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Oral health of dental assistants and patients receiving maintenance – an investigation based on a district of T huringia, G ermany
Author(s) -
Ziebolz D,
Klopfleisch S,
Fresmann S,
Hornecker E,
Mausberg RF
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of dental hygiene
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.674
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1601-5037
pISSN - 1601-5029
DOI - 10.1111/idh.12013
Subject(s) - medicine , dental floss , dentistry , oral health , oral hygiene , significant difference , dental clinic , bleeding on probing , dental health , oral examination , oral health care , periodontitis
Objectives The aim of the study was to assess data for the oral health behaviour and oral health of dental assistants ( DA s) and patients ( PT s) who regularly received preventive dental care. Methods One‐hundred DA s (38.8 years) and 100 PT s (44 years) participated in the study conducted in the U nstrut‐ H ainich region of T huringia, G ermany. A questionnaire established oral hygiene and smoking habits. The dental examination included the caries index DMF ‐ T , evaluation of the periodontal situation ( PSI ) as well as gingival inflammation [papilla bleeding index ( PBI )]. Results Seventy‐seven DA s and 46 PT s used dental floss regularly. Twenty‐four DA s and 27 PT s were smokers. The mean DMF ‐ T of DA s was 12.5, which was significantly lower than the DMF ‐ T of PT s (17.0) ( P < 0.001). The main reason for this difference was the number of missing teeth ( DA s: 0.9, PT s: 4.8; P < 0.001). In both groups, several participants required periodontal treatment. Nevertheless, the number of DA s with PSI scores 3 or 4 was significantly lower (9%) than the corresponding number of PT s (63%) ( P < 0.001). The PBI showed a significant difference between the groups ( DA s = 0.1, PT s = 0.3; P < 0.01). Conclusions Although the oral health of the participating DA s clearly exceeded the results found for PT s, it was concluded that DA s did not avail themselves of their job‐related knowledge and skills and so failed to optimize their personal oral health behaviour.