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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 Nov 2020This study aimed to 1) quantify the evidence-practice gap (EPG) between dental clinical practice and published evidence on Minimal Intervention Dentistry (MID) among...
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to 1) quantify the evidence-practice gap (EPG) between dental clinical practice and published evidence on Minimal Intervention Dentistry (MID) among dentists in Japan; and 2) examine the hypothesis that dentist characteristics have a significant association with the EPG.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study via use of a web-based questionnaire survey of dentists who were affiliated with the Dental Practice-based Research Network Japan (n = 297). To quantify the EPG on MID, we used a questionnaire that included 10 clinical questions or scenarios to assess concordance between dental practice and published evidence on MID. We evaluated concordance by coding responses to each question as consistent or inconsistent with the evidence. An overall concordance was then determined as percent of responses that were consistent with published evidence for 10 questions. Subsequently, multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between dentist characteristics and higher overall concordance (≥median) with published evidence.
RESULTS
Mean and median overall dentist-level concordance were both 60 % (SD: 18, interquartile range: 50-75 %). Logistic regression analysis showed that "gender of dentist", "city population", and "frequency of obtaining evidence from the scientific journal articles in English" were significantly associated with high concordance, with odds ratios (95 % CIs) of 2.33 (1.01-5.39), 2.01 (1.02-3.96), and 2.45 (1.08-5.59), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Japanese dentists demonstrated medium concordance with published evidence, indicating that an EPG on MID exists in Japanese dental clinical practices. Dentist-specific characteristics had significant associations with high concordance with published evidence.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Despite the establishment and dissemination of the concept of MID, the EPG on MID exists in Japanese dental clinical practices. A high concordance was significantly associated with the following dentist characteristics: "female dentist", "dental clinic location in a government-ordinance-designated city", and "frequently obtaining evidence from the English-language scientific journal articles".
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Caries; Dentistry; Dentists; Female; Humans; Japan; Practice Patterns, Dentists'; Professional Practice Gaps; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 32916232
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2020.103469 -
International Journal For Equity in... Apr 2023This study examined the dental care utilization and self-preserved dental health of Asian immigrants relative to non-immigrants in Canada. Factors associated with oral...
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the dental care utilization and self-preserved dental health of Asian immigrants relative to non-immigrants in Canada. Factors associated with oral health-related disparities between Asian immigrants and other Canadians were further examined.
METHODS
We analyzed 37,935 Canadian residents aged 12 years and older in the Canadian Community Health Survey 2012-2014 microdata file. Factors (e.g., demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyles, dental insurance coverage, and year of immigration) associated with disparities in dental health (e.g., self-perceived teeth health, dental symptoms during past one month, and teeth removed due to decay in past one year) and service utilization (e.g., visiting dentist within the last three years, visiting dentist more than once per year) between Asian immigrants and other Canadians were examined using multi-variable logistic regression models.
RESULTS
The frequency of dental care utilization was significantly lower in Asian immigrants than their non-immigrant counterparts. Asian immigrants had lower self-perceived dental health, were less likely to be aware of recent dental symptoms, and more likely to report tooth extractions due to tooth decay. Low education (OR = 0.42), male gender(OR = 1.51), low household income(OR = 1.60), non-diabetes(OR = 1.87), no dental insurance(OR = 0.24), short immigration length (OR = 1.75) may discourage Asian immigrants from dental care utilization. Additionally, a perceived lack of necessity to dentist-visiting was a crucial factor accounting for the disparities in dental care uptake between Asian immigrants and non-immigrants.
CONCLUSION
Asian immigrants showed lower dental care utilization and oral health than native-born Canadians.
Topics: Humans; Male; Canada; Emigrants and Immigrants; Health Status; Insurance Coverage; Dentists; Insurance, Dental
PubMed: 37098603
DOI: 10.1186/s12939-023-01863-0 -
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Feb 2023Feline head trauma injuries are common in general practice, often resulting in mandibular fracture. An understanding of the recent advances in the field of mandibular... (Review)
Review
PRACTICAL RELEVANCE
Feline head trauma injuries are common in general practice, often resulting in mandibular fracture. An understanding of the recent advances in the field of mandibular fracture repair will facilitate evidence-based decision-making in clinical practice.
CLINICAL CHALLENGES
Feline maxillofacial and oral anatomy brings unique challenges in comparison with dogs. It has been commonplace to adapt techniques and equipment that are better suited to other body regions or are species-inappropriate for use in feline maxillofacial surgery, and this has traditionally resulted in high morbidity.
AIMS
This review presents an overview of the diagnosis of, and decison-making for, maxillofacial trauma in cats, specifically with reference to the feline mandible. The challenges associated with the management of these injuries are presented. Techniques for repair that can be employed in general practice, as well as more advanced surgical options, are discussed, as well as the indications for invasive vs non-invasive management. Underutilised methods involving composite dental materials and their versatility for the repair of mandibular fractures in cats, and miniplates for caudal mandibular fractures in cats, are specifically covered, as well as other recent advances in the field, including three-dimensional printing and custom-printed implants.
EVIDENCE BASE
Management of feline facial fractures is an often neglected topic, with very few published studies choosing to focus on head trauma outcomes in cats. Where available, however, this review draws on the published literature, as well as the authors' own clinical experience.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Humans; Craniocerebral Trauma; Dentists; Mandibular Fractures
PubMed: 36744847
DOI: 10.1177/1098612X231152521 -
BMC Oral Health Sep 2023Patient-centered care is essential for providing quality services thoroughly at the primary care level, but it is unclear and lacks measurement. This study aimed to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Patient-centered care is essential for providing quality services thoroughly at the primary care level, but it is unclear and lacks measurement. This study aimed to develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure patient perception of patient-centered care in primary dental care in Thailand and test the measurement invariance between large and small community hospitals.
METHODS
The initial set of 45 items for the patient perception of Patient-Centered Care of Dentist Scale (PCCDS-P version) was developed using a mixed-method approach, which included a literature review, a content validity test, cognitive interviews, and a pre-test. A multistage sampling strategy was used to recruit dental patients or their parents or caregivers from community hospitals across Thailand. Validity was examined through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient. Furthermore, a multi-group analysis was conducted to compare the responses of patients from large and small community hospitals.
RESULTS
Three hundred thirty-six and One thousand one hundred sixty-seven samples were randomized for EFA and CFA, respectively. The final PCCDS-P version consists of 7 factors with satisfactory reliability and validity and is composed of 42 items: dentist-patient relationship, disease-illness, integrated care, communication, shared information and decision-making, holistic, and empathy and anxiety management. The CFA showed the model fit was consistent with the entire sample. The metric invariance analysis showed that the factor loadings were invariant across patient groups. Overall, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient were satisfactory.
CONCLUSIONS
The newly developed PCCDS-P version is composed of seven domains with 42 items with good reliability and validity, and it indicated measurement invariance across patients in large and small community hospitals.
Topics: Humans; Thailand; Reproducibility of Results; Patient-Centered Care; Perception; Dentists
PubMed: 37660040
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03331-1 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2022Soft skills include communication skills and personality traits that are important when choosing a dentist, but other factors within the dental office also seem to be...
Soft skills include communication skills and personality traits that are important when choosing a dentist, but other factors within the dental office also seem to be important for patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate factors that are important to people in a dentist as well as characteristics of the ideal dentist and to evaluate possible age-, gender-, and residence of living specific differences. A telephone survey with participants aged 35 years or older (ag—age group: ag 1: 35−50 years, ag 2: 70−84 years, ag 3: >85 years) in three German cities was conducted. Data were analyzed with respect to gender and age. Most of the participants (n = 298, 64.2%), regardless of their own gender, age, or place of residence did not care about the gender of the dentist. In general, the price of the treatment does not play a role in choosing the ideal dentist. Women differ significantly from men in their choice of dentist (ANOVA p < 0.001 (preference of non-smoker), ANOVA p < 0.001 (preference, that the dentist does not smell of smoke, importance of appearance (ANOVA p < 0.001) and psycho-social skills, etc.). As age increases, professional experience and psycho-social competencies are rated as important. With the increase in age, the mean value of the desired years of professional experience increases without significant differences between age groups. The importance of advanced training (ANOVA p < 0.001; Bonferoni correction: significant difference between ag 1 and ag 2 p < 0.001, and ag 1 and ag 3 p < 0.001) decreases with age. Especially for participants aged 70 to 84 years, a relationship of trust is important. Between the places of residence, statistical differences for almost all surveyed items were found (e.g., importance that the dentist speaks the patients’ native language ANOVA p < 0.001, Bonferoni correction: significant difference between Berlin and Leipzig, Berlin and Mainz, and Leipzig and Mainz (each p < 0.001), dentist has a specialization ANOVA p < 0.001, Bonferoni correction: significant difference between Berlin and Leipzig and Berlin and Mainz (each p < 0.001), etc.). Dentists should be trained to develop psycho-social skills to meet the special demands of the increasing older population.
Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Berlin; Dentist-Patient Relations; Dentists; Female; Humans; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35886473
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148621 -
International Dental Journal Jun 2022Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. Dentists should play an essential role in OSA screening, referral, and management....
BACKGROUND
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. Dentists should play an essential role in OSA screening, referral, and management. However, few studies have investigated dentists' knowledge and attitude towards OSA.
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional survey aimed to assess the level of knowledge and attitude regarding OSA amongst dentists and evaluate whether the level of knowledge affects their attitude towards OSA.
METHODS
Using the Google Forms platform, an online questionnaire was distributed via e-mail to all Ministry of Health dentists (N = 352). The questionnaire included 3 sections: demographics, knowledge, and attitude. Participant responses were stratified by professional title (general dentists, specialists, or consultants) and practice sector (primary health care centres or hospitals). Descriptive statistics, independent t tests, one-way analyses of variance, and Pearson's correlation were used to analyse the data.
RESULTS
Of the 352 dentists, 191 responded to the questionnaire (54.55%). Although 80.6% of the respondents reported having previous OSA knowledge in the self-assessment question, 65.58% scored below 12 in the total knowledge scores, and 63.35% scored below 3 in the total attitude scores based on Bloom's cutoff. The mean total knowledge score was 9.86, while the mean total attitude score was 2.08. No significant differences between the mean total knowledge and attitude scores were found based on sex, professional title, or practice sector. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between total knowledge and attitude scores (P value = .001).
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that dentists had a low OSA-related knowledge and a negative attitude towards OSA, and a positive association was seen between knowledge level and attitude. Dental practitioners with high knowledge scores tended to have a positive attitude towards OSA. These findings suggest that dentists in Jeddah require more education and clinical training in sleep medicine to maximise patient benefits and minimise adverse outcomes.
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Professional Role; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34193341
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2021.05.004 -
PloS One 2022Oral health is increasingly seen as a public health challenge due to the remarkable prevalence of oral diseases worldwide, the impact on general health, and health...
Oral health is increasingly seen as a public health challenge due to the remarkable prevalence of oral diseases worldwide, the impact on general health, and health consequences that can arise for individuals. Compared to other health services, oral health services are usually not fully covered by statutory health insurance, which is seen as one reason in decision-making on dental treatments. Nevertheless, patients' reasons for treatment decisions are not well understood although they can provide valuable insights. The objective of this study was to identify reasons of choice for dental treatments and to explore patients' view on cost coverage in Germany. We conducted four focus group interviews with a total of 27 participants. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed performing conventional content analysis. As part of a qualitative analysis, subcategories and categories were formed from identified reasons using an inductive approach. Our study supports and expands research in exploring patients' decision-making on dental treatments. It highlights a variety of 53 reasons of choice for dental treatments from patients' perspective, split in two categories "health care service", and "dentist & dental office". First category includes reasons regarding dental care performance (subcategories: "preconditions", "treatment", "costs", and "outcomes"). Second category demonstrates reasons regarding dentists, office structures and processes (subcategories: "professional skills", "social skills", "office staff & equipment", and "office processes"). Reasons named "most important" by the participants are out-of-pocket payments, dentists' training, and a relationship of trust between patient and dentist. Although the participants use incentive measures to lower financial burden, several perceived challenges exist. Identified reasons for choosing dental treatments provide a basis for further studies to quantify the relevance of these reasons from patients' perspective. Based on this, the various reasons identified can be considered in future policies to improve patients' utilization behavior, which can range from improved information sources to increased incentive measures.
Topics: Contracts; Dental Care; Dentists; Focus Groups; Humans; Oral Health; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 35613130
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267656 -
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine :... Sep 2020Tanaka Y, Almeida FR. What can a dentist and dental sleep apnea researcher do under COVID-19 lockdown? . 2020;16(9):1641–1643. (Review)
Review
Tanaka Y, Almeida FR. What can a dentist and dental sleep apnea researcher do under COVID-19 lockdown? . 2020;16(9):1641–1643.
Topics: COVID-19; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; Coronavirus Infections; Dentists; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Female; Humans; Infection Control; Male; Occupational Health; Pandemics; Patient Safety; Pneumonia, Viral; Quarantine; Research Personnel; United States
PubMed: 32484777
DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.8604 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2022Dentists are on the frontline of infection, especially when it comes to respiratory viruses like the new coronavirus. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a scoping... (Review)
Review
Dentists are on the frontline of infection, especially when it comes to respiratory viruses like the new coronavirus. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a scoping review to better understand dentists' risk awareness, awareness of COVID-19 symptoms, preventive measures, and effective methods of COVID-19 infection prevention and management. This paper systematically assesses the published literature on dentistry and COVID-19. Various electronic databases including Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and MEDLINE via PubMed were searched up to 9 September 2021. Overall, 39 papers were included. Almost the entirety of dentists (94.5%) reported awareness of the three most common COVID-19 symptoms, and a risk awareness score of about 90% was shown, while 88.2% of dentists reported adopting preventive measures. More than 50% did not want to treat infected people. While 70.3% of dentists recommended usage of N95 masks, the rate of dentists using them was below 40%. Sufficient awareness of risks during the pandemic was found in dentists. Although they were using preventive measures, there remains upside potential for adopting all recommended measures. Further, the usage of N95 masks is improvable, even though the benefit of wearing them could not be confirmed.
Topics: COVID-19; Dentists; Humans; Pandemics; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35564366
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19094971