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BMC Oral Health Oct 2023There is a notable increase in the usage of social media platforms, especially for health communication, as more clinicians and patients count on this kind of...
BACKGROUND
There is a notable increase in the usage of social media platforms, especially for health communication, as more clinicians and patients count on this kind of technology. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the perception and attitude toward social media (SM) use for professionalism and dental practice promotion among periodontal specialists working in Saudi Arabia (KSA).
METHODS
Electronic surveys were distributed in person or online using WhatsApp, Snapchat or Email from October 2022 until March 2023. The questionnaire was targeting periodontists in KSA, and it consists of three parts: the first part includes sociodemographic and professional data; the second part asks about the daily usage of SM in dental practice; and the third part asks about the periodontist's opinion about SM usage. Descriptive data were presented as numbers and percentages. The association between the demographic variables and the means of periodontists' opinions was tested using Pearson's chi-square test. Any value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
A total of 121 responses were received from the periodontists. Most of the participants were in the 36-45 age group, with a percentage of 40.5%. In terms of gender, males made up 52.9% of the population, while females made up 47.1%, and the majority of the participants were consultants. The most common SM platform used by periodontists for daily using and dental practice promotion was Snapchat (56.2%), followed by Instagram and Twitter (54.5% and 49.6%, respectively). There was a significant difference in proportions among Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok between older and younger periodontists, with a p value < 0.05. There was no significant difference between the gender of the participants and their opinions regarding the usage of SM.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlighted the effectiveness of SM in the promotion of dental practices and the discipline of periodontics, as more clinicians and patients rely on this kind of technology. These online platforms can improve periodontal practice in terms of dental health education, counseling, advertising, and oral health services.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Attitude of Health Personnel; Dentists; Periodontics; Saudi Arabia; Social Media
PubMed: 37807041
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03444-7 -
The Angle Orthodontist Mar 2017To determine how often general dentists receive gifts from orthodontists, the value and number of the gifts they receive, and how they perceive the motivation behind the...
OBJECTIVES
To determine how often general dentists receive gifts from orthodontists, the value and number of the gifts they receive, and how they perceive the motivation behind the gift.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a questionnaire-based study. A questionnaire was constructed and tested for validity and reliability. An electronic version of survey was sent via email to 1300 general dentists.
RESULTS
The validity and reliability of the survey was confirmed. Two hundred fifty-four valid responses were received (20%). Eighty-five percent of responding general practitioners reported that they received gifts from an orthodontist. Almost 100% reported that they referred patients to orthodontists. About one-third of the responding general practitioners reported that their office provided orthodontic care. There were statistically significant correlations between the number of annual patient referrals the general practitioners reported making and the number and value of the gifts they received from the orthodontists. Female general practitioners reported receiving a higher number of gifts of greater total value than male practitioners. General practitioners who reported providing orthodontic treatment did not differ from those who did not in the number of referrals they made annually and the number and value of the gifts they received. Quality of care was the most common reason general practitioners reported for their referral to an orthodontist. Forty-four percent of the responders reported that they received discounted orthodontic treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
General practitioners refer patients to orthodontists and receive gifts from them. The number and value of the gifts reflects the number of referrals they make.
Topics: Dentists; Gift Giving; Humans; Motivation; Orthodontists; Referral and Consultation; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 27654629
DOI: 10.2319/032416-242.1 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Nov 2013Methods of remuneration have been linked with the professional behaviour of primary care physicians. In dentistry, this can be exacerbated as clinicians operate their... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Methods of remuneration have been linked with the professional behaviour of primary care physicians. In dentistry, this can be exacerbated as clinicians operate their practices as businesses and take the full financial risk of the provision of services. The main methods for remunerating primary care dentists include fee-for-service, fixed salary and capitation payments. The aim of this review was to determine the impact that these remuneration mechanisms have upon primary care dentists' behaviour.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effects of different methods of remuneration on the level and mix of activities provided by primary care dentists and the impact this has on patient outcomes.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 7, 2013); MEDLINE (Ovid) (1947 to 11 June 2013); EMBASE (Ovid) (1947 to 11 June 2013); EconLit (1969 to 11 June 2013); the NHS Economic Evaluation Database (EED) (11 June 2013); and the Health Economic Evaluations Database (HEED) (11 June 2013). We conducted cited reference searches for the included studies in ISI Web of Knowledge; searched grey literature sources; handsearched selected journals; and contacted authors of relevant studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Primary care dentists were defined as clinicians that deliver routine or mainstream dental care in a primary care environment. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised controlled clinical trials (NRCTs), controlled before-after (CBA) studies and interrupted time series (ITS) studies. The methods of remuneration that we considered were: fee-for-service, fixed salary and capitation payments. Primary outcome measures were: measures of clinical activity; volume of clinical activity undertaken; time taken and clinical session length, or both; clinician type utilised; measures of health service utilisation; access and attendance as a proportion of the population; re-attendance rates; recall frequency; levels of oral health inequalities; non-attendance rates; healthcare costs; measures of patient outcomes; disease reduction; health maintenance; and patient satisfaction. We also considered measures of practice profitability/income and any reported unintended effects of the included methods of remuneration.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Three of the review authors (PRB, JP, AMG) independently reviewed titles and abstracts and resolved disagreements by discussion. The same three review authors undertook data extraction and assessed the quality of the evidence from all the studies that met the selection criteria, according to Cochrane Collaboration procedures.
MAIN RESULTS
Two cluster-RCTs, with data from 503 dental practices, representing 821 dentists and 4771 patients, met the selection criteria. We judged the risk of bias to be high for both studies and the overall quality of the evidence was low/very low for all outcomes, as assessed using the GRADE approach.One study used a factorial design to investigate the impact of fee-for-service and an educational intervention on the placement of fissure sealants in permanent molar teeth. The authors reported a statistically significant increase in clinical activity in the arm that was incentivised with a fee-for-service payment. However, the study was conducted in the four most deprived areas of Scotland, so the applicability of the findings to other settings may be limited. The study did not report data on measures of health service utilisation or measures of patient outcomes.The second study used a parallel group design undertaken over a three-year period to compare the impact of capitation payments with fee-for-service payments on primary care dentists' clinical activity. The study reported on measures of clinical activity (mean percentage of children receiving active preventive advice, health service utilisation (mean number of visits), patient outcomes (mean number of filled teeth, mean percentage of children having one or more teeth extracted and the mean number of decayed teeth) and healthcare costs (mean expenditure). Teeth were restored at a later stage in the disease process in the capitation system and the clinicians tended to see their patients less frequently and tended to carry out fewer fillings and extractions, but also tended to give more preventive advice.There was insufficient information regarding the cost-effectiveness of the different remuneration methods.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Financial incentives within remuneration systems may produce changes to clinical activity undertaken by primary care dentists. However, the number of included studies is limited and the quality of the evidence from the two included studies was low/very low for all outcomes. Further experimental research in this area is highly recommended given the potential impact of financial incentives on clinical activity, and particular attention should be paid to the impact this has on patient outcomes.
Topics: Adult; Capitation Fee; Child; Dental Care; Dentists; Fee-for-Service Plans; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Remuneration; Salaries and Fringe Benefits
PubMed: 24194456
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009853.pub2 -
Journal of Dentistry Oct 2021COVID-19 has had a significant impact on dentistry in unforeseen ways, including a substantial rise in the development and implementation of video consultations. The...
OBJECTIVES
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on dentistry in unforeseen ways, including a substantial rise in the development and implementation of video consultations. The research aimed to investigate dentists' and patients' attitudes towards dental video consultations (tele-dentistry) and to identify potential ways to improve the experience.
METHODS
A cross-sectional, pre-post design, online survey was carried out with patients' and dentists' before and after video consultations. A total of 249 participants accessed the survey and 228 of them consented to take part in the study and answered the online questions. Participants' attitudes towards video consultations were assessed using a questionnaire constructed by a multidisciplinary team of periodontists and psychologists. The measure assessed the perceived efficacy of the video consultations on patients and the dental team. Video consultations were performed to risk assess, triage and manage remotely via a video link out at (deleted name of institution as double blinded peer review) via NHS England's Attend Anywhere platform.
RESULTS
The majority of patients strongly agreed and were satisfied using tele-dentistry in the five domains which we explored: the ease, comprehensiveness and helpfulness of the video consultations and the anxiety and satisfaction levels of the patient. Dentists and students alike felt more confident and competent after having carried out a video consultation. The majority of clinicians found the tele-dentistry platform helpful and easy to perform. Just over 70% of patients strongly agreed that the video consultation ran smoothly and 75.7% strongly agreed that they were comfortable accessing the consultation from home rather than travelling in for the consultation. Just under 80% of patients stated that they would recommend the video consultation.
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that tele-dentistry may be a valid option to help service providers and dental patients, as it seems to be well accepted by both patients and dentists. JM to typesetter.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Patients' and dentists' perceptions of Tele-Dentistry at the time of COVID-19. A questionnaire-based study. To our knowledge this is one of the first studies evaluates perceptions of patients and clinicians before and after a tele-dentistry encounter in and across different dental departments. The majority of survey participants expressed positive views towards tele-dentistry across all domains including ease and comprehensiveness of the video consultation, perceived helpfulness and anxiety and satisfaction of the patient. Dentists appear to be competent and confident to carry out these video consultations and find them to be helpful and easy to complete. As a result, we suggest readers adopt tele-dentistry in their daily activities to help patients and clinicians alike.
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentistry; Dentists; Humans; Perception; Practice Patterns, Dentists'; SARS-CoV-2; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34400252
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103782 -
Anesthesiology Dec 2019In late 1846, following his successful public demonstrations of surgical anesthesia, Boston dentist William T. G. Morton selected Letheon as the commercial name for the...
In late 1846, following his successful public demonstrations of surgical anesthesia, Boston dentist William T. G. Morton selected Letheon as the commercial name for the ether-based "preparation" he had used to produce insensibility to pain. We have not identified a first-hand account of the coinage of Letheon. Although the name ultimately derives from the Greek Lēthē, the adjective Lethean, much in use in the mid-19th century, may have influenced Morton and those he called on to assist in finding a commercial name. By one unverified account, the name Letheon might have been coined independently by both Augustus Addison Gould, M.D., and Henry Jacob Bigelow, M.D.
Topics: Anesthesia; Dentists; History, 17th Century; History, 18th Century; History, 19th Century; Humans; Linguistics; Terminology as Topic
PubMed: 31567360
DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000002969 -
Journal of Dental Education Mar 2012Social media are part of the fabric of today's world, from which health care is not excluded. Based on its distribution capacity, a single individual can cause an amount... (Review)
Review
Social media are part of the fabric of today's world, from which health care is not excluded. Based on its distribution capacity, a single individual can cause an amount of damage to an institution that only a few decades ago required access to a mainstream news media outlet. Despite the obvious parallels in professional standards in the medical and dental communities, the scholarly activity and resulting collegial discourse observed among medical professionals remain unmatched in the dental education literature. As a result, a rigorous research agenda on the topic is indicated. Once these results are evaluated and thoroughly vetted, actions should be tailored to address the needs, minimize the threats, and maximize the opportunities that have been already noted by the medical profession. Regardless of input, albeit internal or external, a cadre of individuals who are willing to develop philosophy, policy, and procedure related to the use of social media policies in dental education can then be identified to evaluate the issues unique to the institution and perhaps the profession.
Topics: Blogging; Dentists; Education, Dental; Ethics, Dental; Humans; Information Dissemination; Internet; Public Relations; Social Media; Students, Dental
PubMed: 22383595
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal (Canadian Dental Association) Nov 1998It has been recognized that the diagnosis and treatment of caries vary so widely among dentists that patients increasingly feel the need to inform themselves and to... (Review)
Review
It has been recognized that the diagnosis and treatment of caries vary so widely among dentists that patients increasingly feel the need to inform themselves and to compare recommended treatments before accepting one. This phenomenon is all the more present in pit and fissure surfaces intervention choices, where there is a wide variety of available treatments. This article will attempt to highlight the factors explaining the pit and fissure treatment variation. The lack of knowledge on pit and fissure sealant effectiveness and indications as well as dentists' clinical experiences have given rise to different myths and prejudices that have had an impact on the variability of treatment decision making. When in doubt about the necessity to execute a treatment, each decision to withhold treatment results in an incomplete care episode. A dentist's lack of comfort with withholding treatment may stop him from offering preventive care and cause him to follow a restoration-oriented practice. It is therefore increasingly urgent to achieve agreement among dentists, especially as current knowledge on the subject is giving way to new research.
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Clinical Competence; Dentists; Drug Utilization; Humans; Pit and Fissure Sealants; Refusal to Treat
PubMed: 9854360
DOI: No ID Found -
Community Dental Health Jun 2015Pregnancy is a period in which several physical and emotional changes occur. These changes in pregnant women's mouths promote changes that need to be known by dentists,... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Pregnancy is a period in which several physical and emotional changes occur. These changes in pregnant women's mouths promote changes that need to be known by dentists, so that they can provide the necessary care to women.
PURPOSE
To gather data from published studies on the knowledge of dentists about the oral health of pregnant women.
METHODS
Papers published between 2003 and 2013 containing surveys on the topic under study were searched. Fourteen studies were selected and grouped into work areas.
RESULTS
Dentists have doubts and fears about the care of pregnant women, to a greater or lesser degree, especially with regard to the use of X-rays, prescriptions and ideal gestational period of treatment.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest a need to improve dentists' knowledge regarding dental care of pregnant women especially as during pregnancy women may acquire new habits relevant to the oral health of their children.
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Dental Care; Dentists; Education, Dental; Female; Humans; Oral Health; Practice Patterns, Dentists'; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Prenatal Care
PubMed: 26263599
DOI: No ID Found -
BMJ Open Oct 2019To explore the extent to which doctors and dentists in training within the UK and Republic of Ireland (RoI) engage in and with evidence-based practice (EBP), and to... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
To explore the extent to which doctors and dentists in training within the UK and Republic of Ireland (RoI) engage in and with evidence-based practice (EBP), and to identify motivators and barriers to them doing so.
DESIGN
An observational, prepiloted web-based survey developed by a trainee-led focus group.
SETTING
The survey instrument was disseminated to doctors and dentists in training within the UK and RoI during June 2017 via social media and through deaneries, Royal Colleges and specialty-specific mailing lists.
PARTICIPANTS
Data from 243 trainees were analysed; 188 doctors from 31 specialties and 55 dentists from 9 specialties. Responses were received from trainees at all stages of postgraduate training though the overall response rate was low.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
The motivators and barriers to, and the extent of, trainee engagement with EBP.
RESULTS
Cronbach's α was 0.83. Most trainees (87.6% (n=148) of doctors and 75.1% (n=39) of dentists) consulted the evidence base at least monthly, while 23.1% [n=39 doctors, 12 dentists] of both specialties did so daily. The two most commonly cited barriers to engagement with EBP for both doctors and dentists, respectively, were insufficient time (57.6% (n=95) and 45.1% (n=23)) and a tendency to follow departmental practice (40.6% (n=67) and 45.1% (n=23)). Key motivators for EBP included curiosity, following the example set by senior colleagues and a desire to avoid harm. Most trainees reported high levels of confidence interpreting evidence yet for 26.8% (n=45) of doctors and 36.5% (n=19) of dentists, medical hierarchy would impede them querying a colleague's management plan based on their own reading of the evidence.
CONCLUSIONS
Time, accepted departmental practice and the behaviour of senior clinicians all highly impact on trainee engagement with EBP. Given the low response rate, the extent to which these data represent the overall population is unclear.
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Clinical Competence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Education, Medical, Graduate; Evidence-Based Practice; Focus Groups; Humans; Ireland; Motivation; Physicians; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom
PubMed: 31628131
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031809 -
Brazilian Oral Research 2020The aim of this study was to investigate how Brazilian dentists perceive and manage dentin hypersensitivity (DH) in their clinical routine. A 13-item questionnaire-based...
The aim of this study was to investigate how Brazilian dentists perceive and manage dentin hypersensitivity (DH) in their clinical routine. A 13-item questionnaire-based survey was developed and sent electronically to a convenience sample of dentists. The questionnaire assessed the personal and dental practice characteristics of the sample, the occurrence of DH in their daily clinical practice, and management strategies. The data were analyzed descriptively and together with the chi-square test (a = 0.05). A total of 353 responses were obtained from September 2017 to March 2018. Of all the respondents, 62% were females, 49.9% reported fewer than five years of dental practice, and 70.5% were self-identified as private practitioners. Most of the dentists reported an estimated frequency (30-60%) of patients with DH in their practice. The most frequently cited (91.79%) trigger of DH was air blast and/or scratching with a probe. The first-choice strategy to manage DH was a dentin desensitizer (48.16%). The number of years in clinical practice did not influence DH relapse frequency (p = 0.76) significantly, or consider DH treatment as a problem (p = 0.22). The present findings indicate that, regardless of clinical experience, dentists in Brazil still consider DH management a challenge in their daily dental practice. In addition, the results suggest that guidelines should be developed to disseminate the available knowledge regarding this condition in ways that may influence decision-making processes among practitioners.
Topics: Brazil; Clinical Decision-Making; Dentin Desensitizing Agents; Dentin Sensitivity; Dentists; Disease Management; Female; Humans; Male; Practice Patterns, Dentists'; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 31939497
DOI: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2019.vol33.0115