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Fulltext Dental knowledge and self-reported oral care practices among medical, pharmacy and nursing students

Tuti Ningseh Mohd-Dom, Shahida Mohd Said, Zamirah Zainal Abidin

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2009;7(1):13-23.
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A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the level of dental knowledge among senior medical, pharmacy and nursing students of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and to determine self-reported practices of oral care. Students were invited to complete a set of questionnaires on knowledge related to causes, prevention, signs and treatment of dental caries and periodontal disease; and practices related to oral hygiene and dental visits. A total of 206 questionnaire forms were distributed. 204 forms were returned complete (response rate = 99%). Dental knowledge scores ranged from 0 (no correct answer given) to 16 (gave all correct answers). The mean knowledge scores between the groups were statistically different (p < 0.05): pharmacy students scored highest (mean = 12.29, 95% CI 11.44, 13.14) followed by the medical students (mean = 12.02, 95% CI 11.33, 12.71) and nursing students (mean = 10.83, 95% CI 10.40, 11.26). Areas that had lowest knowledge scores were signs and treatment of gum disease. With regard to oral care practices, majority cited that they brushed teeth at least twice a day (94.6%) and used toothbrush and toothpaste (97.5%). Not many (21.8%) used dental floss and about half (54.2%) reported visiting the dentist more than twelve months ago. Reasons for dental visits included getting check-ups (64.6%), restorations (45.6%) and emergency care such as extractions (24.0%). In general students had at least a moderate level of dental knowledge but demonstrated poor knowledge in some areas. While most reported good oral hygiene habits, behaviour related to dental visits need to be improved. Findings suggest a need for inclusion of oral health education in the medical, pharmacy and nursing curriculum.
Fulltext Oral health awareness and status among Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia first year dental students

Zamirah Zainal Abidin, Shahida Mohd Said, Irma Shida Abu Samah, Mohd Yufi Ariandi Mohd Yusoff

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2005;3(1):1-16.
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The oral health awareness and status among the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia first year dental students were studied. Seventy-three subjects underwent two components of assessment: questionnaire assessing oral health awareness and behaviour, and clinical examination of oral health status. Indices used including Plaque, Calculus, Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs (CPITN) and total score of Decayed, Missing, Filled and teeth indicated for Extraction (DMFX[T]). More than 90% of the subjects were reported to brush their teeth twice or more daily and used supplemental cleaning tools. They also knew the importance of healthy oral condition, the various causes and prevention of tooth decay and gum diseases. Although 70.3% felt they need dental treatment, the majority (81.9%) visited the dentist only when they feel it is necessary to do so. Clinical examination showed low scores of 0.99 and 0.40 for mean plaque and calculus indices, respectively, while 80.8% of the subjects have mild calculus accumulation. Code 2 of the CPITN Index was the highest (70.3%) among the subjects. The total DMFX was 291, with mean score of 0.14 per subject and the decayed component was the highest (D=186 teeth). These findings suggest that the subjects have acceptable oral health awareness, and also good existing oral health status.
Fulltext Oral health knowledge among healthcare professionals and their challenges in dealing with patients’ oral health problems

Dzulqarnain Ahmad Iskandar Shah, Nursabrina Roslan, Khairun ‘Izzah Zamansari, Tuan Nur Athirah Tuan Mohd Rahimi, Shahida Mohd-Said, Haslina Rani, et al.

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2020;18(2):39-47.
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The important role of non-dental healthcare professionals (HCPs) in promoting oral health is well-accepted and has received increased attention in recent years. However, greater efforts are needed to train them in ensuring better competency in delivering this role. The aim of the present study is to assess oral health and care knowledge among HCPs by further exploring possible challenges faced by them in managing oral health problems, particularly in regard to patients in a public primary healthcare clinic. In the case of the current research, a focus group discussion was carried out with ten HCPs who are directly involved with patients from different units within the health clinics. In particular, the questions developed for the focus group discussion were divided into two parts: (1) knowledge on oral health and its link to general health, and (2) issues and challenges faced by HCPs in handling patients with oral health problems in their daily routine. The session was recorded on a digital audio tape, the responses were then transcribed, followed by the grouping of the scripts which were then qualitatively analysed. The results revealed that majority of the participants appeared to have good knowledge of general and basic oral health; however, only very few of them were aware of the relationship between oral health problems with systemic conditions. Meanwhile, one of the main challenges faced by HCPs in handling patients with oral health problems is their limited knowledge of oral health problems. Specifically, the main challenges refer to the management of medically compromised patient requiring dental treatment as well as the difficulty in changing the mindset of patients regarding oral health issues, especially in terms of seeking dental treatment. In conclusion, it has been clearly observed that HCPs involved in the present study have good knowledge of general health and oral health but limited knowledge related to oral health to systemic health. Furthermore, they tend to face numerous challenges when dealing with patients, especially due to their limited knowledge of oral health facts and drug prescription for oral problems. Therefore, there is an urgent need of additional training for both HCPs and dental teams for the purpose of enabling both parties to provide coordinated and comprehensive service to patients with oral health problems at the primary healthcare clinics.
Keywords: Interprofessional collaboration; care coordination; multidisciplinary; oral health knowledge; healthcare professionals
Effect of vitamin E on periodontitis: Evidence and proposed mechanisms of action

Shadisvaaran S, Chin KY, Shahida MS, Ima-Nirwana S, Leong XF

J Oral Biosci, 2021 06;63(2):97-103.
PMID: 33864905 DOI: 10.1016/j.job.2021.04.001

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a noncommunicable inflammatory disease of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth in the jaw, which affects susceptible individuals with poor oral hygiene. A growing interest has been seen in the use of dietary supplements and natural products for the treatment and prevention of periodontitis. Vitamin E consists of two major groups, namely tocopherols and tocotrienols, which are botanical lipophilic compounds with excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
HIGHLIGHT: This review aimed to summarize the preclinical and clinical findings on the effects of vitamin E on periodontitis. The current literature suggests that vitamin E could improve the periodontal status by correcting redox status imbalance, reducing inflammatory responses, and promoting wound healing, thus highlighting the potential of vitamin E in the management of periodontitis.
CONCLUSION: Direct evidence for the use of vitamin E supplementation or treatment of periodontitis in humans is still limited. More well-designed and controlled studies are required to ascertain its effectiveness.