Journal of Advanced Practices in Nursing

Introduction: Oral health is a contemplation of social, psychological, and physiological factors which are important for our quality of life. CAM represents the group of various medical and health care practices, systems, and products which are not regarded to be a part of conventional medicine. It is considered to be a cheaper and much less side effect. Hence the aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practice of Complementary and Alternative medicine for oral health care management among dental students. Materials and Method: Data collection was done by questionnaire survey. Study population contains 100 interns and postgraduates from four different dental colleges. Data was entered in Microsoft excel sheet after collection and was analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics were expressed by means of number, frequency, and percentage. Chi-square test was used to find the association between year of study and Number of responses provided by the participants. Results: The present study reported that 30% of interns and 24% of postgraduates had knowledge regarding oriental medicine/CAM. 30% of interns and 19% of postgraduates knew that hypnosis dentistry can be used to treat anxious patients. 35% interns and 30% postgraduates knew acupuncture can be used as anesthetic and analgesic. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study it can be concluded that there was more awareness among interns than post graduates, many studies conducted showed some similar and some opposing results to the present study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic started in late 2019 and it is still prevailing. It has become a strain on today's condition. More importantly, it has affected the healthcare utilization behavior of people and it also increased the level of anxiety and stress in parents. When compared to adults children have a healthy respiratory system and an active innate immune system which play an important role. Due to dental treatment nature, procedures produce splatters and aerosols which contain more blood or saliva from patients and carry the risk of high chances of transmission of the virus on a large-scale. Aim: The study aims to evaluate the attitude and perception towards the risk of COVID transmission among parents of children visiting dental OPD in a private dental institution. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study containing a sample size of 115. A pre-validated questionnaire is prepared and uploaded in Google forms. This standard questionnaire in Google forms has been circulated. At the end of the survey, all the data were collected and tabulated. The frequency and percentage were calculated and the data is being analyzed by using Chi-square analysis. The Chi-square analysis was done by using the IBM SPSS software version 23. Results: The findings indicate that (90.29%) of parents of children visiting dental OPD would take their child to the dental department if their child had a toothache and (89.14%) of parents reported that the various measures are taken in the dental department give them confidence. (22.33%) of parents aged 40-49 reported that the various measures are taken in the dental department give them confidence which is higher compared to the parents aged 30-39 (18.45%). Chi-square analysis was done and the association was found to be statistically significant, p-value: 0.015(p<0.05). Hence statistically significant. Conclusion: In summary, the attitude and perception of parents about COVID-19 in children are good and in further studies, some measures can be taken to treat the emergency treatment patient with low risk.

Introduction: In this modern world of technology, advanced dental treatment takes place where few myths and taboos regarding dentistry and oral health behaviours still occur. Taboos vary with age, gender, level of education of living. Therefore, the aim of the study is to assess the taboos and myths related to dentistry and oral health behaviours. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in the Saveetha Dental College and Hospital (Saveetha University) where the total sample size arrived was 136.The study population contains adult male and female patients over the age of 20 approached for dental treatment. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board in Saveetha University. The first part of the questionnaire contains demographic details which include age, gender and the second part of the questionnaire contains knowledge, attitude and practice towards taboos and myths on dentistry and oral health behaviours. Simple random sampling technique was followed. Data will be entered in Microsoft Excel Sheet and analysed using SPSS software (IBM Software version 23; NY). Descriptive statistics was expressed by means of number and frequency and percentage and the chi square test was used to find out association between variables. Level of statistical significance will be P<0.05. Result: In the study conducted, 41.18% visit dental clinics once in a year. 52.21% of people brush twice a day. 49.26% use toothpaste and toothbrush as the aid for cleaning teeth.30.88% of females and 22.06% of males believe that extraction of upper teeth causes fever. 46.32% of females and 27.94% of males suggest that cloves can be used to ease tooth pain. Pearson’s chi square value: 4.973, p value: 0.026, (p<0.05) hence statistically significant, providing females believe in more taboos and myths compared to males. Conclusion: From this study, it is concluded that females believe in more taboos and myths compared to males.

Introduction: Hypersensitivity reactions are an important hazard in healthcare. Modern dentistry depends on the use of drugs and materials widely known to elicit them. Such reactions are either immediate or non-immediate. The former carries the risk of anaphylaxis, whereas the latter includes potentially fatal severe cutaneous adverse reactions. This study aims to find out the incidence and management of allergy and hypersensitivity reactions. Materials and Methods: All the cases reported for allergy and hypersensitivity reactions between June 2019 and Feb 2021 were considered in this study. The details of the patients who had allergy and hypersensitivity was retrieved from Dental Information Archiving System, SDC, SIMATS. All the radiographs were assessed, data recorded in excel and was subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Out of 25 patients with allergy and hypersensitivity, 32% were male and 68% were female. About 32% of patients were at the age group of 40-50 years old. About 52% of patients were reported with type 1 hypersensitivity and about 56% of patients with allergy and hypersensitivity were prescribed with both antihistamines and corticosteroids. Conclusion: The highest number of patients with allergy and hypersensitivity reported were females of age group 40-50 years old. Most of them reported a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction and most of them were prescribed with both antihistamines and corticosteroids.

Background: Needle Stick Injury (NSI) and Sharp Injuries are major hazards in transmission of infectious blood borne diseases among Health Care Workers and Medical students who are at a risk of injuries because of daily procedures in performing clinical activities in hospitals. To reduce the risk of increased growth rate of NSIs, there should be an essential need to improve and update knowledge of NSIs and its management by lectures and seminars. Aim: To assess the knowledge and awareness regarding sharp injuries amongst dental students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted among 103 voluntarily participating dental students who were receiving their undergraduate clinical training in a private Dental College. Data was recorded on a structured questionnaire to elicit knowledge and awareness towards Needle Stick Injuries. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS Software-23. Results: 76.7% Dental students experienced NSI. 57.28% students aren’t aware of the Universal Precaution Guidelines. Adequate number of students had good knowledge and awareness regarding Needle Stick Injury. In practice, a maximum number of students washed hands, used gloves, and recapped needles after use. Pearson chi square test was done and p value obtained for comparing the knowledge between male and female on the awareness of Universal Precaution Guidelines is 0.882(>0.5). Conclusion: Dental students require training and teaching regarding management of Needle Stick Injury and should be encouraged to report it to the concerned authority.