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Cureus May 2024Antibiotics are commonly prescribed as a preventive measure, particularly post-tooth extraction, aiming to minimize the risk of infection. Preemptive analgesia functions... (Review)
Review
Antibiotics are commonly prescribed as a preventive measure, particularly post-tooth extraction, aiming to minimize the risk of infection. Preemptive analgesia functions by disrupting the nervous system's ability to encode pain stimuli, thus preventing the formation of pain memory. Dentists often recommend analgesics and antibiotics either as adjuncts or sole treatments for various dental conditions, offering both efficacy and cost-effectiveness. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Science Direct, and Lilac, using MeSH terms relevant to the role of antibiotics and analgesics in systemically ill patients undergoing tooth extraction. Out of 178 articles screened, 83 underwent full-text assessment for eligibility, and six were selected for qualitative analysis. The review process adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, ensuring methodological rigor and transparent reporting. Across diverse study populations, the role of antibiotics and analgesics consistently demonstrated a statistically significant impact. Hence, the utilization of analgesics and antibiotics plays a pivotal role in preventing infection following tooth extraction in systemically ill patients, thereby promoting optimal oral hygiene and overall health.
PubMed: 38840997
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59711 -
Clinical and Experimental Dental... Jun 2024Mouthguards (MGs) have the potential to prevent contact sport-related dental injuries. However, varying perceptions of their effectiveness persist, influencing...
Un "boxing" the reality: Knowledge, attitude, and perception of orthodontists, dental practitioners, and orthodontic patients toward mouthguards' wear during contact sports-A cross-sectional study.
INTRODUCTION
Mouthguards (MGs) have the potential to prevent contact sport-related dental injuries. However, varying perceptions of their effectiveness persist, influencing recommendations by dental professionals.
AIM
To assess the attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions of orthodontists, other dental practitioners (general dentists and other dental specialists), and orthodontic patients involved in contact sports regarding the use of MGs.
METHODOLOGY
A cross-sectional survey was designed to collect information from dental clinicians (orthodontists and other dental practitioners) and their orthodontic patients about using MGs during sports participation. A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit the participants for an online survey. A total of 107 (32 males/75 females) dental clinicians and 147 (75 males/72 females) orthodontic patients (mean age 17.5 ± 5.84 years) participated in the study. Pre-validated questionnaires, specifically designed for dental clinicians and orthodontic patients, were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 28.0; SPSS).
RESULTS
Nearly 50% of dental clinicians have recently recommended MGs to their patients in their clinical practice out of which 59% preferred the stock type; 33% of dental clinicians enquired their patients about involvement in contact sports during initial visits. The majority of orthodontic patients acquired knowledge about MGs through the Internet. More than half of orthodontic patients expressed unwillingness to pay for MGs, and 89% of orthodontic patients found using MGs during contact sports uncomfortable.
CONCLUSION
The findings provide valuable insights into the practices and attitudes of dental clinicians and orthodontic patients regarding MGs, their recommendations, and the comfort levels associated with using them during contact sports.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Male; Mouth Protectors; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Orthodontists; Athletic Injuries; Dentists; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Tooth Injuries; Attitude of Health Personnel; Orthodontics; Boxing; Sports
PubMed: 38837625
DOI: 10.1002/cre2.904 -
Human Resources For Health Jun 2024The resource needs of health services are served by the recognition of qualifications across borders which allows professionals to migrate between countries. The... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
The resource needs of health services are served by the recognition of qualifications across borders which allows professionals to migrate between countries. The movement of dentists across the European Union (EU), especially into the United Kingdom (UK), has provided a valuable boost to workforce supply. Recent changes to policy recognising overseas qualifications have brought attention to the equivalence of qualifications awarded in EU countries. Professional regulators need to be confident that dentists who qualified elsewhere have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience to practise safely and effectively. The aim of this study was to compare UK and EU dental curricula, identify any differences, and compare the extent of pre-qualification clinical experience.
METHODS
This was a mixed methods study comprising a questionnaire and website searches to identify information about curricula, competences, and quality assurance arrangements in each country. The questionnaire was sent to organisations responsible for regulating dental education or dental practice in EU member states. This was supplemented with information obtained from website searches of stakeholder organisations for each country including regulators, professional associations, ministries, and providers of dental education. A map of dental training across the EU was created.
RESULTS
National learning outcomes for dental education were identified for seven countries. No national outcomes were identified 13 countries; therefore, learning outcomes were mapped at institution level only. No information about learning outcomes was available for six countries. In one country, there is no basic dental training. Clinical skills and communication were generally well represented. Management and leadership were less represented. Only eight countries referenced a need for graduates to be aware of their own limitations. In most countries, quality assurance of dental education is not undertaken by dental organisations, but by national quality assurance agencies for higher education. In many cases, it was not possible to ascertain the extent of graduates' direct clinical experience with patients.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings demonstrate considerable variation in learning outcomes for dental education between countries and institutions in Europe. This presents a challenge to decision-makers responsible for national recognition and accreditation of diverse qualifications across Europe to maintain a safe, capable, international workforce; but one that this comparison of programmes helps to address.
Topics: Humans; Education, Dental; Curriculum; Clinical Competence; Surveys and Questionnaires; Dentists; European Union; Europe; United Kingdom; Foreign Professional Personnel; Emigration and Immigration; Health Workforce
PubMed: 38835022
DOI: 10.1186/s12960-024-00918-9 -
BMC Oral Health Jun 2024Disturbances in the oral mucosa is a major concern among patients undergoing chemotherapy. One of the most significant barriers in the implementation of oral care is the...
OBJECTIVE
Disturbances in the oral mucosa is a major concern among patients undergoing chemotherapy. One of the most significant barriers in the implementation of oral care is the lack of knowledge. The aim of the study was to assess gingival and periodontal health status of chemotherapy patients before and after the provision of oral hygiene instructions.
METHODS
A single group, pre-post test was conducted to assess oral health status of patients at the daycare chemotherapy, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Oral hygiene instructions were given with study models and leaflets. Patients were followed for 6-weeks. Oral health was assessed by using Simplified-Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Differences in indices were analyzed in STATA version-15.0 using Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) and Wilcoxon Signed-rank test.
RESULTS
Out of 74, 53 (72%) patients completed study follow-up. Improvement in the OHI-S was found in 14 (26%) patients (p-value < 0.001). GEE showed that age [adjusted OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.03-1.11], current chemotherapy cycle [adjusted OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.98-1.46], highest education level [Adjusted OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.08-12.7] and cancer therapy [Adjusted OR = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.24-0.55] were significantly associated with the change in OHI-S. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed positive changes in the CPI (p-value < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Basic oral hygiene instructional intervention can be effective in improving the oral hygiene of chemotherapy patients. Nurses should also play a key role in providing psychological and nutritional support to patients.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Oral Health; Oral Hygiene; Adult; Middle Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Periodontal Index; Tertiary Care Centers; Patient Education as Topic; Oral Hygiene Index; Age Factors; Follow-Up Studies; Pakistan; Young Adult; Neoplasms; Aged
PubMed: 38835001
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04093-0 -
Clinical Oral Investigations Jun 2024Clinical trials testing new devices require prior training on dummies to minimize the "learning curve" for patients. Dentists were trained using a novel water jet device...
OBJECTIVES
Clinical trials testing new devices require prior training on dummies to minimize the "learning curve" for patients. Dentists were trained using a novel water jet device for mechanical cleaning of dental implants and with a novel cold plasma device for surface functionalisation during a simulated open flap peri-implantitis therapy. The hypothesis was that there would be a learning curve for both devices.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
11 dentists instrumented 44 implants in a dummy-fixed jaw model. The effect of the water jet treatment was assessed as stain removal and the effect of cold plasma treatment as surface wettability. Both results were analysed using photographs. To improve treatment skills, each dentist treated four implants and checked the results immediately after the treatment as feedback.
RESULTS
Water jet treatment significantly improved from the first to the second implant from 62.7% to 75.3% stain removal, with no further improvement up to the fourth implant. The wettability with cold plasma application reached immediately a high level at the first implant and was unchanged to the 4th implant (mean scores 2.7 out of 3).
CONCLUSION
A moderate learning curve was found for handling of the water jet but none for handling of the cold plasma.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Scientific rational for study: Two new devices were developed for peri-implantitis treatment (Dental water jet, cold plasma). Dentists were trained in the use of these devices prior to the trial to minimize learning effects.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Experienced dentists learn the handling of the water jet very rapidly and for cold plasma they do not need much training.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
A clinical study is in process. When the planned clinical study will be finished, we will find out, if this dummy head exercise really minimised the learning curve for these devices.
Topics: Humans; Dental Implants; Plasma Gases; Decontamination; Water; Peri-Implantitis; Surface Properties; Wettability
PubMed: 38833072
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-024-05749-5 -
BMC Public Health Jun 2024During the pandemic, many police dentists had the crucial responsibility of ensuring law and order while providing dental care by taking government-approved health...
Fear of COVID-19 associated with burnout syndrome in dentists of the Health Directorate of the National Police of Peru: a cross-sectional study at national level under multivariable regression model.
BACKGROUND
During the pandemic, many police dentists had the crucial responsibility of ensuring law and order while providing dental care by taking government-approved health measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the fear of COVID-19 and Burnout syndrome in Peruvian dentists belonging to the Health Department of the National Police of Peru (PNP), taking into account possible confounding variables.
METHODS
This cross-sectional and analytical study included 182 PNP dentists. The Fear COVID-19 Scale assessed fear of COVID-19 and the Maslach Burnout Inventory Test assessed burnout syndrome. The association between the fear of COVID-19 and Burnout syndrome (self-fulfilment) was analyzed using Spearman's Rho. A multivariable Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimation method was employed to evaluate the impact of fear of COVID-19 on the various dimensions of Burnout syndrome, considering possible confounding variables. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS
Under bivariate analysis, fear of COVID-19 was significantly linked with low direct intensity toward emotional exhaustion (Rho = 0.325, p < 0.001), very low direct intensity toward depersonalization (Rho = 0.180, p = 0.015), and very low inverse intensity toward self-fulfilment (Rho =-0.186, p = 0.012). Under multivariable analysis, it was observed that dentists who exhibited fear of COVID-19 were 3.4 and 3.7 times more likely to experience emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, respectively (APR = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.74-6.63 and APR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.31-10.37), as compared to those who did not display fear of COVID-19. Moreover, none of the potential confounding factors were found to have a significant impact on emotional exhaustion (p > 0.05), depersonalization (p > 0.05), and self-fulfilment (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Fear of COVID-19 was significantly associated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and inversely associated with self-fulfilment. PNP dentists who exhibited fear of COVID-19 were at greater risk for emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. In developing Burnout syndrome, no significant impact was observed from factors such as age, gender, marital status, children, hierarchy, years of service, work area, private practice, work over 40 h per week, type of service, work performed, sport practice and daily exercise time.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; COVID-19; Burnout, Professional; Male; Female; Dentists; Adult; Peru; Police; Fear; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38831272
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18979-9 -
Heliyon Jun 2024Dentists utilize various techniques and materials for post and core restoration of endodontically treated teeth, which remains a noteworthy health concern and can be...
BACKGROUND
Dentists utilize various techniques and materials for post and core restoration of endodontically treated teeth, which remains a noteworthy health concern and can be addressed through interdisciplinary strategies to enhance outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the technical quality of the residual gutta-percha (GP) and posts by analysing the periapical radiographs of endodontically restored teeth.
METHODS
A total of 594 periapical digital radiographs were evaluated for tooth type, post material, post shape, design, diameter, length, residual GP, GP length, GP tapering, GP homogeneity, and final restoration. Frequency distribution and cross-tabulation of the variables were performed.
RESULTS
Maxillary molars had the highest frequency of restorations, including posts, accounting for 27.4 %, followed by maxillary premolars (25.4 %) and maxillary anterior teeth (19.2 %). The prefabricated metallic posts were most commonly used (81.0 %), among these, 50.4 % were screwed posts. Tapered posts were the most commonly used (65.6 %). The percentage of posts with an acceptable length was 58.2 %. The most commonly used posts exhibited a width of one-third of the root diameter, accounting for 87.0 %. Suitable GP lengths were observed in 61.1 % of the restorations, and 62.8 % demonstrated adequate GP homogeneity. The findings of this study revealed that crown restoration accounted for 42.6 % of the studied sample.
CONCLUSIONS
The technical quality of the remaining GP after restoration was comparable to that of previous epidemiological investigations. However, the technical quality of the post was deemed suboptimal.
PubMed: 38828307
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31637 -
Journal of International Society of... 2024The success of composite restorations relies on material selection and practitioner-related factors that shape the overall outcome. This study explores the practices of...
AIM
The success of composite restorations relies on material selection and practitioner-related factors that shape the overall outcome. This study explores the practices of Palestinian general dental practitioners in placing posterior composites, examining the impact of work sector, experience, and gender on their choices.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted as an online cross-sectional questionnaire and involved 351 participants, with a response rate of 69.8%. The survey comprised 18 closed-ended questions covering demographics, material selection, and composite placement in special cases, techniques, and factors influencing the choices. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and Fisher's exact tests.
RESULTS
Composite was the predominant choice for small-size (83.7%) and large-size posterior cavities (60.4%). Practitioners commonly opted for composite restorations in cases involving occlusal parafunctional activity (60%), poor oral hygiene (78%), and subgingival cavities (72.2%). Only 19.6% and 5.3% reported occlusal and gingival beveling, respectively. Rubber dams for isolation stood at 30%, one-step self-etch adhesives at 44.9%, and the oblique layering technique at 51%. Light-emitting diode curing units were popular (97.55%), but monitoring output with a radiometer was infrequent (93.5%). Tofflemire metal matrix usage was 46.1%, whereas a sectional matrix system was employed by 29.8%. A 2 mm layer exposure to light curing for 20 s was reported by 62%, and 27.75% utilized additional light-curing postmatrix band removal.
CONCLUSION
The study highlights the need for Palestinian dental professionals to update their clinical approaches in placing composite restorations in posterior teeth. Gender, work sector, and experience influence practitioners' choices, emphasizing the importance of tailored continuing education programs for improving clinical practices.
PubMed: 38827352
DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.jispcd_157_23 -
Journal of Migration and Health 2024The Global Strategy for Human Resources for Health 2030, requires member states to half their dependency on an international workforce by 2030. In order to design...
INTRODUCTION
The Global Strategy for Human Resources for Health 2030, requires member states to half their dependency on an international workforce by 2030. In order to design policies towards that goal, country-specific research on migration motivations of the health workforce is required. The United Kingdom (UK) is a net importer of health professionals and whilst there is a body of research on doctors' and nurses' migration, there is no research on the migration motivations of migrant dentists in the UK. This research explored the migration motivations of internationally qualified dentists (IQDs) in the UK and presents a typology to understand the global migration of dentists in the context of oral health workforce.
METHODS
The paper presents qualitative data from semi-structured interviews conducted between August 2014 and October 2017, of IQDs working in the United Kingdom. The topic guide for interviews was informed by the literature, with new themes added inductively. A phenomenological approach involving an epistemological stance of interpretivism, was used with framework analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 38 internationally qualified dentists ( = 18, = 20), migrating from the five World Health Organization regions, and working in general practice, NHS hospitals and in community dental services across the four nations of the UK were interviewed. Seven types of internationally qualified dentists were identified working in the UK. They were , and . The categories were based on their migration motivations, which were complex, multifactorial, and included personal, professional, national, and international drivers. The typology, based on their migration motivations, offered a structured, comprehensive understanding of the migrant dental workforce. This typology involving dentists provides additional dimensions to and migrants described in the context of other health professionals. The is a new category proposed as an extension to existing typology in health professional migration.
CONCLUSIONS
The typology of internationally qualified dentists has congruency with other health professionals' typology in categories previously described and demonstrates that each of these categories are complex, fluid and change in response to policy changes. The new category of along with oral health dimensions of and adds to the existing typology in health professional migration.
PubMed: 38826513
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100232 -
Patient Preference and Adherence 2024Pregnant women witness many changes in the body as well as in the oral cavity with many factors influencing these changes. This study evaluated the relationship between...
PURPOSE
Pregnant women witness many changes in the body as well as in the oral cavity with many factors influencing these changes. This study evaluated the relationship between oral health status, perceptions, and pregnancy outcomes.
METHODS
A cross sectional study design was implemented to recruit a convenience sample of women attending Obstetrics and gynecology department in public hospitals in East and capital city of Saudi Arabia. To collect data, a validated self-administered questionnaire in English and Arabic was used. The questionnaire covered background information, perceived oral health status, and dental visits.
RESULTS
About 64.4% of the 481 women recruited had dental problems, 49.7% reported deterioration in their oral health during pregnancy, and 17.5% reported adverse pregnancy outcomes. Only 40.7% of pregnant women rated their oral health as good, and only 22% visited a dentist during their pregnancy. Dentists were the most common source of oral health information (44.1%), followed by social media (38.9%). Dental problems during pregnancy were significantly associated with adverse outcomes (P=0.007). Oral health perceptions of pregnant women, not visiting the dentist during pregnancy, and gingival problems were also significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (P=0.001). Those with fair to poor oral health were twice as likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcome. Those who intended to visit the dentist during their pregnancy but did not do so, as well as those who did not visit the dentist at all were 12 and 9 times more likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes respectively.
CONCLUSION
Dental complaints during pregnancy, oral health perceptions, and a lack of dental visits were all linked to increased likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes. There is a need for interprofessional collaboration to dispel myths and encourage oral health care and regular dental visits during pregnancy.
PubMed: 38826504
DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S456721