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U n i v e r s i t y of P e r a d e n i y a

The Institutional Repository of the University of Peradeniya is the University's digital gateway to scholarly knowledge and research excellence. Established as the next phase of the Digital Library initiative launched by the University Library in 2011, it preserves, showcases, and provides open access to the intellectual output of the University community.

Through a rich collection of research articles, conference proceedings, theses, dissertations, and other scholarly works, the repository enhances the visibility, accessibility, and long-term preservation of knowledge, extending the global reach and impact of the University of Peradeniya’s academic and research contributions.

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Recent Submissions

Oral-health-related knowledge, attitudes and oral-care practices of nursing undergraduates of Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Bandara, D. L.; Weerasinghe, G.K.; Pushpakumara, P.H.G.J.
As primary caregivers, it is important to establish adequate knowledge and a better attitude towards oral care in nursing officers. This study aimed to assess the oral health knowledge, attitude and oral-care practices among nursing undergraduates of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in March 2019.Self-reported knowledge, attitude and oral-care practices of all students were assessed using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Oral-health-related knowledge was evaluated under six sub scales. The majority of the participants were females, 109/148(73.65%). The highest mean score for knowledge was on dental plaque 7.16 (SD 4.5) while the lowest was on oral cancers, 3.89 (SD 3.13). However, nearly one-third of the undergraduates (37.84%) were not aware of the main purpose of tooth brushing. A positive attitude towards oral health was reported by 45 (30.41%, 95% CI 22.3-38.5%) undergraduates. Nevertheless, the distribution of the scores for the knowledge and attitude was not statistically different between gender and among different academic year of study.80% (n=118) of undergraduates brushed twice a day and 72% (n=107) used fluoridated toothpastes. Slightly more than half of the undergraduates (53.4%, 95% CI 44.6-62.2%) had snacks in between main meals while 41.9% (95% CI 33.3-50.6%) had maintained regular dental visits. Although a majority showed good oral practices, a significant percentage was not aware of the main purpose of tooth brushing. Similarly, the knowledge on oral cancer, which is a highly prevalent condition in Sri Lanka, was not satisfactory. No difference was found in scores of knowledge and attitude on oral health between genders or among academic year of study. Thus, suggest further studies and incorporation of properly designed oral health education programmes for the nursing undergraduates.
Evaluation of demographic and clinical characteristics of oral submucous fibrosis in a group of Sri Lankan patients – a retrospective cohort study
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Hettiarachchi, P.V.K.S.; Anupama, S.; Jayasinghe, R.D.
Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a well-established oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) that affects the South Asian countries including Sri Lanka where the traditional habit of areca nut chewing prevails. The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of OSF among patients presented to the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya. A retrospective cohort of 503 patients, diagnosed with OSF, followed up in the Oral Medicine clinic, for the past 22 years were included in the study. Patients‘ age ranging from 3 - 81 years (394 males (78.3%) and 109 females (21.6%); mean age, 43.38 years) with the diagnosis of OSF presented to Oral Medicine clinic. The main complaint of the patients presented was burning sensation (45.1). Fifty six patients complained either of an ulcer or a white/red patch. Majority, 69.8% had the habit of betel chewing only, while 14 had chewing areca nut alone as their risk factor and 18.1% had the synergistic habit of betel chewing and smoking. 65.4 % had the involvement of the buccal mucosa with the presence of fibrous bands on the initial visit with 28.4% demonstrating restricted tongue movements. The commonest abnormality observed on the tongue was depapillation (55.7%) and de- pigmentation, an early feature noted in 27.2%. A total of 463 patients had undergone a histopathological investigation and almost 50% of those were devoid of any dysplastic lesions. According to the grading system by Kerr et al. (2011), 39% of cases were at Grade 4B, that is OSF with any grade of dysplasia in the biopsy at the initial presentation and only 16% presented with mild disease (Grade 1). The clinical characteristics of OSF patients may differ due to variations in risk habits practiced.
Gender classification and prediction using eruption status of permanent teeth in Sri Lankan children
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) De Silva, B.D.H.H.; Nawarathna, L.S.; Vithanaarachchi, V.S.N.
Gender prediction is a dominant component in forensic identification procedures. Teeth are better preserved than other parts of the human body, resistant to high temperature and any mass disaster, thereby providing the best records for forensic investigations. Moreover, tooth eruption is a process that teeth enter the mouth and become visible and eruption status is a measure that can be taken at low cost and efficiency. Hence, this study was undertaken to predict the gender using the eruption status of permanent teeth. Although many studies have been done based on different measures of teeth, this is a novel study for Sri Lankan children using eruption status of permanent teeth. This cross- sectional study was carried out on 3321 children with 1681 males and 1640 females from 7 provinces and 20 schools. A tooth was considered erupted, if more than 1/3ʳᵈ of the crown is visible and recorded as status 1. Gender is a binary variable and all 28 predictor variables (permanent teeth) are also binary variables with status 1 or 0.Therefore a classification based approach was used to predict the gender of a child using machine learning classifiers, namely Classification and Regression Tree (CART), Random Forest and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XG Boost) which are non-parametric and based on decision trees. The fitted models were validated using 10-fold cross-validation technique and the model performance was measured using accuracy, F1 score, sensitivity and specificity. The Extreme Gradient Boosting classifier was selected as the best performance model compared to the other fitted models which are performed with the highest accuracy 62.80% and 0.6340 F1 score. Hence, the gender of a child can be predicted using the best-fitted model in situations as forensic investigations. Furthermore, gathering data covering all the districts in Sri Lanka would enhance the performance of the proposed classifier for gender prediction.
Evaluation of interpretational skills of dental panoramic radiographs among dental specialists, postgraduate trainees, undergraduates and general dental practitioners in Sri Lanka
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Gunasena, C.; Hettiarachchi, P.V.K.S.; Medawela, R.M.S.H.B.; Jayasinghe, R.D.
Dental panoramic tomography (DPT), a commonly performed extra oral radiographic examination is an essential armamentarium that aids in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and assessment of prognosis of disorders of teeth and supporting structures. As this imaging modality results in the superimposition of the anatomical structures in the head and neck region, a thorough knowledge of the complex anatomy in this region is essential. Hence the present study aims to evaluate the knowledge level in different aspects of interpretation in DPT‘s among dental undergraduates and graduates in Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed, administering a questionnaire via the World Wide Web. Aspects of interpretational skills tested were anatomical landmarks, operator errors and pathologies. A total of 216 responses were obtained with female preponderance (females 132; males 84). 31.8% of respondents were general dental practitioners, 30.8% were undergraduates, 26.2 % were post-graduate trainees and 11.2% were consultants/ academics. Females scored more than males in all three aspects of the questionnaire (60.2 %, 57.9% and 59.7%). General dental practitioners had the highest average score among the four categories in all aspects of interpretation (anatomic landmarks: 30.7%, operator errors: 33.4% and pathologies: 31.3%). Comparison of scores among the different age groups revealed that the recently passed out graduates with 0-5 years‘ experience had the highest. Out of the sections in the questionnaire, 17% lacked knowledge in interpreting anatomical landmarks, 21.6% on operator errors and 26% on pathologies. These findings reveal that there is inadequate knowledge in the interpretation of anatomical landmarks and pathological lesions among the personnel in the Dental field in Sri Lanka. A reasonable number of participants showed a lack of knowledge in the interpretation of operator /positional errors in DPT‘s. Continuous dental educations sessions in DPT‘s should be done with more weight on the interpretation of operator /positional errors in DPT‘s.
Knowledge about first aid for dental avulsion among nurses
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Maithreepala, S.D.; Dassanayake, D.R.T.S.; Rahinduwa, H.R.B.K.; Wijesinghe, N.T.; Damayanti, H.D.W.T.
An avulsion of a tooth is one of the most severe forms of dental injuries. Prompt and appropriate first aid for dental avulsion improves the prognosis of the tooth. Although nurses provide first aid for various trauma patients, evidence of providing first aid for dental avulsion is lacking. There is limited literature regarding nurses‘ knowledge of first aid for dental avulsion. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of first aid for avulsed teeth among nurses using a narrative review approach. Abstracts, full texts, books, and documents that have been written in English language on nurses‘ knowledge on first aid for dental avulsion were searched. The keywords used for the search were knowledge, first-aid, dental avulsion, and nurse. Articles published from 2011 to 2021 were searched through Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct databases. A total of 14 articles were selected and reviewed utilizing the thematic analysis method. From 50% (n=7) of selected articles, it was found that the knowledge among nurses on first aid management of dental avulsion was poor. Areas of inadequate knowledge on first aid management were identified under three themes: the ability of reimplantation, transport media, and cleaning media. There was no formal training for nurses to update knowledge on first aid for the avulsed tooth. They identified self-learning as a strategy to get the related knowledge. More than half (64%) of the articles indicated the willingness of nurses to participate in a formal training program on first aid for a dental avulsion. Initial management of the avulsed tooth, including first aid, is lacking in nursing education. Therefore, well-structured training on first aid management of dental avulsion needs to be arranged to improve the oral health-related quality of life.