Oral health assessment in a sample of displaced people as a result of the war in Syria in Damascus city: results of non-profit initiative

Background War on Syria extended for a long time and resulted in significant impacts on various aspects, one of these aspects was displaced people crisis, and thus its impact on complete neglecting of oral health despite of its importance and impacts on the general health. This study aims to assess the oral health of the displaced Syria sample as a result of the war on Syria. Methods The sample included 118 patients of displaced families from different regions and cities to shelters in Damascus city, and the study included 118 control samples from the Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University. The non-profit initiative team included 20 dentists of all dental specialties. Oral health was assessed using DMFT index. Data were analyzed using SPSS V.22 in comparison with the gender of the patients, age groups, and socioeconomic status. Finally, the number of the treatment provided by the non-profit initiative was collected and presented in the study. Results No significant differences found in the DMFT index between children and adults (P = 0.750), DMFT value ranged between (0 and 11) with a mean value (2.4). The total DMFT value for adults was (2.77), while for children (2.12). Also, no statistical difference was found between males and females (P = 0.688). While the control group had an average DMFT value of (2.37), the difference between the displaced and control samples was not significant. Over 200 dental treatments were provided by the team. Conclusion This study concluded that the DMFT value is high among the displaced people as one of the consequences of the war on Syria, however, no significant difference was found when the results of the displaced sample was compared to a control sample.

Oral Health Assessment in A Sample of Displaced People as A Result of The War on Syria In Damascus City: Results of Non-Profit Initiative

Background: War on Syria extended for a long time and which resulted in significant impacts on various aspects, one of these aspects was displaced people crisis, and thus its impact on complete neglecting of oral health despite of its importance and impacts on the general health. This study aims to assess the oral health of the displaced as a result of the war on Syria. Materials and Methods: the sample included 118 patients of displaced families from different regions and cities to shelters in Damascus city and Damascus suburbs, and the study sample included 118 control samples whose data were collected from the Faculty of Dentistry - Damascus University. The working team included 20 dentists of all dental specialties. Oral health was assessed using DMFT index. Results: the results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the DMFT index value between children and adults, where the value of DMFT was (0-11) with a mean value (2.4), as the total value of DMFT between the two age groups was greater in adults' group than the children group. The total DMFT value for adults was (2.77), while for children (2.12). Statistical difference was noticed only in the numbers of missing teeth between the two age groups (P = 0.000), and there was no statistical difference between males and females in term of the DMFT value (P = 0.688). Conclusion: This study concluded that the DMFT value is high among the displaced people as a result of the war on Syria.

An educational intervention for improving knowledge of Syrian school children about avulsion using the "save your tooth" poster

Background The prognosis of replantation of an avulsed tooth is affected by the first aid management in the first 15 min after traumatic incident. Knowledge of the optimal management is crucial to successful replantation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of educational intervention using the Arabic version of the "save your tooth" poster designed by the International Association of Dental Traumatology IADT, in improving the knowledge of schoolchildren about first aid management of avulsion of permanent teeth. Methods An interventional educational study was undertaken. A total of 550 schoolchildren aged 9–12 years participated in this study. Thirteen public primary schools in Damascus city were selected. A questionnaire was developed to measure the knowledge of schoolchildren about avulsion of permanent teeth. The translated IADT education poster about avulsion management was adopted.The content of this poster was explained to the children. Two months later, the subjects were re-evaluated using the same questionnaire. Paired sample t-test was used to test the differences existed between the two assessments. Result A total of 537 schoolchildren completed the questionnaires in which (n = 305) 57% were females and (n = 232) 43% were males. The findings demonstrated significant improvement in the participants’ responses after interventional education (P < 0.05). The mean score of knowledge increased significantly from 3.71 at the baseline to 4.03 after the intervention (P < 0.003). Conclusion The findings of the present study showed that the level of knowledge of Syrian schoolchildren regarding first-aid management of avulsion of permanent teeth was limited at the baseline. The follow-up results showed that the educational intervention based on the “save your tooth” poster was significantly effective in improving the knowledge of schoolchildren. Further interventions to educate all Syrian schoolchildren about avulsion could be of great value to prevent its negative aesthetic, functional, psychological, economic impacts.

An Educational Intervention for Improving Knowledge of Syrian School children About Avulsion

Objective:The prognosis of replantation of an avulsed tooth is affected by the first aid management in the first 15 minutes after traumatic incident. Knowledge of the optimal management is crucial to successful replantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of educational intervention using the Arabic poster prize in improving the knowledge of primary schoolchildren about firstaid management of avulsion.Methods: An interventional educational study was undertaken. A total of 550 schoolchildren aged 9-12 years participated in this study. Thirteen public primary schools in Damascus city were chosen. A questionnaire was developed to measure the knowledge of schoolchildren about avulsion management. The translated IADT education poster about avulsion management was adopted .The content of this poster was explained to the children. Two months later, the subjects were re-evaluated using the same questionnaire. Paired sample t-test was used to compare the improvement of knowledge before and after.Result:A total of 537 schoolchildren completed the questionnaires in which (N=305(57% were females and (N=232) 43% were males. The findings demonstrated significant improvement in the participants’ responses after 8 weeks(P<0.05). The mean score of knowledge increased significantly from 3.71 in baseline to 4.03 after 8 weeks(P<0.003). Conclusion: The educational intervention showed significant improvement intheirknowledge of children about avulsion after education.This interventional method can be suggested as a practical valuable tool that can be generalized to cover all children in Syrian society in the hope to prevent negative consequences of avulsion.

PATRONAGE OF ISLAMIC AND CONVENTIONAL BANKS: THE CASE OF SYRIA

The aim of this study is to understand perception of conventional banks’ customers towards Islamic banking by examining their level of awareness about Islamic banking. The qualitative approach was used in the form of semi-structured interviews under the phenomenological approach in Damascus city. The main findings of this research are customers lack awareness of Islamic banking operations. Furthermore, Islamic banks’ stuff play a crucial rule to enhance awareness and willingness towards their services. This study revealed that an informative advertising campaign is highly recommended to raise the awareness level among Syrians towards Islamic banking. Moreover, Islamic banks should be more selective especially when they recruit customer service operation staff. This research is a pioneering attempt towards Islamic banking issues in the case of Syria from a customer perspective. It contributes to the Syrian perceptions towards Islamic banking literature.