A national survey of dental hygiene faculty perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To investigate potential unconscious bias among dental hygiene educators and identify baseline perceptions of race and racism. METHODS: Dental hygiene programs in the USA were clustered into 4 geographic regions from which 2 programs were sampled from each region. The 20-item, Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS) electronic survey was sent to educators from each of the selected programs in 2022. The CoBRAS instrument measures contemporary racism and stereotyping in 3 subcategories: Unawareness of Racial Privilege, Institutional Discrimination, and Blatant Racial Issues. Scores range from 20-120, with higher scores indicating elevated levels of denial of racism. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA were performed. The level of significance was set to α = 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 172 potential respondents, 89 (52%) completed all of the survey questions. The majority of the respondents were White, female and from the Northeast (74.2%, 93.3%, and 61.8% respectively). The mean CoBRAS score (55.73) indicated moderate levels of color-blind racial attitudes. Race was a significant variable in perceptions of racial dynamics and racism with statistically significant differences between groups by race and ethnicity as demonstrated by one-way ANOVA (F[6,82] = 3.469, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate levels of color-blind racial attitudes among dental hygiene educators were found, indicating a presence of cognitive aspects of stereotyping related to race. The demographic data collected adds to the existing evidence of a lack of diversity among dental hygiene faculty.

Economic Evaluations of Preventive Interventions for Dental Caries and Periodontitis: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: To critically examine the methods used for full economic evaluations of preventive interventions for dental caries and periodontitis. METHODS: Published literature post-2000 was searched to April 2021. Based on a developed intervention classification framework for dental caries and periodontitis, only universal, selective or indicated interventions were included in this review. The Drummond 10-point checklist was used for quality appraisal. RESULTS: Of 3,007 unique records screened for relevance, 73 studies were reviewed. Most model-based studies (61/73) used cost-effectiveness analysis (49%) or cost-benefit analysis (28%). Trial-based studies (16/73) commonly used cost-effectiveness analysis (59%). Four studies used both economic evaluation methods. Sixty-four papers (88%) were on dental caries, eight papers (11%) focused on periodontitis, and one paper (1%) included both oral diseases; 72% of model-based and 82% of trial-based studies were of good quality. The most frequently investigated dental caries preventive interventions were water fluoridation (universal intervention; cost-saving or cost-effective), fissure sealant and fluoride varnish (selective and indicated interventions; cost-effectiveness outcomes were inconsistent). Supportive periodontal therapy with oral health education (indicated intervention; cost-effective) was the most frequently evaluated preventive intervention for periodontitis. Thirty percent of studies with a time horizon > 1 year did not apply an appropriate discount rate and 26% did not comprehensively discuss other important considerations beyond the technical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Generic health outcome measures should be incorporated for economic evaluations on preventive interventions for dental caries and periodontitis, and an increased focus to prevent periodontitis using economic evaluation methods is needed to inform resource allocation and policy decision-making.

Development of a competency-based clinical assessment instrument for exit level Oral Hygiene students at the University of Western Cape.

Seminal to the process of a health sciences curriculum evaluation is the periodic review of clinical assessment instruments that measure competency. An assessment of quality is facilitated by using a well-structured, authentic and reliable instrument. This process rests on designing and measuring the instrument against a sound framework and validating it for scientific merit. This paper documents the pedagogy and the process taken in developing an improved formative competency-based assessment instrument for the final year students of the Bachelor of Oral Health program (BOH) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). METHODS: A qualitative research study design employing the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) was used as a method for gaining small group consensus on the clinical assessment instrument for exit level Oral Hygiene (BOH3) students within the parameters of assessment principles. The key contributors to the instrument development process were the academic staff of the Department of Oral Hygiene, involved in clinical teaching and assessment of student competency. RESULTS: The domains of ethics and professionalism, patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation was identified as the core elements in the assessment. The principles of assessment, which include, alignment with outcomes, feedback, transparency and validity, were used to guide the instrument development. The assessment criteria were cross examined for alignment to the learning outcomes of the module and the program whilst formative feedback was foregrounded as a central feature to support student learning and progress monitoring. Transparency was obtained by providing students access to the instrument before and after the assessment including the written feedback on their performance. The instrument embodied a range of criteria to be assessed rather than on the awarding of a cumulative score. This allowed for the identification of the criteria or domain within which a student is struggling or excelling. Consensus on the instrument design was achieved using the NGT phases throughout the instrument development process including the weighting of the domains and grading. This level of engagement together with the application of scientifically sound assessment principles contributed to the validation of the instrument. CONCLUSION: The development of a competency-based assessment instrument was the result of a structured, collaborative and scientifically engaged process framed around specific assessment principles. The process culminated in the development of a formative competency-based clinical assessment instrument that was fit for purpose in the Bachelor of Oral Health program.The Nominal Group Technique served to be a valuable approach for small group consensus in developing the instrument. It served to promote individual perspectives and to generate debate and group discussion between academics that were proficient in clinical teaching and, finally to facilitate group consensus on the instrument structure and system for administration.

Implementing Environmental Sustainability Educational Intervention in Dental Hygiene Instruction.

Purpose: The planet faces a climate crisis threatening public health. Dentistry contributes to a large portion of the waste output in the United States. The purpose of this study was to assess dental hygiene (DH) students' perceptions and knowledge on environmentally sustainable dentistry (ESD) prior to and following an educational intervention.Methods: A convenience sample of second-year DH students (n=34) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) was recruited for this pilot study consisting of a pre-survey, an online educational module and immediate post-survey, and a final assignment followed by another post-survey. The educational module followed a funnel approach to educate learners on the topic of sustainability before narrowing down to how sustainability can be applied to dentistry. Paired t-tests compared pre- and post-module survey scores on changes in knowledge and attitudes. Univariate and qualitative analyses were conducted on the post-assignment component.Results: Twenty-five participants had qualifying responses for the pre- and post-module survey (71.4% response rate); 22 participants completed the post-assignment survey (62.7% response rate). There was a statistically significant increase from pre- to post-module knowledge scores (p < 0.0005). Most respondents (>90%) indicated that the follow-up assignment strengthened their learning experience. Qualitative analysis revealed that the assignment helped participants apply module concepts in the real world and adopt less wasteful behaviors in clinic.Conclusion: Instructional interventions on ESD in DH education may improve students' knowledge of environmentally sustainable habits and encourage behavioral changes. Study findings can help introduce an environmental sustainability component to the DH educational curriculum.

A qualitative assessment of dental hygiene educators' COVID-19 related burnout.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to elicit ideas or concerns influencing dental hygiene educators' experiences of personal and professional burnout, burnout working with students, and teaching efficacy in an online/hybrid environment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A qualitative, content-analysis study included a convenience sample of dental hygiene educators emails. An invitation to participate in an August 2021 or October 2021 focus group was sent via Qualtricsxm with informed consent, and focus groups were held over Zoom. Conversations were audio recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. Consensus on a codebook by two coders achieved an 88% agreement. RESULTS: Fifty-three were invited to the August 2021 focus groups for a 26% (n = 14) response rate, and 116 were invited to the October 2021 focus groups for an 11% (n = 13) response rate. Contributing factors to experiences of burnout expressed were: (1) work-life balance (n = 59), including (a) overwork, (b) pressure to be available, and (c) lack of boundaries; (2) change (n = 34) involving (a) developing new protocols, (b) constant uncertainty, (c) COVID-19 requirements, and (d) new platforms; and (3) negative interactions (n = 32) with (a) students and (b) faculty. CONCLUSION: A lack of work-life balance from overwork, pressure to be available at all times, no boundaries with students, and an absence of a sense of connection for workplace vitality were contributors to burnout. Work-from-home flexibility, a work environment that supported wellness and mental well-being, and the ability to leave the workplace for periods of time were reported as helpful solutions to combatting burnout.

Índice de necesidad de tratamiento periodontal en embarazadas y no embarazadas que asisten a la maternidad provincial de Córdoba, Argentina / Periodontal index for treatment needs in pregnant and non-pregnant women attending the provincial maternity hospital in Córdoba, Argentina

Objetivo: Comparar la salud periodontal de embaraza- das y no embarazadas mediante la aplicación del Índice de Periodontal Comunitario (IPC). Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio ob- servacional de corte transversal. Se reclutaron 100 mujeres embarazadas (EMB) y 50 no embarazadas (NoEMB) que concurrieron al Hospital Materno Provincial de la Ciudad de Córdoba, Dr. Raúl F. Lucini. En todas se registró el IPC con la sonda periodontal WHO 621 en los 6 sextantes de la boca. Los datos se analizaron con el software Infostat/SP; el nivel de significación establecido fue de P <0,05. Resultados: El 70% de las pacientes presentó edades de entre 18 y 25 años. En las EMB el código 3 del IPC fue el más frecuente presente en 240 sextantes (40,1%) y en las NoEMB el código 2 fue el más frecuente con 39 sextantes (43%). A ambos grupos de estudio les corresponde el trata- miento de instrucción de higiene bucal, instrumentación supra y/o subgingival, y/o regularización de obturaciones. Conclusiones: El código 3 fue el más frecuente entre las EMB, a quienes les corresponde un Código de tratamiento periodontal (CTP) 2; las NoEMB presentaron un IPC de 1 y 2 como los más frecuentes y se vinculan con un CTP 1 y 2. Nos encontramos frente a una situación clínica periodontal posible de resolver con terapia básica que puede ser realizada por odontólogos generalistas (AU)

Aim: To compare the periodontal health of pregnant and non-pregnant women by applying the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Materials and methods: In an observational, cross-sec- tional study, 100 pregnant women (PREG) and 50 non-preg- nant women (NonPREG) were recruited at the Dr. Raúl F. Lu- cini Provincial Maternity Hospital in Córdoba City. The CPI was determined in the 6 sextants of the mouth using a WHO 621 periodontal probe. The data were analyzed with Infostat SP software. P <0.05 was considered significant. Results: 70% of the patients were 18 to 25 years old. In the PREG group, CPI Code 3 was the most frequent, present in 240 sextants (40.1%), while in the non-PREG group, CPI Code 2 was the most frequent, with 39 sextants (43%). Treat- ment needs in both study groups are oral hygiene instruction, supra- and/or subgingival instrumentation, and/or correction of plaque retentive margins. Conclusions: Code 3 was the most frequent among preg- nant women, which corresponded to Periodontal Treatment Code (CTP) 2. CPI 1 and 2 were the most frequent in non-pregnant women, corresponding to CTP 1 and 2. This periodontal clinical condition can be treated with initial dental hygiene therapy, which can be performed by general dentists (AU)

Educação em saúde bucal em uma pré-escola: planejamento estratégico para o desenvolvimento de atividades lúdicas / Oral health education in pre-school: strategic planning for the development of ludic activities

Trata-se de um relato de experiência, que descreve, sob estratégia narrativo-argumentativa, as significâncias político-pedagógicas atreladas ao planejamento estratégico de ações de educação em saúde bucal vivenciadas em um ambiente escolar e experimentadas por acadêmicos estagiários de um curso de Odontologia. Após análise detalhada, algumas inferências se destacaram: o reconhecimento do ambiente escolar como território fértil para o desenvolvimento de ações promotoras de saúde; a efetividade do instrumento "TPC" (Teorizar-Praticar-Criticar) no direcionamento dos acadêmicos estagiários no planejamento estratégico de atividades de educação em saúde bucal; a importância de se disseminar, em espaços científicos, os aprendizados advindos de experimentações práticas de estágios.

This is a report on an experience that describes, under a narrative-argumentative strategy, the political-pedagogical significance linked to the strategic planning of oral health education actions experienced in a school environment and experienced by university trainees from a Dentistry course. After a detailed analysis, some inferences were observed: the recognition of the school environment as a fertile territory for the development of health-promoting actions; the effectiveness of the "TPC" (Theorize-Practice-Criticize) instrument in directing university trainees in the strategic planning of oral health education activities; the importance of disseminating, in scientific spaces, the learning from practical experimentation during internships.

Assessment on Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviour and its Association with Sociodemographic and Habitual Factors of South Indian Population

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the oral health knowledge, attitude, behaviour, and its association with sociodemographic and habitual factors among South Indian Population. Material and Methods: A total of 288 adults living in a residential community situated in Chennai were selected by systematic random sampling method participated in this cross-sectional study. Data collection was carried out using a validated questionnaire. Results: About 97.9% of the participants in our study had good knowledge, 33.3% had a positive attitude and 48.2% had adequate oral health behaviour. Sociodemographic and habitual factors like diet (p=0.006), education (p=0.009), and employment (p=0.003) were significantly associated with knowledge. On the other hand, diet (p=0.012) was the only factor significantly associated with attitude. Ownership of house (p= 0.030) was significantly associated with behaviour and no factor was associated with all three KAB profiles. Absence of correlation were identified between Knowledge-Attitude (r=0.11, p=0.23), Knowledge-Behaviour (r= -0.037, p= 0.68) and Attitude-Behaviour (r =0.01, p=0.94). Conclusion: It has been found a massive number of participants possessed a high knowledge level towards oral health. On the other hand, less than half of the participants had a positive attitude and adequate behaviour towards oral health. No positive linear correlation was seen among knowledge, attitude, and behaviour towards oral health.

The oral health quality of life for seniors in residential facilities who have direct access to care as compared to those without access.

INTRODUCTION: This pilot study tests whether there is a perceived difference in oral health when residents in long-term care facilities receive direct access to the scaling of teeth/debridement using dental hygiene instruments compared to facilities who provide only minimal oral hygiene care. METHODS: The study was a quasi-experimental pretest/post-test control group design and took place at two long-term care senior residential facilities in Sheridan, Wyoming. Fifteen residents from each facility comprised the study sample (n = 30). The treatment group received a debridement and oral hygiene education and the control group received brushing, flossing, and oral hygiene education. RESULTS: Results revealed a significant difference in pre/post OHIP-5 scores in the treatment group (p = 0.0222). The control group had improved scores, but it was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a significant difference in the perception of oral health quality of life when seniors received a dental cleaning where they reside.

Oral Health Access and Early Caries in Childhood in a Primary Care Service in Southern Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of early childhood caries and its association with Child's Programmatic Action dental visits in a Primary Care Service. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at the Health Centers of the Grupo HospitalarConceição Community Health Service in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Mothers answered a questionnaire containing socioeconomic data, eating habits and oral care of their children. Caries examination was performed by two examiners calibrated using WHO criteria. Results: Eighty-one children with mean age of 58.8 (SD=4.8) months were evaluated, 58% were male. Caries prevalence was 43%, with mean dmft = 1.7 and mean dmfs = 3.09. In the multivariate analysis, there was a statistically significant association of caries with maternal schooling (PR=1.31, 95%CI=1.06-1.62, p=0.012), family income (PR=0.93, 95% CI=0.90-0.97, p<0.001), adequacy of the number of childcare visits (PR=0.68, 95%CI=0.54-0.86, p=0.001) and number of visits to the dentist (PR=1.04, 95%CI=1.01-1.06, p=0.001). Conclusion: Ensuring access to childcare and early dental consultation, while the family context is disregarded, does not seem to be enough to reduce caries. It is necessary to think of non-conventional oral health promotion strategies in Primary Health Care taking into account the territory and social determinants since changes to eating and oral hygiene habits and behaviors are still a challenge to the control of childhood caries.

Why video health education messages should be considered for all dental waiting rooms.

OBJECTIVE: Video is an effective, accessible, and low cost method of delivering health education messages to a wide audience. Dental waiting rooms provide an opportunity to deliver video oral health education interventions to receptive viewers. In this study we aim to evaluate firstly video oral health education in regards to patient preference, and secondly its ability to change both immediate and sustained self-reported intended health behaviours by patients. METHOD: Data from 253 individuals from a public hospital dental waiting room were gathered using a previously validated survey following an oral health education video intervention, and analysed using descriptive analysis, Fischer's Exact Test, and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test across 3 time intervals. RESULTS: Participants across all ages evaluated the video oral health education approach as easy to follow and understand (p<0.001), the content practical and useful (p<0.001), and that it was a better experience (p<0.01). Those watching between 5 and 20 minutes reported that video was the best format to present oral care information (p<0.02). At follow up, significant improvement in the tools used by participants to clean teeth was seen (39.8%, p<0.001), as well as reported reduction in sweet consumption frequency (21.3%, p<0.001) and in smoking (44.8%, p<0.02). CONCLUSION: Video format oral health education used in dental waiting rooms was found to be effective in educating patients and instigating both immediate and sustained self-reported behaviour change. Significant improvement in tools used for oral hygiene and a reduction in sweets consumption were demonstrated, both of which are essential factors in reducing caries rates and improving oral health.

Oral Health of Hospitalized Brazilian Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective:To evaluate the oral health conditions of hospitalized children, as well as describe the knowledge and practices of oral health care adopted by their parents/guardians. Material and Methods:The sample was composed of 46 children who had been hospitalized for at least five days, who had erupted teeth in the oral cavity and were accompanied by their parents/guardians. Information was collected in relation to: theoral health status of children (DMFT/DEF), the socioeconomic profile and access to information on health and oral hygiene of the parents/guardians anddata regarding the hospitalization of the children. The data were analyzed using the Fisher, Pearson's and Mann Whitney's Chi-squared tests, with a confidence level of 95%.Results:47.8% of the hospitalized children had experienced caries, and the most relevant component for the determination of the experience of caries was the presence of decayed teeth (0.50 to 1.94). A total of 97.8% of parents/guardians said they had not received information on oral health and hygiene, 100.0% had not received guidance on the sugar contained in medicines or the salivary decrease caused by the medications. 34.8% of the children did not perform oral hygiene during hospitalization. According to medical records, 58.7% took liquid medication orally. Conclusion:The hospitalized children had precarious oral health conditions, with the occurrence of carious lesions of the teeth. The presence of risk factors for dental caries in hospitalized children was observed (poor oral hygiene, low schooling and income of parents/guardians, limited knowledge of parents/guardians regarding health care and oral hygiene, consumption of medicines with cariogenic potential) (AU).

Geriatric Assessment in a Primary Care Environment: A Standardized Patient Case Activity for Interprofessional Students.

Introduction: Given the aging population and the benefits of comprehensive geriatric assessment to this subset of patients, an interprofessional education training approach may be advantageous for learners from a number of different health professions. Methods: Through intercollegiate collaborations involving seven different colleges, an interprofessional simulation using standardized patients was developed and instituted for learners in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dental hygiene, and dietitian programs. Herein, we describe the design of the simulation experience and examine its impact on students, as assessed primarily via written reflective comments provided via exit slips at the conclusion of the activity. Results: Of the 340 student participants, 83% submitted exit slips describing something gained from the interprofessional session that would not have occurred if students had completed the activity with only students from their own discipline. Three key themes were identified from these reflections: new understanding of roles and responsibilities of other disciplines, new knowledge or skills pertaining to geriatric assessments, and the value of teamwork. Discussion: Reflective comments from students regarding the interprofessional experience are evidence of this initiative's benefits, which include increasing knowledge of geriatric medical and allied health-provided care and attainment of interprofessional competencies.

[Primary Care and oral health promotion: Assessment of an educational intervention in school children]. / Atención Primaria y promoción de la salud bucodental: evaluación de una intervención educativa en población infantil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short and medium term effectiveness of a Primary Care-driven oral health promotion intervention. DESIGN: A non-randomised community intervention trial. SETTING: Three socio-demographically similar primary schools of a deprived neighborhood in Granada, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-two intervention and 109 control students aged 5 to 6, as well as the teachers and the parent's association of the intervention school (IS) participated in the study. INTERVENTION: School-based health promotion activities aimed at students, and regular meetings with the teachers and parents of the IS during 2 consecutive years. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Students' oral health-related knowledge and behavior, assessed via questionnaires distributed before the intervention, and 6 and 18 months afterwards. RESULTS: Compared to the control groups at 18 months, students belonging to the IS reported enhanced oral health knowledge (OR 3.54; 95% CI 1.46-8.58), and an increased consumption of healthy food at breakfast (OR 2.95; 95% CI 1.26-6.89) and during mid-afternoon snack (OR 3.67; 95% CI 1.49-9.05). A significant decrease was seen in the intake of pastries (OR 4.05; 95% CI 1.68-9.81) and sweetened soft drinks and juices (OR 3.79; 95% CI 1.57-9.12) amongst intervention compared to control students in the medium term (18 months). No significant improvements were observed concerning oral hygiene in the IS. CONCLUSIONS: School-based educational interventions, when developed through an intersectoral and participative approach and considering the socio-economic context, appear to be effective in improving students' diet-related knowledge and behaviors.

Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs for Children with Special Needs: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Objective: To determine the oral health status along with the treatment need among Arabian children with special health care needs. Material and Methods: Fifty-seven special health care needs children aged 17 or younger, studying at RAK-RCD were recruited for the study. In addition to demographic data, the subjects were screened for the type of disability, oral health status, dental caries, occlusion abnormalities, and type of treatment required. Dental caries was recorded according to the WHO oral health survey criteria and methods. Oral hygiene status was recorded as good, fair, or poor according to the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (S-OHI). Occlusion anomalies were categorized using Angle's classification of occlusion Results: Fifty-four subjects aged 3-17year old, comprising 70.4% males and 29.6% females participated in the study. There were 7 (13%) subjects in the 3-5 years age group, 23 (42.6%) in the 6-10 years age group, and 24 (44.4%) in the 11-17 years age group. Twenty-two (26%) subjects had Down Syndrome (DS), 14 (25.9%) Mental Disability, 9 (16.7%) Autism, 5 (9.3%) deafness and hearing loss and 4 (7.4%) multiple disabilities. Forty-six (85.2%) had dental caries with a mean dmft/DMFT score of (5.67± 4.69). Only eight (14.8%) were caries-free. Thirty-five (64.8%) had good oral hygiene, 25.9% fair oral hygiene and 9.3% poor oral hygiene, with statically insignificant differences across gender (p=0.43), age groups (p=0.11). Nevertheless, there was a significant difference between oral hygiene and the types of disabilities (p=0.0004). Up to 41% of the subjects required oral prophylaxis, 89% restorations, 13% extractions, 20% orthodontic treatment, and 11% dental prosthesis Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of dental caries and periodontal diseases among the subjects. The study highly recommends the education of the children's parents and caregivers on the need for diet modification, meticulous oral hygiene, and regular dental visits. Furthermore, there is a great deal of oral health program the RAK Rehabilitation Center for Disabled need to achieve.

Occurrence of Gingivitis and Oral Hygiene in Individuals with Down Syndrome

Abstract Objective: To determine the frequency distribution of gingivitis and oral hygiene in individuals with Down syndrome. Material and Methods: This study used a cross-sectional descriptive method and the subjects were 174 individuals with Down syndrome aged ≥14 years attending type C (intellectual disability) special needs schools in Jakarta. Gingivitis was measured using the gingival index, and oral hygiene was measured using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). The measurement of the two components of plaque and calculus was completed on six teeth on different surfaces, including the facial side of three maxillary teeth, the lingual side of the two posterior mandibular teeth, and the labial side of one anterior mandibular tooth. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the absolute and relative frequencies Results: 3.4% had no gingivitis, 47.2% had mild gingivitis, 40.8% had moderate gingivitis, and 8.6% had severe gingivitis. Regarding oral hygiene, 28.2% had good hygiene, 49.4% had fair, and 22.4% had poor hygiene Conclusion: Individuals with Down syndrome had a frequency distribution of gingivitis mainly in the mild and moderate categories, and a majority of subjects had fair OHI-S.

Synergy in Social Action: A Dental Hygiene Theory.

Purpose: The intent of this qualitative study was to construct a new theory for the discipline of dental hygiene. Dental hygienists' experiences while participating in legislative efforts to expand their scope of practice and the provision of direct access to oral care were explored as social action experiences.Methods: A grounded theory approach was used to collect and analyze data. Using semi-structured interviews, data were collected from eight practitioners in three states, who met the inclusion criteria. Data analysis consisted of three separate coding procedures: initial, focused and theoretical. Critical theory was used as the theoretical lens, which focused on the struggle to improve access to care.Results: The learning process was categorized into actions: Committing to Social Action, Challenging the Status Quo to Improve Access to Care, Surviving in Social Action and Envisioning the Future The education process involved: Raising Critical Awareness of Underserved Populations' Oral Health Needs, Building Support for Improving Access to Care, Sustaining Support for Social Action and Building the Next Generation of Dental Hygiene Practitioners The resulting theory, Synergy in Social Action, is composed of three key elements which provide energy to sustain momentum for social action through the interaction both within and among these elements. The identified elements are: learning and educating process, critical awareness and empowerment, and individual and collective action.Conclusion: The Synergy in Social Action Theory provides the means to understand the challenge of improving access to oral health care from a new vantage point and advances dental hygiene as a discipline with its own theories.

Effectiveness of an Educational Module on Dental Hygiene Students' Attitudes Towards Persons with Disabilities.

Purpose: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) perceive gaps in health care providers' understanding of their health care needs are more likely to delay or not seek health care as compared to persons without disabilities. Oral health is considered an essential component of overall health, however, disparities exist in the United States, especially for persons with disabilities. Improving the education and training of dentists and dental hygienists may contribute to reducing oral health care barriers for PWDs. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether offering an education module about individuals with disabilities would change dental hygiene students' attitudes and capacity for informed empathy for PWDs.Methods: An educational module utilizing a DVD featuring authentic representation of PWDs, along with student discussions and self-reflection was developed and delivered to 165 (n=165) dental hygiene students attending a 2-year community college and a 4-year university. Students consenting to participate in the study were assessed regarding their attitudes and comfort towards caring for PWDs prior to, and following the educational module. Pre- and post-assessment measures included the validated Attitude Toward Disabled Persons, and Attitudes toward Patient Advocacy Microsocial (AMIA) scale. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) was used as a pre-assessment measure.Results: A total of 58 (n=58) dental hygiene students, 35 (n=35) from a 4-year university and 23 (n=23) from a 2-year community college, consented for this study, for an overall participation rate of 35%. Scores increased significantly for both student groups after delivering the education module on the AMIA patient advocacy scale. Differences in IRI scores between the 2-year and 4-year dental hygiene programs approached statistical significance.Conclusion: An education module based on informed empathy with a focus on the experiences of PWDs can result in improved attitudes toward advocacy for this population.

Risk assessment models to predict caries recurrence after oral rehabilitation under general anaesthesia: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Oral rehabilitation under general anaesthesia (GA), commonly employed to treat high caries-risk children, has been associated with high economic and individual/family burden, besides high post-GA caries recurrence rates. As there is no caries prediction model available for paediatric GA patients, this study was performed to build caries risk assessment/prediction models using pre-GA data and to explore mid-term prognostic factors for early identification of high-risk children prone to caries relapse post-GA oral rehabilitation. METHODS: Ninety-two children were identified and recruited with parental consent before oral rehabilitation under GA. Biopsychosocial data collection at baseline and the 6-month follow-up were conducted using questionnaire (Q), microbiological assessment (M) and clinical examination (C). RESULTS: The prediction models constructed using data collected from Q, Q + M and Q + M + C demonstrated an accuracy of 72%, 78% and 82%, respectively. Furthermore, of the 83 (90.2%) patients recalled 6 months after GA intervention, recurrent caries was identified in 54.2%, together with reduced bacterial counts, lower plaque index and increased percentage of children toothbrushing for themselves (all P < 0.05). Additionally, meal-time and toothbrushing duration were shown, through bivariate analyses, to be significant prognostic determinants for caries recurrence (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Risk assessment/prediction models built using pre-GA data may be promising in identifying high-risk children prone to post-GA caries recurrence, although future internal and external validation of predictive models is warranted.

Increasing clinical relevance in oral radiology: Benefits and challenges when implementing digital assessment.

AIMS: The aims of the study were to investigate benefits and challenges in implementing a digital examination and study the clinical relevance of the digital examination in relation to clinical training and practice. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was based on semi-structured focus-group interviews from two distinct student populations (2016 and 2017) in a bachelor programme in dental hygiene. In addition, conversational data from a plenary discussion from the whole second student population (2017) were collected and analysed. The data were approached on basis of content analysis. RESULTS: A benefit experienced in the digital examination was the ease in typing and editing answers on the computer. This suggests an increased effectiveness in computer-based compared to analogue examinations. An additional advantage was the experienced relevance of the examination related to the clinic. This finding refers not only to the digital presentations of images, but also to the entire setting in the clinic and dental practice. The limitations reported by the students were non-optimal viewing conditions for presenting radiographic images and difficulties in obtaining an overview of the assignments compared to paper-based examinations due to the linear digital examination format. The last finding on lacking overview revealed an influence on student performances which should be taken seriously in designing digital examinations. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the digital layout increases efficiency and clinical relevance of examinations to a certain extent. Obstacles were found in limitations related to image presentation and lack of overview of the examination. The latter challenge raises questions related to developing suitable assessment software.