Characteristics of Pediatric Dentists Who Work When Sick.

Purpose: Presenteeism, or working while sick, results in loss of productivity and risk of spreading disease. The purpose of the present study was to identify current work practices and beliefs related to presenteeism, including demographic and practice factors that may significantly relate to presenteeism among practicing dentists in the United States. Methods: A survey of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry members assessed dentists' practices and beliefs regarding presenteeism. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and multi-variate logistic regression. Results: Most respondents (86 percent) worked at least once while sick in the last year. Years in practice, region, and student debt level were significantly associated with presenteeism after adjusting for confounders. Reasons for presenteeism were related to practice type, gender, years in practice, region, and salary type. Conclusions: The majority of pediatric dentists treat patients while sick. Pediatric dentists are influenced to practice while sick due to perceived economic and social pressures, including meeting expectations of colleagues and patients.

Effect of Light Cure Methods for Intermediate Adhesive Layer on Microleakage of Sealants. An in Vitro Study.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of an adhesive layer and its photopolymerization on the microleakage of sealants. Study design: 0.5mm-deep standardized fissurectomies were performed on extracted molars (n = 72). Teeth were randomly assigned to 3 different sealant materials (n = 24/group). Teeth were further divided to receive sealants with or without an adhesive layer. Each sealant with adhesive was also divided into two groups: adhesive was light-cured separately or light cured together with the sealant. Following thermocycling, microleakage was assessed using dye penetration and image analysis. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's studentized ranged HSD tests. Results: Microleakage was not affected by type of sealant material (p>0.05) but was significantly influenced by application (p<0.05). Overall, placement of sealants without adhesive displayed greater microleakage than sealants with uncured adhesive (p<0.05). Within individual sealant types, this difference was only significant for Ultraseal XT (p<0.05). Sealants bonded with and without prior light curing did not show a significant difference in levels of leakage (Tukey's Studentized Range Test, p>0.05). Conclusion: An adhesive layer should be placed beneath sealants, but whether it should be light cured or left uncured before sealant placement varies by the sealant type.

Dental Student and Faculty Perceptions of Uncivil Behavior by Faculty Members in Classroom and Clinic.

Uncivil behavior by a faculty member or student can threaten a classroom environment and make it less conducive to learning. The aim of this study was to explore faculty behaviors that dental faculty and students perceive to be uncivil when exhibited in the classroom and clinic. In 2015, all faculty, administrators, and students at a single academic dental institution were invited to participate in an electronic survey that used a five-point Likert scale for respondents to indicate their agreement that 33 faculty behaviors were uncivil. Response rates were 49% for faculty and 59% for students. Significant differences were found between student and faculty responses on 22 of the 33 behavioral items. None of the three category composite scores differed significantly for students compared to faculty respondents. The category composite scores were not significantly associated with gender, ethnicity, or age for faculty or students. Overall, this study found significant differences between students and faculty about perceived uncivil faculty behaviors, though not for categories of behaviors.