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Objective: The use of tobacco has proven to be one of the leading cause of preventable premature deaths and diseases across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that tobacco consumption alone kills more people annually as compared to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), alcohol, and other addictions (drugs, etc.) put together. Although the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) is a powerful Indian national law to curb the tobacco epidemic, the effectiveness of its implementation remains disputed. The current study aims to examine the role of the security guards in the implementation of the COTPA by assessing their awareness. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 258 security guards in Goa to ascertain the knowledge regarding the tobacco legislation in the country. A self-administered 20-item close-ended questionnaire was used to collect information regarding the demographic variables, tobacco use, and knowledge regarding COTPA. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 29.93 ± 6.93 years. Overall, 68.6% of the study participants were aware of any tobacco control law in India. It was observed that 71% of the subjects had adequate knowledge of the COTPA. The participants with higher secondary educational levels had significantly higher knowledge scores. Conclusion: The overall awareness of the security guard was good but there is a need to provide in-depth knowledge on certain key aspects of the COTPA. Efforts should be made to train the security personnel to increase their awareness of the act.

Background: Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of premature death and preventable illness. Tobacco cessation counseling (TCC) is one of the ways to prevent the rising mortality. Dentists hold an important role in TCC. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers in TCC among dental practitioners in Goa, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 150 dentists in Goa. The survey instrument included a close-ended self-administered 27-item questionnaire, assessing demographics, attitudes toward TCC, practices in TCC, and perceived barriers in performing TCC. The data were evaluated using SPSS version 22.0. Chi-square/Fisher's exact test, Pearson's correlation, and unconditional logistic regression were used keeping P value at 5%. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 30.91 ± 5.28 years (24–42 years) and 111 (74.0%) were female. Seventy-three percent of the dentists agreed that TCC is their responsibility. Very few (18.0%) dentists provide tobacco cessation pamphlets and posters in waiting room. The most common barrier (70.0%) was “patient disinterest” in receiving advice. The respondents who have used tobacco were more likely (odds ratio [OR] =2.02, 1.49–2.46) to have positive attitude toward TCC than those who never used tobacco. Older respondents (OR = 2.10, 2.05–2.80) and those having more years of experience (OR = 3.10, 2.86–3.54) were more likely to practice TCC. Conclusion: This study shows that very few dentists were current smokers in Goa. They showed a constructive attitude toward TCC, especially those who were older than 29 years and never used tobacco. Dentists who were positive for TCC were practicing TCC better.

Background: Empathy is one of the major essential elements in patient and dentist relationship. Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) has been used extensively to measure empathy among medical and other health professions. However, its validity in dental profession remains to be explored. Aims: To examine the psychometric properties of IRI and also to assess the factors influencing the dental students' empathy. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was carried out among 100 dental interns and postgraduates using IRI. Materials and Methods: Patients were selected randomly from six dental colleges in Bangalore. Internal consistency of items was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha and construct validity was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis with an orthogonal varimax rotation of factors. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were evaluated using SPSS 22. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed with significance set at 5%. Results: Internal consistency of IRI (Cronbach's alpha: perspective taking = 0.76, fantasy = 0.80, empathic concern = 0.72, and personal distress = 0.79) was good. A four-factor solution emerged, accounting for 52% of total variance. The mean age of the participants was 24.25 ± 1.95 years. The mean for empathic concern domain was highest (20.75 ± 1.64). Gender, career choice, academic performance, and work satisfaction were associated with increased empathy scores, whereas depression and stress were associated with decreased empathy scores (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirms the construct validity and reliability of the IRI for assessing empathy in dental students. Empathy scores among students varied depending on professional/personal factors.

Background: A greater understanding of impact of occupational dental erosion on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) will sensitize both employee and employers to adopt strict protective measures for oral health. The research aimed to determine the relationship between occupational dental erosion and OHRQoL among battery and other factory workers in Bengaluru, India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study enrolled a total of 400 workers. Structured proforma assessed information on sociodemographic details, oral hygiene practices, adverse oral habits, and work-related practices. OHRQoL was determined using oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14). Dental erosion was measured using Smith and Knight's tooth wear index modified by Millward et al. 1994 scoring system independent t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test and Spearman's correlation was performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the participants in the study and control groups was 43.11 ± 8.02 and 45.93 ± 6.16 years, respectively. Less than half of the participants in the study group had positive behavioral work practice. The prevalence and severity of dental erosion was significantly higher in study group (39.5%) than control group (11.5%). Mean OHIP-14 score was significantly lower in study group (23.88 ± 0.88) than control group (26.06 ± 9.67). Dental erosion significantly correlated with work experience and OHIP-14. Conclusion: The findings highlight the impact of occupational dental erosion on OHRQoL. Measures to enhance occupational safety thereby reducing exposure to occupational hazards are needed.

Introduction: In these challenging times, practice of dentistry is becoming more complex. Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) strengthen the profession by identifying knowledge gaps, confidence in clinical decision making and encourage to formulate clear questions regarding the evidence needed. It closes the gap between clinical research and real-world practice and provides tools to interpret and apply research findings. Aim: This study aims to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dentists toward the concept of EBD. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a representative sample of 300 dentists in dental colleges and private practices of Bengaluru city using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was computed. The frequency for each domain of knowledge, attitude, and practice was calculated after giving weight age for each option. For statistical analysis, t-test was used. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age of the dentists was 32.9 ± 8.1 years. Mean knowledge, attitude, and practice were 17.41 ± 6.45, 1.92 ± 0.75, and 17.06 ± 3.05, respectively. Majority of them relied on their own judgment as a guide to primary care practice. Very less number of dentists relied on Cochrane library as a reliable source for evidence-based practice. Conclusions: Although the dentists were generally aware of the concept of EBD very little use of this concept in clinical practice was followed quoting lack of access as a barrier. However, the reflected attitudes toward EBD were good with most of the respondents expressing an interest in having further education in this concept.

CONTEXT: Empathy is considered to be backbone of the patient–physician relationship. The consultation and relational empathy (CARE) measure is widely used internationally to measure empathy. However, no validated tool is available to gather patient feedback on dentists' empathy in India. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the reliability and validity of a CARE measure and to assess the factors influencing CARE score and to determine if there was an association between their CARE score and satisfaction of the patient. SETTING AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was done in dental colleges. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire study was carried out among 100 patients from 6 dental colleges in Bangalore using validated CARE measure. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Internal consistency of items was evaluated by the Cronbach's alpha, and construct validity was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis. Satisfaction was assessed by a question response on 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed with significance set at 5%. RESULTS: The mean CARE score was 43.80 ± 5.36. Internal reliability was high (Cronbach's alpha: 0.859) and was reduced by the removal of any of 10 items. High corrected item-total correlations ranged from 0.752 to 0.847. Factor analysis showed a single solution with high item loadings (>0.80). Self-perception of overall health (odds ratio [OR] = 3.78), relationship with family (OR = 4.61) and friends (OR = 3.78), and previous dental experience (OR = 16.00) were more likely, whereas dentist-provided treatment (OR = 0.20), number (OR = 0.07) and dental treatment taken (OR = 0.13), presence of anxiety (OR = 0.03), and fear (OR = 0.05) were less likely to have CARE score. The satisfaction of the patient regressed significantly with the relationship with family members (ß = 0.77) and CARE score (ß = 0.21). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the educational opportunity and implementation of CARE in dental students. CARE scores among patients varied depending on personal factors and dental treatment-related factors. The satisfaction of the patient was influenced by the relationship with family members and CARE scores.

CONTEXT: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a public health problem in India. Dentist plays an important role in diagnosing since oral lesions are common in HIV-positive patients and have an ethical responsibility to provide treatment to them. AIMS: This study aims to explore educational and promotional opportunities for implementing oral rapid HIV testing (ORHT) among dentists in Bengaluru, India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 dentists. Dentists were included from private practice, dental practice in general hospital, and dental teaching/hospitals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A 43-item questionnaire was used to assess demographics, educational knowledge on HIV and ORHT, attitude toward HIV patients, and willingness to promote ORHT and perceived barriers of performing ORHT. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data were evaluated using SPSS 22. Student's t-test, Chi-square, Pearson correlation, and binary logistics were used keeping P value at 5%. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 38.97 ± 7.69 years with equal distribution of gender and practice. Majority were postgraduates (63.0%) and having general practice (56.6%). Although two-thirds of the participants belong to high score category, the mean knowledge level is below 50%. Mean score of knowledge was 10.70 ± 2.5. One hundred and thirty (43.3%) dentists were aware of ORHT, and 228 (76%) thought that ORHT was needed in the dental clinic. Dentist having specialty practice felt more accepting of ORHT (odds ratio = 2.455, 95% confidence interval 1.186–5.463). The lack of knowledge and training was the main barrier (39%) to conduct ORHT. CONCLUSIONS: The level of knowledge of the dentist about HIV/AIDS was acceptable. Majority of the dentist thought that ORHT is needed in a dental clinic. Overall, there was positive attitude toward HIV patients and ORHT.