RESULTS: It was seen from the results of the study that the first-choice antibiotics for 67.8% of dentists were found to be the β-lactam group while sulfonamides and tetracyclines at 20% were the second most prescribed group. Another important finding was that 45.6% of dentists ignored hypersensitivity testing before prescription of antibiotics even though 83.3% of the total dentists interviewed were aware of the increase in antibiotic resistance.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the dentists are partially aware of the guidelines but need further training and education on antimicrobial prescription that enables evidence-based decision-making for better practices and outcomes.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate knowledge about the disease and assess ways of precautions to be taken during the pandemic.
METHODS: A questionnaire was developed and registered at Google Forms. The study population included dental practitioners, working in hospitals and clinics. A total of 495 dental practitioners from 14 different countries across the world responded. Most dentists were aware of the required modifications in the management of patients. The points allotted for each correct/best answer by participants for a group of questions regarding each component (Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices) were added/summed to generate an overall score for each of the three components.
RESULTS: Both univariate and multivariate analysis employed for the evaluation of results. Moreover, the total practice score was significantly associated with gender and sector of practice. Multivariable analysis model using multiple linear regressions was formulated by including those variables which were significant at the univariate stage. Hence, the practice sector was the only variable found to be significantly associated with the total knowledge score (p-value
METHOD: A questionnaire containing 19 single-answer, multiple-choice type questions was mailed to 503 GDPs practising in the Greater Manchester area in January 2002. An explanatory covering letter and a stamped addressed return envelope were enclosed. The data obtained were processed using SPSS statistical software.
RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty-one (70%) of the practitioners responded to the questionnaire. The restoration of root-filled teeth was normally undertaken within 1-2 weeks of completing root canal therapy by 63% of the practitioners. Only 35% of the GDPs used posts routinely in the restoration of root-filled anterior teeth; the corresponding figure for posterior teeth was 15%. While a cast, precious metal post was the preferred choice in the restoration of anterior teeth, the use of prefabricated posts and related techniques predominated in the restoration of posterior teeth. Composite resin was the most popular choice of material for core build-up procedures in anterior teeth. Amalgam tended to be favoured for core build-ups in posterior teeth. The majority of the practitioners (56%) routinely restored root-filled anterior teeth by means of porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Seventy-three per cent of the GDPs preferred to restore root-filled posterior teeth by means of a full veneer crown.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the practitioners surveyed had a sound understanding of the principles involved in the restoration of endodontically treated teeth, with the possible exception of the need to establish a durable coronal seal as soon as possible after the placement of a root filling.
DESIGN: General dental practitioners and specialists in the UAE were invited to participate in an online questionnaire survey which included questions on socio-demographics, practitioner's antibiotic prescribing preferences for various pulpal and periapical diseases, and their choice, in terms of the type, dose and duration of the antibiotic. The link to the survey questionnaire was sent to 250 invited dentists. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and chi-square tests for independence and level of significance was set at 0.05.
RESULTS: A total of 174 respondents participated in the survey (response rate = 70%). The respondents who prescribed antibiotics at least once a month were 38.5% while 17.2% did so, more than three times a week; amoxicillin 500 mg was the antibiotic of choice for patients not allergic to penicillin (43.7%), and in cases of penicillin allergies, erythromycin 500 mg (21.3%). There was a significant difference in the antibiotic prescribing practices of GDPs compared to endodontists and other specialties especially in clinical cases such as acute apical abscesses with swelling and moderate to severe pre-operative symptoms and retreatment of endodontic cases (p<0.05). Approximately, three quarters of the respondents (78.7%) did not prescribe a loading dose when prescribing antibiotics. About 15% respondents prescribed antibiotics to their patients if they were not accessible to patients due to a holiday/weekend.
CONCLUSIONS: In general, the antibiotic prescribing practices of UAE dentists are congruent with the international norms. However, there were occasions of inappropriate prescriptions such as in patients with irreversible pulpitis, necrotic pulps with no systemic involvement and/or with sinus tracts.
MATERIALS & METHODS: The participants included a conveniently selected sample of dentists (N = 126; Males = 65; Females = 61). The participants' anthropometric measurements/blood sample analysis were carried out and they completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis included demographics, gender/age wise comparison using SPSS (p 0.05) were observed for cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL. However, significant difference (p = 0.00) was found for the fasting glucose level (Males = 5.69±1.49; Females = 4.94±0.42). Overall mean scoring (3.00±1.11) for the stress showed that the participants fall into the average/moderate level of stress category (Males = 3.16±1.02; Females = 2.83±1.08). Almost two third (68.26%) of the participant's responded that they were under some kind of stress.
CONCLUSIONS: MS was found to be less frequent among the dentists working in the city of Riyadh. Overall, the dentists were under moderate level of occupational stress, with male dentists being more prone to work related stress.
AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes and practices of endodontists and paediatric dentists regarding RET.
DESIGN: A survey was conducted among endodontists and paediatric dentists from 13 countries. A number of factors were evaluated, including frequency of RET application, followed guidelines, disinfection techniques, intracanal medication type, scaffold type, preferred coronal seal material, and follow-up period.
RESULTS: Among the 1394 respondents, 853 (61.2%) and 541 (38.8%) were endodontists and paediatric dentists, respectively. Almost half (43%) of participants have not performed RET yet. The American Association of Endodontics guideline (47.3%) was selected as the primary source for the clinical protocol. The most frequently selected irrigant solution was 1.5%-3% NaOCl at the first (26.1%) and second (13.6%) sessions. A blood clot (68.7%) and MTA (61.9%) were the most frequently selected scaffold type and coronal barrier. Most participants preferred a 6-month follow-up period.
CONCLUSION: According to this survey, deviations exist from current RET guidelines regarding all aspects evaluated. Standardizing clinical protocols and adhering to available guidelines would help to ensure more predictable outcomes.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An online survey was performed by sending out an online questionnaire comprising 21 questions among dental practitioners working in four different countries: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Malaysia and United Kingdom. The survey evaluated dental practitioners' level of awareness about the PD therapy, comportment and attitude for its implication and prevalence in daily clinical practice. For statistical significance the Chi-square analysis with Spearman Correlation coefficient was conducted to assess the sub-groups and correlating the factors with the level of awareness of the dental practitioners.
RESULTS: A total of 1,219 dental practitioners from four different countries (Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Malaysia and United Kingdom) responded to the questionnaire. The median age of the respondents was 37, 34, 36 and 39 respectively. The majority of dental practitioners demonstrated to have an acceptable level of awareness regarding PD therapy. Nearly 76%, 74%, 79% and 80% of the individuals from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Malaysia and United Kingdom respectively were aware of the role/mechanism of action of the PD therapy. Moreover, in preponderance, practitioners were confident that the effect of PD therapy will not be reduced in patients infected with COVID-19. The majority of dental practitioners were convinced that successful dental treatment due to PD therapy is linked majorly with therapies done in relation to four major dental specialties: prosthodontics, endodontic, restorative dentistry and periodontology. Approximately more than 90% of the dentists were sure that the rate of COVID-19 transmission can be reduced by using PD therapy in oral treatments. The dental practitioners from Saudi Arabia (91%), Pakistan (82%), Malaysia (83%) and United Kingdom (82%) were contented to learn about PD therapy for its use in clinical practice. Nearly more than 95% of the practitioners from the four countries were keen to attend the lectures/hands-on workshops regarding PD therapy to enhance their skills and knowledge. More than 80% of dentists do not refuse the peripheral role of PD therapy with their patients.
CONCLUSIONS: The respondents from the four countries displayed passable level of awareness regarding basic information of PD therapy and its clinical implication in dental specialty. Nevertheless, there is a need to develop awareness regarding the use of PD therapy among dental practitioners during their undergraduate program. Furthermore, lectures and hands-on workshops should be arranged to train dental practitioners in order to enhance their skills for its solicitation in clinical practice. It is perceived by the dentists in the four countries that the use of PD therapy can effectively reduce COVID-19 rate of transmission.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42021286108) based on PRISMA guidelines. Cross-sectional articles on the dental students' and dental practitioners' acceptance towards COVID-19 vaccine published between March 2020 to October 2021 were searched in eight online databases. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool was employed to analyse the risk of bias (RoB) of each article, whereas the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine recommendation tool was used to evaluate the level of evidence. Data were analysed using the DerSimonian-Laird random effect model based on a single-arm approach.
RESULTS: Ten studies were included of which three studies focused on dental students and seven studies focused on dental practitioners. Four studies were deemed to exhibit moderate RoB and the remaining showed low RoB. All the studies demonstrated Level 3 evidence. Single-arm meta-analysis revealed that dental practitioners had a high level of vaccination acceptance (81.1%) than dental students (60.5%). A substantial data heterogeneity was observed with the overall I2 ranging from 73.65% and 96.86%. Furthermore, subgroup analysis indicated that dental practitioners from the Middle East and high-income countries showed greater (p < 0.05) acceptance levels, while meta-regression showed that the sample size of each study had no bearing on the degree of data heterogeneity.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high degree of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among dental practitioners, dental students still demonstrated poor acceptance. These findings highlighted that evidence-based planning with effective approaches is warranted to enhance the knowledge and eradicate vaccination hesitancy, particularly among dental students.