| Abstract [eng] |
Oral diseases are widespread in Lithuania as well as in the world. Oral health is an important part of overall health, therefore, in order to reduce the prevalence of diseases such as periodontitis and tooth decay, great attention must be paid to their prevention. In 2021 The Oral Health Resolution published at the WHO Assembly calls for strengthening the capacity of oral health professionals and recommends a shift from a traditional curative approach to a preventive approach that includes oral health promotion in the family, schools and workplaces, as well as timely, comprehensive and inclusive oral care in the primary health care system. The main function of oral hygienists is the identification and prevention of risk factors for dental diseases in order to reduce the prevalence and intensity of dental caries and periodontal diseases among patients of various age groups. The research carried out in this work is an opportunity to find out the position of oral hygienists and their valuable contribution to preventive oral health care in Lithuania, to delve into the state of oral hygienists and the influence of their work both as an oral hygienist and as an additional dental assistant, as well as the influence of a large number of oral hygienists on their lives. intentions to leave to work elsewhere. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the physical health and psycho-emotional state of Lithuanian oral hygienists, attitude to work and satisfaction with work activities. It was found that the better the oral hygienists assessed their physical health and psycho-emotional state, the higher their job satisfaction was, while those with less job satisfaction tended to change the nature of their work. Oral hygienists who also work as dental assistants rated their physical and psycho-emotional conditions worse. More than three-quarters of oral hygienists constantly or often lack patients, but about three-quarters of oral hygienists work only in the big cities of Lithuania. |
