The phenomenological approach in dentistry - a narrative review

PURPOSE

Phenomenology is a branch of philosophy that focuses on human lived experience. Illness including dental diseases can affect this living experience. Within the dental literature, there is very little reported on the use of phenomenology compared to other healthcare sciences. Hence, the aim was to review the literature and provide an overview of various applications of phenomenology in dental research.

METHODS

This study was a narrative review using literature in the last 10 years identified by web-based search on PubMed and Scopus using keywords. A total of 33 articles that were closely related to the field and application in dentistry were included. The methodology, main results, and future research recommendations, if applicable, were extracted and reviewed.

RESULTS

The authors in this study had identified several areas such as orofacial pain and pain control research, dental anxiety, dental education, oral healthcare perceptions and access, living with dental diseases and dental treatment experience in which the phenomenological method was used to gain an in-depth understanding of the topic.

CONCLUSIONS

There are several advantages of using the phenomenological research method, such as the small sample size needed, the diverse and unique perspective that can be obtained and the ability to improve current understanding, especially from the first-person perspective.

The online attention analysis on orthognathic surgery research

OBJECTIVES

Altmetrics is one of the fields of bibliometrics that seeks to assess the impact and interest of a given subject through Internet users. The aim of this study is to make an altmetric analysis of the orthognathic surgery literature.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using Dimensions app up to December 2023. A list of the 100 most mentioned articles on the topic was compiled. A Google Trends search was performed with same strategy to visualize important data regarding internet search. Charts and tables were created using Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer software to allow bibliometric visualization.

RESULTS

There was a very poor correlation between the number of mentions and the number of citations (r = 0.0202). Most articles discussed on technical innovations associated to orthognathic surgery, majority related to virtual planning (n = 26). Other topics considered interesting to internet readers were complications (n = 18), surgical technique (n = 14), and psychological aspects/quality of life (n = 13).

CONCLUSION

Online interest in orthognathic surgery closely aligns with the level of academic interest but is also influenced by factors such as location and economic status. The internet is a powerful tool for disseminating scientific research to a broad audience, making it more accessible and engaging than traditional academic channels.

Thematic Analysis of Parental Experiences of Patients' Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery often requires extensive orthodontic preparation and a prolonged postoperative recovery that can be stressful for patients and their families. Parents are a primary source of support for patients; accordingly, a better understanding of the parents' experience of orthognathic surgery can help inform clinical care. Using a prospective cross-sectional qualitative study design, 4 focus groups (2 English and 2 Spanish; mean length 65 min) were held with parents of patients who had completed orthognathic surgery for class II/III malocclusion. Thematic content analysis of the group transcriptions was conducted. Participants were 10 mothers and 3 fathers of 12 children (50% with cleft lip/palate) ages 17 to 23 who completed LeFort I (41.7%), LeFort I with bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO; 41.7%), or BSSO (16.7%) within the prior 3 to 16 months. Themes fit within a chronological framework: (1) Preparing for Surgery included their larger health context, anticipating surgery, surgery preparation by team and family, and religious faith; (2) Challenges after Surgery consisted of complications, pain, frustration, nutritional challenges, parental anxiety, activity changes, sleep, breathing issues, swelling, and unanticipated aspects of surgery; and (3) Supports after Surgery were nutritional support, appreciation of medical team, postoperative improvements, appearance changes, communicating, supporting patient, and patient coping. Parents also offered advice for families and medical teams. Surgeons and other providers who are part of orthognathic surgical preparation can implement recommendations based on parental experiences to increase patient and family readiness for surgery by providing early education, assisting with advocacy, focusing on nutrition, and supporting coping.

Prevention of Nasal Ala Pressure Injuries With Use of Hydroactive Dressings in Patients With Nasotracheal Intubation of Orthognathic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

To compare a hydroactive dressing to an adhesive tape standard of care in the prevention of nasal ala pressure injuries associated with nasotracheal intubation during orthognathic surgery.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

The study took place in a tertiary hospital of stomatology in China. Patients undergoing general anesthesia with nasotracheal intubation during orthognathic surgical procedures were invited to participate.

METHODS

Participants were divided into 2 groups: in the experimental group, a hydroactive dressing was applied to the nasal ala before the surgical procedures; the control group received standard prevention with a type of tape. Skin assessments were performed on the wards up to 72 hours after the procedures. Demographic information and potential contributing factors associated the development of nasal ala pressure injuries were collected from patients' electronic medical records. Pressure injury development was staged using National Pressure Injury Advisory staging guidelines. Pressure injury incidence was compared between groups using the χ test and odds ratio.

RESULTS

The sample comprised 450 participants, 225 in each group. The incidence of nasal ala pressure injuries development was 14.222% and 4.444% in the 2 groups, respectively (P = .000). The odds ratio was 3.565 (95% confidence interval, 1.707-7.443).

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings indicate that the incidence of pressure injuries of nasal ala skin protected by hydroactive dressings was lower than the standard preventive method. Hydroactive dressings should be considered as a prevention method to reduce device-related skin injuries associated with nasotracheal intubation.

Mothers' Reactions to Seeing Their Children With Cleft for the First Time: A Qualitative Study in Ghana

OBJECTIVE

Studies on the etiology, treatment, and psychosocial effects of clefts among children born with the condition abound. Limited studies, however, have focused on the mothers of these children. This study aimed to explore the immediate reaction of mothers to seeing their children born with a cleft for the first time. Mothers' knowledge of cleft and the support systems available to them were also explored.

DESIGN

Employing a qualitative description approach, data were collected through face-to-face individual in-depth interviews using a semistructured interview guide.

PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT

Using the purposive and snowballing sampling techniques, 12 mothers who sought treatment for their children with cleft at a Tertiary health facility in Ghana were selected. The ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki were followed during data collection. The data obtained were analyzed applying the technique of thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Mothers' first time reaction to seeing their child born with a cleft was that of sadness, worry, and disappointment. Knowledge of cleft among the mothers was low with most of them knowing more about the condition only after the delivery of their child with a cleft. Mothers received support from family members, health care practitioners, nongovernmental organizations, and their partners.

CONCLUSION

To reduce the psychosocial and emotional effects resulting from mothers giving birth to a child with a cleft, information on the condition should be made available to mothers and primary caregivers early enough.

Patients' narratives of orthognathic treatment for facial asymmetry: a qualitative study

To explore patients' experiences of orthognathic treatment for facial asymmetry and their adaptation to facial changes after surgery, we did a qualitative, cross-sectional study of patients after treatment for non-cleft asymmetry at two UK sites. A total of 15 patients aged 19-40 years were approached after being identified using patient databases and clinical notes. Individual and photo-elicitation interviews were conducted covering experiences prior to treatment, during treatment, and after surgery. Interviews were transcribed and thematic narrative analysis undertaken. Participants were largely positive about their orthognathic treatment. The following themes were identified: preoperative (becoming aware, negative impacts of asymmetry, committing to treatment, establishing expectations), pre-surgery orthodontics and inpatient experiences (challenges and coping strategies, preparedness, support, and shared experiences); and postoperative (surgery as 'worth it', positive impacts of treatment, adapting to facial change). Undergoing orthognathic surgery was portrayed as a journey involving recognisable narratives (treatment unfinished, threat of liminality, treatment as resolution, and treatment as transformation). Patients' experiences of facial asymmetry are associated with feeling 'abnormal', and negative impacts, and orthognathic treatment for facial asymmetry is worthwhile. Having the feeling that something is 'wrong' legitimised by clinicians allows patients access to a recognisable treatment narrative (resolution). Orthognathic treatment is also described as transformation from 'normal abnormality' to being 'normal'. Nevertheless, the associated challenges can be frustrating, particularly if resolution is hard to envisage. Further psychological input could help patients cope with these challenges and the complex process of adapting to facial change.

Impact of orthognathic surgery on quality of life: Predisposing clinical and genetic factors

INTRODUCTION

Dentofacial deformities have an impact on quality of life (QOL). Many factors can influence this perception, including genetic aspects. ANKK1 and DRD2 genes are associated with dopaminergic system and could modulate behavioral dysfunction.

PURPOSE

The impact of orthognathic surgery and associated factors on QOL of adults was evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was applied to patients from two surgery services one week before (T0) and six months after surgery (T1). The independent variables were age, sex, race, facial pattern, presence of jaw asymmetry and vertical deformities, and polymorphisms associated with ANKK1 and DRD2 genes. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

There was improvement in the perception of QOL from T0 to T1 in the general score, in the physical and psychological domains, and in the quality of life and general health perception (QOLGHP) (p < 0.001). In this interval, individuals aged ≥30 years reported positive impacts on all outcomes (p < 0.05), whereas in women this improvement did not occur only for the physical domain (p = 0.136). There was an association between the polymorphisms associated with the ANKK1 gene (rs1800497) and the perception of QOL in the social relationship's domain (p = 0.021) and QOLGHP (p = 0.042). The other clinical conditions were not associated with outcomes (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Perception of QOL of patients improved following orthognathic surgery in physical, psychological, and QOLGHP domains. Aged ≥30 years, being women and polymorphisms associated with the ANKK1 gene were related to positive impacts.