Željka Lovrić

Dr. Željka Lovrić


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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9 August 2023 in Dentistry Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AKAnka Jurišić Kvesić
Anka Jurišić Kvesić
MHMiroslav Hrelja
Miroslav Hrelja
ŽLŽeljka Lovrić
Željka Lovrić
LŠLuka Šimunović
Luka Šimunović
BŠBruno Špiljak
Bruno Špiljak
DVDubravka Negovetic Vranic
Dubravka Negovetic Vranic
Background: Children who undergo painful experiences such as traumatic dental injury (TDI) during their early years are more likely to be at an increased risk of developing dental fear and anxiety (DFA). The purpose of this study was to identify potential risk factors for DFA of these children. Methods: The study participants were 220 parents/caregivers and their children who experienced TDI. Their socio-demographic backgrounds were investigated with the modified WHO Oral Health Questionnaire for Children that included questions about parents’ knowledge and attitudes, while the DFA level was determined using the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S Index) was used to assess oral hygiene status. Results: The confirmed risk factors are parental knowledge, female gender, and degree of oral hygiene and pain in the last three months, while age, type of TDI, presence of soft-tissue injury, and number of subjective complaints were not confirmed. The overall model predicted approximately 54% of variance in DFA, R2 = 0.545, F (4.215) = 64.28 p < 0.001. Conclusions: These findings emphasise the importance of addressing pain management, improving oral hygiene, and enhancing parental knowledge to mitigate DFA in children with TDIs.

15 May 2026 in Oral
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ŽLŽeljka Lovrić
Željka Lovrić
BŠBruno Špiljak
Bruno Špiljak
AČAsja Čelebić
Asja Čelebić
SLStjepanka Lešić
Stjepanka Lešić
BLBoris Labar
Boris Labar
Marinka Mravak-StipetićMarinka Mravak-Stipetić
Marinka Mravak-Stipetić
Objective: This study aimed to assess practicing dentists’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-confidence regarding knowledge about oral manifestations of haematological disorders and interpretation of blood count (BC) tests. Materials and Methods: An online survey was sent to all practicing dentists via email addresses registered with the Dental Chamber. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic data and assessed knowledge of hematological diseases, their oral manifestations, and BC interpretation, as well as dentists’ attitudes toward interdisciplinary collaboration and perceived need for continuing education. In the knowledge section, some questions required a single correct answer, while most allowed multiple selections. For multiple-choice items, any incorrect choice made the response incorrect; responses were partially correct if accurate but incomplete and fully correct only when all correct options were selected. Statistical analysis was performed with p < 0.05. Descriptive statistics, Shapiro–Wilk, Kruskal–Wallis H, Mann–Whitney U, and independent-samples t-tests were used. Results: A total of 308 dentists responded, representing only 7.6% of the national dental workforce. While most recognized the relevance of BC tests and systemic disease indicators in oral health, knowledge gaps were substantial. The mean score on knowledge items was low (2.81 ± 1.52 out of 11), with only 1.3% dentists achieving seven or more correct answers. Interestingly, dentists with higher self-reported confidence in interpreting BC tests had lower knowledge scores, suggesting a potential Dunning-Kruger effect. Knowledge did not differ by specialization or postgraduate education, likely reflecting limited curricular coverage, but was more strongly associated with clinical experience, practice location, and patient load. Most respondents (96.1%) expressed strong interest in further education on the topic. Conclusions: Targeted education and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to overcome gaps and enhance knowledge and diagnostic accuracy in oral manifestations of blood diseases and BC interpretation.