AimThe COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated teledentistry research with great interest reflected in the increasing number of publications. In many countries, teledentistry programs were established although not much is known about the extent of incorporating teledentistry into practice and healthcare systems. This study aimed to report on policies and strategies related to teledentistry practice as well as barriers and facilitators for this implementation in 19 countries.MethodsData were presented per country about information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, income level, policies for health information system (HIS), eHealth and telemedicine. Researchers were selected based on their previous publications in teledentistry and were invited to report on the situation in their respective countries including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, Finland, France, Hong Kong SAR, Iran, Italy, Libya, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe.ResultsTen (52.6%) countries were high income, 11 (57.9%) had eHealth policies, 7 (36.8%) had HIS policies and 5 (26.3%) had telehealth policies. Six (31.6%) countries had policies or strategies for teledentistry and no teledentistry programs were reported in two countries. Teledentistry programs were incorporated into the healthcare systems at national (n = 5), intermediate (provincial) (n = 4) and local (n = 8) levels. These programs were established in three countries, piloted in 5 countries and informal in 9 countries.ConclusionDespite the growth in teledentistry research during the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of teledentistry in daily clinical practice is still limited in most countries. Few countries have instituted teledentistry programs at national level. Laws, funding schemes and training are needed to support the incorporation of teledentistry into healthcare systems to institutionalize the practice of teledentistry. Mapping teledentistry practices in other countries and extending services to under-covered populations increases the benefit of teledentistry.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the oral healthcare knowledge, attitudes, and practices among mental health professionals in Zimbabwe. There are numerous dental conditions associated with mental health conditions. It is, therefore, necessary to assess if mental health professionals are prepared to adequately manage and refer such cases where indicated. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using convenience sampling to collect data using an online questionnaire administered to mental health professionals from the ten provinces of Zimbabwe. The target sample size was 82. Responses to each of the items in the knowledge and attitudes section were graded on a scale of 0 to 3. Descriptive statistics were performed. Composite scores were computed for knowledge and attitudes with the highest possible score for knowledge being 27 and the highest possible score for attitudes being 12. Open-ended responses in the knowledge section were manually analyzed and used to supplement findings from the closed-ended sections. Results: There were 71 respondents. 60.6% were females, the average (mean) age was 38.78, and the highest reported (mode) working experience was one year. The overall composite score for knowledge was 14.37 out of 27 (53.2%) and the overall composite score for attitudes was 7.66 out of 12 (63.3%). The open-ended section addressing practices revealed that only 1.4% of the respondents had received formal oral healthcare-related training. The rest of the respondents indicated they had no training or did not answer this question. Most respondents are not confident in handling oral health complications and several do not know the appropriate referral pathway. There were suggestions for further training and an increased interdisciplinary approach where oral health professionals work alongside mental health professionals. Conclusion: While the knowledge and attitudes regarding oral care are average amongst Zimbabwean mental health professionals, the practices remain below ideal. There is a need for increased training and a multidisciplinary approach. The formulation of a manual for oral care of mental health patients in the Zimbabwean context is also recommended.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate oral healthcare knowledge, attitudes, and management of admitted patients by Registered General Nurses (RGNs). It sought to appreciate the scope of training in the oral health management of patients using RGNs and the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of RGNs in managing oral and maxillofacial conditions in admitted patients. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study used systematic random sampling to collect data using questionnaires at Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare. One hundred and one RGNs participated in this study. Results: The overall knowledge level of RGNs regarding oral and maxillofacial management of admitted patients was average. In addition, their general attitude regarding the oral and maxillofacial management of admitted patients was good, but their overall practice was considered fair. Conclusion: These results show a disparity, with generally lower practices than self-perceived attitudes. Nurses should be equipped with a basic package of oral care for admitted patients through collaboration between oral health professionals and nursing professionals in research, training, and service.

Aims: This study sought to identify the level of creativity of dentistry students, to determine if there is a relationship between creativity and academic performance of dentistry students, and to determine if there is a relationship between creativity and clinical performance of dentistry students. Study Design:  Descriptive-Correlation Cross-sectional Study. Place and Duration of Study: Adventist University of the Philippines College of Dentistry, between May 2015 and April 2016. Methodology: Questionnaires were used to measure the level of creativity of Dentistry students from the Adventist University of the Philippines then correlations were done with academic and clinical performance. Participation was voluntary and we included 50 of the 63 students enrolled int the clinical phase of the dentistry program. Results: There was no significant relationship found at the 0.05 level (2-tailed) between both Big C and small C creativity and academic performance of all clinicians with pearson correlation coefficients of -0.053 and -0.003 respectively. There was no significant relationship found at the 0.05 level (2-tailed) between the Big C and the small C creativity and clinical performance of all clinicians, with Pearson correlation coefficients of -0.192 and -0.042 respectively. Conclusion: The findings reveal that the creativity of dentistry students is below average. They also suggest that both Big C and small C creativity are not significantly relatedto academic or clinical success in dental school. The researchers recommend further study with modified methodology.