Search

Introduction: Barometric pressure-induced dental pain is a clinical entity elicited by atmospheric changes in pressure. Barodontalgia among pilots is of marked interest as it can be a potential flight safety hazard and compromise the personnel's operational capability and performance. Due to its overlapping signs and symptoms, it may also remain unnoticed and represent itself during a pressure change which may be during ascend or descend of flight. Aim: To assess presence of barodontalgia and awareness of the phenomenon among commercial pilots based in India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2020 using self-reported questionnaire submitted via Google forms (Alphabet, Mountain view, CA, USA) among 410 pilots based in India. It consisted of questions inquiring about the occurrence, localisation, intensity and recurrence of in- flight dental pain. Inferential statistics were performed using Chisquare test, One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Independent t-test. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. results: Three hundred and seventy pilots responded to the questionnaire with a response rate of 90.24%. The incidence was reported among 10.54% (n=39) pilots although 42.7% (n=158) lacked awareness regarding the same. Only a single case of recurrence of pain was reported while none reported any risk to flight safety or accident, secondary to barodontalgia. conclusion: The incidence level of barodontalgia among commercial pilots in India is low. However, the lack of awareness is still an unsettling risk and was not found to be of significant difference when compared on the basis of gender and work experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Postgraduate (PG) student admission scheme laid down by Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), Directorate General of Health Services, Government of India require the allottees to report to the allotted institute in online or offline mode in view of ongoing Coronavirus Disease (COVID- 19) pandemic. Aim: To identify the problems faced by Medical and Dental PG allottees during admission process. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, online questionnaire-based survey conducted among newly admitted students of Medical and Dental PG programs. The structured prevalidated questionnaire was filled by the students voluntarily and anonymously after giving consent. The detailed descriptive analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 software. To study statistical significance, variables were tested using Chi-square test. Results: In the present study, 31(67.4%) Medical PG students and 15 (32.6%) Dentistry PG students participated. The students that reported to the allotted institute by both online and offline mode were 35 (76.1%), while only 8 (17.4%) reported by offline mode which was statistically significant (p<0.005). Maximum number of students {30 (65.2%)} found online mode convenient (statistically significant; p<0.005), while 12 (26.1%) said that offline mode was convenient. Conclusion: The online reporting for admission process is time saving. Continuous upgradation of system through feedback from stakeholders is desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]