Evaluation of the diagnostic ability of oral lesions on clinical images among undergraduate dental students.

INTRODUCTION: The dentist should be able to carry out systematic oral examinations of the mucosa of patients in order to diagnose any alterations at an early stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, analytical, prospective, and longitudinal study was carried out. 161 students were evaluated at the beginning of their clinical practice in their 4th year of dental school (September 2019), at the beginning and at the end of their 5th year of dental school (June 2021). Thirty oral lesions were projected, and the students were asked to provide an answer; if the lesions were benign, malignant, or potentially malignant, whether they should be biopsied and/or treated and a presumptive diagnosis. RESULTS: Significant improvement (p < .001) was obtained between the 2019 and 2021 results, in relation to the classification, need for biopsy and treatment of lesions. For differential diagnosis, no significant difference (p = .985) was obtained between the 2019 and 2021 responses. Malignant lesions and PMD obtained mixed results, with the best results corresponding to OSCC. DISCUSSION: In this study, a correct lesion classification by the students was over 50%. As for the OSCC, the results were superior to the rest of the images, reaching more than 95% correct. CONCLUSION: Theoretical-practical training from universities and continuing education for graduates in relation to oral mucosal pathologies should be further promoted.

Adaptation of clinical subjects in Dentistry to virtual environments during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Spanish University: A case study.

INTRODUCTION: The evolution of the pandemic has generated a crisis in all areas, also including the faculties of dentistry. We detail how the teaching guides for clinical subjects have been adapted in the Department of Clinical Dentistry at the Universidad Europea of Madrid, moving to a 100% online environment. USUAL DEVELOPMENT OF CLINICAL PRACTICES IN THE DDS DEGREE OF UEM: Students in the fourth and fifth year of DDS degree take the courses "Introduction to Clinical Practice" and "Supervised Practice." Within the framework of continuous assessment, different systems and procedures are used to evaluate knowledge, skills or competences. CURRICULAR ADAPTATION DURING THE PERIOD OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: It was necessary to adapt the practical contents to virtual contents. 35% of the course (12 weeks) was adapted to a 100% online environment. Several activities were carried out that could be evaluated in real time, including lectures, clinical cases and resolution of multidisciplinary dental treatments. DEVELOPMENT OF CLINICAL PRACTICES IN HEALTH EDUCATION IN OTHER INSTITUTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC: A narrative review was conducted to identify how this situation has been addressed in other institutions and countries; finding that similarly, it has been possible to establish monitoring of clinical practices in a virtual environment. An online questionnaire was conducted to the fourth and fifth year students of DDS degree to stablish the acceptance of the adaptation during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of online training for the development of clinical practice, a system has been established to ensure appropriate clinical training for undergraduate students in dentistry. Some of the developments were well accepted by the students.

Valoración de parámetros relacionados con la ansiedad en primeras visitas y revisiones realizadas en clínica universitaria / Assessment of anxiety-related parameters in first visits and check-ups at the university clinic

La ansiedad dental puede considerarse un fenómeno universal con una alta prevalencia a nivel mundial. Esta ansiedad y el dolor dental son las principales causas de urgencias médicas en la consulta odontológica, por lo que su prevención supone una parte esencial para la seguridad del paciente y la calidad general de la atención que este recibe. El objetivo principal del estudio es valorar los niveles de ansiedad y la evolución de los valores de tensión arterial (TA) y frecuencia cardiaca (FC) de un grupo de pacientes durante la primera visita odontológica y las revisiones rutinarias. Además, se describe y compara la evolución de la TA y la FC en pacientes normo e hipertensos controlados, y el posible efecto del sexo y edad del paciente sobre estos parámetros. Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional analítico prospectivo sobre pacientes que acudieron para realizar primeras visitas y revisiones a la Clínica Universitaria de la Universidad Europea de Madrid entre octubre 2020 y febrero 2021. Los pacientes que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión rellenaron el Test de Corah y fueron sometidos a 4 mediciones diferentes de TA y FC. Se realizaron 48 primeras visitas; el 35,42% eran hombres y el 64,58% mujeres, con una edad de 44,79 ± 16,49 años. La puntuación del test de Corah tiende a ser superior en los pacientes hipertensos en pacientes de primera visita, y la edad es significativamente mayor en hipertensos. En el conjunto de pacientes de primeras visitas, la TAS y el pulso variaron a lo largo del procedimiento, siendo inferiores al final. No se observó esta diferencia en cuanto a la TAD. (AU)

Dental anxiety can be considered a universal phenomenon with a high prevalence worldwide. Dental anxiety and dental pain are the main causes of medical emergencies in the dental office, so their prevention is an essential part of patient safety and the overall quality of the care received. The main objective of the study is to evaluate the levels of anxiety and the evolution of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) values in a group of patients during the first dental visit and routine check-ups. In addition, we describe and compare the evolution of BP and HR in controlled normotensive and hypertensive patients, and the possible effect of the patient’s sex and age on these parameters. A prospective analytical observational study was carried out on patients who attended for first visits and check-ups at the University Clinic of the European University of Madrid between October 2020 and February 2021. Patients who met the inclusion criteria filled out the Corah Test and underwent 4 different measurements of BP and HR. Forty-eight first visits were performed;35.42% were men and 64.58% women, with an age of 44.79 ± 16.49 years. The Corah test score tended to be higher in hypertensive patients in first visit patients, and age was significantly higher in hypertensives. In the set of firstvisit patients, the ASR and pulse varied throughout the procedure, being lower at the end. No such difference was observed for DBT. (AU)