Communication Skills Teaching Methods in Dental Education - a Review.

Communication skills of dentists have been demonstrated to be part of the good dental practice. The aim we set ourselves in this study was to review the literature related to the methods of teaching communication skills at dental faculties, and develop a handout in the Bulgarian language about leading a successful conversation with a patient.According to some authors, the most important principles for effective communication training include the use of practical exercises, clinically relevant scenarios, students' self-assessment tools, videotapes, participation of patient actors, and training in small groups.

Risk factors for development of chronic periodontitis in Bulgarian patients (pilot research).

The aim of this work was to assess the risks and analyse the risk factors for development of chronic periodontitis in Bulgarian patients. The quality of life was investigated in a cohort of 228 patients with chronic periodontitis. Within the frame of this study, pilot research (a case-control study) was conducted among 80 patients (20 cases and 60 control patients without periodontitis) to evaluate the risk for development of chronic periodontitis.

Validation of a scale assessing the impact of periodontal diseases on patients' quality of life in Bulgaria (pilot research).

The aim of the paper is to present the validation of a scale for assessing the impact of periodontal diseases on individuals' quality of life in Bulgaria. A pilot research was made among 30 diagnosed patients with periodontitis visiting the Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The minimum sample size of 30 people was established based on a power analysis for sample size calculation.

Cross-cultural validation of the revised temperament and character inventory in the Bulgarian language.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Health-care professions have long been considered prone to work-related stress, yet recent research in Bulgaria indicates alarmingly high levels of burnout. Cloninger's inventory is used to analyse and evaluate correlation between personality characteristics and degree of burnout syndrome manifestation among the risk categories of health-care professionals. The primary goal of this study was to test the conceptual validity and cross-cultural applicability of the revised TCI (TCI-R), developed in the United States, in a culturally, socially and economically diverse setting.

Evaluation of quality of life of patients with oral cavity cancer in three counties of south Bulgaria.

Aim: To evaluate the quality of life of patients with oral cavity cancer in three counties of South Bulgaria.

Materials And Methods: A standard questionnaire was developed to evaluate the social status. Twenty two patients with oral cancer were interviewed (diagnoses by ICD 9th Revision 141-149).