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European Journal of Dental Education :... Aug 2023The dental and dental hygienist educational programs prepare students with knowledge on children's prophylactic pain treatment and pain management. Observing the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
INTRODUCTION
The dental and dental hygienist educational programs prepare students with knowledge on children's prophylactic pain treatment and pain management. Observing the students' understanding could help educational efforts to be more student oriented. The aim was to evaluate dental and dental hygienist students' knowledge and attitudes on pain prevention and pain management in children and adolescents, applying a multidimensional questionnaire previously used on general dental practitioners.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three hundred and four dental and dental hygienist students at Swedish universities were eligible for the survey. Written and oral information was given about the study's aim, methods, anonymity and voluntary participation. The multidimensional questionnaire included 47 closed questions.
RESULTS
The total responding rate was 65.4%; dental students 61.1% and dental hygienist students 92.8%. The total mean of knowledge and attitudes, beneficial for the treating of patient pain, varied between 57.1% and 83.3%. The biggest knowledge gap was identified regarding the items: Children under 2 years of age experience less pain than children over 2 years undergoing similar treatment(34.3%), The dentist is better suited than the parent to judge if a child is in pain (29.4%), and usually the child's pain experience diminishes when the parents are present (24.2%).
CONCLUSION
Dental and dental hygienist students reported vastly spread knowledge and attitudes regarding pain prophylactic and pain management in children and adolescents, as measured by a multidimensional questionnaire previously used on GDPs. Knowledge on students' understanding of the young patient's pain could help educational efforts to be more student oriented. The questionnaire must be further modified and more extensively tested to meet each participating students' program level.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Infant; Child, Preschool; Pediatric Dentistry; Pain Management; Dentists; Education, Dental; Professional Role; Students; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Surveys and Questionnaires; Pain
PubMed: 36261318
DOI: 10.1111/eje.12863 -
Dental and Medical Problems 2023Teledentistry is a field of telemedicine that combines digital technology and clinical dentistry, enabling remote communication between dentists and patients.
BACKGROUND
Teledentistry is a field of telemedicine that combines digital technology and clinical dentistry, enabling remote communication between dentists and patients.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of dentists and patients about teledentistry in Turkey.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted among general and specialist dentists in Turkey, and dental patients in Edirne, Turkey. A questionnaire prepared in Google Docs was shared virtually among Turkish dentists, as well as administered to the patients referred to the university dental clinic in Edirne.
RESULTS
Among the 336 dentists participating in the study, 69.9% were female, 39.6% were working in the profession for 1-5 years, and 48.5% were specialist dentists. A total of 86.9% of dentists stated they would like to use teledentistry for radiological examinations, some follow-up examinations, and for follow-up during holidays. There were 21.1% of dentists who thought that teledentistry practices could be the new standard of oral healthcare, and only 34.0% were willing to try such practices. Among the 447 patients in the study, 49.9% were female, 79.0% were aged 20-44 years, and 54.4% had middle income. There were 74.5% of patients who stated that it would be easier to communicate with the dentist via a teledentistry application, 80.3% of patients in the underserved regions stated it would facilitate access to the dentist, 76.3% of patients stated that it would reduce costs, and 88.8% of patients thought that this method could help overcome the problem of isolation during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) pandemic period.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results, it can be said that the teledentistry approach would provide convenience for both dentists and patients in terms of dentist-patient communication, cost and efficiency of dental care.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Turkey; Telemedicine; COVID-19; Dentists
PubMed: 38133990
DOI: 10.17219/dmp/150834 -
Advances in Clinical and Experimental... Nov 2023Halitosis (fetor ex ore, malodor, bad breath) is defined as an unpleasant odor coming from the oral cavity, regardless of the cause: local or systemic. It affects 22-50%...
BACKGROUND
Halitosis (fetor ex ore, malodor, bad breath) is defined as an unpleasant odor coming from the oral cavity, regardless of the cause: local or systemic. It affects 22-50% of the population worldwide, leading to a significant decrease in the overall quality of life, and can have oral and extra-oral etiologies. There is an increased interest in the management of halitosis.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to evaluate the patient-dentist communication on halitosis, the dentists' knowledge about the management and etiology of halitosis, and the treatment options used by dentists who practice in Poland and Lebanon.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
An online questionnaire was sent to both Lebanese and Polish dentists using Google Forms (Google LLC, Mountain View, USA). In total, 205 dentists completed the questionnaire, of which 100 practiced in Poland (group P) and 105 practiced in Lebanon (group L). A multivariate analysis was conducted to determine differences between both groups and to identify parameters that could influence a dentist's management of halitosis.
RESULTS
According to the questionnaire, 86% of group P members and 65.7% of group L members reported communicating with patients about halitosis. Regarding the knowledge of halitosis, 78% of dentists in group P and 85.7% of dentists in group L reported that there is a classification for halitosis. A significant majority of dentists in both groups revealed not having any tool to measure halitosis (67.6% and 68% from group P and group L, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the need for improved communication skills in Polish and Lebanese dentists, as well as for education on the subject among dentists in both countries, and for standardization in diagnosis, treatment modalities and management of halitosis.
Topics: Humans; Halitosis; Poland; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Dentists
PubMed: 37326577
DOI: 10.17219/acem/161813 -
Pain Research & Management 2023It is necessary for dental students and dentists to apply their temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)-related knowledge to clinical practice. The current study aimed to... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Knowledge and Attitudes regarding Temporomandibular Disorders among Postgraduate Dental Students and Practicing Dentists in Western China: A Questionnaire-Based Observational Investigation.
BACKGROUND
It is necessary for dental students and dentists to apply their temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)-related knowledge to clinical practice. The current study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of postgraduate dental students and practicing dentists regarding etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of TMD in western China and thus provide suggestions on TMD curricula design to get postgraduate students and dentists better prepared for TMD diagnosis and treatment.
METHODS
This observational and descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among postgraduate students and practicing dentists in western China. Twenty-five reorganized knowledge questions in four domains were selected from the published literature and were evaluated with answer options from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree," and "I don't know." "Consensus" is defined as more than 50% of respondents in a group agree or disagree with a statement. Chi-square tests were performed for comparisons between the two groups.
RESULTS
A total of 132 postgraduate dental students and 123 dentists completed the questionnaire. Around 75% of postgraduate students and 85% of dentists claimed that they have never participated in systematic training in TMD. Nine statements in etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of TMD had different consensus between the two groups. And the dentist group tended to agree more with 12 statements in the questionnaire.
CONCLUSIONS
The majority of Chinese dentists and dental students have not taken any TMD courses and possess limited knowledge of TMD. Curriculum reform for predoctoral education, postgraduate education, and continuing education is needed to augment knowledge and skills for TMD diagnosis and treatment.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Students, Dental; Surveys and Questionnaires; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Dentists; Attitude; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
PubMed: 37496707
DOI: 10.1155/2023/7886248 -
Journal of Esthetic and Restorative... Sep 2023The aim of this study was to evaluate staining layer behavior applied to high-translucency zirconia (YZHT), feldspathic ceramics (FD), and zirconia-reinforced lithium...
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to evaluate staining layer behavior applied to high-translucency zirconia (YZHT), feldspathic ceramics (FD), and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) surfaces against different antagonists.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Monolithic ceramic discs (n = 120) (ø 12 mm; thickness, 1.2 mm; ISO 6872) were obtained, 30 from YZHT and FD, and 60 from ZLS CAD/CAM blocks (staining layer applied before or after the crystallization procedure). The specimens were divided into 12 subgroups (n = 10) according to the antagonists: steatite, polymer-infiltrated ceramic, or zirconia. Mechanical cycling (1.5 × 10 cycles; 15 N; horizontal displacement, 6 mm; 1.7 Hz) and flexural strength tests (1 mm/min-1000 kg cell) were performed. The differences between final and initial roughnesses (Ra, Rz, and Rsm), the mass loss, and the flexural strength data were individually analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05).
RESULTS
The roughnesses of all ceramics did not present a statistically significant difference before wear simulation: Ra (p = 0.3348), Rz (p = 0.5590), and Rsm (p = 0.5330). After the wear simulation, the Ra parameter was not affected by an interaction between ceramic and antagonist (p = 0.595). The Rz and Rsm parameters were affected only by the antagonist pistons (both, p = 0.000). The ceramics used in this study showed statistically significant differences in mass loss after the wear test (p < 0.0001). The additional firing (2 steps) of the ZLS2 led to a higher lost mass quantity.
CONCLUSION
All ceramics presented similar initial roughnesses and similar roughnesses after the wear simulation. The zirconia antagonist showed better performance against ceramics with high crystalline content.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
It is clear that restorative materials must be carefully selected by dental practitioners according to indications, properties, and antagonists. The steatite antagonist, that is, an enamel analog, showed better performance against vitreous ceramics, while the zirconia antagonist showed better performance against ceramics with high crystalline content. Wear affects the surface roughnesses of the ceramics. Additional firing for the staining of the zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic led to a greater loss of mass.
Topics: Humans; Dental Porcelain; Lithium; Dentists; Materials Testing; Professional Role; Ceramics; Zirconium; Silicates; Surface Properties; Computer-Aided Design
PubMed: 37203879
DOI: 10.1111/jerd.13067 -
International Journal of Dental Hygiene Aug 2023Oral cancer is a severe and potentially fatal disease usually starting in the squamous epithelium lining the oral cavity. Together with oropharyngeal carcinoma, it is...
BACKGROUND
Oral cancer is a severe and potentially fatal disease usually starting in the squamous epithelium lining the oral cavity. Together with oropharyngeal carcinoma, it is the fifth to sixth most common malignancy worldwide. To limit the increase in the global oral cancer incidence over the past two decades, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution urging member states to integrate preventive measures such as engagement and training of dental personnel in screening, early diagnosis, and treatment into their national cancer control programs.
AIM
The aim of this study was to investigate if dental hygienists (DHs) and dentists (Ds) in general dental practice care can be entrusted to perform brush sampling of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), and to evaluate their level of comfort in performing brush biopsies.
METHODS
Participants were five DHs and five Ds who received one day of theoretical and clinical training in oral pathology to identify OPMDs (leukoplakia [LP], erythroplakia [EP], and oral lichen planus [OLP]), and perform brush sampling for PAP cytology and high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) analysis.
RESULTS
Out of 222 collected samples, 215 were adequate for morphological assessment and hrHPV analysis. All the participants agreed that sample collection can be incorporated in DHs and Ds routine clinical duties, and most of them reported that sample collection and processing was easy/quite easy.
CONCLUSION
Dentists and DHs are capable of collecting satisfactory material for cytology and hrHPV analysis. All the participating DHs and Ds were of the opinion that brush sampling could be handled routinely by DHs and Ds in GDP.
Topics: Humans; Mouth Mucosa; Dental Hygienists; Mouth Neoplasms; Biopsy; Mouth Diseases; Precancerous Conditions; Dentists
PubMed: 37401636
DOI: 10.1111/idh.12713 -
Dental Traumatology : Official... Mar 2024Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP) is a form of abuse in which a caregiver with Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA) fabricates or induces signs or symptoms in... (Review)
Review
Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP) is a form of abuse in which a caregiver with Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA) fabricates or induces signs or symptoms in a person under their care to satisfy a self-serving psychological need. Unnecessary clinical evaluations, procedures, and treatments that are initiated based on falsification by the abuser inadvertently add to the trauma experienced by the victim. It is a form of abuse and the impact on victims can be severe, sometimes fatal, and far-reaching such as prolonged neglect and extension to affected siblings. The long-term exposure to MSbP may predispose the victim to eventually developing factitious disorder imposed on self (FDIS). While MSbP often involves child victims, elderly, adults, and pets have also been reported as victims. MSbP can be a diagnostic challenge, and the important keys to timely identification of MSbP include the ability to detect deception by caregivers through awareness, clinical suspicion, and careful review of available health records; it also involves collecting collaborative information from other relevant healthcare providers including dentists, schoolteachers, and social workers. To date, there are limited published cases of MSbP with oral findings. This paper provides a narrative review of the current understanding of MSbP with a section on cases with oral findings. This paper aims to increase awareness about the clinical presentations and management considerations for MSbP among dentists and other healthcare professionals.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Aged; Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy; Delivery of Health Care; Dentists
PubMed: 38459657
DOI: 10.1111/edt.12946 -
British Dental Journal Nov 2023Introduction Dental professionals have an ethical and legal obligation to diagnose and manage medical emergencies which may occur in primary dental care.Aims and...
Introduction Dental professionals have an ethical and legal obligation to diagnose and manage medical emergencies which may occur in primary dental care.Aims and objectives To investigate the prevalence of medical emergencies in UK primary dental care and explore the medical emergency training needs of UK primary dental care professionals.Design and setting Cross-sectional survey, targeting dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists across the UK working within primary dental care.Materials and methods An online survey was distributed via dental society mailing lists, social media groups and a dental conference. The questionnaire consisted of participants demographics and training in, prevalence of and confidence surrounding medical emergencies.Results Respondents (n = 400) were dentists (55.8%), dental hygienists/therapists (38.8%) and specialists (5.5%). Most participants received basic life support training (62%) in 2019, before COVID-19. The most common medical emergencies were syncope, non-specific collapse and hypoglycaemia, being encountered every 1.59, 1.64 and 8.26 years, respectively. The preferred method for medical emergency training was practical based, with more training in administering emergency drugs and equipment identified as a training need.Conclusion Dental professionals will encounter medical emergencies in primary dental care every 1-2 years and are therefore not uncommon.
Topics: Humans; Emergencies; Prevalence; Cross-Sectional Studies; United Kingdom; Dental Care; Dentists
PubMed: 37945869
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-023-6444-y -
Infection Control and Hospital... Nov 2023We performed a preimplementation assessment of workflows, resources, needs, and antibiotic prescribing practices of trainees and practicing dentists to inform the...
BACKGROUND
We performed a preimplementation assessment of workflows, resources, needs, and antibiotic prescribing practices of trainees and practicing dentists to inform the development of an antibiotic-stewardship clinical decision-support tool (CDST) for dentists.
METHODS
We used a technology implementation framework to conduct the preimplementation assessment via surveys and focus groups of students, residents, and faculty members. Using Likert scales, the survey assessed baseline knowledge and confidence in dental providers' antibiotic prescribing. The focus groups gathered information on existing workflows, resources, and needs for end users for our CDST.
RESULTS
Of 355 dental providers recruited to take the survey, 213 (60%) responded: 151 students, 27 residents, and 35 faculty. The average confidence in antibiotic prescribing decisions was 3.2 ± 1.0 on a scale of 1 to 5 (ie, moderate). Dental students were less confident about prescribing antibiotics than residents and faculty ( < .01). However, antibiotic prescribing knowledge was no different between dental students, residents, and faculty. The mean likelihood of prescribing an antibiotic when it was not needed was 2.7 ± 0.6 on a scale of 1 to 5 (unlikely to maybe) and was not meaningfully different across subgroups ( = .10). We had 10 participants across 3 focus groups: 7 students, 2 residents, and 1 faculty member. Four major themes emerged, which indicated that dentists: (1) make antibiotic prescribing decisions based on anecdotal experiences; (2) defer to physicians' recommendations; (3) have limited access to evidence-based resources; and (4) want CDST for antibiotic prescribing.
CONCLUSIONS
Dentists' confidence in antibiotic prescribing increased by training level, but knowledge did not. Trainees and practicing dentists would benefit from a CDST to improve appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing.
Topics: Humans; Dentists; Antimicrobial Stewardship; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Decision Support Systems, Clinical; Dentistry
PubMed: 37553682
DOI: 10.1017/ice.2023.173 -
BMC Oral Health Sep 2023Dental technologies have increasingly been implemented in orthodontic practice to offer better experiences for orthodontists and patients, however, there is no...
BACKGROUND
Dental technologies have increasingly been implemented in orthodontic practice to offer better experiences for orthodontists and patients, however, there is no scientific evidence yet whether which technologies should be implemented into the postgraduate programs.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate perceptions of orthodontic residents toward the confidence and importance of dental technologies, as well as to determine their necessity in postgraduate programs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The online questionnaire was designed to collect data from residents from all accredited orthodontic postgraduate programs in Thailand. The questionnaire consisted of four sections, which were (1) demographic data, (2) self-perceived importance of orthodontic technologies, (3) self-perceived confidence toward orthodontic technologies, and (4) the necessity of orthodontic technologies in postgraduate programs. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, and a chi-square test.
RESULTS
Intraoral scanner was found to be an orthodontic technology with the highest scores for both self-perceived importance (4.37 ± 0.59) and confidence (4.23 ± 0.75), followed by cone-beam computed tomography, digital treatment planning software, and lab-produced aligners. These orthodontic technologies were also considered as mandatory in orthodontic postgraduate programs. CAD/CAM technologies appeared to be least important, and their training may be arranged as short course training. There was no significant influence of training locations on the necessity of all orthodontic technologies (P > 0.05), except CBCT. Self-perceived importance and confidence in all technologies were found to have significant positive correlations (P < 0.05), except teledentistry and in-office aligners.
CONCLUSION
Orthodontic technologies were perceived as important in clinical workflow. Intraoral Scanners, CBCT, digital treatment planning software, lab-produced aligners, and digital modeling software appeared to be necessary for clinical practice and should be considered for orthodontic postgraduate programs, while other technologies may be arranged as short course training. Further research should investigate how to arrange and organize training sessions in orthodontic postgraduate programs.
Topics: Humans; Curriculum; Computer-Aided Design; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Orthodontists; Software
PubMed: 37658317
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03327-x