Oral health status, treatment needs, and patterns of utilization of dental services among village volunteers in Andhra Pradesh: A cross-sectional multi-stage cluster survey

Background

Community health depends on the leadership duties of a diverse population, such as village volunteers. Hence, a study was conducted to assess oral health status, treatment needs, and patterns of utilization of dental services among village volunteers in Andhra Pradesh state.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 village volunteers in Andhra Pradesh state, India. A multi-stage cluster sampling procedure was employed in sample selection. A questionnaire was used to review the pattern of utilization of dental services. World Health Organization Oral Health assessment form 1997 was used to evaluate oral health status and treatment needs. Data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Descriptive statistics were done.

Results

Out of 400, 18% had never visited the dental clinic in their lifetime. The majority (33.5%) considered that dental problems were not a serious concern. Dental caries was seen in 69.5%, and 78.5% were presented with periodontal conditions. About 19.8% and 24.3% had crowding and spacing in incisal segments, respectively. The prevalence of oral mucosal disorders and dental fluorosis was 4.25% and 8.75%, respectively. Overall, 94% of the study participants needed dental treatment for various reasons.

Conclusion

This study provides sufficient evidence to conclude that this population's oral health was poor, with increasing unmet dental treatment needs. Selected interventions and strategies should focus on these factors to decrease the burden of oral diseases among village volunteers.

Oral Health Status and Patterns of Dental Service Utilization of Adolescents in Lesotho, Southern Africa

This study aimed to characterize the best predictors for unmet dental treatment needs and patterns of dental service utilization by adolescents in the Kingdom of Lesotho, Southern Africa. A self-reported 40-item oral health survey was administered, and clinical oral examinations were conducted in public schools in Maseru from August 10 to August 25, 2016. Associations between psychosocial factors with oral health status and dental service utilization were evaluated using simple, bivariate, and multivariate regressions. Five hundred and twenty-six survey responses and examinations were gathered. The mean age of student participants was 16.4 years of age, with a range between 12 and 19 years of age. More than two thirds (68%; n = 355) of participants were female. The majority reported their quality of life (84%) and general health to be good/excellent (81%). While 95% reported that oral health was very important, only 11% reported their personal dental health as excellent. Three percent reported having a regular family dentist, with the majority (85%) receiving dental care in a hospital or medical clinic setting; only 14% had seen a dental professional within the previous two years. The majority of participants did not have dental insurance (78%). Clinical examination revealed tooth decay on 30% of mandibular and maxillary molars; 65% had some form of gingivitis. In multivariate analysis, not having dental education and access to a regular dentist were the strongest predictors of not visiting a dentist within the last year. Our results suggest that access to oral health care is limited in Lesotho. Further patient oral health education and regular dental care may make an impact on this population.

Extent of Awareness Regarding Oral Health and Dental Treatment Needs among Individuals with Hearing and Speech Impairments in Saudi Arabia

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate the awareness level of the individuals with hearing and speech impairments (deaf and dumb individuals), in relation to their oral health and dental treatment needs.

Materials and Methods:

The approach of stratified randomization method of sampling was used for the selection of participants. About 240 people with hearing and speech impairments (deaf and dumb) were selected from four cities of Saudi Arabia, which includes AlKharj, Riyadh, Dammam and Abha. A questionnaire of two sections was distributed among the participants for collecting data. A simple descriptive analysis was done, and the data were expressed in terms of frequencies and percentages. Microsoft Excel has been used for compilation of data and execution of graphs. Moreover, the questionnaire data were subject to SPSS data analysis (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0, Armonk, IBM Corp. NY).

Results:

Most of the participants were not aware of the importance of oral health. Majority of the participants described that they did not visit qualified dentists in the past and many of them did not know the right way of doing tooth brushing. Hence, deaf and dumb individuals lack basic knowledge about oral health and dental treatment needs.

Conclusion:

The study concluded that the awareness level of oral health and dental treatment needs is low among individuals with hearing and speech impairments (deaf and dumb) in Saudi Arabia.

Dental needs of psychiatric patient with eating disorders

AIM : Aim of this study is to determine the dental care needs of patients with eating disorders and the need of interdisciplinary collaboration of psychiatrists, psychologists and dentists. This gives the opportunity to complete diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

In this study, 40 daily treated psychiatric patients were examined. Patients with diagnoses of chapters F4.xx, F5x.x, F6x.x ICD-10, were included in the study.During a stomatological consultation detailed clinical examination was conducted, including oral health index - API. Swabs were taken for microbiological examination - bacteriological and mycological. Each patient was assigned for X-ray picture.

RESULTS

Among the patients many had poor oral hygiene, tooth enamel erosion, frequent oral infections both fungal and bacterial were present. All patients required dental treatment. In several cases there were severe symptoms in the form of large enamel erosion, and numerous chronic periapical inflammation requiring rapid intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental needs of patients with eating disorders are enormous and these patients often require immediate dental treatment. Interdisciplinary diagnosis and treatment provides complete picture of the patient's problems and the possibility of full recovery.

Oral health status and needs of homebound elderly in an urban home-based primary care service

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the oral health status, dental utilization and dental needs of the homebound elderly (HBE) care patients within the Mount Sinai Visiting Doctor program.

METHODS

Of the 334 eligible patients, 57% agreed to participate and 95.4% completed the clinical examinations, the Dental Utilization and Needs survey and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index conducted in each subject's home by a trained research team.

RESULTS

Among 75% who were dentate subjects, 40% needed restorative dental care, 45.6% needed dental extractions, and 33% complained of current oral pain. Overall, 92.0% needed some type of dental care and 96% stated that they had not seen a dentist since they became homebound (mean number of years in program = 3.2 ± 2.58).

CONCLUSION

Findings show the oral health status of these homebound elderly was poor and their quality of life was significantly affected by the lack of basic dental care.