This study aimed to evaluate the impact of oral health education (OHE), incorporating a novel pre-validated visual performance reinforcement (VPR) technique and sign language, on gingival health, plaque control, and oral hygiene knowledge and practices in 12 to 15-year-old hearing- and speech-impaired adolescents. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in a government school for deaf children in Belagavi, Karnataka, India. A total of 80 adolescents, aged 12–15 years, were randomly assigned, using a computer-generated table of random numbers, into two groups: Group A receiving the VPR technique (n = 40), and Group B receiving sign language (n = 40). A specially designed pre-validated closed-ended questionnaire was administered to both groups, followed by clinical examination to obtain the gingival and plaque index, before intervention and at a 16-week follow-up period. Group A showed a significant increase in the knowledge gained when compared to Group B. Similarly, a significant improvement in oral hygiene practices was also observed in Group A. However, at the 16-week follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences in gingival and plaque scores between the groups. OHE using the VPR technique can be as effective and satisfactory as sign language in the reduction of gingival and plaque scores and in the improvement of knowledge and its application in oral hygiene maintenance among hearing- and speech-impaired adolescents.

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This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a novel interactive game-based visual performance technique (IGVP) and conventional oral health educational (OHE) talk on plaque control, gingival health, and oral hygiene knowledge and practices in 12–15-year-old schoolchildren. A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was undertaken in a private primary school in Belagavi, Karnataka, India. A total of 100 children aged 12–15 years were randomly assigned to either a conventional OHE talk (control group, n = 50) or the IGVP technique (test group, n = 50), using a computer-generated table of random numbers. A self-designed, pre-validated closed-ended questionnaire was collected from both groups, followed by clinical examination carried out using gingival and plaque index, pre- and post-intervention, at three months follow-up. There was a significant reduction in the mean gingival score and plaque score in the test group after intervention, indicating a 58.7% and 63.4% reduction, when compared to the control group, which had a 2.8% and 0.7% reduction, respectively (p < 0.001). The test group showed a significant increase in the percentage of knowledge gained (22.4%), compared to control group (7.8%). The IGVP technique proved to be more effective than a conventional OHE talk in the reduction of the plaque score, gingival score, and in the improvement of the knowledge of oral hygiene maintenance and its application.

BACKGROUND: Intellectual property rights (IPRs) are increasingly becoming significant for sustainable growth of today's knowledge-based society. An inappropriate knowledge regarding IPR can fail to reserve rights for one's intellectual creation. Hence this study was planned with an aim to assess knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding intellectual property rights in India amongst the health-care professionals in Belagavi city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the postgraduate students and faculty of six health-care professional institutions in Belagavi, Karnataka. A total of 724 responses were recorded using convenient sampling. Data was collected using self-administered validated questionnaire which included demographic details and total 20 questions pertaining to knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding IPR. Two-point Likert scale was used. Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U-test, and Chi-square test were applied. RESULTS: A total of 724 responses were recorded, 411 from postgraduate students and 313 from faculty of 6 health-care professional institutions. It was observed that 24.3% and 39.3% of postgraduate students and faculty participants, respectively, had maximum knowledge while 35.5% of faculty and 27.5% of postgraduate students had maximum awareness regarding IPR in India. Only 17.6% and 10.2% of faculty and postgraduate students had previously attended workshops on IPR. CONCLUSION: The present study identified that both faculty and postgraduate students of health-care profession have less knowledge and awareness regarding IPR. However, both knowledge and awareness regarding IPR were better among faculty when compared to postgraduate students. Thus, the academic community requires a higher level of sensitization and exposure to IPR in India.