Aim:To map psychological problems amongst undergraduate dental students with a focus on different time points in clinical work in seven Eastern European and Scandinavian countries. Materials and Methods:A total of 1063 3rd-and 5th-year dental students (response rate 70%) participated in this pilot study and completed a pre-tested, structured questionnaire, which collected information on sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported psychological problems. Data were analysed by bivariate and multivariate methods. Results:The majority of participants were female and were younger than male participants. Most participants, though more females than males, agreed that the clinical work of dentistry was psychologically difficult. Almost half of participants felt nervous before working with patients (N = 506, 48%) and experienced a lot of stress whilst working with patients (N = 488, 46%); almost one-third (N = 287, 27%) felt anxious/worried after working with patients. Being a 3rd-and 4th-year student (vs 5th-year) reduced the odds for anxiety after working with patients; being a 3rd-year student (vs 5th-year) increased the odds for stress whilst working with patients.Studying in countries other than Norway reduced the odds for stress whilst working with patients. Less than good self-perceived health, presence of psychological health complaints before starting dental education, female gender and lack of physical activity increased the odds for psychological problems. Conclusion:A high number of undergraduate dental students reported psychological problems in connection with clinical work. It is unlikely that "one size fits all"; therefore, further qualitative investigations on stressors in clinical learning environments should be done in order to design tailor-made supportive strategies. K E Y W O R D Sclinical learning environment, dental education, dental students, professional hazards, psychological health, stress

At that time, one university programme (4-years) and one college programme (3-years) were offered. Over the past decade, the number of programmes offered at colleges has risen to five, with the university programme remaining at one university. Also after the finishing of university Bachelor programme, it is possible to continue studies in the university Master's programme or even get a doctoral degree usually in general public health but there are

There is a clear need for Lithuanian dental practitioners to refer patients to all types of dental specialists. Undergraduate dental education program and postgraduate training should be more directed toward the extraction of teeth and roots, treatment of young children and provision of dental prostheses to patients.

SummaryThe study objectives were to investigate the preference of Lithuanian dentists to work with or without an assistant and to identify the most significant predictors for the preference. As well, we aimed to explore the education of practicing dental assistants in Lithuania. The information was collected by a postal questionnaire survey which was carried out among all practicing general dental practitioners and dental specialists in Lithuania (n=2971). The final response rate was 67.6% corresponding to 2,008 respondents. The results show that most dentists in Lithuania always or sometimes work without an assistant. Each third dentist of those who work with an assistant employ non-certified dental assistant. This may be done on purpose due to financial reasons. Dentists should be educated how efficient, ergonomic practice with a qualified dental assistant can be; inclusion of contemporary four-handed practice subject in applicants resume could improve employment of certified dental assistants in the long term.

Skausmas ir diskomfortas yra dažni nepageidaujami, tačiau laikini ortodontinio gydymo reiškiniai. Tyrimų duomenimis, ortodontinio gydymo metu skausmą patiria 72-100 proc. pacientų. Be skausmo, pacientai gali jausti kitus nemalonius pojūčius burnoje ar socialinį diskomfortą. Skausmas ir diskomfortas yra subjektyvūs pojūčiai, priklausantys ir nuo paciento psichosocialinių aplinkybių. Skausmas dažniausiai prasideda praėjus kelioms valandoms po breketų užklijavimo ir būna intensyviausias po 24 valandų. Skausmo pojūtis mažėja 3-7 dieną, kol visiškai stabilizuojasi, praėjus mėnesiui. Ortodontinis skausmas (diskomfortas) dažniausiai nedidelis ir trunka neilgai. Kai kuriems pacientams skausmas būna intensyvesnis, gali trukdyti kasdienei veiklai, tačiau dažniausiai – tik gydymo pradžioje. Ortodontinis skausmas turi uždegiminių savybių, todėl net ir didėjant susidomėjimui nefarmakologinėmis skausmo valdymo strategijomis, efektyviausiai ortodontinis skausmas malšinamas tik vartojant vaistus nuo skausmo. Šiame straipsnyje apžvelgiama ortodontinio skausmo etiologija, skausmo ir diskomforto priklausomybė nuo paciento individualių savybių, nemalonių pojūčių įtaka gyvenimo kokybei bei skausmo valdymo strategijos.