scholarly journals Amalgam phase-out, an environmental safety concern: a cross-sectional study among general dental practitioners in Lahore

Author(s):  
Salman A. Khan ◽  
Naima Khalid ◽  
Obaid Bajwa ◽  
Taha Qamar ◽  
Ali Kazmi ◽  
...  

Background: Amalgam has been the gold standard for restorations in posterior teeth. Mercury, a major component of dental amalgam, is considered an environmental pollutant. The Minamata Convention on mercury dictates the reduction in the use of mercury-containing products. Since Pakistan is a signatory to the convention, the same amalgam phase-out limitations are implemented in Pakistan. Aim: To identify and assess the use of amalgam and its waste management by dentists in Pakistan post-Minamata Convention guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore among 520 general dental practitioners in 2019. Results: The sample size for the study was calculated as 500; the questionnaire was distributed among 550 dentists. Dental amalgam was used by only 41.6% of the dentists in their practice; 55.0% perceived it to be a health risk. Most of the dentists (76.3%) were unaware of the proper disposal protocols for dental amalgam and 76.5% were unaware of any guidelines regarding amalgam use and disposal. Conclusion: Although there is gap in knowledge among the dentists when it comes to amalgam disposal, dentists in Pakistan are reducing their use of dental amalgam in accordance with the guidelines of the Minamata Convention.

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Tanzeela Imran ◽  
Naseer Ahmed ◽  
Bushra Nazeer

The purpose of this study was to determine the patterns of occlusal contacts and location in intercuspal position of natural teeth.A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of around seventy patients within a span of seven months, complete mouth impressions were made of each patient with hydrocolloid material and the impressions were poured in dental stone. The contact areas of the teeth in the maximum intercuspation position were determined by wax. Three distinct types of indentations were noted on the wax interocclusal record. Then similarly the centric occlusion contacts of the teeth on the cast were determined by interposing a new piece of wax, approximating the casts in the maximum intercuspation position by hand, and applying pressure. The oral and cast wax recordings were then compared. The occlusal relation for each individual tooth was then classified and recorded in a Performa.Following wax interocclusal record of natural teeth in intercuspation an ideal occlusion was absent, a difference in morphology of anterior and posterior teeth was also evident that inevitably affects the nature of occlusal contacts.The ideal occlusion was not found in any of the patient’s investigation.


Author(s):  
Vishal Mehrotra ◽  
Gauri Mishra ◽  
Rohan Sachdev ◽  
Kriti Garg ◽  
Sekhar Mukherjee ◽  
...  

Background: In the present era, forensic odontology has expanded as one of the most remarkable and commendable branches of Forensic Sciences. Through forensic odontology, a dentist plays a very important role in crime investigation of any type. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge, percipience and practical perception of forensic odontology among the dental practitioners in and around Kanpur city.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from Jan-Mar 2019 among 207 dental practitioners in and around Kanpur city including 143 BDS and 64 MDS through a questionnaire proforma. The proforma consisted of 20 questions prepared on the topic of forensic Odontology and role of dentist in the field of forensic Odontology.Results: In this study, nearly 70% of dental practitioners were aware of the role of dentist in forensics, and around 60% of dental practitioners maintain dental records with recording of personal data and clinical findings being the most frequently used method. In the present study most of the dental practitioners were not aware of significance of chelioscopy (63%) and rugoscopy (66%) in field of forensic Odontology. Nearly 70% of dentist accepted the fact that their level of knowledge regarding forensic dentistry is inadequate and nearly 40% of them were not confident in giving any opinion regarding the same.Conclusions: This study shows that although there is an adequate awareness of role of dentist in forensic Odontology, but there is lack of good knowledge, confidence and practical approach of the dental practitioners towards forensic Odontology which may be due to lack of training, experience, exposure in field of forensics. Thus, the need of the hour lies in updating the knowledge and also developing interest of the dental practitioners regarding forensic Odontology.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
A Suma Bindu ◽  
V Hirekalmath Sushanth ◽  
Mohamed Imranulla

ABSTRACT Introduction According to the World Health Organization, heart disease is the world's largest killer claiming 17.5 million lives every year. Every 29 seconds, an Indian dies of heart problem. It is important that every member of our community including dental practitioners be trained in high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as it is a basic medical skill, which can save many lives if implemented timely. Aim The aim of the study was to determine basic life support (BLS) knowledge, awareness, and attitude among clinical dental students (III and IV year students), interns, and postgraduate students in the dental colleges of Davangere city, Karnataka, India. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted by using a close-ended, validated questionnaire comprising 17 questions pertaining to demographic details, knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward BLS among clinical dental students in Davangere city. Descriptive, chi-squared test and Logistic regression were used to analyze the data using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Results After excluding the incomplete response forms, the data were analyzed for 495 responders with a response rate of 96.6%. In the present study, only 23.2% of the responders answered that the rate of chest compression is 100/minute in adults and children and 62.2% of the students were not aware of Heimlich maneuver. About 68.5% students had not attended previous BLS workshops. Conclusion The present study highlights that the overall knowledge, awareness, and attitude among dental students regarding BLS is not satisfactory in Davangere. This study emphasizes the fact that undergraduate course in dentistry must be regularly updated on the knowledge and skills regarding BLS along with practical courses. How to cite this article Bindu AS, Sushanth VH, Kumar PGN, Prashant GM, Imranulla M. Basic Life Support Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude among Dental Students in Davangere City, Karnataka, India: A Cross-sectional Study. J Oral Health Comm Dent 2017;11(2):23-28.


2019 ◽  
Vol 04 (10) ◽  
pp. 747-750
Author(s):  
Huma Sarwar ◽  
Meshal M Naeem ◽  
Hasan Afaq ◽  
Sania Riaz ◽  
Sadia Farooqi ◽  
...  

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