Evaluation of common operator errors in panoramic radiography in Trinidad and Tobago: a comparison of formally vs informally trained operators / La evaluación de los errores comunes de los operadores de radiografía panorámica en Trinidad y Tobago comparación de los operadores adiestrados formalmente frente a los adiestrados informalmente

AIM: To evaluate and compare the frequency of common operator errors seen on panoramic radiographs in dental private practices and in the dental hospital (taken by informally and formally trained operators, respectively) in Trinidad and Tobago. METHOD: One thousand panoramic radiographs of patients over the age of 10 years were included in this study. These comprised 500 from the dental hospital and 500 from dental private practices. The radiographs were reviewed using standardized criteria to identify the most common operator errors. RESULTS: There were only 21 (4.2%) error free radiographs in the dental private practice sample and 29 (5.8%) in the dental hospital sample. Frequencies of specific errors were significantly higher in the dental private practice sample in each category except for "Chin tipped too low" (Chi-square p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: This study supports the need for the introduction of statutory guidelines with respect to the use of ionizing radiation in dentistry in Trinidad and Tobago and in particular, the implementation of formally assessed dedicated dental radiography training for all operators of dental X-ray equipment.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar y comparar la frecuencia de los errores comunes de los operadores, observados en las radiografías panorámicas en las clínicas dentales privadas y en el hospital de odontología (tomadas por operadores adiestrados formalmente e informalmente, de forma respectiva) en Trinidad y Tobago. MÉTODO: Mil radiografías panorámicas de pacientes de más de 10 años de edad, fueron incluidas en este estudio. Las mismas comprendían 500 provenientes del hospital odontológico y 500 provenían de las prácticas privadas de dentistas. Las radiografías fueron examinadas a partir de criterios estandarizados, a fin de identificar los errores más comunes de los operadores. RESULTADOS: Hubo sólo 21 (4.2%) radiografías sin errores en la muestra de la clínica dental privada, y 29 (5.8%) en la muestra del hospital de odontología. Las frecuencias de errores específicos fueron significativamente más altas en la muestra de la clínica dental privada en cada categoría, salvo el caso del "mentón inclinado excesivamente hacia abajo" (Chi-cuadrado p < 0.05) CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio subraya la necesidad de introducir pautas reglamentarias con respecto al uso de la radiación ionizante en la cirugía dental en Trinidad y Tobago, particularmente en lo que concierne al adiestramiento especializado en radiografía dental, formalmente evaluado, para todos los operadores de equipos de rayos x para el trabajo dental.

Patient's perception towards the eye health care system in a tertiary eye care centre in Nepal.

This study was performed to determine patient's perceptions towards eye health care systems in a tertiary eye care center in Nepal. Subjects were randomly selected from the outpatient department of Tilganga Eye Centre (TEC), a tertiary eye care center in Kathmandu, Nepal. The study was performed in April 2003 with 54 patients responding to several questions concerning their satisfaction of the eye care process. Over 40 (74.1%) of the respondents expressed overall satisfaction with the service provided by the hospital staff, and 4 (7.4%) were not satisfied. In addition, a total of 40 (74.1%) respondents were dissatisfied with the extended waiting time for eye examinations and other ocular services, while 7 (13.0%) were satisfied. The study shows that the majority of patients who are treated at Tilganga Eye Centre have positive feelings about Tilganga and its service system. Some processes, however, could be altered or improved to augment the overall quality of patient care.