Conhecimento de estudantes de odontologia e dentistas clínicos da República Dominicana quanto aos seus equipamentos e protocolos de fotoativação

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to evaluate and show undergraduate students the technical characteristics and measurement of the irradiance of their photoactivation devices, as well as to assess the knowledge of Dominican dentists about the technical characteristics and photoactivation protocols. The work was divided into two studies: (1) a conference accompanied by the equipment in an in vitro experiment and (2) application of a questionnaire to dentists in the Dominican Republic. In the first study, a group of 30 students received a theoretical class on photopolymerization and were invited to present themselves with their photoactivation devices for measurement. Each student measured the irradiance of their equipment using a spectroradiometer and a digital radiometer with distances of 0 mm and 6 mm. All light curing lights used by the students were classified as budget equipment. The irradiation values were influenced by the equipment used to assess this characteristic (radiometer or spectrophotometer) and by the distance (0mm or 6mm). The second study involved the development of a self-administered online questionnaire, consisting of five sections, to inquire about: 1. Professional profile and sociodemographic data; 2. Technical characteristics of the device; 3. Evaluation of the technical characteristics of the device; 4. Knowledge about the risk of eye damage; and 5. Features to consider when purchasing new equipment. The final questionnaire was written in Google Forms and consisted of 60 mandatory questions. A total of 374 valid responses were received in 10 days. The mean difference was calculated using a T-student test and the amount of intensity reduction produced by distance was also calculated as a percentage. Univariate statistical analysis and bivariate analysis between different groups of variables were performed on the questionnaire data. Categorical variables were evaluated using the chi-square test. In cases where Likert scale variables were present, the Kruskall-Wallis statistical test was performed to establish differences in the scores obtained between the groups. Dominican dentists recognize that it is extremely important to know the technical characteristics of their equipment, although most are unaware of the technical details of their devices. They also don't have a good understanding of the effects of blue light on vision. With this thesis we can conclude that Dominican students and dentists are unaware of the technical characteristics of their equipment and how these details can affect the photoactivation quality of light curing of resin materials.