords

Informed Consent, Consumer Protection Act, Indemnity Insurance, Dentists, Legal Literacy.

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Sangeetha Shankar ¹, L. Leelavathi ²

Affiliations
1 Graduate Student, 2Senior lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai
2 Senior lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IN

Abstract

Aim: To assess depression and attitude towards replacement of missing teeth in Geriatric patients attending a dental college. Materials and Method: The study was conducted in a private dental college, Chennai. For this study, 100 geriatric patients was randomly selected. Geriatric patients with physical and mental disabilities were excluded for the study and those above 60 years or above were included for the study. Two sets of questionnaires were used for the study - One was the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the other was a questionnaire based on attitude towards replacement of missing teeth. All the data were collected, analysed and frequency distribution of the data was calculated. Results: From this study, it was found that 63% of the old aged participants were leading a depressed life and around 61.2% of them were not interested in replacement of missing tooth/teeth. Out of which, 45.6% of them showed lack of interest towards the same which indicates the fact that depression indirectly affects their attitude to address their needs such as replacement of missing tooth/teeth. Conclusion: The above study clearly states a relation between depression and replacement of missing tooth/ teeth in geriatric patients. The clinical significance of this study is that it is essential to create awareness regarding depression and old age and importance of replacement of missing tooth/teeth among the general public. It is necessary to educate the society regarding the various replacement techniques.

Keywords

Geriatric, Depression, Patients, Replacement, Teeth.

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