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Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Aug 2022: Rare diseases affect an estimated four million patients in Germany. Approximately 15% of the approximately 6000 to 8000 rare diseases known globally show...
: Rare diseases affect an estimated four million patients in Germany. Approximately 15% of the approximately 6000 to 8000 rare diseases known globally show manifestations in the dental, oral and maxillofacial regions. The present survey evaluated the knowledge and management of rare diseases and their orofacial alterations by dentists, dental specialists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dentists working at university hospitals for dentistry and/or oral and maxillofacial surgery. The study was designed as an anonymous cross-sectional study. Two anonymous online surveys were performed in all dentists in Germany using the open-source survey software limesurvey. The study cohorts were divided into dentists, dental specialists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons in practice, and dentists who worked in university dental and oral and maxillofacial surgery centers. The survey was performed between 1 October 2020 and 31 March 2021. A total of 309 dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons in private practice and 18 dentists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons working at universities participated. A total of 209 (86.7%) study participants working in private practice indicated that the topic of rare diseases should be considered clinically relevant. University participants indicated that there was a lecture on rare diseases in only 7 (63.6%) cases. Only 2 (13.3%) participants reported active research on the topic in their department. The current knowledge on rare diseases is inadequate in suitable screening and therapy. Most of the participants believed that knowledge of rare diseases was very important for daily dental practice. The self-estimations showed that all of the participants estimated their knowledge as very good or inadequate, with a tendency in the direction of inadequate knowledge.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Humans; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; Rare Diseases; Surgery, Oral; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 36013581
DOI: 10.3390/medicina58081114 -
International Dental Journal Apr 2022Compounded by the needs of an aging society, interactions between oral condition and systemic diseases may require that dentists pursue additional training in oral...
BACKGROUND
Compounded by the needs of an aging society, interactions between oral condition and systemic diseases may require that dentists pursue additional training in oral medicine beyond that received in dental school. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether pursuing oral medicine professional education is recognised by dental practitioners as an important factor regarding job satisfaction.
METHODS
A questionnaire was mailed to 1,379 dental practitioners in Japan, along with a follow-up survey to assess repeatability, in 2017. The questionnaire consisted of 19 items/questions related to the respondents' attributes and job satisfaction (5 items), willingness to learn oral medicine (4 items), willingness to learn more about dentistry (4 items), and willingness to contribute to society (6 items). Representative questions were extracted via binomial logistic regression analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationships between job satisfaction and the explanatory variables.
RESULTS
Amongst 337 respondents, multivariable logistic regression analysis showed an association between strong job satisfaction (n = 126, 37%) and willingness to learn more about oral medicine and dentistry and contribute to society, with odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 4.22 (1.84-9.68), 3.16 (1.16-8.62), and 7.32 (3.14-17.06) and κ values of 0.38, 0.58, and 0.51, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results from dental practitioners suggest additional benefits of oral medicine professional education for future job satisfaction.
Topics: Dentists; Humans; Job Satisfaction; Oral Medicine; Professional Role; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34340827
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2021.06.001 -
Human Resources For Health Jan 2022Thailand has encountered an imbalanced dentist distribution and an internal brain drain of dentists from public to private health care facilities. To tackle these... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Thailand has encountered an imbalanced dentist distribution and an internal brain drain of dentists from public to private health care facilities. To tackle these challenges, the compulsory service (CS) program, which has been initially implemented for physicians, was extended for dentists.
METHOD
This policy and workforce document review describes the background, development, and policy implementation of the CS program in Thailand during the past three decades. Outcomes after policy implementation and future directions are also discussed. The information was gathered from the relevant policy and workforce documents available from 1961 to 2021.
RESULTS
In Thailand, junior dentists, specifically newly graduates, have to enroll in the CS program by working as oral health practitioners in public hospitals for at least 3 years. Dentists must pay a maximum fine of 400 000 baht (~ 12 571 USD) if they wish to skip the program. This fine is lowered according to the number of attending years in the program. CS program conditions are related to each university's admission track. The CS enrolled dentists receive several financial and non-financial benefits, including educational, employment-related, and living provisions. Altogether, successive Thai governments have launched directive policies to increase dentist distribution in rural areas and their retention in public hospitals. These policies have been implemented in 3 stages: (1) increase production of new dentists, (2) allocation of newly dental graduates to public hospitals, and (3) provide benefits for working in public hospitals.
CONCLUSION
During the past three decades, several public policies have been implemented to improve dentist retention and distribution to public hospitals across Thailand, particularly in rural areas. The present CS program may not completely resolve the oral health inequalities because the dentist retention rate in public hospitals depends on multi-dimensional considerations. Further modifications on the CS program and future well-planned policies are needed.
Topics: Dentists; Health Facilities; Humans; Physicians; Thailand; Workforce
PubMed: 34991605
DOI: 10.1186/s12960-021-00702-z -
International Dental Journal Apr 2023There is sparse research on the effect of factors related to the dentist and patient in the caries management decision-making process. This in vitro study explored the...
AIM
There is sparse research on the effect of factors related to the dentist and patient in the caries management decision-making process. This in vitro study explored the influence of factors related to dentists and patients on the management decision of occlusal noncavitated caries lesions in children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Five investigators in the specialties of dental public health (DPH), paediatric, prosthetic, and operative dentistry and a general dentist (GDP) participated in this study. Initially, the investigators were asked to independently assess the occlusal surfaces of 175 noncavitated permanent molars and choose a management recommendation using 2 caries risk patients' scenarios. After 1 month, investigators were trained and calibrated to use the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) scoring system. Then, they examined the same teeth, recorded the highest/worst ICDAS score, and chose a management recommendation. Two weeks later, the investigators repeated the teeth examination using magnification loupes and again chose a management recommendation. The teeth were sectioned to study the relationship between the presence of caries and the management recommendations.
RESULTS
For the low- and the high-caries risk scenarios, ICDAS training increased the operative intervention by 20% to 27% and 14% to 22%, respectively, for both the GDP and the paediatric dentist (P < .0001). For the low-caries risk scenario, using the magnifying loupes increased the operative recommendations for the DPH, GDP, and the operative dentist by 5% to 23% (P < .05). Compared to the low-caries risk scenario, teeth for patients with high caries risk received more surgical interventions (9%-30%) at all examination conditions for the GDP and the paediatric and operative dentists (P < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS
For occlusal noncavitated caries lesions, enhancing dentists' caries detection skills had a significant impact on decisions of surgical intervention. This also influenced the appropriateness of the treatment recommended for the different caries risk groups.
Topics: Humans; Child; Dental Caries Susceptibility; Molar; Dental Caries; Dentists; Dental Restoration, Permanent
PubMed: 35896427
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2022.06.024 -
Stomatologija 2018Ability for general practitioners and dentists to successfully identify oral cancer (OC) and knowledge about it has a huge influence in further primary diagnosis and...
INTRODUCTION
Ability for general practitioners and dentists to successfully identify oral cancer (OC) and knowledge about it has a huge influence in further primary diagnosis and good specialized treatment and care. It is very important to realize what obstacles appear in medical care professionals (dentists and general medical practitioners(GPs)) way for primary oral cancer diagnostics.
PURPOSE
To find out the insight of primary oral cancer diagnostics in Kaunas city.
GOALS
to analise knowledge of society about oral cancer and its primary symptoms; to evaluate and compare the insight of POCD for general medical practitioners and dentists; to appraise the oncological awareness and evaluate the experience in oral oncology for mentioned medical care proffesionals.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Questionnaires were prepared for patients and medical professionals. Permission for investigation was confirmed by LUHS Bioethical centre. Questioning was done in Kaunas city (Lithuania) and its districts.
RESULTS
100 questionnaires were collected from random people, questioned at health care centers and 106 questionnaires were given to medical staff (64 for dentists and 42 for general medical practitioners); 81% of GPs and 75% of dentists claims to have low insight on POCD; 83,3% of GPs and 46.9% of dentists claims that they have not enough learning experience on POCD from graduated university. Although, only 4,8% of GPs and 6,2% of dentists updated their knowledge on POCD after graduation.
CONCLUSIONS
Society agrees having a poor knowledge on POCD; GPs and dentists are not educated enough for POCD; GPs pay too little attention for oral cavity examinations and are in shortage collaborating with dentists about POCD.
Topics: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Dentists; Diagnosis, Oral; Education, Dental; Female; General Practitioners; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; Lithuania; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 30531168
DOI: No ID Found -
Dental and Medical Problems 2021Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) has had drastic effects among healthcare professionals.
BACKGROUND
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) has had drastic effects among healthcare professionals.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to assess knowledge and awareness among dental specialists, general dentists and dental assistants regarding standard patient care guidelines for minimizing the spread of the infection.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A survey-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 84 participants. The participants were divided into groups of dental specialists, general dentists and dental assistants. A modified version of a validated questionnaire was used to evaluate knowledge and awareness regarding SARS‑CoV‑2 as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Data was analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey's tests to assess differences in knowledge regarding the SARS‑CoV‑2 guidelines across the 3 groups. The simple linear regression analysis was used to examine factors influencing the knowledge scores.
RESULTS
Among all dental specialists, 13 orthodontists, 9 operative dentists, 8 maxillofacial surgeons, 4 prosthodontists, and 1 periodontist responded to the survey. The mean knowledge scores of dental specialists, general dentists and dental assistants were 10.05 ±2.10, 9.95 ±2.30 and 8.53 ±2.10, respectively. Overall, we found a significant difference (p = 0.02) in the knowledge scores between the groups, and pairwise comparisons showed that there was a significant difference (p = 0.03) in the knowledge scores between dental specialists and dental assistants.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that hospitals should conduct mandatory workshops, training sessions and seminars to raise the awareness of the novel coronavirus pandemic and disinfection protocols, not only for specialists, but for all staff members.
Topics: COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Assistants; Dentists; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Specialization; United States
PubMed: 34463437
DOI: 10.17219/dmp/134964 -
The New Zealand Dental Journal Dec 2016
Topics: Dentist-Patient Relations; Dentists; Humans; Male; Professional Role; Suicide
PubMed: 29694761
DOI: No ID Found -
Clinical Oral Investigations Jun 2023The prevalence of root caries is increasing globally, especially in the elderly population, and even though the number of patients with root caries lesions is...
OBJECTIVES
The prevalence of root caries is increasing globally, especially in the elderly population, and even though the number of patients with root caries lesions is augmenting, there are still many discrepancies in how dentists manage this condition. The present study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate how dentists diagnose, record and manage root caries lesions, and to verify the validity and reliability of this questionnaire.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An expert panel developed a self-administered questionnaire survey with three domains: (1) dentists' knowledge on diagnosis, recording, and managing root caries; (2) information about their current general clinical routines; (3) their demographics. The original English [E] version was translated into three different languages (French [F], German [G], Italian [I]), and subsequently back-translated into English by independent dentists. For the validation, 82 dentists (20-22 for each of the translated versions) accepted to answer the questionnaire at two different time-points (with 1-week interval). The data was quality checked. Construct validity, internal reliability, and intra-class correlation (ICC) were assessed.
RESULTS
Seventy-seven dentists completed the questionnaire twice [E: 17; F: 19; G: 19; I: 22]. The mean ICC (standard deviation) was 0.98(0.03) for E, 0.90(0.12) for F, 0.98 (0.04) for G, and 0.98 (0.01) for I. Overall, the test-retest reliability was excellent (mean ICC (SD): 0.96 (0.08)). Furthermore, the questionnaire demonstrated good internal reliability (inter-observer reliability; Fleiss kappa: overall:0.27(fair); E:0.30 (fair); F: 0.33(fair); G: 0.33(fair); I: 0.89 (almost perfect)).
CONCLUSION
The questionnaire was validated and is suitable to be used in the four languages to assess the knowledge of dentists on diagnosing, recording and managing root caries.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present questionnaire was validated and seems to be a good tool to evaluate how dentists diagnose, record, and manage root caries lesions both in its original (English) and its translated (French, German, and Italian) versions.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Root Caries; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires; Translating; Dentists
PubMed: 36629963
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-022-04842-x -
The Journal of Clinical Pediatric... Sep 2022Dental loupes are used by dental professionals to improve visual performance, reduce eye strain and prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Data on their usage in pediatric...
BACKGROUND
Dental loupes are used by dental professionals to improve visual performance, reduce eye strain and prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Data on their usage in pediatric dentistry are scarce.
STUDY DESIGN
We performed a cross-sectional survey to evaluate the approach, knowledge, and frequency of using loupes among 100 general and pediatric dentists.
RESULTS
showed that the use of loupes is significantly more prevalent among general dentists (64.3%) compared to pediatric specialists and residents (35.7%). Among dentists who reported that they do not use loupes, 63.6% were pediatric dentists and residents, and 82.5% were dentists working with children. A significantly higher percentage of dentists who self-reported as loupes users perceived that the loupes afford comfortable and stable posture, confidence while working, and contribute to the detection of tooth decay. A significantly higher percentage of dentists who self-reported as non-users of loupes (compared to loupes users), claimed that they weaken the eyes, require long adjustment, and cause discomfort.
CONCLUSION
Although the use of loupes in general dentistry is becoming more prevalent, there is still a need to raise awareness for this vision aid among pediatric dentists while promoting its advantages, to reap benefits associated with their usage.
Topics: Child; Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Lenses; Dentists; Attitude; Posture
PubMed: 36624913
DOI: 10.22514/jocpd.2022.006 -
BMC Oral Health Oct 2023There is a notable increase in the usage of social media platforms, especially for health communication, as more clinicians and patients count on this kind of...
BACKGROUND
There is a notable increase in the usage of social media platforms, especially for health communication, as more clinicians and patients count on this kind of technology. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the perception and attitude toward social media (SM) use for professionalism and dental practice promotion among periodontal specialists working in Saudi Arabia (KSA).
METHODS
Electronic surveys were distributed in person or online using WhatsApp, Snapchat or Email from October 2022 until March 2023. The questionnaire was targeting periodontists in KSA, and it consists of three parts: the first part includes sociodemographic and professional data; the second part asks about the daily usage of SM in dental practice; and the third part asks about the periodontist's opinion about SM usage. Descriptive data were presented as numbers and percentages. The association between the demographic variables and the means of periodontists' opinions was tested using Pearson's chi-square test. Any value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
A total of 121 responses were received from the periodontists. Most of the participants were in the 36-45 age group, with a percentage of 40.5%. In terms of gender, males made up 52.9% of the population, while females made up 47.1%, and the majority of the participants were consultants. The most common SM platform used by periodontists for daily using and dental practice promotion was Snapchat (56.2%), followed by Instagram and Twitter (54.5% and 49.6%, respectively). There was a significant difference in proportions among Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok between older and younger periodontists, with a p value < 0.05. There was no significant difference between the gender of the participants and their opinions regarding the usage of SM.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlighted the effectiveness of SM in the promotion of dental practices and the discipline of periodontics, as more clinicians and patients rely on this kind of technology. These online platforms can improve periodontal practice in terms of dental health education, counseling, advertising, and oral health services.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Attitude of Health Personnel; Dentists; Periodontics; Saudi Arabia; Social Media
PubMed: 37807041
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03444-7