scholarly journals The awareness and practice of dentists regarding medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and its prevention: a cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lum Han

Abstract Background Accurate documentation of a patient’s prior medication use and awareness of side effects associated with anti-osteoporotic agents can assist dentists to prevent medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. I aimed to determine the awareness of Korean dentists regarding medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and the duration of drug holidays they prescribe to patients who need to undergo various dental procedures. Methods An online, questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 1000 dentists registered in an online community in Korea. The following were determined: general characteristics; type of practice; recordkeeping regarding patients’ use of bone-modifying agents; requirement of a doctor’s referral letter; advice given regarding drug holidays of bone-modifying agents before dental surgery procedures; and experience with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Differences between dentists with and without experience in treating patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw were evaluated using the χ2 test. Results Although a relatively high proportion (293/1000, 29.3%) of dentists had experienced cases of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, only 650/1000 (65.0%) routinely documented the type of bone-modifying agent used by patients and the duration of its use. Moreover, only 591/1000 (59.1%) dentists routinely requested referral letters from doctors before performing dental surgery on patients. Although the recommended period for a drug holiday differs for each drug, 533/1000 (53.3%) dentists did not make such a distinction. There was a statistically significant difference in the level of detail documented in terms of anti-osteoporotic drug use between dentists who had no experience in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (707/1000) and those who had such experience (P = 0.007). There was a statistically significant difference in the length of drug holidays prescribed between dentists with and without prior experience with the condition (P = 0.001). Conclusions These results suggest that dentists do not respond consistently to patients' drug history prior to performing dental procedures. This implies the need for increased cooperation between dentists and physicians, as well as the development of targeted educational interventions for the dental profession, to reduce the risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Trial registration Not applicable.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A lum Han

Abstract Background: Accurate documentation of a patient’s prior medication use and awareness of side effects associated with anti-osteoporotic agents can assist dentists to prevent medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. I aimed to determine the awareness of Korean dentists regarding medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and the duration of drug holidays they prescribe to patients who need to undergo various dental procedures.Methods: An online, questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 1000 dentists registered in an online community in Korea. The following were determined: general characteristics; type of practice; recordkeeping regarding patients’ use of bone-modifying agents; requirement of a doctor’s referral letter; advice given regarding drug holidays of bone-modifying agents before dental surgery procedures; and experience with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Differences between dentists with and without experience in treating patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw were evaluated using the χ2 test.Results: Although a relatively high proportion (293/1000, 29.3%) of dentists had experienced cases of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, only 650/1000 (65.0%) routinely documented the type of bone-modifying agent used by patients and the duration of its use. Moreover, only 591/1000 (59.1%) dentists routinely requested referral letters from doctors before performing dental surgery on patients. Although the recommended period for a drug holiday differs for each drug, 533/1000 (53.3%) dentists did not make such a distinction. There was a statistically significant difference in the level of detail documented in terms of anti-osteoporotic drug use between dentists who had no experience in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (707/1000) and those who had such experience (P = 0.007). There was a statistically significant difference in the length of drug holidays prescribed between dentists with and without prior experience with the condition (P = 0.001).Conclusions: These results suggest that dentists do not respond consistently to patients' drug history prior to performing dental procedures. This implies the need for increased cooperation between dentists and physicians, as well as the development of targeted educational interventions for the dental profession, to reduce the risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.Trial registration: Not applicable.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A lum Han

Abstract Background: The accurate documentation of a patient’s prior medication use by dentists, and their knowledge of the side effects associated with anti-osteoporotic agents can prevent medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. This study investigated the awareness of dentists regarding medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws, with the aim of determining the need for targeted educational interventions for this medical condition within the dental profession.Methods: An online questionnaire survey was conducted among 1000 dentists registered in an online community in Korea. Results: Dentists who documented the use of anti-osteoporotic medications by patients were more likely to have no prior experience of encountering previous cases of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws; this was evident among dentists who documented the names of these medications (97.5% having no experience versus 95.6% having experience; P = 0.116), and those who recorded both medication names and duration of use (67.5% having no experience versus 59.0% having experience; P = 0.007). In terms of dentists who advised drug holidays for ≥6 months, the proportion with no prior experience of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws was also higher than the proportion with prior experience (42.1% versus 32.8%, respectively; P < 0.001).Conclusions: These results suggest that dentists do not respond consistently to the patient's drug history prior to performing dental procedures. This implies the need for mutual cooperation between dentists and physicians, and the development of targeted educational interventions for the dental profession.Trial registration: Not applicable.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoya Fatima Rizwan Ladiwala ◽  
Rubaid Azhar Dhillon ◽  
Ibrahim Zahid ◽  
Omar Irfan ◽  
Muhammad Sharjeel Khan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has created havoc globally as countries worldwide struggle to combat this pandemic. Since prevention and social isolation are known to be the only ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, this has created challenges among the lower-middle income countries (LMIC) including Pakistan, as it battles between an under-resourced healthcare, an economic shutdown, and widespread myths and misconceptions. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and perceptions regarding COVID-19 as public understanding is vital to help facilitate the control of this outbreak. Methods A pre-validated online questionnaire was distributed among the general population of Pakistan from 1st to 12th June 2020. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS v25. Adequate knowledge was assigned as a score of > 4 (range: 0–8) and good perception as a score of > 3 (range: 0–5). Chi-square test was used to determine the significance of difference in knowledge and perception of COVID-19 with socio-demographic characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was run to identify factors associated with adequate knowledge and perception. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results A total of 1200 respondents participated in this study with a wide range of age groups and education. Majority of the respondents had adequate knowledge (93.3%) with a mean score of 6.59 ± 1.35, and good perception (85.6%) with a mean score of 4.29 ± 0.82. Significant differences in knowledge and perception were observed among genders, age groups, education and between students and employees in the healthcare and non-healthcare department. A multivariate analysis revealed a higher educational status and female gender to be significant predictors of adequate knowledge and perception. Conclusions Albeit the surge of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan, the participants demonstrated an overall adequate knowledge and good perception towards COVID-19. There is a need to follow the preventive protocols and dissemination of correct information through conducting educational interventions that target safe health practices and provide appropriate information on this infection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amani AlHazmi ◽  
Farah Aziz

Background: Dietary habits are of substantial concern related to the health of college students. Medical students are expected to have better dietary habits and healthy lifestyle, but due to various factors they are least bothered to follow recommended healthy diet. The present study assessed and compared the eating habits, nutritional awareness and BMI in females from health departments of King Khalid University (KKU), Saudi Arabia. Designs and Methods: The cross-sectional survey was conducted in undergraduate females from eight health departments: Public Health, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Medicine and Surgery, Dental and Oral surgery, Diagnostic Radiology and Pharmacy. Participants completed online questionnaire that include demographic, anthropometric information, questions related to food preference and nutritional awareness. BMI, food preferences, and nutritional awareness responses were assessed and compared among different departments at 0.05 and 0.001 level of significance.Results: Total of 377 females were analysed and the mean BMI differ significantly at p<0.05 in all departments reporting the highest BMI mean in medicine and surgery department. Upon further stratification of BMI 53% of total analysed students comes under normal BMI. The utmost frequency of overweight students (55.3%) were observed in physiotherapy with no obese category followed by nursing with least obese students (2.2%).Conclusions: Inadequate food preference with unhealthy dietary habits but satisfactory nutritional awareness was observed in students of all departments with no significant difference. Designing of nutrition promotional programs and motivation is required for the acquisition of healthy dietary habits.


Author(s):  
Abbas Shamsalinia ◽  
Sepideh Mohammadi ◽  
Fatemeh Ghaffari ◽  
Tajmohammad Arazi

ABSTRACT Objectives: Iran is facing a big challenge controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, and it is unclear to how individuals are engaging in preventive behaviors. This study aimed to investigate changes in preventive behaviors during the first 3 mo of the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran. Method: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1477 adults aged 18 y and older in 31 provinces of Iran. Data were collected by an anonymous online questionnaire. Result: Overall, engagement in preventive behaviors was relatively acceptable, and more than 45% of subjects always carried out all preventive behaviors. Engaging in all preventive behaviors had a peak in the second month and obviously declined during third month. Engagement in some preventive behaviors, such as “wearing a face mask” and “keeping a safe distance from others,” was observed less than other behaviors. There was a statistically significant difference in the engagement in preventive behaviors by gender and occupation (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Although engagement in preventive behaviors was relatively acceptable for the first 2 mo of the outbreak, it has declined gradually. This is a warning for public health decision makers. COVID-19 is still a crucial issue in Iran, and it is necessary that government decision be based on the fact that Iranian people must live with a coronavirus for months, with full caution and compliance toward all preventive care protocols.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliana Bontà ◽  
Guglielmo Campus ◽  
Maria Grazia Cagetti

Abstract Objective This online cross-sectional survey assesses the signs/symptoms, the protective measures taken and the awareness and risk perception regarding COVID-19 among Italian dental hygienists. All Italian dental hygienists were invited to participate. The ad hoc online questionnaire was divided into four domains: personal data, protective measures (−before patient arrival; −in the waiting room; −in the operating room) and PPE, awareness and risk perception. Results Two-thousand-seven-hundred-ninety-eight subjects participated. Only 0.25% of the sample was positive to the virus. Sense of fatigue (8.19%), headache (7.81%) and sore throat (7.32%) were the most common symptoms. A statistically significant trend across the areas with a different prevalence of COVID-19 was observed related to the number of signs/symptoms (areas z = 6.38 p < 0.01). Overall, 90.55% of the sample used protective glasses or visor, 90.10% disposable gloves and 82.80% surgical mask. Regarding the confidence to avoid the infection, a statistically significant difference was found among dental hygienists belonging to the 3 years-professional-experiences groups who worked in the high COVID-19 prevalence area. The findings of this survey show that Italian dental hygienists have modified their working habits according to the professional risk related to the current pandemic and they seem correctly prepared to face the risk of a SARS-CoV-2 infection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-400
Author(s):  
Omar Osama Shaalan

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the techniques of matricing used by Egyptian dentists, and evaluate the influence of these techniques on the reproduction of optimum proximal contacts for posterior proximal resin composite restorations. Material and methods: An online questionnaire was developed and sent to 785 dentists via e-mail and social media platforms. The survey asked the participants about the following: the highest academic degree achieved and their experience, techniques of matricing used, brands of matricing systems used, assessment of proximal contact points, their evaluation of the contact points they reproduced, and their assessment of the restorations’ emergence profiles. Results: A total of 415 dentists participated in the study (response rate 52.8%). 308 dentists (74%) preferred using the sectional matrix system, while 107 dentists (26%) preferred using the circumferential matrix system. One hundred twenty-six dentists (31%) reported that the circumferential matrix systems reproduced optimum contacts, 105 dentists (25%) reported tight contacts and 184 dentists (44%) reported open contacts. However, for the sectional matrix systems, the optimum contacts were reported by 279 dentists (67%) tight contacts by 109 dentists (26%) and open contacts by 27 dentists (7%). There was a statistically significant difference between the sectional matrix systems and the circumferential matrix systems regarding the tightness of the proximal contact points (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Egyptian dentists preferred using the sectional matrix systems. The survey indicated that optimum contact points were highly associated with the sectional matrix systems, while poor (open and tight) contacts were highly associated with the circumferential matrix systems.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliana Bontà ◽  
Guglielmo Giuseppe Campus ◽  
Maria Grazia Cagetti

Abstract Background: This online cross-sectional survey assesses the signs/symptoms, the protective measures taken and the awareness and risk perception regarding COVID-19 among Italian dental hygienists. All Italian dental hygienists were invited to participate. The ad hoc online questionnaire was divided into four domains: personal data, protective measures (-before patient arrival; -in the waiting room; -in the operating room) and PPE, awareness and risk perception. Results: Two-thousand-seven-hundred-ninety-eight subjects participated. Only 0.25% of the sample was positive to the virus. Sense of fatigue (8.19%), headache (7.81%) and sore throat (7.32%) were the most common symptoms. A statistically significant trend across the areas with a different prevalence of COVID-19 was observed related to the number of signs/symptoms (areas z=6.38 p<0.01). Overall, 90.55% of the sample used protective glasses or visor, 90.10% disposable gloves and 82.80% surgical mask. Regarding the confidence to avoid the infection, a statistically significant difference was found among dental hygienists belonging to the three years-professional-experiences groups who worked in the high COVID-19 prevalence area. The findings of this survey show that Italian dental hygienists have modified their working habits according to the professional risk related to the current pandemic and they seem correctly prepared to face the risk of a SARS-CoV-2 infection.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliana Bontà ◽  
Guglielmo Giuseppe Campus ◽  
Maria Grazia Cagetti

Abstract ObjectiveThis online cross-sectional survey assesses the signs/symptoms, the protective measures taken and the awareness and risk perception regarding COVID-19 among Italian dental hygienists. All Italian dental hygienists were invited to participate. The ad hoc online questionnaire was divided into four domains: personal data, protective measures (-before patient arrival; -in the waiting room; -in the operating room) and PPE, awareness and risk perception.ResultsTwo-thousand-seven-hundred-ninety-eight subjects participated. Only 0.25% of the sample was positive to the virus. Sense of fatigue (8.19%), headache (7.81%) and sore throat (7.32%) were the most common symptoms. A statistically significant trend across the areas with a different prevalence of COVID-19 was observed related to the number of signs/symptoms (areas z=6.38 p<0.01). Overall, 90.55% of the sample used protective glasses or visor, 90.10% disposable gloves and 82.80% surgical mask. Regarding the confidence to avoid the infection, a statistically significant difference was found among dental hygienists belonging to the three years-professional-experiences groups who worked in the high COVID-19 prevalence area. The findings of this survey show that Italian dental hygienists have modified their working habits according to the professional risk related to the current pandemic and they seem correctly prepared to face the risk of a SARS-CoV-2 infection.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 518-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin C. Waller ◽  
Deborah A. Kerr ◽  
Martyn J. Binnie ◽  
Emily Eaton ◽  
Clare Wood ◽  
...  

The authors aimed to update knowledge of the use of supplements among Australian athletes at a state-based sports institute. The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire to assess the influence of age, sports category, and scholarship category on supplement use. Of 94 completed questionnaires, 82 (87%) indicated supplements in the previous 12 months (mean = 4.9 ± 3.3). No significant difference in supplement usage rate was identified when considering age, scholarship category, or sport category. The most frequently used supplements were sports drinks (70%), caffeine (48%), protein powder (42%), and sports bars (42%). Recovery (63%), health maintenance (59%), and improved energy (50%) were the most frequently reported rationale to use supplements. Allied health professionals and credible online resources were the predominant sources of influence regarding use. However, athletes from lower scholarship categories were more likely to have social media, parents, and siblings influence usage, and age was inversely related to increased influence from parents, social media, physicians not associated with the institute, the Internet, and siblings. Older athletes and those on higher scholarships were more likely to source supplements from training facilities and sports nutrition staff outside of the institute or direct from a supplier, whereas those on lower scholarships tended to rely more on family and friends for their supplements. Findings from this study show a high prevalence of supplement use and are the first to show an influence of social media, particularly in younger athletes. Opportunities exist to optimize how athletes are informed regarding supplement use and organizational and supplement policy.


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