scholarly journals Saving Senior Smiles: A Community Outreach Educational Program and Pilot Research Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 842-842
Author(s):  
Prajakta Joshi ◽  
Kadambari Rawal

Abstract Globally, poor oral health has been evidenced more frequently among older adults. Thus, it is imperative to develop strategies for improving the oral health knowledge and access to dental care amongst the older adult population. The Saving Senior Smiles (S3) pilot outreach program was launched as an oral health education and awareness program for community-dwelling older adults across senior centers in the greater Boston area (Massachusetts, USA). The outreach consisted of oral health educational seminars presented by pre- doctoral dental students from three dental schools in the Boston area. The presentations highlighted the significance of oral health, and the importance of seeking routine dental care. Pre and post-test surveys were administered to assess the participants’ utilization of oral health services and oral health knowledge. The surveys were completed by 85 older adults (Female= 58.8%) across five senior centers. Questions pertaining to utilization of dental services revealed that 78.8% of the participants had a dentist. Expectedly, the center that reported the greatest number of missing teeth (Fenway center= 70.6%) had the least number of individuals who had a dentist (58.3%). With regard to oral health knowledge, before the seminars, less than half of the participants (42.2% ) across all the senior centers were aware of the common oral conditions that affected older adults ( dry mouth, gum recession and changes in oral bacteria) and after the presentation over 60% of the participants responded correctly to these knowledge questions. Overall, these findings emphasize the value of simple community-based interventions for older adults.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 826-826
Author(s):  
S A Greenberg ◽  
C Chong ◽  
E Hartnett ◽  
G S Berkowitz ◽  
A B Schenkel ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana J Sharda ◽  
Srinath Shetty

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To assess and compare differences in oral health knowledge, attitudes and behavior among first and final year dental students in Udaipur city, Rajasthan, India. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a cross-sectional study, 182 first year students (59 males and 123 females) and 157 final year students (75 males and 82 females) of the two dental colleges in Udaipur city; Rajasthan, were surveyed using a self administered structured questionnaire including 37 multiple choice questions pre-tested through a pilot survey. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 10.0 . The mean percentage scores, standard deviation, and frequency distribution were calculated. The Student's T-test and ANOVA test were used as test of significance. The linear regression analysis were used to assess the relation of knowledge, attitude and behavior. RESULTS The mean % score for oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior were significantly higher in final year students compared to first year students. (p<0.001). The linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant linear relationship of attitude with the knowledge (p<0.001) and behavior with the attitude (p<0.001) of the students. CONCLUSION Besides the positive changes revealed in the oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior, among the students from first to final year of dental studies, preventive behavior among the students could still be improved.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 437-443
Author(s):  
Fatemah A. Ahmad ◽  
Mazen K. Alotaibi ◽  
Mohammad Abdul Baseer ◽  
Sanaa M. Shafshak

Abstract Objectives The primary aim of the current study is to relate oral health knowledge, attitude, and oral hygiene practice with the periodontal condition of both undergraduate and postgraduate dental students. Materials and Methods Data were collected through a combination of self-reported questionnaire and clinical examination. The estimated sample size was 246. Probing depths and clinical attachment loss were measured in interproximal sites, whereas the gingival index was calculated based on Ramfjord teeth. The Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Periodontology classification was used for periodontal diagnosis. The subjects were divided into three groups. Group 1 was composed of undergraduate, preclinical dental students, group 2 consisted of undergraduate clinical-year dental students, whereas group 3 included postgraduate residents. Results A total of 296 dental students participated in this study. Significant differences were found among the groups in their oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Gingival disease was detected among most of the participants (99.2–100%) with significant differences between different educational levels (group 1 = 1.13, group 2 = 1.16, group 3 = 0.96, p-value = 0.001). Sixty percent of dental students were diagnosed with periodontal disease regardless of its severity. A positive correlation was established between oral health knowledge and attitude and oral hygiene practice. In addition, gingival inflammation severity and the severity of periodontal disease showed a positive correlation. Conclusions This study highlighted the need to improve the oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental students. Gingival and periodontal inflammation was highly prevalent among participants.


Author(s):  
So Ran Kwon ◽  
Shirley Lee ◽  
Udochukwu Oyoyo ◽  
Seth Wiafe ◽  
Samantha De Guia ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Basma Ezzat Mustafa ◽  
Noorlide Abu Kasim ◽  
Lina Hilal Al-Bayati ◽  
Fatin Afiqah Zainudin ◽  
Najwa Amani Abu Osman

Introduction: To determine the levels of oral health knowledge of periodontal disease and its determinants among final year non-dental students of IIUM Kuantan Campus. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 284 final year non-dental students from five different kulliyyah using a validated structured questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of items to assess participants’ demographic and socioeconomic variables, dental health education, periodontal disease knowledge, and oral hygiene practice. The relationship between levels of knowledge with the socioeconomic background, oral hygiene practice, and dental health education were analyzed using Chi-square Test and One-way ANOVA. Statistical analysis was based on probability values of less than 0.05 (p<0.05). Results: 70.4% (200/284) of the participants were female and 29.6% (84/284) were male with mean age 23.5. Limited knowledge was seen more in non-medical students than medical students significantly (p<0.05) in periodontal disease factors (43.8% vs 21.8%), relationship with systemic disease (50.5% vs 29.6%), signs (28.6% vs 11.7%), symptoms (23.8% vs 10.1%), and prevention (26.7% vs 12.3%) whereas causes (34.3% vs 32.4%) and treatment (62.9% vs 58.1%) were not significantly different (p>0.05). Therefore, medical students had higher knowledge of periodontal disease (p<0.05) than those from non-medical students (26.8% vs 16.2%). There were no relationships between knowledge levels with other determinants. Conclusions: There were significant differences in level of periodontal disease knowledge except causes and treatment between medical and non-medical students. Thus, periodontal health knowledge education promotion should be emphasized among non-medical students. Further study should be carried out to improve oral hygiene practices among students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-153
Author(s):  
Brontё Chandrasekara ◽  
Annabel Carnley ◽  
Julia Csikar

BDJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azhar Abdulrahman Al-wesabi ◽  
Fatma Abdelgawad ◽  
Hisako Sasahara ◽  
Kamal El Motayam

Abstract Introduction The positive attitude and behaviour of dental students can be improved during their undergraduate studies and is considered an essential factor in promoting the oral self-care habits of their patients and society in general. Aim This study was conducted to evaluate the oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours among undergraduate dental students at a private university, based on the year of undergraduate studies. Material and methods A self-administered questionnaire based on the Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioural Inventory was distributed among 783 undergraduate dental students from 1st to 5th year. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. The Mann–Whitney U test and one-way ANOVA tests (Kruskal–Wallis test) were used. Results The scores of oral health knowledge, attitude and behaviour between preclinical and clinical dental students were found to have statistically significant differences (P < 0.001). The variation of knowledge, attitude and behaviour scores from 1st to 5th year undergraduate studies was shown to be statistically significant with the year of study (P < 0.001). The study showed significant improvement in the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of the final year dental students as compared with the 1st year dental students. Conclusion Preclinical students need properly designed oral health educational programs to increase their attitude and behaviour toward oral health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Muhammad Azim Syahmi Kamaruddin ◽  
Norsamsu Arni Samsudin

Mothers play a very significant role in influencing the oral health status of the family. Many studies have highlighted the importance of good oral health during pregnancy. This study aimed to assess knowledge, self-perceived oral health status, and practices of antenatal mothers in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia. A total of 76 antenatal mothers visiting Obstetrics & Gynaecology specialist clinic at Hospital USM were involved in this cross-sectional survey study. The questionnaires contained items related to oral health knowledge, self-perceived dental problems, barriers to seeking dental care, oral hygiene habits, perceptions of oral health, and access to dental care. Majority (98.7%) agreed that their oral health was important as part of general health. About 58% of them had answered correctly regarding oral health knowledge. Most respondents had self-perceptions of having dental problems during pregnancy, including cavitated teeth (34.4%) and sensitive teeth (20.5%). Regarding practice, only 35.3% visited a dentist in the last six months. Time constraints (52.4%) and safety concerns regarding dental treatment (26.2%) were the main barriers to seek dental care. Many (90%) brushed their teeth at least twice daily with adult fluoridated toothpaste, while some used mouthwash daily (36.8%) and flossed their teeth (11.8%). Antenatal mothers had an average level of knowledge regarding oral health, experienced dental problems during pregnancy and lacked awareness of a regular dental visit. Hence, there is a need for more vigorous oral health promotion, which also include antenatal care providers, to improve oral health awareness among antenatal mothers.


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