The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a difference between the academic performances--measured by grades and performance on national exams--of dental hygiene students enrolled in online and on-campus nutrition courses. Researchers gathered data from 54 dental hygiene students who took a nutrition class in the fall semesters of 1998 and 1999. Students' ages, their course averages, grade-point averages (GPA), and performance on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) were correlated, and regression analysis and two sample t-tests were performed on the data. The results indicated a weak r2 value (0.291) for GPA as a predictor of course performance and a low r2 value (0.074) for GPA as a predictor of the NBDHE score. Even though the online students had a higher GPA (not statistically significant), data suggests no difference in course average and performance on NBDHE tests between the online and on-campus students. A trend analysis indicated that students with a lower GPA who enrolled in the online courses performed lower than on-campus students.

BACKGROUND:

A growing body of research demonstrates the degree to which dental hygienists cite barriers to the provision of clinical therapy. Many of these barriers appear to be associated with challenges experienced in entry-to-practice clinical education. This review explores the intersection between clinical dental hygiene education and perceived barriers to the provision of effective clinical therapy.

METHODS:

Fifty full-text journal articles and eight graduate theses retrieved from PubMed, Education Source, SAGE Journals, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases were reviewed and thematically analysed. Results

/DISCUSSION:

Emergent themes revealed inconsistencies in dental hygienists' provision of clinical responsibilities; students' perceptions of calibration discrepancies in clinical dental hygiene education; clinical stressors influencing students' development of clinical skills; challenges in andragogic preparation; difficulty in recruiting qualified clinical educators; and challenges in students' transition to professional practice. Findings indicate time limitations, confidence, a desire for additional education, and a perceived lack of dentist support were leading barriers to dental hygienists' provision of clinical therapy. Dental hygiene students reported receiving inconsistent feedback from clinical educators and expressed a desire for greater clinical supervision and calibration. Clinical educators reported a desire for greater calibration efforts, faculty support, and andragogic preparation.

CONCLUSION:

A review of the literature demonstrates an association between the barriers cited to the implementation of clinical dental hygiene services in professional practice and challenges experienced within clinical dental hygiene curricula.

Background: The use of dental floss in public health programs is an economic problem due to its high cost. The raffia has been proposed an alternative material for interdental hygiene. Objective: Determine the effectiveness and patient preference of raffia used during two months as an alternative material for cleaning interproximal surfaces. Methods: This experimental double-blind study included 96 young individuals in the control group and 105in the experimental group. The study examined the pre- and post-test Quigley-Hein modified dental plaque index, Lõe & Silness gingival index, and the presence of grooves in the interproximal papilla and lip commissures. Data were written down in a soft tissue map-chart. Moreover, the Hannes et al. preference survey was applied. Results: A significant difference was observed between the average initial and final dental plaque indexes and gingival index in individuals who used raffia (p<0.05) and those in the control group who used dental floss (p<0.05). A greater proportion of subjects found raffia prone to tear, harmful for gums,thick, difficult to use in between the teeth, and uncomfortable to use. Conclusion: Raffia was effective in lowering the dental plaque index and gingival index scores. Regarding the users’ preference of using raffia problems related to comfort use were reported...

The biopsychosocial model is advocated as part of a more comprehensive approach in both medicine and dentistry. However, dentists have not traditionally been taught psychosocial screening as part of their predoctoral education. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of published studies on the implementation of screening for psychological comorbidity in dental and dental hygiene education. The term "psychological comorbidity" refers to the degree of coexisting anxiety, depression, or other mental health problems in a patient presenting with a physical condition. The review followed a protocol registered in PROSPERO (CRD42016054083) and was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using a ten-item tool developed for medical education. The electronic search in PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO from the inception of each database until December 31, 2016, together with a hand search, identified 1,777 articles. After abstracts were screened, 52 articles were reviewed in full text applying inclusion and exclusion criteria; four articles remained for the qualitative synthesis. Generally, the reported data on specific methods or instruments used for psychological screening were limited. Only one of the included articles utilized a validated screening tool. The results of this systematic review show that published data on the implementation of psychological patient assessment in dental and dental hygiene education are limited. To address this gap, the authors recommend short screening tools such as the Graded Chronic Pain Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety. Educating dental and dental hygiene students about easy-to-use, reliable, and validated screening tools for assessing psychological comorbidity warrants more research attention and greater implementation in educational curricula.

OBJECTIVES:

Dental patient-reported outcomes, especially the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) construct, are vital for evidence-based dentistry. This construct includes four dimensions (4D): Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact. This study updates previous work characterizing 4D OHRQoL impairment among patients in dental hygiene (DH) and dental therapy (DT) settings.

METHODS:

An expert panel revised previously determined DH and DT patient population groups to align them with current scopes of practice. An updated systematic review was then conducted to incorporate recent studies using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) to assess 4D OHRQoL in these populations. The search spanned 6 databases from January 1, 2023, to April 16, 2024.

RESULTS:

The panel identified 20 patient populations, representing the scope of DH and DT practice. The systematic review contained 19 studies (17 from the previous review and 2 new ones). Studies' OHRQoL data covered only 30 % of dental hygiene and dental therapy patient populations identified by the panel. The most frequently studied group was "therapeutic periodontal treatment-patients with periodontitis" (n = 17, 89 %), followed by "oral hygiene instructions-all patients" (n = 13, 68 %). Only four studies provided 4D OHRQoL data, showing the greatest impacts in Orofacial Pain (baseline

OHIP:

3.10-4.20; follow-up: 1.52-3.60) and Orofacial Appearance (baseline

OHIP:

0.44-2.50; follow-up: 0.91-2.25). Among studies reporting summary OHIP scores only (n = 15), overall OHRQoL impairment ranged from 1.40 to 42.35 at baseline and 1.50-40.56 at follow-up. All studies demonstrated a general trend of reduced OHRQoL impairment over time with treatment. Risk of bias was low, with no evidence of publication bias.

CONCLUSION:

Current evidence on OHRQoL impairment in DH and DT patient populations is limited, covering only a third of those treated by dental hygienists and therapists. Especially, scarce 4D OHRQoL data prompts the need for more research in this format. Despite these limitations, the findings show promising trends of reduced OHRQoL impairment over time for DH and DT patient populations.

AIMS:

As mandated reporters of elder abuse in many states, dental providers require training in identifying, reporting, and managing suspected cases. This review aims to identify elder abuse and neglect (EAN) curricular models and training programs found in the literature for dental/dental hygiene (DH) students, and other dental professionals, as well as summarize surveys of EAN's knowledge of practicing dentists/DHs, and to suggest recommendations for enhancing training programs including a dental-focused EAN screening tool.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

An electronic search in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane was performed up to and including July 2, 2024, to identify studies on elder abuse education/training found in dental schools, DH programs and continuing education courses for practicing dentists/DH. Nineteen studies on dental/DH curricula or surveys of knowledge about elder abuse were included in this review. Published studies included mailed or in-person surveys as well as in-person or online didactic training session(s) some of which contained pre- and post-session assessments. Survey results indicate that dental/DH students as well as practicing dentists have limited knowledge and confidence in reporting elder abuse. Included studies found that training programs are instrumental in increasing dental/DH student's and providers' knowledge and confidence in recognizing and reporting suspected cases of elder abuse during their clinical encounters.

CONCLUSION:

Reported dental/DH students and practitioners' knowledge about EAN is limited; however, training programs can improve knowledge and confidence. The inclusion of elder abuse education in dental school/DH curriculum and continuing education courses is needed to ensure current and future dental/DH practitioners possess adequate training in identifying, reporting, and managing suspected cases. The implementation of a standardized elder abuse screening tool for use in a dental clinical setting would be beneficial in identifying possible cases of abuse and neglect.

Presently, despite formal advances toward professional status and the acquisition of some professional attributes, dental hygiene may or may not be recognized as a profession. While dental hygienists in Alberta have a professional association that regulates the practice of dental hygiene, other professional attributes have yet to be attained. As the province's dental hygiene leaders begin to prepare recommendations to the Alberta government for the practice and direction of dental hygiene in Alberta, it is valuable for them to understand the different perceptions held by those affected. The study reported in this paper investigated the perceptions of Alberta dental hygienists and dentists regarding the professional status of dental hygiene in the province. Dental hygienists were selected to participate according to employment setting, while dentists were randomly selected. The questionnaire consisted of both open and closed ended questions, including Likert Scale items. Data were collected from questionnaires returned by 111 dental hygienists and 109 dentists. Two main points emerged from this study. The first is that although all dental hygienists recognize dental hygiene as an emerging profession, perceptions held by dental hygienists employed in private practice settings vary from those held by dental hygienists employed in traditional community care or alternative practice settings. The second recurrent theme is that dentists, while recognizing the expertise of dental hygienists, wish to retain economic control of dental hygiene. The article concludes by offering recommendations designed to increase the development of dental hygiene as a profession.

Nosocomial and ventilator associated pneumonias that plague critically ill, elderly and long-term care residents could be reduced with effective oral hygiene practices facilitated collaboratively between nurses and dental hygienists.

BACKGROUND:

Nosocomial pneumonias, specifically aspiration pneumonias and ventilator-associated pneumonias in the elderly and infirm have become a major health care issue, The provision of oral care in hospital and hospital-like facilities presents challenges that can prevent patients from receiving optimal oral care One sequela can be aspiration pneumonia which ranks first in mortality and second in morbidity among all nosocomial infections. Since aspiration pneumonia is linked to the colonization of oral bacteria in dental plaque and biofilm, it is time to look for creative solutions to integrating the expertise of dental hygienists into health care teams in these institutional settings.

METHODS:

A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted regarding the etiology and prevalence of health care related pneumonias. Evidence describing the challenges and barriers that the nurses, nursing staff, and dental hygienists face in the provision of oral care in hospitals and long-term care facilities is provided. Intercollaborative solutions to providing optimal oral care in hospitals and long-term care facilities are suggested.

CONCLUSION:

Dental hygienists have the expertise and practice experience to provide oral care in hospitals, long-term care and residential facilities. They can contribute to solving oral care challenges through intercollaboration with other health care team members. Yet, there are long-standing systemic barriers that must be addressed in order to provide this optimal care. Dental hygienists becoming better assimilated within the total health care team in hospital and residential facilities can positively impact the suffering, morbidity and mortality associated with aspiration pneumonias.

Dental implants have revolutionized the field of dentistry, providing improvements in function and esthetics. They are not, however, without risks. Bone loss around implants (i.e. periimplantitis) is an emerging public health concern. Untreated, peri-implantitis leads to implant loss and jawbone defects. Nonetheless, existing therapies have failed to show long-term efficacy. The pathogenesis of peri-implantitis is believed to be of bacterial etiology similar to periodontal disease. Therefore, existing treatments duplicate strategies for the treatment of natural teeth. However, the titanium (Ti) surface of implants is quite dissimilar to teeth. Recent work from our lab has demonstrated that peri-implantitis is associated with increased release of Ti particles around implants. These findings suggest that treatments targeting periimplantitis must be designed around Ti material properties. A gap in knowledge exists regarding the potential triggers of increased Ti dissolution from the implant surface and the mechanisms by which Ti dissolution products amplify peri-implant inflammation. The aim of this study is to determine if the use of tooth-driven treatment approaches increase Ti in the submucosal plaque.

North American societies are becoming increasingly diverse in their ethnocultural makeup. According to the Canadian Public health association, immigrants and refugees as well as aboriginal people and people in such disadvantaged circumstances as the poor, elderly, and disabled are most vulnerable to disease, and experience the greatest degree of health disparities. Differences in cultural values, beliefs, and language are cited as barriers to accessing health care, and it is possible that health providers may contribute to these disparities by stereotyping, being prejudiced, and being clinically uncertain as to how to provide care to this population. Increasing cultural competence among health providers has been suggested as a possible strategy for reducing such disparities. These strategies include recruiting students and educators of ethnically diverse backgrounds to the health professions, and incorporating cultural education into the curricula in order to improve culturally sensitive communication, to foster respect for cultural differences, and to educate future health professionals in the process of culturally competent, client centred care. This paper discusses the need for increased cultural competency in dental hygiene with the intent of encouraging further research into this highly required area.