The Implications of the New GDC Standards for Dental Professionals.

This article is about the publication by the General Dental Council in 2013 of the Standards expected of those members of the dental team who are registered with the Council, on each of their Registers, and discusses the implications of the new Standards for dental professionals.

Quando o auxiliar odontológico extrapola os limites / When the dental assistant exceed the limits

A utilização de pessoal auxiliar para realizar tarefas de menor complexidade em Ortodontia tem sido indicada com a finalidade de aumentar a produtividade nos consultórios. O Técnico de Saúde Bucal (TSB) e o Auxiliar de Saúde Bucal (ASB) são as duas profissões auxiliares da Odontologia que podem prestar assistência direta ao paciente, o que só pode ser feito sob a supervisão direta do cirurgião-dentista (CD). A Lei 11.889 de 24/12/2008, ao regulamentar essas profissões auxiliares, estabeleceu uma lista de atribuições clínicas, educativas e administrativas que cada uma delas pode executar. Na hipótese do auxiliar executar qualquer ato não pertencente a esse rol, tais como a realização de moldagens de estudo, colagem direta de braquetes, remoção do aparelho ortodôntico e colagem de contenção fixa, estará cometendo infrações nas áreas penal e ética. Já o CD que permite ou estimula essa conduta também poderá responder nas áreas cível e ética. Esse trabalho faz uma revisão de normas legais que regulam o exercício das profissões de TSB e ASB, focando nas suas atribuições e riscos, inclusive para o CD, da extrapolação das suas funções. A participação do pessoal auxiliar tem muito a contribuir na Ortodontia, porém, devem ser respeitados os limites legais de cada profissão.

Managing HIV/hepatitis positive patients: present approach of dental health care workers and students.

People with HIV/HBsAg in India frequently encounter discrimination while seeking and receiving health care services. The knowledge and attitudes of health care workers (HCWs) influences the willingness and ability of people with HIV/HBsAg to access care, and the quality of the care they receive. The objective of this study was to asses HIV/HBsAg-related knowledge, attitudes and risk perception among students and dental HCWs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 250 students and 120 dental HCWs in the form of objective questionnaire. Information was gathered regarding demographic details (age, sex, duration of employment, job category); HIV/ HBsAg-related knowledge and attitudes; risk perception; and previous experience caring for HIV-positive patients. The HCWs in this study generally had a positive attitude to care for the people with HIV/HBsAg. However, this was tempered by substantial concerns about providing care, and the fear of occupational infection with HIV/HBsAg. A continuing dental education program was conducted to resolve all the queries found interfering to provide care to HIV/HBsAg patients. But even after the queries were resolved the care providing capability was not attained. These findings show that even with advanced knowledge and facilities the attitude of dental HCWs and students require more strategic training with regards to the ethics and moral stigma associated with the dreaded infectious diseases (HIV/HBsAg).

An analysis of complaints against oral health professionals charged with misconduct at the HPCSA: 2004-2009.

AIM: This study investigates the nature, frequency, and outcome of complaints relating to misconduct laid against oral healthcare professionals (OHPs), charged with misconduct in South Africa. METHODS: Records of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (2004-2009) were analysed and classified using the ethical rules as a reference. "Clinically-related complaints" and "fraud" were added as extra categories. The nature and outcome of the complaints and the penalties were quantified, and the detailed nature of the complaints was qualitatively reported. RESULTS: Two percent of the registered dentists and 5.5% of the registered dental therapists were charged with misconduct. Clinically related complaints (59%) and fraud (29%) were most prevalent amongst the accused dentists. Fraud (46%), clinically related complaints (19%), advertising (15%), infection control (8%), and creating expectations that could not be met (8%) were the most common complaints against dental therapists. CONCLUSIONS: Substandard dental treatment and fraud were the main reasons for patient dissatisfaction that led to OHPs being charged with misconduct. Both these undesirable practices may be financially motivated. OHPs should take cognisance of these statistics and should adjust their professional approach accordingly in order to reflect acceptable ethical behaviour.

Child abuse and dental neglect: the dental team's role in identification and prevention.

Health, education and social services are placing increasing emphasis on preventing abuse and neglect by early intervention to support families where children and young people may be at risk. Dental hygienist and dental assistants, like all other health professionals, can have a part in recognizing and preventing children from those who would cause them harm. They should be aware of the warning signs, recognizing what to consider as abuse or dental neglect and know how to deal with these young patients, and to fulfil their legal and ethical obligation to report suspected cases. The purpose of this report is to review the oral and dental aspects of child abuse and dental neglect thus helping the dental team in detecting such conditions. In particular, this report addresses the evaluation of bite marks as well as perioral and intraoral injuries, infections, early childhood caries and diseases that may be indicative of child abuse or neglect. Emphasis is placed on an appropriate protocol to follow in the dental practice to best treat and protect children who may have suffered abuse, helping the team in the diagnosis and documentation.

A five-year review of cases appearing before the General Dental Council's Professional Conduct Committee.

The General Dental Council (GDC) has as its primary responsibility the protection of the general public by regulating all dental professionals in the United Kingdom. Complaints brought to the attention of the GDC regarding the conduct of members of the dental profession are dealt with in a regulated manner. This study briefly reviews the relevant procedures and analyses 209 cases brought before the Professional Conduct Committee of the GDC over a five-year period. The results show an annual increase from 23 cases in 2003 to 65 cases in 2007 (0.18% of registered dentists) and provide information on the geographic distribution of registrants as well as their country of origin and year of qualification. The charges, outcomes and determinations give an indication of the clinical and non-clinical misdemeanours committed by members of the profession. The outcomes and final determinations handed down (56 erasures and 37 suspensions) reflect the serious view the GDC holds regarding the professional conduct of all dental professionals.

Análise da relação entre o cirurgião-dentista e o pessoal auxiliar / Analysis of the relationship between dentists and dental employees

Objetivo: Analisar a relação entre o Cirurgião-Dentista (CD) e o pessoal auxiliar. Metodologia: Quinhentos questionários foram distribuídos aos CDs cadastrados pelas prefeituras de 11 cidades da região de Piracicaba, SP, Brasil. Foram coletados dados referentes ao perfil do CD e às atribuições dos auxiliares nos consultórios, à formação que os auxiliares recebem e se exercem licitamente a profissão. Os dados foram analisados de forma descritiva. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que a maioria dos CDs trabalhava em consultórios particulares e empregava auxiliares, principalmente Secretárias. Os auxiliares, tanto os treinados pelo CD quanto os que relataram possuir curso especializado, ora extrapolavam ora ficavam aquém de suas funções, em desacordo com a legislação e normas vigentes. Conclusão: É importante a maior divulgação do Código de Ética Odontológica e da Consolidação das Normas para Procedimentos nos Conselhos de Odontologia junto a CDs e auxiliares odontológicos.

Purpose: To analyze the relationship between dentists and dental employees. Methods: Five hundred questionnaires were sent to dentists registered in the municipal health office of 11 cities located in the region of Piracicaba city, SP, Brazil. Data collected included dentist's profile, assignment of tasks to dental employees, their level of education and training, and legal aspects of actual practice. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The results showed that most dentists worked in private practice and hired dental employees, mainly secretaries. Most dental employees, either trained by dentists or those who claimed to have a specialized training, often exceeded or failed to meet the professional work limits legally established. Conclusion: It is necessary to increase the information and application of the Code of Ethics in Dentistry and the Consolidation of Norms for Procedures by regulatory entities among dentists and dental employees.

Engaging the dental workforce in disaster mitigation to improve recovery and response.

Natural disasters may strike quickly and without warning and cause long-term health consequences beyond the immediate loss of lives and property. Dental professionals have a social responsibility to participate in community emergency preparedness planning and response to mitigate prolonged recovery of the dental care infrastructure in the affected areas. Public health and emergency management agencies should plan for access to emergent dental care as part of a multidisciplinary local emergency response to mitigate the impact of devastation on the primary oral health needs of persons in the affected geographic areas. State dental associations should work with government agencies and emergency management groups to increase awareness of the importance for collaborative emergency response health services in the aftermath of natural disasters.

HIV infection and oral health care in South Africa.

This study determined the knowledge, attitude and practice of oral health care workers in public clinics in South Africa towards HIV/AIDS and investigated the implementation of infection control measures. A total of 727 questionnaires were distributed to dentists, dental therapists, oral hygienists and chairside assistants in the public dental clinics of 9 provinces, of which 276 were returned from 8 provinces, giving a response rate of 38%. The questionnaire covered demographic factors and assessed issues such as knowledge, infection control practices, continuing education, legal, ethical and psychosocial issues and available support for HIV/AIDS. The common oral manifestations seen by respondents were candidiasis, acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), hairy leukoplakia and Kaposi's sarcoma. Of the 174 who had a previous HIV test, 48% were for insurance purposes and 21% for post-needle-stick injury. Over 10% of the respondents indicated that gloves were not available at all, that there was an inadequate supply of water, and that there was no autoclave in their clinic. Nearly 50% of the clinicians had not had hepatitis B vaccination in the last 3 years. Fifteen respondents (5.4%) were not willing to treat HIV-positive patients. Only 48% had access to a written post-exposure management protocol and post-exposure medication was available to only 36.6%. The vast majority of the respondents clearly expressed a need for additional education on HIV/AIDS. The study demonstrated a need to add knowledge, enhance personal skills and improve the application of universal precautions.