Dental Staff Research Articles

EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE REGARDING PUBLICATION ETHICS AMONG MEDICAL AND DENTAL FACULTY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background: The scientific medical research studies conducted on human participants should be guided by fundamental ethical principles which are crucial to ensure the protection of their rights and welfare. Methods: It is questionnairebased crosssectional study conducted among medical and dental faculties working at a tertiary care center, in India. The questionnaire contains fifteen questions to evaluate the knowledge about publication ethics. Google Form was sent among the groups and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 147 medical and 52 dental staff were enrolled in the study. The response rate of the study was 100%. The data obtained were sorted and categorized. Among 147 medical faculty, 75 were male 72 were female. Moreover, 52 dental faculties 23 were female and 29 were male staff. The study demonstrates balanced knowledge about publication ethics among medical and dental faculties working at a tertiary care hospital, Karnataka, India. Conclusion: The training programs would definitely increase the awareness of publication ethics among faculties and students which would bring significant changes in the scientific research field.

Creating a High-Performing Dental Staff

Creating a High-Performing Dental Staff

Hospital dental staff attitudes to guide education and training in patient safety: a study with a focus on qualitative data.

Objectives This study aimed to determine attitudes of current NHS dental hospital trainees at dental core trainee and speciality registrar level, plus consultant trainers, to guide shaping the direction of education and training in patient safety. The study was a locally based project in a single dental hospital setting at an acute NHS London Trust.Methods This study employed a survey and interviews, with emphasis on qualitative data utilised. Interviews were aimed at hospital clinical dental staff. The survey and focus groups were aimed at trainees. The one-on-one interview sessions were aimed at trainers.Results Findings demonstrated that both trainers and trainees see patient safety as a priority and there are gaps in education and training. Four overarching themes were seen as important to trainees and trainers to support education and training in patient safety: culture, knowledge, time to train and engagement.Conclusions Recommendations in this dental hospital setting focused on culture change and dental-specific experiential learning based on spiral curricula. Education and training in patient safety should be introduced at undergraduate level, with regular team training acknowledging the need for consistent engagement of all key stakeholders.

Raise Cybersecurity Awareness Among Dental Staff

Raise Cybersecurity Awareness Among Dental Staff

A descriptive study of percutaneous injuries in National Healthcare Group POLYCLINICS dental clinics in Singapore from 2014 to 2020

IntroductionAll dental staff face risk of percutaneous injuries (PCI)s. Blood-borne diseases may be transmitted to staff via contaminated sharp instruments. Hence there are significant impacts on staff when PCIs occur. Though a PCI is an occupational hazard, it is preventable.AimThis study aims to identify factors associated with PCIs among dental staff by evaluating the circumstances and staff designations involved.MethodsPCIs were reported through an electronic incident reporting system from 2014 to 2020. Reports involved their nature and extent. Statistical analysis was carried out to find associations between factors such as injury site, type of instrument and staff designation.ResultsA total of 63 PCIs were included in this study. The type of instrument was found to be significantly associated with staff designation (p = 0.04, p < 0.05) with significantly more dental burs causing injury in dentists and more injuries caused by ‘other instruments’ in health attendants (p = 0.0083). Majority of PCIs occurred in dentists, then dental assistants and health attendants. Staff designation was significantly associated with the instance where PCIs occurred (p < 0.001). Dentists and dental assistants were more likely to sustain injuries during a dental procedure than before procedure and after procedure (p = 0.0167). The mean incidence of PCIs among our dentists was 15.6/100.ConclusionsAll dental staff are at risk of PCIs however dentists sustain the highest number of PCIs. Needles, dental burs and metal matrices are the top three instruments. Targeted interventions might help prevent/reduce PCIs.

Patients’ perception of infection control in dentistry

Background: Dentistry is a high-risk profession for infections due to exposure to contaminated materials like blood, saliva, and instruments. Both dental staff and patients can contract diseases via person-to-person contact or contaminated objects. Objectives: To assess patient perception of infection control practices in dentistry which will help in planning effective public health care delivery. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 170 patients visiting Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital (KMCTH) over the period of three months (2022 June to 2022 August) for any form of dental treatment. Ethical approval was granted by Institutional Review Committee of KMCTH on 8th June 2021. Data obtained were entered and analysed using SPSS v.21. Results: Majority of the participants believed dentists should wear gloves (164, 96.7%), face masks (159, 93.8%), and eye goggles (105, 61.9%) while treating patients, and 152 (89.6%) of participants agreed that dentist should change gloves between patients. However, nearly half of the participants were not hesitant to receive treatment from the dentist not wearing gloves (82, 48.3%) and mask (86, 50.7%). In total, 119 (70.2%) agreed that it was possible to catch an infection during dental treatment and 121 (71.3%) did take interest in sterilisation of instruments but only 21 (12.3%) always asked their dentist about the method of sterilisation. Conclusion: Patients possess a strong awareness of the importance for infection control in dental practice, however, this study underscores the importance of implementing effective infection control measures in dental settings to ensure the safety and well-being of patients.

직장 내 괴롭힘이 치과위생사의 업무역량에 미치는 영향

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the current state of bullying in dental hygienists’ workplaces, to understand the impact of bullying on workplace competency, and to provide basic data about preventing workplace bullying in dental clinics.&#x0D; Methods: In this study, 239 dental hygienists with more than six months of work experience each were surveyed. The amount of bullying participants experienced was analyzed according to demographic characteristics, and differences in the impact of bullying on work competency were analyzed using a t-test and a one-way analysis of variance.&#x0D; Results: Of the 239 participants, 61.9% had experienced bullying at work, Workplace bullying had a significantly greater effect on work competency among participants under the age of 25, those with less than one year of experience, those employed as staff, and those working at dental clinics.&#x0D; Conclusions: To minimize bullying in the workplace, it is necessary to improve the work ability of new dental hygienists and management staff. More research is needed on ways to improve workplace ethics and prevent bullying.

Assessment of occupational risks of bloodborne infectious diseases for dental personnel

BACKGROUND: Awareness of dental workers about the epidemiology of blood-borne infections (HIV, hepatitis B virus [HBV], and hepatitis C virus infections) and knowledge about actions to take if accidents occur in the workplace such as contact with blood and other biological fluids are a key link in the prevention of these infections.&#x0D; AIMS: To assess awareness and adherence of dental personnel to the algorithm of postexposure prophylaxis of occupational infections with blood-borne pathogens.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive crosssectional study enrolled the dental staff of public and private dental clinics in Kazan, Russia. A survey of 173 dental staff was conducted in FebruaryMarch 2023. The rates of incidents caused by contact with blood and their nature among dental staff were determined, and the frequency of correctly performed algorithm of actions during an incident was calculated. The frequency of the implementation of measures for the prevention of occupational infections with blood-borne pathogens was estimated. Categorical data were described as absolute values and proportions (%).&#x0D; RESULTS: In total, 65 specialists (37.6%) had encountered incidents such as contact with blood at the workplace. These incidents were significantly more common among women than among men: 44.7% (55/123) vs. 20.0% (10/50), respectively (p=0.002). The last incident in 50 respondents was associated with skin damage (needlestick injury or cut exposure); in 17 participants, their mucous membranes were exposed to blood (including two people with a mixed characteristic of incident: skin damage + exposure of their mucous membranes to blood). After contact with blood, local treatment was carried out correctly (according to Russian recommendations) in 18.0% of the participants with skin damage and 70.5% with blood exposure to mucous membranes. After the incident, 58.5% of the participants (38/65) reported to the head of the department or clinic, and a third of the respondents (23/65, 35.4%) recorded a case of contact with blood in the incident log. Nearly all respondents always use gloves (172/173, 99.4%) when they work in the dental office. Moreover, 64.2% of the respondents (111/173) always use safety glasses or screens. Nine respondents (9/173, 5.2%) do not use personal eye protection. Others (53/173, 30.6%) wear safety glasses/screens only when performing certain procedures. In addition, 85.0% (147/173) of the respondents have been vaccinated against HBV, 18 have not been vaccinated (10.4%), and 8 (4.6%) do not know their vaccination status.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study present the necessity of raising awareness among dental staff regarding the epidemiology and prevention of blood-borne infections to reduce the risk of occupational infections.

Screening of atrial fibrillation in dental practices: a qualitative feasibility study

ABSTRACT Objectives To increase the detection of unknown atrial fibrillation (AF), general practitioners have started screening their patients using small hand-held devices. It is thought that dental settings could be utilized for screening as they have regular access to patients. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of dental staff of screening for AF using a hand-held electronic device in primary dental care. Methods The research took place in one large mixed NHS and private general dental practice. Views from staff including dentists, dental therapists, dental nurses, and managers were elicited via semi-structured interviews conducted face-to-face, audio recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Interviews continued until there were no new themes or patterns emerging from the data, and thematic saturation had been achieved. Results Eleven participants were interviewed. The main themes generated were methodology for screening, acceptability for screening within the practice, attitudes to screening, and implementation of screening. Overall, participants were positive about implementing AF screening in a dental practice but expressed concerns about time and remuneration. Staff also gave encouraging feedback regarding the simplicity of the portable screening device. Conclusions Participants felt that AF screening in primary care dental practices was a good concept but may be challenging to implement in NHS Dentistry, especially due to the pandemic.

Evaluation of the Effect of Hyaluronic Acid Injection on the Reconstruction of Reduced Interdental Papillae in Patients Referred to Shiraz School of Dentistry.

The occurrence of papillary defects adjacent to teeth or dental implants causes both the dental staff and the patients to be concerned about the esthetic issues. Interdental papilla reconstruction surgery is one of the most difficult and unpredictable mucogingival surgeries. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of hyaluronic acid injection in the reconstruction of the interdental papilla. This clinical trial study was conducted on four patients with 20 deficient interdental papillae who met the inclusion criteria. At first, local anesthesia was applied. Afterward, 0.2 mL of 1.6% hyaluronic acid (HA) gel was injected (at the tip of the papilla and 2-3 mm below the tip of the papilla) three times every two weeks. At baseline, three, and six months later, clinical photography was taken under standard conditions. The papilla height (the distance between the interdental papilla tip and the basis), black triangle area, and the distance between the interdental papilla tip and contact point of adjacent teeth were all measured using Image J software. The effectiveness of using HA gel in reducing the black triangle area was 85.06%. Furthermore, the papilla length increased by 70.256% while contact to papilla distance decreased by 83.026%. At different times, the values of the studied variables in the three levels were significantly different (p< 0.05). Injection of HA with 1.6% concentration at two points of the interdental papilla was effective in interdental papilla reconstruction at the aesthetic zone, especially in long-term, follow-ups (especially 6 months).

Development of a Health Information System for Primary Care Dental Practice

The health information systems (HIS) have become increasingly important in dental practice as they offer benefits such as improved quality of care, increased efficiency, and reduced medical errors. The development of an HIS for primary care dental practice involves several steps, including requirements gathering, system design, implementation, and testing. Dental professionals and staff members must be consulted to identify their needs and preferences for HIS implementation. The system must be designed to be user-friendly and intuitive to ensure ease of use and efficiency. Successful implementation requires the proper consideration of data privacy and security measures. This literature review highlights the benefits of HIS in dental practice and provides real references to studies that have investigated the effectiveness of HIS implementation. The development of an HIS for primary care dental practice can improve patient care and outcomes and enhance the overall efficiency of dental practices.

Polymeric Denture Base Materials: A Review.

An ideal denture base must have good physical and mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and esthetic properties. Various polymeric materials have been used to construct denture bases. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the most used biomaterial for dentures fabrication due to its favorable properties, which include ease of processing and pigmenting, sufficient mechanical properties, economy, and low toxicity. This article aimed to comprehensively review the current knowledge about denture base materials (DBMs) types, properties, modifications, applications, and construction methods. We searched for articles about denture base materials in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Journals covering topics including dental materials, prosthodontics, and restorative dentistry were also combed through. Denture base material variations, types, qualities, applications, and fabrication research published in English were considered. Although PMMA has several benefits and gained popularity as a denture base material, it has certain limitations and cannot be classified as an ideal biomaterial for fabricating dental prostheses. Accordingly, several studies have been performed to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of PMMA by chemical modifications and mechanical reinforcement using fibers, nanofillers, and hybrid materials. This review aimed to update the current knowledge about DBMs' types, properties, applications, and recent developments. There is a need for specific research to improve their biological properties due to patient and dental staff adverse reactions to possibly harmful substances produced during their manufacturing and use.

Modeling of Knowledge Toward Herbal Medicine for Oral Health Using Multiple Linear Regression and Neural Network.

Background and goals Herbal medicine is used to treat a variety of oral health problems. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend it fully. To determine whether the amount used is risky, it is crucial to understand the dosages of medicinal plants. Before performing multiple linear regression (MLR) modeling, this paper uses the multilayer feedforward (MLFF) neural network (NN) technique to propose the variable selection. A data set with socio-demographic variables for dental staff and herbal medicine related to oral health knowledge score (KS) was chosen to demonstrate the design-build methodology. Materials and methods It was discovered that the KS is significantly related to the sex, age, income, occupation, and practice score (PS) at the first stage of the selection process, where all the variables were screened for their clinical importance. These five variables are chosen and used as inputs for the MLFF model by considering the level of significance, alpha = 0.05. Then, using the best variable discovered by the MLFF process, the MLR is applied. Results The performance of MLFF was evaluated using the mean squared error (MSE). MSE measures how far our estimates are off from the actual results. The MLFF's smallest MSE indicates the model's ideal combination of variable selection. Conclusion This study showed that using MLFF would help confirm the selected independent variables for MLR. In addition, KS level is more correlated with occupation, PS, and sex than with age and income. Moreover, this model could be used practically forany dataset.with the same criteria.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on depression, perceived stress and hypochondria of frontline dental staff (FDS): A cohort study.

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had several mental effects on medical staff. This study intended to evaluate deviations in Frontline Dental Staff (FDS) depression, perceived stress and hypochondria during the COVID-19 outbreak, and to assess whether the existence of potential risk-factors influenced these symptoms over time. This prospective cohort study surveyed FDS three periods from February 1, 2021 to April 8, 2022. FDSs' mental health was assessed through Beck Depression Inventory, Cohen Perceived Stress and the Evans Self-Illness Questionnaires; multivariate linear regression were used to identify potential factors associated with changes on each outcome (depression, perceived stress and hypochondria) over time. All analyses were performed in STATA ver. 14. In a total of 635 FDS, about 69%, 83%, and 71% reported relative depression, 77%, 87%, and 64% reported moderate to high stress level, and 60%, 76% and 74% reported moderate hypochondriac from first, second, and third survives, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of the variables increased dramatically at second survive (July 17 to October 21, 2021) and decreased again at third survive significantly. Being female, working in public sector, and low socioeconomic level were main predictors of higher levels of depression (p < 0.001) and perceived stress (p < 0.001). Perceived stress was a strong predictor of high-level depression (t = 7.79, p < 0.001). FDSs' depression, stress and hypochondria were high and positively associated with being female, working in public-sector, and low socioeconomic level. To increase the effectiveness and decrease work burnout, psychological support should be provided.

Pengetahuan tenaga kesehatan gigi dan mulut di puskesmas terhadap teledentistry pada masa adaptasi kebiasaan baru (kajian pada tenaga kesehatan gigi dan mulut di puskesmas kota balikpapan)

Background: Teledentistry is an alternative service using the application of information and telecommunications technology combined with dentistry through long-distance communication media. Teledentistry is nothing new in dentistry, but teledentistry is becoming more popular due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government through the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia issued an appeal letter during the new normal period for teledentistry to be used, especially in public health center. Teledentistry is useful for screening pre-visit patients, selecting cases according to the priority scale of the need for treatment and the level of risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection to staff, as well as providing referrals and drug prescriptions if necessary. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia has issued Technical Guidelines for Dental and Oral Medical Staff at First Level Health Facilities during the New Normal Period. Purpose: To find out the description of the knowledge of dental and oral medical staff towards teledentistry at the Balikpapan City public health center during the new normal period. Researceh Methods: Descriptive observation with a cross-sectional study design on the description of the knowledge of dental and oral medical staff towards teledentistry during the new normal period at the Balikpapan City public health center. Measurement of the level of knowledge using a questionnaire designed with a total of 13 statements. Result: The majority of dental and oral medical staff at the Balikpapan City public health center have good knowledge of teledentistry, as many as 90% of respondents. This is supported by the majority of respondents, as many as 71.7% of respondents have used teledentistry. Meanwhile, as many as 10% of respondents had sufficient knowledge and there were no respondents who had insufficient knowledge of teledentistry. Conclusion: Based on research that has been done on 60 dental and oral medical staff in 27 Balikpapan City public health center, the results represent that 90% (54) of respondents have good knowledge of teledentistry.

Anaesthesia policy in dentistry - A step towards enhancing patient safety in dental practice

There are a variety of options for use of dental anaesthetics. Anaesthetics can be used on their own or combined for improved effect. More dentists are offering newer types of anaesthesia and sedation in their own offices but the lack of inspection, inadequate training of para dental staff and unavailability of necessary emergency measures in the dental clinics is causing more accidents. A policy to govern the use of anaesthesia in dentistry is an increasingly controversial topic. Anaesthesia awareness among the dentist community leaves a lot to be desired. One reason there has been no urgency for framing a Dental Anaesthesia Policy is because there is very little data related to mishaps attributable to use of anaesthesia in dental practice. Dental practice does not have a systematic or scientific type of reporting to enable practitioners to predict or examine outcomes. When a procedure has adverse results, the dental practitioner is most likely to decide not to try it again or worse, decide to keep the failure to themselves so as not to harm the growth of their practice. An important aim of having a Dental Anaesthesia Policy is to pay adequate attention to the patient once dental anaesthesia is administered and to prioritise medical care, in case of any emergency.

Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms and its determinants among the dental staff of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt

Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms and its determinants among the dental staff of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt

Patch test results in dental staff with dermatitis.

Dental workers are exposed to allergenic materials in the workplace. To summarize patch test results in dental staff with work-related dermatitis. Cross-sectional study of dental staff with dermatitis was conducted. Symptoms, clinical findings and results from patch tests with 40 dental allergens were summarized. Of 329 participants, 155 (47.1%) had at least one positive patch reaction. The highest frequency of positive reactions was observed for metals (38.6%), acrylics (7.3%) and additives in acrylic resins (3.6%). One hundred and eighty-five (56.2%) participants were currently symptomatic; in this group, 79 (42.7%) had current dermatitis. Thirty-eight patients had at least one positive patch test considered occupationally related to their current dermatitis. Almost half of the dental staff with dermatitis had at least one positive patch test and approximately 12% had current occupational relevance of the allergens. Our results underscore the importance of patch testing in the evaluation of dental staff with dermatitis.

Mental wellbeing of frontline health workers post-pandemic: lessons learned and a way forward.

To assess the state of mental wellbeing among medical and dental frontline health workers as the COVID-19 pandemic transitions to an endemic phase and to determine what employer-provided intervention strategies these workers perceive as effective and desirable to improve their mental wellbeing. An anonymous online survey distributed to frontline health workers in a hospitalist program of a tertiary care medical center and a university dental school in Minnesota in September 2022. The survey contained validated tools to measure depression severity, levels of perceived stress, and mental health status as well as questions to determine effective strategies to improve emotional wellbeing among these health workers. Data was evaluated on an aggregate level as well as stratified by level (e.g., physician, staff) and field (e.g., medicine, dentistry). On average, all groups of health workers suffered from moderate to moderately severe depression, had a much higher perceived stress level than average, and had a fair mental health status. There were no significant differences in depression severity, stress level, or mental health status among physicians, dentists, medical staff, and dental staff. The majority of the respondents perceived adjusted work hours, rewards and incentives, and teamwork as the most effective and desirable strategies to improve their mental wellbeing. The current mental wellbeing of frontline health workers is poor. Many are dissatisfied with healthcare and consider leaving the industry. To improve their employees' mental wellbeing, healthcare employers might want to consider adjusted work hours, rewards, and teamwork as these intervention strategies are perceived as most effective and desirable by the intended recipients.

First water safety plan approach applied to a Dental Clinic complex: identification of new risk factors associated with Legionella and P. aeruginosa contamination, using a novel sampling, maintenance and management program

ABSTRACT Dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) represent a complex environment able to promote microbial contamination, due to functional, mechanical and practical risk factors. According to a water safety plan approach, the main goal is to preserve the health of dentists, dental staff and patients. The aim of this study is to develop a DUWLs water safety plan that is able to support correct and effective maintenance and disinfection procedures. Three different water systems serve 60 dental chairs: (i) water that comes directly from municipal water (Type A), (ii) water supplied by municipal water and water bottles (Type B) and (iii) water supplied only via water bottles (Type C). For each type, Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination was studied, by applying a new sampling scheme, based on separate sampling from water bottles, cup filler and handpieces. Type B DUWL is the only type of DUWL contaminated by L. pneumophila (ST 59) and L. anisa (mean contamination: 608.33 ± 253.33 cfu/L) detected in cup filler and handpieces, as well as the high presence of P. aeruginosa (44.42 ± 13.25 cfu/100 mL). Two subsequent shock treatments and resampling procedures were performed by increasing disinfectant dosage and contact time and removing some DUWL components linked to biofilm growth in DUWLs. A significant reduction of contamination was obtained for both microorganisms (Legionella spp.: −100%, p < 0.001 and P. aeruginosa: −99.86%, p = 0.006). The sampling strategy proposed allows us to identify the source of contamination and better focus on the maintenance and disinfection procedures. DUWLs represent an environment that requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining the knowledge of all DUWL components to correct procedures that are able to preserve the health of personnel and patients, as well as guaranteeing DUWLs’ safe functionality.