Evaluating the Influence of COVID-19 Among Dental Practitioners After Lockdown

Comparison of the Accuracy of Two Transfer Caps in Positional Transmission of Palatal Temporary Anchorage Devices: An In Vitro Study

The aim of this study was to compare the positional information transfer accuracy of palatal temporary anchorage devices (TADs) of two different brands of transfer caps: PSM and Leone. Thirty plaster casts of maxillary dental arches were chosen for master models. A couple of Leone TADs were inserted in each master model. For each master model, two analysis models were created: using two transfer caps, Leone and PSM, the impressions were taken, the analogues were connected on the transfer caps, and the casts were poured. Using digital methods and equipment, such as a 3D scanner, a 3D analysis and a comparison of the accuracy of the two transfer caps in transferring the positional information of the TADs was then made. The data obtained were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test at a significance level of α = 0.05. PSM transfer caps showed higher error frequency in almost all measurements. Only two measurements had a larger error in the analysis models made with Leone transfer caps. The Mann-Whitney U-test found a significant difference between the error levels of TADs found in the analysis models created with PSM transfer caps. Leone transfer caps showed greater reliability in TADs positional information transmission.

COVID-19 Impact on Public Dental Healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Current Situation and Ongoing Perspectives

BACKGROUND

As the pandemic time went by in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), various patterns toward COVID-19 itself and its impacts, implementation of prescribed preventive measures among the team members, and those of their patients, including immunization process, have been revealed. These patterns were of both empirical and evidence-based kind and consequently formed dental personnel behavior. The aim was to evaluate and compare the COVID-19 status of dentists in B&H, implementation of prescribed preventive measures, and usage of various kinds of PPE, at the beginning of the pandemics and now, 2.5 years later, including dentists' current vaccination status, and their opinions and attitudes toward the national COVID-19 economic impact on dental practice.

METHODOLOGY

Study research was in a form of a cross-sectional longitudinally designed online survey and was conducted in two parts.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Dental professionals in B&H had a high frequency of COVID-19 symptoms in the second pandemic year. The vaccination status of dentists in B&H was in line with the global average values of vaccinated professionals. Dentists used patient management preventive measures and PPE recommended by WHO, but some preventive measures have been changed and prioritized recently. The economic impact of pandemics on dentistry was predominantly negative.

Knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of dentists working during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has immensely affected the world’s population at physical and psychosocial levels. Dentists are no different from other healthcare providers, as they are equally if not more exposed to the threat of getting infected. OBJECTIVE: To assess the experience and behavior of public and private sector dentists practicing during the COVID-19 pandemic and their knowledge about it. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted online by sharing google forms through email, WhatsApp, and Facebook. The survey included questions on the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of dentists practicing during COVID-19. The data was interpreted by SPSS 24 using a chi-square test, and a value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A considerable number of general dentists (26.9%) and specialists (39.4%) adopted partial suspension of clinics. Restriction’s ease allowed 50.2% of the clinicians to resume their duties. 67.9% of the patients were medicated online during the lockdown phase. There was no significant difference regarding years of experience and willingness to treat/care (p-value 0.648). Personal protective equipment (PPE) was readily available for use in public or private practices, and the respondents agreed with its efficacy in protecting the operators. Compliance with PPE wear was 50% in all the respondents. CONCLUSION: The psychosocial repercussion of the pandemic continues to affect dental practices. Our attitude needs to improve as far as PPE is concerned, with regular training workshops and continuous updates of the developing Knowledge on COVID-19.

Examining the Experiences of US Dentists during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Policy and Practice

(1) Background: As an emerging topic, no known study to date has described interviews with US dentists regarding their experiences during the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with regard to office closures and their implications for both the dentists and the patients they serve, especially among dentists in their first decade of work and new to practice ownership roles. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of early-career US dentists during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: This study utilized a semi-structured interview protocol and employed qualitative descriptive methodology. SPSS 26 and NVivo12 were utilized for data analysis. (3) Results: In April 2020, a total of 12 early-career US dentists completed the interview study protocol. The study sample majority was male (67%), with a mean age of 32 (range = 30–37) and an average of 6 years of dental practice experience (range = 5–10). Participants completed phone interviews with the research team. In summary, three organizing themes emerged: (1) Dentistry during COVID-19: Experiences during the first wave, (2) Long-term concerns regarding COVID-19, and (3) COVID-19 professional communication and dental research. (4) Conclusions: The chief findings of this study are dentists’ long-term concerns for the profession post-COVID-19. Research must still determine how to best prepare for future infectious disease outbreaks with regards to safeguarding the health of the dental workforce and maintaining the oral health of patient populations.