International Journal of Medical and Dental Sciences

Drugs and Resistant Bugs- A Global Concern

2023-11-02T04:41:32-05:00

No Abstract.

Perception and Practices of Antibiotic Prescriptions by Dental Interns - A Clinical Study

2023-05-24T07:48:00-05:00

Background: Curriculum of dental training in India is designed by DCI (Dental Council of India) to develop a student’s knowledge base, necessary skills and reasonable attitude that is relevant to dental practice and promotes step wise acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in life long clinical practice. Various studies have emphasized the need for development of core prescribing competencies as the pre-clinical and basic sciences subjects are never revisited nor is there an attempt to apply the knowledge of these subjects during dental internship. Objective: The aim of the study was to know the perception and prescribing practices of antibiotics used by dental interns. Materials and Method: A pre-validated questionnaire and clinical case scenarios were used to capture the perception of knowledge and skills for rational antimicrobial use by dental interns. The study also focused on the confidence, and ability of interns to recall and integrate knowledge gained in previous years to choose an antibiotic based on rational drug use. The data collected was statistically analyzed. Results: The observations from the study suggest that interns perceived knowledge of antibiotics as very important, but they were unable to apply the knowledge correctly in managing clinical problems. Conclusion: There is a huge gap between the perception and practice of antibiotic use. Regular reinforcement of drug information and discussion of latest guidelines on rational antimicrobial usage is a must during internship. Moreover, prescription writing competency should be made a part of regular dental internship training programs.

Dental Interns’ Knowledge and Self-Perceptions Regarding COVID-19 and its Impact on Mental Health and Online Learning: A Cross-Sectional Study

2023-08-31T09:47:36-05:00

Introduction: The current study evaluated the knowledge and perceptions about COVID-19, as well as the self-perceived mental health and online learning experience among a group of dental interns during the pandemic. Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted in August 2021, and included 270 dental interns, who were final-year dental students during the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants included 111 (43.7%) males and 143 (56.3%) females. A paper-based questionnaire was developed including questions to measure the interns’ level of knowledge and perceptions about the virus, as well as about self-perceived mental health status, learning challenges, and fear of virus exposure. All the data were statistically analyzed. Results: 95.3% of the participants had a good level of knowledge about COVID-19 and methods of infection prevention. There was a statistically significant direct correlation between knowledge and perception scores (r = 0.126, P = 0.046). There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between knowledge and impact on self-perceived mental health scores (r = -0.124, P = 0.048). Similarly, a statistically significant inverse correlation was reported between knowledge and impact on learning experience scores (r = -0.181, P = 0.004). Conclusion(s): Although; dental students have a satisfactory level of knowledge about the COVID-19 virus, infection prevention, and control, there is a need to further explore the benefits of online learning and to improve and promote educational programs that provide psychological support for students.