i-manager's Journal of the Indian Dental Association Tamil Nadu (JIDAT)


Volume 3 Issue 3 April - June 2013

Patient Satisfaction in Dental Healthcare

Ilango T. * **

Abstract

The healthcare industry is undergoing a transformation process. Hospitals are no longer just "doctor's workshops", they have become sophisticated organizations that provide evidence-based medical care with the help of advanced technology. Today, hospitals are a combination of healthcare and hospitality. The concept of the "family doctor" is losing its importance, and the "feel-good" factor of the past has given a new meaning to the healthcare sector. The advances in medicine and medical technology have played a significant role in this change process. Improved socio-economic status, globalization, and privatization, along with easier access to medical care, increasing literacy, and the information explosion, have changed the mindset of patients. Today, the competitive market leaves no room for errors. Slowly but surely, the healthcare market is changing from being primarily a seller's market to a buyer's market. The mantra today is "patient-centered care." Hospitals are increasing their marketing efforts to compete for more patients, and patient satisfaction has become increasingly important as a result. Retaining existing patients is more profitable than attracting new customers. According to a survey, it costs 3-4 times more to acquire a new patient than to retain an existing one. Moreover, a 1% increase in patient satisfaction leads to a 3% increase in market capitalization. Therefore, patient satisfaction has become an essential aspect of healthcare, and patient satisfaction surveys are gaining importance as tools for measuring the same. Patient satisfaction is an indicator of the efficiency of hospital administration. Monitoring patient satisfaction levels can be done through patient satisfaction surveys, which can provide inputs for redesigning, repositioning, and re-pricing, necessary to keep the institution going successfully in the recession scenario.

Sample Patient Information/Informed Consent Form

C. Sivakumar * , P. Subramanian **

Abstract

Complications are inevitable in all treatment procedures. No treatment can be performed without the risk of complications. Unfortunately, most of the time, the complications and drawbacks of procedures are mistaken for negligence. This situation is fueled by the lack of documentation and consent in private practice. Therefore, it is essential to document all your procedures. This simple exercise will help you in the long run. When a medico-legal situation arises, you will be able to defend yourself easily. To maintain a record, you can have the forms printed as a book with translations into regional languages. The forms signed by the patient should be kept as a record.

Comparative Evaluation of Three Disinfectants on Irreversible Hydrocolloid Impressions by Immersion Method - An Invivo Study

Anuradha Karthikeyan* **

Abstract

This in vivo study aimed to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of three different disinfectants on irreversible hydrocolloid impressions by immersion method. A total of 30 patients were included in the study, and three irreversible hydrocolloid impressions were obtained from each patient. The impressions were divided into three groups, and each group was treated with a different disinfectant solution. The disinfectants used in the study were 2% glutaraldehyde, 0.525% sodium hypochlorite, and 1% sodium hypochlorite. The impressions were immersed in their respective disinfectant solutions for 10 minutes, followed by rinsing with distilled water and air-drying. The impressions were then evaluated for surface roughness, dimensional accuracy, and detail reproduction. The results showed that all three disinfectants had a significant effect on the surface roughness of the impressions. Glutaraldehyde had the most adverse effect on the surface roughness, followed by 1% sodium hypochlorite and 0.525% sodium hypochlorite. The dimensional accuracy and detail reproduction of the impressions were not significantly affected by any of the disinfectants. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that 0.525% sodium hypochlorite is the most suitable disinfectant for irreversible hydrocolloid impressions. It is effective in disinfecting the impressions without significantly affecting their dimensional accuracy and detail reproduction. However, further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of disinfection on irreversible hydrocolloid impressions.

Core - Fracture - An Invitro Compressive Stress Analysis

J. Harikaran * , Yohan Chaco **, L. Lakshmi Narayanan ***

Abstract

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate and compare the compressive strength of two different core materials used in restorative dentistry: a composite resin (Filtek Z250) and a glass-ionomer cement (Fuji IX). For each material, a total of 20 cylindrical samples were fabricated, and compressive stress analysis was performed using a universal testing machine. The results showed that the mean compressive strength of the composite resin (Filtek Z250) was significantly higher than that of the glass-ionomer cement (Fuji IX). Specifically, the mean compressive strength of Filtek Z250 was 364.25 MPa, while that of Fuji IX was 137.45 MPa. These findings suggest that the composite resin (Filtek Z250) may be the better choice for restorations requiring high compressive strength. However, further studies are needed to evaluate other mechanical properties and clinical performance of these materials.

Bacteriotherapy - Future Periodontal Therapy

J. Srihari* **

Abstract

This review describes current knowledge on probiotic bacteriotherapy from the perspective of periodontal health. It has been shown that lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have a beneficial effect on periodontal diseases and a harmful effect on periodontal pathogens. Due to the increase in antibiotic drug resistance, the concept of bacteriotherapy is gaining popularity as an alternative to antibiotic therapy. The concept of bacteriotherapy is interesting and pertinent, and further research is needed. The idea of using non-pathogenic microorganisms to improve and replace pathogenic microorganisms was termed as replacement therapy or bacteriotherapy. Due to the increased incidence of drug resistance and opportunistic infections, bacteriotherapy, i.e., the use of probiotics, is gaining popularity worldwide. The idea of using probiotics dates back to the early 20th century by Nobel laureate Ilya Metchnikov. The term "probiotics" was first used in 1965 by Lilly and Stillwell (Probiotics in Greek means "for life"). In 2001, the WHO defined probiotics as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates used as a nutrient source by probiotic species in the gut that promote their establishment and extend their mode of action. It includes inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides, and galacto-oligosaccharides.