Depressive symptoms and their correlates among predoctoral dental students in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms among predoctoral dental students in the United States and examine potential correlates. METHODS: A survey was emailed to all 66 dental schools in the United States, inviting them to distribute it to their predoctoral students. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Data collection occurred from February to April 2020. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was used to assess associations between demographic variables and depressive symptom severity category, adjusting for potential confounding. RESULTS: Of an estimated 25,000 predoctoral dental students at the 66 schools, 631 students from 21 schools completed the survey. A total of 24.1% were categorized as having minimal or no depressive symptoms, 33.6% as having mild depressive symptoms, and 42.3% as having moderate, moderately severe, or severe depressive symptoms. Gender (p = 0.015) and race/ethnicity (p = 0.002) were significant predictors of severity, adjusting for other variables. Students identifying as female had higher odds of self-reporting greater depressive severity symptoms compared with students identifying as male. Students identifying as African American/Black (non-Hispanic) and Asian/Pacific Islander had higher odds of self-reporting greater depressive severity symptoms compared with students identifying as White. CONCLUSION: There is evidence of a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among predoctoral dental students in the United States. Demographic variables may be risk indicators within this population. Approaches to reduce depressive symptoms among US predoctoral dental students are needed.

Defining success in healthcare education: US dental student and faculty perspectives.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Academic metrics and clinical performance are necessary but alone insufficient in describing success in dental education. This paper identifies themes critical for dental student success as commonly cited by both dental students and faculty. METHODS: Dental faculty interviews and pre-doctoral D2/D3/D4 student focus groups at two dental institutions generated data for thematic analysis. Themes were individually identified then merged, compared, and contrasted to establish a definitive list of key themes reflected in student and faculty comments. RESULTS: Twenty-five pre-doctoral students participated in one of four focus groups (two focus groups at each dental institution). Thirteen dental education faculty across two institutions participated in structured interviews. Thematic analysis produced five overlapping themes identified by both students and faculty across the two institutions: seeking understanding, collaborative spirit, personal ownership, organization, and broadened perspective. Faculty-specific themes identified long-term retention, a strong moral compass, and self-sufficiency as critical for student success. Student-specific themes identified their most successful peers to have a positive attitude, a perspective focused on personal investment and self-care, as well as access to professional mentors. CONCLUSION(S): Both faculty and students in dental education perceive behaviors illustrative of a growth mindset as hallmarks of success in the oral healthcare profession. Relatedly, students exemplifying resilience and/or grit must believe their efforts to be worthwhile and impactful.

Correlates of burnout in predoctoral dental students in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to investigate correlates of burnout among predoctoral dental students in the United States. METHODS: All 66 dental schools in the US were invited to distribute a survey on topics such as demographics, year of dental school, and burnout to their predoctoral students. Burnout was assessed via the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, which has three subscales: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Multivariable modeling was conducted via generalized linear models using the lognormal distribution to adjust for confounding. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 631 students from 21 dental schools. When adjusting for confounding, students identifying as African American/Black (Non-Hispanic) (regression coefficient [95% CI]: -0.13 (-0.23, -0.02]) or Asian/Pacific Islander (-0.08 [-0.13, -0.02]) reported feeling significantly lower PA than students identifying as white. Students identifying as female reported feeling significantly greater EE (0.18 [0.10, 0.26]), but significantly less DP (-0.26 [-0.44, -0.09]), than students identifying as male. Third- (0.28 [0.07, 0.50]) and fourth-year (0.40 [0.17, 0.63]) students reported significantly higher EE than first-year students, while second- (0.40 [0.18, 0.62]), third- (1.06 [0.59, 1.53]), and fourth-year (1.31 [0.82, 1.81]) students reported significantly higher DP than first-year students. CONCLUSIONS: Risk indicators for burnout among US predoctoral dental students may depend on the dimension of burnout. Identifying those at higher risk of burnout can facilitate the implementation of counseling and other effective intervention strategies. Such identification can also provide insight into how the dental school environment might be contributing to the marginalization of those at higher risk.

Influence of the Posterior Mandible Ridge Morphology on Virtual Implant Planning.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the anatomy of the mandibular posterior region to develop an anatomical categorization for implant-prosthodontic planning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using cone beam computed tomography scans, 313 cross-sectional views of edentulous posterior mandibular sites were evaluated with respect to the anatomical ridge morphology. Virtual implant planning was performed, and the need for bone grafting was assessed. The level of complexity for planning implants in those positions was assessed. Sites were classified as straightforward, advanced, or complex sites based on the need for bone grafting. RESULTS: Five well-defined cross-sectional configurations were observed: straight (53.6%), oblique (26.2%), s-shape (7.4%), hourglass shape (1.9%), and basal bone (10.8%). There was a statistically significant association between the ridge shape and the feasibility of placing an implant with or without bone grafting; the straight and oblique ridge shapes were more likely to be associated with a favorable anatomy for implant placement. CONCLUSION: The ridge shape significantly influenced the ease or difficulty of placing an implant. The s-shape, hourglass, and basal bone posterior mandibular cross-sectional shapes were associated with a higher degree of difficulty.

Medication with calcium hydroxide improved marginal adaptation of mineral trioxide aggregate apical barrier.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium hydroxide premedication on the marginal adaptation of the mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apical barrier. METHODS: Forty single-rooted teeth were prepared and apically resorbed using sulfuric acid for 4 days. Teeth were allocated into two groups according to whether calcium hydroxide was placed in the canals for 1 week (medicated group) or not (nonmedicated group) before placing a 4-mm MTA apical plug in the canals. The roots were mounted on aluminum stubs, the root apex was viewed from the top under scanning electron microscopy, and the maximum distance between MTA and the surrounding dentin was measured. RESULTS: The mean gap widths in the medicated and nonmedicated groups were 70.2 µm and 130.0 µm, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Calcium hydroxide treatment improves marginal adaptation of the MTA apical plug.

Microscopic evaluation of cleaning efficiency of three different nickel-titanium rotary instruments.

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the cleaning efficiency of Mtwo, Race and Medin Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty mandibular molar mesial roots were selected with angle curvatures between 25-35 degrees and divided into three groups; each containing 20 teeth. Canals were prepared with the rotary files and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl solution after each instrument. Total of 5mL of normal saline was used as the final rinse; subsequently the canals were dried with paper points. The amount of debris and smear layer in three parts of the root canal walls was evaluated using SEM and the data were analyzed by using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The results for remnant debris in the coronal part of root canals were similar, whereas in the middle third, Mtwo instruments achieved significantly better results compared to Race and Medin instruments. In the apical third of the root canals more debris was created by Race instruments. CONCLUSION: Overall, Mtwo instruments had greater success in producing clean canals.