A retrospective clinical study of incidence of root canal instrument separation in an endodontics graduate program: a PennEndo database study

This study investigated the incidence of hand and rotary instrument separation (IS) in the endodontics graduate program at the University of Pennsylvania between 2000 and 2004. In 4,865 endodontic resident cases the incidence of hand and rotary IS was 0.25% and 1.68%, respectively. The odds for rotary IS were seven times more than for hand IS. The probability of separating a file in apical third was 33, and 6 times more likely when compared to coronal and middle thirds of the canals. The highest percentage of IS occurred in mandibular (55.5%) and maxillary (33.3%) molars. Furthermore, the odds of separating a file in molars were 2.9 times greater than premolars. Among the ProFile series 29 rotary instruments, the .06 taper # 5 and # 6 files separated the most. There was no significant difference in IS between the use of torque controlled versus nontorque controlled handpieces, nor between first and second year residency.

Comparison of clinical outcome of periapical surgery in endodontic and oral surgery units of a teaching dental hospital: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this retrospective study were (1) to compare the outcome of periapical surgery performed in endodontic and in oral surgery units of a teaching dental hospital and (2) to evaluate the influence of factors affecting outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 176 teeth (endodontic unit, 83; oral surgery unit, 93) surgically treated more than 4 years previously were examined clinically and radiographically by means of strict criteria. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used.

RESULTS

The rate of complete healing for patients treated in the endodontic unit (37.4%) was significantly (P = .009) higher than that for patients treated in the oral surgery unit (19.4%). The technical quality of surgery (P < .001), placement of root-end filling (P = .039), absence of a preoperative periapical lesion (P = .042), absence of a post (P = .047), and presence of an adequate coronal restoration (P = .056, odds ratio = 3.71) had significant effects on treatment outcome.

CONCLUSION

The technical quality of periapical surgery, the presence of a periapical lesion, and adequate apical and coronal seal are important prognostic determinants of successful periapical surgery.

Patient's opinion and treatment outcome of fixed rehabilitation on Brånemark implants. A 3-year follow-up study in private dental practices

In this study, patient opinion on oral rehabilitation by means of Brånemark implants was investigated. All patients were referred to a periodontal clinic for implant installation and treated by one and the same operator. Prosthetic restorations were performed by dentists, who had no previous experience with prostheses on implants, but had completed a postgraduate training course. Patient opinion was obtained through questionnaires, pertaining to satisfaction and oral function. A comparison was made between pre-implant situation, short-term (< 4 months) and long-term functioning (3 years) with the implant-restorative rehabilitation. In total, 61 patients participated in the study; 23 received a full lower arch bridge and 18 a full upper arch bridge, while 20 patients got partial bridges. Of 298 installed implants, 7 failed at abutment connection (2.3%) and 1 during the 3-year follow-up interval (0.3%). The study results indicated that a great majority of patients were very satisfied with the treatment. Comfort with eating, aesthetics, phonetics and overall satisfaction improved significantly and nearly all patients said that they would undergo the treatment again or recommend it to others. Patients experienced their implants as "natural" teeth. The conclusion is that rehabilitation ad modum Brånemark, even in the hands of non-specialized dentists, can be of high quality, improving oral function and satisfying the needs and demands of patients.

Comprehensive clinical evaluation as an outcome assessment for a graduate orthodontics program

To supplement the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) objective grading system (OGS) for posttreatment dental casts and panoramic radiographs, a comprehensive clinical assessment (CCA) method was developed to assess facial form, dental esthetics, vertical dimension, arch form, periodontium preservation, root resorption, and treatment efficiency. The sum of the CCA and the ABO OGS scores was defined as the clinical outcome. To determine a 3-year baseline for treatment outcomes in a graduate orthodontic program, the posttreatment records of 521 consecutive patients were evaluated. The mean ABO OGS score for the entire sample was 34.4 points: 32.4, 33.1, and 37.8 points for 1998, 1999, and 2000, respectively. The mean CCA score for the entire sample was 4.67 points: 2.96, 5.13, and 6.15 points for 1998, 1999, and 2000, respectively. Corresponding ABO OGS and CCA scores showed a progressive decrease in the quality of finished cases that was associated with a treatment time increase from 28.9 to 39.3 months. Overall, longer active treatment times resulted in a diminished clinical outcome, primarily due to "patient burn-out." Scoring of all finished cases is an effective means for determining clinical outcomes. However, the data suggest that, in initiating a clinical grading program, it is important to establish a multiyear baseline. Patients who are progressing well in treatment tend to be finished by the time the current class graduates, and the problem patients are transferred. Because long treatment times are associated with diminished clinical outcomes, it is often in the best interest of the uncooperative patient to terminate treatment rather than extend active mechanics in an attempt to achieve a better result.

Curriculum structure: principles and strategy

This report provides general guidelines for the structure of a curriculum, followed by specific advice on the principles of learning and teaching, the process of restructuring and change leadership and management. It provides examples of several educational philosophies, including vertical and horizontal integration. It discusses the use of competence, learning outcomes, level of degree and assessment and provides a number of recommendations. It does not seek to be prescriptive of time allocation to disciplines within a curriculum. Although this report has been written primarily for those who will develop an undergraduate curriculum, the information may be sufficiently generic to apply to the recent development in graduate entry ('shortened dental' or 'accelerated') courses and to postgraduate degree planning and higher education certificate or diploma courses for other dental care professionals (auxiliaries). The report may have a European bias as progress is made to converge and enhance educational standards in 29 countries with different educational approaches - a microcosm of global collaboration.

Stress-related suicide by dentists and other health care workers. Fact or folklore?

BACKGROUND

The media repeatedly portrays dentists and other health professionals as being at risk of committing suicide. While this message often is accepted without question, there are little reliable data available that verifies this alleged risk. The relationship between professional stress and suicide, if any, has not been substantiated or quantified.

TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED

The author evaluated the contemporary literature on stress and suicide in health professionals in an effort to verify or refute the widely held belief that dentists and other health care professionals are at higher risk of committing stress-related suicide. The author also surveyed dental schools to determine what efforts were being made to provide students with stress-management skills.

RESULTS

The author found that there is little valid evidence that dentists are more prone to suicide than the general population, although some related data suggest that female dentists may be more vulnerable. Large-scale studies are needed before firmer conclusions can be reached. The author's survey shows that dental students generally receive some education on stress management, but many dental hygiene and graduate students do not. The author makes several recommendations for future research.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Although some dentists leave the profession by way of suicide or career change at a time when their careers should be the most rewarding, available data on stress and its impact on suicide incidence are inconclusive and flawed. The profession needs to identify the causes of stress-related suicides and provide assistance to those people who are affected by stress.

Effectiveness of strategies to disseminate and implement clinical guidelines for the management of impacted and unerupted third molars in primary dental care, a cluster randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different guideline implementation strategies, using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Guideline 42 "Management of unerupted and impacted third molar teeth" (published 2000) as a model.

DESIGN

A pragmatic, cluster RCT (2x2 factorial design).

SUBJECTS

Sixty-three dental practices across Scotland. Clinical records of all 16-24-year-old patients over two, four-month periods in 1999 (pre-intervention) and 2000 (post-intervention) were searched by a clinical researcher blind to the intervention group. Data were also gathered on the costs of the interventions.

INTERVENTIONS

Group 1 received a copy of SIGN 42 Guideline and had an opportunity to attend a postgraduate education course (PGEC). In addition to this, group 2 received audit and feedback (A and F). Group 3 received a computer aided learning (CAL) package. Group 4 received A and F and CAL. PRINCIPAL OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: The proportion of patients whose treatment complied with the guideline.

RESULTS

The weighted t-test for A and F versus no A and F (P=0.62) and CAL versus no CAL (P=0.76) were not statistically significant. Given the effectiveness results (no difference) the cost effectiveness calculation became a cost-minimisation calculation. The minimum cost intervention in the trial consisted of providing general dental practitioners (GDPs) with guidelines and the option of attending PGEC courses. Routine data which subsequently became available showed a Scotland-wide fall in extractions prior to data collection.

CONCLUSION

In an environment in which pre-intervention compliance was unexpectedly high, neither CAL nor A and F increased the dentists' compliance with the SIGN guideline compared with mailing of the guideline and the opportunity to attend a postgraduate course. The cost of the CAL arm of the trial was greater than the A and F arm. Further work is required to understand dental professionals' behaviour in response to guideline implementation strategies.

A study of the career development of male and female dental practitioners

AIM

The aim of the study was to determine differences between male and female dental practitioners in the positions they occupy within their employment, and to analyse the correlates of such differences.

METHOD

Postal questionnaire survey of a 1 in 10 sample of individuals taken from the General Dental Council register.

RESULTS

Female dental practitioners occupy lower positions in the employment hierarchies of the Community Dental Service and the Hospital Dental Service. Women general dental practitioners are significantly less likely to be sole proprietor of, or a partner in, a general practice. Ownership of a general practice is related to: sex, age, number of years qualified, number of children, and hours worked. Consultants in the Hospital Dental Service are more likely to be male, older, to have been qualified longer and (obviously) to hold more additional qualifications than their non-consultant colleagues. Senior Dental Officers and Directors of the Community Dental Service are more likely to be male, work longer hours and (again obviously) to hold more additional qualifications than Community Dental Officers.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences exist between male and female dental practitioners in the positions they occupy within employment hierarchies. Age, length of time since qualification and the acquisition of additional qualifications are consistently found to differentiate dental practitioners' status.

Rapid transition to distance learning due to COVID-19: Perceptions of postgraduate dental learners and instructors

The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) necessitated an abrupt transition from on campus, face-to-face sessions to online, distance learning in higher education institutions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of postgraduate dental learners and instructors about the transition to distance learning, including the changes to the learning and teaching and its efficaciousness. A convergent mixed methods approach to research was utilized. All the instructors and postgraduate learners in a dental college were invited to participate in an online survey. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential analyses on SPSS for Windows version 25.0, and for the responses to the open-ended questions, multi-staged thematic analysis was utilized. Both groups of stakeholders: learners and instructors, were satisfied with the rapid transition to distance learning due to COVID-19. Instructors were significantly more satisfied than the learners. The stakeholders adapted well to the change. The perception of the stakeholders regarding the case-based scenarios significantly influenced their level of satisfaction. As perceived by the stakeholders, the transition to distance learning entailed advantages and challenges. Going through the experience enabled the stakeholders to develop informed opinions of how best to sustain learning and teaching irrespective of how matters unfold in relation to the pandemic. In conclusion, the worldwide dental education community faced unprecedented challenges due to the onset of COVID-19. From a macro perspective, decision-makers must not miss out on the valuable opportunities, inherent in the experience, to reinforce curriculums, and maximize learning and teaching.

Stress and burnout in postgraduate dental education

INTRODUCTION

High levels of stress and burnout have been documented among dental students and practicing dentists, but evidence among dental residents and postgraduate students is lacking.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-nine postgraduate students enrolled in clinical, non-clinical and PhD programmes in the Athens University School of Dentistry completed the Graduate Dental Environment Stress (GDES) questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Perceived stress was measured in two domains, academic (GDES-A) and clinical (GDES-C) and burnout was measured using the scales of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DP) and personal accomplishment (PA). Analyses relied on descriptive, univariate and multivariate methods based on ANOVA and generalised linear models.

RESULTS

Participants' mean age was 30 years; two-thirds were women and practised dentistry independently of their graduate studies. Residents in clinical programmes reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress compared to non-clinical and PhD students (P<0.05). There were no gender differences in perceived stress. Forty per cent of respondents were burnout 'cases' on the EE scale, while this proportion was 38% for reduced PA and smaller, 13% for DP. Perceived stress was positively correlated with all burnout dimensions, whereas independent dental practice and higher age had a protective effect.

CONCLUSIONS

High rates of burnout manifestations were detected among this sample of Greek postgraduate dental students. Perceived stress correlated with burnout and was more pronounced among those enrolled in clinical residency compared to non-clinical and PhD programmes.

Assessing treatment outcomes for a graduate orthodontics program: Follow-up study for the classes of 2001-2003

INTRODUCTION

Based on an initial 3-year study (1998-2000) of clinical outcomes, specific changes were made in the clinical protocol in the orthodontic clinic at Indiana University, Indianapolis, Ind. To evaluate these adjustments, a follow-up study with the same methods assessed the clinical outcomes for the next 3 years (2001-2003).

METHODS

The 3 changes introduced in 2000 were assessment of prefinish records, education of residents about previous outcomes, and more frequent practice evaluations by the program director. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) objective grading system (OGS) and a supplemental comprehensive clinical assessment (CCA) were used to evaluate the results for all patients completed by the classes of 2001 through 2003 (n = 437).

RESULTS

The mean ABO OGS, CCA, and combined scores were 25.19 +/- 11.16, 4.38 +/- 2.74, and 29.57 +/- 13.01, respectively. A progressive improvement was noted from 2001 to 2003. The ABO OGS and the combined scores were significantly (P <.001) improved in 2001 through 2003 compared with 1998 through 2000. The CCA score tended to improve, but it was not significantly different. Significant improvements were seen for maxillary and mandibular first order, mandibular second order, mandibular third order, overjet, occlusal contacts, occlusal relationships, and root angulations (P <.001). As with the previous study, excessive treatment times correlated with worse clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes implemented by the graduate program were effective for improving treatment outcomes. Cast scores were more amenable to improvement than other more comprehensive outcomes.

Diagnosis of caries and treatment decisions in approximal surfaces of posterior teeth in vitro

The diagnosis of caries and treatment planning decisions have been reported to vary widely between individual dentists. However, opinions differ as to whether, in general, this results in too much or too little treatment. Eighty-six dentists, mainly attending post-graduate meetings, participated in this study. They were asked to make diagnostic and treatment planning decisions on a selection of extracted teeth set in realistic contact with each other. These decisions were compared with the appearance of the proximal surfaces before setting the teeth in contact, and the histological appearance of the teeth that were sectioned after the dentists had made their decisions. Opinions as to whether caries was present and whether it required treatment showed a wide distribution. However, had the decisions been acted upon, between 1-6% of the sound surfaces would have been filled, but 20-68% of teeth with clearly cavitated surfaces or histological evidence of dentine involvement would not have been filled.

Variation in periodontal referral by general dental practitioners

This study investigated the extent of and reasons for variation in the periodontal referral patterns of general dental practitioners in Northern Ireland. A questionnaire was circulated to all general dental practitioners in Northern Ireland. This questionnaire investigated the management of periodontal disease in the general dental service and referral for specialist periodontal advice and treatment. A usable return was made by 355 (68%) of those surveyed. The mean number of periodontal referrals by each respondent in the past year was 6.5 (SD 7.7), range 0 to 80. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis indicated that independent predictors of high referral rate were practice location close to the referral centre (p<0.0001); dissatisfaction with ability to treat periodontal disease under the National Health Service (p=0.001); that previous refusals of referral had not dissuaded a dentist from continuing to offer referral (p=0.002); not offering root planing as a treatment (p=0.005); and perceived inadequate postgraduate education in periodontology (p=0.03). It is concluded that considerable variation exists between general dental practitioners working in Northern Ireland in relation to the referral of patients for specialist periodontal advice and treatment. It is further concluded that in many cases non-disease factors, such as the accessibility of the specialist service, have powerful effects on the decisions made by dentists and patients in relation to periodontal referral.

Use of the basic periodontal examination and radiographs in the assessment of periodontal diseases in general dental practice

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the use of the basic periodontal examination (BPE) by general dental practitioners (GDPs) and their selection of radiographs for the assessment of periodontal disease and (2) whether this selection concurred with existing selection (referral) criteria.

METHODS

Three mailings of a self-completion questionnaire were sent to 800 GDPs working in the National Health General Dental Service in England and Wales. Dentists were presented with six clinical scenarios for which they were asked to describe their use of radiographs.

RESULTS

Ninety-one percent of dentists reported that they used the BPE in new patients, with 56% using it for all patients; 84% of dentists used BPE in recall patients. BPE use was related to the dentists' age and postgraduate qualifications. There was a wide variation in the radiographic views used for periodontal disease assessment. The choice of radiographs was not generally in line with the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK) 1998 selection criteria, particularly for the clinical scenarios of pocketing >5 mm, irregular pocketing or pockets associated with teeth with heavy restorations. Sixty seven percent of dentists concurred with recommendations for radiographs for a suspected periodontal-endodontic lesion.

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of dentists reported clinical screening for periodontal diseases using the BPE. There was considerable variation in the selection and use of radiographs and practice was not in line with existing guidelines for many clinical situations. Evidence-based referral criteria should be actively promoted to ensure high standards of radiographic practice in general dental practice.

Teaching of color in predoctoral and postdoctoral dental education in 1988

This is a report of a 1988 survey of faculty involved in undergraduate and graduate programs concerning the teaching of color science. This survey indicates that the dental profession is making progress in color theory, application, and research in the dental curriculum. Manufacturers have been slow to respond to the needs of the profession. The majority of dentists surveyed indicated a need for the development of a new and systematic shade guide.

Comparison of university and private-practice orthodontic treatment outcomes with the American Board of Orthodontics objective grading system

INTRODUCTION

Treatment outcomes and duration of treatment for patients treated in university graduate orthodontic programs and private orthodontic practices were assessed and compared with the ABO objective grading system.

METHODS

The treatment records of 139 randomly selected adolescents who had received comprehensive orthodontic treatment were examined. Seventy-seven subjects had been treated in 3 postgraduate orthodontic clinics, and 62 had been treated in 3 private orthodontic practices. Pretreatment, all subjects had Class II Division 1 malocclusions and ANB angles equal to or greater than 4 degrees . All patients were treated with premolar extractions. Posttreatment dental casts were measured and scored with the ABO objective grading system.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between the groups in the alignment, buccolingual inclination, and overjet components. Patients treated in private practice had significantly lower scores for marginal ridge height and occlusal relationship. Patients treated in the university programs had significantly lower scores for occlusal contact and interproximal contact components.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant difference in the overall score, thus no significant difference in the overall quality of orthodontic treatment outcome between patients treated in university programs and private practices. However, the university group had a significantly larger sample variance for the overall score. There was no significant difference in the duration of the treatment between patients treated in a university setting and in a private practice.

[Surgical procedures in mouth, jaw and facial surgery in Thiel embalmed body donors]

METHODS

This study investigates whether human cadavers embalmed according to Thiel can be used for research and education in oral-maxillo-facial surgery. Different surgical approaches were tested on such cadavers. The usability of the specimen was judged jointly by anatomists and surgeons. Color, structure, and consistency of the different tissues were comparable to vital conditions. Thiel's embalming technique applied to human cadavers provides an optimal basis for research and for basic and postgraduate medical education.

The importance of student research projects in dental education

In this article, our aim was to summarise students' research over 15 years at Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry and to evaluate both the research activities from the students' perspectives and the effect of this activity on their undergraduate and postgraduate success. In 1992, dental students formed 'a Student Research Club' (SRC), which new students attend voluntarily and carry out a scientific project out with the normal curriculum every year. In total, 409 different students have presented 193 research projects at these meetings over 15 years. Seventy-four of these students were from other universities and presented 37 projects. In this research, a questionnaire containing 20 items was administered to 93 students who were the members of SRC to learn their own perception of the development of their academic and research skills and the broader impact of the club on their career. It was evaluated using Likert scale (ranged from strongly disagree to strongly agree). Student feedback was very positive and over three quarters (81%) of answers ranged between 'agree' and 'strongly agree'. When the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of the 88 SRC members in the last 6 years (2003/2004 to 2008/2009) was evaluated as the school success rate, significant difference was found between the grades obtained by members and non-members (P<0.001). There was also significant difference between the CGPA of 25 members of SRC who were randomly chosen, before and after membership to the club (P<0.001). While the 141 members of SRC applied to postgraduate education to Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry over the last 5 years, 74 of them accepted for PhD (52.6%). There is a statistically significant difference between the member and non-member groups (P<0.001). In addition, of the 58 teaching assistants who stayed in academic life after postgraduate studies at Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry, 16 of them had been a member of the SRC (31%). However, no statistical difference was found between members of SRC and non-members. These data showed that although the students had an intensive programme in the school, they were able to carry out this voluntary activity successfully and this activity contributed to their educational process. Students also believe that participation of them to this activity effects positively on both personal development and academic success.

Removable prosthodontics research--quo vadis?

The need to improve removable prosthodontic treatment through research has not diminished. Most recent research reports in prosthodontics are in fixed prosthodontics, indicating a declining interest in removable prosthodontics. A survey of dental schools in the United States and Canada reveals that the financial support for research in removable prosthodontics is a mean of $42,500 per year. Present research is not directed toward solving the major problems in removable prosthodontics. The key to making progress in removable prosthodontic research is to interest capable trainees in securing the necessary basic science and clinical training. Adequate financial support is then needed to conduct the research.

Retreatment decisions--a comparison between general practitioners and endodontic postgraduates

One of the most subjective areas with regard to interexaminer variations is the dental radiograph. The variations in radiographic interpretation lead to differences in treatment planning decisions. This study compared the endodontic retreatment planning decisions for endodontically treated teeth between 12 general practitioners and 12 endodontic postgraduate students. Utilizing dental radiographs of completed cases, both groups were asked to make treatment choices based on two hypothetical ages of a case: 1 or 3 yr postoperatively. General practitioners chose to initiate treatment at an earlier date and also chose more extensive treatment modalities. The age of the root filling was looked on as more important in treatment planning by the endodontics postgraduates.

The crisis in orthodontic education: Goals and perceptions

A crisis in orthodontic education exists today because of a shortage of qualified people seeking to pursue careers in academic orthodontics; 35% of orthodontic graduate programs in the United States report having at least 1 vacant faculty position. Previous studies have identified several factors that contribute to the current shortage. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare real and perceived differences in income, workload, and other qualitative characteristics between academic and private practice orthodontists. Orthodontic faculty, private practitioners, and residents were surveyed, and their answers were compared statistically. Faculty annual income was less than one half that of private practitioners matched by experience and geography. Faculty reported working an average of 25% more hours per week, and income per hour for full-time faculty was less than one third that of their private-practice colleagues. In addition, faculty perceived that they experienced more stress, encountered more bureaucracy, received less respect, and had a more difficult time achieving board certification than did private practitioners. Despite these findings, both faculty and private practitioners reported high levels of satisfaction in their respective jobs. Orthodontic residents were better attuned to the differences between academics and private practice than were faculty or private practitioners themselves. Residents perceived that it would take an average of 67% longer to pay off their educational debt in a faculty position than in private practice. It is in the best interest of orthodontics to resolve the crisis in education if it is to maintain its well-respected status among dental and medical specialties.

Placement and restoration of implants by predoctoral students: the Creighton experience

Teaching of implant dentistry in the predoctoral dental curriculum has evolved dramatically over the past 20 years. In 1974, only one third of American dental schools addressed the topic of implants. Today, 48 of the 54 American dental schools have predoctoral curricula. The Creighton University experience offers some unique and instructive insights into a 10-year process of developing and implementing a predoctoral implant dentistry curriculum. All interested students may perform both the surgical placement and restoration of implant prostheses. Clinical instruction involves all restorative and surgical faculty members. Favorable 3-year (91%) and 5-year (87%) surgical success rates have been maintained. This article presents one university's program for examination and discussion.

The correlation between craniofacial morphology and sleep-disordered breathing in children in an undergraduate orthodontic clinic

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess children in an orthodontic teaching clinic to determine the relationship between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms and craniofacial morphology.

METHODS

All parents were asked to complete a SDB questionnaire at the commencement of orthodontic therapy. A cephalometric analysis included face heights, hyoid position, soft palate lengths, mandibular, vertical airway, overjet, and overbite. Study model measurements included dental width, depth, and palatal height. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their dentition stage: early or late mixed.

RESULTS

Data from 173 children (male 50.3%, mean age 10.1 ± 1.7 years) that completed the OSA-18 questionnaire and the cephalometric (CA) and model (MA) analyses were evaluated. The questionnaire suggested that only two children in the orthodontic pool had an increased chance of exhibiting SDB. However, loud snoring, mouth breathing, and difficulty awakening were reported in more than 20% of the children. Overall, a higher total score correlated with retroclined upper incisors (CA) and high palatal height (MA, p < 0.05). Although there was no significant score differences between the groups, a higher total score correlated with a long soft palate (CA, p < 0.05) in the early mixed dentition group and a high palatal height (MA) in the late mixed dentition group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Even though few patients were suspected as having SDB, symptoms were related to many cephalometric variables and study model measurements. Since the etiology of SDB is believed to involve multiple factors, such patients may exhibit some risk of developing SDB in the future.

Need for gerodontology education in India

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the status and need for education in Geriatric Dentistry in India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The status of dental education in India was studied. India has 185 dental schools producing 12 000 dental graduates every year. At postgraduate level, there are nine recognised specialities in Dentistry, and approximately 58 institutions offer 1160 places for postgraduate degree courses. Dental education is shaped and administered by the Dental Council of India.

RESULTS

So far, Geriatric dentistry has not developed as a separate, independent speciality at postgraduate level. The undergraduate curriculum does not have any significant component of geriatric dentistry. The lack of training results in poor understanding of special needs of older adults in young graduates. Without adequate training and personal experience of growing old, young graduates may not be able to understand the physical, socio-economic and psychological problems of the elderly and the complexities involved in treatment planning for patients with multiple chronic diseases and medication.

CONCLUSIONS

It is emphasized that geriatric dentistry should be included in each of the pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical subjects at the undergraduate level. Graduate students should be encouraged to treat elderly patients in clinics under supervision using a multi-disciplinary approach. Also, postgraduate diploma and degree courses in geriatric dentistry should be developed to address the needs of the vast elderly population in India.

Perspectives on dental education in mainland China

The Chinese dental education system has undergone major changes over the past three decades. Although a number of approaches have been adopted for the modification of the dental curriculum, the greatest challenge remains as to how to develop enough qualified dentists to meet the dental care needs of China's 1.3 billon population. In many areas the limited funds have been mainly used for the enhancement of academic status while the clinical training programmes for the improvement of practical skills of the clinicians has been greatly neglected. In addition, the discrepancies in the distribution of dental resources have been increasingly alarming and have the tendency toward becoming even more serious in the future. The aim of this review is to describe dental education in China in the hope that more favourable changes could take place and the system itself could be further optimised.