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JDR Clinical and Translational Research Jul 2020Over the past 100 y, there have been an unprecedented number of innovations that have improved oral health and functioning. Variations in lag times between discovery and...
INTRODUCTION
Over the past 100 y, there have been an unprecedented number of innovations that have improved oral health and functioning. Variations in lag times between discovery and clinical adoption are related to dentist education, the clinical availability of technology, and the perceived value of an innovation.
OBJECTIVES
The purposes of this cross-sectional study were 1) catalogue research discoveries and innovations over the past 30 y and 2) from that list identify those which practicing dentists believe have maximally affected patient care.
METHODS
Thirty International Association for Dental Research leaders identified innovations over the past 30 y that have significantly affected dental care. The 30 most cited innovations were included in a questionnaire that was sent to a random sample of US dentists who graduated dental school during or before 1995 (before the recency of identified discoveries) and devoted ≥50% of their time to patient care. Eighty-two percent of respondents identified as general dentists and 18% as specialists. Respondents were asked to identify 5 to 7 items whose loss would have the most adverse effects on patient care.
RESULTS
The most cited advances were adhesive dental materials (74.5%), dental implants (71.9%), direct bonding systems (71.2%), dental loupes (54.7%), universal precautions for infection control (48.6%), and digital imaging (46.0%). There were differences in the ranking of responses between generalists and specialists. For the oral surgeons and periodontists (OMSPER, = 51), top choices were dental implants (82%), cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging (74%), regenerative dentistry and tissue engineering (68%), universal precautions (58%), digital imaging (56%), and dental loupes (48%).
CONCLUSIONS
There was agreement among generalists and specialists about the importance of dental implants, digital imaging, use of dental loupes, and universal precautions in improving patient care. However, generalists also cited the importance of adhesive dental materials and bonding, and OMSPER cited CBCT and biological-based tissue restoration as major advances.
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT
Many advances in dental patient care capitalize on innovations and technologies that have emerged after dentists graduate from dental school. Adoption of new technologies is influenced by information acquired from professional journals, continuing education, industry marketing activities, and interactions with colleagues. The results of this study suggest that innovations that are directly related to clinical procedures were rated most impactful. Future research should consider cost-effectiveness and patient perceptions on the impact of innovations and technologies.
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Humans; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 31590599
DOI: 10.1177/2380084419879391 -
Dental Clinics of North America Oct 2020No matter how skilled and well trained esthetic dentists or technicians may be, they cannot deliver results without a proper partnership. Close ceramist-clinician... (Review)
Review
No matter how skilled and well trained esthetic dentists or technicians may be, they cannot deliver results without a proper partnership. Close ceramist-clinician communication is a critical component of successful esthetic dentistry. In order to design an esthetic vision, convey this vision to the patient, and then execute the vision successfully, there must be effective communication between the ceramist, the clinician, and (most importantly) the patient. This article highlights some of the authors' philosophies, as well as an overview of the key communication protocols that have proved effective for this team.
Topics: Communication; Dentists; Esthetics, Dental; Humans
PubMed: 32888517
DOI: 10.1016/j.cden.2020.06.005 -
Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry Sep 2023The growing demand for implants has led to their implementation by general dental practitioners (GDPs) in clinical practice. The present study assessed referral patterns...
PURPOSE
The growing demand for implants has led to their implementation by general dental practitioners (GDPs) in clinical practice. The present study assessed referral patterns of GDPs for the surgical phase of implant dental treatment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred fifty GDPs were asked to fill out a structured questionnaire containing their demographic data and answer six questions characterising their referral patterns for implant dentistry.
RESULTS
Forty-one (41%) percent performed the surgical phase, and 87% provided implant restoration. Gender was the only influencing factor for the surgical phase, as 51.4% of male GDPs and 6.5% of female GDPs performed implant surgery themselves. Experience and practice set-up did not influence the referring decision. Fifty-four percent of the practitioners referred 0 to 5 patients per month, and the chosen specialists were: 80% oral and maxillofacial surgeon, 11% periodontist, and 9% selected a specialist depending on the individual case. The major reasons influencing the referral pattern were the complexity of the surgical procedure, followed by systemic medical compromise of the patient.
CONCLUSIONS
Most implant surgeries in Israel are still performed by specialists.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Dentists; Professional Role; Referral and Consultation
PubMed: 37753854
DOI: 10.3290/j.ohpd.b4438887 -
Australian Dental Journal Mar 2020To examine the efect of age and gender on dental services provided by dentists in Australia, and compare with previous estimates across the period 1983-1984 to 2013-2014.
OBJECTIVES
To examine the efect of age and gender on dental services provided by dentists in Australia, and compare with previous estimates across the period 1983-1984 to 2013-2014.
METHODS
Data were collected by mailed survey from a random sample of Australian dentists. Private sector dentists were the focus of the analysis. Data were weighted to the age and sex distribution of Australian practising dentists.
RESULTS
The analysis was based on service logs collected from n = 211 dentists. Adjusted results (rate ratio, 95% CI) showed male dentists had higher endodontic rates (1.7, 1.0-2.9) than female dentists. Dentists aged 40-49 years had higher restorative rates (1.6, 1.1-2.2) but lower preventive rates (0.5, 0.3-0.9) than those aged 20-29 years. Diagnostic services were lower for dentists aged 40-49 to 60+ years (0.8, 0.6-0.9), while denture services were higher for dentists aged 40-49 (11.1, 2.5-48.5) to 60+ years (6.4, 1.2-33.3). Crowns were higher for dentists aged 40-49 (2.4, 1.0-5.6) and 50-59 years (2.9, 1.3-6.6). Diagnostic and preventive services were consistently higher across 1983-1984 to 2013-2014.
CONCLUSIONS
Younger dentists provided higher rates of diagnostic and preventive services. Over a 30-year period, there was a consistent trend towards higher provision of diagnostic and preventive services.
Topics: Adult; Australia; Crowns; Dental Care; Dentists; Dentists, Women; Female; General Practice, Dental; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Practice Patterns, Dentists'; Sex Distribution; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 31814141
DOI: 10.1111/adj.12741 -
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 -
European Journal of Dental Education :... Aug 2022Professional bodies and organisations increasingly require health care professionals, including dentists, to account for their learning as part of mandatory continuing...
Professional bodies and organisations increasingly require health care professionals, including dentists, to account for their learning as part of mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) requirements. In recent years, there has been a shift from an input-based model to an outcome- based model in order to respond to the needs of dental professionals. In this commentary, we aim to explore the learning assumptions inscribed in these models for CPD. Drawing on one of the authors' dental work experiences and contemporary professional learning literature, we hope to incite discussions on widening our perspectives about dentists' professional learning and the implications for CPD.
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Dentists; Education, Dental; Education, Dental, Continuing; Health Personnel; Humans; Learning
PubMed: 34954843
DOI: 10.1111/eje.12741 -
Effectiveness of a 30-year periodontist's primary care for 1946 patients during five-year follow-up.Oral Diseases May 2022To evaluate the effect of the periodontal primary care (PPC) on the improvement of periodontal probing depth based on a periodontist's 30-year practice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of the periodontal primary care (PPC) on the improvement of periodontal probing depth based on a periodontist's 30-year practice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We enrolled a total of 2,894 patients who underwent periodontal basic treatment between 1987 and 2017 with 84.5% retention rate. The study population was composed of 80% (n = 1,946) of retained patients with complete re-evaluation up to five-year follow-up. The outcome was measured by the improvement of probing depths (graded as 1:1-3 mm; 2:4-6 mm; 3: ≥7 mm) before and after PPC on both sextant and patient levels. Whether a better improvement was seen in the surgical group and the non-smoker group opposed to their comparators was assessed with various multi-variable regression models.
RESULTS
On patient (sextant) level, 82% (38%) improved, 13% (59%) unchanged, and 5% (3%) deteriorated. Adjusted better improvement of probing depth was noted for the surgical group by 63% and non-smoker by 31% compared with their counterparts. The similar findings were found for the outcomes based on continuous probing depth scores.
CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate the improvement of probing depth scores with a periodontal primary care offered for the retained patients and larger effect for the surgical group and non-smoker patients.
Topics: Dental Scaling; Dentists; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Pocket; Primary Health Care; Root Planing
PubMed: 33660380
DOI: 10.1111/odi.13822 -
Journal of Human Nutrition and... Aug 2021Oral health is affected by dietary practices and may impact quality of life. Collaboration between dietetics and dental professionals for oral health promotion and...
BACKGROUND
Oral health is affected by dietary practices and may impact quality of life. Collaboration between dietetics and dental professionals for oral health promotion and disease prevention is recommended. The present study aimed to determine the knowledge and practice of dentists and dietitians on diet and dental health.
METHODS
The study comprised a cross-sectional online questionnaire, which was disseminated electronically to dentists and dietitians in the UK and Ireland, via national networks. Questions assessed participants' knowledge of the cariogenicity of different foods, snacking behaviours, familiarity with UK dietary guidelines, dietary advice and their recommendations for cross-professional consistency.
RESULTS
In total, 418 responses were received (60% dentists, 40% dietitians). Inter-profession knowledge differences were observed for the cariogenicity of sports drinks (p < 0.001), chocolate/confectionary (p < 0.001), yoghurt (p < 0.001) and sugar-coated breakfast cereals plus milk (p < 0.0001). Dentists showed greater concern over the timings and frequency of food consumption than dietitians. A greater proportion of dentists felt nutrition and oral health counselling is a key component of regular patient care (58.4% versus 8.2%, p < 0.001). Only 18% of dietitians, compared to 56% of dentists, considered that they had received sufficient training about diet and dental health. Both professions indicated the need for multi-disciplinary training.
CONCLUSIONS
Dietitians and dentists differ with respect to their knowledge about the effects of snacks and snacking behaviours on dental health, as well as how they prioritise this in their clinical practice. Both professions show a willingness to work collaboratively to ensure accurate and consistent advice-giving and expertise-sharing.
Topics: Adult; Counseling; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Diet; Diet, Cariogenic; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Ireland; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Policy; Nutritionists; Oral Health; Snacks; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom
PubMed: 33411983
DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12842 -
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 -
Community Dentistry and Oral... Dec 2023This study aimed to understand the perspectives of dentists towards the Montreal-Toulouse model, an innovative approach that encompasses person-centredness and social...
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to understand the perspectives of dentists towards the Montreal-Toulouse model, an innovative approach that encompasses person-centredness and social dentistry. This model invites dentists to take three types of actions (understanding, decision-making, intervening) on three overlapping levels (individual, community, societal). This study aimed to understand (a) How dentists perceived the Montreal-Toulouse model as a framework for the practice of dentistry and (b) What parts of this model they were ready to adopt in their own practice.
METHODS
A qualitative descriptive study was conducted based on semi-structured interviews with a sample of dentists in the Province of Quebec, Canada. A combination of maximum variation and snowball sampling strategies was employed and 14 information-rich participants were recruited. The interviews were conducted and audio-recorded through Zoom and lasted approximately 1 h and a half. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed through a combination of inductive and deductive coding.
RESULTS
The participants explained they valued person-centred care and tried to put the individual level of the Montreal-Toulouse model into practice. However, they expressed little interest in the social dentistry aspects of the model. They acknowledged not knowing how to organize and conduct upstream interventions and were not comfortable with social and political activism. According to them, advocating for better health-related policies, while a noble act, 'was not their job'. They also highlighted the structural challenges that dentists face in fostering biopsychosocial approaches such as the Montreal-Toulouse model.
CONCLUSIONS
To promote the Montreal-Toulouse model and empower dentists to address social determinants of health, an educational and organizational 'paradigm shift' towards social accountability might be necessary. Such a shift requires curricular modifications and reconsidering traditional teaching approaches in dental schools. Moreover, dentistry's professional organization could facilitate dentists' upstream actions through proper resource allocation and openness to collaboration with them.
Topics: Humans; Dentists; Quebec; Canada; Qualitative Research; Dentistry; Attitude of Health Personnel
PubMed: 37042424
DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12859