Background: COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unpre-cedented strike on humanity around the world . The scenario in Bangladesh is getting worse day by day, and every aspect of the society is observing its impact. Health care professionals are at a greater risk of contracting the disease while caring for patients. Objective: The research objective is to explore knowledge, awareness, and practices of registered dentists regarding COVID-19 epidemiology and transmission during the rapid outbreak of this highly contagious virus in Bangladesh. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among the dentists who were enrolled with their valid unique Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) registration number. A structured questionnaire was distributed among the dentists through different social media platforms. A total of 184 dentists participated in the survey between March and April 2020. Both descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: The dentists' mean age was 31.75 years, with a standard deviation of 6.5 years. About 29.3% of dentists completed their postgraduate qualification, and 76% of them were engaged in private practice at the time of data collection. Compared to the dentists with undergraduate education, the dentists with a postgraduate education are three times (OR=3.1, 95%CI 1.2-7.9 and over 5 times (OR=5.3, 95% CI: 1.2-23.3) more likely to have) better knowledge and practices toward COVID-19 respectively. Dentists aged 26-30 years are less likely to have good practices than the younger dentists (OR: .1; 95% CI: .01-.5). However, dentists with less than five years experience are 10.3 (1.6-68.9) times more likely to have good practices compared to the dentists with more experience. Conclusion: Majority of the dentists from Bangladesh have shown good knowledge, awareness, and practice regarding COVID-19. We recommend that the healthcare authorities, professional organizations, and hospitals coordinate, and conduct mandatory advanced infectious disease training for all the practicing dentists in the country.

Background: Psychological sufferings are observed among dental students during their academic years, which had been intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: This study assessed the levels and identified factors associated with psychological distress, fear and coping experienced by dental undergraduate students in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross sectional online survey was conducted during October-November, 2021. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) were used in order to assess psychological distress, fear and coping strategies, respectively. Results: A total of 327 students participated; the majority (72%) were 19–23 years old and females (75%). One in five participants were infected with COVID-19 and 15% reported contact with COVID-19 cases. Negative financial impact (AOR 3.72, 95% CIs 1.28–10.8), recent or past COVID-19 infection, and contact with COVID-19 cases were associated with higher levels of psychological distress; but being a third year student (0.14, 0.04–0.55) and being satisfied about current social life (0.11, 0.03–0.33) were associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Being a third year (0.17, 0.08–0.39) and a fourth year student (0.29, 0.12–0.71) were associated with lower levels of fear. Health care service use and feeling positive about life were associated with medium to high resilience coping. Conclusions: This study identified dental students in Bangladesh who were at higher risk of psychological distress, fear and coping during the ongoing pandemic. Development of a mental health support system within dental institutions should be considered in addition to the academic and clinical teaching.

Purpose of this study was to investigate the most common accurate position of the mental foramen in selected Bangladeshi population which helps in several clinical procedure and nerve block anesthesia.The study sample included one hundred and one panoramic radiographs of selected urban population of Bangladesh taken in Out Patient Department, Update Dental College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The most common Horizontal position of the mental foramen was below the root of second premolar tooth (37.6%). In vertical axis, the location of MF in lower half of body of mandible was found in all OPGs (100%).In vertical distance, Position B, which is measured by distance between 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm,is the most common position of MF in all aspect as viewed in OPGs in Bangladeshi population.In this study, the difference of the location of the mental foramen in different ethnics groups was discussed. Clinicians and anthropologists should expect to find the position of the mental foramen to be symmetrical and below the root of second premolar tooth.Update Dent. Coll. j: 2015; 5 (1): 03-09

Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practices of registered dentists regarding COVID-19 epidemiology and transmission during the rapid outbreak of this highly contagious virus in Bangladesh. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among the dentists who were enrolled with their valid unique Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) registration number. A validated questionnaire was developed and distributed among the dentists by using different social media platforms. A total of 184 dentists participated in the survey between March and April 2020. Both descriptive analysis logistic regression analysis was performed.Results: The mean age of the dentists is 31.75 years, with a standard deviation of 6.5 years. About 29.3% of dentists completed their postgraduate qualification, and 76% of them are engaged in private practice. The dentists who completed postgraduate education are three times more likely to know (OR=3.1, 95%CI 1.2-7.9) about COVID-19 compared to the dentists who completed an undergraduate degree. It is also observed that the dentists who are employed in private and independent settings are four times (OR=4, 95%CI 0.7-24) more likely to follow safe practice compared to the dentists who are engaged in the government hospitals or clinics.Conclusion: The dentists from Bangladesh have shown good knowledge, awareness, and practice regarding COVID-19. We recommend that the healthcare authorities, professional organizations, and hospitals coordinate, and conduct mandatory advanced infectious disease training for all the practicing dentists in the country.

Background: Psychological sufferings are observed among dental students during their academic years, which had been intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: This study assessed the levels and identified factors associated with psychological distress, fear and coping experienced by dental undergraduate students in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross sectional online survey was conducted during October-November, 2021. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) were used in order to assess psychological distress, fear and coping strategies respectively. Results: A total of 327 students participated; the majority (72%) were 19-23 years old and females (75%). One in five participants were infected with COVID-19 and 15% reported contact with COVID-19 cases. Negative financial impact (AOR 3.72, 95%CIs 1.28-10.8), recent or past COVID-19 infection, contact with COVID-19 cases were associated with higher levels of psychological distress; but being a 3rd year student (0.14, 0.04-0.55) and being satisfied about current social life (0.11, 0.03-0.33) were associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Being a 3rd year (0.17, 0.08-0.39) and a 4th year student (0.29, 0.12-0.71) were associated with lower levels of fear. Health care service use and feeling positive about life were associated with medium to high resilience coping. Conclusions: This study iden-tified dental students in Bangladesh who were at higher risk of psychological distress, fear and coping during the ongoing pandemic. Development of mental health support system within dental institution should be considered in addition to the academic and clinical teaching.

This cross-sectional type of descriptive study was conducted to assess the DMFT, oral health related behavior and practice in Rajer Deuri Government primary school in old Dhaka, Bangladesh.About 158 school children were selected by the purposive type of non-probability sampling technique. Face to face interview with questionnaire followed byChecklist. Out of 158 students, 78 (49.4%) were 12-14 years whereas maximum 80 (50.6%) of them were male and 78 (49.4%) were female. Againmajority students fathers were secondary level 34.2 and mothers were primary level passed 41.1%. Maximum family income belongs to 81 (51.3%) which is ranges from 10000-20000 Tk.Majority 89(56.3%) of the respondents never visited dentist. Again, maximum uses tooth paste with brushes 155(98.1%) and also majority 64(40.5%). use a new tooth brush as long as last Maximum make a visit to the dentist about 62(39.2%) on having toothache. Moreover,though128 (81.0%) agree that consumption of sugar in between meals causes dental caries but 130(82.3%) did not know about fluoride. Again, 64(40.5%) respondents knows not cleaning their teeth may cause tooth decay. In addition, 89(56.3%) students don’t know aboutgum bleeding while 52(32.9%). About 116 (73.4%) of the students didn’t know how to protect their gumMoreover, 118(74.7%) & 135(85.4%) of the respondents don’t know about dental plaque & calculus but 136(86.1%) & 98(62.0%) knows sweet food & soft drinks may affect dental health. Again, maximum 100(63.3%) respondents think that the health of mouth impact on the health of body as well as their treatment is also important. About130 (82.3%) of the respondents thinks that brushing teeth may prevent tooth decay while maximum 134 (84.8%) of the respondents did not know using fluoride strength their teeth. Maximum, 122 (77.2%) & 134(84.8%) did not know using toothbrush& floss help them preventing periodontal disease. Though 79(50.0%) of the respondents mentioned that using toothbrush & flossing is the best method for prevention of tooth decay. About 89(56.3%) of the respondents brush their teeth more than 2 minutes. Maximum 83(52.5%) & 129 (81.6%) of them did not know about the number of their permanent & deciduous tooth. About 136(86.1%) of the students did not know eruption time of 1st permanent molar. Finally, 118 (74.7%) out of 158 get knowledge about oral health from their family.There is a significant association between fathers & mothers education with knowledge which resembles (P value is 0.001). Again, therewas a statistical significant association between cleaning in between teeth and their knowledge (P value is 0.012) and also on having toothache maximum did not visit to the dentist where (P value is <0.001).There is also statistical significant association between DMFT and their knowledge where (P value is 0.004).Finally, a comprehensive oral health educational program for both children and their parents are required to achieve this goal. Update Dent. Coll. j: 2021; 11(2): 20-25

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