Using Modeling and Simulation to Improve Oral Health Services Delivery in Hampton Roads, Virginia

The purpose of this study is to examine the system performance in delivering oral health services in a public health district based on the Conceptual Framework to Measure Performance of the Public Health System (PHS). Using modeling and simulation, a predictive model based on the conceptual framework dimensions: mission, structural capacity, processes, and outcomes was developed to predict the performance of public health district in delivering oral health services. This is a retrospective longitudinal study. The main objective of this study is to use a modeling and simulation approach to predict the performance of public health district dental clinic in delivering oral health services. Specifically, the following performance metrics were examined: average number of patients\u27 visits per day at a public health district dental clinic; average number of diagnostic and preventive dental services delivered by the dentist or the dental hygienist per day at a public health district dental clinic; average number of corrective services provided by the dentist per day at a public health district dental clinic; and average total dental services. The scenarios, based on the existing structural capacities and the number of personnel, were modeled and simulated using Rockwell Automation Software, Arena® version 13.5. Purposeful sampling consisted of five public health district dental clinics of Hampton Roads for the fiscal years, 2005–2010. For the purpose of this study the following five public health district dental clinics were chosen: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Peninsula, and Western Tidewater. Norfolk Health District operates two sites: Little Creek and Park Place. Virginia Beach District operates two sites: Birdneck and Pembroke. Western Tidewater Health District operates two sites: Isle of Wight and Southampton. Data analysis revealed that adding a new healthcare provider (a dental hygienist) to the system has a statistically significant influence in delivering oral health services at all public health districts\u27 dental clinics in the following performance metrics: number of patients\u27 visits per day, diagnosis and preventive services, corrective services, and total number of dental services (p \u3c 0.05)

Infection control techniques used in South African dental practices

ThesisIn dentistry, blood borne microorganisms, including hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), pose a risk for occupational exposure among oral health care workers. Impressive technological advances enable dental practitioners to use valid, practical, measurable and sustainable infection control practices. The unique nature of dental procedures and settings, requires specific and unique preventative strategies to minimise disease transmission. Since 1993 it has been recommended that South African dentists adhere to the recommendations for infection control of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The main objective of this study was to examine the adherence to infection control recommendations in dental practices in South Africa, with specific attention paid to practices associated with the use of a steam autoclave steriliser. All dental practitioners registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa were included in this study. Practitioners with foreign addresses were not included. A postal questionnaire was used for collecting data. 738 respondents returned completed questionnaires. 87% of respondents indicated that they treat each patient as a possible source of infection. Many respondents (53%) admitted that their preferred method of sterilising handpieces is wiping/soaking in liquid chemicals. Only 17% of the respondents indicated that they autoclave handpieces after each patient. These results indicate a serious need for South African infection control guidelines and audit recommendations specific to dental practices in order to promote a safer dental environment for the health care worker and patient

Medical Board Report: Newsletter of the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners

Newsletter of the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners describing news and events as well as updates about other information in medicine and health

Role of nurse-surgeons in global surgical care : A scoping review

Aim To identify the roles of nurse-surgeons in the provision of surgical care. Design Scoping review. Methods This scoping review adhered to the JBI guideline for scoping reviews and EQUATOR Network's PRISMA-ScR checklist. Searches were performed from May 2022 to July 2022 using a combination of MeSH headings, keywords and filters via database and hand searching based on the eligibility criteria. Keywords included nurse-surgeon, nurse endoscopist, nurse hysteroscopist and nurse cystoscopist. Data sources were CINAHL, Cochrane, Google Scholar, PubMed and Scopus. Descriptive analysis was used to report the findings. Results Ninety-six included records indicated nurse-surgeon practice in 26 countries. Forty-one nurse-surgeon titles were found, the majority of which were types of nurse practitioner. A total of 5,684,198 surgeries were performed by nurse-surgeons varying from laparotomies to biopsies. Nine records reported that nurse-surgeons perform surgeries safely and on par with physicians with zero to minimal complications. Nineteen records reported improved surgical care efficiency by nurse-surgeons in terms of patient access to surgery, waiting times, surgery times, patient show rates, patient education, physician workload and junior physicians' training. Seven records reported high patient satisfaction. Nurse-surgeons were cost-effective according to five records. Thirteen records recommended the standardization of nurse-surgeon practice. Conclusion Nurse-surgeons performed millions of surgeries worldwide assisting in easing the global surgical burden. This review identified the roles and benefits nurse-surgeons play in global surgical care. Research gaps on nurse-surgeon roles were discovered including the ambiguity in nurse-surgeon titles and the need to regulate nurse-surgeon practice. Impact This research addressed the clinical safety, quality, contribution to timely surgical access and cost efficiency of nurse-surgeon performed surgeries, as well as the need to standardize nurse-surgeon practice and use a more consistent nurse-surgeon title to ensure role identification and monitoring

Dental Students\u27 Perceptions of Dental Hygienists\u27 Education and Scope of Practice

Oral health is strongly correlated to systemic health in the United States. Dental professionals play a significant role in addressing the oral health and prevention of disease for populations in the United States. Because many areas in the United States lack access to dental care, the federal government considers dental hygienists part of the solution. It is now paying attention to restrictive dental hygiene scope of practice rules in each state. State dental boards, comprised mainly of dentists, make these rules based on their perception of dental hygienists\u27 lack of education. This study explored fourth-year dental students\u27 perceptions of the dental hygienist\u27s education and scope of practice. This research found that while dental students felt that the dental hygienist would be a positive addition to their future practices, they did not wholly understand the rigors of dental hygiene education. In addition, dental schools may need to educate on the differences between direct and general supervision