A survey on the disposal of blood-contaminated tampon after dental extraction.

OBJECTIVE: This paper was to assess the risk for cross infection caused by blood-contaminated tampon after dental extraction and whether this risk was reduced after relevant education towards both dentists and patients. METHODS: From December 2014 to April 2015, a survey was conducted in dentists and patients randomly before and after relevant education. The questionnaire is being revised for this survey based on learning from Chatzoudi and Franklin' survey. This survey was approved by the institutional review board, and all participants were voluntary and all responses were anonymous. RESULTS: Only 2.82 % of dentists provided patients with the postoperative-advices regarding how to dispose of blood-contaminated tampon at the first time and 47.10 % at the second time (P < 0.01). Only 1.41 % of dentists given special postoperative-advices regarding disposal of tampon to patients with blood-transmitted diseases at the first time and 24.64 % at the second time (P < 0.01). Before education, most patients were lack of nosocomial infection knowledge. After education, 22.4 % of patients threw the blood-contaminated tampon away in a proper way (P < 0.01). 66.67 % of them washed hands immediately and thoroughly after they touched the tampon (P < 0.05), 92.71 % knew the blood-contaminated tampon can cause cross-infection (P < 0.01), and 80.21 % knew how to dispose of the blood-contaminated tampon correctly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The high risk of cross infection caused by blood-contaminated tampon is evident, and a series of measures is proposed to control it. There is a need to improve both dentists' and patients' awareness, enhance the education of doctors and perfect the policies and guidelines.

[Clinical evaluation of wedge-shaped defect restored by gingival retraction technique].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the periodontal conditions after the wedge-shaped defect was restored by gingival retraction technique. METHODS: A total of 138 mandibular premolars with wedge-shaped defect were selected and divided into A, B groups. Group A was restored with Dyract after using retraction cord. Group B was directly restored with Dyract. Clinical parameters including plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing depth (PD), volumes of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and levels of aspartate aminotransferases (AST) of gingival crevicular fluid were measured at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation. RESULTS: There was no difference in PLI, GI, SBI, PD between group A and B during 6 months after operation, while the difference of GCF and AST was significant between group A and B at 3 months and 6 months after operation (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Gingival retraction technique applied in wedge-shaped defect restoration can reduce the damage to the periodontal tissue.

[Psychological comparison of patients with soft tissue injuries in oral and maxillofacial region by different kinds of suturing].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychological situations of patients with soft tissue injuries in oral and maxillofacial region by different kinds of suturing. METHODS: A total of 200 patients were selected and randomly divided into two groups. Group A received intradermic suture while group B underwent para-position suture. All patients were evaluated by hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scales pre-suture, after one week, one month and three months. RESULTS: The HAD total scores of group B were significantly high compared with group A (P < 0.05) after one week and one month, while there was no difference between group A and group B pre-suture and three months later. CONCLUSIONS: Intradermic suture results in less psychological influence in patients with soft tissue injuries in oral and maxillofacial region.