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During the joint scientific work of Georgian University, School of Health, Public Health Doctoral Maka Sabashvili, and Professor of the Dental Department Ketevan Nanobashvili, several articles were published in American, highly rated magazines. We offer the text of the recorded interview with Professor Ketevan Nanobashvili on the mentioned topic.
1. What effect can the result of this research have on human existence?
Any research related to human health and the search for means to improve it affects the quality of its existence and well-being. Accordingly, our research was aimed at studying the needs and means of dental treatment of patients on the autistic spectrum.
Unfortunately, there are currently few ways for small patients with this special need to perform dental manipulations without pain and without psychological trauma, which is why they mainly resort to "problematic" tooth extraction under general pain relief (narcosis).
We came across even more deplorable facts in terms of teaching them how to select and use routine oral hygiene products (meaning very banal toothbrushes and toothpaste). The latter, as is known, is an unconditional necessity for maintaining the health of the oral cavity.
Based on all of the above, baby dentists - within our medical practice, we are constantly in contact with this kind of problem. It is the search for ways to solve this that has led us to the idea that the issue needs more in-depth study, research, and the development and implementation of specific measures based on the obtained results in our practice.
Based on research results and recommendations, the presence of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASA) and their parents/ guardians will improve. The qualification of dentists will begin to be increased, skills will be developed, which is a prerequisite for the complete dental treatment of people with ASA. Also, on the basis of recommendations, financial support will take place and their socio-economic status will be dramatically improved, which will affect the well-being of public health;
2. How exactly is the subject of research related to these issues?
The subject of research is people with ASA, which is directly related to the above-mentioned issues, so that they can adapt to the dental crisis and the quality of service for them can be improved. While conducting dental treatments with pediatric patients with the autistic spectrum, we face several types of problems:
· The peculiarity of food - again, due to the specificity of their taste, in children with ASA - balanced nutrition is violated, which affects their general and oral health;
· Conducting the necessary, simplest dental manipulations in the dental office, which are not adapted to these specific patients, is very difficult and in many cases even ineffective. Accordingly, we studied the adaptation of clinics and their readiness to receive dental patients with ASA;
3. How can students get involved in this field of research and why would you advise them to do so?
In general, the involvement of students in all scientific studies is important for their educational-scientific development. In order to engage in specific research, one needs their interest and the ability to communicate with people - which is the basis of deontology. As part of the research, patients with ASA were invited to the university clinic of the University of Georgia during student practices at the University of Georgia. The students of the dental department were constantly involved in receiving patients with ASA, establishing specific communication with them, and assisting them throughout the manipulations.
4. What were the main challenges and skills associated with this research?
Due to this situation, the main challenge was to conduct the research perfectly and have face-to-face contact with the necessary contingent, which further deepened the ability to achieve the set goals.
5. Why are you interested in researching this issue?
The issue is very important for reducing the burden of public health, which is related to two topics. Adaptation of persons with ASA in dental clinics and study of their dental needs.
Due to the fact that there is currently almost no dental clinic adapted to patients with ASA, the parents of these patients on their own initiative investigate baby dentists who treat their children "without anesthesia". Therefore, almost all child dentists, including ourselves, are facing this challenge, which led to interest in the research issue.
6. What was the response to this particular work?
The work aroused great interest in international scientific journals, which is manifested by quoting from various works and interest from publishing establishments.
Interested readers can read the publications on the specified links:
2. http://caucasushealth.ge/pdf/Volume%204,%20Supplement-7.pdf
3. https://biomedgrid.com/index.php
7. რა დამატებითი დაფინანსება და მხარდაჭერა ჰქონდა ამ კვლევას?
სამწუხაროდ, კვლევას არ ჰქონია ფინანსური მხარდაჭერა, პირადი თანხებით მოხდა კვლევის ჩატარება.
დაინტერესებულ მკითხველს შეუძლია პუბლიკაციებს მითითებულ ბმულებზე გაეცნოს:
2. http://caucasushealth.ge/pdf/Volume%204,%20Supplement-7.pdf
3. https://biomedgrid.com/index.php
