Aim
To assess the effectiveness of two different methods of dental health education (DHE) for improving oral hygiene among hearing impaired adolescents in school aged 11‐20 years.
Methodology and Results
A randomized double blind controlled parallel time series trial was done among 178 hearing impaired adolescents. Considering existing literature, the required sample size was found to be 82 per group, at 95% confidence interval, design effect = 1, type I error = 5%, power of study = 80%, and 20% attrition rate. Two out of five schools were randomly selected. Different methods of DHE were used, schools were coded as School A (DHE using sign language by the investigator) and School B (DHE by conventional visual method, using only posters).
The mean reduction in Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI‐S), Plaque Index (PI), and Gingival Index (GI) scores was 1.13 ± 0.81, 0.66 ± 0.31, and 0.58 ± 0.32, respectively, in school A. The mean reductions seen in school B was 0.52 ± 0.89 in OHI‐S, 0.44 ± 0.44 in PI, and 0.34 ± 0.32 in GI index (P‐value < 0.05).
Conclusion
Basic training of dental professionals in sign language is both effective and feasible, and brings about greater improvement in oral hygiene status and gingival health as compared to the conventional methods of health education
AimTo assess the effectiveness of different parenting interventions for improving oral hygiene of cerebral palsy (CP) children aged 4‐12 years.Methodology and resultsA randomized controlled trial was done among 60 CP children and parents visiting a tertiary care center in New Delhi. The study population was randomly assigned to experimental or control group (30 in each group). Parents/caregivers in the experimental group (Group 1) received video‐based dental health education (DHE) and the control group (Group 2) received conventional DHE. Each group also received two telephonic reinforcements at fourth and eighth week after the first intervention at baseline. The groups were assessed for sociodemographic, familial factors, medical history, oral hygiene practices, and oral hygiene status.At 3‐month follow‐up, the mean reduction in simplified oral hygiene index (OHI‐S), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) scores was 0.27, 0.17, and 0.09, respectively, in Group 1 (P‐value < .05). The mean reductions seen in Group 2 were 0.03 in OHI‐S, 0.14 in PI, and 0.04 in GI index (P‐value < .05, except for GI score: P‐value = .6).ConclusionVideo‐based DHE is effective and brings about significant improvement in oral hygiene status and oral health among CP children.
INTRODUCTION
This study aimed to assess the availability of retailer storefronts that continued to sell electronic nicotine/non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS) in India, and characterise such retailers following the promulgation of 2019 Indian Ordinance and Act (Ordinance/Act) that prohibit ENDS/ENNDS nationwide.
METHODS
Discreet observations were conducted of retailer storefronts across different socioeconomic zones in nine major cities of India (Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Delhi, Indore, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Raipur, and Ranchi) from 28 November 2019 to 22 January 2020 to identify the availability of ENDS/ENNDS (i.e. electronic cigarettes, e-cigarette liquid, e-cigarette accessories, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and HTPs accessories). We report the number and proportion (%) of retailers that sold ENDS/ENNDS. Other characteristics of the retailers are also described, including indirect evaluation of the retailer’s awareness of the Ordinance/Act.
RESULTS
Of the 199 retailer storefronts visited, 37 (18.6%) sold ENDS/ENNDS and, therefore, did not comply with the Ordinance/Act. The highest availability of non-compliant retailers was in Kolkata (n=26; 83.9%). The majority of the non-compliant retailers were tobacco retailers (n=35; 94.6%), sold e-cigarettes (n=22; 59.5%), and e-cigarette accessories (n=24; 64.9%). Although many of the non-compliant retailers displayed their ENDS/ENNDS products (n=33; 89.2%) and did not feature health warnings related to ENDS/ENNDS (n=32; 86.5%) in the stores, nearly 90% (n=33) were aware of the Ordinance/Act.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite a nationwide ban, ENDS/ENNDS are still available in major cities in India, and concentrated in a particular city. Indian authorities should focus on law enforcement to ensure that the prohibition is effectively implemented.
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