Estudio del miedo en pacientes frente a la extracción del tercer molar / Study of fear in patients facing third molar extraction

El tratamiento odontológico sigue siendo percibido en la actualidad como una experiencia atemorizadora para muchas personas. Se han establecido diversos métodos para tratar de evaluar el temor y ansiedad que refieren las personas cuando deben recibir tra-tamientos bucales. Sin embargo, estos no han sido aplicados adecuadamente como parte de la atención clínica cotidiana. Considerando esto, podría suponer-se que el miedo es uno de los factores desencadenan-tes en la deserción de los tratamientos odontológicos, y las personas asistirían solo en el momento de una urgencia. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar el afrontamiento de emociones (miedo) en los pacien-tes que concurren a la consulta para la extracción de un tercer molar en la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (FOUBA). La metodología que se utilizó fue cuantitativa y cualitativa. El diseño fue exploratorio-descriptivo (AU)

Dental treatment is still perceived today as a frightening experience for many people. Various methods have been established to try to assess the fear and anxiety that people report when they must receive oral treatments, however, these have not been adequately applied as part of daily clinical care. Considering this, it could be assumed that fear is one of the triggering factors in desertion of dental treatments and people would attend only at the time of an emergency. The objective of this study was to analyze the coping with emotions (fear) in patients who attend the consultation for the extraction of a third molar at the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Buenos Aires (FOUBA). The methodology used was quantitative and qualitative. The design was exploratory-descriptive (AU)

Perfil de caries de la infancia temprana / Profile of early childhood caries

La Caries de la Infancia Temprana (CIT) se ha descrito como una patología de origen multifactorial en niños hasta los 71 meses de edad. Se considera como Ca-ries de la Infancia Temprana Severa (CITS) cuando a los 3 años el índice ceod es ≥ 4; a los 4 años, ≥ 5, y a los 5 años ≥ 6. La rehabilitación de las lesiones provo-cadas por esta patología puede ser compleja debido a la calidad y cantidad de estructura remanente y a la edad de los pacientes afectados. Objetivos: Estimar la frecuencia de CIT y CITS en niños menores a 72 me-ses que concurrieron para su atención, e identificar el tipo de práctica realizada, y la adhesión al trata-miento. Métodos: Diseño retrospectivo observacional sobre las historias clínicas de pacientes menores a 72 meses asistidos por los cursantes de la Especiali-zación en Odontopediatría, entre febrero 2021 y julio 2022. Resultados: La muestra quedó constituida por 101 niños, de 46+13,5 meses. El 91% presentó CITS. La totalidad de los pacientes mantuvieron lactancia nocturna prolongada después del año, siendo en el 72,3% a libre demanda durante el sueño, en un perío-do de 23+6 meses. Se registró un total de 1010 lesio-nes de caries. El 29,3% de los pacientes abandonaron el tratamiento. Conclusiones: La mayor parte de los niños presentaron Caries de la Infancia Temprana Severa, con altos valores de patología y lactancia noc-turna prolongada a libre demanda después del año Los tratamientos recomendados en estos casos son muy prolongados y requieren de prácticas invasivas, complejas y de alto costo, lo que provoca el abandono del tratamiento (AU)

Early childhood caries (ECC) is defined as a multifactorial disease in children 71 months of age or younger. When the dmft index is ≥4 (age 3), ≥5 (age 4), or ≥6 (age 5) it is referred to as Severe early childhood caries (SECC). Management of ECC is complex due to the quality and quantity of remaining structure of teeth at an early age. Objectives: To estimate the frequency of ECC and SECC in children < 72 months of age undergoing comprehensive treatment, to identify the type of treatment provided and treatment compliance. Methods: Retrospective observational design on dental records of patients under 72 months of age treated by Pediatric Dentistry Specialty Program students between February 2021 and July 2022. Results: The sample included 101 children, mean age 46+13.5 months, 91% of patients with SECC. All patients were fed nightly for over 1 year, 72.3% of whom were fed nightly on demand over a period of 23±6 months. A total of 1010 caries lesions were detected. 29.3% of children discontinued treatment. Conclusions: Most of the children presented severe early childhood caries with high values of pathology and prolonged nocturnal breastfeeding on demand after one year. The recommended treatments in these cases are very long and require invasive, complex and expensive practices, which causes abandonment of the treatment (AU)

Prevalência e características da disfunção temporomandibular de pacientes de uma clínica escola de Odontologia / Prevalence and characteristics of temporomandibular dysfunction of patients in a Dentistry clinic-school

Objetivos: determinar a prevalência da disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) em pacientes de uma clínica escola de Odontologia, descrever o perfil epidemiológico da amostra analisada, caracterizar o grau dessas disfunções e identificar os sinais e sintomas orofaciais mais frequentes. Método: estudo epidemiológico, do tipo transversal, que avaliou pacientes da Clínica Escola de Odontologia da Universidade de Rio Verde, GO. A pesquisa foi realizada através de três questionários: Índice Anamnésico Simplificado de Fonseca (IASF), Questionário para Triagem para Dor Orofacial (QTDO), questionário sociodemográfico e econômico. Resultados: foram analisados 200 pacientes, dentre os quais 78,5% apresentaram algum grau de DTM, sendo o mais prevalente a DTM de leve intensidade, presente em 38% da amostra. Conclusão: nesse cenário, conclui- -se que a maioria dos participantes apresentou DTM, sendo que a intervenção multidisciplinar seria de suma relevância no tratamento, podendo oferecer uma abordagem mais completa e com melhores resultados.(AU)

Objectives: to determine the prevalence of TMD in patients at a dental school clinic, as well as describe its epidemiological profile for the evaluated sample, characterizing the degree of this dysfunction and identifying the most frequent orofacial signs and symptoms. Method: it is an epidemiological, cross-sectional study that evaluated patients at the School of Dentistry clinic, University of Rio Verde, GO, Brazil. The study was carried out using three questionnaires: Simplified Fonseca Anamnesis Index (SFAI), Orofacial Pain Screening Questionnaire (OPSQ), and the socio-demographic and economic questionnaire. Results: 200 patients were evaluated, among which 78.5% had some degree of TMD, the most prevalent being mild TMD, present in 38% of the sample. Conclusion: most participants had TMD, and multidisciplinary intervention would be of paramount importance in the treatment, being able to offer a more complete approach and with better results.(AU)

Analysis of treatments performed at a university dental trauma service in southern Brazil / Análise dos tratamentos realizados em um serviço universitário de trauma dental no sul do Brasil

This retrospective observational study aimed to analyze cases assisted at the Dentoalveolar Trauma Clinic of the School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (FO-UFRGS) from March 2015 to March 2018, according to the treatments performed on traumatized permanent teeth and the results after one year of follow-up. The sample was based on information collected from clinical records of 92 patients, referring to a) data before treatment, b) data on the diagnosis and proposed treatment, and c) data on the follow-up period. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. Most patients were male (56.5%) and aged six to 11 (30.4%) and older than 18 (29.1%) years. The prevalent cause of trauma was falling, and 59% of patients were first assisted within 24 hours. The most frequent traumas were enamel and dentin fractures with and without pulp exposure (6.3%), lateral luxation (1.4%), and avulsion (1.9%). Endodontic treatment was usually performed on traumatized teeth (7.2%). Of the 92 patients, 58 returned for maintenance visits with a mean follow-up of one year. Most patients had successful treatments. Prompt care and patient follow-up were essential for the good prognosis of traumatized teeth.(AU)

O objetivo do presente estudo observacional retrospectivo foi analisar os casos atendidos na clínica de trauma dentoalveolar da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (FO-UFRGS) no período de março de 2015 a março de 2018, de acordo com os tratamentos realizados em dentes permanentes traumatizados, assim como os resultados observados após 1 ano de seguimento. A amostra foi baseada na coleta de informações em prontuários clínicos de 92 pacientes, referentes a: a) dados anteriores ao tratamento; b) dados referentes ao diagnóstico e ao tratamento proposto; e c) dados referentes ao período de acompanhamento. Foi realizada análise estatística descritiva e inferencial. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo masculino (56,5%), com idades entre 6 e 11 anos (30,4%) e mais de 18 anos (29,1%). A principal causa do trauma foi queda, sendo que 59% dos pacientes receberam o primeiro atendimento em 24 horas. Os traumas mais frequentes foram fratura de esmalte e dentina, com e sem exposição pulpar (6,3%), luxação lateral (1,4%) e avulsão (1,9%). O tratamento endodôntico foi frequentemente realizado nos dentes traumatizados (7,2%). Dos 92 pacientes, 58 retornaram para consultas de manutenção com um acompanhamento médio de 1 ano. A maioria dos pacientes apresentou sucesso após o tratamento. O atendimento no tempo correto, assim como o acompanhamento dos pacientes, foi fator fundamental para o bom prognóstico dos dentes traumatizados.(AU)

Profesionales de odontología y la COVID-19: resultado de una encuesta / Dental professionels and the COVID-19: results from a survey

A partir de una propuesta del Comité de Investigaciones del Ateneo Argentino de Odontología se realizó una encuesta anónima transversal para conocer el estado de los odontólogos en relación con la infección provocada por la covid-19 ya que los afecta de una manera especial debido a las características del virus SARS-CoV-2 y su forma de trasmisión (AU)

From a proposal of the Research Committee of the Argentine Athenaeum of Dentistry, an anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted to know the status of dentists in relation to the infection caused by covid-19 and that particularly affects dentists due to the characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its form of transmission (AU)

Changes of knowledge and practical skills before and after retraining for basic life support: Focused on students of Dental School.

Background: Considering the increasing possibility of emergency situations in dental clinics over time, we conducted this study to evaluate the changes in the knowledge and practical skills of students of dental school before and after retraining for 2 years after the initial education on basic life support (BLS) of the American Heart Association (AHA). Methods: All third-year students of dental school who had received the same education on BLS provider training of the AHA 2 years earlier were included in this study. Among them, 98 students were asked to answer a questionnaire about BLS knowledge and conduct a practical skills assessment of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation using Little Anne QCPR before and after retraining. Results: After retraining, the level of BLS knowledge increased in all 7 categories, and BLS performance increased in all 19 subcategories. Comparison of the QCPR numerical data items before and after retraining showed that all items after retraining met the criteria recommended by the AHA. Conclusion: Students of dental school had low levels of knowledge and practical skills of BLS before retraining after 2 years from the initial education and had high levels after retraining. Therefore, BLS training must be updated periodically, and more effective education methods are required to maintain BLS knowledge and practical skills.

International mobility of students in the medical disciplines from a comparative perspective.

Objective: We analyze the extent to which students of human, veterinary and dental medicine complete study-related stays abroad (frequency, type and duration of stays abroad and countries visited). Furthermore, we investigate the possible correlations between completed stays abroad and the duration of studies, the completion of a doctorate and entering professional life. Methods: The data come from a written cross-sectional survey of 742 graduates of their respective study programs at Bavarian universities. The evaluation was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: Slightly more than half of the surveyed students completed study-associated stays abroad, with notable differences between the three study programs. The students most frequently completed internships abroad lasting an average of nine weeks. Switzerland was the most common country of destination for the stays abroad. Furthermore, there were no or only weak correlations between stays abroad, the duration of studies and progress towards a doctorate or the commencement of professional employment abroad. There were no correlations with the stress experienced as part of initial employment after graduation. Conclusion: The results clearly indicate that stays abroad are quite usual for students in the medical disciplines and are almost standard in the study of human medicine. The selection of the countries visited indicates that the primary goal of the students' stays abroad is to deepen their competence with a view to later employment in their home country.

Acceptance of systematic reviews as Master/PhD theses in Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether a master and PhD thesis in Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry can be based on a systematic review (SR). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed the coordinators of Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry using a self-administered questionnaire including questions about whether an SR meets requirements for approval of a master or PhD thesis, instructions regarding how to use an SR as the method for a master or PhD thesis, and reasons and barriers that SRs were not recognized as acceptable for a master or PhD thesis. The responses were analyzed descriptively, and tables and graphs were created to summarize the data. RESULTS: Among 101 graduate programs invited to participate in the study, 38 (37.6%) returned the questionnaire. Over three-quarters of surveyed programs (n = 30, 78.1%) answered that SRs, in whole or in part, meet the criteria for a master or PhD thesis. Likewise, most programs answered that a master or PhD thesis could be exclusively based on an SR (n = 28, 73.7%). The same number of programs pointed out that one possible reason for not recognizing SRs as a master or PhD thesis is either the lack of SR expertise among committee members (n = 28, 73.7%) or the lack of adequate training of candidates in SR methodology (n = 26, 68.4%). CONCLUSIONS: SRs are well accepted as a master or PhD thesis by Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry. Educational initiatives should be encouraged to promote understanding of SR methodology and increase acceptance among graduate programs worldwide.

Dentofacial mini- and microesthetics as perceived by dental students: A cross-sectional multi-site study.

BACKGROUND: How dental education influences students' dental and dentofacial esthetic perception has been studied for some time, given the importance of esthetics in dentistry. However, no study before has studied this question in a large sample of students from all grades of dental school. This study sought to fill that gap. The aim was to assess if students' dentofacial esthetic autoperception and heteroperception are associated with their actual stage of studies (grade) and if autoperception has any effect on heteroperception. METHODS: Between October 2018 and August 2019, a questionnaire was distributed to 919 dental students of all 5 grades of dental school at all four dental schools in Hungary. The questionnaire consisted of the following parts (see also the supplementary material): 1. Demographic data (3 items), Self-Esthetics I (11 multiple- choice items regarding the respondents' perception of their own dentofacial esthetics), Self-Esthetics II (6 Likert-type items regarding the respondents' perception of their own dentofacial esthetics), and Image rating (10 items, 5 images each, of which the respondents have to choose the one they find the most attractive). Both the self-esthetics and the photo rating items were aimed at the assessment of mini- and microesthetic features. RESULTS: The response rate was 93.7% (861 students). The self-perception of the respondents was highly favorable, regardless of grade or gender. Grade and heteroperception were significantly associated regarding maxillary midline shift (p < 0.01) and the relative visibility of the arches behind the lips (p < 0.01). Detailed analysis showed a characteristic pattern of preference changes across grades for both esthetic aspects. The third year of studies appeared to be a dividing line in both cases, after which a real preference order was established. Association between autoperception and heteroperception could not be verified for statistical reasons. CONCLUSION: Our findings corroborate the results of most previous studies regarding the effect of dental education on the dentofacial esthetic perception of students. We have shown that the effect can be demonstrated on the grade level, which we attribute to the specific curricular contents. We found no gender effect, which, in the light of the literature, suggests that the gender effect in dentofacial esthetic perception is highly culture dependent. The results allow no conclusion regarding the relation between autoperception and heteroperception.

Awareness on oral cancer among patients attending dental school clinics in Brazil

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer is considered a public health problem worldwide. Dental schools may play an important role in educating patients about oral cancer. This study aimed at evaluating the knowledge of patients attending clinics at two dental schools in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From March 2017 to April 2017, 251 patients who were attending clinics at two dental schools in Recife, Brazil, were included in the study. Patients were contacted in the waiting rooms of the clinic. Each participant completed a self-administered questionnaire, which consists of 21 questions, including socio-demographic and specific information on the disease. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and a chi-square test (with a 5% significance level) was used to assess the correlation between the variables, education and family income and other variables. RESULTS: Most participants were women (64.9%) with a mean age of 42.72 years. Most participants were knowl-edgeable about oral cancer and identified tobacco use (48.6%), alcohol consumption (25.1%), and solar radiation (12%) as the primary risk factors for the disease. Only 36.7% of the participants reported having received counsel-ling on oral cancer, of which 18.3% received the information from a dentist. All patients with an income higher than six minimum wages were aware about oral cancer (p = 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the importance of educational programs in dental schools as well provid-ing integrated services for patients seeking care at school clinics, including population's awareness on oral cancer

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Have Women Broken the Glass Ceiling in North American Dental Leadership?

In the last few decades, the number of women graduating from North American (NA) dental schools has increased significantly. Thus, we aimed to determine women's representation in leadership positions in NA dental and specialty associations/organizations, dental education, and dental journals, as well as the proportion of men/women researcher members of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR). We contacted NA dental associations to provide us with the total number and the men/women distribution of their members. Men/women distributions in leadership positions were accessible from the internet, as were data on the sex of deans of NA dental schools. Data on the editors in chief of NA dental journals were gathered from their websites, and the AADR provided the number and sex of its researcher members. Collected data underwent descriptive statistics and binomial tests (α = 0.05). Our findings suggest that women are underrepresented in leadership positions within the major NA dental professional associations. While the median ratio of women leaders to women members in professional associations is 0.91 in Canada, it is only 0.67 in the United States. The same underrepresentation of women is evident in the leadership of the Canadian Dental Association and the American Dental Association. We found that women are underrepresented as deans and editors in chief for NA oral health journals. Only 16 of 77 NA dental school deans are women, while 3 of 38 dental journals have women editors in chief. The probability of finding these ratios by chance is low. However, the number of women dental researcher AADR members underwent an overall increase in the past decade, while the number of men declined. These results suggest that, despite the increase in women dentists, it will take time and effort to ensure that they move through the pipeline to senior leadership positions in the same manner as their male colleagues.

Conscious sedation in Spanish dental schools: Current situation.

The current Spanish curricula for degrees in dentistry include conscious sedation (CS) as a basic training competency. However, is the CS training delivered by Spanish dental schools a consensus-based educational framework enabling students to use this anesthetic technique after graduation? To answer this research question, a study was designed aiming to identify the strategies used to teach this competency in Spanish dental schools and the characteristics of teaching. The authors reviewed legislation concerning officially established requirements for a degree in dentistry as well as curricula currently taught in Spain. Our analysis identified clear discrepancies among the schools of dentistry studied. The only overlap was observed in reference to the level of proficiency imparted, which prevents Spanish dentistry students from using this anesthetic technique after graduation. Specific features of the normative framework and of the Spanish legislative system underlying the design of the present curricula of degrees in dentistry would explain the discrepancies in CS competencies taught at our schools of dentistry. Almost 10 years since its implementation and in light of the new demands of the complex society in which we live, Spanish universities must unify their educational criteria regarding CS training to ensure the appropriate qualification of our new dentists in this technique.

The transition from amalgam to other restorative materials in the U.S. predoctoral pediatric dentistry clinics.

Increased concerns about the safety of amalgam restorations in children have resulted in many dental schools emphasizing the teaching of alternative dental materials. This study investigated the current teaching of different dental materials for use in posterior teeth in the United States predoctoral pediatric dentistry programs. In 2011, the authors invited the chairs of the predoctoral pediatric dentistry departments in all accredited dental schools at that time (N = 57) to participate in an internet-based survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe the frequency of using different restorative materials. Regression models were developed to explore the factors related to the use of dental restorations in predoctoral pediatric clinics. Among the 44 dental schools that responded (77% response rate), 74% used amalgam, and 93% used composite in primary posterior teeth. Glass ionomer was used by 61% of the schools in primary posterior teeth. Placing amalgam in primary posterior teeth was associated with programs that treated more 3-5-year-old patients (ß = .302, p < .043), whereas the use of glass ionomer was associated with having students serving at off-site satellite dental clinics (ß = .015, p < .012). In general, having departments with chairs who had positive attitudes towards Minimal Invasive Dentistry (MID) used composite (ß = .091, p < .0001) and glass ionomer (ß = 103, p < .0001) more frequently and were less likely to use amalgam (ß = -.077, p < .005) in primary posterior teeth. Although teaching MID concepts in predoctoral pediatric clinics in dental schools is increasing, the use of amalgam in posterior primary and permanent teeth is still widely practiced.

The Teaching of Personalized Dentistry in North American Dental Schools: Changes from 2014 to 2017.

The aim of this study was to assess the development of personalized dentistry in the curricula of North American dental schools from 2014 to 2017. In 2014, a web-based survey on personalized medicine/dentistry (PM/PD) was distributed to academic deans of all U.S. (n=65) and Canadian (n=10) dental schools with graduating classes. The results (n=42; 56% response rate) showed that few schools had plans for implementation of PM/PD at the time, even though the majority of respondents reported feeling that PM/PD should be taught in the curriculum and will impact clinical practice in the future. A three-year followup survey in 2017, sent to the same 75 schools, was designed to reassess the teaching/practice of PM/PD in dental schools in both didactic and clinical curricula. In the results of the 2017 survey (n=30; 40% response rate), the majority of respondents reported feeling that PM/PD should be taught in dental curricula. However, while most respondents indicated their schools did not teach PM/PD as a portion of their didactic curricula, they reported that specific pertinent PM/PD topics were taught as part of other courses in their curricula. The 2017 survey also evaluated the use of seven genetics-based and eight non-genetics-based PM/PD diagnostics in the schools' clinical curricula. Overall, non-genetics-based diagnostics were used more often than genetics-based diagnostics, and the use of genetics-based diagnostics was more prevalent in postgraduate than predoctoral clinics. Personalized dentistry will inevitably be part of the dental professional's future and should be reflected in basic science research, clinical settings, and dental school curricula in both predoctoral and postgraduate programs.

Ecualización de la empatía en estudiantes de dos sedes diferentes en una facultad de odontología de una universidad chilena / Empathy equalization in students from two different campus in a chilean faculty of dentistry

Objetivo. Comprobar que el proceso de ecualización para el atributo empatía se cumple entre dos sedes universitarias en los estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad San Sebastián (Chile). Material y Métodos. Se aplicó la Escala de Empatía Médica de Jefferson para medir la empatía y sus componentes en estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad San Sebastián en dos sedes (Santiago y Concepción, Chile). Las comparaciones se realizaron mediante un ANOVA Bifactorial (Modelo III), estimación del potencial de crecimiento posible y ecuaciones de regresión. Resultados. Se encontró que existen diferencias para el componente TPP entre las sedes y diferencias entre todos los componentes de la empatía cuando fueron comparados un mismo género entre sedes. Conclusión. La evidencia empírica muestra que el proceso de ecualización no se encuentra completado. Este estudio tiene importancia nacional y a nivel de América Latina por tres razones: a) muchas universidades en Chile y América Latina tienen sedes universitarias donde se imparten la misma carrera de pregrados, b) no existen evaluaciones de ecualización de la empatía en América Latina y c) se plantea una posible metodología para evaluar el cumplimiento de la ecualización.

Objective. Check that the equalization process for the empathy attribute is fulfilled between two university venues in the dentistry students of the San Sebastián University (Chile). Material and methods. The Jefferson Medical Empathy Scale was applied to measure empathy and its components in dental students of the San Sebastián University in two sites (Santiago and Concepción, Chile). The comparisons were made using a Bifactorial ANOVA (Model III), estimation of the possible growth potential and regression equations. Results. It was found that there are differences for the Taking Patient's Perspective component between the venues and differences between all the components of the empathy when the same genre was compared between venues. Conclusion. Empirical evidence shows that the equalization process is not complete. This study is of national and Latin American importance for three reasons: a) many universities in Chile and Latin America have university campuses where the same undergraduate courses are taught, b) there are no equalization evaluations of empathy in Latin America, and c) a possible methodology is proposed to evaluate the compliance of the equalization.

Elements of Undergraduate Education Related to Students' Academic Performance in the First Year of Dental School.

The aim of this study was to improve understanding of predictors of student success in dental school. A total of 178 student records from the Classes of 2015 and 2016 at a U.S. dental school were reviewed for this retrospective study. The records assessed included admissions files with such elements as scores on the Dental Admission Test (DAT), participation in a pipeline program, and undergraduate transcripts; academic records from the first term of dental school (class rank, course remediation, and withdrawal/dismissal from dental school); and National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part I results. The results showed that the DAT Perceptual Ability Test was positively related to performance in the first term of dental school (p=0.030). The DAT Academic Average (p<0.0001) and participation in a pipeline program (p=0.006) were found to be predictors of performance in the lower 25% of the class by end of first term rank. Taking organic chemistry in a summer term during undergraduate study was identified as a predictor variable for dismissal, withdrawal, or entry into a decompressed curriculum (p=0.025). Although this analysis found that traditional predictors of academic success in dental school were associated with strong academic performance in the study sample, it also provided a more complex assessment of factors that may be associated with students who struggle in the first year. As the vast majority of students in this sample successfully completed dental school, the results were not sought to inform admissions criteria, but rather to help academic and student affairs officers identify at-risk students in order to offer timely intervention.

Dental Students' Attitudes About Treating Populations That Are Low-Income Rural, Non-White, and with Special Needs: A Survey of Four Classes at a U.S. Dental School.

The aim of this study was to explore dental students' attitudes about treating populations that are low-income rural, non-white, and with special needs. All 259 students in all four years at one U.S. dental school were invited in January 2018 to participate in a survey with questions about treating these three populations in the following areas: personal value, perceived preparedness, comfort, future intent to treat, and professional responsibility. A total of 227 students completed the survey, for an overall 87.6% response rate. By class, participants were as follows: D1 n=63, 100% response rate; D2 n=60, 98.4% response rate; D3 n=67, 98.5% response rate; and D4 n=37, 53.6% response rate. The results showed that dental school class did not predict willingness to treat the specified populations. Regarding populations that are rural and non-white, personal value and professional responsibility significantly correlated with intent to treat. Women perceived stronger professional responsibility regarding treatment of populations that are low-income rural (M=1.97, SD=1.09; p=0.004) and non-white (M=1.95, SD=1.07; p=0.013) than did men (M=2.44, SD=1.23; M=2.34, SD=1.22, respectively). More advanced students reported greater preparedness regarding populations that are rural and non-white, but not patients with special needs. Preparedness correlated with intent to treat for patients with special needs only. Women were less comfortable than men in treating patients with special needs (χ2=6.10, p=0.014). Hometown residence had a limited effect for patients with special needs only. Rural residence did not predict students' attitudes about serving rural patients. Overall, the students reported positive intentions to serve populations that are low income, but showed less confidence and willingness in treating patients with special needs, especially among women. These results suggest that the students' comfort in serving patients with low income was more static and less malleable than preparedness. As preparedness and personal value were positively correlated, students may have found worthwhile what they felt prepared to do.

Educator and Student Hand Hygiene Adherence in Dental Schools: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Health professionals and their patients are subject to cross-contamination and potential exposure to harmful infectious diseases. A common form of cross-contamination is through dental procedures without proper instrument care and lack of hand hygiene. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the published research on the adherence of educators and students in academic dental institutions to hand hygiene procedures. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and included articles collected in the Cochrane, LILACS, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The initial search identified 1,196 articles. Ultimately, three studies were included for qualitative synthesis and two for the meta-analysis. The three articles had similar characteristics of observational hand hygiene research involving educators and dental students. In all three, hand hygiene among dental students did not reach 50% of the total number of opportunities, which is a troubling result. Although the hand hygiene rate of educators was higher than that of dental students, these findings point to a need to further promote hand hygiene to future professionals to avoid cross-contamination between health professionals and patients.

21st Century Realities: The Urgency of Diversifying the Dental Professional Field.

This article asserts that U.S. demographic shifts make it imperative that academic dental institutions and, in turn, the dental profession must diversify to best meet the needs of the nation's quickly changing population. In particular, it argues that the severe underrepresentation of African American and Hispanic students in dental schools is a detriment to those students who are being excluded from a field critical to the well-being of the population, their prospective peers who are thus not afforded the benefits of compositional diversity in the classroom, and the millions of Americans who live in areas with little to no access to culturally competent oral health care. With such complex challenges facing the profession, dental schools must evolve to prepare students of all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds to provide adequate oral health care to the country's changing population.

Interprofessional Education in U.S. Dental Hygiene Programs: Program Director Responses Before and After Introduction of CODA Standard 2-15.

A 2014 survey found that dental hygiene program directors perceived interprofessional education (IPE) as a priority for themselves and the dental hygiene profession in the U.S. The aim of this study was to explore whether IPE collaborations in dental hygiene programs and program directors' attitudes changed from 2014 to 2017 since the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Standard 2-15 on IPE was introduced in August 2016. In May 2017, directors of all 325 U.S. dental hygiene programs were invited to participate in a web-based survey. A total of 117 directors responded, for a 38% response rate, and their responses were then compared with the responses in 2014 (that survey had a 33% response rate). The results showed that, while the percentage of responding dental hygiene programs with a nursing program on campus had decreased (90% to 80%; p<0.022), the likelihood of having other health care-related programs on campus did not change. In 2017 as compared to 2014, the programs were still most likely to collaborate with nursing (50% vs. 46%) and other allied health professions (44% vs. 56%) and in intraprofessional education with dental assisting programs (41% vs. 41%). IPE was still most likely to occur in volunteer activities (68% vs. 73%), basic science courses (65% vs. 60%), and communications training (63% vs. 63%). In 2017, program directors rated IPE as less challenging for programs to manage than in 2014 (on five-point scale with 1=not at all challenging: 3.31 vs. 3.62; p=0.022). However, the responding directors did not view IPE as being as important to the profession in 2017 as the respondents reported in 2014 (3.29 vs. 3.88; p<0.001). The majority in 2017 agreed/strongly agreed that Standard 2-15 will improve the profile of dental hygiene as part of the health care team (77%) and contribute to integrating dental hygiene into interprofessional care (IPC) teams (78%). Overall, this study found that the introduction of an explicit IPE dental hygiene CODA standard in 2016 had already resulted in changes after only one year. However, the responding program directors' lower agreement with statements concerning their graduates' IPC-related competence deserves further attention.