scholarly journals A qualitative analysis of dental professionals’ beliefs and concerns about providing aerosol generating procedures early in the COVID-19 pandemic

BDJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Cousins ◽  
Kajal Patel ◽  
Mariana Araujo ◽  
Laura Beaton ◽  
Claire Scott ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) initiated a rapid review of the evidence related to the generation and mitigation of aerosols in dental practice. To support this review, a survey was distributed to better understand the provision of aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) in dentistry. Methods An online questionnaire was distributed to dental professionals asking about their current practice and beliefs about AGPs. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Analysis revealed confusion and uncertainty regarding mitigation of AGPs. There was also frustration and scepticism over the risk of SARS-COV-2 transmission within dental settings, the evidence underpinning the restrictions and the leadership and guidance being provided, as well as concern over financial implications and patient and staff safety. Discussion The frustration and concerns expressed by respondents mirrored findings from other recent studies and suggest there is a need for reflection within the profession so that lessons can be learned to better support staff and patients. Conclusion Understanding the profession’s views about AGP provision contributed to the SDCEP rapid review and provides insights to help inform policymakers and leaders in anticipation not only of future pandemics but in considering the success of any large scale and/or rapid organisational change.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Sheng-Nan Wang ◽  
Jia-Li Yan ◽  
Shao-Xing Wu ◽  
Lei Wu ◽  
Yan-Chan Zheng ◽  
...  

Dingchuan decoction (DCD) is a traditional Chinese prescription for asthma that remains popular today. To systematically evaluate the effect of DCD on lung function, clinical effectiveness rate, and safety in children with asthma, significant databases were searched for randomized controlled trials from their inception to September 9, 2019. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of DCD on lung function and clinical effectiveness rate in children with asthma were included in this meta-analysis. The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RevMan 5.3 was used for data analysis. Fourteen studies with 1,384 children were reviewed. FEV<sub>1</sub> improvement rate (mean difference [MD] 12.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.72–16.29), PEF improvement rate (MD 14.28, 95% CI 11.08–17.49), and clinical effectiveness rate (relative risk 1.19, 95% CI 1.14–1.25) significantly increased in the DCD group when compared to simple conventional medication. Four trials suggest that DCD is safe for children. In conclusion, the use of DCD combined with conventional medication improves lung function and clinical effectiveness rate better than simple conventional medication. However, the selected trials lack blinding and large-scale studies. Therefore, to better manage DCD in clinical practice, more randomized controlled trials and large-scale studies are required for further evaluation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Martina ◽  
Alessandra Amato ◽  
Paolo Faccioni ◽  
Alfredo Iandolo ◽  
Massimo Amato ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The present study aimed to investigate the patients’ perception of the dental practice during the COVID-19 outbreak, and whether the pandemic will affect the attendance of orthodontic patients at the dental practice. An online questionnaire, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), was submitted to Italian dental patients with items about their perceived risks when going to the dentist, concerns about continuing orthodontic treatment, and the onset of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Data were analyzed with a chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results A total of 1566 subjects completed the survey, including 486 who were under orthodontic treatment or who had a child in orthodontic treatment. A total of 866 participants (55.3%) thought the risk of contracting the COVID-19 infection was higher in a dental practice; this perception was associated with gender (women more than man), age (over 60 years old) and high levels of distress (P<0.001). However, 894 patients (57.1%) felt comfortable going back to the dentist. Most of the orthodontic patients (84%) would continue their treatment. After the lockdown, there was a slight increase in the frequency of TMD pain (356 versus 334). Conclusions Most of the participants believed that the dental practice is a place at greater risk of contracting COVID-19, even if they continue to go to the dentist. Gender, age, and the level of distress were associated with the increase in the fear of going to the dentist due to COVID-19. Because of the pandemic, 16% of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment would not return to the dental practice to continue their orthodontic treatment after the lockdown. The prevalence of TMD pain in the population increased due to the pandemic.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1398
Author(s):  
Felix Boehm ◽  
Rene Graesslin ◽  
Marie-Nicole Theodoraki ◽  
Leon Schild ◽  
Jens Greve ◽  
...  

Background. In the past few years, surgical robots have recently entered the medical field, particularly in urology, gynecology, and general surgery. However, the clinical effectiveness and safety of robot-assisted surgery (RAS) in the field of head and neck surgery has not been clearly established. In this review, we evaluate to what extent RAS can potentially be applied in head and neck surgery, in which fields it is already daily routine and what advantages can be seen in comparison to conventional surgery. Data sources. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review of trials published between 2000 and 2021, as well as currently ongoing trials registered in clinicaltrials.gov. The results were structured according to anatomical regions, for the topics “Costs,” “current clinical trials,” and “robotic research” we added separate sections for the sake of clarity. Results. Our findings show a lack of large-scale systematic randomized trials on the use of robots in head and neck surgery. Most studies include small case series or lack a control arm which enables a comparison with established standard procedures. Conclusion. The question of financial reimbursement is still not answered and the systems on the market still require some specific improvements for the use in head and neck surgery.


2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motje Wolf

This article introduces research on the influence of teaching on the change of inexperienced listeners’ appreciation of electroacoustic music. A curriculum was developed to make Key Stage 3 students (11–14 years old)1 familiar with electroacoustic music. The curriculum introduced music using concepts, such as music with real-world sounds and music with generated sounds. Presented in an online environment and accompanied with a teachers’ handbook, the curriculum can be used online or as classroom-based teaching resource.The online environment was developed with the help of user-centred design. Following this, the curriculum was tested in a large-scale study including four Key Stage 3 classes within three schools in Leicester, UK. Data were collected using questionnaires, a listening response test and a summary of the teaching (letter written by participants). Qualitative content analysis was used for the data analysis.Results include the change of the participants’ appreciation of electroacoustic music during the study. Successful learning and a decrease in alienation towards electroacoustic music could be measured. The study shows that the appreciation of electroacoustic music can be enhanced through the acquirement of conceptual knowledge. Especially important was the enhancing of listening skills following a listening training as well as the broadening of the participants’ vocabulary that enabled them to describe their listening experience.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Dubuc ◽  
Seira Fortin-Suzuki ◽  
Sylvie Beaudoin ◽  
Felix Berrigan ◽  
Sylvain Turcotte

Objective: To contribute to the development of tailored school-based physical activity interventions, in this study, we aimed to identify the perceived facilitating factors and barriers of high school students toward their physical activity in the school environment. Methods: A total of 139 students from 4 different high schools completed an online questionnaire comprising open-ended questions on their perceived facilitating factors and barriers toward their physical activity at school. Thereafter, 100 of these students participated in one of the 16 focus groups designed to deepen students’ responses regarding their perceived facilitating factors and barriers. Qualitative content analysis was performed to classify data according to the Social-Ecological Model. Results: Through questionnaires, students mostly identified intrapersonal elements as facilitating factors and barriers to their practice of physical activity, as opposed to institutional factors during the focus groups. Girls strongly valued the characteristics of the interventions and of the involved school stakeholders. Conclusions: Our results allow us to qualify the current understanding of high school students’ perceived facilitating factors and barriers toward school-based physical activity and strengthen the relevance of surveying students prior to the development and implementation of physical activity interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1405-1415
Author(s):  
Omar Jabak

The present study aimed to explore the role of English songs in Saudi students’ self-learning of English as a foreign language. The study employed one data collection tool which was an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed by 38 Saudi students at the Community College of King Saud University in the second semester of the academic year 2020. The examination and analysis of the data showed that listening to English songs motivated the Saudi students to learn English in a self-study mode, augmented their English vocabulary, improved their speaking skill and developed their spelling or writing skill to a considerable extent. It is, therefore, recommended that more large-scale quantitative or qualitative studies on the role of English songs in Saudi students’ self-learning of English as a foreign language be conducted to confirm the findings of the present study, challenge them or yield new ones.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-30
Author(s):  
Jasmine Joyce G. Mendez ◽  
Rizalie N.E. Mibato

A Multi-Specialty Dental Center (MSDC) is one in which dentists share facilities, administration, income and expenses, support staff, and equipment.  It is a single practice entity that provides general dentistry services in collaboration with the provision of one or more dental specialties.  Moreover, dentists can specialize in related dental practices or offer a wide range of specialties.  This business is relatively stable as it is a growing source of revenue. The primary purpose of a multi-specialty dental clinic is to serve all the needs of patients in one convenient location. Dental specialists can consult with each other and provide tests and radiological exams under one roof.  Having a group of experts, dental professionals who can perform together to surpass a patient's dental or aesthetic objectives is an advantage.  It is also essential to address a potential challenge within the multi-specialty dental facility.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Byrnes ◽  
Anu Ganapathy ◽  
Melinda Lam ◽  
Lise Mogensen ◽  
Wendy CY Hu

Abstract Background Medical student mental health and wellbeing is highly topical worldwide. Research has tended to be either large-scale, quantitative, prevalence studies of wellbeing and associated factors such as burnout, or evaluations of single institution interventions. While theoretically informed definitions of wellbeing abound, how do medical students themselves understand and perceive wellbeing? What aspects of the curriculum do they regard as affecting their wellbeing and mental health? This study explored these questions, and aimed to identify factors associated with student acceptability of wellbeing programs and interventions. Methods All students at an Australian undergraduate medical school were invited to complete a qualitative online questionnaire between 2017 and 2018 following the introduction of several wellbeing initiatives, including “Wellbeing Days” (WBD). WBD allow students to take single absence days for self-care. Open-ended questions were asked about perceptions and experience of wellbeing and mental health, and views on interventions to improve wellbeing such as WBD. Thematic analysis was performed , initially by three authors who developed preliminary themes, then confirmed by all researchers . Thematic saturation was achieved within the 68 responses, which included participants from all cohorts. Results Participants described wellbeing as positively experienced work/life balance, impacted by four factors; contact hours, peer relationships, staff relationships, and trust in how wellbeing initiatives were used. Long course contact hours were deemed incompatible with self-care activities, maintaining employment, and seeking professional medical/psychological help. Peers could promote wellbeing by offering social and academic support, but also undermine wellbeing by being competitors. Degree of trust, engagement and communication with staff influenced acceptability of interventions. Participants viewed initiatives such as WBD favourably, but distrust of peers, and of staff, led to perceptions that WBD could be prone to misuse, or used for surveillance rather than support. Conclusion Our findings suggest that wellbeing days which allow self-care, reduction in contact hours, and peer support may promote student wellbeing, but the acceptability of any interventions is influenced by relationships between students and staff, and with peers. Further research is recommended to investigate the relationship between trust, perceptions of wellbeing in self and peers, and the effectiveness of wellbeing interventions.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0253517
Author(s):  
Laura Gray ◽  
Lisa McNeill ◽  
Weiming Yi ◽  
Anastasia Zvonereva ◽  
Paul Brunton ◽  
...  

The dimensions of patient-centred care include not only clinical effectiveness and patient safety, but, importantly, the preferences of patients as consumers of healthcare services. A total of 249 participants were included in the study, with a balanced population proportional representation by age, gender, ethnicity and geographic region of New Zealand. An online questionnaire was used to identify participants’ decision-making process, and what factors and barriers for participants to seek dental treatment. Cross-tabulations, Spearman correlation analysis and Pearson Chi-Square analysis were used for the statistical analyses. Three most common reasons for visit were check-up (77%), clean (57%) and relief of pain 36%). A desire to treat a perceived problem was the most common encouraging factor to seek dental care. Cost was the most common barrier to seeking dental services. The majority of participants attended a private practice (84%), with convenience of location and referral from professionals the most likely to influence their choice. Participants felt the most important trait a dental practitioner could demonstrate was to discuss treatment options with them before any treatment. Dental check-up, teeth cleaning and relief of pain were the most common reasons for patients to choose dental services. Cost and ethnicity of the consumers had a significant impact on how dental services were perceived and sought. Dental practitioners may need to reorientate how they express value of oral health practice, not just in regard to communication with patients, but also with government funding agencies.


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