Knowledge and performance among dentists regarding coagulation tests in patients with hereditary bleeding disorders and patients on anticoagulant therapy

Some of the dental procedures can cause bleeding. Bleeding control can be affected in some patients due to systemic disease or chronic anticoagulant therapy, so they may be at increased risk for bleeding events or even death following invasive dental procedures. This study was designed to evaluate the knowledge of general dentists in Qazvin city regarding coagulation tests performed in bleeding disorders during 2010-2011. A questionnaire [including 23 questions] was designed with the aid of specialists in the field of oral medicine and hematology. This questionnaire was distributed among 124 general practitioners. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 15 and T-test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey. The mean score for dentists knowledge was 8.64 +/- 1.20. There was no significant difference in the mean knowledge scores among male and female dentists. Tukey test showed a significant difference in the mean knowledge level among 31 -40 year old and over forty year old dentists [p<0.04]. This study showed that knowledge of the dentists regarding bleeding disorders is not at desirable level which requires planning for continuing education courses

[Assessing the knowledge and practice of general dentists of Qazvin on prophylaxis against infective endocarditis prior to dental procedures [2010-2011]]

Background: Infective endocarditis is a rare condition that can occur as a result of invasive dental procedures in susceptible patients. In order to prevent this event, appropriate antibiotics must be prescribed for the susceptible patients

Objective: The present study was aimed to assess the general Dentists' knowledge and practice regarding the prophylaxis of infective endocarditis prior to dental procedures in the city of Qazvin during 2010-2011

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out on 91 general dentists in the city of Qazvin through census sampling method followed by assessing their knowledge and practice using a valid and reliable questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic variables, heart disease, and the dental procedures requiring antibiotic prophylaxis and specific antibiotic regimen for different patients. The participants' knowledge scores were determined by summing the total questions answered correctly. Data were analyzed by central tendency indices, student t test, ANOVA, and Tukey multiple comparison test

Findings: The mean knowledge score of the dentists regarding the prophylaxis against infective endocarditis was 15.95 compared to the maximum total score of 28 [standard deviation: 3.04]. Seventy two respondents [79.1%] showed moderate [10-18 scores] and 19 [20.9%] with good knowledge [19-28 scores]. No significant differences regarding the knowledge scores were noted between two genders or the years after graduation. However, the dentists aged 40 years or older had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to those aged 31-40 years [P<0.05]

Conclusion: This study showed that the general dentists of Qazvin have moderate knowledge on prophylaxis against infective endocarditis, suggesting more continuous education programs have to be scheduled