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Introduction: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) is an alternative medical system and has found acceptance globally for its use of rich medical plants, minerals, and other natural commodities in treating different illness. In November 2020, AYUSH changed its curriculum guidelines for its postgraduate students, which allowed them to perform a variety of general surgery, including orthopedic, ophthalmology, Ear Nose Throat (ENT), and dental treatments. Aim: To assess the awareness and perception among the dentists of these new AYUSH guidelines and to record their opinion. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology at Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from January 2021 to February 2021. A self-constructed questionnaire of 15 questions was circulated via google forms. The response was collected from 123 dentists. Statistical analysis was done on the IBM software 24 version. Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between dentists' awareness of dental procedures included under the new AYUSH curriculum and their perception of ayurvedic practitioners performing the dental treatment efficiently. Results: Only 58.5% (n=79) of dentists were aware of the term AYUSH and 53 (43%) dentists were aware of the new guidelines added to the postgraduate curriculum in AYUSH. About, 57.7% of dentists reported that the Ayurvedic practitioners cannot handle the complications occurring during dental procedures. Conclusion: Dentists were not in favor of AYUSH practitioners performing dental treatments. The present study also concluded that dental procedures cannot be effectively and efficiently performed by AYUSH practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the knowledge and practice of the American Heart Association (AHA) 2007 guidelines among dentists in Hyderabad city, India, for the prevention of infective endocarditis (IE). Materials and Methods: A survey questionnaire was mailed to the dentists to assess their knowledge with regard to the antibiotic prophylaxis needed for specific cardiac conditions and the prophylaxis reasonable before various dental procedures in high-risk patients and the first-line and second-line antibiotic regimen prescribed. Results: Of the 190 registered dentists, 169 (88.94%) completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the population was 39.17 ± 8.23 years. The majority of the respondents correctly identified that having prosthetic cardiac valves, a previous history of IE illness and cardiac transplantation with subsequent cardiac valvulopathy are cardiac conditions requiring antibiotic prophylaxis. Prescription of first-line antibiotic drugs and second-line drug regimens corresponding to the current guidelines was correctly answered by only 56.21% dentists and 60.95% dentists, respectively. Conclusion: A relatively low level of knowledge of the new guidelines was reported among dentists, reflecting the need for more continuing dental education programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]