Creating and Validating a Questionnaire for Assessing Dentists' Self-Perception on Oral Healthcare Management-A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Questionnaires designed to test knowledge and self-perception can be valuable tools for diagnosing a dentist's understanding of the management and administration of a practice. The objective of this study was to create and authenticate a questionnaire for assessing dentists' self-perception on oral healthcare management developed from discussions with experts in this field. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to create and verify a questionnaire survey, a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was carried out. Participants' personal information and 31 statements across four categories made up the final questionnaire form. The answers to the questionnaire were in the form of a Likert scale. After refining the initial version, a total of 36 interviews were conducted at dental offices to verify the validity. For the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), we used the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index, the Bartlett sphericity test, and also Cronbach alpha coefficient for the validity of the questionnaire. RESULTS: The accuracy of the instrument was measured by intrarater and interrater reliability. For the EFA, all the communalities exceeded the threshold of 0.05. With a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.898, the questionnaire has sufficient internal consistency. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire demonstrates robust reliability and validity, thereby affirming its suitability for its intended purpose.

Heat Treatment's Vital Role: Elevating Orthodontic Mini-Implants for Superior Performance and Longevity-Pilot Study.

Orthodontic mini-implants are devices used for anchorage in various orthodontic treatments. We conducted a pilot study which aimed to observe preliminary trends regarding the impact of heat treatment on the elastic modulus of Ti6Al4V alloy and stainless steel 316L mini-implants. The initial phase involved testing the impact of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V alloy and stainless steel 316L mini-implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten self-drilling mini-implants sourced from two distinct manufacturers (Jeil Medical Corporation® and Leone®) with dimensions of 2.0 mm diameter and 10 mm length were tested. They were separated into two material groups: Ti6Al4V and 316L. Using the CETRUMT-2 microtribometer equipment, indentation testing was conducted employing a diamond-tipped Rockwell penetrator at a constant force of 4.5 N. RESULTS: Slight differences were observed in the elastic modulus of the Ti6Al4V alloy (103.99 GPa) and stainless steel 316L (203.20 GPa) compared to natural bone. The higher elastic moduli of these materials indicate that they are stiffer, which could potentially lead to stress-shielding phenomena and bone resorption. Heat treatment resulted in significant changes in mechanical properties, including elastic modulus reductions of approximately 26.14% for Ti6Al4V and 24.82% for 316L, impacting their performance in orthodontic applications. CONCLUSION: Understanding the effects of heat treatment on these alloys is crucial for optimizing their biomechanical compatibility and longevity in orthodontic treatment. To fully evaluate the effects of heat treatment on mini-implants and to refine their design and efficacy in clinical practice, further research is needed.

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Hand Hygiene Technique with Hydroalcoholic Solution by Image Color Summarize.

Background and Objectives: The HH (hand hygiene) technique is relatively simple. Even so, in practice there are still non-conformities regarding this aspect. Lack of knowledge or lack of compliance can be reasons for non-adherence with HH techniques. In this context, the purpose of this study was to follow the realization of the hand-washing technique with hydroalcoholic solution, applied before and after receiving the HH recommendations. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2022 to June 2022. Students from a second year dental medicine class teaching in French 2021/22 "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi were included in the study. The approval of the ethics commission was received: No. 184/05.05.2022. The study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, HH was performed without any recommendation. In the second stage, the antiseptic hand rubbing technique was presented following the WHO recommendations. The fluorescent Fluo-Add solution, Wood lamp for dermatology (4 × 5.5 W ultraviolet tubes with a wavelength of 360 nm), and photo camera were used. Subjects performed their HH movement before and after receiving instructions according to WHO. Images were initially taken from the backhand and palm and were finally analyzed with Image Color Summarizer. The data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U Test, t-test paired samples using IBM-SPSS version 26 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA), and p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After analyzing the images, there were 70 subjects, 45.7% (32) female and 54.33% (38) male. Final average covered area of backhand was 60.89% (±17.17), 28.84:86.11, compared to 52.07% (±17.04), 9:85.23. Final average covered area for palm was 69.91% (±13.5), 31.61:93.41 compared to 59.74% (±16.64), 26.13:92.72. No statistical significance was obtained by gender. Conclusions: The study showed an improvement in hand hygiene technique without highlighting gender differences.

Knowledge Level on Infection Control among Romanian Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students.

Background and Objectives: Infection control practices in dentistry should be continuously evaluated. The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge of dental students from Iași, Romania about infection control in the dental office. Materials and Methods: Dental students and resident dentists attending the "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iași were randomly selected in accordance with ethical guidelines, and a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based online study was conducted. The questionnaire included 21 items about infection control in dentistry. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and the chi-square test was used for data comparison, with a cutoff point of 0.05 for statistical significance. Results: The study sample included 150 subjects (75.3% female and 24.7% male) with a mean age of 25.71 ± 4.54 years. Mode of infection transmission was known by 74% of the subjects, and 76% were aware of standard precautions, with significant differences by the year of study (p = 0.012, r = 0.002). A percentage of 20% of subjects knew the means of transmission of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) (p = 0.032, r = 0.166). Most of the subjects were not vaccinated against HBV (p = 0.002, r = -0.274). Notions of high-level disinfection and sterilization were confused by 19.5% of the subjects. Only 22% of the subjects knew the correct processing of handpieces (p = 0.048, r = -0.071). The sources of information were diverse for 64.66% of the respondents, while 31.33% of them used courses and seminars only. Conclusions: There is a need for improvement in the level of knowledge on infection control for both dental students and residents.

Dental patients' attitudes towards infection control.

UNLABELLED: The level of the patients' education for health is increasing as their concern for protection during the medical treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes of the dental patients towards infection control protocols in the dental office. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based study was initiated including 210 patients aged between 16 and 68 years. Data was processed using SPSS 14.0 and analyzed by age, gender and level of education. RESULTS: 82.6% of the patients trust the medical staff to protect them against the spread of infection. Female subjects are twice as interested in the follow up of infection control procedures as males (53.4% respectively 25.2%). The diseases considered by the patients as presenting a high risk of transmission during dental treatment are: hepatitis B, HIV infection, hepatitis C, tuberculosis and hepatitis A. The subjects require the dentist to wear rubber gloves (89.2%), masks (61.5%) and glasses (45.5%). CONCLUSION: The involvement of the dental patients in their own treatment is essential in order to increase the safety and quality of the dental procedures.

Occupational health problems among dentists in Moldavian Region of Romania.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the occupational health problems among dentists in the Moldavian Region of Romania. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Questionnaire-based study was conducted on 152 dentists aged between 25-65 years practicing in 6 counties the Moldavian Region of Romania. The questionnaire included questions related to the dentists' occupational health pathology. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 14.0 and chi-square test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The majority of the dentists (91%) consider that they are exposed to an occupational risk and 41.8% of them experienced a percutaneus injury caused by sharp instruments in the last year.74.6% of the dentists are protected by vaccination against hepatitis B and 76.1% against influenza. 49.3% of the dentists reported eye injuries caused by solid particles (13.2%), blood splashes (14.7%) and/or chemicals (20,5%). Allergies associated to professional activity were reported by 76.1% of the dentists. CONCLUSIONS: The dental staff must be informed in order to recognize, control and prevent the potential occupational hazards in the workplace.

Preventive attitudes towards infection transmission in dental offices in North-East Romania.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge and the current attitudes towards infection control in the dental offices in the Northeast Romania. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Questionnaire-based study conducted on 152 dentists aged between 25-65 years practicing in 6 Northeast Romania counties. The questionnaire included questions related to current infection control procedures and attitudes. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 14.0 and chi-square test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The majority of the dentists (83.6%) consider that universities should provide a substantial education regarding infection control through postgraduate courses, but 7.2% of the respondents are not sure about their usefulness. The clinical decision related to patient's treatment is influenced by his infectious status for 67.8% of the dentists. Of these, 19.1% have over 20 years of practice and 48.0% are females. Almost all dentists (93.4%), regardless of gender (96.4% females and 87.8% males) undergo periodic testing for blood-borne viral infections (hepatitis B, C and HIV). Full protective equipment is used for all the patients by 86.2% of the dentists, while 12.5% use it only for the infectious ones. 65.2% of the dentists use steam sterilization equipment (autoclave), and 80,8% use dry heat. The majority of the dentists (82.6%) believe that the patient must always be informed about the adopted infection control measures, but 21.7% declare to do so only in some particular cases. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists knowledge and attitudes towards infection control must be improved by educational interventions in order to adhere to the European standards.

[Orthodontic treatment needs of students of the School of Dental Medicine in Iasi]. / Necesarul de tratament ortodontic la studentii Facultatii de Medicina Dentara din Iasi.

UNLABELLED: Nowadays, people are becoming more aware of the importance of aesthetics in the integration of the individual in society. The purpose of this study was to determine the need for orthodontic treatment and their aesthetic perception in a group of medical students in Iasi. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical study was conducted on a sample of 254 subjects. Data were collected after completion of the clinical examination.The clinical evaluation of the status we used orthodontic index IOTN (Index Orthodontic Treatment Needs) and a questionnaire on aesthetic appreciation by the student. All subjects included in the study were informed verbally about the purpose of the study noting the consent form. Statistical data processing was done with SPSS14.00 program for Windows. RESULTS: 20% of the subjects were dental IOTN 0, 33% of the value of a IOTN subjects, 28% of subjects IOTN value 2, 3 and 9% IOTN value IOTN 4 and 5 values of 4% and 6% respectively. The need for orthodontic treatment is greater in subjects with IOTN 4 and 5 and 10% of the subjects presented severe dento-maxillary. IOTN aesthetic component of the index is divided into three groups: Group 1 - 4 with 91% of subjects, group 5-7 with 5% of subjects and group 8-10 with 4% of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The need for orthodontic treatment for subjects with IOTN 4 and 5 is mare. There is an increasing number of orthodontic treatment in young people, the primary motivation being to improve the aesthetic appearance.

[Clinical and therapeutic aspects of early childhood caries and severe early childhood caries--clinical cases]. / Aspecte clinice si terapeutice ale cariei timpurii si ale cariei severe timpurii--serie de cazuri.

UNLABELLED: ECC (early childhood caries) and SECC(severe early childhood caries), as a particularization of the dental caries during the early childhood (0-3 years) and the middle childhood (3-6 years), generate important oro-dental problems, with long-term impact, psycho-somatic, psycho-aesthetic, and social-behaviour, in little children as in adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 35 subjects (20 girls and 15 boys), were evaluated, aged between 3-6 years old, diagnosticated with ECC and SECC. The children were evaluated clinical, paraclinical and psycho-sociological in the Clinic of Paediatric Dentistry, Iasi, Romania. RESULTS: In this article, we present 3 clinical cases that show the implication of the socio-emotional factors that produce the early childhood caries, pacient C.L., 6 years old, pacient C.F., 5, 6 years old, and pacient A.D., 6 years old. CONCLUSION: In this study we have evaluated a heterogen structure with major impact on caries risk, clinical variability of the carioactivity in decidual dentition. It is known that more than 64% non-cavitary lesions that appear in a 2 year-old child develop to cavitary lesions in less than a year.

[Early childhood caries. Epidemiological considerations]. / Caria severa timpurie consideratii epidemiologice în zona Iasi.

AIM: To asses the current demographic tendencies of the carioactivity, in Iasi area, especially ECC and S-ECC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study group included 500 subjects (276 girls and 224 boys), 3-6 years of age, 70% urban and 30% rural. The oro-dental evaluation was achieved through clinical investigation, based on criteria and markers recommended by WHO, the estimation of the indices of the caries prevalence: caod, cao, SIC, ICDAS, psychological assessment and sociological investigation using interviews and questionnaires. Recorded data were used for statistical analysis in SPSS 17 trial, in visual FOX-PRO9. RESULTS: The hole assessment showed a low caries risk (83.3%), compared to the values of the medium caries risk (9.2%), and of the high caries risk (7.5%). In term of clinic variability, the normal carial pattern is frequent, followed by atypical carial patterns, ECC and S-ECC, with differences between genders (boys - 1.91, girls - 1.99). In relation to the socio-economic level of the family, the cao index varies: cao-1--high socio-economic level, cao-1.46--medium socio-economic level, cao2.87--low socio-economic level. CONCLUSIONS: The values of the epidemiologic indices, showed a variability of the carioactivity of the temporary dentition, with growth of the atipical carial patterns, ECC and SECC. The above mentioned aspects require to reconsider the view points on temporary dentition and the promotion of an educational and prevention programme.

[Comparative study on the periodontal health status trough plaque and gingival index]. / Studiu comparativ privind starea de sanatate parodontala prin prisma indicilor de placa si gingivali.

UNLABELLED: Nowadays, people are becoming more aware of the importance of oral hygiene in maintaining the health of the entire body. It is well known that plaque is the main etiological factor in producing caries disease and periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the comparative value indices of plaque and gingival inflammation in a group of young adults. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was conducted on a sample of 254 subjects. The study was clinical type. Data were collected after completion revelation plaque and clinical examination recorded the values calculated for each index in the observation sheet. The clinical evaluation of oral health status we used the API index (approximated Plaque Index) and BI indices for assessing periodontal status (bleeding index). All subjects included in the study were informed verbally about the purpose of the study noting the consent form. Patients were included in the database according to certain codes. Statistical data processing was done with the program for Windows SPSS14.00 setting a threshold of statistical significance of p = 0.05. RESULTS: Comparative analysis of the presence of plaque and degree of gingival inflammation has revealed that there are differences statistically significant p < or = 0.05 for having a valoatre API index averaged 72.71 (+/- 23.48) compared with gingival index = BI has an average of 20.05 (+/- 18.32) and that influences the use of dental wire index periodontal inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Gingival inflammation is present in those with plaque and is subject to use wire but not the frequency of tooth brushing which demonstrates that the use of adjuvant means brushing helps remove plaque but not entirely.

[Education for oral health--an essential factor for improvement of oral health]. / Educatia pentru sanatatea orala factor esential de promovare a sanatatii orale.

UNLABELLED: The impact of mothers and teachers on oral health (OH) education of the children may have a significant impact on the oral health of the next generations. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes towards OH among mothers and teachers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A longitudinal study was initiated in Iasi, in 2004, on a series of 375 mothers, 198 teachers and 441 schoolchildren. OH care habits and knowledge of mothers and teachers were analysed, using three different types of questionnaires. Further on, the relation to socio-economic status and evaluation of the impact of an educational program for parents and teachers were discussed. RESULTS: The amount of OH knowledge was higher for teachers compared to mothers. Mothers with postgraduate studies were better informed, while 20% had no OH knowledges (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Education of the parents and teachers is very important, because they can improvement the quality of life for children. Key words: EDUCATION, ORAL HEALTH