Integrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) competency into the dental school curriculum.

BACKGROUND: Decreasing healthcare disparities in marginalized communities requires healthcare providers who understand and appreciate social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. This includes care and education focused on individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). METHODS: This study examined dental students' and residents' self-reported clinical preparedness, prejudicial attitudes (implicit and explicit), and knowledge of health disparities that exist in the LGBTQ community using the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS) prior to and after the presentation of an LGBTQ competency course. RESULTS: A total of 178 dental students at a private US dental school ranging from D1 to first-year postdoctoral residency participated in the course and completed both pre-course survey and post-course survey. Sixty-seven percent of the students reported having formal training in LGBTQ competency prior to completing the pre-training survey. The results of the LGBT-DOCSS in this population following intervention training revealed an increased feeling of clinical preparedness in treating LGBTQ patients, decreased bias toward LGBTQ, and increased knowledge of health disparities in the LGBTQ community. A more significant percentage of male respondents self-reported prejudicial beliefs. Knowledge of LGBTQ health issues increased significantly among pre-clinical students. CONCLUSION: Introducing an early intervention LGBTQ competency course in the dental curriculum is an effective method of improving students' awareness and self-confidence in working with LGBTQ patients while decreasing biases that may have existed prior to a training course.

Effect of fluoride and 10% carbamide peroxide on the surface roughness of low-fusing and ultra low-fusing porcelain.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The effect of repeated applications of fluoride solutions and 10% carbamide peroxide on the surface roughness of newer dental porcelains is not completely known. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the surface roughness of 3 different porcelains when exposed to 2 fluoride solutions, a 10% solution of carbamide peroxide, and distilled water. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty discs (10-mm diameter, 2 mm thick) were made of each of the following porcelains: feldspathic porcelain (Ceramco II), low-fusing porcelain (Finesse), and an aluminous porcelain (All-Ceram). Each disc was abraded with a medium-grit diamond bur and auto-glazed. One side of each disc was abraded with a diamond bur and polished using a porcelain polishing kit to simulate a chairside adjustment and polishing. The discs (10 specimens/group) were immersed in 1.23% APF, 0.4% stannous fluoride, 10% carbamide peroxide, and distilled water for 50 seconds (control). The discs in the 10% carbamide peroxide solution were immersed for 48 hours. The surface of each disc was evaluated with surface profilometry (0.1 mm/s speed, 600-microm range). The data were analyzed by factorial analysis of variance and a Tukey multiple comparison test, (alpha=.05). RESULTS: The data showed that the acidulated phosphate fluoride etched the auto-glazed surface of all 3 porcelains. For Finesse specimens, the mean Ra values for the auto-glazed surface were significantly higher than that of the control after immersion in 1.23% APF (mean Ra 0.3 +/- 0.06 microm, P<.031). All-Ceram auto-glazed surface specimens had a significantly higher mean Ra value when immersed in the 3 solutions than the control (1.23% APF, 0.4% stannous fluoride, and 10% carbamide peroxide, 0.245 +/- 0.115 microm, 0.22 +/- 0.104 microm, 0.22 +/- 0.04 microm, respectively; P<.002). Ceramco II specimens were affected by all 3 solutions, with the auto-glazed surface having higher Ra values (1.23% APF, 0.4% stannous fluoride, and 10% carbamide peroxide, with mean Ra values of 0.35 +/- 0.1 microm, 0.26 +/- 0.08 microm, and 0.24 +/-.0.05 microm, respectively, P=.001). Immersion in the 3 solutions had no effect on the polished surfaces of all-ceramic specimens tested. CONCLUSION: Prior to the use of fluoride and 10% carbamide peroxide, dentists should ascertain the type of porcelain restoration present to prevent a roughened surface from occurring.