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Biomedical subjects

D W Sarll

Publications and source records attributed to D W Sarll.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Plus ça change....

Two hundred and fifty years ago Pierre Fauchard (c. 1678-1761) was the leading dentist in Paris. By 1746 he had been in practice for more than 40 years and was nearing 70 years of age. In that year, the middle of the Age of Englightenment, he published in two volumes the second edition of his text book, Le Chirurgien Dentiste. Although this treatise has since become one of the foremost in dental literature and its author recognised as the 'Father of Dentistry', 200 years elapsed before it was translated into English in its entirety. The translation was made by Dr Lilian Lindsay (1871-1960) and published in 1946.

Dentistry↗
PubMed1996

Who is responsible for good oral health?

The nation's oral health is improving, but I believe the gains are tardy, particularly among children. The Government declares that primary responsibility for good health lies with the individual, but one third of the population cannot undertake it. Speedier advance in oral health requires giving first place to society's (government's) role.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Cross-infection control: the role of "in-training" dental nurses.

OBJECTIVES: This paper reports the findings of a study on the roles of dental nurses in cross-infection control in general dental practices and who were undergoing training for their initial certificate. The research aimed to find out what factors in their vocation gave them satisfaction, what caused stress and the bearing of these factors on cross-infection control. The study complemented previous research on the same matters carried out face-to-face in dental practices and aimed to test the validity of this previous research. METHODS: The study was made anonymously by means of self-administered questionnaires completed by respondents attending evening classes. RESULTS: Sixty per cent of respondents reported suffering anxiety in their work, the list of causes being headed by lack of experience, language barriers and taking part in general anaesthetic sessions. A third thought their workload was too great and a third quoted lack of time as the reason for not always completing cross-infection control procedures. Half were worried about cross-infection control. Clinical work was the most, and adequate pay the least important of five factors that gave respondents satisfaction in their work. Respondents always welcomed a word of thanks from their dentists and relied on them for information about their tasks. CONCLUSIONS: In order to carry out their work thoroughly, uncertificated dental nurses need sufficient time. They benefit from support and encouragement from their dentist. These are important factors in cross-infection control so that stress is prevented and job satisfaction enhanced. Our two studies validate each other.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Some factors affecting the standards of radiography in general dental practice.

This study had three aims. The first was to examine the influence of legislative and educational factors on facilities and equipment in dental practices, the second to find out if these and practice size affected standards and the third to assess the degree to which technique and other faults not connected with processing accounted for inadequate diagnostic quality in intra-oral radiography. Dentists from 62 practices returned questionnaires about the sizes of their practices, facilities and equipment for radiography and relevant updating, training and education of their staff. The quality of 305 radiographs taken in a sample of 11 practices was assessed. Ten examples of good radiographic practice were used to evaluate standards in the general practices. The 'good practice score' ranged from 2 (two practices) to 10 (one practice) with a mean of 6.2. Practices whose principals had engaged in the recommended educational activities scored more highly than those that had not (P < 0.05), and the mean scores in practices of two or more dentists were higher than in single-handed (P < 0.05). Of the 305 radiographs, the dentists, without the use of criteria to assess them, rejected 13.8%; with criteria they rejected 39.3% (P < 0.05). The researcher rejected 63.9% (P < 0.05). All films were processed under controlled conditions and it is likely that reject rates would have been higher under normal processing conditions. It is concluded that the use of criteria to assess radiographs and acceptance of postgraduate opportunities, particularly by single-handed practitioners, would improve the conduct of radiography. Further improvements might be gained by orienting updating courses and materials towards behavioural change.

Education, Dental, Continuing↗
PubMed1995

Improvements in cross-infection control in general dental practice.

A questionnaire about cross-infection control was sent to all GDPs in five FHSAs in the North Western Region. Replies came from 312 dentists, a response rate of 74%. They worked in 185 practices, a response rate of 85%. Gloves were worn routinely by 86% of dentists and 80% of DSAs. Handpieces were autoclaved between patients in 77% of practices. Much however, remains to be improved. DSAs could be better protected if more ultrasonic cleaners were used, eye protection encouraged and heavy duty gloves were available for cleaning instruments. BDA guidelines were reported as being the most influential factor, though it would appear that the media did persuade many practitioners to use autoclavable handpieces and sterilise them after each use.

Dental Equipment↗
PubMed1995

Cross-infection control in general dental practice: dentists' behaviour compared with their knowledge and opinions.

This study aimed to establish how dentists' knowledge, opinion and behaviour about cross-infection control were related and how they were affected by their ages, gender and the sizes of the practices in which they worked. In 1990/91 all general dental practitioners in the North Western Health Region of England were asked to complete a questionnaire about cross-infection control; 917 (75%) did so. Responses from all single-handed and one dentist selected randomly from each group practice were analysed (n = 546). The score to measure behaviour was based on guidelines on cross-infection control issued by the British Dental Association and this was correlated with scores for knowledge and opinion. The more knowledgeable not only tended to hold favourable opinions about the guidelines but also to practise them. Younger dentists were more knowledgeable about cross-infection control measures than older and more likely to wear gloves. Irrespective of age, all female dentists were more likely to wear gloves than their male colleagues. Single-handed dentists were less willing to treat carriers of HIV and HBV. Although 65% thought that recommended control procedures are feasible, 43% considered them prohibitively expensive.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Dental surgery assistants' roles in cross-infection control in general dental practice: their knowledge and use of autoclaves.

This study investigated dental surgery assistants' (DSAs) role in providing cross-infection control in general dental practice. DSAs' knowledge about using autoclaves and their compliance with the recommended procedures were used as measures. Eighty-nine practices in three districts of the North Western Region of England were approached. Fifty-six agreed to permit the study and DSAs in these practices were observed at work and questioned, a response rate of 63%. Eighteen tasks relating to use of autoclaves (eg correct loading of instruments and correct storage) were observed and knowledge about them was assessed by questioning. Each was scored positively if correctly undertaken and answered. Scores for compliance varied between 2 and 12 and between 3 and 15 in the case of knowledge. In all instances certificated DSAs scored more highly than uncertificated DSAs. The study illustrated the value of certification, background education and membership of a vocational organisation. It supports the belief that all DSAs should be educated to the level of certification and that this improved education and training would improve cross-infection control in general dental practice.

Certification↗
PubMed1994

Barriers to the provision of complex dental treatment for dentate older people: a comparison of dentists' and patients' views.

The majority of older people live active lives and more are retaining their teeth. These people rely for their dental care on general dental practitioners. However, many find that the service they are offered falls short of their desires, and this study examined this problem from the points of view of the public and the dentists. Qualitative group discussions were conducted among 61 middle-aged and elderly people and 20 dentists, followed by a quantitative study involving 20 dentists and 57 of their patients. The aim was to discover what, if any, differences there may have been between their expectations of dental treatment. There were no significant differences between middle-aged and older peoples' views on barriers to the receipt of dental care. However, dentists assumed that their older patients would have significantly greater negative dental attitudes than their middle-aged patients. Dentists considered that ability to pay would be a significantly greater barrier for their working-class rather than their middle-class patients. However, among the patients themselves there was no significant difference. The comparison of dentists' and patients' views on barriers to treatment showed that dentists significantly overestimated their older patients' reluctance to receive dental treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Factors affecting the role of dental surgery assistants in cross-infection control in dental practice.

A study of cross-infection control in general dental practices in the North Western Health Region of England suggested that much of its quality might lie in the hands of dental surgery assistants (S. Doohan, 1991, personal communication). The present paper describes part of a programme of work intended to improve cross-infection control in general dental practices and to discover any factors which might affect this control. A qualitative study of dental surgery assistants' behaviour was used to devise an interview schedule for making quantitative assessments; these were made in visits to 82 general dental practices. A high proportion of DSAs were aware that they are failing to carry out cross-infection control procedures and were worried by this.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1994

Factors affecting dental surgery assistants' job satisfaction in general dental practice.

Reported studies suggested that job satisfaction, was low among non-operating dental auxiliaries. Clearly this might affect the quality of their work. The study reported in the present article evaluated dental surgery assistant (DSA) job satisfaction in general dental practices in the northwestern region of England. An initial qualitative study determined the factors that DSAs thought affected their job satisfaction and these were evaluated in a quantitative study. Although the majority of DSAs found their work satisfying and enjoyable, a number found some aspects unsatisfactory and changes are proposed which may improve the quality of their working lives.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

An open-access dental practice.

The DoH funded a drop-in dental practice in inner-city Salford for 12 months. Its aim was to increase accessibility and availability of dental services to people not registered with a dentist. It operated on a no-appointment basis and priority was given to those in pain and/or on their initial visit.

Adult↗