The Presence of Women in the Dental Profession: A Global Survey

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research was to acquire knowledge about the female dental workforce, identifying factors to pursue specialty training and career choices and working in dental institutions/associations.

METHODS

An original online questionnaire was developed, validated (n = 22), and sent to 189 member associations in 133 countries of the Women Dentists Worldwide section of the FDI World Dental Federation.

RESULTS

In all, 3232 female dentists from 81 countries participated. Results were divided into 5 geographic areas by continent. Difference in proportion amongst questionnaire items was evaluated with χ2 test or Fisher exact test. Ordinal multinomial linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of questionnaire items with total work experience in dentistry (in years), motivation to study dentistry, type of specialisation, working hours per week, perception of female dentists about working hours, sex-based inequalities, job security after maternity leaves, as well as involvement in political organisations within their country of residence and their role in dental associations. A majority of participating female dentists are self-employed (57.7%), and 60.0% have 10 to 30 years of experience. The most popular form of practice is the single private practice (29.7%), followed by the group private practice (28.8%). Further, 44.8% work 31 to 40 h/wk, 29.1% part-time up to 30 h/wk, and 26.0% more than 40 h/wk.

CONCLUSIONS

Women are still poorly represented in professional organisations, and few are officers in representative assemblies, members of the board, or president. Family life with children influences perceptions and has an impact on professional life, especially in academia and political/professional associations, so that taking on leadership positions poses additional challenges.

Dental Students' and Dental School Graduates' Practical Skills: An International Survey of Perceptions of National Dental Associations in Europe

PURPOSE

Dental students learn knowledge and practical skills to provide oral health care to the population. Practical skills must be maintained or continuously developed throughout a professional career. This cross-sectional survey aimed to evaluate the perception of practical skills of dental students and dental-school graduates by national dental associations (NDAs) in international comparison in the European Regional Organization of the FDI World Dental Federation (ERO-FDI) zone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire of 14 items collected information on pre-/postgraduate areas.

RESULTS

A total of 25 countries participated (response rate: 69.4%), with 80.0% having minimum requirements for practical skills acquisition and 64.0% starting practical training in the 3rd year of study. In countries where clinical practical work on patients begins in the 2nd year of study, practical skills of graduates are perceived as average, starting in the 3rd year of study as mainly good, starting in the 4th as varying widely from poor to very good. In total, 76.0% of respondents feel that improvements are needed before entering dental practice. Improvements could be reached by treating more patients in dental school (32.0%), increasing the quantity of clinical training (20.0%), or having more clinical instructors (12.0%). In 56.0% of the countries, it is possible to open one's own dental practice immediately after graduation, and in 16.0%, prior vocational training is mandatory.

CONCLUSIONS

All participating countries in the ERO-FDI zone reported practical training in dental school, most starting in the 3rd year of study. The perception of practical skills of dental students and dental-school graduates among NDAs is very heterogeneous. Reasons for the perceived deficiencies should be further explored.

Influence of Oral Health Care Systems on Future Career Environment of Dental Students in Europe

Oral healthcare is organized subsidiarily and independently by nation states in Europe and also within the EU and consequently, major differences between the nation states and the various oral healthcare systems in Europe are present. The socialization in the respective catchment area can have an impact on the job choice and the perception of employment opportunities of different professional groups. Therefore, the purpose of this survey was to elucidate the influence of different oral healthcare systems on students living or studying in the respective catchment area. A questionnaire (in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish) with 18 different components was administered. Data on gender, age, country of origin, university, semester, nationality, expected time of graduation, and forecast for future professional practices were gathered. In addition, 3851 students participated (2863 f/988 m). The sample distribution was uneven with predominantly Bismarckian and Southern European System participants. The National oral health care system was statistically significantly linked (p < 0.01) to the ownership period of a dental practice. Students in Bismarckian and Nordic systems tended to find their own practice earlier than in the Beverdigian system or Southern European and Transitional-East European systems. An association between the oral health care system and vocational training was inhomogeneous, but also significantly different (p < 0.01). The majority (47.51%, n = 1555) would like to work in their own practice, 18.95% (n = 621) want to establish a practice with two or more owners. It was striking that no student would like to work in the investor practice/practice chain of both Nordic, Beveridgian and Transitional-East European countries systems (p < 0.01). The oral health care system in which a dental student grows up/resides/studies influences the career choice/perception of future professional practice.

Expectations Regarding Dental Practice: A Cross-Sectional Survey of European Dental Students

Obtaining information on expectations among dental students regarding their career planning was the main purpose of this observational online survey. The questionnaire was designed with 18 items in five different languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Data were collected on nationality, age, sex, country of residence, university attended, semester, expected year of graduation and expectations about future career. More than 3000 participants (n = 3851, 2863 females 74.34% and 988 males 25.66% with a sex ratio of 0.35) participated in the survey. Almost one-third (31.29%) of the participants plan to start their own practice at least three years after vocational training, a quarter (25.76%) after three, and only 12.59% after one year. A positive influence of the family in the decision to start a practice was observed in 50.07% of the sample with a statistically significant difference regarding sex (p < 0.01). Almost one-third of the participants did not wish to work in an institution run by private equity or insurance companies, while 21.79% would work in that environment (p < 0.01). European dental students desire mainly to become self-employed and start their own practice. New professional practices also offer them options for their future career that they have not yet decided on or thought about.

Normative and subjective need for orthodontic treatment within different age groups in a population in Turkey

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the normative and subjective need for orthodontic treatment within different age groups in Turkey.

METHODS

One thousand and sixteen patients from seven different demographic regions of Turkey (Marmara, Black Sea, East Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia, Mediterranean, Aegean, and Central Anatolia Region) (mean age ± SD: 12.80 ± 3.57 years) were randomly selected and divided into six age groups (7-8,9-10,11-12,13-14,15-16, and 17-18 year-olds) and categorized according to the dental health component (DHC) of the index for orthodontic treatment need (IOTN). Additionally, the patients were asked to indicate the photograph that was most similar to their own dentition from the 10-point scale of the aesthetic component of IOTN.

RESULTS

The DHC of IOTN was not significantly different between the six age groups (P > 0.05). However, no/slight need (aesthetic component 1-4) for orthodontic treatment according to AC of IOTN was significantly higher in 13-14,15-16, and 17-18 age groups than 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 age groups (P < 0.05). No sex differences were found in both DHC and aesthetic component of IOTN between age groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The normative need distribution was homogeneous within all the age groups according to DHC. However, the subjective need for orthodontic treatment was higher in the younger age groups.

Percentage and severity of periodontal diseases in Turkish adults aged 35+ years, 2009-10

OBJECTIVE

This article presents data on the burden of periodontal diseases in Turkish adults aged 35 years or older.

METHODS

Within each region of Turkey, a rural and an urban area or city were selected in 2009-10 using a probability proportional to size method. In the selected towns, local officials who were familiar with their communities assisted in recruiting subjects. Loss of Attachment (LOA) was measured at six sites around each tooth present in the mouth, excluding third molars. Additionally, the Community Periodontal Index was used to assess the severity of periodontal diseases around 12 index teeth. Self-reported data on key risk factors were also collected. Weights were computed using a raking ratio adjustment procedure and used in all analyses.

RESULTS

Almost all examined adults had some loss of periodontal attachment. The proportion of those with more than 3 mm LOA ranged from 43 percent in 35-44 year olds to 91 percent in those aged 65+ years. Among females, older age, low education status, smoking 11-40+ cigarettes a day, being employed, and presence of high number of missing tooth surfaces were associated with LOA > 3 mm. Among males LOA >3 mm was associated with older age, use of alcohol, and unemployment. The CPI data did not yield the same associations with periodontal diseases and risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Periodontal diseases in Turkish adults are highly prevalent. A tailored common risk factor health promotion program is recommended to reduce the burden of periodontal infection in Turkey.

Widespread Distribution of Apple mosaic virus on Apple in Turkey

From 2002 to 2003, symptoms suggestive of Apple mosaic virus (ApMV; a member of the genus Ilavirus) infection on apple (Malus pumila L.) trees were observed in orchards in the central Anatolia Region of Turkey. Symptoms on leaves included pale-to-bright cream spots, mosaic, and yellowing on the leaves. A survey was conducted during May and June in three provinces (Isparta, Karaman, and Niğde) for disease symptoms. Leaf samples from apple cvs. Anna, Gala, Gold Star, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Starking, and Rajka were collected and tested for the presence of ApMV with specific antisera (Agdia, Elkhart, IN) using the manufacturer's protocol for double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). ApMV was found in 68.3% of 461 samples tested. The number of samples for each cultivar tested and percent positive for ApMV were as follows: 22 (9.1%), 34 (8.8%), 22 (13.6%), 30 (73.3%), 270 (95.5%), 46 (54.3%), and 22 (9.1%) for cvs. Anna, Gala, Gold Star, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Starking, and Rajka, respectively. All 15 samples tested of cv. Jonathan were negative using DAS-ELISA. Samples that tested positive for ApMV were mechanically inoculated onto Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. quinoa, and Cucumis sativus leaves using an inoculum prepared by homogenizing leaves in phosphate buffered saline containing 2.5% (vol/vol) nicotine. Inoculated C. quinoa showed inconspicuous mottling, and Cucumis sativus showed chlorotic local lesions that progressed to systemic chlorosis and stunting. No symptoms were observed on inoculated C. amaranticolor as previously reported for ApMV (3,4). The presence of ApMV in C. quinoa and Cucumis sativus were verified using DAS-ELISA, but ApMV was not detected in C. amaranticolor. Although ApMV has been reported in several different crops in Turkey, there have been only two unsubstantiated reports of ApMV-infected apple in the country (1,2). This study conclusively demonstrates ApMV infection of apples in Turkey and suggests that it is widely spread. References: (1) Ü. Fidan. J. Turk. Phythopathol. 23:3, 127, 1994. (2) M. Özkan and S. Kurçman. Bitki Koruma Bül. 16:106, 1976. (3) S. J. Petybridge et al. Ann. Appl. Biol. 141:77, 2002. (4) T. Sano et al. Ann. Appl. Biol. 106:305, 1985.