Lydia Katrova - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Lydia Katrova

oral health and dental management, Jun 1, 2009

The aim of this review paper is to describe and compare specialist education in and practice of d... more The aim of this review paper is to describe and compare specialist education in and practice of dental public health (DPH) in Bulgaria, Finland, and the United Kingdom (UK). These countries are the only three member states of the European Union in which the specialty is officially recognised. In each country, DPH is included in the undergraduate curriculum. Postgraduate specialist education is provided at universities and lasts for three years in Bulgaria and Finland and four years in UK. The training programmes in DPH are a mixture of academic and practical training. The academic studies cover oral health needs and demands assessment, use of information technology, commissioning and evaluating oral health services, promoting oral health and research, together with other related areas. The practice of DPH includes: leadership and management of health organisations, teaching, training, research, advising and evaluating. This paper discusses the rationale for a specialty of DPH at a time of changing oral health need and give examples of problems that have arisen when such advice has not been sought or has been ignored.

Social Medicine, Apr 10, 2014

Folia medica, 2001

The concept for initiation of treatment only after the explicit consent of the patient, based on ... more The concept for initiation of treatment only after the explicit consent of the patient, based on preliminary information, is the most important element determining the relationship between patient and doctor nowadays. The application of this concept in dentistry and its inclusion in the professional documents regulating these relationships needs more comprehensive and modern conditions-relevant analysis of ethical, legal and professional aspects of the problem. The purpose of the study was to define the modern view of informed consent and its application in dentistry in different social environment. The general and specific features of the evolution of the problem and the social practice in Bulgaria, The European Community and Northern America are discussed in the context of the global tendency for free movement of patients and mutual recognition of professional qualification. The results suggest that despite the different degree of social and economical development in different cou...

Oral Health and Dental Management, Apr 6, 2015

This paper outlines the Bulgarian health insurance system in 2007 and how it funds some aspects o... more This paper outlines the Bulgarian health insurance system in 2007 and how it funds some aspects of oral health care for the population. It explains which oral health care treatments are funded partly or completely by the National Health Insurance Fund and that most payments for oral health care are made privately by patients themselves. It then describes the Bulgarian oral health care workforce, which includes dentists, dental technicians, and some dental nurses (chair-side assistants), and notes that eight dental specialties are recognised in Bulgaria. Details of the education of dentists, dental specialists, and dental technicians follow. All dental education takes place in public dental schools (Faculties of Dental Medicine). At present, there is no overproduction of new dentists and very few (fewer than 90) dentists who graduated in other countries work in Bulgaria. The paper goes on to give estimates of the national mean DMFT for 12-year-olds and the percentage of 12-year-olds ...

Oral health care reforms in Bulgaria during the period of transition (1991-2001) resulted in the ... more Oral health care reforms in Bulgaria during the period of transition (1991-2001) resulted in the separation of the oral health service from the medical care structure and the autonomous professional leadership. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the transition of the model of oral health care delivery from totally public into totally private. The main task was to analyze the leading trends through describing the fundamental aspects of the reforms. Methods: Analysis of documents was applied. Data were issued from official and research publications. Main topics discussed are: infrastructural transformations, socio-professional transformations and the new contractual model in Public Health. Results: Oral health Service is organized as individual practices, group practices and medical centres , for general dental care or specialized dental care. Dentists work as private practitioners: owners , associates or salaried. They contract (62-100%) with the National Health Insurance Fund (...

This paper considers issues which relate to staff recruitment, staff development and global mobil... more This paper considers issues which relate to staff recruitment, staff development and global mobility of dental academics. Published literature, which has a North American bias, is reviewed. Recommendations, which may be applicable world-wide, are made to address evident and pertinent areas of concern in terms of the availability of quality dental teaching staff in dental teaching institutions as to sustain the global dental academic enterprise at appropriately high levels of achievement. Key words: staff recruitment; staff retention; staff development; global mobility.

Citation: Lydia Katrova., et al. “Generational and Social Mobility of Dentists in Bulgaria During... more Citation: Lydia Katrova., et al. “Generational and Social Mobility of Dentists in Bulgaria During the Period of Transition. Facts and Figures”. EC Dental Science 18.11 (2019): 260-268. Abstract Introduction: This study is part of a longitudinal research of the re-professionalization of dentists in Bulgaria during the period of social and economic transition. Purpose of the Study: Of this study was to demonstrate the dynamic of professional reproduction based on the analysis of the generational mobility and succession of career choice among dental students. Methods: This investigation encompasses 5 comparable surveys carried out in: 1995 (n = 120), 2004 (n = 100), 2008 (n = 100), 2014 (n = 100), 2018 (n = 130) collected through a 20-item self-administered questionnaire focused on: family of origin social status, educational background, health status and health behaviors, motivation for career choice and expectations for professional realization of dental students. Data were analyzed ...

The major political changes during the latest decades of the 20th century in the former communist... more The major political changes during the latest decades of the 20th century in the former communist countries and the recent global transformations impacted both the economic and social relationship at local, regional and global scale [1]. Many countries started radical reforms in healthcare and open their healthcare systems to new models of supply and delivery of health services to the population [2]. Globally, a trend to harmonization and search for similarity, in order to improve the third party coverage and thus enlarge the medical services market and improve the access to care, is observed [3]. The purpose of this work is to present how the product “healthcare service”, in particular “dental healthcare service”, is realized during the period of transition from state organized centralized economy towards implementation of market oriented economy and democracy. In this context, an overview of basic notions and concepts associated with the marketing of services, their relevance to d...

An Introductory Symposium on dental team training was held in Sofia in November 2008. The worksho... more An Introductory Symposium on dental team training was held in Sofia in November 2008. The workshop explained the concept of working in a dental team and the roles of its clinical and nonclinical members. It then considered the extent to which team dentistry takes place in the different countries of the European Union and Economic Area and how and why it has developed in the United Kingdom. The participants then considered aspects that would benefit patients and dental professionals in Bulgaria. Training systems for dental nurses were considered in the afternoon and a distance learning programmes for dental nurses was demonstrated. The workshop finished with groups of the participating dentists and dental nurses listing their perceived training needs and hopes for the future. It is hoped to hold follow up seminars to help deliver these training needs.

The purpose was to assess the knowledge of dental students of the ergonomics ’ principles and how... more The purpose was to assess the knowledge of dental students of the ergonomics ’ principles and how they develop adequate skills to work safe in clinic. Methods: A questionnaire, comprising a set of 25 close-ended questions and 2 open-ended questions to rate the knowledge, attitude and motivation regarding the good posture, training environment and real clinical practice ’ organization, was distributed among 260 from a total of 685 dental students. Demonstration of proper working posture and training in it had been given to 4-th and 5-th year ’ students. The process was registered by photos. Data were treated statistically using SPSS. 16.1. Results: Most of students report they know the right working posture (52,6%) or “have an idea ” (36,6%). Almost all of them are persuaded it is important to work in good posture (95,9%). They would like to be trained in

The traditional pyramidal national health systems, under global influences, are now transforming ... more The traditional pyramidal national health systems, under global influences, are now transforming into multi-centered organizations based on functional partnership rather than on subordination. The socio-professional status of doctors, usually perceived as upper middle class, in global society, demonstrates considerable diversity. The core value of the profession service to patient, may be challenged as the leadership of doctors in medical entities is now shaped by the third part payment and market oriented public health models. The spread of chronic diseases increases the importance of social support establishments and patients’ compliance. In addition, patients are now expected to be active in the decision making process. Therefore, partnership is the key approach in health governance today. Under these conditions, the leading role of doctors now is growing as competence, determination, and diligence are valued by the individuals and the society, nevertheless the professional auton...

Oral health care reforms in Bulgaria during the period of transition (1991-2001) resulted in the ... more Oral health care reforms in Bulgaria during the period of transition (1991-2001) resulted in the separation of the oral health service from the medical care structure and the autonomous professional leadership. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the transition of the model of oral health care delivery from totally public into totally private. The main task was to analyze the leading trends through describing the fundamental aspects of the reforms. Methods: Analysis of documents was applied. Data were issued from official and research publications. Main topics discussed are: infra-structural transformations, socio-professional transformations and the new contractual model in Public Health. Results: Oral health Service is organized as individual practices, group practices and medical centres, for general dental care or specialized dental care. Dentists work as private practitioners: owners, associates or salaried. They contract (62-100%) with the National Health Insurance Fund (N...

Purpose: To present the development of the concept of professional education of undergraduate den... more Purpose: To present the development of the concept of professional education of undergraduate dental students and the process of developing and introducing the subjects of social medicine, medical ethics and public dental health, in the context of health reforms in Bulgaria and the process of harmonization of dental education in Europe. Material and Methods: Documentary analysis reflecting the changes in the content of the disciplines being taught and the included topics according to the development of the mission and objectives of the undergraduate dental curriculum was applied. Results: The data collected consist of the following: 1. Overview of the major periods of development of the profession of "doctor of dental medicine" in Bulgaria and the periods of implementation and development of the program; 2. Development of the concept and the introduction of the disciplines in the overall program as well as the change in volume and content of the courses; 3. Essential aspects of continuity and innovation demonstrated during the transition from a "Scientific, Organizational and Methodical Section" to the "Department of Dental Public Health"; 4. Expression of gratitude for the cooperation in connection with the introduction and upgrading of the programs; 5. Prospective fields of progress and improvement of teaching of public health courses. Conclusion: The program of public dental health was introduced almost simultaneously with the restoration of the private sector in Bulgaria. As a subject of the dental curriculum it covers 4-5 main domains-social medicine, medical ethics, dental health, dental profession, dental practice, research methods. The stress should be put now on implementing of the problem-oriented learningteaching methods and the integration of the theoretical teaching into clinical training.

oral health and dental management, Jun 1, 2009

The aim of this review paper is to describe and compare specialist education in and practice of d... more The aim of this review paper is to describe and compare specialist education in and practice of dental public health (DPH) in Bulgaria, Finland, and the United Kingdom (UK). These countries are the only three member states of the European Union in which the specialty is officially recognised. In each country, DPH is included in the undergraduate curriculum. Postgraduate specialist education is provided at universities and lasts for three years in Bulgaria and Finland and four years in UK. The training programmes in DPH are a mixture of academic and practical training. The academic studies cover oral health needs and demands assessment, use of information technology, commissioning and evaluating oral health services, promoting oral health and research, together with other related areas. The practice of DPH includes: leadership and management of health organisations, teaching, training, research, advising and evaluating. This paper discusses the rationale for a specialty of DPH at a time of changing oral health need and give examples of problems that have arisen when such advice has not been sought or has been ignored.

Social Medicine, Apr 10, 2014

Folia medica, 2001

The concept for initiation of treatment only after the explicit consent of the patient, based on ... more The concept for initiation of treatment only after the explicit consent of the patient, based on preliminary information, is the most important element determining the relationship between patient and doctor nowadays. The application of this concept in dentistry and its inclusion in the professional documents regulating these relationships needs more comprehensive and modern conditions-relevant analysis of ethical, legal and professional aspects of the problem. The purpose of the study was to define the modern view of informed consent and its application in dentistry in different social environment. The general and specific features of the evolution of the problem and the social practice in Bulgaria, The European Community and Northern America are discussed in the context of the global tendency for free movement of patients and mutual recognition of professional qualification. The results suggest that despite the different degree of social and economical development in different cou...

Oral Health and Dental Management, Apr 6, 2015

This paper outlines the Bulgarian health insurance system in 2007 and how it funds some aspects o... more This paper outlines the Bulgarian health insurance system in 2007 and how it funds some aspects of oral health care for the population. It explains which oral health care treatments are funded partly or completely by the National Health Insurance Fund and that most payments for oral health care are made privately by patients themselves. It then describes the Bulgarian oral health care workforce, which includes dentists, dental technicians, and some dental nurses (chair-side assistants), and notes that eight dental specialties are recognised in Bulgaria. Details of the education of dentists, dental specialists, and dental technicians follow. All dental education takes place in public dental schools (Faculties of Dental Medicine). At present, there is no overproduction of new dentists and very few (fewer than 90) dentists who graduated in other countries work in Bulgaria. The paper goes on to give estimates of the national mean DMFT for 12-year-olds and the percentage of 12-year-olds ...

Oral health care reforms in Bulgaria during the period of transition (1991-2001) resulted in the ... more Oral health care reforms in Bulgaria during the period of transition (1991-2001) resulted in the separation of the oral health service from the medical care structure and the autonomous professional leadership. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the transition of the model of oral health care delivery from totally public into totally private. The main task was to analyze the leading trends through describing the fundamental aspects of the reforms. Methods: Analysis of documents was applied. Data were issued from official and research publications. Main topics discussed are: infrastructural transformations, socio-professional transformations and the new contractual model in Public Health. Results: Oral health Service is organized as individual practices, group practices and medical centres , for general dental care or specialized dental care. Dentists work as private practitioners: owners , associates or salaried. They contract (62-100%) with the National Health Insurance Fund (...

This paper considers issues which relate to staff recruitment, staff development and global mobil... more This paper considers issues which relate to staff recruitment, staff development and global mobility of dental academics. Published literature, which has a North American bias, is reviewed. Recommendations, which may be applicable world-wide, are made to address evident and pertinent areas of concern in terms of the availability of quality dental teaching staff in dental teaching institutions as to sustain the global dental academic enterprise at appropriately high levels of achievement. Key words: staff recruitment; staff retention; staff development; global mobility.

Citation: Lydia Katrova., et al. “Generational and Social Mobility of Dentists in Bulgaria During... more Citation: Lydia Katrova., et al. “Generational and Social Mobility of Dentists in Bulgaria During the Period of Transition. Facts and Figures”. EC Dental Science 18.11 (2019): 260-268. Abstract Introduction: This study is part of a longitudinal research of the re-professionalization of dentists in Bulgaria during the period of social and economic transition. Purpose of the Study: Of this study was to demonstrate the dynamic of professional reproduction based on the analysis of the generational mobility and succession of career choice among dental students. Methods: This investigation encompasses 5 comparable surveys carried out in: 1995 (n = 120), 2004 (n = 100), 2008 (n = 100), 2014 (n = 100), 2018 (n = 130) collected through a 20-item self-administered questionnaire focused on: family of origin social status, educational background, health status and health behaviors, motivation for career choice and expectations for professional realization of dental students. Data were analyzed ...

The major political changes during the latest decades of the 20th century in the former communist... more The major political changes during the latest decades of the 20th century in the former communist countries and the recent global transformations impacted both the economic and social relationship at local, regional and global scale [1]. Many countries started radical reforms in healthcare and open their healthcare systems to new models of supply and delivery of health services to the population [2]. Globally, a trend to harmonization and search for similarity, in order to improve the third party coverage and thus enlarge the medical services market and improve the access to care, is observed [3]. The purpose of this work is to present how the product “healthcare service”, in particular “dental healthcare service”, is realized during the period of transition from state organized centralized economy towards implementation of market oriented economy and democracy. In this context, an overview of basic notions and concepts associated with the marketing of services, their relevance to d...

An Introductory Symposium on dental team training was held in Sofia in November 2008. The worksho... more An Introductory Symposium on dental team training was held in Sofia in November 2008. The workshop explained the concept of working in a dental team and the roles of its clinical and nonclinical members. It then considered the extent to which team dentistry takes place in the different countries of the European Union and Economic Area and how and why it has developed in the United Kingdom. The participants then considered aspects that would benefit patients and dental professionals in Bulgaria. Training systems for dental nurses were considered in the afternoon and a distance learning programmes for dental nurses was demonstrated. The workshop finished with groups of the participating dentists and dental nurses listing their perceived training needs and hopes for the future. It is hoped to hold follow up seminars to help deliver these training needs.

The purpose was to assess the knowledge of dental students of the ergonomics ’ principles and how... more The purpose was to assess the knowledge of dental students of the ergonomics ’ principles and how they develop adequate skills to work safe in clinic. Methods: A questionnaire, comprising a set of 25 close-ended questions and 2 open-ended questions to rate the knowledge, attitude and motivation regarding the good posture, training environment and real clinical practice ’ organization, was distributed among 260 from a total of 685 dental students. Demonstration of proper working posture and training in it had been given to 4-th and 5-th year ’ students. The process was registered by photos. Data were treated statistically using SPSS. 16.1. Results: Most of students report they know the right working posture (52,6%) or “have an idea ” (36,6%). Almost all of them are persuaded it is important to work in good posture (95,9%). They would like to be trained in

The traditional pyramidal national health systems, under global influences, are now transforming ... more The traditional pyramidal national health systems, under global influences, are now transforming into multi-centered organizations based on functional partnership rather than on subordination. The socio-professional status of doctors, usually perceived as upper middle class, in global society, demonstrates considerable diversity. The core value of the profession service to patient, may be challenged as the leadership of doctors in medical entities is now shaped by the third part payment and market oriented public health models. The spread of chronic diseases increases the importance of social support establishments and patients’ compliance. In addition, patients are now expected to be active in the decision making process. Therefore, partnership is the key approach in health governance today. Under these conditions, the leading role of doctors now is growing as competence, determination, and diligence are valued by the individuals and the society, nevertheless the professional auton...

Oral health care reforms in Bulgaria during the period of transition (1991-2001) resulted in the ... more Oral health care reforms in Bulgaria during the period of transition (1991-2001) resulted in the separation of the oral health service from the medical care structure and the autonomous professional leadership. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the transition of the model of oral health care delivery from totally public into totally private. The main task was to analyze the leading trends through describing the fundamental aspects of the reforms. Methods: Analysis of documents was applied. Data were issued from official and research publications. Main topics discussed are: infra-structural transformations, socio-professional transformations and the new contractual model in Public Health. Results: Oral health Service is organized as individual practices, group practices and medical centres, for general dental care or specialized dental care. Dentists work as private practitioners: owners, associates or salaried. They contract (62-100%) with the National Health Insurance Fund (N...

Purpose: To present the development of the concept of professional education of undergraduate den... more Purpose: To present the development of the concept of professional education of undergraduate dental students and the process of developing and introducing the subjects of social medicine, medical ethics and public dental health, in the context of health reforms in Bulgaria and the process of harmonization of dental education in Europe. Material and Methods: Documentary analysis reflecting the changes in the content of the disciplines being taught and the included topics according to the development of the mission and objectives of the undergraduate dental curriculum was applied. Results: The data collected consist of the following: 1. Overview of the major periods of development of the profession of "doctor of dental medicine" in Bulgaria and the periods of implementation and development of the program; 2. Development of the concept and the introduction of the disciplines in the overall program as well as the change in volume and content of the courses; 3. Essential aspects of continuity and innovation demonstrated during the transition from a "Scientific, Organizational and Methodical Section" to the "Department of Dental Public Health"; 4. Expression of gratitude for the cooperation in connection with the introduction and upgrading of the programs; 5. Prospective fields of progress and improvement of teaching of public health courses. Conclusion: The program of public dental health was introduced almost simultaneously with the restoration of the private sector in Bulgaria. As a subject of the dental curriculum it covers 4-5 main domains-social medicine, medical ethics, dental health, dental profession, dental practice, research methods. The stress should be put now on implementing of the problem-oriented learningteaching methods and the integration of the theoretical teaching into clinical training.