Evaluation of environmental bacterial contamination and procedures to control cross infection in a sample of Italian dental surgeries. (1/68)

OBJECTIVES: To perform a pilot study on bacterial contamination in some dental surgeries (n=51) in a local health unit in Brescia (Lombardy Region, Italy) and to evaluate the procedures to control cross infection used by the personnel to reduce the risk of infection in dental practice. METHODS: A survey was carried out by interviewing 133 dental personnel with a questionnaire on the procedures used to control infection. The autoclaves, chemical baths (chemiclaves), and ovens present in the surgeries were tested for sterilisation efficiency with a spore test, and already packed and sterilised instruments were randomly sampled and tested for sterility. Microbial contamination of air, surface, and dental unit water samples were also studied. RESULTS: The dental personnel did not generally follow the principal procedures for infection control: 30% of personnel were not vaccinated against hepatitis B virus, infected instruments were often not decontaminated, periodic checks of autoclave efficiency were lacking, and the knowledge of disinfection mechanisms and procedures was incomplete. High bacteriological contamination of water at dental surgeries was often found and total bacteriological counts in air samples were high. Surface studies showed widespread bacterial contamination. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, an educational programme for the prevention of infective hazards has been prepared and carried out. The results of this pilot study will be used for planning a national survey.  (+info)

A survey of continuing professional education for orthodontists in 23 European countries. (2/68)

This paper reports on a survey of the organization, forms and methods of funding continuing professional education (CPE) for those providing orthodontics in 23 European countries in 1997. A postal questionnaire was sent to all members of the EURO-QUAL II BIOMED project, who came from 28 countries, together with an explanatory letter. Answers were validated during a meeting of project participants and by further correspondence, when necessary. Completed questionnaires, which were subsequently validated, were returned by orthodontists from 23 countries and indicated that orthodontic CPE took place in 22 of the 23 countries surveyed. A number of different bodies were reported as organizing orthodontic CPE. This task was most frequently performed by orthodontic societies (in 22 out of 23 countries), but a number of other bodies were also involved. Practical technique courses were reported as taking place in 20 countries. Other frequently occurring forms of orthodontic CPE were lectures (in 18 countries) and study groups (in 15 countries). Orthodontists were reported as financing their CPE in 22 countries; others, who contributed to some or all of the costs, were the Government (in six countries), employers (in four countries), universities (in four countries), and a dental company (in one country). It was concluded that some orthodontic CPE took place in the vast majority of the countries surveyed, and was invariably organized by and paid for, wholly or in part by orthodontists themselves.  (+info)

Online educational resources - will more information make us wiser? (3/68)

Although the Internet is still primarily an information resource, there is increasing emphasis on its instructional potential. Practitioners can receive Internet-based information and education from a variety of sources around the world. However, they must learn to assess this information and to assimilate it into knowledge that will help them in their practices. They must also be given the opportunity to interact with colleagues to discuss issues pertinent to practice. This article describes the advantages of online education and provides resources to help practitioners evaluate the quality of online information and courses.  (+info)

Evaluation of computer aided learning in developing clinical decision-making skills. (4/68)

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether an educational intervention delivered by a computer aided learning package improved the sensitivity and specificity of dentists' restorative treatment decisions. METHOD: The study was a randomised controlled study using a Solomon three-group design. Ninety-five dentists were randomly allocated to the three study groups. One group of dentists read the radiographs pre and post an educational intervention, a second group read the radiographs once, after the intervention, and a third group read the radiographs twice, but received no intervention. On each occasion the dentists read 24 surfaces on each of 15 radiographs and made 360 decisions on how certain they were about restoring the tooth surface. Comparisons of mean sensitivity, specificity and areas under ROC curves were made within and between the study groups. Kappa values were used to assess changes in the level of agreement between dentists. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in sensitivity, specificity or area under ROC curves caused by the intervention. There was no evidence that the level of agreement between the dentists improved after the intervention. CONCLUSION: A computer aided learning package had no effect on dentists' treatment decision-making behaviour.  (+info)

Evaluation of a computer-assisted learning programme on the oro-facial signs of child physical abuse (non-accidental injury) by general dental practitioners. (5/68)

A computer-assisted learning programme with tutorials and self assessment multiple choice questions has been developed. One hundred and two general dental practitioners were asked to evaluate the programme. Over 80% of respondents felt that the programme was easy to use, contained an appropriate level of supporting information, and had improved their knowledge of non-accidental injury. All users of the programme felt that it was a better way of learning than video, audio tapes, and journals or books on the subject. It is concluded that CAL programmes are worthwhile for providing continuing professional education for general dental practitioners.  (+info)

Does vocational training encourage continuing professional development? (6/68)

The aim of this study was to compare the continuing professional development of young dentists who had participated in a vocational training scheme with that of young dentists who had not. It was encouraging to find both groups were actively involved in a broad range of continuing educational activities.  (+info)

The use of specific dental school-taught restorative techniques by practicing clinicians. (7/68)

In 1995, a survey requesting information about the utilization of certain prosthodontic techniques was mailed to 3,544 graduates of a midwestern dental school. Responses were received from 1,455 alumni, representing a 41 percent return rate. In general, the results are consistent with international and national trends and show significant disparity in the utilization rates of certain procedures between general dentists and prosthodontists, as well as a disconnect between what is taught in the undergraduate dental educational program and what is applied in practice. For example, while prosthodontists typically apply what was taught in their educational program, utilization rates of general dentists for the facebow was 29.64 percent; the custom tray 68.48 percent; border molding 58.67 percent; altered casts 24.10 percent; custom posts 49.29 percent; prefabricated posts 67.54 percent; and semi-adjustable articulators 50.64 percent. While no solutions to this disconnect are offered the authors do pose important questions that must be addressed by the dental educational community.  (+info)

Small business needs assessment: a comparison of dental educators' responses with SBDC survey results. (8/68)

A primary focus of dental education is to teach students the knowledge, skills, and values essential for practicing dentistry. However, the preparation of dentists to manage a business is frequently cited as inadequate. A survey was prepared to assess teachers' opinions of business instructional topics: challenges; desired training; employee benefits; learning resources; importance of business topics; and appropriateness of time allocations. The purpose of this project is to compare opinions of teachers of dental practice management with key management aspects reported for service businesses by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Practice management teachers from forty-eight (89 percent) schools responded to the survey. They indicated that several challenges confronting dentists are similar to other service businesses. Dentists, however, rank customer relations appreciably higher. In order of importance of teaching topics, the practice management teachers rank ethics and personnel management as a high priority and planning as a low priority. Awareness of the similarities and differences in the perceptions of practice management teachers and businesspeople may result in instructional improvements.  (+info)