Propuesta del curso optativo Protectores Bucales en el Deporte / Proposal of the optional course Mouth Guards in Sports

Introducción: La protección de las estructuras dentomaxilofaciales durante las actividades deportivas y el ejercicio físico se hace cada vez más necesaria, por lo que el Técnico Superior en Prótesis Estomatológica debe saber confeccionar protectores bucales y dominar el conocimiento en estos temas. Objetivo: Diseñar un curso optativo en primer año del Técnico Superior en Prótesis Estomatológica que contribuya a la formación de un profesional capaz de elaborar protectores bucales personalizados. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo con carácter descriptivo. Se emplearon métodos del nivel teórico: (histórico-lógico, inductivo-deductivo, analítico-sintético, sistémico-estructural y la modelación) y empírico: (revisión documental, criterios de especialistas). Resultados: Se diseñó un curso optativo de 20 horas de duración, con carácter presencial y estructurado en tres temas. El curso optativo Protectores Bucales en el Deporte contribuye a potenciar actividades curriculares que tributen al desarrollo de una cultura para la protección bucodental. Conclusiones: El diseño del curso optativo se corresponde con las necesidades de aprendizaje de los Técnicos Superiores en Prótesis Estomatológica para confeccionar protectores bucales.

Introduction: The protection of the dentomaxillofacial structures during sports activities and physical exercise is increasingly necessary, so the Superior Technician in Stomatological Prosthesis must know how to make mouth guards, and develop knowledge on these topics. Objective: To design an optional course in the first year of the speciality Superior Technician in Stomatological Prosthesis that contributes to the training of a more qualified professional to make mouth guards. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was carried out. Theoretical methods: (historical-logical, inductive-deductive, analytical-synthetic, systemic-structural and modeling), and empirical methods: (documentary review, specialist criteria) were used. Results: An optional face-to-face and structured in three topics course of 20 hours was designed. The optional course Mouth Guards in Sports contributes to promoting curricular activities which support the development of a culture on oral protection. Conclusions: The design of the optional course corresponds to the learning needs of the Superior Technician in Stomatological Prosthesis to make mouth guards.

Evaluation of fitness in implant screw as tightening torque in dental laboratory

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure the tightening torque for dental implant in dental laboratory and to analyze of the effects of different tightening torque. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tightening torque for dental implant in dental laboratory were measured by digital torque gauge. The length of abutment and analog were measured as tightening torque of manufacturer's instructions and the measured value. And the data were statically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean tightening torque of implant screw in dental laboratory was 1.563 +/- 0.332 Ncm. The external type implant system of total length were showing no significant differences but the internal type implant system had difference significant (P < 0.05) when compared with tightening torque. CONCLUSION: The implant prosthesis should be made under manufacturer's instructions especially as tightening torque of screw. For the fidelity of implant prosthesis, dental technician should learn how to use the torque gauge.

A Case of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis with Giant Cells in a Female Dental Technician

OBJECTIVES: Dental technicians are exposed to methyl methacrylate(MMA) and hard metal dusts while working, and several cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by the exposure have been reported. The authors experienced a case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a female dental technician who had 10 years' work experience and report the case with clinical evidence. METHOD: The patient's work, personal, social, and past and present medical histories were investigated based on patient questioning and medical records. Furthermore, the workplace conditions and tools and materials the patient worked with were also evaluated. Next, the pathophysiology and risk factors of pneumonitis were studied, and studies on the relationship between hypersensitivity pneumonitis and a dental technician's exposure to dust were reviewed. Any changes in the clinical course of her disease were noted for evaluation of the work-relatedness of the disease. RESULTS: The patient complained of cough and sputum for 1 year. In addition, while walking up the stairs, the patient was not able to ascend without resting due to dyspnea. She visited our emergency department due to epistaxis, and secondary hypertension was incidentally suspected. Laboratory tests including serologic, electrolyte, and endocrinologic tests and a simple chest radiograph showed no specific findings, but chest computed tomography revealed a centrilobular ground-glass pattern in both lung fields. A transbronchial biopsy was performed, and bronchoalveolar washing fluid was obtained. Among the findings of the laboratory tests, microcalcification, noncaseating granuloma containing foreign body-type giant cells, and metal particles within macrophages were identified histologically. Based on these results, hypersensitivity pneumonitis was diagnosed. The patient stopped working due to admission, and she completely quit her job within 2 months of restarting work due to reappearance of the symptoms. CONCLUSION: In this study, the patient did not have typical radiologic findings, but pathological evaluation of the lung biopsy from the bronchoscope led to the suspicion of pneumonitis. Under the microscope, the sample contained fibrotic changes in the lung, multinucleated giant cells, and particles in macrophages and was diagnosed as dental technician pneumoconiosis by the pathology. Working as a dental technician had directly exposed her to light metal dust and MMA, and her clinical symptoms and radiologic findings subsided after withdrawal from exposure to the workplace. These outcomes led to the diagnosis of hypersensitity pneumonitis due to MMA exposure and strong work-relatedness.

Job Stress and Organizational Effectiveness of Dental Technicians / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between job stress and the variables associated with the organizational effectiveness of dental technicians. METHODS: The job stresses were divided into the following six components; somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and hostility. The organi-zational effectiveness variables in this study included job satisfaction, occupational commitment, organizational commitment and intent to leave. The sample used in this study consisted of 248 dental technicians working in hospitals and dental laboratories. The data were collected with self-administered questionnaires between March 16 and April 29 in 2002, and the results analyzed with ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Firstly, job stress of dental technicians was found to be significantly different in relation to the number of workers at the workplace and the working hours. The level of job stress was the highest when the number of workers were more than 10, or when the daily working hours were over 12. Secondly, of the six variables of job stress, five variables of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and hostility were found to have significant negative correlations with job satisfaction. Thirdly, all six job stress variables were found to have significant negative correlations with the occupational and organizational commitments of the dental technicians. Finally, depression was the only job stress variable found to have a significant effect on the dental technicians' intent to leave. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that personal and organizational efforts are very important to improve the organizational effectiveness in reducing work related stress. Organizational support, especially for managing the depression of dental technicians is recommended.

Dental Technician's Pneumoconiosis: Mineralogical Analysis of Two Cases

Pneumoconiosis was diagnosed by open lung biopsy in two dental technicians who had interstitial lung disease. Mineralogical analysis was performed to investigate the origin of the dust that had been inhaled. A marked accumulation of silicon and phosphorus was found in both cases. The hard metals chromium and cobalt were also found. Dental technician's pneumoconiosis is a complex pneumoconiosis in which such dust and hard metals may play a role.

A Case of Hydrofluoric Acid Burn in Dental Technician / 대한피부과학회지

Exposure of the skin to hydrofluoric acid(HF), one of the strongest inorganic acids, may progressively cause severe tissue necrosis and pain. At present hydrofluoric acid is used widely in rust remover, in the semiconductor industry, germicides, dyes, plastics, and glass etching. HF burn constitutes a dermatologic emergency. Special treatment is required to prevent topical, systemic, and even lethal toxic effects. A 34 year-old dental technician came in contact with the 55% aqueous HF through a pin hole in the right thumb tip of his protective glove. About 30 minutes after exposure, he noted severe burning, excruciating pain, swelling, and erythema of the right thumb tip. Thereafter, dark brownish edematous necrotic patch was visible on the distal end of the right thumb. He was treated with oral antibiotics and NSAIDs.