title: Experience from Classroom Teaching to Clinical Practice Regarding Shortened Dental Arch (SDA) Concept Among Dentists - A Questionnaire Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Periodontal disease and dental caries are the common oral conditions which cause loss of teeth, mostly molars. This further leads to Shortening of Dental Arch and Shortened Dental Arch (SDA) concept provides the overall requirements of functional dentition at reduced cost without compromising the health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) towards SDA concept among dentists of Ghaziabad city (Uttar Pradesh, India).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted among 514 dentists working as academicians or clinicians or both. KAP questionnaire consisting of questions related to SDA concept was distributed to them. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and descriptive and analytical tests, including mean, standard deviation, and Chi square test were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 514 dentists, only 493 dentists responded to the questionnaire, generating the response rate of 95.5%. Only 113 (22.9%) had knowledge about this concept. Clinicians were found to have more knowledge regarding the SDA concept (p<0.05). Also years of experience and level of knowledge among dentists regarding SDA was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed lack of knowledge regarding SDA concept among dentists and also only few dentists practice the SDA concept on their patients. If used judiciously the SDA concept can serve as a cost effective and functionally oriented approach in clinical management of patients.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, D.J. College of Dental Sciences and Research , Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Tutor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, D.J. College of Dental Sciences and Research , Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Ravneet
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malhi
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, D.J. College of Dental Sciences and Research , Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Basavaraj
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Patthi
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, D.J. College of Dental Sciences and Research , Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singla
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Community Dentistry, Amrita School of Dentistry, Amrita Vishwvidhyapeetham , Cochin, Kerala, India .
authors.forename: Chandrasheker
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Janakiram
authors.affiliation: Tutor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, D.J. College of Dental Sciences and Research , Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Venisha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pandita
authors.affiliation: Tutor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, D.J. College of Dental Sciences and Research , Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Tutor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, D.J. College of Dental Sciences and Research , Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Jishnu Krishna
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kumar
keywords: Attitude; Dental arch; Dentists; Knowledge; Temporomandibular disorders