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PloS One 2024Oral health is high on the global agenda following the adoption of the 2022 global strategy on oral health at the 75th World Health Assembly. Given the global burden of...
Oral health is high on the global agenda following the adoption of the 2022 global strategy on oral health at the 75th World Health Assembly. Given the global burden of oral disease, workforce development to achieve universal health coverage [UHC] is crucial to respond to population needs within the non-communicable disease agenda. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the oral health workforce [OHWF] globally in relation to key contextual factors. Data from the National Health Workforce Accounts and a survey of World Health Organization [WHO] member states were integrated for analysis, together with country-level data on population and income status. Data are presented using the WHO categorisation of global regions and income status categories established by the World Bank. Workforce densities for key OHWF categories were examined. Multiple regression was used to model workforce density and contextual influences. Challenges and possible solutions were examined by country income status. There are approximately 3.30 dentists per 10,000 population globally, and a combined OHWF [dentists, dental assistants/therapists and dental prosthetic technicians] of 5.31 per 10,000. Marked regional inequalities are evident, most notably between WHO European and African regions; yet both make greater use of skill mix than other regions. When adjusted by region, 'country income status' and 'population urbanization' are strong predictors of the workforce density of dentists and even more so for the combined OHWF. Maldistribution of the workforce [urban/rural] was considered a particular workforce challenge globally and especially for lower-income countries. Strengthening oral health policy was considered most important for the future. The global distribution of dentists, and the OHWF generally, is inequitable, with variable and limited use of skill mix. Creative workforce development is required to achieve the global oral health agenda and work towards equity using innovative models of care, supported by effective governance and integrated policies.
Topics: Humans; Oral Health; Health Workforce; Global Health; World Health Organization; Health Inequities; Dentists
PubMed: 38870162
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292549 -
Heliyon Jun 2024Stress and burnout rank among the foremost dentistry-related concerns. Understanding stress and burnout among Palestinian dentists is crucial for developing targeted...
INTRODUCTION
Stress and burnout rank among the foremost dentistry-related concerns. Understanding stress and burnout among Palestinian dentists is crucial for developing targeted interventions and support systems. The study aimed to assess stress levels among dentists in Palestine, identify factors contributing to stress, and determine the relationship between stress and burnout in this professional group.
METHOD
ology: A cross-sectional study was conducted, employing a self-administered questionnaire to gather data from 271 dentists from March to June 2023. The Maslach burnout inventory was utilized to measure burnout across emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment dimensions, while the 10-item perceived stress scale was employed to measure stress levels.
RESULTS
The findings revealed that 81% of Palestinian dentists reported experiencing moderate to high levels of stress. Emotional exhaustion was a prominent aspect of burnout, with 48% of participants reporting high levels. The multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between stress scores and female participants (p = 0.001), daily sleeping hours (p = 0.016), as well as emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment burnout subscales (p ≤ 0.001 for both).
CONCLUSION
The study revealed high-stress levels among Palestinian dentists, which were associated with sex and daily sleep hours. Furthermore, burnout was prevalent among dentists, particularly in terms of emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment, which were strongly associated with increased stress levels. The results underscore the need for targeted interventions and support mechanisms tailored to factors facing dentists, especially among females and those who receive inadequate sleep. The relationship between burnout and stress levels highlights the intricate connection between these phenomena.
PubMed: 38868015
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32034 -
Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics 2024Soft skills represent a range of personal skills, attitudes and characteristics relevant to success and adequate work performance. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
INTRODUCTION
Soft skills represent a range of personal skills, attitudes and characteristics relevant to success and adequate work performance.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and usage of soft skills in Orthodontics.
METHODS
The participants answered a questionnaire containing 27 objective questions on awareness and frequency of soft skills in their professional activities. Participants were also asked to rank the soft skills in a crescent order of importance. The sample was divided into subgroups: A) residents in Orthodontics; B) orthodontists with less than 5 years of experience and C) orthodontists with more than 5 years of experience. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Sexual differences were compared using Mann-Whitney test (p< 0.05).
RESULTS
The sample of this observational study comprised 129 experienced orthodontists and residents in Orthodontics (92 women, 37 men) with mean age of 35.3 years. From the total sample, 54,6% of respondents reported no previous instructions on soft skills. All respondents reported using the analyzed soft skills with a similar frequency (median 4-5). Residents reported accessing reliable sources in bibliographic research less frequently (46%). Female orthodontists reported to seek help from teachers and other professionals more often than males. Ethics and communication were frequently ranked as the most important soft skills. Information management and leadership were frequently less ranked as important soft skills.
CONCLUSION
Poor knowledge of soft skills was demonstrated by residents and orthodontists. Communication skill was highly used and frequently ranked as the most important soft skill.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Orthodontics; Adult; Internship and Residency; Surveys and Questionnaires; Orthodontists; Clinical Competence
PubMed: 38865516
DOI: 10.1590/2177-6709.29.2.e242370.oar -
Cureus May 2024Silver amalgam, glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, compomers, light polymerized hybrid composite resin, and hybrid glass ionomer are among the most frequent...
INTRODUCTION
Silver amalgam, glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, compomers, light polymerized hybrid composite resin, and hybrid glass ionomer are among the most frequent restorative materials used as cavity-based or post-endodontics. Thus, to meet the needs of both patients and dentists, Cention N reimagines the traditional filling by integrating bulk placement, ion release, and durability into a dual-curing, aesthetically pleasing solution. Hoewver, we do not have enough information from studies comparing this hybrid restorative material's shear bond strengths to dentin to draw any firm conclusions. Cention N, zirconomer, and Vitremer are three hybrid tooth-colored restorative materials that were evaluated for their shear bond strength to dentin. This research aimed to compare and evaluate these materials.
METHODOLOGY
The purpose of this research was to use a universal Instron machine to measure the shear bond stress of three distinct hybrid tooth-colored restorative materials in relation to dentin. The research samples consisted of 45 extracted lower first premolars from humans. The teeth were then assigned into three groups of 15 samples each according to different color acrylic resin blocks, namely, group A (pink acrylic blocks), which had Cention in cement; group B (white acrylic blocks), which has zirconomer cement; and group C (violet acrylic blocks), which had Vitremer cement.
RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups and the normal distribution, as shown by the negligible values in the tests involving the three groups. Put simply, each of the three categories exhibits data that follows a normal distribution. This allows for further data analysis to be conducted using the parametric test of significance.
CONCLUSION
The shear bond strength of hybrid glass ionomer restorative materials has to be further investigated in both laboratory and living organism settings.
PubMed: 38864074
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60123 -
BMC Medical Education Jun 2024The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly altered dental practice, training, and education. This study investigates the pandemic's impacts on the clinical training experiences of...
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly altered dental practice, training, and education. This study investigates the pandemic's impacts on the clinical training experiences of dental and dental hygienist trainees at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
METHODS
Using data from post-doctoral general practice dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienist trainees who completed the VA Trainee Satisfaction Survey before and during COVID-19, we performed logistic regression and thematic content analyses to determine whether COVID-19 was associated with training satisfaction and likelihood of considering future VA employment.
RESULTS
While post-doctoral dentist and dental specialty trainees did not report significant differences, dental hygienist trainees reported increased overall satisfaction and an increased likelihood to consider future VA employment during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. Similar reasons for dissatisfaction were identified for both the pre-pandemic and pandemic groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Research outside VA indicates the pandemic's association with trainees' intentions to leave health profession education programs. Our results suggest the likely existence of factors that could lead to positive changes for at least some portion of the dental workforce. Future studies should explore those potential factors as some may be replicable in other settings or may apply to other health professions.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; United States; United States Department of Veterans Affairs; Dental Hygienists; Male; Female; Personal Satisfaction; Adult; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Surveys and Questionnaires; Dentists
PubMed: 38862948
DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05628-3 -
BDJ Open Jun 2024A healthy diet could help to prevent both oral and systemic diseases, with dentists and nutritionists supplementing their skills. The dental setting, where patients...
AIM
A healthy diet could help to prevent both oral and systemic diseases, with dentists and nutritionists supplementing their skills. The dental setting, where patients periodically refer to seeking oral health care, represents a powerful opportunity for nutritional counselling. To the best of our knowledge, no study is available on patients' attitudes towards dietary counselling in the dental setting. This cross-sectional study investigates patients' attitude towards receiving nutritional support within the dental setting and it elucidates whether a transdisciplinary approach would be well accepted.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A questionnaire was administered to patients attending three different clinics: a private clinic, a hospital dental clinic of the national healthcare system and the private dental practice within the same hospital.
RESULTS
Three hundred thirteen questionnaires were collected. Most dental patients acknowledged receiving nutritional advice from both dentists and nutritionists. The nutritionist within the dental setting was positively perceived, providing useful advice to prevent oral and systemic diseases and also drawing up a diet with periodic follow-ups.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
These findings support the positive attitude of patients towards receiving nutritional counselling within the dental setting. The dental clinics can be pivotal in oral and systemic disease screening and prevention and a multidisciplinary approach is highly encouraged.
PubMed: 38862495
DOI: 10.1038/s41405-024-00229-0 -
Bioinformation 2024Immuno-histochemical evaluation of CD34 in oral lichen planus (OLP) and Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is of interest to dentist.20 specimens of normal oral mucosa...
Immuno-histochemical evaluation of CD34 in oral lichen planus (OLP) and Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is of interest to dentist.20 specimens of normal oral mucosa (buccal mucosa/gingiva tissue) from patients who had extractions performed as part of orthodontic treatment comprised Group I, the control group. Group II comprised 30 individuals with a diagnosis of oral lichen planus. 30 OSMF cases with diagnoses is Group III. These 80 specimens were all given consideration when choosing for CD34immuno-histochemical staining. The CD34 was greater in all categories of OLP and OSMF when compared to normal controls. Maximum CD34 expression was observed in erosive OLP (147.41±17.60) followed by OSMF (116.01 ±11.72) and reticular OLP (105.01±11.62). Data was statistically significant (p<0.001).Immunohistochemistry of CD34 evaluation is a potential diagnostic marker for OLP and OSMF.
PubMed: 38854764
DOI: 10.6026/973206300200358 -
Cureus May 2024Bioterrorism involves the deliberate release of harmful biological agents, such as bacteria and viruses, aimed at causing mass casualties within a population. Often... (Review)
Review
Bioterrorism involves the deliberate release of harmful biological agents, such as bacteria and viruses, aimed at causing mass casualties within a population. Often referred to as "poor man's nuclear weapons," chemical and biological weapons pose a significant threat due to their potential for mass destruction. Detecting and preventing bioterrorist attacks is challenging, making them one of the most feared scenarios. Dentistry plays a crucial role in responding to bioterrorism and other catastrophic events, leveraging its personnel and facilities effectively. This paper explores the signs and symptoms of biological agents used in mass destruction, as well as the oral and dental manifestations of both naturally occurring and bioengineered infectious agents. Furthermore, the article stresses the importance of countermeasures against bioterrorism, including deterrence, prevention, surveillance, medical management, and training. Emphasis is placed on implementing surveillance systems, bolstering medical readiness, and conducting training programs to effectively detect, assess, and respond to bioterrorism threats. Ultimately, the article underscores the critical role of dentists and healthcare professionals in collaborative efforts to mitigate the impacts of bioterrorism through proactive measures.
PubMed: 38854341
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59958 -
Cureus May 2024Molars have been observed to have a variety of morphological forms. The least understood and most treatable tooth in the posterior region is the upper first molar. The...
Molars have been observed to have a variety of morphological forms. The least understood and most treatable tooth in the posterior region is the upper first molar. The maxillary first molar has a complex anatomy with a wide variation in the number, size, and shape of the root canals. The case documentation highlights the endodontic treatment of the upper first molar with an anomalous position of the mesiobuccal 2 (MB2) canal. Endodontic therapy success is contingent upon the awareness of the dentist about the differences i.e. morphology and outline of the root and its canal.
PubMed: 38854313
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59881 -
Journal of the Formosan Medical... Jun 2024Taiwan has implemented a Medical Home Healthcare (MHHC) policy to provide home healthcare services to residents in need. First was the Ordinary Medical Home Healthcare...
Taiwan has implemented a Medical Home Healthcare (MHHC) policy to provide home healthcare services to residents in need. First was the Ordinary Medical Home Healthcare (OMHHC) program in 1997 and then expanded to Integrated Medical Home Healthcare (IMHHC) in 2016. The OMHHC is provided care for residents with tubes at home or in institutions by physicians and nurses, and the IMHHC include additional professions, such as pharmacists and dentists. This study analyzed the longitudinal data from 2013 to 2020 with respect to overall home health services utilizations, and the type of services, and compared the differences between areas with and without healthcare shortages. Our results showed that the IMHHC program enhanced the accessibility of home healthcare to those in needs, especially those in healthcare shortage areas. However, some services in the IMHHC program may still have low utilization rates. It is necessary to investigate the potential barriers for residents to access those services.
PubMed: 38851913
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.06.002