Hypertension in a dental school patient population.
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Patient records were retrospectively reviewed to investigate the incidence of hypertensive patients seen at a U.S. dental school. This research was conducted to create an awareness of the current problems in diagnosing and treating hypertensive patients in the dental environment. Nine hundred and seventy-six records of patients seen between January 1, 1999 and January 1, 2000 were reviewed. Five hundred records that met specific study criteria related to health history, medications used, recorded blood pressure, and other criteria were selected for the study. Factors examined included demographic data consisting of age, sex, and ethnicity; history of hypertension; Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure classification; control of hypertension; and medications used. The data demonstrated that 32 percent of the patients were hypertensive, 49 percent of whom were unaware of their high blood pressure prior to their dental visit. Nearly 9 percent of the hypertensive patients with elevated blood pressure had to be immediately sent for medical consult before they could receive dental treatment. The average blood pressure of the hypertensive patients was systolic 145.6 and diastolic 87.9 with a range of 110 to 240 systolic, 60 to 135 diastolic. Of the diagnosed patients, 41.9 percent were taking antihypertensive medication for their condition, and 13 percent were taking two or more medications. Nearly one third of a sample of 500 dental school clinic patients had high blood pressure in this retrospective study. This study demonstrates that it is crucial that dental providers take blood pressure readings for screening, monitoring of hypertensive patients, and appropriate dental care. (+info)
Implementing evidence-based practice in undergraduate teaching clinics: a systematic review and recommendations.
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The objective of this project was to identify an effective methodology of approaching and implementing evidence-based principles in undergraduate teaching clinics to promote evidence-based dentistry in future clinical practice. A systematic review was undertaken to examine evidence-based clinical teaching and faculty continuing education. Research published from 1996 to 2002 was retrieved by searching several databases and the Internet, along with conducting hand searches and reviewing bibliographies maintained by faculty experts. Qualitative checklists for different types of studies were created to evaluate the literature. Relevant studies were selected if they met all four predetermined essential criteria and a minimum of two out of three desirable criteria. Systematic reviews were chosen if they met all five essential criteria. Data from selected articles were extracted, and study quality was assessed. We found that three systematic reviews and nine original research articles were deemed methodologically acceptable. Problem-based learning and evidence-based health care interventions increased student knowledge of medical topics and their ability to search, evaluate, and appraise medical literature. Dental students in a problem-based learning curriculum, emphasizing evidence-based practices, scored higher on the NDB I (National Dentistry Boards, Part I) than students in traditional curricula. While effective modules in implementing theoretical evidence-based principles exist, very few high-quality studies are available that examine these principles in dental undergraduate teaching clinics. No methodologically appropriate studies on the education of faculty in the implementation of evidence-based principles are available. Some studies promote promising theories and methodologies of teaching evidence-based care; based on these theories, a comprehensive model is proposed in this article. Considering the strength of evidence in the reviewed literature, we concluded that an evidence-based approach to clinical care is effective. (+info)
Detection of hepatitis B virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Korean dental patients.
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This study examined the detection rate of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in serum and saliva samples, respectively, from 120 dental patients who were unaware if they have or had either hepatitis or tuberculosis. The frequencies of HBsAg and anti-HBs were determined using an immunochromatic assay. Mtb positivity was determined by the PCR method. Of the 120 patients, 7 (5.8%) were HBV positive and 30 (25.0%) were Mtb positive. This highlights the fact that dental health care workers (DHCWs) can be exposed to the risk of infection from blood- or saliva-borne pathogens as a consequence of their work. Therefore, it is very important to prevent cross infection between patients and dental personnel. Accordingly, laboratory tests prior to surgical treatment are needed to determine the infectious state of dental patients in order to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases in dental clinics. (+info)
A model for increasing senior dental student production using private practice principles.
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Previous dental graduates have reported a lack of confidence in their ability to implement business practices upon graduation. The purpose of the new model was to enable senior students to gain experience using sound business principles in their senior year. This model involves setting and meeting production goals, teamwork, personnel evaluation, and performance incentives. This article reports the findings after implementing this model in the academic year 2003-04. Each student averaged 226 more charged visits than in 2002-03. Total dollars produced increased $7,526 per student, which represented a 63 percent increase in production over the previous year. Total dollars produced by the senior class increased from $713,740 to $1,066,139 over the previous year. A survey of the students' attitudes toward the model showed an increase in acceptance from the beginning of the senior year to the end of the year. The model was successful in achieving most of the desired outcomes but failed to increase seniors' chairtime utilization. (+info)
Does school-based dental screening for children increase follow-up treatment at dental school clinics?
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a screening program and referral system in stimulating dental attendance of children in need of treatment at Bapuji Dental College and Hospital of Davangere, India. A total of fourteen schools in the Davangere area were selected randomly and divided into two groups: seven schools that had a dental screening program (study group, n=2100 children), and seven schools that did not have one (control group, n=2400 children). The attendance rate by members of the study group was determined during the three-month period from the date of initiating the school screening program. During this same period the students who visited the college from the control group underwent a dental examination. Chi-square tests were used to test the difference between different variables. The response rate for seeking treatment was 31 percent for the study group (34.2 percent for males; 26.2 percent for females) and 10 percent for the control group (9.6 percent for males; 10.5 percent for females). In both the groups, the treatment need was highest for dental caries (study group=36.3 percent, control group=11.1 percent) and least for fluorosis (study group=21.2 percent, control group=1.2 percent). The study demonstrated that screening and motivation significantly improved the percentage of school children who sought dental care. (+info)
Compliance with infection control programs in private dental clinics in Jordan.
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The aim of this study was to assess the compliance of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the private sector in North Jordan with infection control measures. A pilot-tested questionnaire about infection control measures was distributed in March 2004 to 120 private practices. The response rate was 91.66 percent. About 77 percent of dentists usually ask their patients about medical history, 36 percent were vaccinated against hepatitis B, 81.8 percent wear and change gloves during treatment and between patients, and 54.5 percent wear and change masks during treatment and between patients. Most dental practitioners (95.4 percent) reported that they changed extraction instruments and burs between patients. All dental practitioners reported that they changed saliva ejectors between patients, but only 41.8 percent changed handpieces between patients. Approximately 63 percent (69/110) used autoclaves for sterilization, 47.3 percent (52/110) used plastic bags to wrap sterilized instruments, and only 18 percent (20/110) disinfected impressions before sending them to dental labs. Fourteen percent used rubber dams in their clinics, and only 31.8 percent had special containers for sharps disposal. Based on these responses, approximately 14 percent of general dentists in this sample were considered to be compliant with an inventory of recommended infection control measures. In Jordan, there is a great need to provide formal and obligatory infection control courses and guidelines for private dentists by the Ministry of Health and the dental association in addition to distribution of standard infection control manuals that incorporate current infection control recommendations. (+info)
Access and care: reports from Canadian dental education and care agencies.
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Representatives of faculties of dentistry and agencies working to improve the oral health of groups with restricted access to dental care were invited to address the access and care symposium held in Toronto in May 2004. They told of their clients" sometimes desperate needs in graphic terms. The agencies" response ranged from simple documentation of the need, to expression of frustration with current trends and the apparent indifference of policy makers, to the achievement of some success in arranging alternative models of care. The presenters consistently identified the need to change methods of financing dental education and both the financing and models of care delivery to meet the needs of those with restricted access to oral health care. (+info)
Correlation between patient satisfaction and dental clinic credibility in regular dental check-ups in Japan.
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The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dental clinic credibility and patient satisfaction with regular dental check-ups, to compare the level of satisfaction of patients who had regular check-ups with those who did not, and to identify factors associated with regular dental checkups. Thirty-nine private dental clinics in 17 prefectures throughout Japan participated in this study. A total of 9024 questionnaires were distributed to the patients at these clinics, and patients returned the questionnaires using a pre-paid envelope (response rate 56.8%). The questionnaires consisted of items related to patient demographics and 11 items concerning the level of patient satisfaction with the dental clinic. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the strongest correlation was found between dental clinic credibility in regular checkups and the technical competence of the dentist. The responses to those items concerning making an appointment, and the cleanliness and neatness of the waiting room were different between patients who had regular check-ups and those who did not. To investigate the factors that encourage regular dental check-ups, correlation of factors with regular check up experience were analyzed. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios indicated a strong association between regular dental check ups and both the technical competence of the dental hygienist and the cost of treatment. (+info)