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Revista de Salud Publica (Bogota,... Sep 2020In April 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic caused more than one million infections and 54 600 deaths to date around the world. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 is rapid, and its... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
In April 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic caused more than one million infections and 54 600 deaths to date around the world. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 is rapid, and its transmission is through droplets of saliva, hence its importance in dentistry.
OBJECTIVE
Identify the main risks, transmission routes and prevention measures against COVID-19.
METHODS
A review of the scientific literature of the last two years on the subject was carried out in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Research Gate databases. The descriptors used were: "coronavirus", "COVID-19", "dental", "dentistry", "oral", "stomatology", and "aerosol". 350 articles were found, but 50 were selected for their topicality, relationship, and focus. The transmission of the COVID-19 is carried out mainly through saliva drops, aerosols and fomites. The virus can subsist for a time on the environment and surfaces. Dentists are health workers who are at risk of contagion because several of their procedures release aerosols. The biosecurity in the exercise of this profession must be strict and extreme, also the cleaning and disinfection of the environment and contact surfaces.
CONCLUSIONS
In the dental profession the potential risk of contamination among operators, assistants and patients is high. Knowing the causative agent and the disease allows you to reduce the possibility of contagion. The dentist must consider patients as suspects to COVID-19 and apply biosecurity at all levels.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Pandemics; Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets; Dentists
PubMed: 36753227
DOI: 10.15446/rsap.V22n5.86065 -
Clinical and Experimental Dental... Oct 2023Periodic examination of the head and neck includes screening for oral cancer, which is largely performed in dental offices by vigilant oral healthcare providers. The aim...
OBJECTIVE
Periodic examination of the head and neck includes screening for oral cancer, which is largely performed in dental offices by vigilant oral healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to assess practice patterns among Virginia dentists in performing head and neck exams and the referral rates of biopsies after completion of head and neck exams. We hypothesized that not all dentists perform head and neck exams and there is a difference between dentists who refer patients for a biopsy and those that perform biopsies.
METHODS
General dentists and dental specialists who are members of the Virginia Dental Association were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey study through REDCap to self-report their head and neck exam protocols.
RESULTS
A total of 224 providers completed the survey. The majority of respondents were general dentists with more than 20 years in practice, who practice in a private setting, and see more than 10 patients in a day. All respondents stated they perform intraoral examinations, but 10 respondents stated they do not perform extraoral examinations. Nearly a third of respondents reported doing their own biopsies.
CONCLUSIONS
Although only 8.5% of oral healthcare providers in Virginia responded to our survey, respondents are following the 2017 ADA good practice statement by providing their patients with head and neck exams to screen for oral cancer. Additional education pertaining to extraoral anatomy, malignant transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders, and pathology procedures may be helpful to clinicians.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Mouth Neoplasms; Mouth Diseases; Referral and Consultation; Dentists
PubMed: 37759423
DOI: 10.1002/cre2.772 -
International Dental Journal Aug 2022This paper assesses the nature of the general dentist-specialist relationship, as perceived by general dentists in Canada.
INTRODUCTION
This paper assesses the nature of the general dentist-specialist relationship, as perceived by general dentists in Canada.
METHODS
A cross-sectional web-based survey was administered to general dentists across Canada who are part of the Canadian Dental Association register and who have consented to receiving email surveys (N ≈ 11,300). Information including sociodemographic and practitioner- and practice-related factors was collected using a 47-item questionnaire. The general dentist-specialist relationship was conceptualised on the basis of 4 factors: communication, confidence, competition, and referrals. Descriptive analysis was conducted.
RESULTS
The response rate for the survey was 11.7% (n = 1328). Most general dentists specified that specialists sent timely information/reports (93%), were partners in delivering care (64%), presented little competitive pressure (87%), and were strongly collegial (85%).
CONCLUSIONS
In general, the study demonstrated that Canadian general dentists held a positive perception of their relationship with the specialists.
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Canada; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Humans; Practice Patterns, Dentists'; Specialization; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34600746
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2021.08.052 -
International Dental Journal Jun 2022The misuse of antibiotic prescriptions is a common behavior amongst dentists worldwide. Over-prescription of these agents is associated with multiple adverse effects and...
OBJECTIVES
The misuse of antibiotic prescriptions is a common behavior amongst dentists worldwide. Over-prescription of these agents is associated with multiple adverse effects and risk of developing bacterial resistance. The aim of this study was to assess systemic antibiotic prescription patterns amongst dentists in Iraq.
METHODS
A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in dental centres distributed in 12 Iraqi governates. The questionnaire was composed of two main sections: The first was dedicated to collecting demographic and work-related information, and the second section included questions seeking details about antibiotic prescriptions for different oral and dental conditions.
RESULTS
A total of 481 valid questionnaires were considered in the final analysis. The numbers of correct and incorrect patterns of prescribing antibiotics for different dental/oral conditions were almost equal (49.6% and 50.4%, respectively). Amongst independent variables investigated, qualification of the dentist and work domain were found to have significant associations with correct prescribing patterns (odds ratio, 1.166 and 1.197, respectively). The majority of dentists preferred amoxicillin as the first-choice antibiotic, followed by "Augmentin" (43.7% and 35.5%, respectively), whilst clarithromycin was the lowest on the list. Azithromycin was the most recommended antibiotic (55.9%) in cases of allergy to penicillin.
CONCLUSIONS
In general, antibiotics are prescribed for recommended conditions, but the prescription for nonrecommended conditions was also evident amongst Iraqi dentists. Correct pattern of antibiotic prescribing was significantly associated with specialists and those working in the academic field. Additionally, amoxicillin and its derivatives are the most preferred drugs.
Topics: Amoxicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dentists; Humans; Iraq; Practice Patterns, Dentists'; Prescriptions; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34344542
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2021.06.002 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2022Domestic violence (DV) is an important public health topic with a high prevalence in society. Dentists are also frontline responders to DV, as they not only treat... (Review)
Review
Domestic violence (DV) is an important public health topic with a high prevalence in society. Dentists are also frontline responders to DV, as they not only treat victims of DV with dental injuries, but they can also screen for the presence of DV because they see patients for regular check-ups. Using the WHO definition, which describes domestic violence as intimate partner violence, 17 papers could be included in our analyses. The results of this review clearly indicated that although dentists, as members of the health care sector, are important frontline responders to DV, they are neither trained adequately at medical school nor do most feel competent enough to ask victims about DV or support them as needed. DV is often not taught at dentistry schools at all. The aims of this review were to provide an overview of existing literature on dentists' knowledge and beliefs regarding DV, whether and how DV is taught in medical education and to give recommendations on how to improve the education of dentists on this topic. Based on our findings, we recommend that DV education should be mandatory at dentistry schools and in further training for dentists with a focus on communication with victims, how DV can be identified and how to support victims well.
Topics: Dentists; Domestic Violence; Humans; Prevalence
PubMed: 35410043
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074361 -
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 Dec 2021During the first months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Spain had the highest mortality rate and the second-highest infection rate in the world.
INTRODUCTION
During the first months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Spain had the highest mortality rate and the second-highest infection rate in the world.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the occupational situation of dentists, hygienists, and dental auxiliary staff during the peak of the pandemic, after the state of alarm was declared in Spain, and when the state of alarm was declared. In addition, a possible relationship between the geographical distribution of infected people and the availability of individual protection systems was investigated.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A cross-sectional questionnaire was answered by 6470 dentists and dental staff via WhatsApp and social media.
RESULTS
A total of 1 in 4 dental professionals ceased working completely. Of those that kept working, 25.28% of dentists and 19.61% of hygienist-auxiliary were equipped with filtering face piece (FFP) 2 masks (P < .05), and 61.8% complied with the official protection recommendations set by the General Council of Dentists of Spain. Nearly 59.4% of respondents had symptoms, but only 1.5% of dentists were tested, with 14% of dentists in isolation at the time of response. Overall, it is suggested that 10% of dental professionals may have been in direct contact with the coronavirus.
CONCLUSIONS
Direct contact of Spanish dental health professionals with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2 (SARS CoV-2) has been high during the most active phase of the pandemic. Dental professionals did not have personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to care for patients, a situation that justified the reduction in scheduled dental care and only emergencies being treated. The Spanish geographical regions with the highest number of contagions had the least amount of individual protective resources (FFP2 and FFP3 masks).
Topics: COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Humans; Regression Analysis; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33795144
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2021.01.012 -
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 -
Journal of Healthcare Engineering 2022Dental professionals are playing an imperative role in the healthcare system. It is important to distribute the dental workforce across the country. Therefore, this...
Dental professionals are playing an imperative role in the healthcare system. It is important to distribute the dental workforce across the country. Therefore, this study aimed at analyzing the recent distribution of the dental workforce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and determining the current dentist-to-population ratio in the KSA. This is a cross-sectional study focused on the dental workforces working in the KSA between 2015 and 2020. Complete data of dentists working in the KSA with different professional ranks were obtained. The data were stratified by gender, professional rank (Saudi and non-Saudi), area of working (13 provinces in the KSA), and sector of working (public and private). A complete list of all dental universities was obtained to identify the increasing number of dental institutes at this current moment. In addition, the dentist-to-population ratio was also evaluated based on the current inhabitant in the KSA and the total dental surgeons. There are a total of 27181 dental surgeons and 8022 dental auxiliaries registered in different specialties as of 2020. Saudi citizens are holding the majority of the posts in both dentist and dental auxiliary categories. The percentage of males and female is slightly higher in dentists and dental auxiliaries, respectively. It also indicated that where most of the dental personnel work in the private sector, dental auxiliaries work in the public sector. Moreover, the highest number of dental workforces is identified in the Riyadh region among all the 13 provinces. Based on the databases, the current dentist-to-population ratio is 1 : 1288.16. In conclusion, the number of dental professionals is ample; however, rural areas lack specialists. Saudi dentists are progressively replacing foreign dentists in different professional ranks working in the KSA.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Dentists; Cross-Sectional Studies; Saudi Arabia; Workforce; Demography
PubMed: 36312596
DOI: 10.1155/2022/5321628 -
Medical Care May 2021Opioids are generally an inappropriate acute pain management strategy in children, particularly because of the risk for diversion and subsequent misuse and abuse.
BACKGROUND
Opioids are generally an inappropriate acute pain management strategy in children, particularly because of the risk for diversion and subsequent misuse and abuse.
OBJECTIVES
To examine associations between Medicaid plan type [coordinated care organization (CCO), managed care (MC), fee-for-service (FFS)] and whether a child received an opioid prescription.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Secondary analysis of Oregon Medicaid data (January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017).
SUBJECTS
Medicaid-enrolled children ages 0-17 (N=200,169).
MEASURES
There were 2 outcomes: whether a child received an opioid prescription from (a) any health provider or (b) from a visit to the dentist. Predictor variables included Medicaid plan type, age, sex, race, and ethnicity.
RESULTS
About 6.7% of children received an opioid from any health provider and 1.2% received an opioid from a dentist visit. Children in a CCO were significantly more likely than children in a MC (P<0.01) or FFS (P=0.02) plan to receive an opioid from any health provider. Children in a CCO were also significantly more likely than children in MC or FFS to receive an opioid from a dentist visit (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric opioid prescriptions vary by plan type. Future efforts should identify reasons why Medicaid-enrolled children in a CCO plan are more likely to be prescribed opioids.
Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Analgesics, Opioid; Child; Child, Preschool; Dentists; Drug Prescriptions; Ethnicity; Fee-for-Service Plans; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Managed Care Programs; Medicaid; Oregon; Pediatrics; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; United States
PubMed: 33528236
DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000001504