Rohini Sharma

Abstract

Background : A retrospective analysis was undertaken to assess the recent trends in dental visits among socially insured group to a referral centre. Methods : The data was collected retrospectively from records and dental database of Employee state insurance unit of a referral centre in Karnataka from February 20, 2018 to March 10, 2018. A total of 558 study subjects’ data was recorded. Depending upon the nature of the data, the statistical tests were chosen according to SPSS. P value 0.005 was considered significant. Results: The minimum age was 4 and maximum was 75 with a mean and standard deviation of 32.27±12.90 years. There were 311(55.7%) males and 247(44.3%) females. A total of 321 (57.5%) of study subjects were self -benefited and 237(42.5%) were dependent of the employee. Out of the total 558 study subject’s majority 126 (22.6%) were referred for chronic apical periodontitis followed by 109(19.5%). Most of the subjects 188(33.7%) were treated for root canal. The minimum cost of the treatment received by the beneficiary was Rs. 240 and maximum was Rs.18055 with mean and standard deviation of Rs.2842.25±1939.8 respectively for the study subjects There was a strong significant association seen with cost and diagnosis of all dental diseases p>0.000 and cost and treatment of diseases p>0.000. Conclusion : The insurance coverage was beneficial to the subjects as it has reduced the burden of cost borne by the individual alone. Furthermore, it has made the treatment easily accessible, encouraging individuals to take treatment at the early stage, thus reducing the inequality Keywords : Insurance, Finance, ESI, Dental services, Health sector

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Abstract

Background: To assess the effectiveness of providing free NRT to tobacco users in increasing quit attempts and to assess the perception of adherence, side effects and safety issues related to the usage in increasing quit attempt. Materials and Methods: A observational study was conducted to motivate tobacco users to have a quit attempt with a nicotine replacement sample among patients visiting out-patient department of a dental college. Baseline evaluation (demographic), Modified Fagerstrom test for Nicotine Dependence (MFTND) to assess nicotine addiction level, “breath analyzer” for the quantitative detection of levels of carbon monoxide were assessed. A free NRT sample was given. Telephonic follow up was done at an interval of 2 weeks, 1 month to assess the reduction in the mean MFTND score and to assess the perception of using NRT sample. All data was entered and analysed in SPSS for Windows version 22. Results: Among the 40 subjects 80% were in the age group of 30-50 years and were males. The levels of carbon monoxide using breath analyser showed 80% of the subjects as heavy and chain smokers. Out of 40 subjects, 29 (72.5%) subjects were having high dependence calculated using MFTND which reduced to 2(5%) after using nicotine chewing gum. The mean and standard deviation of pre MFTND was 7.97±2.35 and for post MFTND it was 5.57±2.14 and the difference was highly significant (p< 0> Conclusions: The results of this study confirm the efficacy of providing free nicotine replacement sample a novel strategy in motivating tobacco users to induce quit attempt.   Keywords: Tobacco, NRT, Motivation, Smoking cessation, Addiction.

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