Oral-hygiene-related self-efficacy in periodontal therapy: A 4-year longitudinal study.

AIM: Oral hygiene-related self-efficacy (OHSE) describes one's confidence to successfully execute oral hygiene behaviour. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term course of OHSE in patients during initial periodontal therapy (IPT) and supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) and its association with clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with periodontitis, undergoing either IPT or SPT, were evaluated at two timepoints. Clinical examination included pocket probing depths (PPDs), clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI). Patients' OHSE was assessed with a questionnaire. Statistical analyses included t-tests and linear regression models. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients from an initial group of 201 patients were evaluated after 4 years. The overall OHSE score increased significantly in the IPT group (mean 11.65 ± 15.6, p = .001). The increase in the OHSE category 'interdental cleaning' was significantly correlated with a decrease in the number of pockets requiring treatment (Spearman correlation rs = -.2349, p = .022) and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) (rs = -.2099, p = .042). CONCLUSIONS: Patients under IPT showed a significant increase of OHSE compared to those under SPT. Improved OHSE, particularly in interdental cleaning, appears to be associated with sustained success of periodontal therapy.

MasterOnline Periodontology and Implant Therapy-revisited after seven years: A case study of the structures and outcomes in a blended learning CPD.

INTRODUCTION: There is a great need for postgraduate training and continuing professional development (CPD), specifically in the field of periodontology. Despite the plenty of periodontal CPDs, there is a lack of information about the performance of CPDs in a blended learning setting. This study is a case study of the structures and outcomes in a blended learning CPD programme in periodontology, the MasterOnline Periodontology and Implant Therapy hosted by the University of Freiburg's Dental School. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The structures of the blended learning CPD were analysed with the aims to (i) make explicit how various innovative educational methods and ICT tools can be successfully applied to a Web-supported postgraduate periodontology training programme, (ii) identify the programme's impact on learning transfer in students' dental practices and (iii) identify other outcomes, synergies and any changes required during the existence. Using qualitative interviewing, the various types of learning transfer and elements of the study programme that foster transfer could be exemplified. RESULTS: A period of 7 years was analysed. In this duration, 50 students successfully graduated to a master of science. Qualitative interviews were performed with six students and four teachers affirming the learning transfer in a blended learning setting. CONCLUSIONS: This case study shows that blended learning can be a successful approach for CPD in dentistry.

An oral health optimized diet can reduce gingival and periodontal inflammation in humans - a randomized controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of four weeks of an oral health optimized diet on periodontal clinical parameters in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The experimental group (n = 10) had to change to a diet low in carbohydrates, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, and rich in vitamins C and D, antioxidants and fiber for four weeks. Participants of the control group (n = 5) did not change their dietary behavior. Plaque index, gingival bleeding, probing depths, and bleeding upon probing were assessed by a dentist with a pressure-sensitive periodontal probe. Measurements were performed after one and two weeks without a dietary change (baseline), followed by a two week transitional period, and finally performed weekly for four weeks. RESULTS: Despite constant plaque values in both groups, all inflammatory parameters decreased in the experimental group to approximately half that of the baseline values (GI: 1.10 ± 0.51 to 0.54 ± 0.30; BOP: 53.57 to 24.17 %; PISA: 638 mm(2) to 284 mm(2)). This reduction was significantly different compared to that of the control group. CONCLUSION: A diet low in carbohydrates, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, rich in vitamins C and D, and rich in fibers can significantly reduce gingival and periodontal inflammation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register; https://www.germanctr.de (DRKS00006301). Registered on 2015-02-21.

Can easy-to-use software deliver effective e-learning in dental education? A randomised controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: For the production of computer-based learning environments, a wide range of software solutions can be used which differ not only in their functionality but also vary in cost and ease to program. The aim of our study was to evaluate the overall efficiency and student's perception of two case-based e-learning programs that were produced with either an easy-to-use or a complex software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five dental students were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups. One group studied with a laborious, high-interactive e-learning program (complex-software group). The second group studied within a low-interactive learning environment (easy-software group) that was easy to be programmed. Both programs identically referred to a case report on localised aggressive periodontitis. Learning outcome was tested by a pre- and post-test. Furthermore, questionnaires on workload, motivation, perceived usefulness and perceived learning outcome were used. RESULTS: Learners in the easy-software group showed better results in the post-test F(1, 82) = 4.173, P < 0.044). DISCUSSION: Even easy-to-use software tools have the potential to be beneficial in dental education. Students were showing a high acceptance and ability in using both e-learning environments. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that e-learning programs for case-based learning do not have to be overly laborious to program to be useful. Based on our results, we want to encourage instructors to produce case-based e-learning tools with easy-to-use software.

The importance of teaching communication in dental education. A survey amongst dentists, students and patients.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the subjective importance of teaching communication in the dental curriculum by conducting a survey amongst dentists, students and patients. Three questionnaires about communication-related issues were developed in which different questions could be rated on a five-point Likert scale. These questions included the subjective importance of the dental team's friendliness, an elaborated consultation, modern office equipment or the dentist's technical skills. Seven hundred and twenty-nine questionnaires were completed [233 by dentists (32%), 310 by students (43%) and 185 by patients (25%)]. Eighty-seven percentage of the dentists, 84% of the students and 84% of the patients supported an integration of communicational issues in dental education; 94.7% of the dentists and 77.2% of the patients attached vital importance to the dentist-patient relationship regarding the therapeutic outcomes. Dentists with prior communicational training experience would spend significantly (P<0.001) more money for further courses. The results show the publicly perceived importance of integrating aspects of communication in dental education.

Guided tissue regeneration procedure with bioresorbable membranes versus conventional flap surgery in the treatment of infrabony periodontal defects.

AIM: Claims are being made that clinical results of periodontal flap surgery are enhanced when membranes are employed to aid GTR in intrabony pockets. It was the aim of our study to determine whether this assumption was true for a certain bioresorbable membrane (Guidor Matrix Barrier). METHOD: 44 intrabony defects were treated in 16 patients. In 21 lesions, conventional flap surgery only was performed, while in 23, similar lesion membranes were placed as an additional treatment task. Results were evaluated over a time span of 12 months. RESULTS: In all surgical areas, treatment resulted in significant improvement of parameters such as attachment levels and probing depths, as well as index values for plaque and bleeding on probing. This occurred whether membranes had been used or not, without any significant differences when comparing the collective results of both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of membranes during periodontal surgery for the enhancement of tissue regeneration in intrabony pockets is often both difficult and time consuming. In the light of our clinical results with resorbable membranes, such extra effort seems hardly warranted.

[Relation among oral hygiene, caries and gingivitis in 4-and 5-year old children in Frankfurt/Main area]. / Beziehung zwischen Mundhygiene, Karies und Gingivitis bei 4-und 5jahrigen Kindern im Raum Frankfurt/Main.

Caries and gingivitis are plaque-induced diseases. There is no doubt a correlation between the degree of oral cleanliness and the incidence of caries and gingivitis in school children and adults. Scientific information on such a correlation in pre-school children four and five years of age, however, is only scarce. Therefore, 345 children of this age group were examined and scored for plaque, gingivitis as well as toothloss, caries and fillings. There was clearly a correlation between the degree of oral hygiene and caries and gingivitis. Children of the five-year age group were more severely involved than the four-year olds. Dental examinations of pre-school children are, according to our experience, mainly concerned with recording dental caries and toothloss. Too little emphasis is usually paid to oral hygiene status and the presence of gingivitis. The data of our study suggest that by positively influencing the oral hygiene habits of young children, not only the incidence of tooth decay can be reduced but, at the same time, the appearance of gingival inflammation can largely be prevented. This may have a positive effect on the incidence of periodontal disease during later periods of life.