Societal Preference for Gender of Surgeons Performing Patients' Surgery.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown that there may be a bias among some male oral and maxillofacial surgeons regarding women practicing in the specialty. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a similar bias in the general public. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a survey of 65 patients of various genders, educational levels, and ages asking them their surgeon gender preference for extraction of a tooth, removal of impacted third molars, and cosmetic surgery, as well as the reasons for their preference. RESULTS: Of respondents, 91% had no preference regarding surgeon gender for tooth extraction, 88% for removal of impacted teeth, and 83% for cosmetic surgery. There was no difference in gender preference based on the respondents' gender, educational level, or age. CONCLUSIONS: There does not appear to be a gender bias against female oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the general population.

Is There Uniformity and Satisfaction Among Clinical Practice Models and Faculty Compensation Plans in US Dental School-Based Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Departments?

PURPOSE: There is a lack of information regarding clinical practice models and faculty compensation plans used by dental school-based departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) and their effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to examine 1) the level of uniformity in clinical practice models and faculty compensation plans for US dental school-based OMS departments and 2) the level of satisfaction expressed by faculty with their current compensation plan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was sent to the chairs of the 40 US dental school-based OMS departments asking them specific information regarding their current practice model, the faculty compensation plan, and their satisfaction with their current plan. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the 40 department chairs returned the survey, for a 60% response rate. The OMS practice was part of the dental school faculty practice in 50% of the departments and a separate entity in 33%. The most common faculty compensation plan consisted of an academic salary plus a faculty practice salary based on a collection-based incentive (38%), but in 25% it was based on production. Fifty-seven percent of the responding chairs stated they were not satisfied with their current practice and compensation plans. CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable variation in the practice models and compensation plans in US dental school-based OMS departments. More than half the department chairs expressed a general dissatisfaction with their current compensation plans. The survey data indicate a need for alternative models, and this report presents one such model.

Are oral-maxillofacial surgery patients given proper postoperative instructions for disposal of blood-soaked gauze packs?

PURPOSE: Although there are Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines for the proper disposal of hazardous waste in the dental office, there are no guidelines for patients regarding the disposal of the gauze packs that are usually placed after tooth extraction or other dental surgery. Thus there is the possibility of cross contamination by patients with undiagnosed blood-transmitted viral diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine what, if any, instructions are given by oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) and if such instructions are adequate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 5-question survey was sent electronically to 375 randomly selected OMSs, and there was a 17% response. They were asked whether they provided written and verbal postoperative instructions, whether these included instructions about gauze pack disposal, and whether they gave special instructions to patients with known viral diseases such as hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus infection. RESULTS: All respondents indicated that they provided both written and verbal postoperative instructions. However, only 1 respondent's instructions indicated how to dispose of the gauze pack, and only 1 gave special instructions to patients with known viral infections. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for OMSs to provide specific instructions to all patients about the proper disposal of blood-soaked sponges to avoid potential cross contamination.