The relationship between working conditions and sick leave in Swedish dental hygienists

Abstract:  The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between working conditions and sick leave in Swedish dental hygienists. Seventy-one percent of 577 randomly selected dental hygienists responded to a questionnaire. From those who responded ( n  = 411) a homogenous group of 252 was selected. They were assigned to four groups that exhibited either musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), low well-being (LWB), both low well-being and musculoskeletal disorders (BLM), or relative health (main group or M group). These groups were further divided according to number of sick days taken per year. Non-parametric statistics and logistic regressions were used for analyses. Those with MSD worked more clinical hours and treated more patients per day than the other groups. While the M group had fewer sick days, better work climates and decreased demands on work efficiency, increased sick leave within this group was related to greater staff numbers and less commitment to improving work processes. In the M group, role ambiguity and LWB were associated with absence of 1–3 days, compared with those who took no sick leave. Respondents in the LWB group, who perceived role ambiguity, were absent more than 7 days/year, compared with those who perceived role clarity. Management issues were the distinguishing factor for those who had severe health problems. In conclusion: role ambiguity is the predominant psychosocial factor associated with sick leave. Psychosocial management factors rather than physical work factors seem important for work and sick leave rates among dental hygienists.     

Survey on awareness and perceptions of bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw in dental hygienists in Seoul

We investigated awareness in dental hygienists of bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) in patients with osteoporosis and cancer and assessed the situation in systemic history investigations to broaden the scope of the dental hygienists' BRONJ awareness as a basis for contributing to preventing this disease. The study was carried out through a survey; 217 dental hygienists responded to the survey. They worked at 12 university and general hospitals, 10 dental hospitals and 35 dental clinics, for a total of 57 institutions in Seoul. The survey consisted of 37 questions: general characteristics (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 65: 2007; 369), systemic history investigations (Ruggiero et al. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 62: 2004; 527) and awareness of BRONJ (Park et al. J Korean Dent Assoc 49: 2011; 389). Among them, 79.7% were aware of BRONJ. Recognition was highest among those from 25 to 35 years old (P < 0.05). In terms of work experience, those with 5–10 years experience showed the highest awareness (P < 0.05). In terms of institutions type, dental clinics showed lower awareness than general and dental hospitals (P < 0.05). It was found that 55.3% of the dental hygienists had been educated about BRONJ. Those aged 25–35 years were the most educated. In terms of institutions, dental clinic staff were the least educated. The degree of understanding about BRONJ was analysed with the average score of 6.14 points. According to these results, dental hygienists working in university hospitals and general hospitals had more opportunity to receive training than those working in dental clinics. Thus, it is considered that the development of professional training programs about BRONJ for all dental hygienists is necessary.     

犬下颌骨高速投射物伤致牙髓间接损伤的超微结构研究

目的:研究犬下颌骨高速投射物伤导致的牙髓间接损伤的特点。方法:18只实验犬随机分为6组,以直径6.0 mm、质量0.88 g的高速投射物(不锈钢珠)致伤犬右下颌骨体部第四前磨牙根尖下方区域,但不直接伤及牙齿;分别于伤后6 h、24 h、3 d、7 d、2周、4周处死实验犬,用透射电镜分别观察右下颌第四前磨牙、第二前磨牙、左下颌第二前磨牙牙髓的超微结构变化。结果:右下颌第四前磨牙牙髓损伤严重,发生不可逆性坏死改变;右下颌第二前磨牙牙髓损伤相对较轻,且为可逆性改变;左下颌第二前磨牙牙髓仅有轻微一过性损伤。结论:犬下颌骨高速投射物伤导致的牙髓间接损伤具有损伤范围较广,损伤程度随着距离的增加而迅速递减,神经损伤的变化出现较早等特点。