Evolution of the scientific basis for dentistry and its impact on dental education: past, present, and future.
(9/14)
Science is the fuel for technology and the foundation for understanding the human condition. In dental education, as in all health professions, science informs a basic understanding of development, is essential to understand the structure and function of biological systems, and is prerequisite to understand and perform diagnostics, therapeutics, and clinical outcomes in the treatment of diseases and disorders. During the last seventy-five years, biomedical science has transformed from discipline-based scientists working on a problem to multidisciplinary research teams working to solve complex problems of significance to the larger society. Over these years, we witnessed the convergence of the biological and digital revolutions with clinical health care in medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health care professional education. Biomedical science informs our understanding, from human genes and their functions to populations, health disparities, and the biosphere. Science is a "way of knowing," an international enterprise, a prerequisite for the health professions, and a calling and adventure to the curious mind. Science, the activity of doing science, is in the national self-interest, in the defense of a nation, and critical to the improvement of the human condition. In the words of Vannevar Bush, "science is the endless frontier." (+info)
Oral health policy forum: developing dental student knowledge and skills for health policy advocacy.
(10/14)
This article describes the planning, sequential improvements, and outcomes of Indiana University School of Dentistry's annual Oral Health Policy Forum. This one-day forum for fourth-year dental students was instituted in 2005 with the Indiana Dental Association and the Children's Dental Health Project to introduce students to the health policy process and to encourage their engagement in advocacy. Following a keynote by a visiting professor, small student groups develop arguments in favor and in opposition to five oral health policy scenarios and present their positions to a mock or authentic legislator. The "legislator" critiques these presentations, noting both effective and ineffective approaches, and the student deemed most effective by fellow students receives a gift award. During the afternoon, students tour the Indiana State House, observe deliberations, and meet with legislators. In 2009, 92 percent of students reported a positive impression of the forum, up from 60 percent in 2005. Half (49 percent) in 2009 indicated that they were more inclined to become involved with the political process following the forum, up from 21 percent in 2005. Dental students' feedback became increasingly positive as the program was refined and active learning opportunities were enhanced. This model for engaging students in policy issues important to their professional careers is readily replicable by other dental schools. (+info)
Pit and fissure sealant use in private practice: influence of state practice acts.
(11/14)
To study the influence of the delegation of sealant procedures to auxiliaries on sealant use, we queried a national sample of general dentists and pedodontists. A large percentage (34-58 per cent) of both groups were unaware or mistaken in their perception of the legality of delegating sealants. Although perception of legality to delegate was associated with increased sealant use, a large percentage (33-59 per cent) of both groups did not delegate even when it was perceived legal to do so. (+info)
Professional encroachment: a comparison of the emergence of denturists in Canada and Oregon.
(12/14)
In 1978, supporters of denturism in Oregon succeeded in passing an initiative which allows denturists to provide dentures directly to the public. The steps which led to the referendum included three unsuccessful attempts to have the state legislature enact a law legalizing denturism. After capturing broad-based consumer support, the issue was placed on the ballot and passed by an overwhelming margin. Both the denturists and the dentists in Oregon adopted strategies similar to those used in Canada over 20 years ago when the issue was raised in a number of provinces. As was the case in Canada, the denturists prevailed. Denturists stressed the price differential and the issue of freedom of choice. Dentists stressed health and safety issues. The public perceived the dentists' campaign as negative and self-serving. This perception may have contributed to the election results. In order to avoid this tarnished image, dentists must anticipate the public's needs, and formulate strategies to meet such needs. (+info)
The reaction of the dental profession to changes in the 1970s.
(13/14)
This paper explores the changing realities of dentistry in the 1970s: the development of denturism; the maldistribution of dental practitioners; the growth and activities of expanded function auxiliaries; the intrusion of the Federal Trade Commission into professional issues resulting in advertising, supermarket and franchise dentistry; and the effect of prepayment plans. These realities are considered in terms of their impact on the profession and the efforts by the individual practitioner and his representative organizations to come to terms with them. (+info)
The effects of denturism: New Zealand dentists' response to competition.
(14/14)
The New Zealand Dental Act of 1988 allowed clinical dental technicians to deal directly with the public in fitting and supplying dentures. This study tested the hypothesis that dentists responded to competition from dental technicians by lowering their fees. The results indicate that there was no significant change in the fees charged by dentists for dentures. The apparent failure of deregulation to produce the expected outcome could be due to the competitive pressure imposed by dental technicians practicing illegally prior to 1988, to consumers' lack of information, or to barriers to "consumer search" imposed by the act itself. (+info)