Computer literacy and attitudes of dental students and staff at the University of the West Indies Dental School

INTRODUCTION

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Dental School is planning to implement computer-based information systems to manage student and patient data. In order to measure the acceptance of the proposed implementation and to determine the degree of training that would be required, a survey was undertaken of the computer literacy and attitude of all staff and students.

METHODOLOGY

Data were collected via 230 questionnaires from all staff and students.

RESULTS

A 78% response rate was obtained. The computer literacy of the majority of respondents was ranked as 'more than adequate' compared to other European Dental Schools. Respondents < 50 years had significantly higher computer literacy scores than older age groups (P < 0.05). Similarly, respondents who owned an email address, a computer, or were members of online social networking sites had significantly higher computer literacy scores than those who did not (P < 0.05). Sex, nationality and whether the respondent was student/staff were not significant factors. Most respondents felt that computer literacy should be a part of every modern undergraduate curriculum; that computer assisted learning applications and web-based learning activity could effectively supplement the traditional undergraduate curriculum and that a suitable information system would improve the efficiency in the school's management of students, teaching and clinics.

CONCLUSION

The implementation of a computer-based information system is likely to have widespread acceptance among students and staff at the UWI Dental School. The computer literacy of the students and staff are on par with those of schools in the US and Europe.

A new radiological classification for ameloblastoma based on analysis of 19 cases

OBJECTIVE

To describe ameloblastoma of the jawbone in young Jamaicans, with special emphasis on radiological findings, and to introduce a radiological classification which could assist in the categorization of these cases according to their biological behaviour and hence their subsequent surgical and medical management.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The series comprised all the 18 cases of ameloblastoma of the jaw seen in patients under the age of 20 years in the two major hospitals in Jamaica with an oral and maxillofacial surgery department from 1980 to 1995. Radiological and histological diagnosis was confirmed in all. A case of maxillary ameloblastoma in a 13-year old girl seen in the year 2000 was also included in this study. This last case had special attributes.

RESULTS

All 19 patients had primary lesions of ameloblastoma. The mean age was 16.1 years with a mode of 18 years and a range of 13 to 19 years. The male to female ratio was 1.1:1. Eighteen cases were seen in the mandible and one case in the maxilla. Of these, 42% were unilocular and 58% were multilocular radiologically. Thirty-two per cent of cases had unerupted teeth associated with the lesions and 32% had root resorption. Based on our new radiological classification, the most predominant radiological type was IIb2 with root resorption (42%). There was no radiological type classically simulating dentigerous cyst (Ia2).

CONCLUSION

Ameloblastoma in young Jamaicans presented more in the adolescent period and are predominantly unicystic and rare in the maxilla. A new classification for ameloblastoma based solely on radiological presentation is adopted.