| Abstract |
Introduction: Good oral health is known to be a key pillar of both individual and
social well-being. For this reason, Primary Health Care focuses on and takes care of
the progress and the dental care of the patient, looking after his safety and looking for
the use of effective and useful health services for them. Of course, careful personal
oral health is not enough. All health systems and services aim and work equally.
Aside from equality, however, extremely important factor is quality. Quality is "the
search for ways to continuously improve health care" according to Harvey, definition
that indicates in practice the focus of Primary Dental Care on the continuous progress
of its services. To identify it, the dentist, the dental team and the dental department
must be examined. Criteria like skills and experience of the dentists, the application of
protocols in clinical practice and the rapid service of the patients indicate the quality
level of the dental services.
Aim: The presentation and evaluation of the Dental Care services of Primary Health
Care in the Health Centers of Crete are the subject of this study. At the same time,
issues of organization and staffing of dental clinics and satisfaction of dentists will be
examined.
Methodology: The study was based on a cross-sectional observational study of the 17
dental departments within Health Centers in Crete, belonging to the 7th Health
Δημόσια Υγεία-Πρωτοβάθμια Φροντίδα Υγείας-Υπηρεσίες Υγείας
Ιατρική Σχολή–Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης
5
Region, from January to November 2020. The study population consisted of 24
dentists, employees of Health Centers. The study used, the first part of the
questionnaire of the doctoral thesis belonging Dr. Syggelakis Aristomenis with his
permission, and it was later modified. The questionnaire consists of 59 questions,
including both open and closed-ended types, structured in 4 sections. The statistical
analysis was performed with qualitative, nominal and ordered, variables or numerical
distinctions, expressed in the form of frequency (n) and % frequency (%). The few
continuous variables were expressed either in the form of mean and standard
deviation (MO ± TA) or grouped in discrete and expressed in (n, %). The tests used
were: chi-square test, Fisher exact test and t-test. In the graphics, bar graphs, pie
charts and scatter plots were used with Excel.
Results: As found by the answers of the participants, the largest percentage of
dentists work in a provincial Health Centers., mainly in the position of registrar, has a
specialty or a postgraduate degree (Master or PhD) and keeps a patient log. Also, the
majority of the participants stated that they inform the patients very regularly about
the harmful effects of smoking. Finally, the majority of the dentists stated that they
consider it extremely important to participate in continuing education programs, while
pointing out the excellent cooperation with the rest of the staff.
Conclusion: Concluding the study, it should be noted that Primary Dental Care
continues to operate despite the impact of the economic crisis of previous years that
has plagued Greece and in fact is constantly improving. However, stagnation in the
integration and keeping of the patient's record on electronic form is visible, as well as
the lack of stable logistical support. This fact does not negate the contribution of the
dental departments of the Health Centers, not only in local communities but also in
vulnerable groups. In fact, it is worth mentioning that health promotion programs,
especially to children, continue to be the "backbone" of Primary Dental Care.
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