RESUMO
@#This study was undertaken to assess knowledge regarding furcation defects among dental fraternity. This is an open-ended, randomized, web-based cross-sectional multinational online survey. A total of 904 responses were gathered by sending 13 questions through a google form. Data were expressed in frequency and percentages. Chi-square test was performed to determine significant difference between gender, education level and variation between dentists of India and other countries. P value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Present study had 650 dentists from India and 254 dentists from other countries. For overall knowledge regarding furcation, 90.7% (average of first and second question) of dentists had knowledge regarding furcation. There was no significant difference between males (range 54%-93%) and females (range 46%- 95%) (p>0.05) in terms of knowledge. Majority (88.7%) of post-graduates knew about the use of Nabers probe for furcation measurements and values were significant (p<0.05). Present study also revealed 65%-67% of undergraduates and post-graduates knew that Degree II furcation defects showed predictable periodontal regeneration, however values were non-significant (p>0.05). There was no statistical significance (p>0.05) between dentists of India and other countries. Dental fraternity in general had adequate knowledge regarding the furcation defects, their treatment modalities and expected complications.
RESUMO
CONTEXT: Ultrasonic scaling is a routinely used treatment to remove plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces. These scalers use water as a coolant which is splattered during the vibration of the tip. The splatter when mixed with saliva and plaque of the patients causes the aerosol highly infectious and acts as a major risk factor for transmission of the disease. In spite of necessary protection, sometimes, the operator might get infected because of the infectious nature of the splatter. AIM: To evaluate the aerosol contamination produced during ultrasonic scaling by the help of microbiological analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinico-microbiological study consisted of twenty patients. Two agar plates were used for each patient; the first was kept at the center of the operatory room 20 min before the treatment while the second agar plate was kept 40 cm away from the patient's chest during the treatment. Both the agar plates were sent for microbiological analysis. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The statistical analysis was done with the help of STATA 11.0 (StataCorp. 2013. Stata Statistical Software, Release 13. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP, 4905 Lakeway Drive College Station, Texas, USA). Statistical software was used for data analysis and the P < 0.001 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The results for bacterial count were highly significant when compared before and during the treatment. The Gram staining showed the presence of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species in high numbers. CONCLUSIONS: The aerosols and splatters produced during dental procedures have the potential to spread infection to dental personnel. Therefore, proper precautions should be taken to minimize the risk of infection to the operator.
