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@#Introduction: Erosive tooth wear (ETW) is an emerging dental condition worldwide. However, most dental practitioners overlooked the early stages of the condition due to vague clinical appearance of tooth surface loss. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the knowledge of ETW and treatment given amongst dental professionals in private clinics in Kuantan, Pahang. Method: Several private dental clinics in Kuantan, Pahang, involved in this cross-sectional study. Dental practitioners were volunteering to participate in this research. A validated self-administered questionnaire was distributed, and a descriptive analysis was conducted. Results: The overall response rate was 75%. Results revealed that most participants obtained a structured education on ETW (79.2%). Through continuous dental education, about half of the participants learnt further. All participants agreed that carbonated drink caused ETW, and most reported that gastroesophageal reflux diseases and pickles had related to the ETW. The majority of participants favoured case note (79%) with regards to ETW records. Nevertheless, 40.9% and 36.4% are recorded at the tooth surface and individual level, respectively. Surprisingly, 79% of them did not know about special scores when assessing ETW. Most participants prefer to give instruction on oral hygiene and diet counselling as preventive measures, but the use of fluoride was not given priority. 77% have not ever referred the case to a dental specialist and preferred to treat the patient on their own. Conclusion: ETW knowledge among recruited PDPs is adequate; however, no specific indices were used for ETW scoring and insufficient treatment strategies..
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Radiographs are an important tool in maximizing oral health care. During initial years, the film based radiographic images were used, as technological advancements progressed, digital radiographic imaging has become an indispensable tool in diagnosis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the practice of digital and conventional radiographs, and radiation safety among dental practitioners. METHODSA questionnaire descriptive study was conducted, including general dental practitioners and dental specialists in Kanchipuram district. The questionnaire comprised of 12 questions that were distributed through Google forms, email and responses were collected. The questions were based on their preference about digital or conventional radiographs, reason for their preference, satisfaction with diagnostic quality, patient compliance, and their radiation protection practice. RESULTSA total of 200 dental practitioners in Kanchipuram district was given questionnaires. All of them answered the questionnaire. 148 were males and 52 were females. The age distribution was between 26 - 33 years. 65 % of the practitioners answered that they use digital radiographs often owing to less time consumption and ease of storage, 90 % of them answered that their diagnostic quality is improved by using digital radiographs, of which 51 % use radiation protection and 39 % of their patients use radiation protection during exposure. CONCLUSIONSThis era is moving towards digital radiography, among the ones who are using it, most of them are satisfied with it. Attitude towards radiation protection and hazards has to be improved amongst dental practitioners. The use of digital radiography is increasing among dental practitioners due to its less radiation exposure, improved diagnostic quality, ease of access and as it is less time consuming. The need for availability of standard improved quality of care equally raises the point for cost effective methods for the developing technologies.
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In India, there is 62% out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita and only 15% are covered by health insurance. The use of generics can save a lot of money which can be used for other health issues. But lack of knowledge about cost effectiveness of generic medicines among various health-care professionals had led to a low rate of generic medicine prescription in India. This review aims to identify the barriers in adoption of generic prescribing in clinical practice in India. A systematic literature review was conducted using various healthcare databases such as PubMed and google scholar. The literature search using various combination of keywords retrieved 2360 articles. After excluding duplicates, articles in languages other than English and based on relevance to subject only 15 articles were selected. The barriers to generic prescribing identified from reported literature can be broadly classified based on stakeholders of healthcare setting such as physicians, patients, pharmacist and government policies. The major barriers to generic prescribing identified were negative perception of various stakeholders, lack of awareness of regulatory standards, maturity of health care system, vulnerability of patients, lack of standard guidelines in brand substitution, incentives and influence of drug advertisements. In Indian set up, studies on impact evaluation of generic prescription, emphasizing the quality and cost saving by their use in clinical practice should be conducted. This evidence will help to build the confidence of various stakeholders towards implementing generic prescribing in clinical practice.
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Introduction: COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease caused by an RNA virus belonging to a large family of coronaviruses. WHO declared COVID-19 as a public health emergency and classified it as a pandemic. Aim: The study aims to evaluate and assess knowledge with regards to COVID-19 among dental students, interns, clinicians and academics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 366 dental students, interns, joint academic appointee, and full-time faculty. Data was collected using an electronic based questionnaire distributed through E-mails. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS Version 23 with a significance value of p<0.05. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. Results: Almost all participants acquire adequate level of knowledge regarding the mode of transmission, incubation period and symptoms of COVID-19. Approximately half of the participants 205 (56%) thought that standard precautions in the dental clinics were insufficient in the management of suspected cases of COVID-19. Nearly all participants thought that elective dental treatment should be deferred, and only emergency treatment can be provided. However, there was a poor response regarding the correct survival duration of COVID-19 on plastic or stainless-steel surfaces and the use of pre-operational hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse as a method of preventing transmission. Conclusion: This study identified areas where participants lacked the knowledge in managing COVID-19 with the best methods available especially at an undergraduate level. In order to have a more efficient and appropriate response for future pandemics, dental curriculums and educational activities should pro-actively provide training opportunities.
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Background: Clinical photography has become a part of modern-day dental practice. It has been used for dento-legal documentation, diagnosis, clinical assessment, treatment planning, patient motivation, communication with the patient and laboratory, academic purposes and also for marketing. The aim of the study was to assess and determine the knowledge and the extent of the use of photography by dental practitioners of Srinagar city.Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving a questionnaire consisting of 10 questions was distributed among 88 randomly selected dental practitioners of Srinagar city, out of which 72 dental practitioners responded positively and returned the questionnaire. The data collected were computerized and analyzed statistically. The average values of the responses received by groups of questions were analyzed.Results: According to the survey conducted, 52(72.22%) dentists used photography for dental practice. Out of all the dentists surveyed, 63(87.5%) of the dentists knew about the importance of dental photography. It was observed that 40(55.55%) fresher dentists (<5 years’ experience) showed more positive attitude towards the application of photography in their dental practice. It was also revealed that the application of clinical photography among male dentists, dentists with <5 years’ experience and dentists who work with an assistant were significantly higher as compared to other dentists (p<0.05).Conclusions: Hence, from this study, majority of respondents (87.5%) were aware of the importance of dental photography. The reasons which prevented the dentist from using clinical photography were lack of time, expensive instruments, lack of interest and cross infection. Male practitioners were more likely than female practitioners to use clinical photography. Photographic training should hence be inculcated in the curriculum of dentistry. Also dental practitioners should actively participate in CDE programs on Clinical photography to improve the quality of dental practice.
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Introduction: One of the most commonly performed procedures in dentistry is third molar removal and it is the most commonly extracted permanent tooth. Most of the patient’s first visit was with general dental practitioners about third molar extraction. Hence the possibility of surgical complications must be evaluated against the benefits of the extraction. Aims and Objectives: To assess the level of comfort and knowledge among general dental practitioners regarding third molar extractions. Materials and methods: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study using a questionnaire-based survey. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding demographic characteristics of general dental practitioners and also their level of comfort and knowledge regarding third molar extractions. Results: Total 142 general dental practitioners out of 177 have completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 80.22%. There was a statistically significant difference between the level of comfort score (H(2)=11.964, p=0.003), with a median of 24 for general dental practitioners with an experience of more than 10 years, and median of 18 for those with an experience between 5-10 years and median of 12 for those with an experience up to 5 years. There was a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). Conclusion: General dental practitioners in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia have reported a very low level of comfort regarding third molar extraction. They reported infrequent training and education in third molar extraction skills and knowledge. Those who attended continuous dental education courses and workshops related to third molar extraction in the past 2 years and those with more than 5 years of experience were significantly associated with a higher level of comfort among general dental practitioners.
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To investigate and access the pattern of routine endodontic practice among the Dental practitioners in the Kashmir province. Methods: A survey was conducted in the form of a questionnaire and circulated among 334 dental practitioners through email. The response was collected, accumulated and analysed statistically. Results: A total of 178 (53%) dentists responded to the questionnaire that was emailed to them. 63% practitioners were males and only 37% were females. Only 10% of dental practitioners used isolation method as rubber dam. 56% of the dental practitioners were skilled in rotary endodontics. 70% of the practitioners used conventional ZOE sealer for obturation. Conclusion: Current qualitative endodontic guidelines in the established countries differ a lot as compared to the dental practise in this region. There is a shortage of endodontic equipments and materials in Government hospitals or public dental offices. Private dental offices are at much better positions. More of the innovations, latest concepts and techniques need to be incorporated into the dental practice of the dentists in Kashmir.
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The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the antibiotic prescription trends in the management of endodontic infections between general and specialist dental practitioners in the region of Delhi & NCR. Methods: 300 questionnaires were distributed amongst dentists practicing in the region of Delhi, Ghaziabad & Gurgaon. Each questionnaire had 20 questions. Out of 300, only 247 were returned or deemed useful. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test of significance. Results: 83 % of general dental practitioners (GDP) and 69.6% specialist dental practitioners (SDP) prescribe antibiotics for routine endodontic treatment. For patients with no history of drug allergy, the most commonly prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. In patients with uncertain diagnosis, 15.1% of GDP prescribe antibiotics compared with 13.9% of SDP. In the case of intraoral swelling 91.8% of general dental practitioners chose to prescribe antibiotics compared with 87.3% of specialist dental practitioners (SDP), in the scenario of retreatment, general dental practitioners (54.2%) prescribed antibiotics similar to specialist dental practitioners (53.8%). The average number of days of antibiotic prescription was 5 days. Visits from medical representatives affected the choice of drug prescribed by 35%. Conclusion: Dentists tend to overprescribe medication during routine endodontic treatment. GDP overprescribe antibiotics significantly more than SDP for the same.
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@#The study aimed to compare the scope and pattern of practice between general dental practitioners (GDPs), restorative dentistry specialists and endodontists. Self-administered postal questionnaires were distributed to 22 restorative dentistry specialists, 16 endodontists and a random sample of 566 GDPs. The pre-tested questionnaire inquired about demographic data, endodontic practices and referrals. Fisher’s exact test with Bonferroni adjustment was performed for pairwise comparisons. The overall response rate was 73.8%. The restorative dentistry specialists and the endodontists performed a wider array of endodontic procedures than the GDPs and were more consistent in the use of specific armamentarium (p<0.017). Endodontists were referred to mostly for cases requiring advanced endodontic skills, while restorative dentistry specialists were mainly consulted for second opinions, pain and restorative management. GDPs should be encouraged to further their education on endodontic practice. Overlapping scope of practice and referrals among the specialists, merits scrutiny to optimize resources and manpower
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@#Prescription of flexible denture (FD) is non preference by the clinician in Ministry of Health Malaysia and it was not included in the curriculum of public university. However, among private dental practitioner (PDP) this treatment modality is highly favourable. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge and perception on the flexible dentures by the PDP. The level of perception and knowledge on FD was analysed using validated questionnaire. 42 PDP had participated. An independent t-test was employed to determine the statistical difference between genders. One Way ANOVA was used to evaluate the statistical difference between their years of experience in private sector on knowledge and perception of flexible denture. There was no significant different in knowledge between female and male (p=0.892) and years of experience (p=0.617). Perceptions of flexible denture, was not significantly influence by genders (p=0.068) but by year of experiences between group A and B (p=0.039), and between group B and group C (p=0.039). P value was set at 0.05. In conclusion, there is a correlation between perceptions of flexible denture and years of experience of private dental practitioner.
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Background & objectives: Empathy and Emotional Intelligence are the two affective domain parameters which significantly affect a doctor’s way of treating patients; hence they may influence the doctor-patient relationship. Establishing a proper doctor-patient relationship has a great impact on professional success of the doctor. Thus, the present study was aimed to assess whether there is any association between empathy of dental practitioners towards their patients and the dental practitioners’ emotional intelligence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 243 dental practitioners including clinicians, academicians and post-graduate students from Bareilly city who were instructed to complete a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of the Health Professional (HP) version of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) and the Schutte’s Emotional Intelligence Scale (SEIS). Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression were used to test the statistical significance of the observations. Results: A positive correlation was found between empathy and emotional intelligence. The correlation was significant p=0.05, even after adjusting for the confounders and the regression model showed significance with r value of 0.12 Interpretation & Conclusion: Empathetic dentists were found to have higher emotional intelligence. Irrespective of variations in age, gender, qualification, occupation and years of working experience, empathy and emotional intelligence showed positive correlation.
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Aim: The purpose of present study is to assess the attitude of general dental practioners towards use rotary instruments and hand instruments for root canal treatment. Material and Methods: It was a cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted in the private clinics in Lucknow city, Uttar Pradesh. A total of 400 clinics were visited and face to face interview schedule was conducted. Questionnaire consists of demographic details of dental professionals. Information regarding the years of experience, OPD details and number of root canal treatment done per week by dental professionals was obtained. Use of rotary and hand instruments by dental professionals was inquired. Years of experience with Rotary instruments, procedural problems with rotary instruments faced by dental professionals and reasons for not using the rotary instruments if any was also recorded. Results: 102 (33%) of the total study samples were using rotary instruments for root canal treatment and 100 (32%) using both rotary and hand instruments for root canal treatment. Dentists who are using rotary instruments are facing the procedural problem of file breakage {70 (36%)}. And those dental professionals using hand instruments are facing the problem of ledge formation {82(40%)}. Conclusions: The main procedural failure of the rotary instruments in root canal treatment, faced by dental professionals was file breakage and with hand instrument is ledge formation. Lack of expertise is the main reason which restricts dental professionals from using rotary instruments.
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Abstracts: Background: Literature reviews world over have shown a high prevalence of Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among dental practitioners. Objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) among dental practitioners in Kanpur, India. Methodology: A questionnaire based cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 100 dental practitioners at their respective clinics. Process for responding to items in the questionnaire was explained and the completed questionnaire was collected according to the convenience of practitioners over a maximum period of one week. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. Level of significance was set at p≤0.05. Results: Majority of the surveyed dental practitioners (86%) were found to be suffering from MSD. The effects of MSD mainly observed were pain (45.3%) and stiffness (40.7%). Most common areas affected by MSD in order of magnitude were neck and upper back (52.3%), lower back (30.2%), hands and fingers (11.6%) and forearm (5.8%). One-third of the dental practitioners were under treatment for the same. Conclusion: High prevalence of MSD exists among our dental practitioners affecting their daily practice. A proper formal educational training in ergonomics is necessary to minimize the work-related musculoskeletal conditions.
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Antibiotic treatment is a form of pharmacotherapy with the specialty of rendering both etiological and curative action. Dentists traditionally administer antibiotics, to restrain contagions and to handle the prevailing dental ailments. Penicillins have been the drug of choice to be opted by the dental practitioners in their routine dental practice. Prudent application of antibiotics in concoction with surgical therapy is the most pertinent mode to cure odontogenic contagions. Considerable prescriptions of antibiotics are ascribed especially in cases which induce bleeding in the oral cavity. Regardless of the obvious indications, perplexity prevails between the oral health care professional’s pertaining to the administration of antibiotics in coalition with dental maneuvers. Dreadful ailments have been cured after the incipience of antibiotics in 1929. Besides it also leads to cumbersome consequences by virtue of its misuse. Irrational usage of antibiotic therapy leads to false positive effects on both health and financial grounds and poses a threat to the microbial resistance. The present communication aims to delineate the absolute indications, consequences of abuse and imperative factors to be considered while prescribing antibiotics in routine dental practice.
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In the recent decades, periodontal disease has been identified as a risk factor for pre-term deliveries. Hence, it is important to evaluate the awareness of health-care providers of the association between periodontal diseases and pre-term birth. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to random samples representing general medical practitioners (GMPs), general dental practitioners (GDPs) and Gynecologists for this study. A knowledge score was calculated for correct answers to 11 survey questions related to oral health effects during pregnancy and compared among the three groups. In this study, 133 physicians, 135 dentists and 100 Gynecologists completed the questionnaire. More GDPs (67.4%) than GMPs (56.4%) and Gynecologists (63%) reported there was an association between periodontal disease and pre-term low birth weight. Efforts to increase this awareness may prove valuable in improving preventive care during pregnancy.