General Dentists Research Articles

What and how? Workflow of the management of joint disorders in the clinical practice

This narrative review isl describing the most common TMJ conditions and suggest a straightforward, clinically relevant and feasible treatment workflow for each of these. The suggestions for treatment will be based on the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD), the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare National guidelines for general dentistry as well as the Swedish Academy for Temporomandibular Disorders’ National guidelines for TMD screening, diagnosis and treatment with the target audience of general practitioners.

Investigating the desire of last year dental students towards conducting orthodontic treatments in their future profession

Introduction: Orthodontics is a significant part of general dentistry education. Yet, many general dentistry graduates seldom practice orthodontics. This study assesses the desire of last-year dental students at Shahid Beheshti Dental School towards orthodontic treatments in their future career.
 Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was validated by ten dental specialists. For reliability, it was re-administered to ten students after ten days. Descriptive statistics were used for results presentation. The Mann-Whitney test compared ranked responses, and the Kruskal-Wallis test compared grade point average (GPA) variations. The comparison of mean opinions based on age, gender, and academic term was conducted with the t-test independent samples and based on GPA status with a one-way ANOVA. Analyses were done using SPSS 25, with a significance level of 0.05.
 Results: In this study, 58 last-year students were questioned in line with the research objectives. More than half of the students believe that the hours dedicated to teaching orthodontic courses at university are insufficient (65%), the quality of theoretical teaching is low (55%), practical teaching hours and presence in the department are inadequate (48%). Only 15 percent of students declared they have the necessary confidence to diagnose and conduct orthodontic treatments after graduation. About half of the students express an interest in attending supplementary orthodontics courses after graduation (39%).
 Conclusion: According to approximately half of the students’ opinions, the quality of teaching theoretical and conceptual orthodontics courses is low. Additionally, students lack the necessary confidence and desire to diagnose, plan, and perform treatments after graduation.

An overview of analgesic methodologies in orthodontics

Orthodontic treatments aim to enhance teeth functionality and aesthetics through various methods like permanent, removable, and functional appliances. These interventions may involve teeth removal, surgical procedures for alignment, and even jaw position adjustments. The treatment typically starts with the placement of an orthodontic device, followed by periodic adjustments. One major concern for patients is the associated pain, directly linked to the applied force. Various devices influence pain intensity, with fixed devices being more painful. Pain peaks after certain adjustments, like placing separators, and is attributed to decreased blood flow due to brace-induced force. Pain is the primary reason some patients consider discontinuing treatment. Pain management involves both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, including the promising but still under-researched low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). Dietary changes also play a role during treatment due to pain. Proper nutrition and oral hygiene guidance are essential from orthodontists and general dentists.

Comparison between observer-based and AI-based reading of CBCT datasets: An interrater-reliability study

ObjectiveTo assess the performance of human observers and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in detecting periodontal lesions in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), a total of 38 datasets were examined. Three human readers and a CNN-based solution were employed to evaluate the presence of periodontal pathologies in these datasets. Materials and MethodsDatasets were acquired with a Veraview X800 L P (JMorita Mfg. Corp., Kyoto, Japan). Three general dentists, previously calibrated by a general principal investigator, read the datasets in 3D MPR mode using Horos(LGPL license at Horosproject.org and sponsored by Nimble Co LLC d/b/a Purview in Annapolis, MD, USA) as a DICOM reader. All pathological changes including vertical bone loss, furcation involvement, and periradicular osteolysis were detected. Furthermore, the same datasets were analyzed automatically by Diagnocat (Diagnocat LLC, Prague, Czech Republic), a deep CNN. Finally, the performance of the dentists and the CNN were compared and evaluated. ResultsThe CNN’s performance was significantly lower compared to the human readers in the search for different types of lesions. The human observers achieved good to very good interobserver agreement, except for the evaluation of the vertical lesions, which resulted in a moderate agreement. ConclusionThe CNN used in this study was found to be ineffective in identifying periodontal lesions and was not adequately trained to offer significant assistance in the automated evaluation of periodontal lesions in CBCT datasets.

A Qualitative Study on Dentists' Communication Approaches in Managing Fluoride-Hesitant Caregivers.

Guidelines on effective provider-led communication are available but may be underused in dentistry, even if such guidelines could help dentists manage complex clinical scenarios like topical fluoride hesitancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate current chairside communication approaches used by dentists with fluoride-hesitant caregivers. A 27-item semistructured interview script was developed and pretested with 3 dentists, revised, and finalized. One-on-one interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of pediatric dentists and general dentists from April to June 2020. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify dentists' communication approaches used during clinical interactions with fluoride-hesitant caregivers. Thematic analyses identified themes and subthemes, and exemplary quotes were provided to illustrate each theme. Twenty-seven dentists participated (21 pediatric dentists and 6 general dentists). The mean age of participants was 43.0 ± 8.2 y (range, 30-73). Most participants were women (88.9%), white (51.9%), and non-Hispanic (85.2%). Participants had been practicing dentistry for a mean of 13.2 ± 10.5 y (range, 2-40). There were 4 themes: leaving topical fluoride decisions completely up to the caregiver, educating the caregiver about fluoride, insisting that the caregiver accept fluoride, and engaging the caregiver and child. Most communications approaches used by interviewed dentists to manage fluoride hesitancy in clinical settings are not evidence based. Future dental education efforts should ensure that trainees are exposed to and can demonstrate competency in appropriate, evidence-based patient-provider communication strategies. The study highlights the need for dentists to apply evidence-based communication strategies when managing difficult clinical scenarios like fluoride hesitancy, which is important in optimizing dentist-patient trust.

A survey on toothbrushing practices and dosing of fluoridated toothpaste among preschool children in the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Berne, Switzerland.

This study aimed to evaluate toothbrushing practices and toothpaste dosing among preschool children aged 0-6 years in Switzerland recruited from the Department of General Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel UZB, and in daycare centers or in private practices located in the canton of Berne. Three hundred parents of children were surveyed about socioeconomic characteristics, their children's toothbrushing behavior, the use of age-appropriate toothpaste, and whether they were instructed by an oral healthcare professional about appropriate toothbrushing practices and the amount of toothpaste to use. Additionally, the parents were asked to apply toothpaste to two different toothbrushes, one with a narrow and one with a wide brush head, as they usually would at home. The amount of toothpaste was weighed using a portable scale. Over 50% of the parents were not instructed by an oral health care professional on toothbrushing practices and toothpaste dosing. However, nearly all participants used age-appropriate toothpaste. Approximately 50% of the parents of 0- to 2-year-old children applied more than the recommended 0.25 g of fluoridated toothpaste (both brushes, mean ± SD: 0.25 g ± 0.14 g), while two-thirds of the parents of 2- to 3-year-olds (both brushes, mean ± SD: 0.36 g ± 0.23 g) and nearly 90% of the parents of 3- to 6-year-olds applied more than 0.25 g (both brushes, mean ± SD: 0.43 g ± 0.20 g). Overall, parents dispensed more toothpaste on the toothbrush with the wide brush head. The present study suggested that assuming toothpaste as the sole source of fluoride, the amounts generally used are not of concern. However, considering the substantial variation in the amounts of toothpaste applied, oral healthcare professionals should routinely provide instructions on toothbrushing practices and toothpaste dosing during children's dental examinations.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Periodontal and Dental Diseases During Pregnancy Among Obstetricians and Dentists in King Saud University Medical City.

Providing effective dental treatment during pregnancy is related to controlling oral diseases and helps maintain a healthy oral cavity. One of the possible treatment options for endodontic disease is to treat the odontogenic infection, maintain a healthy oral environment, and minimize the expected complications that can occur later in pregnancy or during the postpartum period. Sufficient awareness among obstetricians and dentists is essential to delivering appropriate preventive and curative care to pregnant patients. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding oral health care and providing dental treatment among King Saud University Medical City obstetricians and dentists during pregnancy and the association of dental and periodontal disease with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study was conducted in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, from December 2022 to June 2023 (six months). The data were collected from 381 participants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2023 to June 2023. The study targeted male and female general dentists and obstetricians living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and excluded those who are not dentists and obstetricians or not living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Out of a total of 381 completed responses, 281 (73.8%) of the participants were dentists, while 100 (26.2%) were obstetricians. It was observed that the majority of the participants agreed that oral health is a part of prenatal care, while the minority did not agree (0.3%). Of the 281 (73.8%) respondents, most of them reported periodontal disease can cause preterm birth, low birth weight, and gestational diabetes (73.2%), while only 0.5% answered no. Two hundred and seventy-eight of the participants answered that it is essential to consult with an obstetrician before treating pregnant patients. The overall knowledge of dentists and obstetricians was adequate regarding dental disease during pregnancy. However, more education should be assessed and continuously improved regarding the treatment options, as well as future recommendations regarding the medications used in dental clinics and awareness programs promoting dental health care in pregnant patients.

Care and Treatment of Frail Older Adults in the Dental Office: A Case Report.

Population aging is a worldwide phenomenon that is changing healthcare systems globally, including dentistry. The percentage of frail older adults living in the community has increased as baby boomers age. The majority of these frail older adults are not edentulous, and require the services of a general dentist. Using a longitudinal case history, the authors have discussed the problems and decision making required to care for such an individual in a private dental office. We believe that with a better understanding of medicine and pharmacology, a general dentist should be able to develop a rational treatment plan for frail and dependent older adults who live in the community.

Linking current dental education to gerontological education to meet the oral health needs of growing aging populations.

This study aimed to recognize the gaps in dental education by studying the current level of geriatric oral health training of recent graduated dentists who have been admitted into an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program. The AEGD program was developed along with the Age-Friendly 4Ms model to enhance current dental education. We adopted the Rapid Cycle Quality Improvement model to test the effectiveness of the training for AEGD residents from 2019 to 2022. A total of 18 residents participated (6 residents each year). A 5-question survey was administered before and after the rotation and Wilcoxon signed-rank with Fisher Exact tests were conducted to compare pre- and post- rotation results. All 18 residents have completed pre- and post-program surveys. They self-reported minimal to no training in preparation to provide care to older adults with multiple chronic conditions. After the rotation, residents' confidence in treating older adults was significantly increased (p = 0.011). Meanwhile, residents gained knowledge to apply the 4Ms framework (what matters, medication, mentation, and mobility) to their practices (p = 0.015) and provide age-friendly care for older adults. The study identified and addressed the missing link in dental education to gerontological and geriatrics education. More clinical rotations and didactic training to equip residents with competences of providing geriatric oral health are strongly recommended.

Guided endodontics versus conventional access cavity preparation: an ex vivo comparative study of substance loss

BackgroundTo compare the outcomes of conventional access cavity preparation (CONV) versus guided endodontics (GE) for access cavity preparation in anterior teeth with pulp canal calcification (PCC) regarding root canal detection, substance loss, procedural time, and need for additional radiographs.MethodsExtracted, sound human teeth with PCC (n = 108) were matched in pairs, divided into two groups and used to produce 18 models. An independent endodontist and a general dentist performed access cavity preparation under simulated clinical conditions on nine models each (54 teeth). The endodontist used the conventional technique and the general dentist GE. Time needed to access the root canals and the number of additional radiographs were recorded. Pre- and postoperative cone-beam computed tomography scans were obtained to measure substance loss. Statistical significance was tested by examining the overlap of 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between the groups.ResultsAll root canals were successfully accessed by both methods. There were no significant differences in substance loss (CI: CONV 15.9–29.6 mm3 vs. GE 17.6-27.5mm3) or procedural time (CI: CONV 163.3-248.5 s vs. GE 231.9-326.8 s). However, 31 additional radiographs were required for GE compared to none for CONV.ConclusionsFor access cavity preparation in teeth with PCC, both CONV by a specialist and GE by a general dentist produce good results in terms of substance loss and time requirements.

Clinical outcome of three different types of posterior all-ceramic crowns. A 3-year follow-up of a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

To assess and compare the clinical outcomes of three different types of all-ceramic posterior monolithic tooth-supported crowns. A total of 71 patients received 90 all-ceramic crowns randomized to be either high-translucency zirconia (ZC), high-translucency zirconia with a partial buccal veneer (ZC-V), or lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (LDS). All treatments were performed by four general dentists. Choice of material was blinded. Baseline and subsequent annual evaluation were based on modified California Dental Association (CDA) criteria. A questionnaire was used to include patient-reported outcomes and to compare them to the crown quality rating performed by dentists. A total of 66 patients with 84 crowns were examined after 3 years. The survival rate was 98.8%. No crowns fractured during the observation period. One ZC-V crown failed due to loss of retention, and three complications were noted: loss of retention occurred in one ZC crown, and two ZC crowns needed to be endodontically treated. There was no significant difference between the different crowns regarding marginal integrity, surface, or anatomical form. Both patients and examining dentists rated the crowns favorably regarding esthetics, patients more than dentists. Posterior lithium disilicate glass-ceramic crowns and translucent zirconia crowns with or without a partial buccal veneer show excellent and promising clinical outcomes from a short-term perspective. Patients and dentists rate the restorations favorably concerning esthetics and function.

Prevalence of Oral Manifestations of Systemic Diseases in Patients Visiting the Dental Outpatient Department of Sindh, Pakistan

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to evaluate the awareness of oral health workers in identifying the prevalence of oral manifestations of systemic diseases in patients visiting the Dental Out-Patient Department of Sindh, Pakistan. METHODOLOGY A descriptive, cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, from October to December 2021. The study was conducted in various institutes from all over Sindh, Pakistan. An online, well-structured questionnaire was designed using Google Forms and distributed to the participants through social media platforms in the dental community. Using the Open-Epi software regarding a parent article, the sample size of this study was calculated. Keeping the confidence interval at 95% and the desired percentile at 50, the total sample size was calculated to be 100. Around 175 questionnaires were given out to the candidates. RESULTSThe results showed that 81% male and 19% female participated, including 45% postgraduate trainees, 30% house officers, and 25% general dentists. 80% detected 2-3 systemic diseases in a patient, with 75% observing oral manifestations preceding systemic illness diagnosis. The majority favoured treating underlying ailments (75%), and prevalent conditions included hypertension (90%), diabetes (80%), anaemia (75%), and lichen planus (40.7%). CONCLUSION Oral health workers play a vital role in the initial and early identification and multidisciplinary medical management of various systemic diseases. A coordinated approach between physicians and dentists in diagnosing and managing these conditions is necessary to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

Assessing Knowledge, Perception, and Management Toward Traumatic Tooth Avulsion Among Dentists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The long-term prognosis of teeth that have experienced traumatic avulsion is highly dependent on appropriate and prompt emergency management taken immediately after the avulsion. The main goal in the treatment of traumatic permanent tooth avulsion is to replant as soon as possible in its correct anatomical position to maintain the viability of the periodontal ligament and neurovascular supply while restoring aesthetic and preserving the functional integrity of the tooth. General dentists can deal properly with emergency cases, such as tooth avulsion, and also should be aware of appropriate management to take care of avulsions and to determine the prognosis especially since such incidents often occur at times when dental professionals are least prepared to address them. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of dentists who are working in various hospitals, clinics, and dental schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with respect to traumatic permanent tooth avulsion and the appropriate methods for its management. The study design is a cross-sectional study with dentists working in various clinical settings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.The questionnaire used in the study consists of a total of 19 items: nine items about demographic data, including training background, and 10 multiple-choice questions regarding dental trauma and its management. Higher dental education and post-graduate training gave the dentists better judgment in dealing with dental emergencies compared to general dentists. Thus, the recommendation of this study is to include the comprehensive treatment of avulsion emergencies in the dental school curriculums and increase the exposure of dental students to such cases.

Survey investigation of articaine use in the United States

BackgroundLocal anesthesia is an essential component of dentistry, but there is limited quantifiable understanding of what techniques and local anesthetic solutions are used by practicing dentists. Use of the local anesthetic articaine has been highly debated in dentistry regarding its efficacy and risks for paresthesia. The aims of this study were to expand the knowledge of local anesthesia practices of dentists in the United States through a large-scale survey and associate potential influencing factors regarding articaine use specifically. MethodsThe 23-item survey was sent to 10,340 practicing dentists in the United States, gathering demographic data and local anesthesia approaches and concerns. Statistical analysis consisted of descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. ResultsA total of 1,128 dentists completed the survey. Previous experience with articaine was reported by 97.6% of respondents, with 3.3% no longer using articaine. Sixty percent of respondents indicated using articaine for most local anesthetic injections administered. Multivariable regression analysis found those reporting to use articaine for all local anesthetic injections involving vasoconstrictors were more likely to be male (odds ratio, 1.59; P = .002) or general dentists (odds ratio, 1.63; P < .001). ConclusionsArticaine has a perceived benefit to practitioners as most respondents reported using articaine as their primary local anesthetic. A practitioner’s sex and type were found to affect the profile of use of articaine. Practical ImplicationsAssembling evidence-based local anesthesia practices would be beneficial to ensure US practitioners are more standardized in administering local anesthetics, particularly articaine, in the safest and most efficacious way.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Iranian Dentists’ Practice Patterns

Background: The practice scheme of dentists during the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic changed markedly around the world. The impacts of these changes on the economic concerns of dentists and the oral health of their patients have been the focus of some recent studies. This study aimed to assess probable alterations in the practice and patient mix of general dentists (GDs) and dental specialists in Isfahan, Iran during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: This analytic cross-sectional study was performed among dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic (April-June 2021). A specific self-administrated questionnaire was designed, the validity and reliability of which were verified by calculating the content validity index and intra-class coefficients (test-re-test techniques), respectively. The questionnaire had 21 items in four sections, including demographic and work characteristics, probable changes in the practice scheme, composition of patients, and the type of the provided treatments. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS software, descriptive and analytical analysis, including t-test, Chi-square, and ANOVA (α= 0.05). Results: Overall, 152 general (response rate= 88%) and 171 specialist dentists were recruited, of whom 206 (63.8%) were males. In addition, 74% of the dentists, especially prosthodontists and restorative specialists, reduced the number of patients per working day (P&lt;0.001). Further, 68.5% reported a decrease in the number of their elderly patients. Based on the results, 77% of the dentists reported an increase in tooth decay and hopeless teeth. Although extraction, emergency treatments, and extensive restorations were increased, prophylactic treatments and follow-ups represented a decline. The highest concern was reported to be about family health (7 out of 10). Finally, prosthodontists, endodontists, and surgery specialists reported the least use of these facilities (P&lt;0.001). Conclusions: An increase in the number of hopeless and decayed teeth, as well as an increase in emergency treatments (pain and abscesses) and a decrease in preventive care, confirms an untoward change in the dental practice pattern during the pandemic.

Orthodontics social media, perceptions of science- and non-science-based posts among orthodontists, dentists, students and laypeople.

Worldwide, social media is gaining popularity year after year. In Brazil, by 2027, there will be more than 188 million users of social media sites, against 165 million in 2022, therefore, the usage of general population and health care professionals, including orthodontists, is increasing. Differently from scientific journals that undergo a rigorous peer review process prior to publication, the same level of demand is not found on social media. Hence, this study aimed to assess whether orthodontists can recognize scientifically based and non-science-based posts and if their perceptions are different from general opinion (laypeople), dentistry students, and dentists (non-orthodontists). The posts were created using the search tool on Instagram with the hashtags #clearaligners #acceledent #selfligatingbraces and #propelorthodontics, four scientific based posts and four without or with low scientific evidence were selected and evaluated through a virtual questionnaire in the QUALTRICS platform by 385 people, (175 laypeople, 102 dentists, 58 dentistry students, and 50 orthodontists) using a visual analogue scale (VAS). In addition, four questions were asked. ANOVA (Adjusted Bonferroni correction) and Pearson's chi-squared, and Student T tests were applied to identify statistical differences. Significant difference was found only for posts with no scientific evidence between orthodontist's group when comparing with laypeople (p < 0.001) for the #selfligatingbraces, and the #propelorthodontics for the group orthodontists when compared with laypeople (p = 0.031) and dentists (p = 0.033). Instagram was the favorite social media where most of the participants spend more than 3 h. Of the participants, 97% used social media to keep informed and read the news. Almost half of the respondents search for orthodontics services on social media. Orthodontists were able to perceive differences in only two posts from the general perception (laypeople) regarding non- or low-scientific-evidence posts.

Head and neck exam practices of dental professionals.

Periodic examination of the head and neck includes screening for oral cancer, which is largely performed in dental offices by vigilant oral healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to assess practice patterns among Virginia dentists in performing head and neck exams and the referral rates of biopsies after completion of head and neck exams. We hypothesized that not all dentists perform head and neck exams and there is a difference between dentists who refer patients for a biopsy and those that perform biopsies. General dentists and dental specialists who are members of the Virginia Dental Association were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey study through REDCap to self-report their head and neck exam protocols. A total of 224 providers completed the survey. The majority of respondents were general dentists with more than 20 years in practice, who practice in a private setting, and see more than 10 patients in a day. All respondents stated they perform intraoral examinations, but 10 respondents stated they do not perform extraoral examinations. Nearly a third of respondents reported doing their own biopsies. Although only 8.5% of oral healthcare providers in Virginia responded to our survey, respondents are following the 2017 ADA good practice statement by providing their patients with head and neck exams to screen for oral cancer. Additional education pertaining to extraoral anatomy, malignant transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders, and pathology procedures may be helpful to clinicians.

Knowledge and Attitude Toward Esthetic Dentistry and Smile Perception.

A smile is important in human communication and is increasingly valued in modern society. The perception of smile attractiveness is subjective and depends on many factors. This study aimed to evaluate and compare knowledge and attituderelated to esthetic dentistry in dental students versus dental interns, general dentists, and dental specialists, examine the self-perception of their smile, and identify parameters that influence smile perception. This cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants included dental students, interns, general practitioners, and specialists. They completed an electronic questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge about esthetic dentistry, attitudes towardsmile perception, and previous dental treatments. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and chi-square tests. A total of 275 individuals participated in our study. The study found that dental students' exposure and awareness of esthetic dentistry topics increased with academic progression. Gender, age, and marital status influenced self-perception and smile evaluation. More females perceived gender as an influencing factor in smile evaluation, while more males believed in the existence of an ideal smile. A substantial portion of the sample had undergone dental treatments, with no significant income-related disparities observed. This study highlights differences in knowledge and attitudes among dental students and professionals. Dental education appears to impact students' exposure to esthetic dentistry concepts. Moreover, gender, age, and marital status influence self-perception and evaluation of others' smiles.

Factors Influencing the Emergence of Antimicrobial Drug Resistance in Clinical Dental Practice

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perception of general dentists regarding the over-prescription of antibiotics leading to Antimicrobial drug resistance in their clinical practice. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study encompassing a personalized Likert scale questionnaire on factors influencing anti-microbial resistance in dental general practices was conducted on 196 practitioners. The questionnaire inquired about different factors which tend to affect the over-prescription of antibiotics and influence anti-microbial resistance. It was piloted on 30 participants before dissemination. RESULTS: Factors showing the highest level of agreement were "lack of patient awareness regarding use of antibiotics" (96.9%), "over-the-counter availability" (95.4%), and self-medication" (95.4%). General dental practitioners were overprescribing in their clinical setup due to improper guidelines (24.4%), for their patient's satisfaction (21.2%), and lack of knowledge (19.2%).33.5% of them stated that patients reporting to them were self-medicating and 27.2% found that their patients had a lack of awareness. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that all the factors were responsible for the Antimicrobial Drug Resistance phenomenon in clinical dental practice. However, the majority of the dentists were over-prescribing antibiotics due to improper guidelines, lack of knowledge, and for the patient's satisfaction. KEYWORDS: Antimicrobial Drug Resistance; Awareness; Antibiotics; Dental General Practices; Over-the-Counter Drugs.

Knowledge assessment on cleft lip and palate among recently graduated dentists: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe complex presentation, associated co-morbidities and multi-disciplinary requirements dictate the requirement for in-depth knowledge in order to effectively manage patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). We aimed to develop a validated questionnaire for cleft lip and palate knowledge assessment and to evaluate the knowledge of cleft lip and palate among a group of recently-graduated dentists.Materials and methodsA multiple-site, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted. The study population included recently graduated dentists involved in a dental internship program. A bespoke questionnaire was developed and validated, with internal consistency assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and factor analysis performed. A 47-item prototype was distilled into a 15-item questionnaire. This was distributed to the participants with a response rate of 67% obtained.ResultsThe overall proportion of correct responses among dental interns was moderate (73%). The best results were found in relation to CLP treatment including the effect of unfavorable surgical outcomes on speech (89.5%) and the impact of CLP on the occlusion (87.6%). The lowest rate of correct responses (26.7%) was identified in relation to the association between CLP and smoking.ConclusionA validated CLP questionnaire was developed, permitting evaluation of the knowledge of cleft lip and palate and its management among recently graduated dentists. There is limited appreciation among dental interns of the risk factors for CLP as well as post-surgical complications. Given that general dentists are often the gatekeepers for the management of patients with cleft lip and palate, it is important that the findings of this survey are used to inform the curriculum and teaching of cleft lip and palate.