Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
09:34
Semi-Automated Planimetric Quantification of Dental Plaque Using an Intraoral Fluorescence Camera
Published on: January 27, 2023
Dentists' awareness toward vaccine preventable diseases
Stefano Petti1, Giuseppe A Messano, Antonella Polimeni
1Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sanarelli Building, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy. stefano.petti@uniroma1.it
Vaccine
|August 23, 2011
Summary
Dental professionals need better immunization awareness. Many dentists lack knowledge of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases (VPIDs), highlighting the need for clear vaccination programs to protect both providers and patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Effective infection control in dentistry relies on immunization programs for dental health care providers (DHCPs).
- Current programs for DHCPs are often unclear, leading to low awareness and vaccination rates for vaccine-preventable infectious diseases (VPIDs).
- Vaccinations against Hepatitis B, Influenza, and Varicella are crucial for DHCPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the awareness of Italian dentists regarding vaccine-preventable infectious diseases (VPIDs).
- To assess the immunization status of dentists concerning key VPIDs.
- To identify gaps in knowledge and vaccination practices among dental professionals.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted among 379 Italian dentists at a dental congress.
- An anonymous questionnaire assessed immunization status and awareness of VPIDs.
- Awareness was defined by specific vaccination history and immunity against multiple VPIDs.
Main Results:
- DHCP-specific awareness was high for 32.5% and low for 31.1% of dentists.
- None of the surveyed dentists demonstrated high overall awareness of VPIDs.
- 60% of dentists exhibited low awareness, reporting immunity for only one or none of the seven VPIDs assessed.
Conclusions:
- Low awareness among dentists regarding VPIDs necessitates a transparent and effective immunization program.
- Such programs should focus on VPIDs posing a significant risk to DHCPs and patients.
- Improved immunization strategies are essential for controlling VPID transmission in dental settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Tooth Anatomy
The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
01:51Vaccinations
Overview
01:28Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:15Teeth
The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include: