Educational Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:2 Issue: 3, Jan 2014

Education is a powerful tool in reducing dental diseases. It is known as an essential part of oral health services. This study evaluated the impact of education on oral health behavior of students based on health belief model. This educational intervention study was carried out on secondary school girls of Paveh, Iran in 2011. A standard questionnaire was used to collect the data, including demographic characteristics, dimensions of health belief model and performance of students before and after intervention. The educational intervention was conducted over three sessions. To examine differences between groups in terms of demographic factors,dimensions of health belief model and performance status before and after the intervention, Chi-square test and logistic regression were used. P<0.05 was considered significant. Sixty students were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Among the demographic variables, only maternal education was significantly different between the two groups (P 0.02). Educational intervention significantly improved the perceived susceptibility (P=0.006), perceived severity (P=0.007), perceivedbarriers (P=0.01), and use of dental floss (P=0.009) in the intervention group. However, the impact on perceived barriers, cues to action, and brushing performance were not found significant (P>0.05). The importance of education caused promoting dental health behaviors of students. It also emphasized adopting more appropriate methods for oral health training.

Basic science course plays a pivotal role in the academic achievement of the students. The scientific background and educational performance of the students are also influential in this period. The aim of the present study was to investigate the educational status of dental basic science course in the first three admissions (2009-2011) and its association with students’ educational background in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS). In this descriptive cross-sectional study, all dental students admitted to school of dentistry in 2009-2011 years were included. The students’ academic background (scores, grade point average, score of comprehensive basic sciences examination (CBSE) were recorded. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test. Kermanshah dental students admitted to university in 2009-2011 were mostly female (59.2%), belonged to regions 2 and 3 (81.6%) of university entrance exam, had sciences diploma (89.8%) and their grade point average of diploma was nearly 18. There was a significant difference between the three groups of students admitted to university in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Arabic, English language and Theology lessones of entrane exam (P<0.05). The students’ failure rate was 1.5% in university coureses. They all (100%) passed CBSE and were ranked second nationally in the year. There was no significant difference between male and female students in terms of age, diploma grade point average, grade point average of basic sciences and score of CBSE. Basic science courses of dentistry in Kermanshah enjoyed a rather constant status and students had a good academic level in these courses.

The present study was conducted to analyze the knowledge of general dentists of Kermanshah about root canal therapy in 2012. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a two-part questionnaire was designed and given to 93 general dentists in Kermanshah to complete. The first part of the questionnaire comprised of personal and professional information of the participant dentists and the second part of the questionnaire determined the awareness of the dentists about root canal therapy. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 20) using Pearson correlation coefficient, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test. A total of 84 dentists with the mean age of 39.3±7.1 completed the questionnaires. The mean for 12 correct responses was 63.3%. The highest number of correct responses (86.2%) belonged to using proper intra-canal medication (calcium hydroxide) and the lowest number of correct responses (41.4%) was associated with the number of root canals in maxillary first molar (four canals). There was a reverse correlation between awareness and work experience (P=0.002, r=-0.337). Also, participation in retraining courses did not have significant impact on the knowledge of the dentists (P =0.82). General dentists have average knowledge about root canal therapy. Higher quality regular training is recommended to promote the knowledge of the dentists about endodontic therapies.

Periradicular surgery is an appropriate treatment method for dental periradicular impairments. The present study was carried out to analyze the knowledge of general dentists and dental specialists about periradicular surgery. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 93 general dentists and 7 dental specialists (Endodontists and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons) in Kermanshah. Data were collected by a standard questionnaire including demographic information and technical questions about the principals of periradicular surgery. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 17) using t-test and Chi-square. The knowledge of the specialists with the mean of 7.4 for correct responses was considered good and for general dentists, the mean of 5.1 for correct responses was considered average. There was a significant correlation between the educational status of the participants (specialists and general dentists) and their knowledge (P<0.001). Participation in retraining courses did not have any significant effect on the knowledge of specialists and general dentists on the principles of periradicular surgery (P<0.05). However, there was a significant difference between the work experience of the participants and their knowledge on periradicular surgery, so that by increasing the work experience, the knowledge of general dentists and specialists decreased (P<0.001). The knowledge of general dentists in Kermanshah about the principles of periradicular surgery was at average level. Endodontists and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are recommended to carry out periradicular surgery as a typical part of clinical therapy.

Studies conducted in Iran indicated dissatisfaction of many students of dentistry in acquiring sufficient skill to carry out therapeutical procedures. The present study was aimed to analyze the effect of short lectures on promoting the knowledge of interns in Endodontic course. In this quasi-experimental study, theknowledge and skill of the experimental group (teaching via short lectures) and control group (traditional teaching method) were compared in Endodontic course. Totally 20 students were included in each experimental and control group. Data were collected by a questionnaire consisting of two sections: demographic information and self-evaluation of the endodontics’ knowledge and skill (30 questions). The means of scores in the pre-test and pot-test in control group were 99±11.2 and 102±11.7, respectively (P=0.13) and the means of scores in experimental group were 100±9.4 and 119±13.7 indicating a significant difference (P<0.05). Short lecture as a simple, inexpensive and less time consuming method is an efficient method to promote the knowledge in Endodontic course.

Timing and the performance are important factors in the management of dental trauma. The present study was conducted to determine knowledge and effect of demographic factors of primary school teachers in Kermanshah on the management of dental trauma. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 145 randomly selected primary school teachers were investigated. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were analyzed by SPSS 17 software. Findings of this study indicated that knowledge of the primary school teachers about the management of dental trauma was insufficient and no significant relationship was observed between gender, experience, academic rank, the number of exposures to dental trauma and the teachers’ knowledge regarding the management of the avulsed or fractures teeth (P>0.05). We recommend in-service training courses and updating the teachers’ information for the management of dental trauma.

The principles of infection control should be seriously taken into account by the dentists to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and the consequent risks. The aim of the present study was to determine the knowledge of the general dentists of Kermanshah about the principles of infection control in 2012. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 95 general dentists in Kermsnshah using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 20). The mean of the general knowledge of the dentists was 15.9±2.3. The mean of the knowledge of the principles of individual infection controlwas 9.3±1.7 out of 12. It was, however, 6.5±1.1 out of 8 for the knowledge of the principles of infection control of medical equipment. There were no statistical significant difference between the general knowledge of the dentists and gender (P=0.263) and work experience (P=0.0, r=-0.25). The general dentists of Kermanshah had good knowledge about the principles of infection control.