OAR@UM Community:

A study on oral health knowledge within the medical community

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A study on oral health knowledge within the medical community Abstract: Aims: The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare the level of oral health awareness and oral health knowledge amongst the Maltese doctors and nurses. It also aimed to assess the level of oral health training and education received by the participants during their professional training together with their willingness to further their oral health knowledge. Methodology: The cross-sectional study was carried out by the dissemination of an anonymous questionnaire amongst medical doctors and nurses working within the Maltese national health sector. The questionnaire was made available as an online version and as a printed copy. The questionnaire was validated by a focus group. The data collected was analysed and inferences drawn. Results and Conclusions: 330 questionnaires were completed. The findings suggested there is an overall lack of oral health knowledge within the medical community in Malta – doctors averaged a total score of 66.7% while nurses a score of 48.9%. This can be attributed to the limited amount of oral health training received during their formal education to become health professionals as only 53% received oral health training. Doctors’ training focused on congenital oral defects (p<0.001), oral cancer (p=0.006) and TMJ disorders (p<0.001) while nurses’ training focused on caries prevention (p=0.036) and oral hygiene (p<0.001). Both professions appreciated the importance of oral health. Results showed that 83.9% claimed that the medical community does not have adequate knowledge, whereas 77% claimed to be willing to enhance their oral health knowledge through further training. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

Does smoking behaviours among medical staff influence the attitude and counselling on smoking cessation?

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Does smoking behaviours among medical staff influence the attitude and counselling on smoking cessation? Abstract: Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of smoking and its effects within the medical staff. Their personal smoking behaviour was also assessed to see if it affects their smoking cessation advice given to patients. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the healthcare workers via a Google Form link which was delivered by an intermediary of the respective association. Participants were accepted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The cross-sectional questionnaire was constructed with demographic data, the participant’s current smoking status and smoking cessation related questions. Statistical analyses was conducted with the use of IBM SPSS Statistics software. Results: Ex-smokers agreed with the fact that smoking is a chronic relapsing medical condition whereas non-smokers and active smokers only somewhat agreed. Non-smokers and ex-smokers are the ones that give smoking cessation advice to their patients, whereas only a few of the active smokers stated that they provide such information. Conclusion: A replication of this study is encouraged with a larger population sample to be able to get more responses. More associations can be contacted to get this. More questions should be added to the questionnaire targeted to the ex-smokers, to gain a better perspective on what motivated them to quit. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.

Is oral hygiene emphasised enough for older adults with cerebrovascular accident?

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Is oral hygiene emphasised enough for older adults with cerebrovascular accident? Abstract: Aims of the study: The aims of the study were to 1) determine whether caregivers have enough time, skills, and motivation to conduct basic oral hygiene care for older adults who had a stroke, 2) investigate the ability of older stroke adults to carry out their own oral hygiene care independently and, 3) determine if further training is required for caregivers to assist older adults who have had a stroke in maintaining better oral hygiene. Methodology: Quantitative cross-sectional anonymous research methods were used to collect data through distributed questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Two separate standardised structured questionnaires were distributed to carers and stroke patients. Results: 75 caregivers completed the questionnaire, and 27 patients were interviewed. Significant differences between carers with different levels of education were observed in the frequency of routine dental hygiene visits, toothbrushing use of interdental cleaning aids, and mouth wash. These were higher among caregivers in the tertiary level education group(p<0.05). Caregivers with higher educational levels considered oral health to be an important factor contributing to general health (p = 0.008). Stroke patients acknowledged the needs for oral care. Significant differences were observed in reported oral care parameters between patients’ and carers’ reports (p<0.05). Conclusions: Caregivers of older adults who have had a stroke and the older adults themselves understand the importance of oral health care. There is scope to improve the current delivery of effective oral hygiene and create and implement an effective model which is part of the daily care plan for older adults who have had a stroke and are residing in long-term residential care. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

Comparing the barriers to oral health between the adult Gozitan population and the adult Maltese population

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Comparing the barriers to oral health between the adult Gozitan population and the adult Maltese population Abstract: The Gozitan population can be considered as a geographically isolated in Malta’s archipelago, with its own health profile and requirements. Therefore, Agius (2018) addressed the need to focus on the barriers to oral health amongst the Gozitan population, indicating that oral hygiene routines and maintenance were not adequate. By identifying these barriers, the dental community and policy makers can better understand and react to mitigate these challenges and hence minimize the risk of oral disease and improve quality of life. Furthermore, identification of the barriers may allow dental clinicians to further understand the population holistically and in turn, adjust to making oral health more accessible for the whole population. A probability sampling technique of 100 adult Gozitans and 100 adult Maltese above the age of 18 was used as the population sample. The participants were chosen randomly by choosing every third person passing by in various areas in Malta and Gozo. The areas included Victoria, Sliema, Msida and Valletta. When the hardcopy questionnaires were distributed, an intermediary was used to help distribute the questionnaire on my behalf. Online access to the questionnaire was available through Google Forms and this was advertised through my social media platforms. For participants to be eligible to participate in this study they had to be 18 or over and have a Maltese or Gozitan citizenship. For both the Maltese and Gozitan population the most prevalent barriers were not feeling the need to visit the dental team, feeling uneasy during the Covid-19 pandemic and not having enough time. Furthermore, both populations displayed rather good dental attendance patterns, but rather poor oral hygiene routine and oral health knowledge. Furthermore, when comparing region with the various barriers, dental attendance patterns and oral hygiene some significant discrepancies were noted. The main barriers experienced by both the Maltese and Gozitan populations coincide with dental fear, dental accessibility, oral health literacy, and financial constraints. Some of the proposed solutions to tackling these barriers may include implementing policies that support evidence and population-based strategies to help make the dental seeking process easier and more effective. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)