An Epidemiological Study on the Selection, Usage and Disposal of Dental Burs among The Dental Practioner’s

Abstract

The purpose of this cross sectional study was to understand and evaluate local practioner's knowledge on dental bur selection, its usage, sterilization procedures undertaken and the method of disposal of dental burs in restorative procedures. A Questionnaire proforma was prepared with each question having 4 answers. A total of 20 questions were framed and were sub-divided in to 3 categories namely selection, usage sterilization and disposal. These Questionnaire were sent to all the local practioner's by mail and to ensure a high response rate as they were followed up by telephone calls. The results were analyzed statistically and were represented in the form of percentage. A total 131 out of 150 practioner's answered the questions, a response rate of 87%. Most of the practioner's preferred diamonds (75%) over tungsten carbide (15%) burs. most of the dentists used burs till they were worn out (85%) and many of the dentists agreed that the cutting efficiency of bur decreased with usage (33%). Clinicians usually sterilized burs either once daily (35%) or for every patient (35%). Almost every practioner discarded their worn out burs into dustbin (100%). From the survey we came to know the operators attitude towards one group of burs in terms of cutting efficiency. In terms of cutting efficiency diamond burs predominated the choice irrespective of the grit size. Burs were used repeatedly till they were worn out and minimal coolant was used during tooth preparation and believed that it didn't have any effect on the cutting efficiency.