Computerized local dental anesthetic systems: patient and dentist satisfaction.

A computer controlled dental anesthetic delivery system was studied with the OBJECTIVE of evaluating and comparing the unit to the traditional method of anesthetic delivery. The research design and METHOD of study involved the use of trained dentists who used both types of delivery systems on patients seen during their routine practice of dentistry. After the dental appointment was finished each dentist completed a survey concerning the injection. Patients completed a survey before the injection concerning their previous anesthetic experiences and completed another survey at the end of the dental appointment concerning the injection they had just received. Statistical analyses yielded RESULTS showing the two methods were rated very similarly by both patients and dentists. CONCLUSIONS resulting from the study are that computer controlled dental anesthetic injections and traditional anesthetic injections were accepted equally well by both dentists and patients.

Patient and dentist satisfaction with a computerized local anesthetic injection system.

The fear of dental injections is common among dental patients. Many approaches to reducing this fear of injections and improving local dental anesthesia delivery have been tried in the last few decades. One approach is the use of a computerized or electronic local anesthetic system. This study surveyed dentist and patient satisfaction when local dental anesthesia was delivered with a computerized delivery system. The patients and dentists were both satisfied with the effectiveness of the anesthesia. The patients were satisfied with the level of comfort with the injections. This was particularly true when compared to their previous anesthetic injections. Although the dentists were very satisfied with the performance of the anesthetic delivery system and the anesthesia itself, they did not, in general, choose to use the system in everyday practice. Possible reasons for this within the context of this study are discussed.

Evaluation of a one-day AIDS continuing education course.

The effectiveness of a one-day acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) continuing education course for dentists and hygienists was evaluated using pretest, posttest, and six-month follow-up questionnaires. There was a general, though not statistically significant, increase in the percentage of respondents who reported they planned to be immunized against hepatitis B, and a statistically significant increase in dentists' perceptions of the percentage of their patients at risk for AIDS. The percentage of respondents who believed the private practice setting is the preferred practice site for treating healthy patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increased, though the increase was not statistically significant. Six-month follow-up results found a significant increase in the percentage of respondents who reported being immunized against hepatitis B. Other posttest results were maintained at the six-month follow-up. These results support the contention that a traditional lecture approach in AIDS continuing dental professional education can be beneficial.

Public knowledge/perceptions about AIDS transmission: concerns about use of dental services.

This telephone survey of 739 adults living in the State of Maryland (response rate 68.9%) examined the association between public perceptions and knowledge about the routes of transmission of AIDS, and concerns about contracting AIDS in a dental office and attitudes toward confidentiality of AIDS infected dentists and patients. The greatest areas of inaccuracies related to the risk of giving and receiving blood. Associations were demonstrated between public knowledge and concern about AIDS. Racial differences were found in both knowledge and concerns. Accurate dissemination of information to the public about AIDS is essential for the maintenance of public confidence and trust in the safety of dental offices and dental treatment.

Attitudes of Maryland dentists toward AIDS and hepatitis patients.

A survey of dentists practicing in the state of Maryland found differences between general dentists (n = 905), oral surgeons (n = 88), and periodontists (n = 89). Oral surgeons were more willing to treat and had actually treated more AIDS patients. Also, almost twice as many oral surgeons agreed with the American Dental Association opinion that all dentists have a professional responsibility to treat AIDS patients. General dentists and oral surgeons were more willing to permit an AIDS infected dentist to continue to practice than were periodontists. There was more agreement concerning hepatitis patients between all three groups. Also, both specialty groups had been tested for the hepatitis antigen significantly more frequently than had general dentists.

A clinical approach to the diagnosis of facial pain.

Following completion of the patient history, physical evaluation, and cranial nerve assessment, the next step should be a thorough dental evaluation with appropriate radiographs to evaluate caries, periodontal disease, and any other hard- or soft-tissue pathology. If indicated, a thorough evaluation of the craniomandibular complex also should be performed. At this point, the clinician should have a general idea as to the cause of the patient's facial pain and the appropriate course of treatment can then be instituted. If the problem is not solely dental in etiology, the diagnosis and management must be coordinated between the dentist and the appropriate medical specialties.

The public's attitude toward physicians and the care of AIDS patients in the state of Maryland.

A telephone survey of 1477 households in Maryland examined the public's attitudes toward physicians and the treatment of AIDS patients. The results indicated that most respondents (86%) want to know their physician's human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status and that 65% would change physicians if that physician had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Approximately 50% did not know if their doctor treated AIDS patients, but the majority (68%) responded they would not change doctors because they treated AIDS patients. Significant differences were found in respondents' opinions related to age and education. It was also found that the majority of respondents (57%) received their information about AIDS from the mass media and that very few received their information from medical or other health sources.

Changes in public concern about transmission of AIDS from dentist to patient after CDC report.

This study was conducted to examine the impact on the public of a report from the Centers for Disease Control of the possible transmission of AIDS from a Florida dentist to his patient. Differences in the findings between two identical telephone surveys conducted approximately five months apart are reported. The second survey occurred approximately three months following the CDC report. The response rates to spring and fall 1990 surveys were 68.9 percent and 69.9 percent, respectively. Approximately 60 percent of the respondents to the fall survey reported that they had read or heard of the incident. Public concern about the transmission of AIDS in the dental office increased significantly following the CDC report. This concern was expressed in a decreased willingness to remain in the practice of dentists infected with AIDS or those who treated infected patients. In addition, respondents to the fall survey were less respectful of provider and patient confidentiality.

Maryland residents' attitudes toward AIDS and the use of dental services.

This project was conducted to examine the impact of Maryland residents' attitudes about AIDS on dental services utilization. A telephone survey of 1,477 households was conducted (response rate 68.9%). Less than 7 percent of the respondents volunteered a concern about contracting AIDS in the dental office. When asked directly, approximately 35 percent stated they would change dentists if their dentist were treating AIDS patients. Respondents who were most aware of the wide-spread treatment of AIDS patients by dentists were more likely to believe their dentist was treating AIDS patients. Also, they were less likely to report that they would leave the practice of dentists with AIDS or those who treated AIDS patients. It is critical for the public to be educated properly about the continued safety of the dental office and to receive accurate information about AIDS.

Patients' perceptions related to the use of infection control procedures.

An assessment was made of the public's attitudes toward infection control techniques utilized in dentistry. Five hundred and nine adults in the State of Maryland responded to a detailed telephone survey in late 1989. Respondents reported that most of their dentists (87.0%) wore gloves and 69.8% of the respondents preferred gloves. Respondents who were most concerned about AIDS also preferred the dentist to wear gloves (92.6%). Respondents received information about AIDS from various sources, chief of which were newspapers or magazines (29.0%) and television (27.3%) but 80.9% would read pamphlets on AIDS if they were available in the dentist's office. Finally, few (13.1%) had ever discussed AIDS with their dentist but most (78.6%) would be comfortable doing so. This study demonstrated that the public accepts and welcomes the use of barrier protection by dentists. The public also is willing to discuss AIDS and infectious diseases with dentists and would read AIDS information supplied by dentists. Given the continued spread of the AIDS epidemic, it is increasingly important for dentists to educate the public about AIDS as well as about the continued safety of the dental office. The public is receptive to this education.

Attitudes of dentists concerning hepatitis and hepatitis vaccination.

Many dentists do not understand that hepatitis B infection poses a greater threat to their lives and health than acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This survey examined the attitudes and beliefs of dentists concerning hepatitis and hepatitis vaccination. Many dentists have not been vaccinated. The reasons for avoiding vaccination are examined.