The feminization of dentistry and the perceptions of public service users about gender issues in oral health / A feminização da odontologia e as percepções dos usuários do serviço público sobre as questões de gênero em saúde bucal

Abstract It was investigated the perception of service users in relation to the professional practice of dentists, based on gender differences. The Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool) was applied to 900 users of the Public Service in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Sixty clinics were selected using random sampling, divided between conventional Primary Health Care (PHC) Units and PHC with Family Health System Units. The attributes of PHC that compound the PCATool were analyzed. A question was added about user preference regarding the gender of the dental professional, thus generating four dyads derived from user gender/dentist gender (FF, FM, MM, MF). The attributes were linked to the dyads by applying the independent sample t test. Using logistic regression, the dyads were linked to 23 factors relating to scaled-up care in PHC. Many users showed a clear preference for being attended by female dentists. Users who prefer to be cared for by women tend to better evaluate PHC on issues related to "active listening", while those who prefer to be cared for by male dentists highlight the attributes of "care integration" and "community guidance". In other factors and attributes studied, there is no difference between the care given by men or women, regardless the unit.

Resumo Investigou-se a percepção dos usuários do serviço quanto à prática profissional dos dentistas, com base em diferenças de gênero. O Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool) foi aplicado a 900 usuários do Serviço Público de Curitiba, PR, Brasil. Sessenta clínicas odontológicas foram selecionadas usando amostragem aleatória, divididas entre unidades de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) convencional e unidades de APS com Estratégia Saúde da Família. Os atributos da APS no PCATool foram analisados. Uma questão foi adicionada acerca da preferência do usuário em relação ao gênero do dentista, gerando quatro díades derivadas da combinação do gênero do usuário/gênero do dentista (FF, FM, MM, MF). Os atributos foram ligados às díades pelo teste t para amostras independentes. Por regressão logística, as díades foram relacionadas a 23 fatores referentes aos cuidados ampliados na APS. Muitos usuários mostraram preferência por dentistas mulheres. Esses tendem a avaliar melhor os cuidados de saúde primários quanto à "escuta ativa e qualificada", enquanto aqueles que preferem ser atendidos por homens destacam os atributos de "integração do cuidado" e "orientação comunitária". Em outros fatores e atributos estudados, não há diferença entre o atendimento prestado por homens ou mulheres, independentemente da unidade.

Prevalencia de dolor musculoesquelético y factores asociados en odontólogos de la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador, 2016 / Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated factors in dentists of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador, 2016

Introducción: el dolor es uno de los síntomas principales de los trastornos musculoesqueléticos y tiene alta frecuencia en los profesionales de la odontología. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia del dolor musculoesquelético y los factores sociodemográficos y laborales asociados en odontólogos que laboran en la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal en 240 odontólogos inscritos en la Dirección Provincial de Salud del Azuay de la ciudad de Cuenca hasta el año 2015. Se usó el cuestionario de Kuorinka para determinar síntomas musculoesqueléticos. Se creó un formulario con variables sociodemográficas y las características del dolor para establecer asociaciones estadísticas. La información fue procesada en el programa SPSS versión 22. Resultados: el 58,7% eran mujeres. El promedio de edad fue de 37 años con una DE de 11,6. La prevalencia de dolor musculoesquelético fue del 73,3%. El 90,3% atribuyó el dolor a causas laborales. Los factores asociados al dolor fueron: sexo femenino, sedentarismo, trabajar en el sector público y carga horaria mayor a 30 horas semanales. El dolor musculoesquelético en los odontólogos está asociado estadísticamente a: sexo femenino (OR= 2,60; IC 95%= 1,35 ­ 4,99; p= 0,004), sedentarismo (OR= 2,42; IC 95%= 1,20 ­ 4,89; p= 0,013), ejercer en el área pública (OR= 2,97; IC 95%= 1,26 ­ 6,99; p= 0,012) y carga horaria mayor a 30 horas sema- nales (OR= 2,21; IC 95%= 1,15 ­ 4,21; p= 0,017). Conclusiones: el ejercicio de la práctica clínica odontológica constituye un factor de riesgo para la generación de trastornos musculoesqueléticos.

Síndrome de Burnout en odontólogos de la XVIII Región Sanitaria del Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social, Paraguay / Burnout Syndrome in dentists working at the XVIII Sanitary Region of the Ministry of Public Health and Social, Paraguay

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Síndrome de Burnout (SB) es la disfunción psicológica que aparece como consecuencia a una respuesta inadecuada al estrés laboral crónico. OBJETIVO: Determinar la frecuencia del Síndrome de Burnout y describir aspectos de las esferas personal y laboral en odontólogos que prestan servicio en la XVIII Región Sanitaria (Asunción-Paraguay) del Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social, en el año 2015. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal. Fueron registradas las características demográficas y laborales a través de un cuestionario. El SB fue evaluado mediante el Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) en su versión en español. RESULTADOS: La muestra quedó conformada por 83 odontólogos. El 92,77% fue sexo femenino. El promedio de edad fue de 42,06años (DE=9,77). El 67,47% de los odontólogos presentó valores bajos de cansancio emocional. El 3,61% y el 66,27% obtuvieron niveles altos de despersonalización y realización personal, respectivamente. El 36,15% se hallaba en riesgo de padecer SB y el 1,20% presentó SB. CONCLUSIÓN: La baja frecuencia de SB hallada podría atribuirse a la sensación de optimismo, así como a las valoraciones laboral y económica favorables observadas, que servirían a los odontólogos de estímulo positivo para el desempeño de sus labores profesionales.

INTRODUCTION: Burnout Syndrome (BS) is the psychological dysfunction that appears as a consequence of an inadequate response to chronic work stress. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of Burnout Syndrome and to describe aspects of the personal and professional spheres in dentists working at the XVIII Sanitary Region (Asunción-Paraguay) of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare in 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study was performed. Demographic and labor characteristics were recorded through a questionnaire. The SB was evaluated by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) in its spanish version. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 83 dentists, corresponding 92.77% of the same to the female sex. The average age found was 42.06 years (SD = 9.77). 67.47% of dentists presented low values of emotional exhaustion. 3.61% and 66.27% obtained high levels of depersonalization and personal fulfillment, respectively. 36.15% of the sample was at risk for BS and 1.20% had BS. CONCLUSION: The low frequency of SB found could be attributed to the feeling of optimism, as well as to the favorable labor and economic valuations observed, that would help dentists with positive stimulus to perform their professional duties.

Why Do Women Choose to Enter Academic Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

PURPOSE: To determine why women choose to enter an academic career in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was developed and e-mailed to female OMS surgeons to assess the reasons women choose to pursue an academic career, the perceived positive and negative features of academia for women, and proposed measures to increase the percentage of women choosing to specialize in OMS and pursue an academic career. RESULTS: Thirty-one female OMS surgeons completed the questionnaire; 1 additional participant accessed the survey but did not respond to any of the questions. There were 25 full-time academics and 6 part-time academics (≥50% time commitment). Of the responders, 72% were married, and of these, 72% were married before entering academics. Forty-seven percent of the women had children, all during their academic tenure. Among the full-time academicians with children, only 2 (7.7%) reported moderate difficulty finding the time for childbirth and maternity leave, whereas 3 of the 5 part-time academics with children reported moderate or significant difficulty with childbirth and maternity leave. Factors associated with choosing and enjoying an academic career are involvement in resident-student teaching (78%), followed by colleague camaraderie and collaboration (65.6%), research potential (50%), time flexibility, and not having to deal with excessive "business" practice issues (33%). The main reason for considering leaving an academic OMS career and/or among the least enjoyable aspects of being in academics was the potential for a higher income in private practice (56%). Less significant reasons for considering leaving an academic OMS career were a more flexible work schedule in the private sector and less institutional red tape (37.5%), as well as independence/being in control and more family time (22%). Engaging residents and students by female OMS surgeons, better mentorship from academic OMS surgeons, and increasing the number of women serving in leadership positions in organized OMS were identified as the most important measures to increase female involvement in academic OMS. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that among the major motivating factors for choosing an academic career are involvement in resident-student teaching and colleague camaraderie and collaboration. Additional important factors for making this career choice are the research potential in academia, time flexibility, and not having to deal with excessive business practice issues. The reasons that deter women from entering OMS as a specialty and choosing a full-time academic OMS career are not significantly related to childbirth and family life. The main reason for potentially considering leaving an academic OMS career and/or among the least enjoyable aspects of being in academics is the potential for a higher income in private practice. Other reasons for potentially considering leaving an academic OMS career indicated by this study are independence/being in control and more family time, as well as the lack of institutional red tape. It appears that engaging female residents and students by female OMS surgeons, better mentorship by (both male and female) academic OMS surgeons, and increasing the number of female surgeons who can serve as role models may be beneficial in increasing the number of female OMS surgeons interested in an academic career.