https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/116604 2026-04-20T02:54:03Z 2026-04-20T02:54:03Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/117438 2024-01-17T09:35:27Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Malta public perception towards the professional role of the dental hygienist compared to the professions of the dentist and dental assistant Abstract: Aims: The professional role of the dental hygienist is part of a dynamic field, dentistry, which is continuously evolving and updating; this might create difficulties for people to understand the difference between a dental hygienist as compared to other dental team members. This research study will investigate the Maltese public opinion (and Gozitans) in order to gather data related to people’s perception of the role of dental hygienist, comparing it with the dentist and dental assistant professions. Methods: A descriptive research method was used in this cross-sectional study, with quantitative data collected through an online anonymous questionnaire (sent through social media such as Facebook) and a QR code linked directly to the Google form questionnaire. The sample population counted 130 participants, of which 8 were not included as working in dental clinics. The participants were distributed between the Southern, Central and Northern districts, and from the island of Gozo, with age ranging between 18 and 65 plus, chosen via non-probability convenience sampling. Results and Conclusion: The data collection included 122 questionnaires; results have shown that the public has correct knowledge concerning the dental hygienist’s scope of practice: 60% of the sample is aware of the degree needed to practice as a dental hygienist, the majority of participants acknowledged the various duties performed by the dental hygienist, with the exception of the administration of local anaesthesia (60.7% not aware); also, participants associated dental hygienist with the assisting role (53.3%). The overall oral health assessment duty performed by the dental hygienist was known mostly by male participants (p=0.020), and people with higher educational levels (p=0.003); also, the knowledge of dental hygienists giving smoking cessation advice was higher in male participants (p=0.004), probably given the higher number of male smokers (53%) as compared to females (31.5%). Employment status was a significant factor of knowledge regarding dental hygienist carrying out x-rays (p=0.050), deep cleanings (p=0.005) and diet advice (p=0.020). More awareness is needed to enhance dental hygienist’s scope of practice. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/117436 2024-01-17T09:34:45Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The impact of self-perceived oral health-related quality of life among drug rehabilitation patients Abstract: Aim: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the self-perceived oral-health related quality of life among drug rehabilitation patients. It aimed to assess if OHRQoL exerted any influence on their quality of life. At the same time, the barriers to dental care were addressed. Methodology: This cross-sectional study on the self-perceived OHRQoL involved three questionnaires that were disseminated to the consenting participants in different drug rehabilitation programmes in Malta. These questionnaires included the basic demographic and two OHRQoL questionnaires, OHIP-14 and GOHAI. Data generated was statistically analysed and inferences were made. Further to this, participants were given an open-ended question for comments. Results: 67 questionnaire sets were returned. The data indicated that the current substance use disorder population in drug rehabilitation programmes have a low OHRQoL that is, a negative impact of their oral health on their quality of life. Majority of global OHIP-14 and GOHAI scores overall did not reach statistical significance likely due to the small sample size. However, statistically significant associations emerged for OHIP-14 total and gender (p=0.05), GOHAI psychosocial domain versus smoking (p=0.038), GOHAI pain and missing teeth (p=0.05). Significant associations were also detected between OHIP-14 total (p=0.05), OHIP-14 psychosocial (p=0.022) and GOHAI psychosocial (p=0.05) and improve own oral health. The participants appreciate the importance of oral health and exhibit an overall positive attitude towards it. Conclusion: The research shows that their oral health affects their quality of life. Based on the data collected and the comments left by the participants, this cohort of patients would welcome a greater engagement from the dental community. The participants very much appreciated that they were reached out to in order to collect information on their self-perceived oral health status. Going forward, this can help to break down barriers to oral health care and positively impact their quality of lives, bringing this ostracized stratum of society back into its fold. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/117435 2024-01-17T09:34:17Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: What is the knowledge and practice of European dental hygienists concerning use of dental sealants for management of occlusal caries? Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the knowledge and practice of European dental hygienists in the use of preventive measures. In particular, it is focused on the use of materials that are made from either resin or glass ionomer known as dental sealants, which are applied to pits and fissures to prevent and arrest occlusal caries. The research question: What is the knowledge and practice of European dental hygienists concerning use of dental sealants for management of occlusal caries? Methodology: The study is a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative type. The sample consists of European dental hygienists from 6 European countries who are English speaking. The data required was collected via an online questionnaire which was sent to the participants through their dental hygiene associations. The questionnaire included the following sections: research information, consent, demographic data, knowledge and practice. Results and Conclusions: European dental hygienists in this study have shown that they have sufficient knowledge on the use of dental sealants and are aware of their benefits and the evidence involved on their use. Irrespective of reduced uptake of certain practices, in entirety, they show high engagement in good practices to manage occlusal caries. Recommendations and Implications for Practice: It is recommended to carry out this research with a larger sample size for the results to be truly representative of the European dental hygienists and to be calculated mathematically using power analysis. This would enable the results to be generalisable and to further gain insight on the knowledge and practice of European dental hygienists on the use of dental sealants and to have definitive statistical significance of results. This study could be expanded to include the barriers faced by European dental hygienists in the practice of dental sealants to bridge the evidence-practice gap. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/117434 2024-01-17T09:33:40Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Barriers to attaining and maintaining oral health in persons with autism : the parents’/caregivers’ perspective : a cross-sectional study Abstract: Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of parents/caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders when encountering barriers to attain and maintain oral health of the individuals. These barriers can be experienced at home during self-care oral health maintenance or at the dental clinic. Methodology: After ethical approval was gained from the Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, the Faculty of Research Ethics Committee and from the Autism Parents’ Association, an anonymous online questionnaire was modulated from a previous questionnaire of the same area of study and a pilot study was carried out to test its validity. After the necessary arrangements, the cross-sectional survey was distributed through convenience sampling to the participants of the association. Results: 62 participants completed the questionnaire. The barriers were divided into patient based, family-based and operator-based. The most reported barriers were lack of co-operation (50%, n=31), the individual being impatient in the waiting area (47%, n=29), fear of the dentist (36%, n=22) and the dentist’s inability to understand the individual’s condition (31%, n=19). Furthermore, Chi-Square tests for independence, Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann Whitney U-test revealed significant associations between these barriers and demographics of individuals with autism, such as hypersensitivity with impatience in the waiting area and the type of dentist seeing the individual with the inability to understand the condition. Conclusions: Patient behaviours associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and dental health provider knowledge and behaviours in response to persons with ASD influence the provision of dental care to persons with ASD. Further local research and an increase in awareness of health professionals and the public is required to overcome such barriers and to facilitate oral health maintenance in individuals with autism. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z