Professional paper
SELF-CONFIDENCE OF FINAL-YEAR DENTAL STUDENTS IN MANAGING PATIENTS ON ANTITHROMBOTIC THERAPY
VIŠNJA ŠLJIVAC
; Dental student, University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia;
ANTEA CIKOJEVIĆ
; Dental student, University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
STJEPAN ŠPALJ
; Department of Orthodontics, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Dental Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia
LEA VULETIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0001-9450-5592
; University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Physiology, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess whether Croatian fi nal-year dental students experience discomfort in
relation to treating patients who use oral antithrombotic drugs and if it would infl uence their decision to provide care
independently after graduation. Methods: Students from three universities were invited to participate by fi lling in an online
questionnaire regarding, among other, experience in managing patients on antithrombotic therapy, self-assessed knowledge
of antithrombotic drugs, and readiness to provide care to these patients independently. Results: All respondents had been
in contact with patients taking antithrombotics. Despite lower self-assessed knowledge of latest drugs among antiplatelet
agents and novel oral anticoagulants, students expressed high degree of willingness to provide care independently without
fear or in spite of it. Thereby all students considered consultations with patient physician important in all or in some cases.
Lower level of stress was associated with better knowledge of medical indications for antithrombotic therapy, greater selfconfi dence in performing specifi ed dental procedures, and with better knowledge of other factors that can be related to
the risk of prolonged bleeding after dental procedure. Conclusion: The participants of this study mostly feel confi dent to
manage patients on antithrombotic therapy whether it provokes anxiety or not.
Keywords
dental students; oral anticoagulants; platelet aggregation inhibitors
Hrčak ID:
256996
URI
Publication date:
28.4.2021.
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