Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding child abuse and neglect among dentists in Turkey

Abstract Limited research attention has been paid to Turkish dentists' perceptions of child abuse and neglect (CA/N). This study aimed to examine Turkish dentists' knowledge about, attitudes toward, and perceptions of CA/N. A total of 229 Turkish dentists responded to the self-administered, valid and reliable questionnaire. It consisted of 34 questions that could be classified into the following conceptual categories: a) sociodemographic data, b) knowledge about legal procedures and the orofacial characteristics and findings that are indicative of CA/N, and c) self-efficacy and attitudes toward CA/N. Multivariate analysis of variance was conducted and partial eta squared coefficients were used statistically. Knowledge about legal obligations was associated with occupational experience, highest CA/N education, frequency of child dental treatment. Prior experience with case of suspected CA/N demonstrated the greatest effects. Knowledge about the orofacial characteristics and findings that are indicative of CA/N was associated with prior experience with at least one case of suspected CA/N. The most frequently provided reasons for failure to report cases of suspected CA/N were fear that the child would be harmed. Turkish dentists demonstrated moderate levels of knowledge about their legal obligations and the orofacial characteristics and findings that are indicative of CA/N. Dentists should receive detailed education on CA/N in their undergraduate and postgraduate education. In addition, it is necessary to increase awareness and knowledge about CA/N by providing in-service trainings at the institutions where they work.

Does Virtual Reality Affect Children's Dental Anxiety, Pain, And Behaviour? A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Trial

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR) on dental anxiety, pain, and behaviour at different time points among children undergoing dental treatment under local anaesthesia. Material and Methods: This randomised, two‐armed, within-subject, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial included 76 children. Eligible participants were treated in two dental visits using the following methods: with protective glasses only, without distraction (attention placebo-controlled - APC); and with the treatment condition (i.e., VR). Primary outcomes were dental anxiety and pain; secondary outcome was dental visit behaviour. Heart rate scores were recorded as an objective measure to evaluate dental anxiety and pain. Subjective measurements for each variable were also performed. Results: Significant reduction in dental pain and anxiety was observed in the VR group, according to the heart rate scores; however, no statistical differences were observed according to the self-reported measures. Decreased dental anxiety and pain were associated with the first visit sequence with VR. Dental pain and anxiety scores were lower during local anaesthesia in the VR group than in the APC group. Conclusion: Virtual reality significantly reduced pain and anxiety during local anaesthesia in children undergoing dental treatment; therefore, it may be recommended during dental treatment in school-age children.

Primary Tooth Extraction Pattern Among Turkish Children with Severe Early Childhood Caries Treated Under General Anesthesia

Abstract Objective: To determine the frequency and distribution of extracted primary teeth due to severe Early Childhood Caries (ECC) in young pediatric patients treated under general anesthesia. Material and Methods: This study employed a retrospective design and consisted of a total of 1644 children (1011 boys, 633 girls) children aged 3 to 5 who had been diagnosed with several ECC and treated under general anesthesia in a dental faculty between 2013-2019. The data was obtained from the medical and dental forms obtained from the faculty database. The patients were divided according to age groups and sex. A total of 2605 teeth were classified according to the sex, tooth number, and age groups. Results: Of the subjects, 14% (n = 245) were 3 years old, 31% (n = 505) were 4 years old, 55% (n = 894) were 5 years old. The mean ± SD age of subjects was 4.2 ± 0.8 yr. While the most extracted teeth were found to be maxillary primary central incisors and molar teeth, the less were found to be mandibular primary canines. While there was a statistically significant difference between canines and incisors with molars (p<0.05), no difference existed between incisors and molars. There was a statistically significance difference among all age groups (p<0.05). While 3 years old group had the less number of extracted teeth, 5 years old group had the most number of extracted teeth. Conclusion: Severe ECC causes higher tooth extraction in patients treated under general anesthesia. Effective personal and community programs should be initiated to prevent ECC and mitigate its potential disruptive impacts in children's oral health.

Behavior Management in Pediatric Dentistry: An Overview and Interpretation

In 1895, the first definition of behavior management was mentioned by McElroy with the following words: "although the operative dentistry may be perfect, the appointment is a failure if the child departs in tears" [1]. This approach, which argues that the success of dental treatment in pediatric patients depends on the attitude created in children rather than in the technical or clinical evaluation, was supported by the following words in American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)'s guideline about 100 years later: "Behavior guidance techniques, both nonpharmalogical and pharmalogical, are used to alleviate anxiety, nurture a positive dental attitude, and perform quality oral health care safely and efficiently for infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs" [2]. The terms of behavior management, which is the global term of choice, or behavior guidance which is now used by AAPD are widely used in dental literature.

Factors Associated with Knowledge and Attitude of Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries: A Cross-Sectional Study among Turkish Dentists

Objective: To evaluate the factors associated with knowledge and attitude of dentists regarding management of traumatic dental injuries (TDI). Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional and correlational study, the sample consisted of 136 Turkish dentists. A specialized questionnaire was developed and validated to collect data. The first part of the questionnaire included questions about sociodemographic characteristics, education level, working experince, working place, last dental trauma course, self-efficacy about management of TDI, and treatment frequency. The second part included a total of 17 questions with multiple choice and single correct answers regarding the management of intrusion and extrusion, avulsion, complicated crown fracture and crown-root fracture injuries in children. Descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance, and partial eta squared coefficient (η 2) were used for statistical analysis. Results: There was a moderate level of knowledge among participants. The level of knowledge was statistically correlated (p < 0.05) in terms of working experience, working place, last dental trauma course and education level of participants, but not according to gender, self-efficacy, and treatment frequency (p > 0.05). General dentists had lower self-efficacy than specialist dentists (p < 0.05). Conclusion: While Turkish dentists working in a province seem to have a moderate level of knowledge regarding treatment of different types of TDI, it is necessary to carry out necessary studies to improve the knowledge and raise self-efficacy.