Showing papers in "Journal of Dental Education in 1984"

Stress management training for dental students

Abstract: Dental school and professional practice are well-documented sources of stress. Although students and dentists risk developing stress-related disorders, no empirically evaluated method for helping dental students cope with stress has been reported. A group of 17 dental students participated in a six-session program that included instruction in self-relaxation and time management; exercise and leisure planning; and cognitive modification techniques. From pre- to post-training, subjects showed improvement on a variety of self-report and physiological measures relative to a waiting-list control group. A three-month follow-up assessment revealed continued reductions in stress-related behavior. The importance of stress-management training for dental students is discussed as well as suggestions for future research.

Is there a need for dental sealants? Epidemiological indications in the 1980s.

Abstract: This paper has attempted to review dental caries epidemiology as it may relate to the subject of dental sealants. As such, the major emphasis has been on the epidemiology of permanent tooth caries among children and adolescents. The review touched four major areas. First, the current distribution of dental caries and its relationship to various epidemiological factors was discussed as it pertains to North America. Second, the evidence for declining caries experience was reviewed from a North American, European, and Australia/New Zealand perspective. Third, a superficial discussion of dental caries epidemiology in selected developing countries was offered and certain contrasts to caries patterns in developed countries were illustrated. Fourth, a brief attempt was made to evaluate the relative significance of pit and fissure caries in children.

Use of sealants: societal and professional factors.

Abstract: At present, sealant use continues at a low level in private practice by dentists and hygienists, and is moderate in community programs although there is high interest in their use in public health settings. Widespread delegation of sealant application to hygienists has not occurred even though the majority of state dental practice acts allow it, and even though practicing hygienists are highly interested in applying sealants. Use in federally sponsored programs is minimal or nonexistent. Information about sealants and adequate clinical experience in their application appear minimal in dental training institutions, and few opportunities have existed for continuing education. Generally, knowledge about sealants among dentists is low; many hold doubtful opinions. Insurance carriers, including commercial, provider, and governmental programs, appear reluctant to reimburse for sealants without purchaser demand and organized dentistry9s blessings. Although society emphasizes patient rights to informed consent, few opportunities exist for the public, including group insurance purchasers and union negotiators, to learn about sealant use in conjunction with appropriate fluoride use. Public educational materials are sparse. Manufacturer marketing efforts at present, aimed at providers alone, are at best minimal, with a few exceptions; those targeting the public are nonexistent. Organized dentistry9s Council statements may have contributed to a constriction, to date, in the flow of public information about sealants from industry. Lack of communication, or miscommunication, between practitioners and dental scientists has resulted in much misinformation and confusion about the value of sealants and their use. And, the contemporary status of dental manpower and the economy of dental practice in the private sector appear to have provided an infertile environment for acceptance of sealants as a primary preventive technology. In the public sector, interest in sealants is high but two primary constraints are inadequate manpower and lack of financial resources. Clearly there has been a time-lag in the adoption of new sealant products, and it is apparent that no one factor can explain this lag; rather, many complex factors must be taken into account simultaneously. Extent of need does not appear to have influenced use, to date. Often, social change is slow, and all things considered, the lag observed for sealants may not be totally unreasonable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Indications for sealant use in a community-based preventive dentistry program.

Abstract: Dental caries is a disease that recently has undergone, and may still be undergoing, dramatic changes in distribution of incidence and prevalence. The most recent epidemiologic data available have been reviewed in this paper to illustrate that caries is becoming a disease primarily of pits and fissures, with less differentiation than previously acknowledged between fluoridated and fluoride-deficient areas. The present distribution of caries suggests that prevention may be accomplished more effectively through targeted sealant programs than through currently popular mass preventive programs. Existing information can be used to identify logical target groups for sealant programs, and age specific tooth eruption and caries attack information can be used to design delivery methods. Although the adoption of targeted sealant programs represents a departure from the traditional mass approach to prevention in dental programs, the present-day caries distribution requires that the initiation of such programs be given serious consideration. At the very least program administrators are encouraged to invoke the planning-implementation-evaluation process. Current programs should be evaluated carefully in view of today9s disease patterns and the clinical significance of the results achieved. The content, design, and timing of future community-based programs should reflect individualized community diagnosis and the application of new epidemiologic data as well as a careful evaluation of the results achieved by current preventive procedures.

Faculty approaches to combating professional burnout

Abstract: The peculiar stresses of the dental educator make him or her a prime candidate for burnout and at the same time offer rather special protection against this phenomenon. The dental teacher, especially the clinical teacher, is required to spend virtually all of his time in intimate contact with students, whom he instructs, and with patients in the clinic, for whom he has responsibility. In addition, this same dental educator will probably have some kind of private practice. He will also be required, if he expects to advance in academic rank, to do research, to be cognizant of the latest developments in his field, to publish, to give presentations to his peers and to the community. This adds up to a lot that is expected of one person. Many people have expectations of him, many people crowd in on him with their demands. The situation sounds ideal for burnout. Yet, I believe that if the dental educator does what is expected, if he laces this diet of teaching and patient contact with research and library work, if he sets aside time (you may ask where he is to find it) for contemplation, for good works in the community, for hobbies, for reading, for cultural activities, then in fact the chance of burnout seems lower. And finally, if the dental educator pursues the possibilities that exist for leaves, for time away, for refreshment of his career by new contacts, new ideas, new ways of doing things, and new commitments, he will push away and hold at bay the dangers of burnout.

The epidemiology of dental caries and its impact on the operative dentistry curriculum.

Abstract: Existing demographic and epidemiologic data are used to project the number of hours of operative dentistry treatment needed by all age groups in the year 2000. The findings suggest that calls to reduce the operative dentistry curriculum because of a decline in the need for single tooth restorative services may be premature, despite the recent caries decline in children and adolescents. The need for operative dentistry treatment is projected to increase until the 21st century, and the nature of this need has implications for the content of operative dentistry curricula.

A Comprehensive Stress-Reduction Program for Dental Students.

Abstract: This paper describes the efforts of the Behavioral Science Department of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine to develop a comprehensive program for reducing student stress. Components of this program include the school9s overall orientation, the student advising and counseling system, and student-oriented programs and courses. The concept of stress management provides a useful framework for guiding the development of such programs and is relevant to both dentistry and dental education.

Clinic simulation and preclinical performance.

Abstract: The physical environment in which dental students learn preclinical skills has been a focus of attention recently; the effect of this variable on practical examination performance by first-year students in a preclinical dentistry course was examined. In a controlled, two-part experiment, students doing preclinical work in the clinic did not perform significantly better on practical examinations than students working in a typical laboratory environment. Other factors such as enthusiasm, motivation, satisfaction, operator comfort, long-term productivity, and exposure to the clinical environment prior to patient treatment are important dimensions of the preclinical experience; the effect of the environment on these factors should be examined.

Fissure sealants: clinical and economic factors.

Abstract: Existing data on the economics of sealant use are insufficient to permit firm conclusions; an additional handicap is that both data and attitudes are based principally on results with first-generation sealants when it is clear that greatly improved materials are now available The limited data plus the preceding discussion of issues, however, do allow the following statements by way of conclusions In public programs, few would argue that the cost-effectiveness of sealants would be enhanced by: (a) Using trained auxiliaries to apply sealant to the fullest extent allowed by law (b) Applying the most recently developed sealants in which retention rates appear to be most favorable (c) Their application in areas where proximal caries is low This means many communities in the United States at present, especially fluoridated areas Although marginal benefits have not been determined, sealants would appear to complement the use of fluoride There is less clarity on other areas where some tradeoffs would be required, for the nature of the tradeoffs cannot be specified These areas include: (d) Whether the program should be based on a single application or whether there should be annual checks and reapplications Reapplications will push effectiveness closer to 100 percent, but will incur greater costs The ideal situation would be virtual 100 percent retention of sealant over a long time following a single application, but that outcome is unlikely in a public program (e) Whether all molars and premolars should be sealed There is general agreement that first and second molars should be sealed as soon as possible after eruption because of their susceptibility to occlusal caries(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dental student recruitment

Abstract: A seven-step student recruitment program employed in a dental school is described. The program comprises (1) a marketing survey, (2) a plan based upon information derived from the survey, (3) recruiting materials, (4) a "Recruitment Partners" program using alumni throughout the state, (5) publicity in state high schools and colleges, (6) recruiting in target high schools and colleges, and (7) a mailing list for follow-up with prospective applicants. The initial response to the program has been encouraging. The recruiting materials have been well received, more than 100 alumni dentists are now serving as active Recruitment Partners and are using the recruiting materials in their local high schools and colleges, and over 300 reply cards have been received from interested high schools and college students. A final evaluation of the program in three years will assess its impact on the number of dental school applicants.

The effects of continuing education in dental practice management.

Abstract: A representative sample of 122 Washington State general dental practices received continuing education in the efficient utilization of auxiliaries. Dentist and staff attended a two-day workshop where goals for change in delegation to auxiliaries, scheduling, and communication were developed. The continuing dental education was individualized, required the practice to set explicit goals for change, involved both the dentist and staff in the decision-making process, and included in-office follow-up and consulting. Evaluation of the course9s effects demonstrated that such a course in practice management can have a positive effect on delegation to auxiliaries, practice output, and dentist income. Degree of participation varied considerably across the 113 practices that completed the continuing education. The positive results of the training were dependent upon the practice implementing the goals for organizational change that it had set. The effects of the continuing education take time to become apparent and are sequential with changes in delegation to auxiliaries occurring first and increases in volume of services and income occurring later.

A factor analysis of students' ratings of clinical teaching

Abstract: Factor analytic methods were used to uncover what students perceive to be the underlying dimensions of clinical teaching. Results of this study were based on 1,796 ratings of clinical instruction completed by 226 students on 104 faculty members. The four factors students found basic to effective clinic instruction were: 1) an instructor meeting teaching responsibilities, 2) an instructor behaving in a manner conducive to clinical learning, 3) an instructor being technically competent, and 4) an instructor enjoying his or her job. The first factor was the strongest, accounting for the majority of the explained variance. Providing faculty with students' summary ratings on these four factors may encourage improvement in clinical teaching skills.

Training and educational needs in pit and fissure sealant application for graduate dental personnel: continuing education and certification courses.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper was to address the continuing education needs of dentists and dental auxiliaries and certification needs of and available courses for graduate dental hygienists and assistants. Background information was presented on the professional and economic concerns of practitioners, as well as research findings and the extent to which students and practitioners are being educated and trained in the application of sealants. The role of manpower training and utilization was addressed along with the role of auxiliaries in accelerating and promoting sealant use. A model pit and fissure sealant course was discussed in the hope that those educators contemplating the modification of curricula to include the topic of sealants or the offering of a continuing education course will have "food for thought." A survey was conducted to determine the extent to which continuing education courses are being offered to graduate or practicing auxiliaries who did not receive formal sealant instruction in school. The survey did reveal that only approximately 17 percent of the institutions responding provided continuing education courses in pit and fissure sealant application.

Scholarship and dental education: new perspectives for clinical faculty.

Abstract: Dental faculty in clinical departments can develop as scholars and researchers while enhancing their value as educators. The obstacles created by inadequate training and background for research, lack of appropriate role models, and competing demands on the faculty members' time are all significant. There are ways of dealing with these problems, however, and the greatest obstacle often is our unwillingness to solve the problem. In better times, clinical dental faculty needed neither to change nor justify what they did. But times have changed, and the demands of the academy, of the dental profession, and of society require new responses. Clearly, dental education could gain greatly from moving forward with the new emphasis on scholarship. There will undoubtedly be some losses. The overall effect, however, will be positive to the extent that we as dental educators are able to take hold of the situation and define our own goals and criteria for performance. Otherwise, we will have to resign ourselves to living with goals set by someone else.

Effectiveness of a dental school program in the prevention of infective endocarditis and other related infections.

Abstract: Dental records of 99 patients for whom a medical consultation was required to establish or eliminate the need for infective endocarditis prophylaxis were examined. The purpose of the review was to determine if the consultative process was effective and if patients requiring antibiotic prophylaxis were managed according to the current American Heart Association guidelines. The record review indicated that the consultative process is effective in determining need but that there are deficiencies in management documentation. An analysis of the consultation replies revealed that dental staff members must be thoroughly familiar with the current American Heart Association recommendations for the prevention of infective endocarditis.