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The Pan African Medical Journal 2021this study aimed at finding out current practice of endodontics amongst Nigerian dentists undergoing postgraduate training (also referred to as dental resident doctors)...
INTRODUCTION
this study aimed at finding out current practice of endodontics amongst Nigerian dentists undergoing postgraduate training (also referred to as dental resident doctors) in different institutions across the nation.
METHODS
a questionnaire-based, cross sectional study was conducted amongst dentists undergoing postgraduate training. Questions were asked on demographics, protocol for root canal treatment (RCT), materials employed in different stages. Opinions were also sought on satisfaction with their practice and training needs in endodontics. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 20.0 and presented as tables and charts. Significance level was set at p≤0.05.
RESULTS
ninety dentists undergoing postgraduate training (57 males and 33 females) with mean age of 34.81 ± 5.9 years participated in the study. Root canal treatment was mostly done in multiple visits in both single and multi-rooted teeth (p=0.01), only about 15% performed the procedure on multi rooted teeth. Sixty-five (72.2%) never used Rubber dam, stainless steel files were being used by 69%, step down technique of preparation by 53.9% and Sodium hypochlorite was the major irrigant (80%) used. Obturation was majorly with Cold lateral compaction technique (94%), 57.2% delayed definitive restoration for maximum of 1 week and amalgam was still the major material used for posterior teeth as reported by 62.9% of the participants. The majority (55.6%) were not satisfied with their current knowledge and practice and most were those that did not have good undergraduate training (p = 0.05).
CONCLUSION
the practice of endodontics needs standardization across the nation as it is being advocated in other countries. There is need for hands on-training on endodontics to encourage adoption of new advances in technology, as well as improve the training of postgraduate dentists in endodontics. Also, emphasis should be placed on use of rubber dam in order to minimize the spread of infection and protect the patients from aspiration of small instruments involved in endodontic procedure.
Topics: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Education, Dental, Graduate; Endodontics; Female; Humans; Male; Nigeria; Root Canal Therapy; Rubber Dams; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34630830
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.39.218.23205 -
International Dental Journal Feb 2023The aim of this work was to determine dentists' ability to accurately estimate patients' anxiety level during dental treatment (ie, "empathic accuracy") and to determine...
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this work was to determine dentists' ability to accurately estimate patients' anxiety level during dental treatment (ie, "empathic accuracy") and to determine the strength of the association between empathic accuracy and patient-reported reassurance.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 177 adult patients who underwent different invasive dental procedures (ie, extractions or procedures requiring injections and drilling) performed by 10 different dentists from 3 dental offices in the Netherlands. Patients reported their anxiety level during treatment and the extent to which they felt reassured by the dentist using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Simultaneously, the dentists estimated patients' anxiety level. Empathic accuracy was calculated as an absolute difference between patient-reported anxiety (100-point VAS) and dentist estimation of anxiety (100-point VAS).
RESULTS
Agreement between dentists' assessment of patients' anxiety and patient-reported anxiety proved good, intraclass correlation coefficient (177) = 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53-0.71. A small to medium-sized positive correlation, r (177) = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.00-0.29, was found between dentists' empathic accuracy and patient-reported reassurance. A negative correlation was found between empathic accuracy and patients' anxiety scores, r (177) = -0.23; 95% CI, -0.38 to -0.09.
CONCLUSIONS
Given that greater empathic accuracy was associated with higher patient-reported reassurance during treatment, training young dental professionals in empathic accuracy might help patients feel reassured. Importantly, our results also suggest that with elevated levels of patient anxiety it is increasingly challenging for dentists to recognise this emotion, and thus support the patient in anoptimal manner.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Anxiety; Dentists; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Netherlands; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35896426
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2022.06.009 -
Journal of Dentistry Jun 2024Dental practice is based upon dentists' cognitions, knowledge being foundational. Knowledge is attained through education and perception. Although knowledge is modulated... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Dental practice is based upon dentists' cognitions, knowledge being foundational. Knowledge is attained through education and perception. Although knowledge is modulated by beliefs, attitudes, preferences, and behaviors, it is essential to evidence-based practice. Cross-sectional studies uniformly demonstrate that community NSRCT is of sub-optimal quality worldwide, is lack of knowledge a problem? Our purpose was to measure dentists' knowledge of root canal treatment (NSRCT).
DATA
Quantitative and qualitative data were extracted: purpose, topics assessed, authors cited knowledge sources, number of dentists studied, number of questions, authors descriptors of knowledge level,% correct answers by question, authors recommendations.
SOURCES
OVID Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and hand-searching.
STUDY SELECTION
Studies which had measured dentists' knowledge of non-surgical root canal treatment that was valuable, reliable, and had practical implications which could be implemented. A total of 51 papers from 19 countries measured the knowledge of 15,580 dentists using 445 questions on 29 root canal treatment topics.
CONCLUSIONS
'Gold standards' were from literature, external bodies, or expert consensus in 47, 31, and 2 papers respectively. Levels of knowledge by percentage correct answers among studies were poor to moderate and varied considerably. The mean, for the 50 studies where overall study percentages could be calculated, was 57 %, standard deviation 17 %, and a range of 16 % to 82 %. Authors' adjectives describing knowledge levels were generally negative. Additional education was advised in 49 papers, but without evidence that education was inadequate; 6 papers recommended increased use of protocols; only 5 papers advocated research on the cause of lack of knowledge.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Dentists' root canal treatment knowledge was found to be poor to moderate, as well variable. This may constrain quality of care. However, provision of information without attention to dentists' cognitions and motivations may not be successful. Educational strategies and goals should be re-evaluated. Evidence-based practice faces many barriers.
Topics: Humans; Root Canal Therapy; Dentists; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Clinical Competence; Evidence-Based Dentistry; Practice Patterns, Dentists'
PubMed: 38580057
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104975 -
PloS One 2022Appropriate antibiotic prescription contributes to reducing bacterial resistance; therefore, it is critical to provide training regarding this challenge. The objective...
Appropriate antibiotic prescription contributes to reducing bacterial resistance; therefore, it is critical to provide training regarding this challenge. The objective of this study was to develop a virtual learning environment for antibiotic prescription and to determine its impact on dentists' awareness, attitudes, and intention to practice. First, the learning content on multimedia resources was developed and distributed into three challenges that participants had to overcome. Then, a quasi-experimental study was performed in which the virtual learning environment was implemented on dentists from seven Colombian cities. The median of correct answers and the levels of awareness, attitudes, and intention to practice were compared before, immediately after, and 6-months post-intervention. Wilcoxon signed-rank and McNemar's tests were used to determine the differences. A total of 206 participants who finished the virtual learning environment activities exhibited a favorable and statistically significant impact on the median of correct answers of awareness (p < 0.001), attitudes (p < 0.001), and intention to practice (p = 0.042). A significant increase occurred in the number of participants with a high level of awareness (p < 0.001) and a non-significant increase in participants with high levels of attitudes (p = 0.230) and intention to practice (p = 0.286). At 6 months, the positive effect on the median of correct answers on awareness and intention to practice persisted (p < 0.001); however, this was not evident for attitudes (p = 0.105). Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the number of participants who showed low levels of awareness (p = 0.019) and a slight increase in those with high levels of the same component (p = 0.161). The use of a virtual learning environment designed for dentists contributed to a rapid improvement in awareness and intention to practice antibiotic prescription; however, their attitudes and information retention need reinforcement.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Colombia; Dentists; Education, Distance; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Intention; Male; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Practice Patterns, Dentists'; Prescriptions; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35089952
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262731 -
Journal of Health Organization and... Dec 2021The purpose of the paper is to describe the current state of leadership and leader-member exchange (LMX) theory in dentistry and develop a novel conceptual model of LMX... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The purpose of the paper is to describe the current state of leadership and leader-member exchange (LMX) theory in dentistry and develop a novel conceptual model of LMX to guide future research and highlight the importance of enhancing leadership training for new dentists.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
A literature review exploring leadership in dentistry and LMX in dentistry was completed. The findings were analyzed with framework analysis to develop a novel conceptual model of LMX specific to dentistry.
FINDINGS
LMX theory was applied to leadership in dentistry, including a focus on new dentists, senior dentists, other dental team members and the patient. A new conceptual model of the New Dentist LMX Quartet, which is unique and specific to new dentist teams, was developed.
RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS
The study identifies the need for research in LMX in dentistry, contributes a new conceptual model for LMX theory and identifies future research.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
Practitioners, policymakers and educators can utilize this information to explore concepts in leadership and improve training and dental practice.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE
No other studies specifically exploring LMX in dentistry for new dentists exist. The current literature review and conceptual paper begins the conversation on developing understanding of leadership in dentistry through further research.
Topics: Communication; Dentists; Humans; Leadership
PubMed: 34951297
DOI: 10.1108/JHOM-05-2021-0192 -
Journal of Dental Research Sep 2023The dental profession has endured unprecedented disruption amid COVID-19. Novel stressors have included a high risk of occupational exposure to COVID-19, financial...
The dental profession has endured unprecedented disruption amid COVID-19. Novel stressors have included a high risk of occupational exposure to COVID-19, financial losses, and stricter infection prevention and control requirements. The present study investigated the longitudinal impact of COVID-19 on the stress and anxiety levels of a cohort of Canadian dentists ( = 222) between September 2020 and October 2021. Salivary cortisol was selected as a biomarker of mental stress, and 10 sets of monthly saliva samples (2,131 in total) were self-collected, sent to our laboratory in prepaid courier envelopes, and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To assess COVID-19 anxiety, 9 monthly online questionnaires were administered, comprising a general COVID-19 anxiety instrument and 3 items regarding the impact of dentistry-related factors. Bayesian log-normal mixed effect models were fitted to estimate the longitudinal trajectory of salivary cortisol levels and their association with the disease burden of COVID-19 in Canada. After accounting for age, sex, vaccination status, and the diurnal rhythm of cortisol secretion, a modest positive association was found between dentists' salivary cortisol levels and the count of COVID-19 cases in Canada (96% posterior probability). Similarly, the self-reported impact of dentistry-related factors, such as fear of getting COVID-19 from a patient or coworker, was greatest during peaks of COVID-19 waves in Canada; however, general COVID-19 anxiety decreased consistently throughout the study period. Interestingly, at all collection points, the majority of participants were not concerned about personal protective equipment. Overall, participants reported relatively low rates of psychological distress symptoms in relation to COVID-19, a result that should be reassuring for the dental community. Our findings strongly suggest a link between self-reported and biochemical measurements of stress and anxiety in Canadian dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Hydrocortisone; Pandemics; Bayes Theorem; Canada; Anxiety; Surveys and Questionnaires; Dentists
PubMed: 37317840
DOI: 10.1177/00220345231178726 -
Community Dental Health Nov 2021There is a lack of research examining how dentists in private practice conceptualise the challenge presented by oral health injustice and how attitudes towards...
OBJECTIVES
There is a lack of research examining how dentists in private practice conceptualise the challenge presented by oral health injustice and how attitudes towards low-income patients might be influenced by the commercial nature of private dental care. This study provides insights into how dentists navigated the interactions between the commercial nature of dental practice and the provision of care to patients who either struggled to (or could not) afford the cost of self-funded care in private practice.
METHODS
Participants took part in semi-structured interviews and were invited to keep an online diary of reflections. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data to extract and synthesise understanding of how practitioners conceptualised issues surrounding providing care for the disadvantaged and how this related to the economic realities of private practice.
RESULTS
Twenty participants were recruited and interviewed from a variety of private practice environments and roles. This report focuses on one specific theme within the data that explored how participants viewed patients who received public dental care, as well as those privately funded patients who could ill-afford their treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings raise how neoliberal attitudes towards oral healthcare and dental disease may act as a social determinant of health and contribute to the sustaining of structural barriers and inaction towards oral health injustice. For low-income patients, practitioners distinguish between (a) those who are deemed to be deserving of professional care and the charitable endeavours of the profession, and (b) those who are not. There appears to be no overt professional obligation to actively work towards the amelioration of oral health injustice.
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Dentists; Humans; Oral Health; Practice Patterns, Dentists'; Private Practice
PubMed: 34351714
DOI: 10.1922/CDH_00009Holden07 -
Psychiatria Polska Dec 2020The professions of physician and dentist are associated with multiple health risks. The aim of this study was to identify the medical conditions that caused limitation...
OBJECTIVES
The professions of physician and dentist are associated with multiple health risks. The aim of this study was to identify the medical conditions that caused limitation or suspension of the professional license of Polish physicians and dentists, and to assess their return to professional activities.
METHODS
We analyzed documentation of Regional Medical Registers concerning the procedure for suspending medical licences or limiting certain medical activities, and decisions of Regional Medical Councils in 1990-2014.
RESULTS
The data on 65 decisions suspending the professional license, 8 decisions limiting the license and 1 revoking the right to practice have been obtained from 8 Councils. The most frequent cause of limiting or suspending the professional license was drug and alcohol dependence (54.1%). There was no correlation between the underlying medical condition and gender or profession (physician/dentist). Among doctors aged 42-57 and 58-67 whose licence had been suspended or limited, more than 60% suffered from substance use disorder (SUD). In the group of doctors aged 41 and younger, no such case was found. Among doctors older than 67, addiction was the cause of 37.5% of decisions suspending or limiting the professional license. In no case the medical condition causing limitation or suspension of the licence was an occupational disease. SUD was more frequent in surgical than nonsurgical specialties (76.5% vs. 46.9%, p < 0.05). The doctors suffering from addictions were more likely to return to their practice (57.5%) than those suffering from other illnesses (20.5%, p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The most common medical ground for limiting or suspending the professional licence was substance abuse. Number of decisions suspending or limiting the licence is relatively small and indicates a need for more efficient procedures for identification of doctors and dentists incapable of practicing due to health problems and assessment of the capacity to practice in the case of individuals who do not undertake treatment themselves and therefore are unable to assure sufficient quality of care to their patients. Moreover, although few decisions were issued, there is a need for an active addiction prevention, particularly among surgical specialists.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Alcohol Drinking; Automobile Driving; Dentists; Female; Humans; Licensure; Male; Middle Aged; Physicians
PubMed: 33740805
DOI: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/111929 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Dec 2023
Topics: Humans; Dentists
PubMed: 38083953
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.10196 -
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