Background: Children residing in orphanages often have accumulated oral health needs as they are unaware of the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. Due to financial constraints, the provision of oral health care is often neglected. Aims and Objectives: This study attempts to assess the perception of oral health and practices among children residing in orphanages in Bengaluru. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 269 inmates, which assessed their perception and practices concerning oral health. Results: The self-assessment and practices of the study participants varied significantly. The proportion of substance abuse was very low, and the oral hygiene practices of the majority of participants were good. Conclusion: Interventions need to be undertaken to improve and reinforce oral health awareness among the study participants.

Objective: The objective was to assess dental anxiety and to find its association with oral health status and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among 20–40-year-old patients visiting Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Hospital. Materials and Methods: A single-center, hospital-based cross-sectional study was done among first-time dental visitors in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Hospital over a period of 8 months (July 14–February 18). The sample size was determined to be 700. Participants in the age group of 20–40 years were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using Corah's Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), and clinical examination was done using the WHO oral health assessment form and OHI-S. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and t -test. The associations found through bivariate analysis were entered as predictor variables into linear and binomial logistic regression models with high dental anxiety as the outcome variable. Results: The results of the study suggested that 56% of the study participants were having dental anxiety. Local anesthetic injection (80%) and fear of tooth drilling (60%) were the most anxiety-provoking stimulus. Analysis of OHIP-14 suggested that respondents perceiving oral health as affecting their life quality (very often/fairly often) in the past year were observed for items such as tension, difficulty to relax, irritability, difficulty in doing usual jobs, and totally unable to function because of oral problems. Dental anxiety was significantly associated with gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32), education (OR = 1.43), occupation (OR = 2.07), poor oral hygiene status (OR = 3.15), presence of dental caries (OR = 2.67), bleeding on probing (OR = 1.57), presence of periodontal pockets (OR = 2.64), clinical attachment loss (OR = 1.63), and OHRQoL (OR = 1.76). Stepwise linear regression model of independent variables (<0.05 variables included) explained dental caries as highest predictor (39%), followed by debris (22%), calculus (38%), mean OHIS (27%), mean OHIP-14 (29%), deep pocket (14%), and the least predictor was shallow pocket (9%). Conclusion: Dental anxiety was associated with poor oral health status seeking further attention to modify patients' behavior regarding improvement in oral health status.

Introduction: Career is the progress and actions taken by a person throughout lifetime, especially those related to that person’s occupation, and is often composed of the jobs held, titles earned, and work accomplished over a long period of time. It plays a very important role in the success of one’s life. Aim: The aim was to compare the career prospects among medical and dental residents in a private institution in Thodupuzha, Kerala. Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 60 medical residents and 52 dental residents and was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were performed for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 is considered to be statistically significant. Results: In medical profession, it was found that majority (71%) of the residents were satisfied with their career. In dental category, 88% wished for medical sector, whereas in medical category, 60% would opt for engineering. It was reported that poor pay scale among 54% of the medical category and 59% of dental residents suggested less job in the market was the reason for dissatisfaction. Majority (73%) in medical residents and a very minimal (23%) of the dental residents would recommend the own profession to the fellow colleagues (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The dental residents were found to be dissatisfied with their career compared with medical graduates. Better job perspectives and better placements need to be created. Endorsement of effective policies is required.

No abstract

No abstract