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Year : 2011 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 5 | Page : 453-458 |
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A Study on knowledge and Practice of Dental check-up intervals in adults, among dentists in Deccan branch of the Indian Dental Association, Hyderabad in Relation to Dental Caries and Periodontal Diseases
Shashikanth Malladi
Department of Community Dentistry, Hitkarini Dental College and Hospital, Dumna Road, Jabalpur - 482 005, India
Correspondence Address:
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
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Aim of the Study: The current study aimed to review the scientific evidence for regular dental checkups and explore the opinions of the dentists in the Indian Dental Association (Deccan Branch) on the current dental recall procedures in relation to dental caries and periodontal diseases.
Method: It is an exploratory study by using a self administered standardized questionnaire. The results obtained from the study are to be used as the starting point for the future consultation in framing a dental recall policy by Indian Dental Association and to initiate discussion and debate among the dentists on the current dental recall procedures.
Results: Out of 330 members of IDA (Deccan Branch), 100 dentists were requested to participate in the study. The response rate was 73% with 54 male dentists and 19 female dentists. The opinion survey provided a representative overview of opinions on the dental recall intervals among dentists of Indian Dental Association (Deccan Branch) in Hyderabad. Results showed that the respondents' knowledge on oral diseases and effectiveness of some oral health care procedures was not compatible with the findings from the review of the scientific literature. Dentists are following the dental recall intervals based on their own practical considerations. In general, respondents preferred shorter recall intervals than annual recall intervals.
Conclusion: Based on the evidence of the literature reviews and findings of the opinion survey, it is recommended that a recall policy should be maintained but consideration should be given to extend it from annually to 2 yearly for the majority of adults. To update the dentist's knowledge on evidence based dentistry there should be more continuing professional education courses on current concepts of the life history of dental diseases and principles of screening and oral health preventive measures. |
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