Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice of Yazd General Practitioners about Shade Selection of Fixed Dental Prosthesis in 2019

Introduction: The color matching of dental restorations is effective in the beauty of the smile and a dentist should be familiar with the subject of color and light to make a beautiful and natural prosthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of general dentists in Yazd City about the choice of fixed prosthesis color in 2019. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study in which all the general dentists in Yazd City were included in the study by census. Data were collected in the field through a valid and reliable questionnaire containing 11 knowledge questions and 17 performance questions. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 24 using t-test and ANOVA (α <0.05). Results: 150 dentists with a mean age of 39.14 ± 7.96 were studied in this study. The mean score of knowledge was 26.5 ± 3.32 out of 33 points. Mean knowledge score was not statistically significant with age, sex and dental work experience (P >0.05), but was associated with participation in retraining courses (P = 0.046). 79% of participants used brossage and prophylaxis before choosing a color, 31% used sunlight to choose a color, and 37% used the color of adjacent teeth as a color choice. Conclusion: The knowledge of general dentists in Yazd City in choosing the color of fixed prostheses was at a good level and the performance was relatively good. Participation in retraining courses had led to an increase in dentists' awareness in this field.

The Knowledge of General Dentists Regarding Trigeminal Neuralgia in Lahore- a Questionnaire Based Study

Objective: To assess and document the knowledge general dentists possess in relation to incidence, diagnosis and management of trigeminal neuralgia and its application in their practice. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey. The data collection tool was a piloted, self- designed, 14 item structured questionnaire that had questions regarding demographics, factual knowledge and practices of the participants. Hundred general dental practitioners were selected through purposive sampling in Lahore. Only general dentists were included in this survey and all other dental specialties were part of the exclusion criteria. Data was entered and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics® (Version 23). Results: Most practitioners responded that they were able to identify a patient with trigeminal neuralgia on the basis of diagnosis of exclusion. Carbamezapine was the drug of choice of pharmacological management or in case pharmacological management did not provide relief the patient was referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Conclusion: It was concluded that general dentists had adequate knowledge and sound practices on management of Trigeminal Neuralgia. A need for multi-disciplinary approach and continued medical education (CME) was identified. Keywords: Dentists, Disease Management, Facial Pain, Neuralgia, Knowledge, Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN).

Dentists satisfaction with professional activities

Background. Supporting the health personnel satisfaction of with their professional activities and motivating them to work is a means of effective human resource management. The patient's health and the quality of life associated with it depends on the motivation and satisfaction with the professional activity of the health specialists. The satisfaction as a characteristic of organizational culture differs among physicians of different specialties. The purpose of the study: to determine the level of satisfaction with the professional activities of dentists of institutions providing highly specialized dental care. Materials and methods. The author's structured questionnaires were used, completed by 110 dentists from three regional dental care institutions. Methods: sociological; medical and statistical; logical structure analysis; generalizations. Results. In general, dentists highly rated satisfaction with their professional activities on a 5-point scale: 4.6 ± 0.5 points – doctors of the Сommunal Non-profit Company (CNC) "Zhytomyr Regional Dental Medical Association"; 4.2 ± 0.4 points – doctors of the CNC of the Kharkiv Regional Council "Regional Dental Clinic"; 4.3 ± 0.9 points – doctors of the CNC "Chernihiv Regional Dental Clinic of the Chernihiv Regional Council". However, the respondents of the CNC "Chernihiv Regional Dental Clinic of the Chernihiv Regional Council" expressed only partial satisfaction with the opportunity to improve their qualifications at the workplace, the state of the provision of drugs, consumables and evidence-based technologies, the level of wages (range of estimates 3.5 ± 0.9 – 3, 7 ± 1.1 points). It was found that the lowest satisfaction scores of dentists of all institutions concerned professional relations with colleagues of the polyclinics structural units where they work, with the administration, and with doctors of other health care institutions: doctors' assessments, depending on the institutions, varied, respectively, within 4, 2 ± 0.4 – 4.4 ± 0.7 points, 4.4 ± 0.5 – 4.5 ± 0.5 points, 4.0 ± 1.0 – 4.4 ± 0.7 points. Conclusions. General assessments of satisfaction with the professional activities of dentists are high, but the professional relations of dentists need to be improved, improvement is the state of resource provision of institutions and opportunities for professional development; increases – salary. This information can be used to make management decisions to strengthen the organizational culture of healthcare institutions by improving personnel management.

Evaluation of the Knowledge and Practise of Esthetic Dentistry amongst the Practicing Dentists of Private Dental Colleges of Navi Mumbai- A Questionnaire-based Study

Purpose: The inter-disciplinary approach to practise and also should constantly update their knowledge to keep up with the demands that this field presents. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of Esthetic dentistry amongst the practicing dentists of private dental colleges in Navi Mumbai, through a questionnaire- based study. Materials and Methods: Self-administered KAP (Knowledge, Attitude, Practise) questionnaires were distributed amongst the practicing dentists of private dental colleges in Navi Mumbai. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed. Statistical analysis used: Pearson’s chi. Sq. test was applied and the likelihood ratio calculated for each question. Independent T Test was applied for equality of means between the groups, i.e. both gender and graduate and post graduate qualifications. Results: Most of the dentists were aware of the field and practise of Esthetic dentistry, although there were some differences found between the general dentists and specialists in adopting and accepting new dental procedures. According to them, Finances played a major role in opting for an esthetic treatment by patients. Conclusion: With the advances in esthetic dentistry and increased level of patients’ expectations and awareness, practicing dentists should be well versed with the same, by attending continuing dental education programs and courses to update their skill and knowledge. Also Finances plays a major role in opting for an esthetic treatment.

Correlation of lip profile preferences in Pakistani population; and its comparison with orthodontic norms

Objective: To determine the most desired lip profile and compare the subjective sense of aesthetics among orthodontists, general dentists and the general population. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Orthodontic Department of the Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January 1 to February 25, 2020, and comprised different silhouettes for each gender with increasing lip procumbence from -6mm to +6mm with respect to Rickett’s E-line which were created using Photoshop CS 8.0 after cephalometric analysis of 20 cephalograms. The sample comprised an equal number of orthodontists in group A, general dentists in group B and orthodontic treatment-seekers in group C with equal representation of the two genders. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. Results: Of the 180 subjects, there were 60(33.3%) in each of the three groups, with 30(50%) males and as many females in all the groups. All the three groups preferred the average lip profile for males (p=0.018) and 2mm procumbent lips for females (p=0.008). There was significant difference of opinion between groups A and C (p=0.034) and between groups B and C (p=0.022). Conclusion: There was found to be a marked difference of opinion among the orthodontists, the general dentists and the orthodontic treatment-seekers regarding the desired lip profile. Key Words: Aesthetics, Pakistani population, Cephalometrics, Lip profile. Continuous...

Orthodontists in forensic facial approximation (FFA): current inter-disciplinary perspective

Forensic odontology has contributed significantly in forensic investigations and involves various branches of dentistry including orthodontics. The current communication presents evidence-based perspective highlighting synergistic union of different specialties for Forensic Facial Approximation (FFA). It brings forth commonality in principles of anthropology, forensic science, anthropometry, anatomy, paleontology, forensic odontology, with orthodontics, used in FFA. Various attributes and skills of orthodontists’ aid in dental and skull profiling and the corresponding sex, age, and ethnicity-based soft tissue assessments for facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT), may aid a life-like appearance. They can assist hard tissue profiling by their expertise in growth of skeletal and soft tissue, along with the evolutionary trends in occlusion, and diet formulations. Their knowledge in identifying teeth patterns, dental/skeletal jaw relationships, cranial/facial indices, vertical/horizontal facial proportions, can help prepare skull for orientation and reconstruction. The dental, photographic, and radiographic records maintained by orthodontists and general dentists are instrumental in data retrieval, used in various software, clinical, or research areas. These can provide normative values for comparative analysis or facial recreation. The orthodontists can also assist anthropologists and forensic specialists in the virtual reconstructions due to their ease in using latest digital technologies including three-dimensional (3D) facial scan, stereo-photogrammetry, 3D printing, automated soft-tissue landmarks, growth, and age predictions. Thus, the current study established the commonality in concepts of various forensic disciplines with orthodontics, which can strengthen both forensic on-field facial approximations and hard/soft tissue research to further enhance the accuracy of contemporary digital software used in FFA.

Ulcerative Lesions of the Oral Cavity

Apart from dental and periodontal diseases, oral mucosal lesions are also frequently encountered by both general dentists and dental specialists in outpatient clinics. Although these soft tissue lesions may only reveal a localized issue, sometimes they may be the only sign of a more serious underlying systemic condition. Thus, oral ulcerations pose a unique diagnostic challenge for healthcare providers and should be cautiously handled when they last for more than two weeks, even after any possible traumatic etiologies are eliminated. There are many different classifications regarding oral ulcerations based on their etiologic or clinical features. In order to provide a logical and simple stepwise guidance to accurate diagnosis, this chapter will categorize and explain these lesions based on their clinical properties.

Evaluating the Knowledge of General Dentist Towards the Management of Peri-Implant Diseases: A Multi-Center, Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Recently, implants have been widely considered as an option for replacing missing teeth. There are several biological conditions that must be considered for the success of an implant. Failure to satisfy any of these factors may result in complications, such as peri-implantitis or failure of the implant. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the general dentist's attitude towards the management of peri-implant diseases in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional electronic-based questionnaire was formulated based on the validated questionnaire from a previous study. It was targeted towards the general dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia. The study sample consisted of 721 general dental practitioners. The questionnaire consisted of 17 questions divided into five sections. Pearson's chi-square test was used for inferential statistical analysis with Holm's correction, for adjusted p-value, the alpha at 95% confidence interval was 0.05, and all values below alpha were considered statistically significant. Results: The majority of participants had attended an implant training course (51.2%) while the rest had not (48.7%). The majority of the participants (67.3%) thought they need special instruments for the detection of peri-implantitis but only 29.5% thought they do not need any special instruments for the intended purpose. Most participants (79.3%) said they can identify and differentiate between normal and abnormal soft tissue around an implant, while 6.5% of the respondents could not. More than half of the participants (54.8%) could differentiate between peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, and 19.4% had no idea about this. Amoxicillin & metronidazole was considered as the best and most effective antibiotic by the majority of respondents (76%), while only (5%) of dentists selected ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: This study concludes by suggesting that most of the participants have adequate knowledge about peri-implant soft tissue assessment, mechanism of periodontitis and peri-implantitis, its initiation and progression along with its management. Most of the participants found the training courses on peri-implantitis to be efficient. It is recommended to conduct more courses and studies that would aim at understanding the pathogenesis, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of peri-implant diseases so as to increase awareness among general dentists.

Knowledge of Oral Cancer among Online Respondent General Dentists: A Cross-sectional Survey

Introduction: Oral cancer is a worldwide medical issue with expanding paces of occurrence and rising mortality rates. Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer in Nepal with a prevalence of 4.6%. Examination of the oral cavity includes evaluating all teeth, supporting tissue, and surrounding oral tissue and recording the condition of these structures. The present study was conducted to find out the knowledge of oral cancer among general dental practitioners responding to a general survey. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among general dental practitioners from March 2020 to July 2020 in 234 sample sizes. Convenience sampling technique was used. Data collection was done after taking ethical approval from the Institutional Review committee (Ref no. 10/020). Data collection was done using a self-administered questionnaire through Google forms. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package of the Social Sciences version 20 software. Results: Our study showed that most of the participants i.e. 131 (56.2%) have moderately adequate knowledge about oral cancer. One-hundred and eighty four (78.6%) and 178 (76.1%) identified smokeless tobacco and smoking tobacco as high-risk factors for oral cancer. Two-hundred (85.5%) participants recognised buccal/labial mucosa as a common site for oral cancer. And, 138 (59.2%) have knowledge about early detection of oral cancer. Conclusions: Our study highlights that general dentists have moderate knowledge regarding oral cancer and. Study also states that more practical knowledge and training should be included in undergraduate programs.