Aim: This study is proposed to assess the knowledge and practices among dental practitioners in the implementation of biomedical waste (BMW) management rules (2016) in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu; to assess the effective usage of the four colour-coded bins, those are used to handle the BMW; and to assess the service of the BMW collecting and disposing agents. Methodology: A questionnaire comprising of 12 closed-ended and 1 open-ended question regarding the dental practitioner's management of BMW in their daily clinical practice was developed. After validation, the questionnaire was sent as Google forms to 54 dental practitioners who are practicing at Kumbakonam, and responses were received from all. The collected data was entered in an Excel sheet, and then percentages were obtained for each response from the participants. Result: The most common challenges were, space-occupying BMW disposal bins as well as the lack of regular collection of BMW, this may be because the disposal agent's services cover a larger geographical area with lesser wastage collecting manpower. Though most of the study participants were well aware and practiced the management, still a small percentage of practitioners were lacking in this. The responses on storage and handling the BMW management reflect the knowledge gap in more than half of them. Conclusion: These challenges indicate the need for a well-established network of BMW collecting agencies and cost-effective, tailor-made colour-coded bins for suitable and continuous usage in dentistry.
Introduction: Tobacco has been traditionally used in many parts of India which was known to be associated with many oral mucosal lesions which has higher chance for morbidity and mortality. A cross sectional study was conducted in Chidambaram population to find the prevalence of oral mucosal lesion in association with tobacco and alcohol related habits. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 2246 participants from in and around Chidambaram who attended the outpatient department, during the period of 2months (December 2019 to January 2020). Data collected using questionnaire adapted from global adult tobacco survey questionnaire followed by oral examination. Result: Among the 2246, 161 participants has the habit of using smoking, chewing tobacco and alcohol consumption. This study has the predominance of participants who have combination habits such as smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption. Among the participants with oral mucosal lesion leukoplakia has higher predominance followed by tobacco pouch keratosis and smoker’s palate. Most of the lesions were present in the buccal mucosa. Conclusion: Prevalence of premalignant lesions in association with adverse habits was significant in our study. This shows necessity for early diagnosis and Awareness should be created to the public through anti-tobacco campaign by the government and private agencies. Tobacco cessation clinics should be opened in all primary health care centre and more knowledge should be created about premalignant lesion to prevent the morbidity and mortality rate.
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