ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: All dental staff face risk of percutaneous injuries (PCI)s. Blood-borne diseases may be transmitted to staff via contaminated sharp instruments. Hence there are significant impacts on staff when PCIs occur. Though a PCI is an occupational hazard, it is preventable. AIM: This study aims to identify factors associated with PCIs among dental staff by evaluating the circumstances and staff designations involved. METHODS: PCIs were reported through an electronic incident reporting system from 2014 to 2020. Reports involved their nature and extent. Statistical analysis was carried out to find associations between factors such as injury site, type of instrument and staff designation. RESULTS: A total of 63 PCIs were included in this study. The type of instrument was found to be significantly associated with staff designation (p = 0.04, p < 0.05) with significantly more dental burs causing injury in dentists and more injuries caused by 'other instruments' in health attendants (p = 0.0083). Majority of PCIs occurred in dentists, then dental assistants and health attendants. Staff designation was significantly associated with the instance where PCIs occurred (p < 0.001). Dentists and dental assistants were more likely to sustain injuries during a dental procedure than before procedure and after procedure (p = 0.0167). The mean incidence of PCIs among our dentists was 15.6/100. CONCLUSIONS: All dental staff are at risk of PCIs however dentists sustain the highest number of PCIs. Needles, dental burs and metal matrices are the top three instruments. Targeted interventions might help prevent/reduce PCIs.
ABSTRACT
Introduction A retrospective cross-sectional study of early patient-reported failures of restorations was initiated to understand the reasons and factors associated with early failure. Early patient-reported failures are defined as restorations requiring replacement within three months of placement.Aim To investigate if restorative material placed or any other tooth/restoration/patient factors may be associated with early patient-reported failures.Methods In total, 360 restorations were replaced from January 2016 to December 2017. Multivariable analyses (logistic regression model) were used to identify any patient/tooth/restoration factors that were associated with early patient-reported failures.Results Dislodgement, fracture and pain/sensitivity were the three main failure modes. There was significant association between restorative material type and dislodgement and restoration fracture. The odds of dislodgement for composite resin (CR) were 4.3 times higher compared to amalgam. The odds of dislodgement for glass-ionomer cement (GIC) and resin-modified GIC were 3.7 times higher compared to amalgam. The odds of fracture for CR were ten times lower compared to amalgam. The odds of pain for teeth with a history of restoration failure for a particular tooth were five times lower compared to no history of restoration failure for a particular tooth.Conclusions Restorative material type affected patient-reported failures.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Dental Restoration, Permanent , Composite Resins , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dental Amalgam/adverse effects , Dental Care , Dental Restoration Failure , Glass Ionomer Cements , Humans , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot study was to assess the oral health knowledge among staff working in a local nursing home managed by a voluntary welfare organisation. METHOD: A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 53 nursing staff working in a home with 270 residents. The questionnaire was structured to assess the staff's knowledge of dental caries, periodontal disease and the care and use of dentures. RESULTS: 99.6% of the respondents felt that oral health care of the elderly was very important. However, only 45.3% of them attributed the cause of dental caries to the frequent intake of sugar. Bacteria in dental plaque was identified by 88.7% of them as the main cause of periodontal disease while 96.2% of them indicated that dentures should be cleaned at least once a day and rinsed after every meal. CONCLUSION: The staff of this nursing home demonstrated positive knowledge of periodontal disease and denture care. However, their knowledge of dental caries revealed substantial room for improvement. This could signal an area for future staff training and development. Such efforts would help establish a team of caregivers who can improve the oral health and quality of life for residents in the nursing home.
