Evaluation of Faculty Mentoring Practices in Seven U.S. Dental Schools.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the faculty mentoring practices in seven dental schools in the U.S. A 34-item survey was administered electronically to dental faculty members of all ranks, tracks, and job categories in seven dental schools using faculty listservs. Survey questions addressed current mentoring practices in which the faculty members were involved; their perceptions of those mentoring practices; their perceived characteristics of an ideal mentoring program, mentor, and mentee; perceived best practices; and respondents' demographics. The survey was conducted from October 2017 to February 2018. A total of 154 surveys were completed (response rate 22%). Over 58% (90/154) of the respondents reported receiving no mentoring; 31.9% (49/154) said they received informal mentoring; and 9.7% (15/154) received formal mentoring. Of the 64 respondents who received mentoring, both formal and informal, 92.2% (59/64) were full-time faculty, and 7.8% (5/64) were part-time faculty (p=0.001). Approximately 39% of the respondents indicated that their mentoring program was not overseen by anyone and that participation was voluntary. The top three perceived benefits of mentoring were increased overall professional development, development of a career plan, and increased professional networks. The three most important characteristics of an ideal mentoring program for the respondents were a program based on the needs of the mentee, a mentor who has the desire to help the mentee, and a mentee who is eager to learn. The results of this study showed a very low level of formal or informal faculty mentoring programs in the dental schools surveyed. Future studies are needed to determine best practices and strategies to expand and enhance mentoring of faculty members.

Bifid Mandibular Canal: A Case Review and Retrospective Review of CBCTs.

PURPOSE: This case presentation and retrospective review of cone-beam computed tomograms is to evaluate prevalence, classification, and demographics of bifid mandibular canals (BMC) to inform practitioners on this variation and avoid untoward complications due to failure to diagnose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two thousand one hundred thirty scans were evaluated by 2 oral and maxillofacial radiologists. BMCs were noted and classified according to Naitoh. Demographic data were also collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were noted to have bifid mandibular canal, with an average age of 39 years (± 19.5), with no strong sex predilection. Patients (1.31%) were noted to have bifid canals. A greater percentage of patients were shown to have bilateral bifid canals (42.9%) versus either unilateral side (25% left, 32.1% right), but is statistically insignificant. Prevalence was greatest in types 1 and 3 (35.9% and 51.3%, respectively, P = 0.000011). Types 2 and 4 were much less common. CONCLUSION: BMCs are an important anatomic variation that has implications on any mandibular surgery, including implant surgery. Just more than 1% of patients have this variation, but failure to recognize this in a patient can result in poor outcome, as illustrated in the case presented.

Ghost cell odontogenic tumor associated with odontoma--report of two rare cases.

The ghost cell odontogenic tumor (GCOT) is a neoplastic/cystic lesion with a diverse histopathological and clinical behavior It was formerly known as calcified odontogenic cyst, but in 2005 the World Health Organization categorized this lesion as an odontogenic, benign tumor rather than a cyst; nominating this neoplasm as calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor. A later comprehensive classification named it ghost cell odontogenic tumor because the most remarkable histopathologic characteristic is the presence of a mass of ghost cells embedded in the epithelium. We report two cases of a rare variant of a ghost cell odontogenic tumor associated with odontoma; to our knowledge, one is the youngest patient (four month old) reported in the English literature.

Primary maxillofacial large B-cell lymphoma in immunocompetent patients: report of 5 cases.

Lymphomas of the oral cavity represent 5% of all lymphomas. They usually occur in immunocompromised patients. Lymphoma arising within a single bone, without visceral or lymph node involvement, is known as primary intraosseous lymphoma. It is a rare condition and constitutes 3.1% of malignant bone tumors and 5% of extranodal lymphomas. Primary lymphoma of the jaw is seldom seen and it is often misdiagnosed. Clinically, the manifestations are usually similar to an odontogenic tumor, cyst, or infection. Radiographically it appears as a radiolucent area that may mimic endodontic lesion, periodontal pathology, or odontogenic cyst or tumor. The initial presentation is commonly followed by multiple unnecessary extractions and/or root canal treatments. We present five cases of rare primary lymphoma of the maxillofacial complex, four of them intraosseous.