In response to the introduction of an integrated dental education program at University of Malaya (UM) in 2011, a study was conducted to develop a caries risk assessment model (CRA) for use in non-surgical caries management for Year 3 and 4 students of the new integrated program. Methods: The CRA model was based on risk indicators used by dental students in the Preventive Dental Clinic (PDC). Patients aged 15 years and above who attended the PDC for the first time in year 2009 and 2010 were used as study sample. Four hundred and fourteen patient names were identified from the student PDC logbook. Of the 414, 359 dental records had complete data and included in the analysis. Data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Chi-square test was used for group comparison and associated factors for coronal caries were analysed using Multiple Logistic Regression (MLR). Results: The final model showed that adults, brushing teeth once daily, and not having dental prosthesis/appliance were 3.31 (CI=1.64-6.69), 2.53 (CI=1.19-5.40), and 2.25 (CI=1.25-4.10) more likely to develop coronal caries, respectively, than adolescents, brushing teeth at least twice a day, and having dental prosthesis/appliance. Conclusions: The results indicate that age group, toothbrushing frequency and dental prosthesis status are significant indicators for coronal caries among patients. Outcomes of the study contributed towards bridging the gap between cariology
and preventive modules in the new integrated dental program.
In Malaysia, training to enter dental
nursing profession is only open to women. Ironically,
there are no such gender restrictions on training for
any other health related professions in Malaysia.
Aim: Therefore this study aims to assess the
perceptions of Malaysian Senior Dental Officers
(SDOs) towards the employability of male workers in
the dental nursing profession and to compare findings
from male and female SDOs. Methods: This cross
sectional study was carried out on all SDOs in
Ministry of Health, Malaysia, using a self-administered
questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and a chi square
test were used to address the study objectives. Results:
Of the 112 participants, 78 SDOs returned the
questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 70%. The
majority of SDOs had positive perceptions of the
employment of male dental nurses. It was indicated that
gender is an important indicator for workforce
development, and that the employment of both male
and female dental nurses would enhance productivity.
Almost 70% of SDOs perceived that the productivity
of oral health service would be enhanced by having
male and female dental nurses but 84.6% disagreed
that male dental nurses would be more productive than
female. Two thirds of SDOs disagreed that male dental
nurses would increase satisfaction among male
patients. About 64% of male SDOs disagreed that
dental nursing profession is associated with female
traits. There was no significant difference between
perceptions by male and female SDOs for any
statements. Conclusion: The majority of Malaysian
SDOs have positive perceptions towards the
employability of male dental nurses, and perceived
dental nursing as a suitable profession for both
genders. Training for the dental nursing profession
should therefore be made available for men.