Participating dentists' assessment of the pilot regional online videoconferencing in dentistry (PROVIDENT) project. (9/68)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the educational effectiveness of delivering continuing professional education (CPE) from dental schools to small groups of dentists at distant sites via videoconferenced links using relatively inexpensive equipment and ISDN2 links. DESIGN: 41 videoconferences between the four campuses of London Dental Schools and postgraduate centres in South East England were assessed using a pre-piloted questionnaire which contained open and specific questions. The questionnaire was given to all participants at the end of each videoconference. Answers to the specific questions were graded using the Likert scale. RESULTS: 40 of the 41 videoconferences were completed satisfactorily and were attended by 257 participants, all of whom completed questionnaires. However, no individual question was answered by all the participants. Of the responses 90% were positive on the topics of appropriateness of the teaching material for delivery by videoconference and of its educational level. 90% of responses also indicated a wish to attend further videoconferences and satisfaction at avoiding the need to travel to London for similar educational activity. 87% rated the lecturers as good or excellent in their use of the medium. 85% of responses indicated that the question and answer sessions within the videoconferences were useful and 82% that the visual aids enhanced the sessions. The technical aspects of the videoconferences were rated positively but to a lesser extent than the educational aspects with 69% of positive responses for visibility of visual aids, 54% for sound quality and 76% for the lecturers use of the technology. The technical aspects of the videoconferences improved during the pilot study. In response to the open questions, participants stated that they found the most useful aspects of the videoconferences were not having to travel, access to first rate lecturers, the discussions and the opportunity to interact with experts. CONCLUSIONS: The participants in this pilot study were positive about the use of videoconferencing to deliver educational material from dental schools to small groups. Once the technology has improved, this medium has the potential to provide CPE for dentists at work or at home in response to their specific needs.  (+info)

Evaluation of web-based dental CE courses. (10/68)

Various organizations offer online continuing dental education (CDE) courses. While previous investigations focused on objective measures to determine the quality of the courses, this exploratory study evaluates the participants' experience with them. We surveyed 436 past course participants from nine online CDE courses (courses provided by six organizations) regarding their experience with the courses taken. Our analysis of the 169 responses (38.8 percent response rate) focuses on how the participants of online CDE courses can be characterized; whether the participants' expectations were met by the courses; how the participants evaluated the content of the courses; why they enrolled; and the participants' experience of the online environment. The results suggest that online CDE courses partially meet the needs and expectations of dental professionals. The lack of communication with peers and instructors as well as the fact that courses appeared outdated were main reasons for dissatisfaction. Most of the participants accomplished their goals of gaining new knowledge and deepening their understanding of the subject. Based on this evaluation, future courses can be tailored to meet more closely the expectations and needs of dental professionals.  (+info)

The use of radiation dose-reduction techniques in the practices of dental faculty members. (11/68)

X-ray exposure to dental patients has been significantly reduced by the introduction of speed group E intraoral film, rectangular beam limitation, long position indicating devices (PIDs), and rare-earth intensifying screens for extraoral radiography. Research indicates that many dentists do not use these techniques. However, schools of dentistry have implemented them to varying degrees for many years, so this investigation was conducted to determine the extent to which dental school faculty members use these materials and techniques in their own practices. Comparisons were made between full- and part-time instructors, those in practice for fifteen years or less and those in practice for more than fifteen years, and those with postgraduate education versus those with no formal education beyond dental school. The significance of differences was measured with chi-square analysis. The results indicate that dentists with faculty appointments utilize dose-reducing techniques to degrees that are comparable to or greater than reported usage by non-dental faculty practitioners. Faculty dentists in practice fifteen years or less are more likely than their older colleagues to use E-speed film (p = 0.001), whereas those in practice more than fifteen years are more likely to use longer PIDs (p = 0.049). Greater acceptance of these practices by faculty may lead to reinforcement of their use in the clinical education of dental students.  (+info)

Oral and pharyngeal cancer: knowledge and opinions of dentists in British Columbia and Nova Scotia. (12/68)

Oral and pharyngeal cancers are largely preventable and can be successfully treated when diagnosed at an early stage. Dentists in British Columbia and Nova Scotia were surveyed regarding their knowledge and opinions about oral and pharyngeal cancer. In February 1998 a pretested 41-item survey was mailed to a random sample of dentists in British Columbia and the population of dentists in Nova Scotia. A reminder postcard and one additional mailing were sent to nonrespondents. Of the 670 dentists supplying usable responses (response rate 55.2%) only 56.7% agreed that their knowledge of the subject was current. Most dentists correctly identified tobacco use (99.4%) and alcohol use (90.4%) as risk factors, but fewer correctly identified factors such as the use of spicy foods (57.0%) and poor oral hygiene (46.3%) as not being risk factors. Only 42.5% identified both erythroplakia and leukoplakia, in that order, as the conditions most likely associated with oral cancer. Indices of risk and diagnostic knowledge were constructed by summing the number of correct responses to items in each domain. On 16 risk factors the mean correct score was 9.2, and on 14 diagnostic procedures the mean correct score was 10.0. Only 38.5% of dentists had consistent levels of knowledge on both indices. Differences between the provinces were statistically significant (p < 0.01) for only 2 knowledge items. About three-quarters of all dentists (77.0%) were interested in taking continuing education courses. Dentists in British Columbia and Nova Scotia could benefit from undergraduate and continuing education courses to increase their knowledge of risk and diagnostic factors for oral cancer.  (+info)

General dental practitioners' experiences of a collaborative clinical audit on antibiotic prescribing: a qualitative study. (13/68)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate general dental practitioners' experiences of a multi-collaborative antibiotic prescribing audit. DESIGN: Qualitative analysis of compulsory post-audit group report data collection forms and individual practitioners' post-audit evaluation forms. SUBJECTS: Information was collected from 175 general dental practitioners in the North West of England who participated in the audit. METHOD: The general dental practitioners were divided into groups of 8-10 to undertake the audit. Information from compulsory post-audit group reports was transcribed and analysed. The information was categorised into a number of areas including changes in practice, patients' expectations, training and quality of service. On completion of the audit individual practitioners were asked to complete an evaluation form on the audit process. RESULTS: 141 (80.5%) individual evaluation forms were returned. Over 90% of GDPs felt that the audit process was easily understood and the majority of the practitioners thought the audit was worthwhile. Approximately 69% of participants felt that the audit had helped to change their antibiotic prescribing practices. Analysis of the post-audit group report data collection forms revealed more than 100 statements. The most common areas were changes required in practice, patients' expectations, increased training and quality of service. CONCLUSION: The collaborative clinical audit project was seen to be a worthwhile learning experience by the participating general dental practitioners. The audit encouraged GDPs to change their antibiotic prescribing practices and thereby improve patient care. GDPs also highlighted the need for continuing education in the prescribing of antibiotics.  (+info)

The way forward for dental sedation and primary care? (14/68)

OBJECTIVES: Firstly to determine the current provision of sedation in primary dental care in an area of Scotland without local secondary care support and secondly, to investigate dental practitioners' desire for formal postgraduate training in sedation techniques. DESIGN: A prospective postal questionnaire-based study. SETTING: Grampian Primary Care NHS Trust, UK, 2001. SUBJECTS: Questionnaires were sent to all NHS dental practitioners and community dental service clinicians (N = 194] employed through Grampian Primary Care NHS Trust, Scotland during March - April 2001. The questionnaires sought details about personal status and the use and perceived need for conscious sedation techniques in practice in addition to the stated desire for postgraduate training in sedation techniques. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-six questionnaires were returned (70%). Forty-nine per cent of respondents reported current sedation use, with intravenous sedation the favoured technique (82%), followed by oral sedation (33%) and inhalation sedation (19%). Seventy-four per cent of participants considered that there was a need for sedation in their own practice and 68% were interested in further postgraduate training in sedation techniques. CONCLUSION: Nearly three-quarters of practitioners who responded felt that there was a need for sedation in their own practice, although less than half were able to offer sedation to their patients. Nearly 70% of practitioners felt there was a need for postgraduate training in sedation techniques.  (+info)

Information-seeking patterns of dentists in Istanbul, Turkey. (15/68)

The authors surveyed dentists in Istanbul, Turkey to determine the modes they were using to access current professional information. A questionnaire was sent to 379 privately practicing dentists. The response rate was 35 percent. Privately practicing dentists frequently preferred to use traditional methods, such as discussions with colleagues, textbooks, and the brochures of products, to obtain information. Textbooks were found to be the most helpful information retrieval method. The lack of time after work and the difficulties in traffic in Istanbul were cited as the leading barriers to accessing information. We conclude that Turkish dentists in private practice need to improve their computer literacy skills in order to benefit from the generous opportunities that technology offers them and also to overcome the problem of professional isolation in their lives.  (+info)

Family violence content in dental hygiene curricula: a national survey. (16/68)

Dental personnel are in an excellent position to recognize suspected abuse of dental patients because 65-75 percent of abuse occurs in the head and neck area. While most dental and dental hygiene curricula include the topic of child abuse, it has previously been unknown if other types of abuse, such as intimate partner abuse, elder abuse, and abuse of disabled persons, are addressed. This study was conducted to determine the extent to which dental hygiene programs have incorporated these family violence topics into the curriculum. Specific data on content, teaching methods, faculty, and resources were collected. Reasons for not including family violence in the curricula, attitudes on mandatory continuing education, and support services available for abuse victims were also examined. A fifteen-item survey was sent to all 229 U.S. accredited dental hygiene programs. Surveys were returned from 173 programs for a response rate of 77.5 percent. Child abuse was taught in most programs (N=122, 70.5 percent), while elder abuse (N=95, 54.9 percent), intimate partner abuse (N=81, 46.8 percent), and abuse of individuals with disabilities (N=80, 46.2 percent) were taught in fewer programs. Reasons for not including family violence in the curricula (N=31, 18 percent) varied. The need is critical for increased curriculum attention in U.S. dental hygiene programs to help stem the epidemic of family violence. Raising dental hygienists' awareness of the problem and potentially increasing the number of reports of and referrals for suspected violence may help more victims.  (+info)