Dentists’ practices and patient safety: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

PurposeTo assess the frequency of dentist‐reported practices to ensure patient safety in the dental office and the impact of training and work environment on this frequency using the framework of the International Patient Safety Goals (IPSGs).MethodsDentists attending major conferences in Egypt and Saudi Arabia were recruited in a cross‐sectional study in 2018. They completed a questionnaire assessing professional background and the frequency of practices for the IPSGs. The relationship between explanatory variables: training (postgraduate degrees and continuing education) and work environment (years in profession, working in public sector and performing surgical procedures) and the outcome variable: frequency of practices for 4 IPSGs was assessed using multivariate general linear model, and univariate general linear model was used to assess their relationship to the overall score of safety practices calculated for all goals.ResultsThe response rate was 81.1%. Practices related to reducing harm in the office environment were significantly less frequent than practices ensuring medication safety, ensuring safe surgery and controlling infection. The overall frequency of safety practices was significantly higher amongst senior than junior dentists. There were significant differences in safety practices frequency based on postgraduate degrees and receiving safety training. Dentists performing surgical procedures reported less frequent safety practices.ConclusionPractices to reduce harm because of the dental office environment were less frequent than other safety practices. Senior dentists, dentists who had postgraduate degrees and who received safety training reported more safety practices whilst those performing surgical procedures reported fewer safety practices.

Dentist’s Practice of Medication Safety in Saudi Arabia

“…Most features were encompassed in the dental quality management tools, which look like to earlier study. 3 The academic qualifications did not knowingly disturb the implementation of medication safety in dental care, which looks like earlier study3 except some points highlighted by residents and obligatory from Saudi counsel of healthcare specialties, such as strategic plan, quality management, and medication safety competency. All dental positions did not pointedly affect the dental medications safety aspects, which redirected the inadequate implementation of medication safety programs during dental care.…”

“…There is no statistically significant difference in all applied medications safety aspects and all factors of gender or all age levels or the number of years' experiences or academic qualifications, which look like earlier study or dental positions. 3 Except the male more agreed than female in effecting mission and vision of dental medications safety linked to the male dentists had more leadership than the female compulsory to follow up for this stuff. The age factors did not display any statistical significance among all ages reproduced.…”

“…1,2 Also, various studies deliberated patient safety the dental field. [3][4][5][6] Other publications addressed the medication safety elements to stop dental errors, including medications. 7 The studies were highlighted several features, including but restricted to ambiguous writing prescriptions, unapproved indications, and other safety elements.…”

“…Medication safety practice during dental care studies is infrequently finding in Saudi Arabia or the Gulf and Arabia countries. [7][8][9][10][11] The current research objective is to state the dentist's practice in medication safety.…”

Dentist’s Perception of Medication Safety in Saudi Arabia

“…As a result, the dentist states their practice not even feeling about patient safety elements in multiple investigations. [6][7][8][9] However, it is rare to find a study about medication safety perception in dental care in Saudi Arabia or the Gulf and Middle East countries. 6,[10][11][12][13] The authors are not accustomed to any study up to their knowledge.…”