Dentistry Personnel Research Articles

Burden of cardiovascular disease among the Western Pacific region and its association with human resources for health, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

A comprehensive profile of cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden and human resources for health (HRH) distribution in the WHO Western Pacific region has yet to be presented. Studies on the relationship between HRH and CVD in this region are limited. We aimed to describe CVD trends and HRH density in the Western Pacific region and explore the association of HRH with CVD burden. Estimates of CVD deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021, and the annual density of HRH was retrieved from GBD 2019. We presented trends in CVD burden and HRH density across 31 Western Pacific countries. Spearman rank correlation analysis and generalized linear models were used to examine associations between CVD burden and HRH density. In 2021, CVD caused six million deaths and 125 million DALYs in the Western Pacific region, accounting for 39.4% and 22.5% of all-cause deaths and DALYs. From 1990 to 2021, the number of CVD deaths and DALYs increased by 94.9% and 57.3% in this region, whereas the age-standardized rate of CVD deaths and DALYs declined in all countries. In 2021, stroke and ischemic heart disease were the leading causes in the Western Pacific region, and a 32-year increase in CVD burden was primarily driven by aortic aneurysm, lower extremity peripheral arterial disease, endocarditis, and atrial fibrillation and flutter. In 2019, there was an approximately 20-fold difference in HRH density across 31 countries from the lowest in Papua New Guinea to the highest in Australia. HRH density was negatively related to the age-standardized rate of CVD deaths (r s =-0.74) and DALYs (r s =-0.73), especially strong associations between CVD burden and the density of dentistry personnel, aides & emergency medical workers, and medical laboratory technicians. CVD remains a pressing public health issue in the Western Pacific region where noticeable shortages in health workers exist. The negative associations between CVD burden and HRH density suggest that health workers, especially dentistry personnel, aides & emergency medical staff, and medical laboratory technicians merit more investment to reduce the CVD burden. National Natural Science Foundation of China (82073573 to ZZ; 82273654 to YS).

Measuring the availability of human resources for health and its relationship to universal health coverage for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

SummaryBackgroundHuman resources for health (HRH) include a range of occupations that aim to promote or improve human health. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the WHO Health Workforce 2030 strategy have drawn attention to the importance of HRH for achieving policy priorities such as universal health coverage (UHC). Although previous research has found substantial global disparities in HRH, the absence of comparable cross-national estimates of existing workforces has hindered efforts to quantify workforce requirements to meet health system goals. We aimed to use comparable and standardised data sources to estimate HRH densities globally, and to examine the relationship between a subset of HRH cadres and UHC effective coverage performance.MethodsThrough the International Labour Organization and Global Health Data Exchange databases, we identified 1404 country-years of data from labour force surveys and 69 country-years of census data, with detailed microdata on health-related employment. From the WHO National Health Workforce Accounts, we identified 2950 country-years of data. We mapped data from all occupational coding systems to the International Standard Classification of Occupations 1988 (ISCO-88), allowing for standardised estimation of densities for 16 categories of health workers across the full time series. Using data from 1990 to 2019 for 196 of 204 countries and territories, covering seven Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) super-regions and 21 regions, we applied spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) to model HRH densities from 1990 to 2019 for all countries and territories. We used stochastic frontier meta-regression to model the relationship between the UHC effective coverage index and densities for the four categories of health workers enumerated in SDG indicator 3.c.1 pertaining to HRH: physicians, nurses and midwives, dentistry personnel, and pharmaceutical personnel. We identified minimum workforce density thresholds required to meet a specified target of 80 out of 100 on the UHC effective coverage index, and quantified national shortages with respect to those minimum thresholds.FindingsWe estimated that, in 2019, the world had 104·0 million (95% uncertainty interval 83·5–128·0) health workers, including 12·8 million (9·7–16·6) physicians, 29·8 million (23·3–37·7) nurses and midwives, 4·6 million (3·6–6·0) dentistry personnel, and 5·2 million (4·0–6·7) pharmaceutical personnel. We calculated a global physician density of 16·7 (12·6–21·6) per 10 000 population, and a nurse and midwife density of 38·6 (30·1–48·8) per 10 000 population. We found the GBD super-regions of sub-Saharan Africa, south Asia, and north Africa and the Middle East had the lowest HRH densities. To reach 80 out of 100 on the UHC effective coverage index, we estimated that, per 10 000 population, at least 20·7 physicians, 70·6 nurses and midwives, 8·2 dentistry personnel, and 9·4 pharmaceutical personnel would be needed. In total, the 2019 national health workforces fell short of these minimum thresholds by 6·4 million physicians, 30·6 million nurses and midwives, 3·3 million dentistry personnel, and 2·9 million pharmaceutical personnel.InterpretationConsiderable expansion of the world's health workforce is needed to achieve high levels of UHC effective coverage. The largest shortages are in low-income settings, highlighting the need for increased financing and coordination to train, employ, and retain human resources in the health sector. Actual HRH shortages might be larger than estimated because minimum thresholds for each cadre of health workers are benchmarked on health systems that most efficiently translate human resources into UHC attainment.FundingBill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Аналіз основних показників стоматологічної допомоги в Україні за 2020 рік

У статті наведений аналіз результатів державних та галузевих статистичних звітів стоматологічних закладів охорони здоров’я, які були подані до Державного закладу «Центр медичної статистики Міністерства охорони здоров’я України» у 2020 році. Станом на 1 січня 2021 року в Україні стоматологічну допомогу населенню України надавало 22 180 лікарів стоматологічного профілю та 766 зубних лікарів у 6443 установах різних форм власності. У статті описано структуру, забезпеченість та укомплектованість стоматологічними кадрами в Україні та проведено порівняльний аналіз за останні 5 років забезпеченості стоматологами, які працюють у закладах охорони здоров’я різних форм власності. Наведено основні показники системи надання стоматологічної допомоги як у комунальних, так і в приватних закладах охорони здоров’я. Подано порівняльний аналіз із основними показниками стоматологічної допомоги за 2019 рік. Зменшується кількість проведених планових оглядів порожнини рота та збільшується кількість злоякісних новоутворень, особливо занедбаних форм.

A comparative study on the antimicrobial activity of irreversible hydrocolloid mixed with silver nanoparticles and chlorhexidine

Impressions taken from patients have the potential of cross-transmission of infection among dentistry personnel. The present study aimed to compare the antimicrobial activity of chlorhexidine (CHX) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) combined with irreversible hydrocolloid. This experimental study examined the in vitro antimicrobial effects of irreversible hydrocolloid mixed with silver nanoparticles and chlorhexidine using four groups, namely CHX (0.2%) solution and mouthwash mixed with irreversible hydrocolloid Groups 1 and 2), AgNPs (0.1 and 0.2%) (Groups 3 and 4), and specimens mixed with distilled water as a control group (Group 5) on bacterial strains, namely, Staphylococcu saureu s,Enterococcu sfaecali s,Pseudomona saeruginos a,Escherichi acoli, andStaphylococcu sepidermidi s through disc diffusion method. There were three replications per bacterial species. As data were not normally distributed, Kruskal-Wallis test was used at a significance level of 0.05. No antimicrobial activity was observed in the control groups. In S. aureus, CHX mouthwash had the highest antimicrobial activity, and AgNPs 0.1% and 0.2% groups had lower antimicrobial activity, and there was a significant difference between the two concentrations of AgNPs (P < 0.05). InE.faecali s, the effects of CHX compounds and AgNPs 0.2% were similar to each other and were higher than the effect of AgNPs 0.1% (P < 0.05). In E. coli, CHX compounds exhibited the highest efficacy relative to other materials (P < 0.05), and the AgNPs had no effect. In P. aeruginosa, AgNPs showed the highest growth inhibition zone, which had a significant difference compared to other materials (P ≤ 0.01), whereas the CHX compounds were not effective. InS.epidermidi s, the effect of CHX compounds was similar to one another and was higher than the effect of AgNPs (P ≤ 0.01). According to our observations, the antimicrobial activity of AgNPs at 0.1 and 0.2% against five tested bacterial strains was similar to those of pure CHX 0.2% solution and CHX 0.2% mouthwash.

Magnitud del riesgo por accidentes con objetos cortopunzantes en la consulta odontológica

Antecedentes: El personal del área de la salud está constantemente expuesto a sangre y fluidos provenientes de los pacientes durante su jornada laboral. Por lo tanto, el personal de odontología corre el riesgo de contraer enfermedades infecciosas. Objetivo: Conocer la frecuencia del riesgo laboral por objetos punzocortantes en odontólogos de primer nivel de atención de los Centros de Salud urbano y rural de los Servicios de Salud de Nuevo León Monterrey Nuevo León, México. Métodos: diseño del estudio no experimental, descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo. Población de estudio: odontólogos aplicativos de los Servicios de Salud de Nuevo León con un muestreo probabilístico 108 odontólogos. Se utilizó un cuestionario diseñado con 12 preguntas relacionadas con los accidentes punzocortantes, con una confiabilidad de un alfa de Cronbach de .832. Resultados: el 38.8 % de los masculinos informó haber presentado accidente laboral y femeninas el 67.2 % señalaron haber sufrido un accidente con punzocortante. En relación al conocer si habían sufrido algún accidente por objetos punzocortantes, solo el 59.3 % lo reportó y un 40.7 % no había sufrido accidente; un 49 % si recibió capacitación en bioseguridad y un 51 % no ha recibido capacitación. Conclusión: Con base a estos resultados podemos concluir que aún falta por mejorar las capacitaciones y ampliar la cobertura de capacitación a los odontólogos en materia de normativas de bioseguridad y manejo de residuos peligrosos biológicos infecciosos, así como actualizar el conocimiento de infecciones transmitidas por objetos punzocortantes.

Occupational Hazards in Dentistry and Preventing Them

Every profession has its own unavoidable occupational risks. Dentists, being in a highly professional occupation today, encounter many hazards related to their habitations. Some of the risks they face are within the scope of knowledge of dental surgeons, while others are somehow skipped. It is mandatory to have a thorough knowledge of professional hazards one may encounter while working, and proper measures must be taken to prevent them. A dental surgeon works around many perils in the business environment while being a prosthodontist, periodontist, endodontist, orthodontist, etc. There are many risk factors specific to any particular specialty. Hazards most commonly encountered are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), latex hypersensitivity, and professional burnout. Dental surgeons are also exposed to many bloodborne pathogens, sharp instrument injuries, ocular and hearing problems, neuromuscular disorders, cross-contamination, dental material allergies, mercury poisoning, radiation hazards, chemical injuries, etc. Some problems may cause the death of dentistry personnel if proper care is not taken. Thus, it is crucial to conduct awareness programs on early diagnosis, health education, and prevention modalities.

Use of Mercury in Dental Silver Amalgam: An Occupational and Environmental Assessment.

The objective of this study was to assess the occupational exposure to mercury in dentistry and associated environmental emission in wastewater of Lahore, Pakistan. A total of ninety-eight blood samples were collected comprising 37 dentists, 31 dental assistants, and 30 controls. Results demonstrate that the dentistry personnel contained significantly higher mean concentration of mercury in their blood samples (dentists: 29.835 µg/L and dental assistants: 22.798 µg/L) compared to that of the controls (3.2769 µg/L). The mean concentration of mercury was found maximum in the blood samples of older age group (62.8 µg/L) in dentists and (44.3 µg/L) in dental assistants. The comparison of mercury concentration among dentists, dental assistants, and controls (pairing based on their ages) revealed that the concentration increased with the age and experience among the dentists and dental assistants. Moreover, the mercury concentration in all the studied dental wastewater samples, collected from twenty-two dental clinics, was found to be exceeding the recommended discharge limit of 0.01 mg/L. Therefore, we recommend that immediate steps must be taken to ensure appropriate preventive measures to avoid mercury vapors in order to prevent potential health hazards to dentistry personnel. Strong regulatory and administrative measures are needed to deal with mercury pollution on emergency basis.

Investing in health systems for universal health coverage in Africa.

BackgroundThis study focused on the 47 Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region. The specific objectives were to prepare a synthesis on the situation of health systems¿ components, to analyse the correlation between the interventions related to the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and some health systems¿ components and to provide overview of four major thrusts for progress towards universal health coverage (UHC).MethodsThe WHO health systems framework and the health-related MDGs were the frame of reference. The data for selected indicators were obtained from the WHO World Health Statistics 2014 and the Global Health Observatory.ResultsAfrican Region¿s average densities of physicians, nursing and midwifery personnel, dentistry personnel, pharmaceutical personnel, and psychiatrists of 2.6, 12, 0.5, 0.9 and 0.05 per 10 000 population were about five-fold, two-fold, five-fold, five-fold and six-fold lower than global averages.Fifty-six percent of the reporting countries had fewer than 11 health posts per 100 000 population, 88% had fewer than 11 health centres per 100 000 population, 82% had fewer than one district hospital per 100 000 population, 74% had fewer than 0.2 provincial hospitals per 100 000 population, and 79% had fewer than 0.2 tertiary hospitals per 100 000 population.Some 83% of the countries had less than one MRI per one million people and 95% had fewer than one radiotherapy unit per million population. Forty-six percent of the countries had not adopted the recommendation of the International Taskforce on Innovative Financing to spend at least US$ 44 per person per year on health. Some of these gaps in health system components were found to be correlated to coverage gaps in interventions for maternal health (MDG 5), child health (MDG 4) and HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria (MDG 6).ConclusionsSubstantial gaps exist in health systems and access to MDG-related health interventions. It is imperative that countries adopt the 2014 Luanda Commitment on UHC in Africa as their long-term vision and back it with sound policies and plans with clearly engrained road maps for strengthening national health systems and addressing the social determinants of health.

The prevalence of noise-induced occupational hearing loss in dentistry personnel.

Occupational hearing loss is the second most common health problem in the industrialized world. Dental personnel exposed to occupational noise may experience hearing loss. This article compares the prevalence of hearing loss in the general population to that of dental personnel exposed to noise during work hours and identifies risk factors for hearing loss among workers at a dental school. This prospective study included 76 dental personnel on the faculty of dentistry at a major university in Asia who were exposed to noise and 76 individuals in a control group. Nearly 16% of the study group and 21% of the control group had lost hearing, a nonsignificant difference (p = .09). Hearing loss was significantly related to work tenure longer than 15 years and age older than 40 years (p < .001 ).

Patch test results of the dental personnel with contact dermatitis

Objectives: Dental personnel have high risk of occupational contact dermatitis. The aim of this study is to detect the materials which cause contact sensitization and the frequency of contact dermatitis by using patch tests with European standard series and dental screening series in dental personnel. Methods: Between August 2008 and July 2009, 461 dental personnel working in Ankara (Turkey) were examined and age, gender, previous history of dermatitis, area of the skin affected and clinical diagnosis were noted. About 198 (43%) of the dental personnel were diagnosed contact dermatitis. Sixty-five of the dental personnel accepted to be patch tested. Results: Dental technicians, dentists and dental nurses constitute 69.2%, 24.6% and 6.2% of patch tested 65 patients, respectively. Positive reactions to at least one allergen were detected with European standard series at 20% and with dental series at 10.8% among the dental personnel. The most common allergens were nickel sulfate (12.3%), acrylates (6.1%) and para-tertiary-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin (4.6%). The most common acrylate was ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (3.1%). Conclusions: We believe our study will be helpful to dermatologists about frequency of contact dermatitis among dental personnel and allergens that cause contact sensitivity for developing new methods to protect the personnel in dentistry against sensitization.

Genetic Toxicology of Dental Composite Resin Extracts in Somatic Cells In Vivo

The aim of this study was to assess the potential genetic toxicity associated to nine aqueous extracts from dental composite resins (Charisma, Fill Magic, Fill Magic Flow, Durafill, TPH Spectrum, Concept, Natural Look, Filtek Z250 and Filtek P60) and one random extract. Homologous mitotic recombination, point and chromosomal mutation effects were determined in somatic proliferative cells of Drosophila melanogaster exposed to aqueous extracts of the clinically used composites. Reproducible increases in clone mutant spot frequencies induced by diluted extract of Fill Magic Flow were observed. These increments were exclusively associated to the induction of homologous recombination - a genetic phenomenon involved in the loss of heterozygosis. The other eight composite resins and the random extract had no statistically significant effect on total spot frequencies - suggesting that they are non-genotoxic in the somatic mutation and recombination test assay, which agrees with the applications they have in dentistry. These findings - supported by numerous studies showing a positive correlation between carcinogenicity in man and genotoxicity in the Drosophila wing spot test - point to the potential risks some composite resins pose to the health of patients and dentistry personnel.

Auxiliary personnel in dentistry: An epoch of turf, trends, and territoriality

Auxiliary personnel in dentistry: An epoch of turf, trends, and territoriality

Development of auxiliary personnel in dentistry for Latin America

Journal of Dental EducationVolume 37, Issue 2 p. 12-16 Article Development of auxiliary personnel in dentistry for Latin America SJ Garza, SJ GarzaSearch for more papers by this author SJ Garza, SJ GarzaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 February 1973 https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.1973.37.2.tb00642.xCitations: 1About ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume37, Issue2February 1973Pages 12-16 RelatedInformation

Dental manpower and the responsibilities of the dental schools.

F you ask the average practicing dentist, he does not understand the shortage of professional personnel in dentistry. He is taking care of the patients in his practice-the people who seek his services-and that appears to be the parameter of his concern. He is incensed at all the conversation related to dentistry's inability to cope with today's oral healthcare needs. He is completely turned off at what he considers competition by expanded duty auxiliaries. It is the responsibility of the State Dental Association, the State Board of Dentistry, and the School of Dentistry, to educate the practicing dentists not only to the absolute necessity of maximizing their operating efficiency to meet the needs of the people they should serve, but to the many advantages, increased challenges and personal satisfaction of delivering oral health care as leader of the dental team. These practicing dentists must be made to realize that dentistry has a responsibility to all of the public, and that we cannot hope to maintain our franchise if we cannot satisfy their needs. If we believe that there is a manpower crisis, and we do, we must communicate by mail, by journal, by formal and informal meetings, by continuing education in the School of Dentistry, and in colleges and vocational schools where auxiliary programs exist, as well as by open circuit television throughout the state. Our first obligation then, is to alert the practicing profession to their responsibilities and means of meeting those responsibilities. Obviously, the most fertile ground for establishing any new concepts or changes in philosophy is in the dental school. Here, we can reasonably mold the captive embryo into the graduate of our own design. If the student is taught a method of practice, he will, in all likelihood, adapt his practice accordingly. If he is taught the value of the dental hygienist, now in her expanded function role, he will need the dental hygienist in his practice. If he is given sufficient experience and training in the use of the expanded duty assistant, he will need this auxiliary in his practice. This has been amply demonstrated with the laboratory technician.