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Introduction Despite evidence on the effectiveness of tobacco cessation interventions in dental settings, the implementation remains low, especially for smokeless tobacco (ST). The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the influences governing the implementation of ST cessation support in dental hospitals. Aims and Methods A multicenter qualitative study was conducted at two tertiary-care dental hospitals, in Pakistan. Semi-structured interview guide, guided by the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model, were used to capture the views of dentists (n  = 12) and dental patients (n  = 12), regarding ST cessation support in dental hospitals. Framework approach was used to thematically analyze the data. Results Screening of ST users in routine dental practice was seldom practiced and the cessation support offered was brief advice. Barriers identified by dentists included: Fear of offending and stereotyping patients; lack of knowledge and skills; lack of privacy; lack of belief in the effectiveness of behavioral support; lack of time and workload pressure; ST use amongst dentists; lack of referral systems and; the absence of a mandatory requirement of offering ST cessation support. Facilitators included: Delivering support through junior dentists and the length of interaction between the dentist and the patient. Naswar was the most common ST product used by dental patients. Patients reported receiving negligible cessation support from any healthcare provider. Conclusions A range of influences governing the implementation of ST cessation support in dental hospitals were identified. These findings can inform the implementation of behavioral interventions for ST cessation in dental and other clinical settings, in low and middle-income countries. Implications Smokeless tobacco control considerably lags, in comparison to the control of combustible tobacco. This is the first study that qualitatively explores the implementation of ST cessation support in dental settings in Pakistan. Utilizing the "Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior" model, it provides an in-depth understanding of the inability of dentists in implementing effective behavioral interventions for ST cessation support in routine dental practice. Highlighting the striking discrepancy between the patient's need for and receptivity towards cessation support and the dentists' concerns over their patients' receptivity towards cessation support, it calls for the need for effective implementation strategies to optimize dentist-led tobacco cessation interventions in low-resource settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the perspectives of dentists towards the Montreal‐Toulouse model, an innovative approach that encompasses person‐centredness and social dentistry. This model invites dentists to take three types of actions (understanding, decision‐making, intervening) on three overlapping levels (individual, community, societal). This study aimed to understand (a) How dentists perceived the Montreal‐Toulouse model as a framework for the practice of dentistry and (b) What parts of this model they were ready to adopt in their own practice. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted based on semi‐structured interviews with a sample of dentists in the Province of Quebec, Canada. A combination of maximum variation and snowball sampling strategies was employed and 14 information‐rich participants were recruited. The interviews were conducted and audio‐recorded through Zoom and lasted approximately 1 h and a half. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed through a combination of inductive and deductive coding. Results: The participants explained they valued person‐centred care and tried to put the individual level of the Montreal‐Toulouse model into practice. However, they expressed little interest in the social dentistry aspects of the model. They acknowledged not knowing how to organize and conduct upstream interventions and were not comfortable with social and political activism. According to them, advocating for better health‐related policies, while a noble act, 'was not their job'. They also highlighted the structural challenges that dentists face in fostering biopsychosocial approaches such as the Montreal‐Toulouse model. Conclusions: To promote the Montreal‐Toulouse model and empower dentists to address social determinants of health, an educational and organizational 'paradigm shift' towards social accountability might be necessary. Such a shift requires curricular modifications and reconsidering traditional teaching approaches in dental schools. Moreover, dentistry's professional organization could facilitate dentists' upstream actions through proper resource allocation and openness to collaboration with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Endodontically treated teeth undergo loss of tooth structure, resulting in increased fracture susceptibility as compared to unrestored vital teeth. The final restoration following the root canal treatment is of paramount importance. This study aimed to determine current concepts, opinions, and techniques used to restore Endodontically Treated Teeth among dentists of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and compare their knowledge with their clinical practice to determine the gap between their understanding and application. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad, from February to June 2022 after ethical approval. A convenience sampling technique was used. About 235 dentists, including house officers, general dentists, postgraduate trainees, and consultants of Endodontics of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, participated. Data was collected by a structured questionnaire widely accepted with Cronbach's alpha of 0.75 through electronic media. Its first part included demographics, while the second part included questions regarding understanding and practice of endodontically treated teeth restoration. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 2, the chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were applied. RESULTS: The mean age of study participants was 29.0±4.54 years. Out of 235 participants, 76(32.3%) were males and 159(67.75%) were females. The responses regarding technical management of endodontically treated teeth showed significant differences with p-value≤0.001 in the understanding and applications of general dental practitioners and endodontists. CONCLUSION: A significant difference was found among dentists regarding their understanding and practice of restoring endodontically treated teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study examined factors associated with occupational stress among 384 dentists working in the private sector in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Data were collected from August to October 2020 through an online form. Two outcomes – (1) anxiety and worry and (2) preparation and safety for work during the pandemic – constituted a proxy for occupational stress. The independent variables were grouped according to the explanatory theoretical model into individual, organisational and extra-organisational factors. Associations were tested by bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Although prepared and confident, dentists felt anxious and worried about providing clinical care. Women, younger respondents and those who received no guidance on safety measures were more likely to report insecurity and unpreparedness. Younger professionals, those who did not participate in decision-making and who only sometimes had an assistant for four -hand work, were more likely to feel anxious and worried. In addition to individual factors, work organisation factors were associated with occupational stress among dentists in the first year of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a serious complication among dental patients undergoing treatment with antiresorptive medications such as bisphosphonate and denosumab. The present survey investigated the awareness and practice of dentists in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries regarding MRONJ. This questionnaire-based study was conducted among dental practitioners in all six GCC countries. A questionnaire was designed and distributed among all potential participants via different social media platforms. SPSS version 22 was used for data analysis, and P -value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Overall, 1685 dentists from the six GCC countries participated in the present study. The surveyed dentists revealed relatively fair practices and awareness regarding MRONJ and its prevention, with the majority reported asking their patients about history of anti-osteoporotic medications (67.8%), recording name of the medication (73.1%) and duration of treatment (75.5%). However, the majority of the participants were unconfident about the duration of drug holiday prior to dental surgical interventions (70.6%) and the overall good level of knowledge/practice related to MRONJ was just 50.6%. The regression analysis revealed that previous exposure to MRONJ cases and attending a seminar, course, meeting, or conference about osteonecrosis of the jaw were independent predictors for positive awareness/good practice regarding MRONJ (P < 0.05). The results show inadequate awareness and practices of dentists practicing in GCC countries regarding MRONJ, with significant variations among the countries. Therefore, appropriate interventions such as periodic continuous education courses are required to improve dentists' knowledge and practices regarding MRONJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Social Media (SM) has proven to be a valuable tool in various fields, including healthcare. However, its improper use can result in several ethical problems. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of ethical SM usage for professional purposes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge at K.M. Shah Dental College and Hospital Vadodara, Gujarat, India between October 2022 and March 2023. A total of 319 respondents, including dental postgraduates, academicians, and dental practitioners, participated in the survey online through various SM groups. The questionnaire was created by analysing previous literature and reviewed by experts for accuracy. The survey comprised nine questions with three subsections to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practice of ethical SM usage The survey was distributed through Google Forms, and the statistical analysis of the results was conducted using the Chi-square test (p

Abstract Background Interprofessional education (IPE) is essential to foster collaboration among healthcare professionals for holistic patient care. However, Malaysian dental education remains discipline-centric, hindering multidisciplinary learning approaches. Hence, this study aimed to explore Malaysian undergraduate dental students’ perceptions of IPE. Methods The present cross-sectional study employed convenience sampling to survey undergraduate dental students from four Malaysian institutions using a modified questionnaire with 20 close-ended and 2 open-ended questions. The questionnaire covered three domains (effectiveness, preference, importance) to assess students’ perceptions using a five-point Likert scale. Psychometric validation was performed to assure validity and reliability of the modified questionnaire. Quantitative analysis (descriptive and inferential statistics), and qualitative analysis (content analysis) were subsequently performed. Results 397 students responded, and positive perceptions were generally noted with mean scores ranging from 4.13 to 4.35 across all domains. Questions 2 and 3, assessing the improvement in understanding the roles and responsibilities, and communication among healthcare professionals, received the highest mean scores. Meanwhile, Question 15 concerning the incorporation of IPE into educational goals received the lowest mean score. Regression analysis identified gender and clinical phase as significant factors, with females and preclinical students exhibiting more favourable perceptions. Motivators for IPE included a keen interest in diverse perspectives and recognising the importance of teamwork, while barriers encompassed tightly packed schedules, lack of understanding about IPE, misconceptions regarding dental education, and students’ nervousness and fear of participation. Conclusion This study produced a valid and reliable instrument to measure undergraduate dental students’ perceptions towards IPE. Strategic planning, such as overcoming logistical challenges, improving awareness, and creating a supportive learning environment are crucial for successful IPE integration into existing curricula, especially in resource-constrained developing countries like Malaysia.

Objective: The aim: To assess the actual prevalence of rubber dam usage among general dentists., Patients and Methods: Materials and methods: Surveyed participants were offered a questionnaire containing 14 questions about gender, country of origin, clinical experience, time and place of acquisition of skills of rubber dam, as well as the frequency of its usage., Results: Results: 30.69% of dentists always use rubber dams for direct restorations; 74.26% always use rubber dams during root canals treatment; 36.3% always use rubber dam for bonding indirect restorations., Conclusion: Conclusions: The prevalence of rubber usage among general dentists shows positive growth dynamics, but the frequency is still considered insufficient.

Introduction: Definitive diagnosis of restoring worn surfaces and simultaneous control of the causes of these wears is considered a viable therapeutic option. This study was designed to evaluate awareness and function of general dentists about tooth wear in Yazd, 2022. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 153 dentists working in Yazd City, Iran were randomly selected and their knowledge and practice were assessed using a valid and reliable reasearcher-made questionnaire containing 13 knowledge questions and 13 practice questions. Data were entered into SPSS 16 software and analyzed using t-test, chi-square, exact fissure tests. Results: 153 dentists with a mean age of 28.07 ± 3.69 were included in this study. The mean knowledge score was 8.5 ± 1.6. The mean practice score was 8.45 ± 1.6. Knowledge and practice score was not significantly associated with age, gender and work place (P> 0.05), but knowledge and practice was significantly higher in dentists with less than five years of work experience (P˂ 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, the level of knowledge and practice of dentists in Yazd City was moderate. Therefore, it is necessary to develop educational programs to raise the level of knowledge and practice of dentists.

Abstract Background Medical child abuse and neglect are part of a spectrum of conditions that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in children. Recognition of these forms of child maltreatment is crucial to prevent harm. Dentists should have familiarity with the framework for diagnosing and reporting child abuse as the orofacial complex is the prime anatomical region to show any signs of abuse. AIM: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and experience of dentists in India on child abuse and their role as primary responders. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire comprising 16 questions was distributed among dentists in India and responses were collected. The questionnaire included questions on the knowledge, awareness, and experience of dentists in child abuse identification, reporting, legal proceedings, and proposals for the betterment of the current scenario. The data collected were statistically analyzed. Results A total of 203 dentists responded to the questionnaires through online platforms. Among them, 78.3% were females, and 65.3% had an institutional practice. While the majority (72.4%) were confident in identifying the indicators of child abuse, the knowledge on reporting was alarming. 98% of participants expressed their need for comprehensive education and training. Conclusion The gap between the knowledge about indicators and the confidence to report suspicious cases are notable in this study. Adequate interventions in the hour of need require the involvement of support agencies and funding at both government and local levels.

ABSTRACT: Objective: The aim of this research was to investigate attitudes towards principles of professional ethics (PPE) amongst Iranian dentists working in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This pilot cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 273 dentists in Isfahan, Iran. A validated, comprehensive questionnaire including principles of respect for patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice was used to evaluate dentistry professional ethics aspects. Age, gender, marital status, type of graduate university, level of education, specialised field of study, work experience, workplace, and participation in ethics workshops and courses were registered from participants. Total and domains scores of used questionnaires were calculated and compared across categories of study participants’ characteristics. Results: Mean ± SD age of participants was 35.4 ± 10.7 years, and 57% were female; about 73% graduated from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and 65% were general dentists. The attitude total score of dentists towards PPE was 133.02 ± 13.16. Mean total score of the questionnaire and its domains was different significantly (P < .05) across categories of level of education, marital status, and passing the ethical courses. Conclusions: The attitude of dentists towards PPE was rated at a good level. However, improvement in attitudes of some specific subgroups such as general dentists and newly graduated ones is needed. Conducting specific workshops about professional ethics and incorporating these principles into university curricula can be beneficial.

Abstract Background Dentists are at risk of burnout syndrome, which can have negative impacts on their work environment and productivity. Assessing burnout is crucial for maintaining the well-being and effectiveness of dentists in their profession. The present study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) among dentists. Methods The original English version of the MBI-HSS was translated into Arabic, and then back-translated into English by experienced bilingual professionals. Lebanese dentists were asked to participate in the study between February and June 2019. Data collected included demographic information and items from the Arabic version of the MBI-HSS. Results A total of 441 people participated in the study, of whom 58.3% were men. The mean age of the sample was 39.6 years (SD = 12.8), with a range of 23 to 68 years old. Approximately 60% of dentists were specialists. Cronbach’s alphas were as follows: emotional exhaustion (alpha = 0.855), depersonalization (alpha = 0.823), and personal achievement (alpha = 0.667). The results of the test-retest reliability assessment demonstrated the strong reproducibility of the MBI-HSS [EE, ICC = 0.927 (0.845, 0.966), p-value

Abstract Objectives The global pandemic outbreak of the coronavirus has instilled the quest amongst researchers on the expedited need for the early detection of viral load. Saliva is a complex oral biological fluid which not only causes the disease transmission but can be an effective alternative sample for detection of SARS-CoV2. This provides an ideal opportunity for dentists to be the frontline healthcare professionals who can collect the salivary samples; however the awareness of this amongst dentists is uncertain. Hence the aim of this survey was to evaluate the knowledge, perception and awareness of the role of saliva in detecting the SARS-CoV2 among dentists worldwide. Methods The online questionnaire comprising of 19 questions was shared to 1100 dentists worldwide and a total of 720 responses was collected. The data was tabulated, statistically analysed using the non- parametric Kruskal-Wallis test (p

Purpose: The awkward and repetitive movements lead to tissue straining, potentially leading to painful musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs in dentists result in work inefficiency and a reduction in work hours. A survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of MSDs amongst the dental population of interest. Methods: Customized individual detail questionnaires, Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaires, and Level of Pain estimation using the Likert Scale were used to deduce the various responsible risk factors for the occurrence of MSDs in dentists. Inferential statistical analysis was done to identify the prevalence and severity of the MSDs. The Chi-Square test (95 % confidence interval) was used to identify and compare the association of risk factors involved in MSDs with the occurrence of the Effect of MSDs, the presence of MSDs, and the severity of the MSDs. Results: The results of the study deduced that the dentists followed the sedentary work practices. The dentists experienced maximum discomfort in the neck region, which was accompanied by the discomfort experienced in the lower back, hands and wrists, making the upper extremity being more susceptible to the MSDs. Gender risk factors the, the prevalence of MSDs in the dentist's upper back, and the severity of pain in the upper back region showed a significant association level. Conclusion: The wrist posture, the prevalence of MSDs and the severity of pain in the dentists' neck, shoulder and upper back showed a significant association level.

Abstract: The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of dental professionals and students regarding tobacco cessation counseling (TCC) after their participation in a continuing education activity (CEA) entitled "Smoking cessation: How does the dentist participate in this decision?" at the Oral Cancer Seminar: Projeto Maio Vermelho 2021. This study utilized a pre-/post-intervention design, including a pre-intervention questionnaire with 20 close-ended questions, an educational intervention, and a post-intervention questionnaire with nine close-ended questions. Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25 and GraphPad Prism 8 software. The significance level was set at p = 0.05. A total of 94 participants answered the pre-intervention questionnaire and 52 answered both the pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. Most participants reported regularly asking about smoking status (96.8%), providing advice on tobacco risks (96.8%), and offering some counseling to help patients stop smoking (84.0%). Although participants habitually ask about cigarette use, other forms of tobacco consumption are frequently overlooked. Most participants reported never having attended TCC training during their undergraduate studies (67.0%) or after graduation (71.2%). However, 96.2% showed interest in attending TCC training. The perception that motivational counseling by dentists can encourage patients to stop smoking rose from 87.5 to 98.2% (p

Limited mouth opening, which is also known as trismus or lockjaw, has a number of abeyant issues and its treatment depends on the major cause. The objective of this study is to figure out the common causes of limited mouth opening in Karachi and to ascertain the management approach for a patient with trismus. The level of awareness and skill amongst clinicians with reference to the management of patients with trismus has also been evaluated. About 300 dental clinicians were asked a group of questions by the help of a questionnaire. The survey was conducted amongst the public and private dental OPDs in Karachi. The questions have been asked to evaluate the level of awareness, diagnostic approach, and quality of management and care offered to the patients having trismus. The three most common causes of trismus according to the present study came out to be oral submucosal fibrosis (26.7%), infections (24.0%), and trauma (15.0%), respectively. The dentists have chosen different management approaches according to their field of specialization and case dependence such as physiological mouth opening exercises (50.7%), prescribing medications specially muscle relaxants (24.3%), incision on contracted oral mucosa (12.7%), correction of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or bone deformity (7.7%), and intralesional corticosteroid therapy (4.7%). The study concluded that trismus can turn into a potentially life-threatening situation if misdiagnosed and managed improperly; therefore, special attention should be given to patients coming with any of the above-mentioned symptoms.

Objectives: With consistent calls for a more integrated approach to improve the healthcare system's effectiveness, the scope of practice for dentists has expanded; dentists are now seen to positively intervene to address several sensitive health issues among their patients. However, it is not clear how comfortable dentists feel in doing so. This study endeavored to assess self-perceived ease of dentists to discuss various sensitive health issues and if their socio-demographics influence their ease., Methods: A self-administered online survey was sent to Ontario dentists (n = 9975) to assess their self-perceived ease in discussing five sensitive health issues with their patients: eating disorders, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual behaviors, and physical abuse. Ordinal logistic regressions were performed along with descriptive analyses., Results: The response rate was 9.3%. Over 50% of participants indicated difficulty discussing STIs, sexual behaviors and physical abuse. Younger dentists, female practitioners, dentists practicing in private settings, and those practicing in rural areas perceived more difficulty to discuss all five health issues. Place of training was also a significant predictor: internationally trained dentists perceived it easier to discuss eating disorders, substance abuse, and physical abuse while Canadian trained were more at ease to discuss STIs and sexual behaviors., Conclusion: This exploratory study identified that a large proportion of dentists are not comfortable discussing sensitive health issue with their patients. There are numerous opportunities for intervention in Canadian dental curriculums, continuing education programs, and communication practices to support dentists' discussions with patients about these important health concerns., (© 2021 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Journal of Public Health Dentistry © 2021 American Association of Public Health Dentistry. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Health.)

Statement of Problem: Multiple esthetic width proportions have been described for maxillary anterior teeth. However, the esthetic characteristics of each have not been compared simultaneously to determine which proportion is preferred by dentists and laypersons., Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preferences of dentists and laypersons with respect to internationally recognized dental esthetic proportions. It also sought to determine whether a relationship existed among dentists' preferences as per their specialty and among laypersons as per their academic field., Material and Methods: Two smile images, one male and one female, were digitally modified to meet the golden proportion and the recurring esthetic dental (70%) and golden percentage. The 2 resulting sets of images (original images and digitally altered ones) were presented to dentists and laypersons through a Web-based survey site. The Pearson chi-squared and Fisher tests were used to assess the differences in the esthetic preferences among the groups (α=.05)., Results: A total of 363 answers were obtained from dentists and 750 from laypersons. Both groups considered recurring esthetic dental to be the most esthetic proportion and golden proportion to be the least esthetic proportion. The dentists' preferences as per their specialty followed the same trend, whereas the laypersons' preferences were more scattered according to their academic field. The recurring esthetic dental proportion was preferred in images of both sexes, golden proportion smiles were the least preferred for female smiles, and golden percentage was the least preferred for male smiles., Conclusions: The results obtained indicated that the preferred esthetic proportion both for dentists and laypersons was the recurring esthetic dental 70%, with the dentists' specialty or laypersons branch of knowledge not affecting choice., (Copyright © 2021 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Should one theory of dentistry be allowed to predominate over another in a profession that has a monopoly? This question is traced to the original Dentists Act of 1878, which was set up as a result of the dental reform movement which sought to prevent unqualified dentists from practising. A report into the 'extent and gravity of the evils connected with the practice of dentistry and dental surgery by persons not qualified under the Dentists Act' published in 1919 showed that the original Act had been unsuccessful in this respect, which led to the 1921 Act. The 1919 Report and the current Dentists Act of 1981 both refer to and support this contention. Can a licensed monopoly be justified in excluding the practice of expansion in non-extraction functional jaw orthopaedics while accepting conventional extraction orthodontics? This is especially so, as there is an expanding evidence base to support expansion in functional jaw orthopaedics., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the British Dental Association.)

Background: Providing dental services to dependent older adults might be challenging because of physical and cognitive decline. The present study aimed to explore current practices, knowledge, and experienced challenges related to the treatment of older adults in home health care services (HHCS) among dentists and dental hygienists in Norway., Methods: An electronic questionnaire survey was distributed to Norwegian dentists and dental hygienists, inquiring about background characteristics, current practices, self-perceived knowledge, and challenges when providing oral health care for older HHCS patients., Results: Four hundred and sixty-six dentists and 244 dental hygienists treating older HHCS patients responded to the survey. The majority were female (n=620; 87.3%) and worked in the public dental service (PDS) (n=639; 90%). When older HHCS adults attended the dental practice, the treatments provided were most frequently aimed at relieving acute oral problems, although dental hygienists reported to focus on improving oral health more often than dentists. Dentists reported to have more self-perceived knowledge than dental hygienists regarding patients with complex treatment needs, cognitive or physical impairment. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was carried out on the 16 items related to challenges, three factors were extracted and Structural Equation Models (SEMs) were performed. Challenges related to dental care for older HHCS adults were related to time, practical organization and communication. Variation within these categories was associated with sex, graduation year and country, as well as time used per patient and work sector, but not with professional status., Conclusions: The results indicate that dental care for older HHCS patients is time-demanding and more often aimed at relieving symptoms than improving oral health. A substantial proportion of dentists and dental hygienists in Norway lack confidence when providing dental care for frail elderly., (© 2023. The Author(s).)