Oral health-related knowledge, attitude and practices among eunuchs (hijras) residing in Bhopal City, Madhya Pradesh, India: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey

An Exploratory Research Comparing Oral Health, Pattern of Substance Abuse and Nicotine Dependence among LGBT, Female Sex Workers and Heterogenders

AIM

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ), female sex workers (FSW), and heterogenders are those unconventional groups of the society who are identified with major unacceptance. Thus, the present study is conducted to assess and compare the oral health status, substance abuse pattern and nicotine dependence using Fagerstrom nicotine dependence scale (FNDP) among the LGBTQ, FSW, and heterogender in a defined location of Gautam Buddha Nagar, district in West U.P.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present exploratory research included three study groups, the LGBTQ, FSW, and heterogenders (HG) residing in the same habitat. Purposive snowball sampling was conducted for the accessibility of the unapproachable population in the defined geographical location at Gautam Budha Nagar, district in West Uttar Pradesh. The data collection of a total of 177 participants was done using a pre-validated, pretested proforma consisting of three different parts including WHO oral health assessment form for adults, 2013, questionnaire regarding pattern of substance abuse and FNDS. Data were recorded and statistically analyzed using SPSS.

RESULTS

Prevalence of oral health disorders including dental caries, periodontal disease as well as oral mucosal lesions were more commonly found among the LGBTQ participants followed by FSW and the differences were found to be statistically significant. In context of altered habits, 100% of the participants in the present study were reported with smokeless tobacco habits whereas majority of the FSW were reported with a habit of smoking tobacco.

CONCLUSION

In addition to belonging to ethnic and sexual minority, and having minimal or low education status, and low socioeconomic status, the present study groups are reported to have suboptimal access to quality healthcare and are further reported with high level of substance abuse as well as nicotine dependence.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The present study is an attempt to provide base line data for further research and provide data to the policy makers so as to increase the healthcare access to the present groups. How to cite this article: Sharma S, Shukla S, Kamate SK, et al. An Exploratory Research Comparing Oral Health, Pattern of Substance Abuse and Nicotine Dependence among LGBT, Female Sex Workers and Heterogenders. J Contemp Dent Pract 2023;24(12):991-997.

Prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease among transgenders in Belagavi district, Karnataka, India: A cross-sectional study

AIM

To assess the oral health practices and the prevalence of dental caries, and periodontal disease among transgenders.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study was conducted on a sample of 180 participants from the transgender community in Belagavi district over a course of two months. A trained and calibrated examiners recorded oral health status according to WHO dentition status and treatment needs (1997) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) under the supervision of the subject expert. Chi-square test, spearman's rank correlation coefficient test, multiple linear regression and logistic regression were applied. The statistical significance was set at p ≤ .05 for all the tests. The prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease among transgenders was 72.2% and 92.2%, respectively. A positive linear correlation and a significant relationship was found between the oral hygiene practices/deleterious habits and dental caries among the transgenders. Multiple linear regression model revealed that the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease was significantly associated with age and oral hygiene practices.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of dental caries and periodontal diseases among transgenders was high. These results may be of use to promote oral health promotion and establishing a paradigm for dentists to work toward improving oral health.

Patients Perceived Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dental Abscess Management in Periurban District, Ghana

Background

Seeking conventional oral health care for various dental conditions is still a challenge for many worldwide and poses a global public health challenge. It is not until the individual starts experiencing pain and disfigurement of the facial profile that they seek dental care after many self-care interventions have failed. This study sought to determine perceived knowledge, attitude, practice, and satisfaction of dental abscess management among dental abscess patients (DAPs).

Methods

The research used a cross-sectional design to collect data from patients who visited the Dental Department of Effiduase Government Hospital with dental abscess from 6 May 2020–27 August 2020. A total sample size of 82 was selected from a population of 377. About 76 DAPs who met the inclusion criteria and consented to participate were interviewed.

Results

About 57% of respondents believed that dental caries caused their abscess. However, 46% sought medical treatment between 0 and 2 weeks after the onset of their dental abscess, while the rest did that after 3 weeks. Close to 64.5% have ever had episode of abscess before current one which they managed with alternative treatment. About 95% of respondents saw the hospital as a good place for dental care. A significant association was established between patient's level of education and influence to seek orthodox treatment (p = 0.015, Fisher's exact test (FET)). Another significant association was established between patient's level of education and the kind of alternative treatment they used (p = 0.016, Fisher's exact test (FET)).

Conclusions

Most DAPs believe that dental caries was the main cause of dental abscess. DAPs sought late medical care, after they have tried a failed alternative treatment. DAPs expressed satisfaction with reception, equipment and materials, and medicines used. Majority of the patients rated the cost of dental care in the facility as affordable.

Oral health status among transgender young adults: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people are a marginalized set of the population that continues to experience health care inequalities. This study aimed to assess oral health parameters including Candida growth and intensity among TGNC adults.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study recruited two subgroups: 40 transgender and 40 control adults. Consented participants were interviewed and clinically examined. Data using the WHO oral health assessment forms were obtained. Samples for Candida growth and intensity analysis were collected from the dorsum surface of the tongue.

RESULTS

27.5% of the transgender group was HIV seropositive. Oral nicotine stomatitis and leukoplakia are reported to be the most prevalent intra-oral lesions showing a prevalence of 27.5% and 20%, respectively. The dental and periodontal health parameters of the transgender group were worse than those of the control group. The intensity of Candida colonies was significantly higher in the test group (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

Poor oral health and significant oral mucosal disorders were reported in transgender adults that have shown a higher rate of behavioral risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption. Further longitudinal studies in different world regions are warranted to understand the barriers to good oral health in transgender adults and how to implement effective prevention and management strategies.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards oral hygiene of transgenders in Bhubaneswar during COVID-19

Introduction:

Reducing harmful oral hygiene practices can minimize the negative impacts of periodontal diseases. Transgenders are among the most vulnerable groups. Knowledge of their oral hygiene awareness, attitude and behaviour shall help in improving their oral health and also in planning oral health strategies specific to this group.

Aim:

To explore the oral hygiene-related knowledge, attitude and practices of transgenders residing in the Bhubaneswar during COVID-19.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the transgenders residing in Bhubaneswar using a self-structured questionnaire containing questions on knowledge, attitude and practices related to oral hygiene. Mann–Whitney U test was applied to find any significant differences between different variables in groups.

Results:

A total of 205 transgenders participated in the study. Around 43.9% of the transgenders in rural areas felt they had bad breath and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Majority of the participants in the rural areas did not know how to describe the health of their teeth and gums while 43% of the participants in the urban areas felt their oral health was good. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups in the type of material used for cleaning teeth [p = 0.020]. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of brushing their teeth everyday [p = 0.005, duration of brushing [p = 0.052], tools used for cleaning teeth [p = 0.023] and method employed to control mouth odour.

Conclusion:

The information presented in this study adds onto our understanding of the oral hygiene related behaviour among the transgenders.

Transgender HIV status, self-perceived dental care barriers, and residents' stigma, willingness to treat them in a community dental outreach program: Cross-sectional study

AIM

Assess the association between high risk transgender (TG) HIV status, self-perceived barriers toward oral care, and the residents' stigma and willingness to treat during community dental outreach.

METHODS

Demographics, tobacco habits, HIV status, willingness for rapid HIV testing, and self- perceived oral health, barriers toward oral care were assessed in a cross-sectional study among 212 transgender in South India. Further, the residents' stigma across three subscales and residents' willingness to treat the transgender was evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, 88% had begging as the sole income, and 93% lived in slums and used some form of tobacco. Oral health was perceived to be poor by more than half, and the mean probing pocket depth (PPD) and decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) was 4.2 mm and 3.67, respectively. The residents reported significantly low regard and willingness to treat TG irrespective of high/low stigma and when the transgender HIV status was positive/do not know. Residents with greater fear of exposure expressed least regard and willingness to treat TG (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The self-perceived oral health of transgender' was poor corresponding to the clinical examination findings. Moreover, the stigmatizing attitude and low regard to provide oral care is rampant among the dental residents, which further frustrates dental care.

Dentition status and treatment needs and its correlation with oral health-related quality of life among men having sex with men and transgenders in Pune city: A cross-sectional study

Introduction:

Dental diseases are universal in nature. Their presence and severity may vary from one individual to another and is also affected by multiple factors such as gender, knowledge, attitude and the affordability of dental/oral care. Gay, bisexual and transgender community is one among the socially disadvantaged community in our country. The present study was carried out in the city of Pune, India, to evaluate the prevalence of dentition status and the treatment needs among the men who have sex with men (MSMs) and transgenders (TGs) and its correlation with the oral health-related quality of life.

Materials and Methods:

The sample size was 270. Convenience sampling was followed. The WHO oral health assessment for 1997 was used to record dentition status and treatment needs. Oral Health Impact Profile-14 was used to record the oral health-related quality of life. SPSS 22.0 (Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis. All P < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results:

There was no statistically significant difference seen across the various domains in the overall impact of the oral quality of life. There was a significant correlation between the decayed teeth, missing teeth and overall decayed, missing and filled teeth scores with respect to the seven domains. Problems arising due to past dental experience (dental caries), lost natural tooth structures replaced with restorative material and a cumulative impact significantly affected the outcome of the oral health-related quality of life of the participants.

Conclusion:

There was an alteration in quality of life of the MSMs and TGS with respect to dental caries. This calls for an intervention that is tailor-made to meet the needs of this group.

Assessment of oral health attitudes and behavior among students of Kuwait University Health Sciences Center

AIM

The aims of this study were to assess attitudes and behavior of oral health maintenance among students in four faculties (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Allied Health) and to compare oral health attitudes and behavior of all students at Kuwait University Health Sciences Center (KUHSC) based on their academic level.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Students enrolled in the Faculties of Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Allied Health at KUHSC were evaluated regarding their oral health attitudes and behavior by an e-mail invitation with a link to the Hiroshima University Dental Behavior Inventory survey that was sent to all 1802 students with Kuwait University Health Sciences Center e-mail addresses. The data were analyzed for frequency distributions, and differences among the groups were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. P values less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The results of this study indicated that dental students achieved better oral health attitudes and behavior than that of their nondental professional fellow students (P < 0.05). Students in advanced academic levels and female students demonstrated better oral health attitudes and behavior.

CONCLUSION

Dental students and students who were in advanced levels of their training along with female students demonstrated better oral health practices and perceptions than students in lower academic levels and male students, respectively. Additional studies for investigating the effectiveness and identifying areas requiring modification within the dental curriculum at KUHSC may be warranted.