[Evaluation of microbial aerosols in dental departments of Islamic Azad University, dental Branch, Tehran in 2009]

Aerosols containing microbes from the oral cavity of the patient are created by using high-speed rotating instruments while practicing dentistry. This study aimed to evaluate the level of microbial aerosol contamination in different dental departments of Islamic Azad University Dental branch in 2009.A cross sectional study has been carried out on184 samples of 3-6 location of 11 departments from operatory and non-operatory places. The samples were cultured on blood agar plates that was placed one meter height from the floor. In each section, a control agar plates were placed in non operatory part. Anaerobic microbes were not evaluated, Prevalence of contamination was evaluated and role of related factors: traffic sector, service type, time, or the use of turbines, the volume of space and number of units were analyzed by Fisher's exact test and DOE [Design of Experiments]. Aerosol contains microbes have been observed in% 88 of the samples. The air contamination in the therapeutic section was 47.3% and in non-therapeutic section was 52.7%. Microbes found in the same sectors, including grampositive cocci%58.5, gram-negative cocci% 25.8, gram-positive bacilli%12, fungi%2.1, gram negative bacilli%1.6 Microbial air pollution levels in non-health sectors in the morning and with fewer patients had increased significantly. The results shown high degree of contamination which is striking. According to AMI standard, the results shown high contamination rate, therefore the need for developing new means for preventing microbial aerosols is mandatory

[General dental practitioner's knowledge about TMJ disorders [TMD] in Tehran]

Early diagnosis and treatment of TMD can significantly reduce future complications of this condition. General dental practitioners can play pivotal role in early detection of such patients by conducting careful initial evaluation. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to evaluate the TMD knowledge of general dentist practicing in Tehran, in 2005. Using cross-sectional study design, a total of 400 dentists practicing in the north, east, west and central parts of Tehran were randomly selected for participation in this investigation. A questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic information of dentist, including: age, sex, location of practice, type of services provided; as well as the name, location of dental school where one graduated from. The second part of the questionnaire asked about dentists' knowledge on TMD and related factors. The levels of reported dentists' knowledge were classified into four categories: excellent, good, moderate and low. The relationship between dentists' knowledge about TMD and relevant factors were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods as well as multiple regression analysis. The study sample included 173 females and 227 males [n=400], with average age of 38.44 years. The level of TMD knowledge was excellent for 10% of respondents, good for 38.75%, moderate for 38.75% and weak for 12.5%. The TMD related knowledge was excellent in 20.25%, good in 41%, moderate in 29%, and weak in 9.75%. In search of relationship between individual characteristics and knowledge of TMD and related factors, a significant relationship was detected between the educational institution [university] and the duration of study until graduation, [P<0.0001]. Also, foreign graduates demonstrated the maximum TMD knowledge compared with provincial college graduates who had minimum knowledge. The TMD knowledge of dentist practicing in Tehran is adequate for early detection of abnormal conditions

[Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders and it's related factors in Dental School of Azad University of Tehran in 2005]

Since different factors are effective in high spreading of TMD this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of TMD and related factors in patients referring to dental school of Azad University of Tehran in 2005. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 261 patients reffered to the faculty of Dentistry of Azad University of Tehran in 2005. All samples were evaluated through three frameworks. The data were statistically analysed by chi-square test. The average age of the samples was 34 +/- 12.4. Eighty nine samples were suffering from TMD. The prevalence of TMD was 34/1%. All related factors under the study [age-sex-parafunction habits-trauma-orthodontics-anxiety and depression] showed significant correlation with TMD [P<0.05], while among TMD and occlusion [Angle classification], no significant correlation was observed. The frequency of TMD was almost high. Among All related factors except for the occlusion, there was a significant relationship. Considering the recognized complications of this disease, it is recommended to study the etiology