Dental Health Services Research Articles

The new system for classification of periodontal and peri-implant disease: A questionnaire study of implementation by Swedish dental hygienists.

To what extent do dental hygienists (DH) employed by the Public Dental Health Service (PDHS) in Sweden use the new classification system, their knowledge of it and their attitudes towards it. A web-based questionnaire was distributed to DHs in the PDHS in different regions of Sweden. A total of 197 registered DHs responded. The questions covered their knowledge, attitudes and possible barriers to implementation of the new classification system of periodontal and peri-implant diseases, and a question about their perceived need for a complementary digital tool to facilitate its implementation. Seventy per cent of the DHs stated that they used the new classification system. Twenty-nine per cent of the participants were confident in classifying periodontitis under the new system. Furthermore, 36% of the participants considered their knowledge of the new system to be good and 33% to be poor or non-existent. Several DHs stated that the new system was too time-consuming, that it caused stress, that their knowledge was inadequate and that they, therefore, considered it too difficult to use. Eighty per cent of the participants were positive to a digital tool as a complement and support to classify periodontitis and peri-implantitis. The present study showed that most of the DHs used the new classification system and one-third considered their knowledge to be good, although it was difficult and time-consuming. Furthermore, in general, the DHs were positive to a digital tool to facilitate application of the new classification system.

Analysis of the Effectiveness of Online-Based Patient Queue Management System Innovation: Study at the Dental and Oral Hospital, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Long queues and long waiting times at dental and oral health services are frequent complaints from patients. This is caused by the time for dental and oral procedures which generally takes quite a long time compared to other health services. The Dental and Oral Hospital (RSGM) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) implemented innovation in the form of an online patient queue management system to overcome this problem. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the online queuing system. This study used a non-experimental observational design with a cross-sectional approach. Data was collected through a survey of 1000 patients who used the RSGM UMY online queue system. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistical tests. The research results show that the RSGM UMY online queuing system is effective in reducing patient waiting time. The average patient waiting time with the online queuing system was 21.33 (SD 1.45) minutes, shorter than with the manual queuing system which averaged 112.32 (SD 8.23) minutes. Patients were also satisfied with the online queuing system, with 92.32 (SD 4.21) respondents stating they were satisfied. The online patient queue management system at RSGM UMY has proven effective in reducing patient waiting time and increasing patient satisfaction. This system can be a model for other RSGMs to improve the quality of their services.

Association of general anxiety and pediatric dental preventive examination utilization, National Survey of Children's Health, 2021.

Many factors influence preventive dental health service access for children. The objective of this research was to examine one factor, general anxiety, in accessing at least one preventive dental examination in the past 12 months in children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) and children without special healthcare needs (CWSHCN). National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) 2021 were obtained for this cross-sectional research. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to determine association of anxiety and past 12-month preventive dental examinations. The sample included 10493 CSHCN, and 35675 CWSHCN. Overall, 72.7% had past 12-month preventive dental examinations, and 9.9% had a healthcare provider indicate they had general anxiety. CSHCN with anxiety, CWSHCN with anxiety, and CSHCN without anxiety were more likely to have a past 12-month preventive dental examination visit than CWSHCN without anxiety (Adjusted Odds Ratios: 1.86, 1.39, 1.32, respectively). Our results suggest children with general anxiety (both CSHCN and CWSHCN) are more likely to have had at least one regular preventive dental visit within the past 12 months than CWSHCN and without general anxiety. There is a need for further understanding the relationship of general anxiety and dental health to improve the health of all children. CWSHCN without anxiety need individualized, comprehensive care with enough time, attention, instruction, and rewards to demonstrate to parents/guardians the importance of making routine preventive dental examinations a priority for their child.

Investigating Patient Satisfaction Through Web-Based Reviews of Norwegian Dentists: Quantitative Study Using the Meaning Extraction Method.

Challenging encounters in health care professions, including in dentistry, are relatively common. Challenging encounters can be defined as stressful or emotional situations involving patients that could impact both treatment outcomes and patients' experiences. Through written web-based reviews, patients can share their experiences with health care providers, and these posts can be a useful source for investigating patient satisfaction and their experiences of challenging encounters. This study aims to identify dominant themes from patient-written, web-based reviews of dentists and investigate how these themes are related to patient satisfaction with dental treatment. The study data consisted of 11,764 reviews written by dental patients, which included 1- to 5-star ratings on overall satisfaction and free-text comments. The free-text comments were analyzed using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software, and the meaning extraction method was used to group words into thematic categories. These themes were used as variables in a multilevel logistic regression analysis to predict patient satisfaction. Eight themes emerged from the analyses, of which 6 (75%)-explanation (odds ratio [OR] 2.56, 95% CI 2.16-3.04; P<.001), assurance (OR 3.61, 95% CI 2.57-5.06; P<.001), performance assessment (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.84-2.55; P<.001), professional advice (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.55-2.13; P<.001), facilities (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.08-2.91; P=.02), and recommendation (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.12-1.53; P<.001)-increased the odds of high patient satisfaction. The remaining themes (2/8, 25%)-consequences of treatment need (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.20-0.29; P<.001) and patient-centered care (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.52-0.74; P<.001)-reduced the odds of high patient satisfaction. The meaning extraction method is an interesting approach to explore patients' written accounts of encounters with dental health professionals. The experiences described by patients provide insight into key elements related to patient satisfaction that can be used in the education of dental health professionals and to improve the provision of dental health services.

Edukasi Peningkatan Motivasi Kunjungan Kesehatan Gigi Dan Mulut di Puskesmas Muara Siberut, Kabupaten Kepulauan Mentawai, Provinsi Sumatera Barat

Mentawai ethnic group has unique traditions like anterior teeth mutilation and the use of herbal medicines by sikerei or siaggai laggek (traditional doctor) that cause low visitation to community health centers. The low level of puskesmas utilization rate impacts the failure to achieve the work program of the puskesmas in improving public health status, especially oral health, then influences the quality of health center services (puskesmas). This activity aims to increase community visits and the utilization of health services in Puskesmas Muara Siberut. This activity lasted on July 21, 2023, and was carried out in Muntei Village (work area of the Puskesmas Muara Siberut), South Siberut District, Mentawai Islands Regency, West Sumatra Province. This service uses four methods: observation, planning, action, and evaluation. The results obtained from this activity were an increase in public knowledge regarding ideal behavior in increasing motivation to utilize dental and oral health services at the Muara Siberut Community Health Center through post-test scores at the end of the counseling session. With this service activity, it is hoped that the attitudes and actions of the oral health utilization will increase significantly, along with the high level of public knowledge after being given counseling, so that it will also have an impact in improving the degree of oral health communities

Oral health literacy among migrant mothers in Sweden. A qualitative study

ObjectiveThis interview study explored the oral health literacy of migrant mothers in Sweden, with special reference to where and why they access information about oral health and how they determine the credibility of such information.Material and methodIn-depth interviews were conducted with seven migrant mothers of children up to 10 years old. The mothers had entered Sweden from 2015 onwards and had been resettled in Kalmar County, Sweden. Their native language was Somalian, Dari or Arabic. The interview questions concerned the participants’ experiences of seeking oral health information, as well as oral health in general and dental health services. The interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis.FindingsThe main findings indicate that migrant mothers used information sourcing as a pathway to solve oral health literacy tasks. Three main categories were identified, each with subcategories, describing the migrant mothers’ experiences of accessing and evaluating oral health information: ‘accessible source of information’, ‘needs-related purpose of seeking information’ and ‘trustworthiness assessment’. The migrant mothers reported that in case of a dental emergency or general queries, they sought oral health information from professionals and social sources. Moreover, they perceived oral health information to be most reliable when it was provided by dental professionals, was a recurring theme, or constituted majority opinion.ConclusionTo improve oral health literacy in migrant mothers of young children, it is important not only to provide consistent and recurrent oral health information through accessible information channels, but also to adapt dental care to be more culturally appropriate.

Exploring refugees' experience of accessing dental health services in host countries: a scoping review.

Refugees often face worse oral health outcomes, such as periodontal diseases and dental caries in host countries due to barriers including language and cultural differences, institutional discrimination, and restricted use of dental health services. This scoping review aims to map and summarise the available studies on refugees' experience of accessing dental health services in the host countries, to identify the main characteristics of the dental health services that refugees access and to explore the barriers and enablers to navigate the dental health service system in their host countries. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework was adopted. PubMed, Scopus, Assia, CINAHL and Social Services Abstract were searched. A search strategy was developed using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and a combination of search operators and syntax used in MEDLINE were adopted for the remaining databases. Data were synthesised using thematic analysis. Fourteen articles were included. Most studies used qualitative methods and Australia seemed to be the country with the highest number of publications surrounding this topic. The included studies showed that refugees frequently encountered substantial obstacles when attempting to access dental services in host countries. Numerous barriers such as language barriers, cultural differences, and lack of health insurance or financial support hindered refugees' ability to access these services. Additionally, many refugees possessed limited knowledge of the dental care system in their new country. As a result of untreated dental problems, refugees suffered from pain and other health complications. This scoping review explored the challenges refugees have experienced in accessing dental health services in host countries, which included the key barriers such as affordability, accessibility, accommodation, availability, awareness, and acceptability. The scarcity of relevant research highlighted the need for a more comprehensive understanding of refugees' experiences accessing dental health services in host countries. Limited data were identified regarding evidence focusing on the characteristics of dental services accessed by refugees in host countries.

Marketing Promotion Strategy for the Dental and Mouth Special Hospital, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Indonesia in the Adaptation to the New Normal Habits

Dentists are a profession that has a high risk of contracting Covid-19 in providing dental health services. Concerns about contracting Covid-19 from dentistry are not only felt by dentists, but also by patients. This can be seen from the decline in the number of visits to the Dental and Mouth Special Hospital, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Indonesia (RSKGM FKG UI) since reopening services in June 2020. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the marketing promotion strategy of RSKGM FKG UI during this period, adapting new habits in order to rebuild patient confidence to seek treatment at a dentist without worrying about contracting Covid-19 and still choosing RSKGM FKG UI as their health service provider. This research method is descriptive qualitative with triangulation method techniques. The results of this study state that direct marketing methods to patients, marketing through social media, combination of space, launched a practice management book during the Covid-19 pandemic, and application of health protocols can increase patient visits again during the adaptation period of the new Covid-19 pandemic habits.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Direct Marketing, Health Protocols, New Habits, Promotion Strategies

Life course social mobility, race and tooth loss in adulthood: The role of dental health services.

To evaluate the extent to which dental care factors in adulthood modify and, at the same time, mediate the association between race/ethnicity and social mobility from childhood to adulthood with two oral health outcomes in adults. In 2012, 1222 individuals 20-59 years old participated in the second wave of the Epi-Floripa Study in Florianopolis, Brazil. Exposures included social mobility based on adulthood and childhood events, dental care in previous years, type of dental care coverage, reason for dental visits and race. The number of missing and decayed teeth were dichotomised as MT >0 and DT >0. The prevalence of missing and decayed teeth was 61.9% and 23.0%, respectively. Age-sex adjusted inequalities in decayed and missing teeth among Black and White individuals were 41.2 percentage points (pp) (95% CI: 3.9-78.7) and 53.1 pp (19.5:86.7), respectively. Inequalities between those persistently higher and lower in socioeconomic position were 42.6 pp (14.6-70.7) and 90.0 pp (62.1-100). The Relative Excess of Risk due to Interaction (RERI) was not statistically significant (p < 0.05). Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analyses showed that dental care variables accounted for a small proportion of inequalities. This result implies that dental care is unlikely to significantly reduce or increase oral health inequalities in this particular population.

Patient-dentist communication and its impact on dental services utilisation as perceived by patients in Libya.

To identify the factors influencing communication between patients and dentists in Libya and their effects on patient satisfaction and trust. We explored the impact of these interactions on the subsequent utilisation of dental health services from the patient's perspective. Qualitative descriptive study in a purposive sample of patients from oral health centres in Janzour city in Libya who were over eighteen years old. Sixteen semi-structured interviews (30-90 minutes) were conducted online. Trust was the prime concern among patients. Other factors also positively impacting communication and patient satisfaction included information interaction, active participation, moral support, explanation about processes and the dentists' comprehension of how a patient feels. The online interviews revealed four key thematic areas that reflected the patient-dentist communication phases: 1) Welcoming and establishing a good interpersonal rapport phase; 2) the Information-sharing phase; 3) Treatment decision-making phase, and 4) Satisfaction self-evaluation phase. These data emphasise the significance of soft skills, particularly effective communication, in the context of dental practice. The findings underscore the importance of personal values and interpersonal skills among dental professionals, as these factors play a pivotal role in shaping the success of dental healthcare provision.

Factors related to depression in adults with oral health problems in Spain (2017 to 2020).

The need to study the link between gender, depression, and oral health is becoming increasingly evident. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence and evolution over time of depression among women and men with oral health problems and to evaluate the association between depression status, lifestyle-related variables health-related variables and use of dental health services in those people. We performed a nationwide cross-sectional study on 25,631 adults with oral health problems residing in Spain from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017 and the European Health Survey of Spain 2020, including as the main variable self-reported diagnosis of depression. We analysed independent variables such as lifestyle-related variables, health-related variables, and variables related to dental health services. Sociodemographic characteristics were considered as control variables. The prevalence of depression among adults with oral health problems in Spain was 7.81% (10.14% for women, 5.39% for men), with a notable decrease from 2017 to 2020 in women. Depressed women had a slightly higher percentage of filled or capped teeth, and had more covers (crowns), bridges or other types of prostheses or dentures, while men had more caries. Women also made more frequent, regular dental visits for check-ups and mouth cleaning, whereas men often needed extractions. Unfavourable associated factors in both genders were: perceiving their health as good, average, poor, or very poor, and having 1-2 and ≥ 3 comorbidities. Conversely, not being a current smoker was related to less likelihood of depression. In women only, not engaging in leisure-time physical activity produced more unfavourable associated factors. The prevalence of depression among adults with oral health problems in Spain from 2017 to 2020 was 7.81%, but this figure has been steadily decreasing over time. In addition, the favourable and unfavourable associated factors could help us inform health professionals and authorities in order to prevent depression and enhance the care of this population according to gender.

Parents’ satisfaction with the teledentistry method during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study in Java and Bali

Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic situation in Indonesia has caused increased anxiety, especially among parents trying to provide health services for their children. The concerns are about cross-contamination through aerosol splashes and contamination by the virus on instruments and in dental offices. Therefore, the government urges the public to use telemedicine. Telemedicine is a digital-based remote health service. The service utilizes information and communication technology. Purpose: This study aims to assess the satisfaction of parents of pediatric dental patients in using teledentistry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An analytic observational study with a cross-sectional approach was arranged. Data was gathered through questionnaires distributed to parents who live in Java and Bali using the Google Forms platform, consisting of 15 questions with 6 domains of questions. Results: The results showed that 201 respondents were parents of pediatric dental patients, including 123 female respondents and 78 male respondents. The average age of respondents is dominated by the age group 36–40, which included 68 respondents. Two hundred and one respondents were satisfied with dental health services using teledentistry. Conclusion: Parents of pediatric dental patients are generally satisfied with the quality of dental and oral health services using the teledentistry method.

Utilization of dental services by rural riverside populations covered by a Fluvial Family Health Team in Brazil.

Rural riverside populations of Brazil face several difficulties to access health services. The Brazilian National Primary Care Policy implemented the Fluvial Family Health Teams (FFHT), which is a specific primary care team arrangement for these territories. The aim of the study was to assess the use of dental services by adults living in rural riverside areas covered by a FFHT. A household-based cross-sectional survey was carried out with a rural riverside population of 38 localities on the left bank of the Rio Negro, Manaus, Amazonas, representative of the area covered by the FFHT. Stratified random sampling was calculated based on the number of adults and households in each riverside locality. An electronic questionnaire was used to obtain information on sociodemographic and oral health conditions, and the utilization of dental services. After descriptive analysis, logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds ratios for the outcome 'use of dental health services over the past 12 months'. A total of 492 individuals, aged 18 years or more, from 38 rural riverside areas were assessed. The mean age of participants was 43.5 years (standard deviation 17.0), ranging from 18.0 to 90.7 years. Of these participants, 3.1% had never been to a dentist and 21.9% had been to a dentist more than 3 years ago. Among those who attended the dental service, 77.4% of appointments occurred in public health services. Dental pain over the previous 6 months (odds ratio (OR)=2.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51-3.96), higher education (OR=2.62; 95%CI 1.23-5.56), most recent appointment in public health services (OR=1.86; 95%CI 1.19-2.93), edentulism (OR=0.38; 95%CI 0.17-0.85) and dissatisfaction with oral health (OR=0.59; 95%CI 0.38-0.93) were associated with the dental services utilization. The study results revealed that approximately a quarter of the individuals did not use dental services over the previous 3 years or have never used them. Despite the increase in access provided by the FFHT, edentulous individuals, individuals dissatisfied with their oral health, and those with lower levels of education were less likely to use dental services, while individuals who experienced dental pain sought dental services more frequently. These findings suggest that the healthcare model offered to this population must be rearranged.

Characteristics and impact of pain from root-filled teeth. A practice-based cross-sectional study comparing painful teeth with and without signs of inflammatory dental disease

To compare pain characteristics, impact of pain and characteristics of patients with painful root-filled teeth with and without signs of inflammatory dental disease. This cross-sectional study was performed in the Public Dental Health services, Region Örebro County, Sweden. Adult patients with ≥1 root-filled tooth identified at their regular check-up were included and assigned to one of two groups; those with ≥1 sign of inflammatory dental disease (DD+) and those without any such sign (DD−). Patients/teeth were compared regarding pain characteristics (intensity, frequency, duration, quality and provoking factors), impact of pain (medication intake, impact on life) and patient characteristics as background factors (general health, other bodily and orofacial pain). Statistics included descriptive data (frequency tables) and group comparisons (Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact and Mann-Whitney U-tests). The DD+ group included 27 participants (30 teeth) and the DD− group 22 participants (23 teeth). On average, pain intensity was mild, the frequency most often recurrent, and the impact was low. Average pain duration since onset exceeded 2 years in both groups. The only observed between-group differences were average pain intensity; 3.1 (0–10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)) in DD− group compared to 1.6 for DD+ (p = 0.030), and tenderness to apical palpation; only reported in the DD+ group. The similarities in clinical presentation between the two groups underscore the difficulties in correctly distinguishing between pain of odontogenic and non-odontogenic origin in root-filled teeth with a standard clinical investigation. Additional diagnostic methods need to be investigated for their ability to differentiate between tooth pain or discomfort of different origins.

Decomposition of economic inequalities in dental caries among Iranian schoolchildren.

Monitoring social inequalities in dental caries is crucial for establishing priorities in oral health systems. This study aimed to assess economic inequalities in dental caries and its contributing factors among Iranian schoolchildren. Data were obtained from the first phase of the Shahroud Schoolchildren Eye Cohort Study in 2015. A total of 4992 children aged 6-12 years old were included in the analysis. Dental examinations were conducted following the diagnostic methods and standards of the Oral Health Examination Survey, as recommended by the World Health Organization. The concentration index (C) was utilized to assess economic inequalities in dental caries. Additionally, the decomposition of C was employed to explain the determinants of the measured inequalities. In total, 71.4% of the schoolchildren had dental caries in primary dentition (dft≥1), and 41.6% of the schoolchildren had dental caries in permanent dentition (DMFT≥1). The Cs of dft≥1, primary decayed teeth (pdt≥1), and permanent missing teeth (PMT≥1) were -0.136 (95% CI: -0.167, -0.104), -0.164 (95% CI: -0.194, -0.134), and -0.208 (95% CI: -0.262, -0.153), respectively, which indicates their more concentration among low-economic children. Conversely, pft≥1 and PFT≥1 had Cs of 0.327 (95% CI: 0.292, 0.361) and 0.218 (95% CI: 0.179, 0.256), showing more concentration among high-economic children. Basic health insurance coverage and age were the main contributors that explained 28.6% and 19.2% of the economic inequality in dft≥1, and 25.7% and 16.6% of the pdt≥1 inequality, respectively. Economic status, residence in rural areas, mother education, father education, and age were the main contributors to the measured inequality in pft≥1 by 80.5% and 26.5%, 21.9%, 22%, and -18.3%, respectively. Economic status, having a housekeeper mother, residence in rural areas, having basic health insurance coverage, mother education, and father education positively contributed to the measured inequality in PMT≥1 by 45.4%, 42.4%, 37.8%, 35.1%, 21.3%, and 15.2%, respectively, while age had a negative contribution of -19.3%. For PFT≥1, economic status, age, and father education accounted for 76%, 25.4%, and 20.3% of the measured inequality, respectively. Pro-rich economic inequalities were observed in children's primary and permanent teeth caries. Thus, government interventions to reduce these inequalities should aim to expand the coverage of basic and supplementary health insurance in line with increasing the coverage of dental health costs in these plans, training and providing access to required dental health services for low-socioeconomic children, including the poor, rural, and those who have low-educated parents and a housekeeper mother, especially at younger ages.

Uso dos serviços de saúde por pessoas idosas em áreas rurais e urbanas do Brasil

Abstract Objective To assess health services utilization by older adults in urban and rural areas of Brazil. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted analyzing data from the 2019 National Health Survey on older adults (≥60 years) selected from households based on 22,728 interviews (3,300 in rural and 19,426 in urban areas). For rural and urban areas, the prevalence of Family Health Strategy enrolment, time since last medical and dental visit, service use in past 2 weeks, and last blood pressure and blood glucose measurements were estimated. Also, the factors associated with medical and dental health services utilization in the past 12 months were explored. Results Self-rated health of “Very good” or “Good” was greater in urban areas (47.32%), as was the proportion of older adults reporting a medical or dental visit within the last 12 months (90.54%). Rates of blood pressure (81.30%) and glucose (45.83%) monitoring were lower in rural areas. Older individuals that had low education, resided in rural areas, and the North region, had a lower likelihood of using health services Conclusion The older population living in rural areas had poorer health status compared with the urban population.

ASPECTS REGARDING EFFICIENT PRACTICES IN MAINTAINING HEALTH STATUS

The paper is focused on individual experiences regarding the the realization of a strategy for monitoring medical assistance and preventing diseases, for the well-being of patients. Personal involvement in various procedures performed in a rural dental office led to the selection of the best options regarding the management of oral health problems and the follow-up of patients. The novelty of the material is found in the design of the research, which brings both theoretical and practical aspects by identifying the specific conditions to be addressed, individualizing the treatment and managing the patient in order to maintain the state of oral health and also a better quality of life. The purpose of the paper is to highlight the organization and quality of dental health services directly involved in improving the quality of life with reference to the ability of patients to perform their usual activities without physical and mental discomfort. An opinion questionnaire was used for a number of 200 patients who called for office consultations and who answered a predetermined set of questions. The results of the study lead to the idea that a beneficial balance of the state of healthcare and implicitly the quality of life mainly refers to the communication between the medical staff and the patient, the addressing pathology, the type of ailments and treatments, the satisfaction of the therapeutic act.

Pengetahuan dan Keinginan Pasien pada Sarana Pelayanan Kesehatan Gigi di Kecamatan Padang Utara Melakukan Vaksinasi COVID-19

Background: Vaccination is an action to raise immunity actively by injecting an antigen substance to trigger the formation of antibodies to be immune from the disease or only experience mild symptoms. According to data from the Padang City Health Office, the North Padang sub-district is included in 5 sub-districts with low vaccination coverage. Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship between knowledge and the intention of dental clinic patients to carry out COVID-19 vaccination in the sub-district area of Padang Utara. Methods: This research is an analytical study using a Cross-Sectional design study approach with chii-square test. The sample in this study was 107 respondents using purposive sampling techniqueobtained from research questionnaires filled out by respondents. Data analysis using univariate and bivariate analysis processed by using SPSS.Results: 58.9% of respondents have good knowledge about vaccinating, and 66.4% are willing to vaccinate. 23.8% of respondents who had good knowledge but had a low intention to carry out COVID-19 vaccination, and as many 76.2% of respondents who had good knowledge with a high intention to carry out COVID-19 vaccination and obtained significant results with a p-value = 0.005 (&lt;0.05)..Conclusion: There is a correlation between dental clinic patients’ knowledge of dental health service facilities in the sub-district area of Padang Utara with the intent to conduct COVID-19.

Unit Cost Perawatan Gigi di Klinik Fanisa Kota Pariaman dengan Metode Activity Based Costing

Objective: To find out unit cost of dental health service in Pariaman City Fanisa Clinic using the Activity Based Costing method in era of national health insurance. Method : This research was a quantitative descriptive study that used was Activity Based Costing (ABC) used mathematical calculations. Results : The results of this study indicated there was 8 dental health service in Fanisa Clinic in Pariaman City in 2018 and the unit cost for each service was consultation Rp.55.945, permanent tooth extraction Rp.127.825, extraction of deciduous teeth Rp.79.311, composit resin patching Rp.156.384, GIC patching Rp.145.843, scalling Rp.131.358, premedication Rp.61.291 and pulp capping Rp.107.729. Conclusion: The highest unit cost for dental health services at the Fanisa Clinic in Pariaman City was composite resin patching service and the lowest was consulting services. The average unit cost of dental health services at the Fanisa Clinic in Pariaman City was Rp.108.211. The biggest cost in the production unit was the cost of employee salary.

Self-Care Remedies Used to Relive Dental Pain among Sudanese Patients at Omdurman Military Dental Hospital in 2020

Background: Self-medication and self remedies are part of the larger frame of self-care and can be defined as obtaining and consuming drugs and materials without the advice of a physician either for diagnosis or treatment. Aim: the type of self-care remedies utilized for dental pain relief by patients in Omdurman Military Dental Hospital. Methods: A cross sectional study of a representative sample of 300 male and female dental patients from Omdurman Military Dental Hospital, the data derived from this research was collected by modified self administered questionnaires. The data has been analyzed using SPSS version 23 Results: The study included 300 participants (56% male, and 44% female). The age of the participant's started at 18 years old with most of the respondents aged between 32 and 51. The most frequently used remedy was cloves (16.33%) along with a wide variety of other remedies. The potentiating factors for this usage included personal preference, self-apprehension, high costs and a lack of dental health services (35%). Although a number of complications were associated with those remedies such as pain (13%), bad smell (9.67%), discoloration (7%) and irritation (6.67%). 58% of participants stated that they don’t know about the side effects of using those self-care remedies. This indicated a low level of awareness about the risk of oral health problems among the study population. Conclusions: Patients in Omdurman Dental Military Hospital reported noticeable use of self-remedies especially cloves and the potentiating factors for this usage included personal preference, self-apprehension, high costs and a lack of dental health services