Treatment needs of high-school students in northern Sydney

In 1982, in two health areas of northern Sydney, 12 287 high-school students were examined for caries. Thirty-two per cent of students had zero DMFT, and 78 per cent had no current decay. The average DMFT was 2.6 and average DT 0.4. Both socio-economic status and recency of visit to the dentist affected current decay — the higher the status and the more recent the visit, the less decay. The most serious unmet dental need of students was for orthodontic treatment, and again this was more pronounced amongst students from lower socioeconomic groups.     

Job satisfaction and resilience in psychiatric nurses: A study at the Institute of Mental Health,Singapore

Job satisfaction ranks highly as one of the main factors influencing turnover rates among nurses. Mental health nursing has been reported to be a particularly stressful specialty, yet little is known about the level of job satisfaction among psychiatric nurses in Singapore. Resilience is defined as a means of adapting to stress at the workplace, and could serve as a factor influencing job satisfaction. The present study aimed to explore the current level of job satisfaction among psychiatric nurses working in the only tertiary psychiatric institution in Singapore, the influencing factors, and the relationship between resilience and job satisfaction. A survey questionnaire consisting of the following was administered to all eligible nurses working in the Institute of Mental Health between the period of 16–24 December 2014: (i) The McCloskey and Mueller Satisfaction Scale; (ii) The Resilience Scale; and (iii) sociodemographic data form. A total of 874 nurses were eligible for participation in the study, and a total of 748 nurses responded, totalling 85.6% response. A mean satisfaction score of 95.21 and mean resilience score of 125.74 were obtained. Mean satisfaction and resilience scores were the highest for nurses with longer working experience and those of older age. A positive and significant association between satisfaction and resilience scores (P = 0.001) was obtained. Psychiatric nurses in Singapore are generally satisfied with their job, but this can be further improved with the strengthening of personal resilience.