Vishakha Rani’s scientific contributions

A BSTRACT Background Tobacco use remains a major public health issue, contributing to numerous oral and systemic diseases. Dental professionals are in a unique position to offer tobacco cessation support, yet many lack adequate training and education in this area. This study evaluates the impact of a comprehensive training program on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental professionals regarding tobacco cessation. Materials and Methods A total of 150 dental professionals from various dental clinics participated in a six-month training program. The program included workshops, online modules, and practical sessions focused on tobacco cessation techniques, motivational interviewing, and patient education. Pre- and post-training surveys were administered to assess changes in knowledge, confidence, and frequency of tobacco cessation counseling. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and Chi-square tests. Results The training program significantly improved the participants’ knowledge of tobacco cessation (mean score increased from 60% to 85%, P < 0.001) and their confidence in providing cessation counseling (mean confidence rating increased from 3.2 to 4.5 on a 5-point scale, P < 0.001). Additionally, the frequency of tobacco cessation interventions in dental practices increased by 40% post-training ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Comprehensive training and education programs can substantially enhance the ability of dental professionals to support tobacco cessation. Such initiatives not only improve the knowledge and confidence of dental practitioners but also lead to more frequent and effective tobacco cessation interventions in clinical practice.

Aim This study aimed to compare the fracture resistance of different materials used in composite core buildups, including conventional filler composite, nanofiller composite, and short fiber-reinforced composite (SFRC). Methods This in vitro study was conducted on 30 freshly extracted premolars. The teeth were treated using a uniform endodontic procedure, and Fiber Posts (REFORPOST, Angelus) were placed. The teeth were then divided into three groups and restored using different materials. Group 1 was restored using SFRC (everX Posterior, GC, Europe), Group 2 using microfiller composite (Te-Econom Flow, Ivoclar Vivadent), and Group 3 using nanofiller composite (Tetric N-Flow, Ivoclar Vivadent). The restoration materials were then light-cured for 40 seconds. The teeth were placed in a Universal Testing Machine (Instron) and a load was applied with a stainless-steel ball (4 mm diameter) until the tooth fractured. The fracture load for each tooth was recorded, and after the mechanical test, the experimental groups were examined for failure modes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0 software. A one-way ANOVA test was conducted to compare more than two groups, followed by Tukey’s test for post hoc pairwise comparison. Results The mean fracture resistance of the microfiller composite (346.94±44.63) was the lowest among the three groups. When analyzed using Tukey's test at p<0.05, fracture resistance was significantly higher in the SFRC, followed by nanofillers and microfiller composites. Conclusion Due to the increasing demand for aesthetic restorations in recent years, composites have become important in modern restorative dentistry. The development and implementation of composite dental restorative materials rely on a comprehensive understanding of each composite component and consideration of methods for modifying each component. As a result, the findings of this study will be beneficial in determining which material to use based on specific cases.

A BSTRACT Objective The study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary intake and oral health status and how oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) influences the institutionalized elderly population of Bangalore. Methods and Materials A cross-sectional study was conducted to appraise the oral health and dietary intake of institutionalized elderly. Patients completed a validated questionnaire and a clinical evaluation. CPI index, loss of attachment (LoA), DMFT, prosthetic status, and prosthetic necessity were utilized to contrast OHQoL using the Chi-square test. The diet and OHQoL were compared using ANOVA. Results This study surveyed 400 institutionalized elderly populations. The average age of the sample was 70.02 ± 8.149 years. LoA and DMFT were significantly associated with GOHAI’s functional domain ( P = 0.000). CPI ( P = 0.049) and DMFT index ( P = 0.003) were associated with GOHAI pain/discomfort and psycho-social domains. The psycho-social domain was associated with an upper arch prosthesis status ( P = 0.010). Subjects with good OHQoL consumed 1961.19 ± 479.33 calories, while those with poor OHQoL consumed 1814 ± 432.41 calories ( P = 0.002). Conclusion According to the study findings, periodontal disease, decay, and missing teeth impaired OHQoL. The OHQoL was significantly declined with dietary intake.

Introduction: The Gonds are a highly ancient and expansive tribal community, ranking among the largest in the world. A review of the literature has suggested that they are more vulnerable to oral diseases and are less inclined to utilize oral health services due to the comprehensive approach that considers the socioeconomic, cultural, and structural factors affecting the Gond community's access to oral health services. Tribal health requires action in the health sector. Utilization is an essential marker of the health status of any population and is necessary to bridge the gap between tribes and the wider portion of the community. Hence, this study was conducted among the Gond tribes of Chhattisgarh to evaluate the oral healthcare utilization factors shaping the perceived oral health outcome using Andersen's behavior model. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 400 Gond tribes residing in villages of Chhattisgarh. Data was collected through a standardized questionnaire, adapted from Andersen's behavioral model of healthcare utilization during house-to-house survey. The questionnaire included predisposing, enabling, perceived, and evaluated need factors. Oral health status for evaluated need was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment form (1997), and the perceived oral health outcome was measured using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Results were computed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multivariate analysis was done using binomial logistic regression. Results: The dental visit in the past one year was only 14%. The findings of logistic regression revealed that the perceived oral health outcome was significantly associated with age, occupation, and positive belief in the efficacy of dentist, perceived need, and presence of dental caries. Conclusion: The findings of the present study support Andersen's behavioral model and suggest that there is an interrelationship of predisposing characters, predisposing health beliefs, and enabling need factors that determine the likelihood of use of services, which in turn determines the good or bad oral health outcome.