The Journal of the Dental Association of South Africa = Die Tydskrif van die Tandheelkundige Vereniging van Suid-Afrika
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In order to assess the response of dentists to the increasing incidence of HIV, a study was conducted to explore their attitudes, knowledge and the additional costs involved in treating HIV positive patients. The response of dentists to the increasing incidence of HIV positive patients is influenced by their fears and concerns about HIV, their knowledge about the disease, and their attitudes towards providing care for HIV patients. The results of this research suggest that the negative response to HIV patients from dentists can be attributed to several factors. ⋯ In order to provide quality dental treatment for HIV patients, dentists must overcome their misperceptions and feelings of anxiety and fear about HIV. Education is a major weapon in the fight against HIV. Dentists agree there is a need for continuing education despite the fact that their overall knowledge about HIV is good.
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J. Dent. Assoc. S. Afr. · Apr 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialAn evaluation of the effect of oral ketamine and standard oral premedication in the sedation of paediatric dental patients.
We compared the effectiveness of ketamine with standard oral premedication (SOP) in 60 children, 2-7 years of age, sedated orally for dental treatment under local anaesthesia. Children were assigned randomly to receive either 12.5 mg/kg ketamine or 0.5 ml/kg of SOP orally 60 min before the dental procedure. Pulse rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures, respiratory rates and blood oxygen saturation were recorded prior to drug administration, 60 min thereafter and immediately before the dental procedure. ⋯ Operator evaluation for overall effectiveness of treatment showed that sedation was very good in 60 per cent of children in the ketamine group compared with 20 per cent in the SOP group. More children in the ketamine group were better sedated (p < 0.05). Both premedicants produce good sedation and anxiolysis 60 min after premedication and immediately before the surgical procedure.
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J. Dent. Assoc. S. Afr. · Jan 1995
Private dental practitioners in South Africa--a professional profile.
A questionnaire submitted to dentists in private practice was part of the first National Oral Health Survey 1988/89. The questionnaire investigated demographic and professional characteristics. Completed questionnaires were returned by 2224 dentists (69.5 per cent). ⋯ Conservation was ranked as the most frequently practised service and preventive procedures were ranked low. Medical aid systems were seen to have some disadvantages. Fees and working conditions were felt to be better in private practice than in the public sector.
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J. Dent. Assoc. S. Afr. · Mar 1993
Comparative StudyPartial denture prosthodontic procedures employed by practising graduates of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
This study sought answers to the following two questions related to the teaching of partial denture prosthodontics in the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits). Firstly, do practising graduates from Wits assiduously apply, or do they perhaps ignore, the concepts, principles, and practices taught to them at undergraduate level? Secondly, is there any merit in providing additional tutorials on partial denture prosthodontics to undergraduate students at Wits? A questionnaire was mailed to dentists who had graduated at Wits between 1979 and 1986. ⋯ The results suggest that a wide gap exists between faculty beliefs about partial denture design and fabrication and the methods used in general dental practice. Moreover, additional tutorials had some effect on the attitudes and practices of the respondents.