Patient safety in phlebology: The ACP Phlebology Safety Checklist.

Objectives To assess the current use of safety checklists among the American College of Phlebology (ACP) members and their interest in implementing a checklist supported by the ACP on their clinical practices; and to develop a phlebology safety checklist. Method Online surveys were sent to ACP members, and a phlebology safety checklist was developed by a multispecialty team through the ACP Leadership Academy. Results Forty-seven percent of respondents are using a safety checklist in their practices; 23% think that a phlebology safety checklist would interfere or disrupt workflow; 79% answered that a phlebology safety checklist could improve procedure outcomes or prevent complications; and 85% would be interested in implementing a phlebology safety checklist approved by the ACP. Conclusion A phlebology safety checklist was developed with the intent to increase awareness on patient safety and improve outcome in phlebology practice.

The use of shimstock to assess occlusal contacts: a laboratory study.

PURPOSE: This laboratory study investigated the influence of varying occlusal forces, occlusal contacts, or small gaps (0 to 8 microns) on the force required to pull 8-micron shimstock from between a tooth and a restorative material specimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An apparatus was developed and calibrated to (1) produce and measure very small gaps (0 to 20 microns) and apply variable occlusal forces between specimens, and (2) pull shimstock consistently from between the specimens and measure the removal force. An unworn maxillary molar cusp and polished amalgam were used as the opposing specimens. Combinations of occlusal forces from 0 to 400 g and gaps of 0 (contact), 2, 4, 6, and 8 microns were tested. RESULTS: Shimstock removal forces increased linearly with increasing occlusal force with 0-, 2-, 4-, and 6-micron gap settings. With 0-, 2-, and 4-micron gaps, there was no significant difference in removal force. With a 6-micron gap, the forces rose but at a lower gradient. With the 8-micron gap, the mean force was low (less than 12 g). CONCLUSION: The shimstock removal force increased with occlusal force and was highest with the smaller gaps. Using 8-micron shimstock, 0-, 2-, and 4-micron gaps cannot be differentiated, a gap of up to 6 microns may still be assessed as a holding contact because the shimstock is still gripped, and even an 8-micron gap may be recorded as a light contact since there is still friction on removal.

Submerging an endodontically treated root to preserve the alveolar ridge under a bridge--a case report.

The loss of teeth results in the resorption of the residual alveolar ridges. This case report describes the successful maintenance of the alveolar ridge contour in the maxillary anterior region under a fixed prosthesis by the mucosal coverage and submersion of an endodontically retreated root, including a 6-year follow-up.

Double fracture and wedging of a sewing needle interdentally in an attempt at self-treatment: a case report.

Dental pain occurring whilst abroad may present the patient with a difficult decision: to try and bear it with self-medication until he/she returns home or to seek professional help. This case report outlines a Korean girl's attempt at self-treatment, which resulted in not one but two fragments of a sewing needle wedging between her teeth, the second fracturing as she tried to dislodge the first. Her self-treatment exacerbated her problem and resulted in the need for surgical access to the site to retrieve the broken fragments. The case also illustrates the use of parallax radiography in determining the position of the fragments.