Assessment of drug-prescribing perception and practice among dental care providers: a cross-sectional Lebanese study

BACKGROUND: Dentists play an essential role in providing high-quality dental care, taking into consideration the clinical context and concomitant medications taken by the patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess drug-prescribing perception and practices in addition to drug-related educational needs among Lebanese dentists; it also evaluated the need for interprofessional collaboration between dentists and pharmacists. METHODS: An exploratory cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire targeted a sample of dentists from all Lebanese districts. Participants gave their consent by accepting to complete the survey (ethics approval reference: USJ-2016-63). The questionnaire consisted of closed-ended questions exploring: 1) drug-prescribing perception, 2) drug-prescribing practice, and 3) collaboration with pharmacists regarding their respective roles in providing appropriate counseling to patients. Two indexes were created: the first evaluated self-confidence in prescribing medications, and the second assessed dentists' confidence in pharmacists. Logistic regressions were performed, taking each index as a dependent variable. RESULTS: A total of 137 dentists completed the survey (59% females; mean age: 42.17; SD: 13.78 years). The majority had a fair to good perceived knowledge in pharmacology and therapeutics (80.3%), only 30.7% reported to be sufficiently equipped to prescribe safely. Dentists exhibited particularly low perceived knowledge about prescribing in elderly patients, dosing, medication use in pregnancy, drug interactions, and adverse reactions. Dentists specialized in periodontics had the lowest odds of having self-confidence in prescribing drugs (aOR=0.25; p < 0.001). Also, 64.3% declared that they routinely check a reference source before prescribing, and 78% relied on pharmaceutical companies and medical representatives to get information on medications. While 61% declared that pharmacists should provide oral care counseling, only half of them encouraged their patients to talk to their pharmacists about their medications. Only 15% considered that patients are getting enough counseling from the pharmacist, with a global confidence index below the median value, suggesting the need for more collaboration, especially with periodontists who exhibited the lowest confidence in pharmacists (aOR=0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Lebanese dentists reported some lack of knowledge and confidence in prescribing practices. Education, training, and close collaboration between pharmacists and dentists are essential to overcome these problems and avoid potential harm to patients

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Aplicação da fotogrametria para a digitalização de modelos de gesso / Application of photogrammetry for scanning of plaster models

O propósito deste artigo é apresentar o fluxo de trabalho aplicado para a geração de modelos digitais tridimensionais (3D) a partir de imagens de um modelo em gesso, utilizando itens já presentes em nosso dia a dia, como computadores, câmeras fotográficas de smartphones e um aplicativo de código aberto, permitindo a geração de resultados similares aos obtidos com o uso de scanners de bancada, porém de forma mais barata.

The purpose of this article is to present the workflow applied to the generation of three-dimensional (3D) digital models from images of a dental cast, using items already present in our daily lives, such as computers, smartphone cameras and an opensource software, allowing the generation of results similar to those obtained with the use of scanners, but in a cheaper way.

[Gender-related differences in working practice and professional growth of dentists]. / Osobennosti trudovoi deiatel'nosti i vozmozhnosti professional'nogo rosta vrachei-stomatologov s uchetom ikh gendernykh razlichii.

The paper presents some aspects of professional growth, continuous education and working conditions of female dentists having impact on treatment quality and dental service state in general. Questionnaire survey was carried out in 124 dentists, both male and female, aged 22 to 60 years. The study revealed gender asymmetry influencing their competitive ability, physical and emotional well-being.

[Improvement of training quality in continuous medial education of dentists and maxillofacial surgeons]. / Povyshenie kachestva podgotovki spetsialistov-stomatologov i cheliustno-litsevykh khirurgov v sisteme nepreryvnogo meditsinskogo obrazovaniia.

The new concept of continuous medical education is based on individual learning paths of each specialist in conjunction with the use of modern educational technologies, including IT. The aim of this study was to undertake a review of modern methods of health care professionals training in the framework of continuous medical education profile introduced by the Ministry of Health. The paper presents the best IT practices of Central Research Institute of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery in the training of dentists and maxillofacial surgeons aimed for the modernization of medical education.

Educación continua: bases de datos biomédicas, I / Continuing education: biomedical databases, I

En las últimas décadas los adelantos en las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación permitieron que las Bases de Datos Biomédicas (BDB) se conviertan en la herramienta más impor-tante para la búsqueda y recuperación de información. La formación permanente y continua de los profesionales de la salud requiere para mantenerse actualizado de un conocimiento teórico-práctico de las diferentes BDB. Una BD es una colección de información en uno o más archivos que permiten una búsqueda y posterior recuperación de la misma mediante el empleo de una computadora. Existen diversos tipos de BD, en el área biomédi-ca las BD Documentales Bibliográficas o a Texto Completo, son las más ampliamente usadas. En esta quinta entrega de Educación Continua se analizarán las características generales, clasificación y estructura de las principales BD...

Assessment of knowledge on temporomandibular disorders among Mexican dental educators / Evauación del conocimiento sobre trastornos temporomandibulares en docentes de odontología en México

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) is an umbrella term that embraces a group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions that involve the temporomandibular joints, muscles and all associated tissues. Because of the relatively high number of patients with TMDs in the population, instruction in this area of health care should be included on all dental curricula. Although levels of knowledge among dentists have been evaluated in several countries, they have not been in Mexico. This study evaluates the dental faculty's range of knowledge about TMD at five dental schools in Puebla, Mexico. Using an observational design, a survey was administered to 161 educators in order to assess their knowledge of TMD. Four domains were assessed, including: a) pathophysiology; b) psychophysiology; c) psychiatric disorders; and d) chronic pain. Overall knowledge of TMD was measured using a consensus of TMD experts' answers as a reference standard1The results show that educators' overall knowledge had 55% agreement with the reference standard. Individually, the psychophysiological domain was correctly recognized by 77.7% of the educators; correct responses on the other domains ranged from 38% to 56%. This study demonstrates the need to incorporate standardized TMDs instruction into the dental curricula at Mexican Universities, without which graduating dentists will lack the necessary knowledge or experience to diagnose and manage their TMD patients.

Los Trastornos Témporomandibulares (TTM) incluyen un grupo de condiciones musculoes que léticas y neuromusculares que afectan a la Articulación Temporomandibular (ATM), los músculos masticadores y otros tejidos asociados. Debido al número relativamente alto de pacientes con TTM en la población, la educación en esta área de la salud debe ser incluida en las currículas de las escuelas de odontología. A pesar de que el nivel de conocimiento sobre TTM ha sido evaluado en diversos países, esto no ha sido realizado en México, por lo que el objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el nivel de conocimiento sobre los TTM de los profesores de odontología en cinco universidades de Puebla, México. Bajo un diseño observacional, se administró una encuesta a 161 docentes de odontología para evaluar el nivel de conocimiento sobre los TTM. La encuesta incluyó cuatro dominios: a) patofisiología; b) psicofisiología; c) trastornos psiquiátricos y d) dolor crónico. Se usaron las respuestas otorgadas con un consenso de expertos como estándar de referencia1 para evaluar el nivel global de conocimiento sobre los TTM. Los resultados mostraron que los docentes tuvieron un nivel global de conocimiento del 55% de acuerdo al estándar de referencia. El dominio psicofisiológico indivi dualmente fue el mejor reconocido con el 77% de acuerdo con los expertos; las respuestas correctas en los otros dominios oscilaron entre el 38% y el 56%. El presente estudio demostró la necesidad de incorporar educación sobre los TTM estandarizada en la currícula de las escuelas o facultades de odontología en las universidades mexicanas. Hasta que esto suceda, las generaciones de odontólogos no tienen el conocimiento ni la experiencia necesarios para diagnosticar y manejar a los pacientes con Trastornos Temporomandibulares.

Study and analysis of information technology in dentistry in Latin American countries / Estudio y análisis de la informática odontológica en países de Latinoamérica

Dentistry increasingly uses Information and CommunicationTechnology (ICT), which has impact on teaching, research, the profession and dental care in general. However, there is alack of valid information on ICT resources and use in LatinAmerica. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, multi-center,interdisciplinary study, the aim of which was to conduct asurvey on how extensively ICT is used in Dentistry in LatinAmerican countries by enquiring into two primary components:1) use of ICT in student training and 2) use of ICT by professionalsin consulting rooms and services. Two questionnaires on ICTwere prepared: one for teachers/researchers and another for students/professionals. We received 94 answers fromteachers/researchers at universities in the region providinginformation on ICT resources for teaching (type andimplementation) and 221 answers from professionals (personaluse and use in healthcare). Data are presented as absoluterelative frequencies and analyzed quantitatively as percentages.Results: 1) Teachers highlight ICT as an instrument fordevelopment, democratization and fairness in access toknowledge for higher education. 2) ICT supports collaborativelearning and generates other innovative resources (e.g.simulators). 3) Innovations in telemedicine and experienceswith electronic clinical history were identified in Brazil,Uruguay and Colombia. These results are a basis upon whichto reach a consensus regarding a set of ICT indicators whichare comparable at regional level and serve as input to unifythe design and implementation of ICTs experiences in bothteaching and dental care in Latin America.

La Odontología utiliza en forma creciente las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) impactando en la enseñanza, la investigación, la profesión y la atenciónodontológica en general. Sin embargo, no se cuenta con información válida sobre los recursos e utilización de las TIC en latinoamérica. La investigación representó un estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, multicéntrico e interdisciplinario, cuyo objetivo fue realizar un relevamiento del gradode informatización en Odontología en países latinoamericanos indagando dos componentes principales en el empleo de las TIC: 1) en la formación de estudiantes y 2) por parte de losprofesionales en consultorios y servicios. Se realizaron cuestionarios a referentes TIC: uno para docentes/investigadores y otro para estudiantes /profesionales. Se recibieron 94 respuestas de docentes /investigadores de universidades de la región dando cuenta de los recursos TIC para la enseñanza (tipo e implementación) y 221 de profesionales (personal y en la asistencia clínica). Los datos recogidos fueron analizados cuantitativamente con tabulación en porcentaje y se presentan en frecuencia relativa absoluta. Resultados: 1) Los docentes enfatizan a las TIC como instrumento de desarrollo, democra tiza ción y equidad en el acceso al conocimiento en educación superior. 2) Las TIC apoyan el aprendizaje colaborativo y generan otros recursos innovadores (ej: simuladores). 3) Se identificaron innovaciones en telemedicina y experiencias con historia clínica electrónica en Brasil, Uruguay y Colombia. Los resultados constituyenuna base para consensuar un conjunto de indicadores TIC comparables a nivel regional y sirven como insumo paraunificar el diseño e implementación de las experiencias TIC tanto en enseñanza como en la asistencia odontológica enLatinoamérica.

Current status and expected future direction of the prosthodontic speciality in India. JPS Global Workshop Kyoto 2012.

A person with a basic bachelors degree, BDS, from a college/university recognized by the Dental Council of India (DCI) becomes eligible for a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in prosthodontics at a college/university recognized by DCI. For this three (3) years Programme of Master of Dental Surgery course with a dissertation, the student/resident has to go through a syllabus as set by the university and approved by the DCI. The continued official approval/certification thereafter is not present in India but all dentists have to get 20 Continued Education points every year for renewal of their DCI registration (though it's only on trial basis right now). Although prosthodontists are officially approved in India but still the common man does not recognize who a prosthodontist is because of lack of awareness. Most general dentists do their prosthetic work themselves, only a small number of them ask for a prosthodontist. Referral to another office is rare, usually the prosthodontist visits the GP's office for consultation and treatment. There is undoubtedly need of continuous certification/evaluation system of the prosthodontists and so is the need of making the masses aware of presence and role of such specialists in India. The Indian Prosthodontic Society is taking initiative to address this issue.

Implant dentistry in postgraduate university education. Present conditions, potential, limitations and future trends.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, opportunities for postgraduate university education in implant dentistry have increased significantly, with an increase in both the number but also the complexity of available postgraduate programmes. However, there appears to be a lack of standards directing the learning outcomes of such programmes. METHODS: A scientific literature search was conducted for publications reporting on university programmes within implant dentistry, including description of programmes and evaluation of learning outcomes. A separate Internet search was conducted to collect information on existing university programmes as presented on university websites. RESULTS: Implant dentistry has reached a critical mass of an independent, multidisciplinary and vibrant domain of science, which combines knowledge and discovery from many clinical and basic sciences. Many university programmes conclude with a master's or equivalent degree, but there appears to be a great diversity with regard to duration and learning objectives, as well as targeted skills and competences. The importance of implant dentistry has also increased within established specialist training programmes. There was little indication, however, that the comprehensive aspects of implant dentistry are present in all specialist training programmes where implants are being covered. CONCLUSIONS: Although universities should maintain the options of designing academic programmes as they best see fit, it is imperative for them to introduce some form of transparent and comparable criteria, which will allow the profession and the public to relate the degree and academic credentials to the actual skills and competences of the degree holder. With regard to established specialist training programmes, the interdisciplinary and comprehensive nature of implant dentistry needs to be emphasised, covering both surgical and restorative aspects. Finally, implant dentistry is not, at present, a dental specialty. The profession has not reached a consensus as to whether the introduction of a new recognised specialist field is either necessary or desired.

Continuing professional development in implant dentistry in Europe.

INTRODUCTION: Training for dental practitioners in implant dentistry ranges from 1- or 2-day short Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses to certificate/diploma programmes run by universities. In general, the teaching of implant dentistry in Europe lacks structure and standardisation. This paper aims to: (i) identify the current trends in CPD in implant dentistry in Europe; (ii) identify potential and limitations with regards to the design and implementation of CPD activities in implant dentistry; (iii) provide recommendations on the future structure and development of CPD activities in implant dentistry. METHODS: A search of the literature was undertaken in PubMed for manuscripts published in English after 2000 reporting on CPD in dentistry and in implant dentistry in particular. In addition, an electronic survey was conducted, investigating the attitudes towards CPD among a wide group of stakeholders in implant dentistry education. CONCLUSIONS: There is a wide diversity of educational pathways towards achieving competences in implant dentistry through CPD. At present, there is a need for improving the CPD structures in implant dentistry, strengthening the quality assurance and encouraging standardisation and transparency of the learning outcomes. Development of a structured CPD system with clearly defined educational objectives mapped against specific levels of competence is recommended.