Association of problematic Internet use and oral health-related quality of life among medical and dental students

Background The Internet as a communication tool is an essential component of daily life. Nowadays, problematic Internet use (PIU) has led to various psychosocial problems that can indirectly lead to oral diseases due to neglect of healthy behaviors. Also, college students are a large proportion of Internet users. The present study aimed to determine the association between problematic Internet use and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among medical and dental students. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on medical and dental students in the first and second years of education (basic sciences courses) at the Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, between January and July 2020. The data collection process was carried out in the following sequence: questionnaire on demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, academic field, and year); Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ); and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Results Among 268 medical and dental students, 171 students (63.81%) [95% confidence interval: 58.02%- 69.60%] had problematic Internet use. The mean PIU score in the first-year was significantly higher than the second-year students. In addition, 65% of single students and 25% of married subjects were dealing with PIU. The statistical difference between mean OHIP scores among PIU students (12.5 ± 2.9), with average Internet usage (7.39 ± 6.6), was significant. The Spearman correlation coefficient between PIU and OHIP was 0.309 and significant (P-value < 0.000001). It indicates that students with higher PIU showed higher OHIP scores. Conclusion The present study showed that problematic Internet use was significantly associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among first and second-year medical and dental students. Thus, the students with problematic Internet use experienced a poorer oral health-related quality of life than average Internet users. Furthermore, appropriate preventive and interventional strategies need to be developed to encourage rational use of the Internet to protect the users' oral health, especially among medical and dental students.

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: A Multinational Multi-Center Survey on the Medical and Dental Students' Perception

Background: The emerging field of artificial intelligence (AI) will probably affect the practice for the next generation of doctors. However, the students' views on AI have not been largely investigated.Methods: An anonymous electronic survey on AI was designed for medical and dental students to explore: (1) sources of information about AI, (2) AI applications and concerns, (3) AI status as a topic in medicine, and (4) students' feelings and attitudes. The questionnaire was advertised on social media platforms in 2020. Security measures were employed to prevent fraudulent responses. Mann-Whitney U-test was employed for all comparisons. A sensitivity analysis was also performed by binarizing responses to express disagreement and agreement using the Chi-squared test.Results: Three thousand one hundred thirty-three respondents from 63 countries from all continents were included. Most respondents reported having at least a moderate understanding of the technologies underpinning AI and of their current application, with higher agreement associated with being male (p &lt; 0.0001), tech-savvy (p &lt; 0.0001), pre-clinical student (p &lt; 0.006), and from a developed country (p &lt; 0.04). Students perceive AI as a partner rather than a competitor (72.2%) with a higher agreement for medical students (p = 0.002). The belief that AI will revolutionize medicine and dentistry (83.9%) with greater agreement for students from a developed country (p = 0.0004) was noted. Most students agree that the AI developments will make medicine and dentistry more exciting (69.9%), that AI shall be part of the medical training (85.6%) and they are eager to incorporate AI in their future practice (99%).Conclusion: Currently, AI is a hot topic in medicine and dentistry. Students have a basic understanding of AI principles, a positive attitude toward AI and would like to have it incorporated into their training.

Hurdles in the Access of Regular Dental Care among the Medical & Dental Students of Lahore

Introduction: Despite the great leaps in oral health globally, many countries of the world still face a horde of dental problems. Especially poverty ridden populations of the developing nations. Distribution of oral disease varies among different communities and sometimes even in the same community due to various environmental factors, factors of personal hygiene and oral habits among different demographics. However, the condition of oral health in the patients of Lahore is abysmal as determined by various previous dental surveys. The prevalence of cavities in dental patients is 82.3% while the rest of 17.7% have swollen gums, abscess, infection, and pain. Thus, this study aims to test the barriers in the way of regular dental care by evaluating a major portion of medical and dental students by using a cross sectional, questionnaire-based study, and to make regular dental care more accessible to the students of this metropolis. Objective: To determine the factors that become a hurdle in the way of regular dental care among the medical and dental students of Lahore and to pave the way for further studies on this topic. Methodology: This survey, after approval from the Internal Review Board of de’Montmorency College of Dentistry, was carried out from July to October 2021. Sample size was calculated using OpenEpi, keeping the confidence level at 95% and the margin of error at 6%. The sampling population included 234 respondents who were randomly selected from 4 different medical and dental colleges of Lahore including both public and private sector colleges. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire titled; Questionnaire for Assessment of Perceived Oral Health Care Needs, Barriers to Accessing Oral Health Care Services and Its Utility8. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS® version 22. Result: All of the participants were students of medical and dental colleges of Lahore. More than half of the participants agreed to have not visited a dentist regularly for regular checkups for maintenance of oral health. About 55% of the participants agreed to not visiting a dentist due to fear of infection transmission. We also found a significant association between the stream of education and regular dental visits (p=0.000). Conclusion: For medical and dental students, the biggest barrier in regular oral healthcare is fear of infection transmission, and unavailability of time. However, fear of dental procedures and high cost of service also play a role. Moreover, the high cost of service is not as strong of a factor as it is for the general population.

Exploring the Impact of Exam Anxiety by Using Vas Scale Among Students of Private Medical College Pakistan

Background:To assess examination related anxiety among medical students by using VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and to explore the factors adding to exam anxiety among medical students. Objectives: The study was conducted to investigate Exam anxiety and its influencing factors on medical and dental students at the Private Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan, The study was conducted to exploring exam anxiety and its influencing factors on medical and dental students of Private Medical College, Lahore- Pakistan Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students from central park medical college Lahore. The survey included statements about the demographic profile of the study participants and used the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale).Pre- designed questionnaire was used to collect the data. The multiple rounds of data collection were done. The data was analyzed by SPSS 24. Chi- square test was applied to obtain the required results. Results: Sign andsymptoms regarding exam anxiety among male and female students of different years of MBBS showed mild anxiety level during exams in male 20(14.8%) compared with female students showed 14(8.5%), moderate anxiety among males observed in 3rdyear 29(67.4%) compared with female of the same years was moderately high as 43(78.2%), maximum anxiety among 2ndyears male and femalestudents as 21(63.6%) versus 30(65.2%) respectively with p=0.001 showed there is statistically significant difference among anxiety level of male and female medical students. Conclusion: This study indicates moderate level of exam anxiety based on a Visual Analogue Scale in students of a medical college and also highlights factors such as extensive course load, lack of exercise and long duration of exams which contribute to Exam Anxiety. Keywords: Visual Analogue Scale, Exam Anxiety, Anxiety

Mean Knowledge Score of Self-Medication among First and Second Year Medical and Dental Students in a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Self-medication is common among medical students. Medical and dental students can also educate the population about the use of medicines. The aim of the study was to find the mean knowledge score of self-medication among first and second year medical and dental students at a medical college in Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a medical college from 1st to 28th February 2021 using a structured online questionnaire after obtaining approval from the Institutional Review Committee (approval number 077/78/32). Convenience sampling method was undertaken. The responses were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26. Results: Out of 173 students the mean±SD knowledge score was 79.47±6.76. The mean knowledge score of the participants of age group 17-18, 19-20 and 21-22 years were 83.8, 79 and 79.1 respectively. The mean knowledge scores of the male and female participants were 80.2 and 78.6 respectively. Similarly, the knowledge scores of respondents from undergraduate medical and dental backgrounds were 80.1 and 77.7 respectively. Conclusions: Knowledge of self-medication was high among the students. However, educational sessions to further improve and strengthen knowledge can be carried out to improve the knowledge.

Schulich students for emergency childcare: Results of a community initiative during COVID-19

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic led to the abrupt suspension of many businesses and services in Ontario including schools and childcare centres. This resulted in many parents struggling to identify options for childcare, including frontline healthcare workers (HCWs). A volunteer initiative composed of medical and dental students was developed to provide emergency childcare support to HCWs in Southwestern Ontario. Experts in areas of public health, law, and bioethics were consulted to minimize the risks associated with participation and develop a clear policy to prioritize the health and safety of all participants. Social media was utilized to recruit volunteers and HCWs who were matched on a first-come, first-served basis. 59 medical and dental students were recruited to provide emergency support for 21 HCWs within the unique safety and ethical conditions posed by COVID-19. By reflecting on the strengths of this initiative and the challenges faced during its completion, key areas of improvement were identified that should be addressed in future initiatives of a similar nature.

Comparative Assessment of Motivation for Career Choice Among Students Studying in a Private Medical Institution

Aims: (a) To compare career choice motivations between medical and dental students from the same institution and (b) To compare career choice motivations between male and female students at the institution. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study where 304 students answered a questionnaire regarding career choice motivations. Responses consisted of 6 dimensions and 18 items. SPSS 23 was used for data analysis. Results: Both medical and dental students gave similar responses to career choice motivators with only one item showing a significant difference, diverse career opportunities, favoured more by medical students (p=.032). Both groups were more motivated by professional status and opportunity to care for people, less by working hours and high income. Genders showed significant differences in the dimensions of status and security (p=.004), and nature of occupation (p=.0001), with males scoring higher. From individual items, professional status was the highest motivator (92% males, 84.5% females). The lowest motivators for males was high income and regular working hours (both 60%) and regular working hours for females (31.1%) followed by high income (42.7%). Significant differences were seen in secure career (p=.004), regular working hours, (p=.0001), opportunity for self-employment (p=.013), use of manual skills (p=.012), general interest in science (p=.043), and high income (p=.0001), all favoured more by males. Conclusion: Both medical and dental students selected their careers for mainly professional and altruistic considerations rather than monetary gain, however, males were more highly motivated by status, security and income compared to females. Keywords: Career choice, dental students, gender, medical students, motivation.

Evaluation of Learning Environment among First year MBBS and BDS Students at a Private Malaysian University

Background: The learning environment has a significant impact on the academic success and learning process of students. Implementing a high-quality, student-centered curriculum demands an assessment of the educational environment. The focus of this study was to compare the learning environments of first-year medical and dental students at a private Malaysian University using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire, a validated method for evaluating educational environments. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was undertaken with students who agreed to participate. The trial lasted three months. After obtaining consent from students for participation, demographic information was gathered. Students in the lecture hall were given physical copies of the DREEM questionnaire to assess their learning environment. A total of 225 students participated, and IBM SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data. The Chi-square and Student t tests were employed to establish the existence of an association or difference between two variables. Result: A total of 225 students were involved in this study showing 100% response rate. The total score indicated that the majority (84%) regarded the educational environment was outstanding, 15.56 percent had a more promising opinion, and a very small percentage (0.44%) believed the educational environment was terrible. In this study with noteworthy findings, medical students were happier with their lecturers and with their own academic abilities than dental students. The weakest 19 questions were identified. Most respondents had extremely favorable attitudes toward the educational environment, followed by a moderately favorable opinion. Less than 1% of pupils exhibited a negative attitude. Conclusion: In this study, perceptions of the educational environment was satisfactory for both medical and dental students, but more positive for medical students. Measures must be taken to improve the scores and ensure that the scores are consistent across both faculties.