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International Dental Journal Oct 2021Because of the heterogeneous nature of the evidence regarding dentists' job satisfaction, an overview was necessary to examine dentists' level of job satisfaction and to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
Because of the heterogeneous nature of the evidence regarding dentists' job satisfaction, an overview was necessary to examine dentists' level of job satisfaction and to determine related work environmental factors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A literature search was conducted using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Electronic database searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were performed until March 1, 2020. Two independent authors collected data and assessed the methodological quality of primary studies using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS
Nine studies were included from the 1987 initially retrieved. Among the included studies, 5 exhibited a neutral level of satisfaction and originated from China, South Korea, Egypt, and the United States, and 3 studies from Canada, Lithuania, and the United States showed a high level of satisfaction. Only 1 study did not report the mean job satisfaction score. According to bias evaluation, 9 studies were considered low risk.
CONCLUSION
The findings showed that dentists were satisfied with their jobs at a moderate to high level, and specialists were more satisfied than general dentists. Regarding work environmental factors, the 6 most satisfied factors were patient relationships, respect, delivery of care, staff, professional relationship, and professional environment. Five of the least satisfied factors were personal time, stress, income, practice management, and professional time. However, longitudinal studies would be required to identify changes in these factors. Further studies should be performed in middle- and low-income countries using the Dentist Satisfaction Survey, including stress evaluation.
Topics: Dentists; Humans; Income; Job Satisfaction; Republic of Korea; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33612262
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2020.12.018 -
Journal of Dentistry Jun 2022To study the sociodemographic and work-related factors that affect the level of burnout syndrome in Spanish dentists through an observational epidemiological study. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
To study the sociodemographic and work-related factors that affect the level of burnout syndrome in Spanish dentists through an observational epidemiological study.
METHOD
An online survey answered by 1298 Spanish dentists was used to record their gender, age, work environment, number of practices in which they work, whether they work alone or not, whether they own or co-own the practice, years of experience, working hours per week, and their answers to the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS). A univariate analysis was carried out to study the relationship between the work-related and sociodemographic factors examined for each of the three dimensions of burnout: Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalisation (DP) and Personal Accomplishment (PA). Subsequently, multivariate logistic regression models were fitted.
RESULTS
The percentage of dentists with signs of burnout classified as "Emotional Exhaustion" was higher: for women (64.4%) than men (56.7%) (p=0.005); for those working in a rural setting (70.1%) than for those working in an urban setting (59.9%) (p=0.009); for non-owners (65.6%) in comparison to owners (58.3%) (p =0.008); and for those who always or frequently work alone (63.7%), compared to dentists who never or rarely work alone (59.9%) (p=0.007). A high level of burnout was experienced by 9.8% of dentists.
CONCLUSION
In the population studied, environment, age and working hours per week have a significant impact upon EE, while ownership of the practice, years of experience, and working hours per week significantly affect DP. Working alone brings with it a high risk of suffering from a low sense of PA.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Burnout syndrome is more likely to affect young dentists who do not own a practice and work long hours each week.
Topics: Burnout, Professional; Dentists; Female; Humans; Job Satisfaction; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35472454
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104143 -
The Journal of Clinical Pediatric... Sep 2023The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) affirms that the use of fluoride, as an adjunct in the prevention of caries, is safe and effective. The AAPD...
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) affirms that the use of fluoride, as an adjunct in the prevention of caries, is safe and effective. The AAPD encourages dentists, other healthcare providers, and parents to optimize fluoride exposures to reduce the risk of caries and to enhance the remineralization of affected teeth. However, there is resistance amongst patients towards fluoride overexposure and despite there being research on other effective remineralizing agents, most pediatric dentists primarily cater their practice to fluoride-based products. The objective of the study is to survey pediatric dentists' acceptance and awareness of fluoride-free remineralizing agents. A listserv of the southeastern and western private practice pediatric dentists was obtained from the AAPD consisting of 6490 email addresses. A questionnaire consisting of 15 questions was sent to each address using Qualtrics. Different trends in fluoride-free acceptance and awareness were seen based on region of practice, region of training and age of practitioner. Region of practice, residency training and age can be contributing factors toward fluoride-free remineralizing agent opinion. The data gathered trends towards western-trained pediatric dentists are more likely to recommend a fluoride-free toothpaste than a southeastern-trained dentist.
Topics: Child; Humans; Toothpastes; Dentists; Fluorides; Dental Care; Dental Caries; Private Practice
PubMed: 37732439
DOI: 10.22514/jocpd.2023.055 -
Dental and Medical Problems 2021Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) constitute a heterogeneous group of disorders concerning temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and the surrounding structures. The etiology is... (Review)
Review
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) constitute a heterogeneous group of disorders concerning temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and the surrounding structures. The etiology is multifactorial, and comprises biological factors (e.g., internal derangements in TMJ), psychological factors (e.g., depression, anxiety and stress) and social factors (e.g., a learned response to pain). In accordance with the biopsychosocial model of health and illness, psychological factors are recognized as highly significant in the development of TMD. The aim of this review was to present the role of chosen mental disorders (depression, anxiety) in TMD and their significance for dental practitioners in the light of current knowledge. The PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant studies. Finally, 22 studies were included in this review. The gathered literature shows convincing evidence that mental derangements play a significant role in TMD by influencing the onset of the disorder, the course of the condition and the patient's response to treatment. However, the precise role of each mental disorder still requires further clarification.
Topics: Anxiety; Dentists; Humans; Professional Role; Temporomandibular Joint; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
PubMed: 33754501
DOI: 10.17219/dmp/132978 -
PloS One 2021To manage the increasing burden of dental diseases, a robust health system is essential. In order to ensure the oral health system operates at an optimal level going...
To manage the increasing burden of dental diseases, a robust health system is essential. In order to ensure the oral health system operates at an optimal level going into the future, a forecast of the national shortfall of dentists and dental specialists in South Africa (SA) was undertaken. There is currently a shortage of dentists and specialists in SA and given the huge burden of dental diseases, there is a dire need to increase the number of these health care workers. The aim was to determine the projected shortfall of dentists and specialists in each of the nine provinces in SA. The projected shortfall was calculated based on the SA Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) for each province. The estimate for the evaluation of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) for SA was obtained from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) Global Burden of Disease website. For each province, age standardized DALYs were calculated with mid-year population estimates obtained from Statistics SA 2018. In order to reduce the existing human resources for health (HRH) inequity among the provinces of SA, three scenarios were created focussing on attaining horizontal equity. The best-case scenario estimates a shortfall of 430, 1252 and 1885 dentists and specialists in 2018, 2024 and 2030 respectively. In an optimistic scenario, the national shortfall was calculated at 733, 1540 and 2158 dentists and specialists for the years 2018, 2024 and 2030 respectively. In an aspirational scenario, shortfalls of 853 (2018), 1655 (2024) and 2267 (2030) dentists and specialists were forecasted. Access to oral health services should be ensured through the optimum supply of trained dentists and specialists and the delivery of appropriate oral health services. Thus, the roadmap provided for upscaling the oral health services recognizes the influence of both demand and supply factors on the pursuit of equity.
Topics: Dentists; Disabled Persons; Forecasting; Global Burden of Disease; Global Health; Humans; Oral Health; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; South Africa; Specialization
PubMed: 33999933
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251238 -
African Health Sciences Dec 2022The Covid-19 pandemic seems to have an incessant out-turn on the people in every field in some or the other way. It has been reported that maximum number of deaths in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The Covid-19 pandemic seems to have an incessant out-turn on the people in every field in some or the other way. It has been reported that maximum number of deaths in the countries during this pandemic are caused due to a term called death anxiety or phobia. There are certain parameters such as anxiety, apprehension, depression which if influence a person can alter one's well-being.
OBJECTIVE
The steadfast intent of this review article is to narrate the psychological impact of this pandemic on dentists. The eloquence and emergence of this topic will alarm all the medicos and paramedics to have a check on this scenario.
METHODS
The article consists of detailed study from several articles from PubMed publications. Articles written only in English language were referred. Various keywords such as "Covid-19 pandemic" or "Psychological Impact" were used.
RESULTS
The Covid-19 Pandemic has adversely affected all of us physically as well as psychologically. This article signifies the psychological impact of this pandemic on dentists.
CONCLUSION
The current studies that are carried out till date show an extensive impact on the psychology of the dental professionals. The following review article elaborates the importance of the same.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Pandemics; Population Health; Anxiety; Dentists
PubMed: 37092098
DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v22i4.58 -
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dec 2022For prevention of wound-healing complications, patients in German-speaking countries are traditionally advised to avoid consumption of milk and dairy products after oral... (Review)
Review
Avoidance of milk and dairy products after oral surgery-is such a recommendation still valid? A cross-sectional study among German and international oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dental practitioners with review of the literature.
PURPOSE
For prevention of wound-healing complications, patients in German-speaking countries are traditionally advised to avoid consumption of milk and dairy products after oral surgery. In the absence of national and international guidelines, this study investigates scientific evidence and compares international practice, frequency scale, and rationale behind such recommendation.
METHODS
Comparison of a German cross-sectional mono-center-questionnaire pilot study and a survey among international oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS), specialized oral surgeons and general dentists, evaluating international practice regarding post-operative dietary and nutrition recommendations. Our literature review further assessed scientific evidence for relevant effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and/or synbiotics.
RESULTS
Among German study participants, 56% (n = 64/114) advise patients to avoid milk and dairy products, with 42% of OMFS (n = 38) and 65% (n = 76) of the general dentists recommending abstention (p = .027). In striking contrast, such recommendation could not be identified in our international survey (n = 143) (t test, p < .001) nor in the literature. There were significant differences between German and international study participants regarding the rationale for dietary recommendations, with dental schools and literature most frequently indicated as sources (Fisher's exact test, p < .001).
CONCLUSION
The hypothesis of a harmful effect of the consumption of milk and dairy products after dentoalveolar surgery could not be supported by evidence. The recommendation to avoid dairy products post-surgery was identified as a specific phenomenon practiced almost exclusively in German-speaking countries. Corresponding recommendations, most probably based on a now irrelevant risk of contracting tuberculosis from milk products, can at present no longer be substantiated.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Milk; Cross-Sectional Studies; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; Dentists; Pilot Projects; Professional Role; Oral Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 34694519
DOI: 10.1007/s10006-021-01017-y -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Oct 2022The availability of evidence-based information sources for dentists is essential to influence antibiotic prescribing practices and we need to understand how dentists...
INTRODUCTION
The availability of evidence-based information sources for dentists is essential to influence antibiotic prescribing practices and we need to understand how dentists interact with such sources and how this influences their practice. The present study aimed to evaluate dentists' preferred sources of information and their awareness of available information and initiatives on prudent antibiotic prescribing practices in Jordan.
METHODOLOGY
An online cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to dentists between July to September 2021. It was an adapted version of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) survey for antibiotic use and resistance.
RESULTS
A total of 204 dentists responded to the survey. The main sources of information regarding avoiding unnecessary antibiotic prescribing were published guidelines (35.5%), the dental professional body (20.0%), colleagues or peers (18.6%), and scientific organizations (17.2%), with the influence of these sources on changing prescribers' views being 40.7%, 9.8%, 10.3%, and 14.2%, respectively. Of the surveyed dentists, 9.3%, 33.8%, and 56.9% were aware, unaware, and unsure of the presence of national action plans on antimicrobial resistance, respectively. Dentists reported their desire to receive more information about resistance to antibiotics (57.8%), medical conditions for which antibiotics are used (52.9%), how to use antibiotics (41.2%), prescribing of antibiotics (39.7%), and links between the health of humans, animals, and the environment (26.0%).
CONCLUSIONS
The study provided insights into the information available to and used by dentists, which can inform effective antimicrobial stewardship strategies for improving antibiotic prescribing.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Practice Patterns, Dentists'; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Jordan
PubMed: 36332214
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.16540 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2023The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region (AFR) has 47 countries. The aim of this research was to review the oral health workforce (OHWF) comprising dentists,...
The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region (AFR) has 47 countries. The aim of this research was to review the oral health workforce (OHWF) comprising dentists, dental assistants and therapists, and dental prosthetic technicians in the AFR. OHWF data from a survey of all 47 member states were triangulated with the National Health Workforce Accounts and population data. Descriptive analysis of workforce trends and densities per 10,000 population from 2000 to 2019 was performed, and perceived workforce challenges/possible solutions were suggested. Linear regression modelling used the Human Development Index (HDI), years of schooling, dental schools, and levels of urbanization as predictors of dentist density. Despite a growth of 63.6% since 2010, the current workforce density of dentists (per 10,000 population) in the AFR remains very low at 0.44, with marked intra-regional inequity (Seychelles, 4.297; South Sudan 0.003). The stock of dentists just exceeds that of dental assistants/therapists (1:0.91). Workforce density of dentists and the OHWF overall was strongly associated with the HDI and mean years of schooling. The dominant perceived challenge was identified as 'mal-distribution of the workforce (urban/rural)' and 'oral health' being 'considered low priority'. Action to 'strengthen oral health policy' and provide 'incentives to work in underserved areas' were considered important solutions in the region. Whilst utilising workforce skill mix contributes to overall capacity, there is a stark deficit of human resources for oral health in the AFR. There is an urgent need to strengthen policy, health, and education systems to expand the OHWF using innovative workforce models to meet the needs of this region and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Topics: Humans; Health Workforce; Workforce; Oral Health; Health Policy; Africa; Dentists
PubMed: 36767693
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032328 -
Stomatologija 2020Studies have shown that dentists are experiencing stress at work and it might have an impact on general health. Dental students have reported negative effect of stress...
OBJECTIVE
Studies have shown that dentists are experiencing stress at work and it might have an impact on general health. Dental students have reported negative effect of stress starting in undergraduate studies period. The various predisposing factors have been identified and determined. The aim of our study was to determine and compare stress among dentists of different specializations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in March-September 2016 among 317 dentists. 151 (48%) form public and 166 (52%) from private clinics. All participants were dental practitioners working in Kaunas, Lithuania. A modified version of Occupational stress questionnaire (Institute of Health, Helsinki, Finland, 1992) was used. Chi-square, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test Mann-Whitney U tests, Student's (t) criterion and logistic regression analysis model served for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
Majority of dentists were women (85%) and 61.8% of all participants were general practitioners. More general practitioners and paediatric dentists specialists were working in public clinics. The most stressful factors were: restrictions, work tension, and responsibility, while least stressful were value of work, work and life satisfaction (p<0.05). The intensive stress (>3) was indicated mostly by general practitioners, pediatric dentists and periodontologists.
CONCLUSIONS
Stress is more experienced by dentists working in public clinic being as a general practitioner or having specialization of periodontologist or pediatric dentist. Dentists should be encouraged to take stress management course to cope with.
Topics: Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Female; General Practitioners; Humans; Lithuania; Professional Role; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33242029
DOI: No ID Found