General Dentists Research Articles

Stress levels amongst Turkish dental students, general dentists and paediatric dentists during performing paediatric dentistry: a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to evaluate stress levels and stressors amongst dental students, general dentists and paediatric dentists treating paediatric patients. This study was conducted on 664 dentistry students, general dentists and paediatric dentists in Turkey. Data were collected through an online questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics and the Pedodontic Practice Stress Scale (PPSS). Stressors when treating paediatric patients were compared between the groups. The scores obtained from the questionnaire were analysed. Compliance with normal distribution was analysed according to Kurtosis-Skewness values. One-way analysis was used to compare the scale scores (p < 0.050). Of the participants, 74.54% were female and 25.46% were male. The females showed a significantly higher level of stress, compared to the males (p = 0.001).When compared according to the level of education, the mean total stress scores did not differ (p = 0.211), but the mean complication score was found to be statistically significantly higher in paediatric dentists (p = 0.001). In addition, the lowest mean stress score was found in dental students. Statistically significant differences were found in all sections of the PPSS scale in terms of the ability to manage a paediatric patient as an adult patient and the importance of knowing child psychology theories. Factors, such as the educational status, the number of patients treated, the behaviour of the patient's relatives and the potential to communicate with them, cause variable stress in dental students and general and specialist dentists working with children.

Evaluation of Attitudes and Behaviors of General and Pediatric Dentists in Türkiye Towards Pediatric Patients: A Survey Study

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate general and pediatric dentists' attitudes and behaviors toward pediatric patients in Türkiye. Method: This cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2019 and February 2020. The questionnaire form consists of multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Standard descriptive statistics were conducted. A chi-square test was used to compare the groups. Findings: General dentists exhibit limited utilization of radiography procedures, tend to prescribe fluoride tablets more frequently, while also demonstrating infrequent application of placeholders and child prostheses (p

Knowledge, Awareness, and Use of Stainless-Steel Crowns Among Dental Professionals in Sana'a City, Yemen.

BACKGROUND Stainless-steel crowns (SSCs) have been the most effective and efficient methods of tooth restoration in pediatric dentistry, and they have shown consistently high success rates. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, and practice of SSCs among dental professionals in Sana'a City, Yemen. MATERIAL AND METHODS A modified questionnaire was prepared from previous similar studies and distributed to 700 participants. It consisted of 3 parts: the first was related to participant characteristics; the second consisted of questions related to knowledge and awareness of SSCs such as indications, advantages, challenges, and parent's rejection to SSCs; and the third part was correlated to questions related to the use and practice of SSCs, number of children treated, and SSCs cemented per week. Statistical significance was determined using a chi-square test, and the P value was set at <0.05 for statistical significance. RESULTS A total of 604 dental professionals answered the questionnaire, 159 (26.3%) had used SSC restoration, and 12 (80.0%) of them had a degree in pediatric dentistry, with significant differences among participants (P<0.000). Respondents with higher academic qualifications recorded higher percentages in using SSCs during their clinics, with significant differences (P<0.005). A significant difference was detected between general practitioners and pedodontists in practice questions (P=0.000). Most of the respondents (78.8%) indicated a desire for more practice and hands-on training in use of SSCs. CONCLUSIONS General dentists in Sana'a City, Yemen, do not frequently use SSCs. Most of the respondents stated that they lacked practical training and expressed a need for further knowledge and continuing education.

Facilitators and barriers to interprofessional collaboration among health professionals in primary healthcare centers in Qatar: a qualitative exploration using the “Gears” model

BackgroundThe number of patients seeking medical care is increasing, necessitating more access to primary healthcare services. As several of these patients usually present with complex medical conditions, the need for interprofessional collaboration (IPC) among health professionals in primary care is necessary. IPC is essential for facing the increasing and challenging healthcare demands. Therefore, the facilitators of and the barriers to IPC should be studied in the hope that the results will be used to promote such endeavors.ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the perspectives of different health professionals regarding the facilitators of and the barriers to IPC in the primary healthcare settings in Qatar.MethodsA qualitative study using focus groups was conducted within the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) in Qatar. Several health professionals were invited to participate in the focus groups. The focus groups were uniprofessional for general practitioners (GPs), nurses, and dentists, while they were interprofessional for the other health professionals. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and validated by the research team. The data were analyzed by deductive thematic analysis using the “Gears” Conceptual Model as a coding framework.ResultsFourteen focus groups were conducted involving 58 participants (including 17 GPs, 12 nurses, 15 pharmacists, 3 dentists, and 11 allied health professionals) working in PHCC in Qatar. The findings revealed a spectrum of factors influencing IPC, categorized into four main domains: Macro, Meso, Micro, and individual levels, with each accompanied by relevant barriers and facilitators. Key challenges identified included a lack of communication skills, insufficient professional competencies, and power imbalances, among others. To address these challenges, recommendations were made to implement dedicated training sessions on IPC, reduce hierarchical barriers among different health professionals, and enhance the effectiveness of existing systems. Conversely, it was emphasized that projects and campaigns focused on IPC, alongside the development of enhanced communication skills and the presence of supportive leadership, as essential for facilitating effective IPC in PHCCs.ConclusionThe interplay between the meso, macro, micro, and individual levels highlight the significance of a multifaceted approach to interventions, aiming to enhance the successes of IPC. While initiatives like interprofessional education training are underway, numerous challenges persist before achieving improved collaboration and more efficient integration of IPC in the PHCC setting.

Myths surrounding vertical dimension of occlusion in restorative dentistry: A scoping review.

This scoping review aims to clarify the concept of vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) in prosthetic dentistry, addressing prevalent myths, and controversies regarding its clinical management and impact on the stomatognathic system. This paper critically examines common beliefs about VDO alteration and its effects on temporomandibular disorders (TMD) through an extensive literature review and an international survey. The survey included 862 general dentists and prosthodontists and explored their approaches to altering VDO and their perceptions of the clinical implications. The literature review provided a thorough analysis of existing research on VDO modification techniques, the adaptability of the stomatognathic system, and the relationship between VDO changes and TMD. The survey revealed insights into dentists' perspectives on VDO, showing that while many practitioners test a new VDO due to concerns about patient adaptation, a significant majority observed that patients typically adjust well to a new VDO regardless of the technique used. The survey highlighted differing beliefs about the need for a gradual process and trial phase for VDO alteration, as well as the stability of modified VDO. Literature review suggests the stability and adaptability of VDO changes due to muscle adaptability and indicates no direct causal or curative link between VDO changes and TMD. Traditional methods for determining VDO in complete dentures may not be suitable for worn dentition, underscoring the need for tailored approaches. This paper suggests that the traditional belief in the need for a prolonged trial phase for VDO alterations may be reconsidered in light of evidence supporting the adaptability of the stomatognathic system. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between methods suitable for complete dentures and those for managing cases of worn dentition. The purported link between VDO alterations and TMD is also found to lack scientific evidence, highlighting the need for individualized patient care based on current evidence and clinical judgment.

Awareness Regarding Clear Aligner Disposal Among Orthodontists and General Dentists: A Cross-sectional Survey-based Study

Aim and Objective: To assess the awareness of clear aligner disposal among orthodontists and general dentists. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional electronic survey (e-survey) was developed based on the use of Google Forms. The survey link was randomly disseminated across social media platforms consisting of orthodontists and general dentists. The responses were subsequently tabulated and analyzed using statistical analysis with the help of Statistical Product and Services Solution software version 23.0. The survey comprised questions consisting of demographics, frequency of usage of clear aligners, and awareness on disposal of clear aligners. Results: The survey gathered responses from 760 participants, including 374 orthodontists and 384 general dentists from the 1,000 dentists and orthodontists who were surveyed, revealing trends in clear aligner usage, disposal practices, and awareness. Orthodontists showed higher frequency and safer disposal practices. A knowledge gap exists among dental practitioners regarding biodegradation characteristics and disposal regulations. Both groups express a shared interest in environmentally responsible practices, emphasizing the necessity for education and comprehensive guidelines from aligner companies to mitigate environmental impact. Conclusion: Clear aligners are popular in orthodontic treatment which contributes to environmental concerns due to improper disposal. The study explored clear aligner disposal practices among general dentists and orthodontists. The study underscores the need for increased awareness among orthodontists and general dentists, emphasizing proper clear aligner disposal methods and the importance of comprehensive instructions from aligner companies.

A comparative study to evaluate the influence of the incisal inclinations of maxillary central incisors in gujarati men and women on the perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists, general dentists and lay persons

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of different incisal inclinations of the maxillary central incisors in an analysis of full face and close up views of the smile on the perception of smile esthetic in Gujarati men and women between orthodontists, general dentists and laypersons. Frontal smile and Lateral profile photographs were digitally altered at full-face view and close-up view of adult men and women aged 15-30 years were used. The patient wase made to sit with a natural head position. Six incisal labial and lingual inclinations of the central incisors were simulated with changes of 5 degree. Alterations in the labially inclined direction were labeled as positive and those in the palatally inclined direction were labeled as negative. The positions were denominated as follows: 5 ͦ, 10 ͦ, 15 ͦ, ‐5 ͦ, ‐10 ͦ and –15 ͦ, according to incisal inclination changes of the central incisors. To simulate the different incisal inclinations adobe Photoshop CS 8.0 was used. The top limit of the full-face image was a region little above the top of the head and the bottom limit was the base of the neck. The images were randomly assembled in an album that were presented to 40 orthodontists, 40 general dentists and 40 laypersons who evaluated the attractiveness of the images by using Visual Analogue Scale. 10was found to be most attractive incisal inclination.

Decision-Making in Endodontics Prior to the Surgical Removal of Large Cysts Involving Vital Teeth.

Introduction Maintaining pulp vitality is crucial; however, treatment options forlarge lesions may hinder the vitality of the teeth involved within the lesion.Some clinicians are not updated about the diagnostic terminology of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) which may affect their decision-making. In the literature, there was no absolute treatment to manage such cases. The purpose of this study is to explore different opinions, identify the evidence of practice and treatment options to help in decision-makingand assess if clinicians are acknowledged by the AAE guidelines. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted through a qualitative survey designed to interview randomly selected endodontists, oral maxillofacial surgeons, oral medicine specialists, oral pathologists, and general partitioners to record their decisions and management about a structured case scenario. Atotal of 120 participants were included in the study.The interviewswere conducted bya single investigator, and the answers were recorded by another investigator. Finally, the responses of the interviewees were collected using Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, California). Results We found that there are dissimilarities between the different groups in decision-making concerning the management of teeth involved in large cystic lesions. Regarding the AEE guidelines, almost all the endodontics and general dentists were aware of the guidelines when compared with the other groups. Conclusion The management of teeth involved in large cystic lesions is controversial. Furthermore, the AEE guidelines are not a common language between the different disciplines. Randomized clinical trials are needed to investigate the prognosis and management of teeth associated with large cystic lesions.

Dental care for patients with down syndrome: A survey for dentists of the college of the balearic islands.

Down Syndrome (DS) presents with systemic, craniofacial and oral alterations accompanied by different levels of intellectual disability and because of this, they frequently require professional dental care. Objective: This work aims to know the dental care patients with DS receive from dentists in the Balearic Islands. An 11-question survey was carried out via email from the College of Dentists of the Balearic Islands. The researchers conducted the survey based on previous researchs. The first three questions refered the professional´s profile (age, sex and years since graduation) and the restant 8 were focused on the academic training and dental care provided to patients with DS. 129 surveys were collected. 40.45% were between 34-43 years old, 67.84% were women, and 32.16% were men. 33.30% had been in professional practice for between 15-24 years, followed by those with 4-14 years with 27.33% and those with 25-34 years with 24.04%. 81.64% received undergraduate academic training, and 60.72% completed training after graduating. 57.17% believe that patients with DS should be treated by a dentist specialised in special patients, 20.67% by a pediatric dentist, and 18.87% by a general dentist. 63.40% perform sealing, fillings or dental extractions, 60.6% perform oral examination, oral cleaning and give prophylaxis instructions, and 26.72% state that they perform endodontic treatments. Significant differences were found between some of the variables analysed and the age, sex, academic training or professional scenario of the professionals. Post-graduate training increases the likelihood that dentists will feel comfortable with sealing-filling-extraction treatments by 7.48 times and endodontic treatments by 3.26 times. Key words:Down Syndrome, Trisomy 21, Surveys and Questionnaires, Dental Care for Children, Oral Health.

The College of General Dentistry perspective on NHS dentistry.

The College of General Dentistry perspective on NHS dentistry.

Knowledge and Awareness of the orthodontic triage and its uses among dental healthcare professionals – a cross-sectional study

IntroductionIn orthodontics, the triage system is used to assess the preadolescents to rule out interventions needed earlier and to assess the nature of orthodontic problems as complex or moderate. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and awareness of orthodontic triage and its uses among dental healthcare professionals (DHCP).Materials and methodsA triage awareness questionnaire (TAQ) was formulated and validated as reliable by a panel of five orthodontic specialists which was then circulated online among 400 DHCP. The questionnaire consisted of nine sections that assessed the current knowledge and usage of orthodontic triage among the dental community. Frequencies and percentages were reported for all categorical variables. Chi-square was used to assess the association among the variables.ResultsThe response rate was 28.2% with the majority of participants being general dentists. Regarding the knowledge and use of triage, 40% of DHCP were only familiar with the word “orthodontic triage” while being unaware of how it works and 79% denied using orthodontic triage. Regarding the management of anomalies, 42% of DHCP preferred extraction as the management of supernumerary teeth (p = 0.013). Practitioners belonging to private setups performed visual inspection in growing patients for assessment of their facial features (p = 0.012). Clinicians with more than one year of experience referred young patients to orthodontic specialists for the management of crossbite (p = 0.024). Younger clinicians (25–35 years) with more than one year of experience referred adult patients to orthodontists for correction of their unesthetic smile (p = 0.013).ConclusionsThis paper provides foundational data for the development of future policies and protocols supporting structured, evidence-based approaches to patient management via use of orthodontic triage. This study underscores the importance of targeted educational interventions to enhance understanding and implementation of orthodontic triage principles in clinical practice. Further probing is necessary to discern the disparity between understanding the orthodontic triage and effective employment of its components among practicing dental healthcare professionals.

Variation in dentist participation between dental medicaid managed care organizations.

Dentists' Medicaid participation is a critical factor affecting dental care access for Medicaid beneficiaries. An important gap in existing literature is the variation in participation across Medicaid dental Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) in states with more than one. This study examined the variation in participation overall and in predictors of dentist participation between two MCOs in Iowa's Dental Medicaid program. Data were obtained from a survey of Iowa private practice dentists (n = 1256). Responding general dentists (n = 497) were included in the final analytic sample. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine demographic and practice characteristics associated with dentist participation (acceptance of new Medicaid patients) between MCOs and by age category. Among respondents, the proportions accepting new adults with Medicaid were 26% (MCO 1) and 7% (MCO 2); for children, they were 40% (MCO 1) and 11% (MCO 2). For adults, dentists who were too busy (MCO1) and solo practice dentists (MCO2) were positively significantly associated with the acceptance of new patients. For children, group and rural practice dentists, as well as dentists who worked <32 h/week were positively significantly associated with acceptance of new patients with MCO1. There was considerable variation in dentist-reported acceptance of new adult and child Medicaid patients, and in the factors affecting acceptance of new patients between MCOs in Iowa dental Medicaid. Future studies of Medicaid participation should consider variations by MCO in states with more than one dental MCO so as not to miss important factors affecting Medicaid participation.

Endodontic Treatment During Pregnancy: Knowledge of General Dental Practitioners and Interns in Zliten, Libya

This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of dental interns and general dentists about providing endodontic treatment to pregnant patients in Zliten-Libya. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered, closed ended questionnaire which was circulated among 127 dental interns and general dentists in Zliten-Libya. The questionnaire included demographical items and questions relative to the participant's knowledge regarding the endodontic treatment during pregnancy. The analysis of data was carried out using SPSS 26. 84% of survey participants indicated the second trimester as the safest period for endodontic treatment. 95% of respondents considered the need for a specific chair position among which 58% identified the correct one. 72% and 65% of respondents indicated the safety of local anaesthetics with vasoconstrictors and use of aspiration technique, respectively. 22% of respondents identified the toxicity of bupivacaine. 64% of respondents considered the safety of either root canal irrigants or intra-canal medicaments. The obturation materials were considered safe by 74% of respondents. 49% of respondents indicated the safety of radiographic examination among which 67% preferred RVG technique. 58% of respondents preferred acetaminophen for pain control. Dental interns and general dentists in Zliten exhibited a sufficient knowledge regarding the safety of endodontic treatment during pregnancy and required to improve their knowledge particularly regarding the safety of some local anaesthetics and radiographic examination during endodontic treatment.

Competency assessment in pediatric dental practice: A study on recent dental graduates in integrated curriculum.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between various independent variables, such as cumulative grade point average (CGPA), socio-economic backgrounds, anxiety levels, and the self-rated competency levels, across six domains outlined by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) of recently graduating dental students during pediatric patient care. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. It included 74 participants (37 final-year dental students and 37 dental interns). Multiple logistic regression was employed to analyze the association between various independent variables (including CGPA, grade point average [GPA] in didactic, practical, and clinical courses, socio-economic backgrounds, gender, and self-reported student anxiety) and self-rated ADEA competency in pediatric dental practice within general dentistry (p<0.05). Final-year dental students were 28.5 times more likely to be competent in professionalism (C2) than interns (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=28.54, p=0.001). In professionalism (C2), males were 91% less likely to be competent than females (AOR=0.09, p=0.001). A high GPA in didactic courses increased the likelihood of competence in health promotion (C4) by 3.4 times compared with an average GPA (AOR=3.41, p=0.071). Regarding the establishment and maintenance of oral health (C6B), final-year dental students were 4.4 times more likely to be competent than interns (AOR=4.41, p=0.013). This study identified key factors affecting clinical competency during pediatric patient care among newly graduating dentists. It highlighted the influence of gender differences, academic performance (GPA), and anxiety levels among graduates as significant predictors.

Evaluation of dental students and alumni's confidence level in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment-planning: A qualitative study.

Orthodontic education, besides some other factors, influences the confidence level of recently graduated dentists to diagnose subjects seeking orthodontic treatment and provide treatment plans. This study aims to explore the factors that influence the confidence level of undergraduate dental students to diagnose subjects seeking orthodontic treatment and provide treatment plans after graduation. A qualitative study was undertaken using focus groups and interviews. Purposive sampling was used, focus groups and face to face semi-structured interviews were adopted as the method of data collection. Three focus groups were evaluated including fifth-year undergraduate, postgraduate orthodontic students, and recently graduated general dentists. In addition, eleven interviews were performed with the fifth-year undergraduate students. Data collection ceased upon reaching data saturation, with thematic analysis employed for qualitative data analysis. Six themes and two sub-themes were extracted from the data. More focus on the theory was highly noticed, and most of the participants exhibited a low level of self confidence in extrapolating orthodontic diagnosis and establishing treatment plans after graduation. In addition, they believed that practical teaching sessions mostly deal with wire bending and demanded to expand the clinical orthodontic knowledge to be able to indicate the right diagnosis and initiate proper treatment plans. Clinical and practical training alongside theoretical foundation represent key factors in orthodontic education required to obtain confidence in orthodontic practice among dental undergraduate students and alumni. The findings help in enhancing undergraduate programs via providing a clinically oriented orthodontic education from student perceptions.

Treatment options used in the management of people with temporomandibular disorders by Australian dentists and physiotherapists.

Studies documenting the treatments used by dentists in the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) have been undertaken in some countries; however, no such research has been conducted in Australia. No similar studies have been documented for physiotherapists. The aim of the study was to determine the treatment options and referral patterns used by Australian dentists and physiotherapists in managing people with TMDs. Prospective nationwide online questionnaires targeting Australian dentists and physiotherapists were created for Australian dentists and physiotherapists. Seventy-eight respondents (27 dentists; 51 physiotherapists) completed all questions in the questionnaires. Sixty respondents reported actively treating people with TMDs. The treatment options used most frequently by dentists included advice and education, oral appliances, physical agents such as moist heat and medications. The treatment options most frequently used by physiotherapists included manual therapy, exercises, electrophysical agents and advice and education. Referrals were most frequently made to dentists and physiotherapists with experience and/or expertise in managing people with TMDs and to general dentists. Commonly used treatment options were mostly conservative, reversible and evidence-based. More responses are required to draw conclusions representative of Australian dentists and physiotherapists in the management of people with TMDs.

Time series analysis of COVID-19's impact on physician and dentist visits in Iran

This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on general practitioner (GP), specialist, and dentist visits among 40 million Iranians covered by the Social Security Organization (SSO). A monthly interrupted time series analysis was conducted over a period of 72 months, including—47 months before the pandemic and 25 months after its onset. The outcomes variables were monthly number of GP, specialist, and dentist visits per 1000 SSO-insured individuals. The analysis was performed by total visits, visits to the SSO direct sector, and visits to the indirect sectors. The study found that in the first month of the pandemic, the number of visits per 1000 insured individuals significantly decreased for visits to GPs (by 51.12, 95% CI −64.42 to −37.88), visits to specialists (by 39.11, 95% CI −51.61 to −26.62), and visits to dentists (by 6.67, 95% CI −8.55 to −4.78). However, during the subsequent months of the pandemic, there was a significant increase in the number of monthly visits for all three categories, with GPs experiencing the highest increase (1.78 visits per 1000 insured), followed by specialists (1.32 visits per 1000 insured), and dentists (0.05 visits per 1000 insured). Furthermore, prior to the pandemic, the number of monthly GP visits per 1000 insured individuals was statistically significantly lower in the indirect sector compared to the direct sector (45.79, 95% CI −52.69 to −38.89). Conversely, the direct sector exhibited lower rates of specialist visits (25.84 visits per 1000 insured individuals, 95% CI 22.87 to 28.82) and dentist visits (0.75 visits per 1000 insured individuals, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.36) compared to the indirect sector. Additionally, the study found that in the first month of the pandemic, the monthly number of GP visits in the indirect sector significantly increased by 34.44 times (95% CI 24.81 to 44.08) compared to the direct sector. For specialist visits and dentist visits, the increase was 3.41 (95% CI −5.87 to 12.69) and 5.01 (95% CI 3.48 to 6.53) per 1000 insured individuals, respectively. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate statistically significant disruptions in GP, specialist, and dentist visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, although some recovery was observed. Both the direct and indirect sectors experienced decreased visits.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Australian Dental Practitioners’ Perceptions of Teledentistry

INTRODUCTION: There has been an increased use of teledentistry by dental practitioners in Australia as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies conducted analysing the opinions of dental practitioners were performed prior to the pandemic, and therefore it is important to determine if perceptions regarding teledentistry have changed following the outbreak. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of oral healthcare professionals regarding teledentistry in a clinical setting. METHODS: The cross-sectional study involved an anonymous electronic questionnaire with a sample of 152 dental practitioners. The questionnaire contained 28 questions utilizing a 5-point Likert-scale to assess the perceptions of general dentists on teledentistry regarding diagnosis, accessibility, patient care, technology and finances. Chi-squared test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyse the results and percentages of agreement and disagreement were calculated. RESULTS: The participants of the questionnaire believed that teledentistry was effective for consultations and in the diagnosis of simple cases. They indicated large benefits of teledentistry in improving access, delivering post-operative care, and triaging patients, and found it particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the participants felt that teledentistry was ineffective in diagnosing complex cases such as pathology. Concerns were also raised regarding the interventional capacity of teledentistry, the quality of the technology, data security and medicolegal issues. In general, participants preferred in-person care in comparison with teledentistry. They were neutral regarding finance. CONCLUSION: The study provided an insight into the perceptions of Australian dental practitioners regarding teledentistry post-COVID-19. Opinions have changed slightly, but there are large hurdles still to overcome before teledentistry is more widely accepted. Research should be continued to further improve teledentistry in the future.

Comparative analysis of clinical image evaluation charts for panoramic radiography

ObjectiveTo compare and analyze professional (P chart) and simple (S chart) clinical image evaluation charts for evaluating panoramic radiograph image quality.MethodsTen evaluators assessed 285 clinical panoramic radiograph images. The evaluators were divided into oral and maxillofacial radiologists (OMFR, n = 5) and general dentist (dentists not specializing in oral and maxillofacial radiology, G, n = 5) groups. For image evaluation, P and S charts provided by the Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology were used. Scores of items for each evaluation chart were used to compare the reliability, correlation, evaluation scores, evaluation time, and preference, and statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics.ResultsThe S chart showed similar levels of evaluation scores at shorter evaluation time, as compared to the P chart. In the results for each evaluation chart, all analyzed correlations were statistically significant. Total score, image density/contrast/sharpness, and overall image quality items showed a very high positive correlation in the P chart. While the overall range of correlation coefficients was relatively lower in the S chart than the P chart, the same items showed high correlation coefficients. In the preference evaluation, both the professional and generalist groups preferred the S chart.ConclusionsA comparative analysis with the P chart, revisions, and upgrades are needed for the S chart items that showed low correlations in this study, such as artifacts, coverage area, and patient movement.

A Cross-Sectional Survey of the Use of Clear Aligners by General Dentists in Australia.

The primary aim of the investigation was to survey clear aligner therapy (CAT) use among general dentists in Australia. A secondary aim was to evaluate the factors that influenced general dentists in Australia not to provide CAT. General dentists registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency were invited to participate in a structured cross-sectional electronic survey. The survey covered demographics, preferred CAT systems and practices, relevant treatment planning and retention protocols, patient-reported CAT issues, pertinent respondent opinions, and reasons for not providing CAT. Descriptive statistics were computed via GraphPad Prism v10 (GraphPad Software Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA). Most of the 264 (n = 172; 65.2%) respondents indicated that they provided CAT. The majority (n = 82; 58.6%) reported that they treated between 1 and 20 patients with CAT annually. Invisalign was the most used system (n = 83; 61.2%), with 55 (41.7%), indicating that they used more than one system. Most (n = 124; 98.4%) were comfortable using CAT for mild crowding, whereas 73.4% (n = 94) were not comfortable in treating severe crowding with CAT. The median (IQR) number of patients per respondent treated with extraction of a permanent incisor or premolar was 0 (0). Issues regarding tooth positions were reportedly always or mostly in need of change in the initial treatment plan by 68.7%. Problems regarding patient compliance with CAT wear protocols (n = 67; 45.6%) and the predictability of treatment outcomes (n = 31; 21.1%) were the most identified themes of the free-text comments. Over 80% of those who did not provide CAT indicated that they preferred to refer to an orthodontist for management. Almost two-thirds of the respondents provided CAT. Invisalign was the most used system. The majority use CAT combined with nonextraction treatment. Most of those who did not provide CAT preferred to refer to an orthodontist for patient management.