RESUMO
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the knowledge of dental assistants (DA) and hygienists (DH) on dental trauma management and dental caries prevention. Secondarily, other aims were 2-fold: (1) to update the assistants/hygienists through courses supported on scientific evidence-based information and (2) to evaluate their job satisfaction. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 46 participants, DHs and Das, working in the Secretary of Education of the city of Brasilia (Federal District, Brazil). The information was gathered through 2 self-administered questionnaires during 2 training meetings. The first questionnaire was applied before the first meeting and the second questionnaire after the last meeting. All participants were women older than 38 years and with more than 15 years of experience. RESULTS: The participants demonstrated knowledge on dental trauma types but lack of knowledge on dental trauma first-aid approaches. Concerning to dental caries, the professional demonstrated knowledge on both etiology and prevention. CONCLUSION: Lectures, periodical training, and inclusion in multidisciplinary training groups aiming to caries prevention and dental trauma are necessary.
Assuntos
Cárie Dentária/prevenção & controle , Higienistas Dentários/educação , Técnicos em Prótese Dentária/educação , Dente/fisiopatologia , Ferimentos e Lesões/enfermagem , Adulto , Brasil , Competência Clínica , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Primeiros Socorros/métodos , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Satisfação no Emprego , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Avaliação das Necessidades , Inquéritos e Questionários , Ferimentos e Lesões/diagnósticoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: To describe some sociodemographic and educational characteristics of oral health technicians (OHTs) in public primary health care teams in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed based on the telephone survey of a representative sample comprising 231 individuals. A pre-tested instrument was used for the data collection, including questions on gender, age in years, years of work as an OHT, years since graduation as an OHT, formal schooling, individual income in a month, and participation in continuing educational programmes. The descriptive statistic was developed and the formation of clusters, by the agglomerative hierarchy technique based on the furthest neighbour, was based on the age, years of work as an OHT, time since graduation as an OHT, formal schooling, individual income in a month, and participation in continuing educational programmes. RESULTS: Most interviewees (97.1%) were female. A monthly income of USD 300.00 to 600.00 was reported by 77.5% of the sample. Having educational qualifications in excess of their role was reported by approximately 20% of the participants. The median time since graduation was six years, and half of the sample had worked for four years as an OHT. Most interviewees (67.6%) reported having participated in professional continuing educational programmes. Two different clusters were identified based on the sociodemographic and educational characteristics of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian OHTs in public primary health care teams in the state of Minas Gerais are mostly female who have had little time since graduation, working experience, and formal schooling sufficient for professional practice.
Assuntos
Serviços de Saúde Bucal/estatística & dados numéricos , Técnicos em Prótese Dentária/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Brasil , Estudos Transversais , Técnicos em Prótese Dentária/economia , Técnicos em Prótese Dentária/educação , Educação Médica Continuada , Escolaridade , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Atenção Primária à Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Salários e Benefícios/estatística & dados numéricos , Distribuição por Sexo , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The dental laboratory industry appears to need immediate change to face many challenges, the four most significant of which are described in this column and in our column in May JADA. The first article on this subject described the current challenges facing the laboratory industry, as determined by conference attendees representing all aspects of the dental industry and related professions. This article reports on the suggestions made by attendees of this conference to solve the identified challenges.