Uvod/cilj: Cilj je ovog istraživanja ispitati stupanj znanja i stavove o oralnom zdravlju medicinskih sestara, prvostupnica/prvostupnika i magistri/magistara sestrinstva, zaposlenih u KBC-u Rijeka, te vidjeti postoje li razlike u znanju i stavovima u odnosu na stupanj stručne spreme. Ispitanici i metode: Istraživanje je provedeno na uzorku od 100 ispitanika muškog i ženskog spola, u dobi od 22 do 62 godine. Ispitanici su medicinske sestre sa završenom srednjom školom (49 %) i prvostupnici ili magistri sestrinstva (51 %). Istraživanje je provedeno putem upitnika Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI). Rezultati: Medicinske sestre / medicinski tehničari koji su prvostupnici ili magistri sestrinstva imaju statistički značajno viši ukupan HU-DBI (p = 0,033). Statistički značajne razlike nađene su u pitanjima o pažljivom četkanju svakog zuba (p = 0,026), o odgađanju odlaska stomatologu sve dok ne zaboli zub (p = 0,008) i o tome da im se dogodilo da im stomatolog kaže da dobro četkaju svoje zube (p = 0,016). Zaključak: Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da medicinske sestre sa završenim studijem sestrinstva imaju više znanja o oralnom zdravlju i da ta znanja primjenjuju u svom svakodnevnom održavanju oralne higijene

The aim of this cross-sectional research was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the activity of dental medicine in the Republic of Croatia in 2020. It included 136 doctors of dental medicine who completed an online survey regarding their personal and professional information; work in dental offices; and level of fear for their own health, the health of others, and financial existence; and their attitude about vaccination. There was a significantly higher decrease in patient visits in dental offices that do not have a contract with public health insurance (70% vs. 37%; p < 0.001) and in dental offices that have a higher percentage of profit from dental tourism (32% vs. 14%; p < 0.001). Fear of financial existence was significantly higher in the group of dentists who do not have a contract with public health insurance (p = 0.0) and is positively correlated with the percentage of profit from dental tourism (r = 0.299; p < 0.001). Dentists with a higher level of fear that they or their loved ones would get infected due to the nature of their job are more likely to get vaccinated (p ≤ 0.007). The decision to get vaccinated and wearing a disposable coat/apron was related to fear when all other parameters were controlled for (R = 0.44; p = 0.037). In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic had a minimal impact on the profession of dental medicine in Croatia but represented a larger financial stress for dentists working in dental offices that do not have a contract with public health insurance and have a higher percentage of income from dental tourism.

Introduction: Traumatic tooth injuries often occur in childhood. They are not life-threatening, but they can cause a number of complications that can affect the quality of life. Proper first aid can significantly facilitate further dental treatment. The aim of this research was to evaluate preschool teachers’ knowledge and attitudes about dental trauma and their motivation for further education. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 54 preschool teachers. It was carried out in the form of a questionnaire consisting of 23 questions regarding traumatic tooth injuries, experiences and knowledge and teachers’ interest in additional education.Results: Most of the preschool teachers, 68.51%, did not witness any dental traumas during their work experience. From the teachers who witnessed dental trauma, only 11.76% gave first aid and none of them called the dentist and followed their instructions. In case of dental avulsion 72.22% would keep the avulsed tooth in a dry gauze or tissue. Even though 81.49% consider themselves uninformed about dental, all of them are interested in additional education. Conclusion: Despite the insufficient knowledge about dental trauma, its management, and first aid it is encouraging that all of the preschool teachers included in this research are motivated to educate themselves more on this subject.

Background: Tooth extraction, changing dentition and malocclusion can decrease area of occlusal contact and negatively affect masticatory efficiency. Aim of this study was to evaluate difference in masticatory efficiency in association with previously named factors. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study masticatory efficiency parameters (number of particles, mean diameter and mean surface of particles) determined with optical scanning method were compared between children with healthy dentition (12 girls, 12 boys, age 3 to 14) and children with lost antagonistic contacts due to tooth extraction, changing dentition and malocclusions (12 girls, 12 boys, age 3 to 14). Results: Number of chewed particles is significantly higher in a group of children with healthy dentition (p < 0.001), and chewed particles’ mean diameter and surface are significantly higher in the Group 2 (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Number of lost occlusal contacts is not in correlation with masticatory efficiency parameters (p= 0.464; p= 0.483; p= 0.489). Conclusions: Children with lost antagonistic contacts have an impaired masticatory efficiency in comparison to children with complete dentition, but there is no difference regarding the aetiology of contact loss.