Dental Surgery Assistants Research Articles

Prevalence of ocular injuries, conjunctivitis and use of eye protection among dental personnel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

To find out the prevalence of ocular injury and infection among dental personnel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Two hundred and four dental personnel. A questionnaire completed by researchers and observation during practice. The response rate was 81%. Dentists and dental technicians had a similar prevalence (42.3%) of foreign bodies in their eyes during the period of one month. Almost 50.5% of dentists rarely had foreign bodies in their eyes, while only 22.2% of dental technicians claimed the same. The majority of dental surgery assistants (73.6%) never experienced foreign bodies in their eyes. Only 27.0% of female personnel had foreign bodies in their eyes as compared to 73.0% of male personnel, while only 28.5% of females had conjunctivitis as compared to 71.4% among male personnel. 75% of regular eye protector wearers (EPW) never had foreign bodies while 67.2% EPW never had conjunctivitis. Dental technicians were more prone to ocular injury, 13.8% as compared to 4.4% of dentists. Only 30% of the regular eye protector wearers suffered ocular injury. Protection of the eyes should be emphasised and practised at undergraduate level. The awareness of eye protection should be highlighted at all clinical and research symposia. Further studies should be conducted to assess the financial implications of ocular injuries and infections in dental institutions and practices. Recommendations are made for universal precautions and the observation of safety at work guidelines by all dental team members.

Self-Reported Needlestick Injuries in Dental Health Care Workers at Armed Forces Hospital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The objective of the present study was to assess the incidence of sharps/needlestick injuries among dental health care workers (DHCWs) at Armed Forces Hospital Riyadh. A questionnaire was distributed among all dental staff, including dentists, hygienists, and dental surgery assistants. Results show that 65 individuals (58%) had sharps/needlestick injuries, and of these, more than half did not report these injuries to the appropriate department. At the time of injury, the majority of the DHCWs were vaccinated or immune, but a few of them were not vaccinated against hepatitis B virus. This study concludes that every DHCW should be immunized against hepatitis B virus to avoid cross-infection from sharps/needlestick injuries, which are quite common in a dental practice. The high frequency of these injuries could be reduced by simple interventions.

Current understanding of clinical governance: a study of dental health care providers.

To quantify what dental care providers understand by clinical governance and how it may impact on their activities. A self-completed questionnaire administered to attendees at two postgraduate courses. A total of 71 forms were completed, a response rate of 88%. The majority of those responding recognised that clinical governance would impact in clinical areas of activity. However, nearly a third felt that any legislation would not affect receptionists or dental surgery assistants. Over 30% of respondents failed to keep records of any mistakes that occurred in their practices, a feature that is central to risk management. While overall the respondents felt that clinical governance would help to raise standards, there was also the fear that it would lead to increased litigation. There is at present a lack of understanding of clinical governance and how it will impact on the profession. If GDPs are to sustain public and political confidence in their clinical practice the issue of clinical governance must be embraced by the profession.

Do we really understand how clinical governance works?

Objective To quantify what dental care providers understand by clinical governance and how it may impact on their activites Design A self-completed questionnaire administered to attendees at two postgraduate courses. Results A total of 71 forms were completed, a response rate of 88%. The majority of those responding recognised that clinical governance would impact in clinical areas of activity. However, nearly a third felt that any legislation would not affect receptionists or dental surgery assistants. Over 30% of respondents failed to keep records of any mistakes that occurred in their practices, a feature that is central to risk management. While overall the respondents felt that clinical governance would help to raise standards, there was also the fear that it would lead to increased litigation. Conclusion There is at present a lack of understanding of clinical governance and how it will impact on the profession. If GDPs are to sustain public and political confidence in their clinical practice the issue of clinical governance must be embraced by the profession.

Comfort and frictional properties of dental gloves

Objectives: A survey of general dental practitioners and dental surgery assistants was carried out to ascertain their preferences and opinions on powder-free hydrogel-coated gloves compared with starch-powdered gloves. The aim was to relate the survey findings to laboratory measurements of the frictional characteristics of glove inner surfaces and their water absorptive capability. Methods: The survey was carried out using a questionnaire given to local dental practitioners. Glove friction and water absorption measurements were made using specially designed equipment. Results: The survey showed that a selected group of dentists and dental surgery assistants preferred hydrogel-coated gloves, particularly for damp donning, durability and long-term wear comfort. Laboratory measurements showed that the hydrogel coating gave a low friction coefficient against damp skin. The coating was durable, and absorbed water more readily than other treatments. Conclusion: A survey of dental practitioners and dental surgery assistants and laboratory measurements indicates that hydrogel-coated gloves have superior properties, and are preferred to other non-sterile glove types.

Bacterial morphotypes of 3-day old plaque in Chinese. A pilot study.

The aim of the this study was to estimate the % distribution of bacterial morphotypes of supragingival plaque in Chinese subjects after 3 days of no oral hygiene. 36 dental students, hygienists or dental surgery assistants (mean age: 24.3 years) were recruited. Prophylaxis and oral hygiene reinforcement were given 1 x a week for 3 weeks to obtain gingival health and a 3-day period without any plaque control started afterwards. At the end of the 3-day period, the plaque along the gingival margin of the upper right central incisor was removed and direct Gram stained smears were prepared for light microscopy. Bacteria were classified as gram-positive or gram-negative cocci, rods, filaments, fusiform organisms, spirilla or spirochetes. A differential count of 200 organisms from 3-6 microscopic fields was performed and the results expressed as a % of the organisms counted. Results from the 36 direct smears showed approximately 83% (range: 52%-96%) of the organisms to be gram-negative while gram-positive bacteria comprised only a minority of about 12% (range: 0.7%-43%). This result is remarkably different from previous reports from the West where gram-positive bacteria were the predominant bacterial types noted in early supragingival plaque. Further longitudinal studies involving both microscopy and bacteriological culture will be necessary to confirm this finding.

The hazards of chronic exposure to nitrous oxide: an update.

This paper reviews the potential occupational hazards associated with chronic exposure to nitrous oxide. The evidence that chronic exposure to the gas produces problems related to reproduction in dental personnel is convincing. Recent evidence suggests that scavenging systems decrease the adverse effects which nitrous oxide has on fertility of dental surgery assistants. However, even in the presence of scavenging systems trace levels of the gas can exceed recommended minimum levels.

Factors affecting the role of dental surgery assistants in cross-infection control in dental practice

A study of cross-infection control in general dental practices in the North Western Health Region of England suggested that much of its quality might lie in the hands of dental surgery assistants (S. Doohan,1991, personal communication). The present paper describes part of a programme of work intended to improve crossinfection control in general dental practices and to discover any factors which might affect this control. A qualitative study of dental surgery assistants' behaviour was used to devise an interview schedule for making quantitative assessments; these were made in visits to 82 general dental practices. A high proportion of DSAs were aware that they are failing to carry out cross-infection control procedures and were worried by this.

Dental surgery assistants' roles in cross-infection control in general dental practice: their knowledge and use of autoclaves.

This study investigated dental surgery assistants' (DSAs) role in providing cross-infection control in general dental practice. DSAs' knowledge about using autoclaves and their compliance with the recommended procedures were used as measures. Eighty-nine practices in three districts of the North Western Region of England were approached. Fifty-six agreed to permit the study and DSAs in these practices were observed at work and questioned, a response rate of 63%. Eighteen tasks relating to use of autoclaves (eg correct loading of instruments and correct storage) were observed and knowledge about them was assessed by questioning. Each was scored positively if correctly undertaken and answered. Scores for compliance varied between 2 and 12 and between 3 and 15 in the case of knowledge. In all instances certificated DSAs scored more highly than uncertificated DSAs. The study illustrated the value of certification, background education and membership of a vocational organisation. It supports the belief that all DSAs should be educated to the level of certification and that this improved education and training would improve cross-infection control in general dental practice.

Use of the SADP for measurement of attitudes of Chinese dental students and dental surgery assistants toward disabled persons.

The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes of Chinese dental students and dental surgery assistants toward disabled persons using the Scale to Determine Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons, the SADP. A group of 99 Hong Kong University psychology students, 50 male and 49 female, was used as the control and to determine the internal consistency and reliability of the Chinese version of the scale. A group of 4th year (n = 25) and a group of 3rd year (n = 46) dental students and a group of in-house dental surgery assistants (n = 86) at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong, were asked to complete a Chinese translation of the SADP. Results showed that there was no significant difference between attitude scores of 3rd and 4th year dental students (p = 0.06). There was a significant difference in attitude scores between dental students and the dental surgery assistants (p < 0.001), with those of dental students being lower. In the control group, there was no significant difference between female control and dental surgery assistant scores (p = 0.289). There was a significant difference between dental students and male control scores (p < 10(-6)). Not only did the dental students score lower than the dental surgery assistants, but they also scored significantly lower than a group of non-dental students of the same University.

The control of cross-infection in UK clinical dentistry in the 1990s: immunisation against hepatitis B.

Thirty thousand dentists and clinical ancillary staff in the UK were surveyed in July 1991 to assess the current state of immunisation against hepatitis B virus (HBV). About 11,000 responded immediately and nearly 94% of these had been, or were being, immunised against HBV. Nearly all dentists and therapists (94% in each group), 95% of hygienists, and 96% of dental surgery assistants had been immunised. However, one half of the respondents were at or approaching 5 years post-immunisation, the time when booster immunisation is recommended. About 53% of most responding clinical dental staff had been vaccinated 4 to 5 years before the survey, but, of these, nearly 81% had not had booster immunisation. Booster immunisation will now be indicated for most dental clinical personnel.

Compliance with infection control procedures in a dental hospital clinic.

Dental hospital staff and students were observed during clinical work for their compliance with infection control procedures, as recommended by the British Dental Association. A total of 183 contacts between health care worker and patient were scrutinised during December 1990. Nearly all health care workers (96%) wore gloves to carry out dental treatment, but in some cases gloves were neither changed nor hands washed between patients. Only one half wore protective eyewear and about one third (38%) wore no mask. Some dental surgery assistants used heavy duty gloves and some even scrubbed dirty dental instruments without wearing any gloves. Strict audit is clearly needed in every clinical setting in order to ensure compliance with infection control.

Dental surgery assistants' pay: the 1989 BDA survey

Dental surgery assistants' pay: the 1989 BDA survey

Ocular injury and infection in dental practice. A survey and a review of the literature

Dental surgeons, dental surgery assistants and patients are at risk of eye injury during certain dental procedures. We have reviewed the literature to reemphasise these hazards and have conducted a survey to determine how often injuries occur and what measures are taken to prevent them.

Variation in powder/liquid ratio of a restorative glass-ionomer cement used in dental practice

This study investigates the powder/liquid ratios of a glass-ionomer restorative (ChemFil II, Dentsply) mixed in clinical practice. Twenty-two dental surgery assistants (11 from general practice; 11 from a dental hospital) mixed this cement as they would for clinical use. Samples were taken of three mixes from each assistant and the powder/liquid ratios were derived from weight loss on dehydration. A wide range of ratios were obtained, but in no case was the manufacturer's recommended ratio of 6.8:1 achieved. The consistency measured in accordance with BS 6039 showed the cement at 6.8:1 to be less fluid than the requirements of the standard and other glass-ionomer restoratives. When tested at the mean ratio used in practice, 5.0:1, the consistency complied with BS 6039, but the compressive and diametral strengths did not, being about half the values found at 6.8:1. It was concluded that this restorative was often mixed in practice at much lower powder/liquid ratios than that recommended by the manufacturer and that this would impair the cement's mechanical properties.

A peer teaching programme in dental health education by trainee dental surgery assistants

A peer teaching programme in dental health education by trainee dental surgery assistants

Fundamentals of prosthetic practice. Part II--The surgery.

It is important for the smooth running of appointments that everyone, patient, receptionist, dental surgery assistant (DSA), the laboratory and, of course, the dental surgeon should know what is happening. Obviously, they do not all require the same information, but certain points will be essential to each of them for maximum efficiency of treatment.

Badges of the dental profession. Association of British Dental Surgery Assistants.

Badges of the dental profession. Association of British Dental Surgery Assistants.

Training needs of postgraduates in dental general anaesthesia.

Questionnaires given to 25 dentists and eight doctors attending a course on dental general anaesthesia showed that only four of the eight doctors had a diploma in anaesthetics. One of the doctors and eight of the dentists had had no postgraduate instruction in anaesthesia. More short courses of postgraduate instruction should be provided and some of these should be designed for the team of dental operator, anaesthetist, and dental surgery assistant.

Educational entry standards for dental surgery assistants.

Educational entry standards for dental surgery assistants.