The Development of Dental Informatics of Oral Cancer Screening for Prevention in Community Level: A Prototype Study in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify general dentists' information needs for oral cancer screening in community and the information sources they use to meet those needs in clinical settings so as to inform the design of dental information systems. METHODS: A semi-structured interview was conducted with a convenience sample of 8 general dentists and 5 dental assistant in the Public Health Region 9 area during clinical hours. One hundred and five patient cases were reported by these dentists. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis with a constant comparative method to identify categories and themes regarding information needs and information source use patterns. RESULTS: Two top-level categories of information needs were identified: foreground and background information needs. To meet these needs, dentists used four types of information sources: clinical information/tasks, risk factor of oral cancer in general people, surveillance in community and referral to oral cancer treatment. Major themes of dentists' unmet information needs include: (1) timely access to information on various subjects; (2) better visual representations of dental problems; (3) access to patient-specific evidence-based information; and (4) accurate, complete and consistent documentation of patient records. Resource use patterns include: (1) dentists information needs matched information source use; (2) little use of electronic sources took place during treatment; (3) source use depended on the nature and complexity of the dental problems; and (4) dentists and dental nurse routinely practiced cross-referencing to verify patient information. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists have various information needs of oral cancer at the point of care. For future development of dental information or clinical decision support systems, developers should consider integrating high-quality, up-to-date clinical evidence into comprehensive and easily accessible EDRs as well as supporting dentists' resource use patterns as identified in the study.

The representation of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B in the dentistry context.

INTRODUCTION: HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B are diseases with major epidemiological and social impacts, with important effects in the dentistry context. This study aimed to compare the knowledge, presence, and manifestation of discriminatory and stigmatizing acts of dental surgeons, dental assistants, and dental students concerning social representations of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional, quantitative study was carried out in Brazil with primary health care dental surgeons (n = 219) and dental assistants (n = 152) in 40 municipalities and dental students of a public university (n = 179). The z-test for proportions (p ≤ 0.05) was used for data analysis to compare the three groups. RESULTS: We found statistically significant differences regarding knowledge about HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, with a higher percentage of correct answers by dental surgeons (97.7%). Regarding infection, the fear of contracting HIV/AIDS was more representative, whereas hepatitis B was more mentioned concerning the risk of infection. In general, only 30.7% and 42.2% of individuals would accept care from professionals with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, respectively; assistants and students had the higher proportion of refusal of care. Also, a higher proportion of assistants (47.4%) believed there are different conducts in the care of patients with HIV and hepatitis B. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of individuals about infectious diseases is still inconsistent, especially among dental assistants and students. Moreover, these groups showed a silent and hidden presence and manifestation of discriminatory and stigmatizing attitudes, with greater representativeness for HIV/AIDS.

Factors associated with nurses' performance of oral assessments and dental referrals for hospital inpatients.

BACKGROUND: Nurses' oral assessment and dental referral performance for inpatients are important to provide appropriate oral care services in hospitals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and performance of oral assessments and dental referrals for their inpatients among nurses and to identify factors associated with that performance to promote oral health care in hospitals. METHODS: All nurses (n = 919) who worked at five hospitals in Japan were recruited as responders. A questionnaire regarding their performance of oral assessments and dental referrals was distributed to the subjects in each hospital. The data were collected from August 2018 to September 2018. RESULTS: A total of 757 (82.4%) nurses (82 males and 675 females) responded to the questionnaire. With respect to each of the 8 oral assessment categories, 16.2-41.2% of the nurses performed oral assessments for more than 50% of their inpatients, and 20.3-29.9% had encouraged more than one inpatient to see a dentist within the previous 3 months. Significant differences were found by ward and hospital in their performance of oral assessments for inpatients. Additionally, their oral assessment performance, knowledge of the usage of oral assessment tools, wards, and hospitals were significantly associated with their dental referral performance. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of oral assessment and dental referral was not developed sufficiently in the hospitals. Thus, oral health professionals should support oral assessment education for nurses, including usage of assessment tools, to promote dental referral by nurses. These results may contribute to promotion of dental referral performance by nurses and provision of oral health care by oral health professionals for hospital inpatients.

Dental professionals' experiences of managing children with carious lesions in their primary teeth - a qualitative study within the FiCTION randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The lack of evidence for the effective management of carious lesions in children's primary teeth has caused uncertainty for the dental profession and patients. Possible approaches include conventional and biological management alongside best practice prevention, and best practice prevention alone. The FiCTION trial assessed the effectiveness of these options, and included a qualitative study exploring dental professionals' (DPs) experiences of delivering the different treatment arms. This paper reports on how DPs managed children with carious lesions within FiCTION and how this related to their everyday experiences of doing dentistry. METHODS: Overall, 31 DPs from FiCTION-trained dental surgeries in four regions of the UK participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences of the three treatment arms (conventional management of carious lesions and prevention (C + P), biological management of carious lesions and prevention (B + P) or prevention alone (PA)). A theoretical framework, drawing on social practice theory (SPT), was developed for analysis. RESULTS: Participants discussed perceived effectiveness of, and familiarity with, the three techniques. The C + P arm was familiar, but some participants questioned the effectiveness of conventional restorations. Attitudes towards the B + P arm varied in terms of familiarity, but once DPs were introduced to the techniques, this was seen as effective. While prevention was familiar, PA was described as ineffective. DPs manage children with carious lesions day-to-day, drawing on previous experience and knowledge of the child to provide what they view as the most appropriate treatment in the best interests of each child. Randomisation undermined these normal choices. Several DPs reported deviating from the trial arms in order to treat a patient in a particular way. Participants valued evidence-based dentistry, and expect to use the results of FiCTION to inform future practice. They anticipate continuing to use the full range of treatment options, and to personally select appropriate strategies for individual children. CONCLUSIONS: RCTs take place in the context of day-to-day practices of doing dentistry. DPs employ experiential and interpersonal knowledge to act in the best interests of their patients. Randomisation within a clinical trial can present a source of tension for DPs, which has implications for assuring individual equipoise in future trials.

Interprofessional Education Perceptions of Dental Assisting and Radiologic Technology Students Following a Live Patient Experience.

Health professions students are often unaware of other health care providers' roles or professional expertise due to most education taking place within their single profession. This pattern may be even more prevalent for baccalaureate and associate degree programs since most interprofessional education (IPE) occurs in predoctoral programs and, when IPE is incorporated into allied health professions education, it often utilizes simulation instead of live patient experiences. The aim of this study was to determine if radiologic technology and dental assisting students' perceptions changed regarding interprofessional practice and teamwork after an IPE activity with actual patients. The participants were students in the University of Southern Indiana (USI) radiologic technology and dental assisting programs. This mixed-methods pilot study conducted in 2017 collected quantitative and qualitative data from pre and post surveys, the researchers' observations of student interactions during live patient assessment and acquisition of panoramic images, and large-group discussion. Twenty-five of the 26 students who participated in the IPE program completed both pre and post surveys, for a 96% response rate. The results showed significant differences in the participants' perceptions from the pre to post surveys on a wide variety of survey items. Most notable were the positive changes in perceptions related to trust in judgment of others within their profession (p=0.001), relationships with other professions (p=0.002), and thinking highly of other professions (p=0.002). Overall, this study found that incorporating the IPE activity with a live patient into these radiologic technology and dental assisting programs improved the students' perceptions of other allied health professionals. Future research should include more participants to increase sample size and add quantitative data collection.

Patient safety culture perceptions in the college of dentistry.

A positive safety culture is essential to patient safety because it improves quality of care. The aim of this study was to assess staff and student perceptions of the patient safety culture in the clinics of the College of Dentistry at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia.A cross-sectional study was conducted in the College of Dentistry at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. It included 4th and 5th year students, interns, general practitioners, and dental assistants. The data were collected by using paper-based questionnaire of modified version of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture. Data were entered into SPSS Version 20. Score on a particular safety culture dimension was calculated.The overall response rate was 72.8% (390/536). Team work dimension had the highest average percent positive dimension score (72.3%) while staffing had the lowest score (10%). Dental assistant had high agreement in Teamwork dimension (87.8%); Supervisor/Manager Expectations and Actions Promoting Patient Safety dimension (66.9%); Organizational Learning-Continuous Improvement dimension (79.1%); Management Support for Patient Safety dimension (84.5%); Feedback and Communication About Error dimension (58.3%); Frequency of Events Reported dimension (54.0%); Teamwork Across Units dimension (73.2%). Most of areas perceived that there is no event reported (76.1-85.3%) in the past 12 months.Overall patient safety grade is more than moderate in the clinic. Teamwork within Units and Organizational Learning-Continuous Improvement dimension had the highest score while staffing had the lowest score. Dental assistants perceived positive score in most dimensions while students perceived slight negative score in most dimensions.

Perception of simulation training in emergencies for dental sedation practitioners.

BACKGROUND: Simulation education is an important part of health care education and training. There is growing evidence to support the usefulness of simulation, especially in training for infrequently occurring situations, such as medical emergencies seen by dental practitioners. There are, however, few data on the longer term effects of simulation, including usefulness, relevance, emotional effect and ability to affect changes to daily practice. METHODS: Dentists and dental nurses who had undergone simulation training in medical emergencies for dental sedation practitioners undertook a semi-structured interview about their perception of the simulation experience. They explored recollection of the experience and its emotional weight, perception of usefulness and relevance, specific learning outcomes and changes to practice prompted by the simulation session. RESULTS: Participants reported finding the simulation sessions worthwhile, realistic, challenging and almost universally emotionally positive. In situ simulation training was particularly well received, both in terms of realism, as well as identifying system flaws in emergency drugs and equipment. Participants reported gaining both increased clinical knowledge and human factors skills, which were reflected in subsequent changes to their practice. There are few data on the longer term effects of simulation DISCUSSION: Our results support the usefulness and applicability of simulation education to training in medical emergencies for dental sedation practitioners. In particular, specific benefits reported from in situ sessions and in human factors concepts will prompt us to review the structure of our teaching to maximise the benefit to participants.

Evidence-based dentistry can effectively be taught to dental care professional students - A mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Little research exists in the teaching of evidence-based dentistry (EBD) to students in the fields of dental hygiene, dental nursing and orthodontic therapy. This study aims to analyse the effect of a 1-day EBD programme on knowledge and confidence whilst also gaining insight into students' experience of the intervention. METHOD: A mixed methods study was utilised with explanatory sequential design. The population consisted of dental hygiene (DH), dental nursing (DN) and orthodontic therapy (OT) students (N = 44). The intervention consisted of a 1-day active learning EBD programme, delivered via group projects and lectures. In the initial quantitative phase, a standardised questionnaire pre- and post -intervention measured changes in confidence for all participants, whilst change in knowledge was measured for DH and OT students only. Following this, focus groups were scheduled for all members of each discipline 3 months post-intervention for DN and 2 months post-intervention for DH and OT students. Semi-structured focus group schedules were drawn up, and groups organised according to the outcomes of quantitative data analysis. Qualitative results were analysed using a deductive adaptation of Burnard's thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Forty-two students took part (94.45%) in this study. Median knowledge scores increased from zero to two of five (P < .001), whilst median confidence score doubled from four to eight of eight (P < .001). Results of thematic content analysis were coincident with quantitative results; however, it also provided constructive feedback regarding design and content of the course. CONCLUSIONS: A 1-day bespoke programme in EBD increased students' confidence and knowledge in EBD skills. However, the findings further suggest that two successive half-day training sessions instead of one full-day training, tied in with coursework that requires the application of the acquired skills, may increase the learning experience further.

Creating research and development awareness among dental care professionals by use of strategic communication: a 12-year intervention study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of contemporary research advances, only a limited fraction is implemented into dental practice. One possible way to facilitate this process is to stimulate the research and development (R&D) awareness and interest with aid of strategic communication. METHODS: The aim of the study was to analyse the role of a strategic communication in R&D awareness and interest among dental care professionals (DCP) over a 12-year period. A second aim was to compare the findings with those from primary care professionals (PCP). The project had a prospective design and the intervention was conducted through established oral, written and digital channels. The outcome was captured by two validated questionnaires submitted after 7 and 12 years, respectively. An additional Questionnaire file shows the details [see Additional file 1]. The material consisted of 599 health care professionals (205 DCP; 394 PCP) that responded to the first questionnaire and 526 individuals (195 DCP; 331 PCP) who responded to the second. All were employed by the primary care organization of Region Halland located in southwest of Sweden. The majority were women (≥ 85%) and the mean age at the first questionnaire was 49 years (SD 8.5). Longitudinal analyses were applied to those individuals that responded to both surveys after 7 and 12 years (n = 248). Comparisons between DCP's and PCP's were processed with Chi-square and Fischer's exact tests. RESULTS: Strategic communication contributed to increase the R&D awareness and interest among the dental personnel. The created interest was reported stronger among the DCP when compared with PCP at both surveys (p < 0.05). The longitudinal findings confirmed a long-term interest among the DCP's. Direct and indirect communication facilitated R&D interest in both groups. The most powerful channels were the written "Research bulletin" and peer inspiration. CONCLUSION: Strategic communication can be employed as a scientific tool that may contribute to the creation of a long-term R&D awareness and interest among dental care professionals.

It is not just about occupation, but also about where you work.

OBJECTIVES: Dentistry is characterized by a meaningful but also stressful psychosocial working environment. Job satisfaction varies among staff working under different organizational forms. The aim of this study was to identify (i) to what extent crucial psychosocial work environment characteristics differ among occupations in general public dental clinics in Sweden, and (ii) how much of the variation within each occupation is attributable to the organizational level. METHODS: All staff (N=1782) employed in four public dental organizations received an email with personal log-in to an electronic questionnaire based on the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. After two reminders, a response rate of 75% was obtained. Responses from 880 nonmanagerial dentists, dental hygienists and dental nurses working in general practices were included in our analyses. RESULTS: First, we compared the three dental occupations. We found that job demands, task resources (eg influence, possibilities for development and role clarity), strain symptoms and attitudes to work differed among occupations, dentists having the least favourable situation. Next, we compared the four organizations for each occupational group, separately. For dentists, a significant and relevant amount of variance (P<.05 and ICC >.05) was explained by the organizational level for 15 of 26 subscales, least pronounced for task resources. By contrast, for dental nurses and hygienists, the corresponding number was 2 subscales of 26. The psychosocial working environment of people working at the organization with the highest levels of strain indicators and the least positive work-related attitudes differed systematically from the organization with the most favourable profile, in particular regarding job demands and leadership aspects. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the psychosocial working environment depended to a large degree on occupation and, for dentists in particular, also on their organizational affiliation. The findings suggest a potential for designing interventions at organizational level for improvements of the psychosocial working environment for dentists.

Readiness for Teledentistry: Validation of a Tool for Oral Health Professionals.

We validated a survey tool to test the readiness of oral health professionals for teledentistry (TD). The survey tool, the University of Calgary Health Telematics Unit's Practitioner Readiness Assessment Tool (PRAT) gathered information about the participants' beliefs, attitudes and readiness for TD before and after a teledentistry training program developed for a rural state in the Mid-Western United States. Ninety-three dental students, oral health and other health professionals participated in the TD training program and responded to the survey. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to assess statistical differences in the change in the readiness rating before and after the training. Principal Components Analysis identified a three factor structure for the PRAT tool: Attitudes/ Attributes of Personnel; Motivation to Change and Institutional Resources. Overall, the evaluation demonstrated a positive change in all trainees' attitudes following the training sessions, with the majority of trainees acknowledging a positive impact of the training on their readiness for teledentistry.

Attitudes and barriers to providing dietary advice: perceptions of dental hygienists and oral health therapists.

OBJECTIVES: Effective dietary counselling in a dental setting can significantly reduce the risk of oral disease. However, studies suggest that dental professionals are not instigating dietary advice on a regular basis, and there is a lack of current information of the barriers experienced that limit the delivery of dietary advice. The aim of this study was to investigate the current attitudes and practice behaviours of dental hygienists and oral health therapists in NSW, Australia, regarding dietary advice, and identify the barriers that limit its delivery. METHODS: A convenience sample of dental hygienists and oral health therapists were surveyed using a mail-out questionnaire. The questionnaire investigated the demographic data of participants, the attitudes and practice behaviours of participants, the perceived barriers and current dietary resources accessed by participants. RESULTS: Of 987 dental hygienists and oral health therapists, 426 participants responded. The study results suggest that many dental hygienists and oral health therapists have positive beliefs regarding the importance of dietary counselling. However, there are a multitude of barriers preventing the delivery of dietary advice; these include time, patient compliance, patient knowledge of nutrition topics, personal counselling skills and practitioners' knowledge of nutrition. CONCLUSION: Whilst dental hygienists and oral health therapists recognize the importance of diet and have positive attitudes towards providing dietary advice to patients, this study identified many barriers preventing implementation in practice. This information may be used to develop targeted strategies aimed at overcoming these barriers and improving behaviours.

Evaluation of job satisfaction and working atmosphere of dental nurses in Germany.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to assess the level of job satisfaction of dental nurses in ambulatory care and to explore the impact of aspects of working atmosphere on and their association with job satisfaction. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a job satisfaction survey. Data were collected from 612 dental nurses working in 106 dental care practices. Job satisfaction was measured with the 10-item Warr-Cook-Wall job satisfaction scale. Working atmosphere was measured with five items. Linear regression analyses were performed in which each item of the job satisfaction scale was handled as dependent variables. A stepwise linear regression analysis was performed with overall job satisfaction and the five items of working atmosphere, job satisfaction, and individual characteristics. RESULTS: The response rate was 88.3%. Dental nurses were satisfied with 'colleagues' and least satisfied with 'income.' Different aspects of job satisfaction were mostly associated with the following working atmosphere issues: 'responsibilities within the practice team are clear,' 'suggestions for improvement are taken seriously,' 'working atmosphere in the practice team is good,' and 'made easier to admit own mistakes.' Within the stepwise linear regression analysis, the aspect 'physical working condition' (ß = 0.304) showed the highest association with overall job satisfaction. The total explained variance of the 14 associated variables was 0.722 with overall job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Working atmosphere within this discrete sample of dental care practice seemed to be an important influence on reported working condition and job satisfaction for dental nurses. Because of the high association of job satisfaction with physical working condition, the importance of paying more attention to an ergonomic working position for dental nurses to ensure optimal quality of care is highlighted.

Attitudes toward and beliefs about the use of a dental diagnostic terminology: A survey of dental care providers in a dental practice.

BACKGROUND: Attitudes and views are critical to the adoption of innovation. Although there have been broadening calls for a standardized dental diagnostic terminology, little is known about the views of private practice dental team members regarding the adoption of such a terminology. METHODS: The authors developed a survey by using validated questions identified through literature review. Domain experts' input allowed for further modifications. The authors administered the final survey electronically to 814 team members at a multioffice practice based in the US Pacific Northwest. RESULTS: Response proportion was 92%. The survey had excellent reliability (Cronbach α coefficient = 0.87). Results suggested that participants showed, in general, positive attitudes and beliefs about using a standardized diagnostic terminology in their practices. Additional written comments by participants highlighted the potential for improved communication with use of the terminology. CONCLUSIONS: Dental care providers and staff in 1 multioffice practice showed positive attitudes about the use of a diagnostic terminology; specifically, they believed it would improve communication between the dentist and patient, as well as among providers, while expressing some concerns about whether using standardized dental diagnostic terms helps clinicians to deliver better dental care. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: As the dental profession is advancing toward the use of standardized diagnostic terminology, successful implementation will require that dental team leaders prepare their teams by gauging their attitude about the use of such a terminology.

Survey of Australian oral health practitioners and their smoking cessation practices.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a significant health and economic burden in Australia. Studies of smoking cessation practices in dental settings have primarily concentrated on dentists rather than other oral health practitioner (OHP) groups (dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists). The aim of this study was to measure Australian OHPs' attitudes, behaviours, interest and barriers to delivering smoking cessation interventions. METHODS: Members of the two peak professional bodies representing Australian OHPs were invited to participate in an anonymous online questionnaire. RESULTS: There were discrepancies between practitioner attitudes and current smoking cessation practices. While the majority of practitioners (90.1%) frequently screened for smoking behaviour, fewer (51.1%) assisted patients to quit smoking. The principal form of assistance was referral to Quitline (45.7%) or to a general medical practitioner (44.4%). The most prevalent barriers identified were lack of knowledge of pharmacological treatments (45.8%) and lack of access to smoking cessation resources (44.2%). Contrary to international studies, time and financial incentive were not commonly cited barriers to delivering smoking cessation interventions. CONCLUSIONS: This survey identifies a need for continuing education in smoking cessation practice. Dissemination of policies, guidelines and resources may assist OHPs to become more engaged and confident in delivering smoking cessation interventions as part of their routine practice.

Disparity in perception of the working condition of dental hygienists between dentists and dental hygiene students in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: In Japan, there continues to be a shortage of active dental hygienists. The scope of dental hygienists' practice is also considered to be unclear. One of the reasons for this is that dental hygienists find the working conditions during dental hygiene education different from those in reality. The purpose of this study was to clarify the actual working condition of dental hygienists in dental clinics, as well as evaluate the awareness of dental hygiene students and dentists regarding the working condition of dental hygienists. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent by post to 481 dentists and were distributed to 89 dental hygiene students. The awareness about the working condition of dental hygienists was compared between dentists and dental hygiene students. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-two dentists and 89 dental hygiene students responded to questionnaires. Dental hygiene students considered the team of 'dental hygienist, dental technician and clerk' to be more effective in providing dental care than dentists (P < 0.001). Among the dentists, 37.1% did not find any clear distinction between hygienists and assistants in their clinics. However, 97.4% of dental hygiene students answered that dental team members should clearly inform patients of the distinction between hygienists and assistants. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that there was disparity between dentists' and dental hygiene students' perception of dental hygienists' working conditions, and dental team work was not always effective. For training high quality dental hygienists, all educational institutions related to dentistry must educate students regarding the more realistic dental hygienists' working condition, as well as benefits.

Factors affecting job satisfaction and their correlation with educational standards among dental assistants.

A disparity exists in the educational qualifications of dental assistants working in various public and private institutions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of professional and personal characteristics on job satisfaction among dental assistants. A cross-sectional survey was performed among dental assistants using a 24-item self-administered questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between overall job satisfaction and other variables. The overall response rate was 72.1%. Factor analysis suggested that five underlying factors were related to job satisfaction. The mean score for overall job satisfaction was 3.86 (satisfied) out of 5. Among the work environment factors, the highest mean score, 4.26 (satisfied), was obtained for quality of service, and the lowest mean score, 2.78 (neutral), was obtained for the perception of income. The income and general prospects of the profession was significantly associated with overall job satisfaction. This study suggests that for dental assistants, professional and personal life, quality of service, perception of income and prestige and self-respect are important factors for job satisfaction. Despite differences in professional formation standards, in general, the study participants were considerably satisfied with their jobs.

Knowledge, management and perceived barriers to treatment of molar-incisor hypomineralisation in general dental practitioners and dental nurses in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: Molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) is a global dental problem, yet little is known about the knowledge of the general dental practitioners (GDPs) and dental nurses (DNs) regarding this defect in South East Asia. AIMS: To assess and compare the knowledge of the GDPs and DNs in Malaysia regarding the frequency of occurrence of MIH within their practice, its diagnosis, putative aetiological factors and management. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to GDPs and DNs during a nationwide dental conference in Melaka, Malaysia and who were asked to answer questions about demographic variables, knowledge, attitudes and practices in the management of MIH. STATISTICS: Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were performed. A 5% level of statistical significance was applied for the analyses. RESULTS: A response rate of 58.2% (131/225) was obtained. Most respondents were aware of MIH and encountered it in their practice (GDPs = 82.5%, DNs = 82.4%). The condition was observed by respondents less in primary molars compared to first permanent molars. Full agreement between GDPs and DNs did not exist concerning the aetiological factors and management of MIH. Glass ionomer cements were the most popular material used in treating MIH. Most respondents (GDPs = 93%, DNs = 76.5%) indicated that they had not received sufficient information about MIH and were willing to have clinical training in the diagnosis and therapeutic modalities of MIH. CONCLUSIONS: MIH is identified and encountered by most respondents. Agreement did not exist between GDPs and DNs concerning MIH frequency of occurrence within their practice, its diagnosis, aetiological factors and management.

Job leaving intentions and occupation-related beliefs amongst preregistered dental nurses in Scotland: the mediating role of work engagement and personal accomplishment.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the job resource beliefs of preregistration dental nurses and subsequently investigate their relationship with work engagement, personal accomplishment and intention to leave amongst this occupational group in Scotland. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Personal accomplishment (a subscale of Maslach Burnout Inventory) and author-developed questions for job resource beliefs and intention to leave were the measuring instruments used. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-one dental nurses participated (82% response rate). Mean age was 25 and mean job tenure was 17.5 months. The job resource belief most valued was 'good working relationship'. A multiple mediated path analytical model was explored. Work engagement adjusted for job resource beliefs was very strongly negatively associated with intention to leave (-0.93). There was an indirect relationship between job resource beliefs and intention to leave (-0.28) mediated via work engagement and personal accomplishment. CONCLUSIONS: Dental nurses under training held job resource beliefs about their profession that were associated with work engagement, personal accomplishment and their stability of remaining in the job.

Crossover of exhaustion between dentists and dental nurses.

The aim of this study was to investigate the conditions under which job-related exhaustion may transmit (cross over) from dentists to dental nurses and vice versa. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study among 470 Finnish dentist-dental nurse dyads and used moderated structural equation modelling analyses. We found no support for the direct crossover of exhaustion from one work partner to the other. Instead, we found that exhaustion transferred from dentists to dental nurses only when collaboration was frequent and dental nurses perceived the collaboration as friendly or consisting of mutual feedback. In contrast, dentists were not affected by dental nurses' exhaustion. These results indicate that exhaustion can be contagious in work dyads and may be fuelled by positive and frequent interpersonal relationships when the partner who is higher in the hierarchy has high (versus low) levels of exhaustion. Thus, interpersonal and hierarchical relationships among work partners may play an important role in the crossover process. Limitations and implications are mentioned.