CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Eur J Dent 2017; 11(04): 521-525
DOI: 10.4103/ejd.ejd_44_17
Original Article
Dental Investigation Society

Awareness of basic life support among Saudi dental students and interns

Hashem Motahir Al-Shamiri
1   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Al-Farabi Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Sadeq Ali Al-Maweri
2   Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Al-Farabi Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
3   Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Sanaa University, Sanaa, Yemen
,
Bassam Shugaa-Addin
1   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Al-Farabi Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Nader Ahmed Alaizari
2   Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Al-Farabi Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Abdulrahman Hunaish
1   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Al-Farabi Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
4   Department of Oral Surgery, Ibb University, Ibb, Yemen
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Correspondence:

Dr. Hashem Motahir Al-Shamiri

Publication History

Publication Date:
01 October 2019 (online)

 

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the torque and detorque values of screw intermediates of external hexagon, internal hexagon, and Morse taper implants in single restorations before and after mechanical cycling. Materials and Methods: The study sample was divided into three groups (n = 10) as follows: group EH - external hexagon implant, group IH - internal hexagon implant, and group MT - Morse taper implant. Universal abutments were screwed on the implants, and metal crowns were cemented onto the abutment. The samples were submitted to a mechanical testing of 1 million cycles, with a frequency of 8 cycles per second under a 400 N load. The application and registration of the screw torque (T0) and detorque (T1) values of the intermediate were performed before and after the test. The results were statistically evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey′s test (α = 0.05). Results: There was no difference between the values of T0 and T1 in the intra-group samples. However, the inter-group difference in T0 between the EH (12.8 N cm) and MT (18.6 N cm) groups and in T1 between the EH (10.4 N cm) and IH (13.8 N cm), EH and MT (19.4 N cm), and MT and IH (P = 0.001) groups were significant. The MT group showed a lower variation of T0 and T1. Conclusion: The internal implants, particularly MT, showed better stability in these cases when used for single restorations.


#

INTRODUCTION

Survival following cardiopulmonary arrest is usually not high, and to some degree depends on early interference, quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the time of defibrillation.[1] [2] [3] [4] Basic life support (BLS) is the base of rescuing lives following cardiac arrest,[5] as it keeps viability until full resuscitation for cardiopulmonary system can be commenced.[6] BLS comprises immediate recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of emergency response system, the early performance of high-quality CPR, and rapid defibrillation. All these steps will prevent the central nervous system from undergoing irreversible damage by hypoxia or anoxia.[7]

CPR is controlled by guidelines developed by certain associations such as American heart association,[8] and some other associations in Europe,[9] Singapore,[10] Australia, and New Zealand.[11] These guidelines are updated regularly to cope with new advances in this field.

Work in the field of dentistry is fraught with many risks leading to life-threatening emergencies.

These conditions may be related to the use of local anesthesia,[12] dental materials with high sensitivity potential, and the fear of unknown surgical operations. Consequently, every dentist must be familiar with various protocols to efficiently manage such emergencies arising in the dental office.

Proper practice of the techniques and maneuvers is mandatory to effectively resuscitate a victim, which requires adequate knowledge and training during dental education years. Many studies have evaluated the level of knowledge about BLS among medical and dental students. However, to our knowledge, none has evaluated the same among dental students in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of awareness regarding BLS and the attitude toward CPR-needed victims among Saudi dental students and interns.


#

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study consisted of a cross-sectional survey of undergraduate dental students at the school of Dentistry, Al-Farabi Collages, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Clinical dental students (final-year and interns) enrolled during 2015–2016 academic year were eligible to participate (n = 250). This study was approved by the Al-Farabi College Institutional Ethical Review Board.

A structured questionnaire was adapted from pretested questionnaires that have been used in similar studies by Chandrasekaran et al.[13] and Reddy et al.[14] with some modifications to accommodate the student’s educational level. Before submitting the questionnaire, a pilot study was performed on a random sample of the students (n = 20), and the questionnaire was modified according to the feedback obtained.

Students were asked to fill out the anonymous self-administered questionnaire at the end of the lectures and sometimes during the clinical sessions without discussion for 15 min. Students who agreed to participate in the study and signed a consent form before answering the questionnaire.

The self-administered questionnaire comprised of 23 closed-ended questions divided into two parts. The first part assessed the demographic profile of students such as age, gender, and educational level. The second part investigated the participants’ knowledge and awareness regarding BLS.

For a better assessment, the knowledge scores were categorized into three divisions as follows: inadequate (<50%), satisfactory (51%–75%), and adequate (>75%).

Statistical Package for Social Studies version 22.0 (IBM Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data entry and descriptive statistics including frequencies and proportions. Chi-squared test was used to assess statistical significance. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.


#

RESULTS

Out of the 250 dental students participated in the survey, 203 (145 final-year students and 58 interns) returned the questionnaires, giving a response rate of 81.2%.

[Table 1] summarizes the demographic data of the participants. Around 52% were males and the majority were final-year dental students (71.4%).

Table 1:

Demographic distribution of the study population (%)

Variables

n (%)

Gender

Male

97 (47.8)

Female

106 (52.2)

Age groups (years)

<25

141 (69.5)

26-35

61 (30)

>35

1 (0.5)

Educational levels

Final year

145 (71.4)

Internship

58 (28.6)

Overall, the respondents showed a poor level of knowledge with respect to most of the questions; the proportion of correct answers varied greatly, ranging from 7.4% to 93%, with significant differences between males and females [Table 2].]

Table 2:

Comparison of correct response knowledge scores based on gender groups (%)

Question number

Questions

Gender, n (%)

Total

P

Male

Female

*Means statistically significant. CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, AED: Automated external defibrillator, BLS: Basic life support, EMS: Emergency Medical Services

1

Abbreviation of “BLS”?

85 (87.6)

102 (98.1)

187 (93)

0.004*

2

Find someone unresponsive in the middle of the road, what will be your first response?

6 (6.2)

38 (35.8)

44 (21.7)

0.000*

3

If you confirm somebody is not responding to you even after shaking and shouting at him, what will be your immediate action?

1 (1)

14 (13.2)

15 (7.4)

0.000*

4

Location of chest compression?

66 (68)

46 (44.7)

112 (56)

0.003*

5

Location for chest compression in infants?

70 (72.2)

62 (59)

132 (65.3)

0.005*

6

If you do not want to give mouth-to-mouth CPR, the following can be done “except”?

93 (95.9)

70 (68)

163 (81.5)

0.000*

7

Rescue breathing in infants?

74 (76.3)

37 (35.2)

111 (55)

0.000*

8

Depth of compression in adults during CPR?

5 (5.2)

17 (16)

22 (10.8)

0.000*

9

Depth of compression in children during CPR?

11 (11.6)

51 (49)

62 (31.2)

0.000*

10

Depth of compression in neonates during CPR?

61 (63.5)

43 (43.4)

104 (53.3)

0.001*

11

Rate of chest compression in adult and children during CPR?

84 (87.5)

43 (41.3)

127 (63.5)

0.000*

12

Ratio of CPR, single rescuer in adults is?

8 (8.2)

55 (53.4)

63 (31.5)

0.000*

13

In a newborn, the chest compression and ventilation ratio is?

4 (4.3)

11 (11)

15 (7.7)

0.000*

14

Abbreviation AED stands for?

66 (68)

47 (44.8)

113 (55.9)

0.006*

15

Abbreviation EMS stands for?

53 (54.6)

63 (60.6)

116 (57.7)

0.000*

16

If you and your friend are having food in a canteen and suddenly your friend starts expressing symptoms of choking, what will be your first response?

0

22 (21)

22 (10.9)

0.000*

17

You are witnessing an infant who suddenly started choking while he was playing with the toy, you have confirmed that he is unable to cry (or) cough, what will be your first response?

10 (10.3)

54 (51.4)

64 (31.7)

0.000*

18

You are witnessing an adult unresponsive victim who has been submerged in fresh water and just removed from it. He has spontaneous breathing, but he is unresponsive. What is the first step?

3 (3.1)

30 (28.6)

33 (16.4)

0.000*

19

You noticed that your colleague has suddenly developed slurring of speech and weakness of right upper limb. Which one of the following can be done?

69 (71.1)

20 (2.9)

89 (44.1)

0.000*

20

A 50-year-old gentleman with retrosternal chest discomfort, profuse sweating, and vomiting. What is next?

90 (92.8)

64 (61.0)

154 (76.2)

0.000*

[Table 3] illustrates the mean knowledge scores by gender, age, and the academic level. Overall, more than half of the respondents showed inadequate knowledge (scoring <50%). Comparing the mean knowledge scores, males showed higher mean scores (45.41 ± 10) than females (42.31 ± 16.3), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). With reference to age groups and educational levels, the mean knowledge scores were comparable, with no significant difference between the groups [Table 3].

Table 3:

Association of variables with mean knowledge score levels (%)

Variables

Knowledge scores, n (%)

Mean knowledge scores (%)

P

Inadequate (<50)

Satisfactory (51-75)

Adequate (<75)

*Means statistically significant

Gender

Males

52 (53.6)

45 (46.4)

0

45.41±10.0

0.003*

Females

74 (69.8)

28 (26.4)

4 (3.8)

42.31±16.3

Age groups (years)

<25

85 (60.3)

53 (37.6)

3 (2.1)

43.94±13.9

0.889

26-35

40 (65.6)

20 (32.8)

1 (1.6)

43.44±13.6

>35

1 (100)

0

0

45.0

Educational levels

Final-year

85 (58.6)

57 (39.3)

3 (2.1)

43.97±13.5

0.275

Internship

41 (70.7)

16 (27.6)

1 (1.7)

43.36±14.5


#

DISCUSSION

Medical emergencies that threaten the life may occur at any time in the dental clinic. It may occur as a result of local anesthesia administration, the fear of unknown surgical procedures, or due to other reasons.[12] Therefore, the knowledge about the chain of survival can improve the chances of survival and recovery in conditions such as heart attack, stroke, or any other emergencies. This chain includes immediate recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system, early CPR, rapid defibrillation, and effective advanced life support with postcardiac arrest care.[15] This study was planned to examine BLS knowledge among interns and final-year dental students at Alfarabi Collages of dentistry and nursing.

Overall, the dental students in the present survey showed an inadequate level of knowledge of BLS. This result is in agreement with other previous studies such as Chandrasekaran et al.,[13] Reddy et al.,[14] and Owojuyigbe et al.,[16] who concluded that dental students’ knowledge of BLS was very poor before the BLS training. However, our results are different from a study conducted by Narayan al,[17] in which dental interns showed an adequate level of knowledge.

In one study conducted among dental students in India, only 26.9% and 73.1% of males and females, respectively, knew the abbreviation of “BLS,” whereas, in our study, the figures were much higher (87.6% and 98.1%, among males and females, respectively).[14] The correct response of participants to the item “chocking in adults” in the present study was 10.9%. This figure is comparable to the 16.8% and 19.8% reported by Reddy et al.[14] and Roshana et al.,[18] respectively.

This study showed a slight difference in the mean knowledge score between males (45.41%) and females (42.31%), with statistically significant difference (0.003). This finding contradicts the findings by some studies[14] [19] which reported that females revealed a higher mean score as compared to males; this may be attributed to the difference in sample size with regard to gender between the two studies, as well as to the cultural barriers imposed on female gender in Saudi Arabia. This fact was proven in other subjects in a similar students’ sample.[20]

In the current study, it was noted that both final-year students and interns had inadequate knowledge with nearly similar findings (43.97% vs. 43.36%). Nevertheless, the final-year dental students (39.3%) showed better satisfactory (between 51% and 75%) scores in comparison to the interns (27.6%). This finding is compatible with another study by Reddy et al.,[14] which showed better knowledge scores among undergraduate students. This finding can be explained by the fact that the topics of CPR and medically compromised emergencies are included in the 5th year (before final-year) curriculum, so final-year students still memorize the information far better than their interns counterparts, emphasizing the need for continuous refreshing courses about these critical topics. Further, these results could be attributed to inadequate didactic and practical training regarding BLS in dental schools. This fact was emphasized by recent studies that reported that CPR training and short courses had a positive impact in self-assurance toward BLS.[16] [21]


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CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study demonstrates poor knowledge among dental students regarding BLS and showed the urgent need for continuous refreshing courses for this critical topic.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.


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Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

  • REFERENCES

  • 1 Ritter G, Wolfe RA, Goldstein S, Landis JR, Vasu CM, Acheson A. et al. The effect of bystander CPR on survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims. Am Heart J 1985; 110: 932-7
  • 2 Wenzel V, Lehmkuhl P, Kubilis PS, Idris AH, Pichlmayr I. Poor correlation of mouth-to-mouth ventilation skills after basic life support training and 6 months later. Resuscitation 1997; 35: 129-34
  • 3 Wik L, Steen PA, Bircher NG. Quality of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation influences outcome after prehospital cardiac arrest. Resuscitation 1994; 28: 195-203
  • 4 Gwinnutt CL, Columb M, Harris R. Outcome after cardiac arrest in adults in UK hospitals: Effect of the 1997 guidelines. Resuscitation 2000; 47: 125-35
  • 5 Field JM, Hazinski MF, Sayre MR, Chameides L, Schexnayder SM, Hemphill R. et al. Part 1: Executive summary: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation 2010; 122 18 (Suppl. 03) 640-56
  • 6 Graham CA, Guest KA, Scollon D. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Paper 2: A survey of basic life support training for medical students. J Accid Emerg Med 1994; 11: 165-7
  • 7 Sasson C, Rogers MA, Dahl J, Kellermann AL. Predictors of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2010; 3: 63-81
  • 8 Spencer B, Chacko J, Sallee D. American Heart Association. The 2010 American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiac care: An overview of the changes to pediatric basic and advanced life support. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am 2011; 23: 303-10
  • 9 Sandroni C, Nolan J. European Resuscitation Council. ERC 2010 guidelines for adult and pediatric resuscitation: Summary of major changes. Minerva Anestesiol 2011; 77: 220-6
  • 10 Lim SH. Basic cardiac life support: 2011 Singapore guidelines. Singapore Med J 2011; 52: 538-42
  • 11 Australian Resuscitation Council. New Zealand Resuscitation Council. Basic life support: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ARC and NZRC Guideline 2010. Emerg Med Australas 2011; 23: 259-60
  • 12 Grzanka A, Misiolek H, Filipowska A, Miskiewicz-Orczyk K, Jarzab J. Adverse effects of local anaesthetics - Allergy, toxic reactions or hypersensitivity. Anestezjol Intens Ter 2010; 42: 175-8
  • 13 Chandrasekaran S, Kumar S, Bhat SA, Saravanakumar Shabbir PM, Chandrasekaran V. Awareness of basic life support among medical, dental, nursing students and doctors. Indian J Anaesth 2010; 54: 121-6
  • 14 Reddy S, Doshi D, Reddy P, Kulkarni S, Reddy S. Awareness of basic life support among staff and students in a dental school. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013; 14: 511-7
  • 15 Businger A, Rinderknecht S, Blank R, Merki L, Carrel T. Students' knowledge of symptoms and risk factors of potential life-threatening medical conditions. Swiss Med Wkly 2010; 140: 78-84
  • 16 Owojuyigbe AM, Adenekan AT, Faponle AF, Olateju SO. Impact of basic life support training on the knowledge of basic life support in a group of Nigerian Dental Students. Niger Postgrad Med J 2015; 22: 164-8
  • 17 Narayan DP, Biradar SV, Reddy MT, Bk S. Assessment of knowledge and attitude about basic life support among dental interns and postgraduate students in Bangalore city, India. World J Emerg Med 2015; 6: 118-22
  • 18 Roshana S, Kh B, Rm P, Mw S. Basic life support: Knowledge and attitude of medical/paramedical professionals. World J Emerg Med 2012; 3: 141-5
  • 19 Chew KS, Yazid MN. The willingness of final year medical and dental students to perform bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an Asian community. Int J Emerg Med 2008; 1: 301-9
  • 20 Al-Shamiri HM, Alaizari NA, Al-Maweri SA, Tarakji B. Knowledge and attitude of dental trauma among dental students in Saudi Arabia. Eur J Dent 2015; 9: 518-22
  • 21 Kobras M, Langewand S, Murr C, Neu C, Schmid J. Short lessons in basic life support improve self-assurance in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. World J Emerg Med 2016; 7: 255-62
  • 22 Lu CY. Observational studies: A review of study designs, challenges and strategies to reduce confounding. Int J Clin Pract 2009; 63: 691-7
  • 23 Boroumand S, Garcia AI, Selwitz RH, Goodman HS. Knowledge and opinions regarding oral cancer among Maryland dental students. J Cancer Educ 2008; 23: 85-91

Correspondence:

Dr. Hashem Motahir Al-Shamiri

  • REFERENCES

  • 1 Ritter G, Wolfe RA, Goldstein S, Landis JR, Vasu CM, Acheson A. et al. The effect of bystander CPR on survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims. Am Heart J 1985; 110: 932-7
  • 2 Wenzel V, Lehmkuhl P, Kubilis PS, Idris AH, Pichlmayr I. Poor correlation of mouth-to-mouth ventilation skills after basic life support training and 6 months later. Resuscitation 1997; 35: 129-34
  • 3 Wik L, Steen PA, Bircher NG. Quality of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation influences outcome after prehospital cardiac arrest. Resuscitation 1994; 28: 195-203
  • 4 Gwinnutt CL, Columb M, Harris R. Outcome after cardiac arrest in adults in UK hospitals: Effect of the 1997 guidelines. Resuscitation 2000; 47: 125-35
  • 5 Field JM, Hazinski MF, Sayre MR, Chameides L, Schexnayder SM, Hemphill R. et al. Part 1: Executive summary: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation 2010; 122 18 (Suppl. 03) 640-56
  • 6 Graham CA, Guest KA, Scollon D. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Paper 2: A survey of basic life support training for medical students. J Accid Emerg Med 1994; 11: 165-7
  • 7 Sasson C, Rogers MA, Dahl J, Kellermann AL. Predictors of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2010; 3: 63-81
  • 8 Spencer B, Chacko J, Sallee D. American Heart Association. The 2010 American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiac care: An overview of the changes to pediatric basic and advanced life support. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am 2011; 23: 303-10
  • 9 Sandroni C, Nolan J. European Resuscitation Council. ERC 2010 guidelines for adult and pediatric resuscitation: Summary of major changes. Minerva Anestesiol 2011; 77: 220-6
  • 10 Lim SH. Basic cardiac life support: 2011 Singapore guidelines. Singapore Med J 2011; 52: 538-42
  • 11 Australian Resuscitation Council. New Zealand Resuscitation Council. Basic life support: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ARC and NZRC Guideline 2010. Emerg Med Australas 2011; 23: 259-60
  • 12 Grzanka A, Misiolek H, Filipowska A, Miskiewicz-Orczyk K, Jarzab J. Adverse effects of local anaesthetics - Allergy, toxic reactions or hypersensitivity. Anestezjol Intens Ter 2010; 42: 175-8
  • 13 Chandrasekaran S, Kumar S, Bhat SA, Saravanakumar Shabbir PM, Chandrasekaran V. Awareness of basic life support among medical, dental, nursing students and doctors. Indian J Anaesth 2010; 54: 121-6
  • 14 Reddy S, Doshi D, Reddy P, Kulkarni S, Reddy S. Awareness of basic life support among staff and students in a dental school. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013; 14: 511-7
  • 15 Businger A, Rinderknecht S, Blank R, Merki L, Carrel T. Students' knowledge of symptoms and risk factors of potential life-threatening medical conditions. Swiss Med Wkly 2010; 140: 78-84
  • 16 Owojuyigbe AM, Adenekan AT, Faponle AF, Olateju SO. Impact of basic life support training on the knowledge of basic life support in a group of Nigerian Dental Students. Niger Postgrad Med J 2015; 22: 164-8
  • 17 Narayan DP, Biradar SV, Reddy MT, Bk S. Assessment of knowledge and attitude about basic life support among dental interns and postgraduate students in Bangalore city, India. World J Emerg Med 2015; 6: 118-22
  • 18 Roshana S, Kh B, Rm P, Mw S. Basic life support: Knowledge and attitude of medical/paramedical professionals. World J Emerg Med 2012; 3: 141-5
  • 19 Chew KS, Yazid MN. The willingness of final year medical and dental students to perform bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an Asian community. Int J Emerg Med 2008; 1: 301-9
  • 20 Al-Shamiri HM, Alaizari NA, Al-Maweri SA, Tarakji B. Knowledge and attitude of dental trauma among dental students in Saudi Arabia. Eur J Dent 2015; 9: 518-22
  • 21 Kobras M, Langewand S, Murr C, Neu C, Schmid J. Short lessons in basic life support improve self-assurance in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. World J Emerg Med 2016; 7: 255-62
  • 22 Lu CY. Observational studies: A review of study designs, challenges and strategies to reduce confounding. Int J Clin Pract 2009; 63: 691-7
  • 23 Boroumand S, Garcia AI, Selwitz RH, Goodman HS. Knowledge and opinions regarding oral cancer among Maryland dental students. J Cancer Educ 2008; 23: 85-91