Contemporary National Trend in Surgical Management of Hemodynamically Unstable Pediatric Blunt Splenic Injury.

Background: Evaluation of response to blood transfusion after blunt splenic injury (BSI) may prevent the need for splenectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with splenectomy in pediatric patients with isolated BSI who presented with hemodynamic instability with a focus on timing of transfusion.

Methods: The 2021 Trauma Quality Improvement Project database was queried for children ≤18 years with BSI who arrived with a shock index>1.

Endoscopy in a Pediatric Patient After Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a gastrointestinal condition usually found in premature neonates. Our case involves a full-term, 3-month-old male who was found to have pneumatosis after surgical repair of congenital cardiac defects. After cessation of enteral feeds, nasogastric tube decompression, and broad-spectrum antibiotics, breast milk was reintroduced 8 days after his procedure.

Factors Associated with Burnout among Dental Hygienists in California.

The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) quantifies the characteristics of mental and physical exhaustion caused by one's professional life. The purpose of this study was to assess the key occupational factors that may contribute to burnout among dental hygienist members of the California Dental Hygienists' Association as measured by the MBI. A 36-item electronic survey, consisting of questions assessing burnout, demographic information, clinical care and occupational environment, was sent to dental hygienist members of the California Dental Hygienists' Association (n=2211).

The impact of state laws on motor vehicle fatality rates, 1999-2015.

Background: Motor vehicle crash (MVC) fatalities have been declining while states passed various legislation targeting driver behaviors. This study assesses the impact of state laws on MVC fatality rates to determine which laws were effective.

Methods: Publically available data were collected on driver-related motor vehicle laws, law strengths, enactment years, and numbers of verified-trauma centers.

Similarities and differences of international educational experiences of dental hygienists.

Better understanding of dental hygienists' educational experiences may contribute to a more globally integrated dental hygiene (DH) profession. The purpose of this study was to assess similarities and differences of the educational experiences of dental hygienists who had completed DH programs in a broad spectrum of countries. Dental hygienists, educated in DH programs outside of the United States (US), were surveyed regarding their educational experiences in various subject areas/courses and their clinical skills.

Nursing Administrators' Views on Oral Health in Long-Term Care Facilities: An exploratory study.

To explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of supervising nurse administrators (SNAs) regarding the oral care provided to long-term care facility (LTCF) residents and the role of dental professionals in those facilities. The investigators of this study partnered with the National Association of Nursing Administrators to send this cross-sectional study consisting of a 35-item electronic survey to its members whose email addresses were in their database. Online software tabulated responses and calculated frequencies (percentages) of responses for each survey item.

Factors Influencing Dental Hygienists' Decisions to Pursue Doctoral Degrees.

To identify the factors that have influenced dental hygienists to pursue post-graduate education opportunities, specifically dental (DDS, DMD) as compared to academic doctoral degrees, such as doctor of philosophy (PhD) or doctor of education (EdD). A convenience sample of dental hygienists with doctoral degrees were identified from multiple sources (n=140) and sent a 27-item web-based survey. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influence of independent variables (respondents' demographic and personal characteristics, influential persons and experiences, encouraging and motivating factors) on the respondents' decision to pursue either a dental or an academic doctoral degree.

Survey of Knowledge, Beliefs, and Behaviors of Migrant Vietnamese Parents Regarding Young Children's Oral Health.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the oral health knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors of migrant Vietnamese parents of 1-5 year-olds in San Jose, California. A verbally-administered survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 45 Vietnamese parents recruited at San Jose public libraries. Following preliminary screening, written informed consent was obtained from eligible individuals.

Senior Dental Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Dental Hygienists' Contributions to Comprehensive Patient Care.

To assess senior dental students' knowledge and attitudes toward dental hygienists' contributions to comprehensive patient care and to compare the responses of students from two dental schools, one with a dental hygiene (DH) program, and one without a DH program. Senior dental students from one school with DH (n=363) and one without DH (n=111) were requested to complete a 15-item survey assessing knowledge of clinical duties of licensed dental hygienists, attitudes regarding outcomes of collaborating with hygienists, and demographic characteristics. Responses were collated, and frequencies of responses for each item were analyzed by Qualtrics software program.

Dental Hygienists' Attitudes Toward the Obese Population.

To explore dental hygienists' attitudes toward the obese population and to determine whether there are differences in attitudes among those with different self-reported body images. The study population was dental hygienists whose email addresses were in the database of the California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA). CDHA distributed the electronic message containing study information, informed consent, and a link to the survey.

Detection of Early-Stage Oral Cancer Lesions: A Survey of California Dental Hygienists.

To assess dental hygienists' knowledge of early-stage oral cancer lesions and their practices, attitudes, barriers, and facilitators related to early detection. A 20-item survey containing images of oral lesions and related multiple-choice questions was distributed electronically by the California Dental Hygienists' Association to all dental hygienists whose email addresses were in their database. Response frequencies were calculated per survey item.

Perceptions and Attitudes of Dental Hygiene Educators About the Establishment of Doctoral Education Programs in Dental Hygiene.

To assess the perceptions and attitudes of dental hygiene (DH) educators at selected colleges and universities regarding the establishment of doctoral educational programs in DH in the United States. An online survey of DH educators at the 58 U.S.

Perceptions of Registered Dental Hygienists in Alternative Practice Regarding Silver Diamine Fluoride.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an inexpensive, non-invasive, antimicrobial liquid used to treat carious lesions and decrease sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions of registered dental hygienists in alternative practice (RDHAP) regarding the use of SDF to treat dental caries. A 16-item survey designed to evaluate RDHAP's familiarity and perceptions of SDF was electronically distributed to 222 RDHAPs practicing in the state of California.

Challenges of Dental Assisting Students in Their Pursuit of Academic Success.

The aim of this study was to identify the challenges encountered by dental assisting students, especially those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (UREG), that affected their achieving academic success. In 2016, directors of the nine northern California dental assisting programs were contacted via email to explain the study and request an opportunity to administer the 26-item survey to their currently enrolled students. Student responses were entered into a survey research program, which tabulated the data and calculated the frequency of responses to each item.

Effects of mandatory continuing education related to infection control on the infection control practices of dental hygienists.

The infection control (IC) practices of dental hygienists, who were practicing in states with and without mandatory continuing education (CE) related to IC, were compared using a nationwide survey approach. The percentages of respondents from states with mandated IC CE, who reported compliance with 8 practices described in the current IC guidelines and acquiring more CE units and taking more recent IC CE, were greater (P < .005) than the percentages of respondents from states without the requirement.

Factors Influencing California Dental Hygienists' Involvement in School-Based Oral Health Programs.

Purpose: To assess the influence of community oral health experiences during entry-level dental hygiene education on participation in community oral health events after graduation and the facilitators and barriers experienced by dental hygienists in participating in these programs.

Methods: A 27-item survey, consisting of items related to community oral health experiences during and after entry-level education, was distributed by the California Dental Hygienists' Association to all dental hygienists whose email addresses were in their database. Frequencies of participants' responses to each survey item were calculated.

Hearing Difficulties Among Experienced Dental Hygienists: A Survey.

Purpose: Assess prevalence of self-reported hearing difficulties among experienced dental hygienists who have been practicing for a minimum of 20 years and explore the relationship between hearing difficulties and occupational noise exposure from ultrasonic scalers.

Methods: A 19-item survey was mailed to a random sample of 1,067 dental hygienists who had obtained their California licenses between 1972 and 1992. To estimate the prevalence of hearing difficulty, binomial proportion and associated 95% confidence interval are presented.

Relationship of Musculoskeletal Disorder Pain to Patterns of Clinical Care in California Dental Hygienists.

Purpose: To relate self-reported levels of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) pain and patterns of clinical care among members of the California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA), using a web-based survey.

Methods: The 24-item survey consisted of questions on patterns of clinical care, health habits, experience with MSD pain and demographic information. Recruitment information, including survey link and consent form, was emailed to the CDHA for distribution to its members.

Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Parents of Children with Diabetes Compared to Those of Parents of Children without Diabetes.

Purpose: To compare the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of parents of children, aged 6 to 13, who have type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes to those of parents of similarly aged children without diabetes.

Methods: The study population consisted of 46 parents of children with diabetes and 46 parents of children without diabetes from outpatient clinics, providing medical care to children with and without diabetes, respectively. After gaining permission of clinic directors, the investigator approached parents, who were waiting in the clinics' reception areas, to complete the 33-item survey.

Assessment of pathology instruction in U.S. Dental hygiene educational programs.

Purpose: To assess the instruction of pathology content in entry-level and advanced practitioner dental hygiene educational programs and the program directors' perceptions whether their graduates are adequately prepared to meet the increasingly complex medical and oral health needs of the public.

Methods: A 28-question survey of instructional content and perceptions was developed and distributed using Qualtrics® software to the 340 directors of entry-level and advanced practitioner dental hygiene programs in the US. Respondents rated their level of agreement to a series of statements regarding their perceptions of graduates' preparation to perform particular dental hygiene services associated with pathology.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of dental hygienists regarding caries management by risk assessment.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to survey dental hygienists to determine their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the implementation of caries risk assessment, particularly caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA), in private dental practices.

Methods: A 17 item survey was developed to evaluate dental hygienists' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to CAMBRA and perceived barriers to CAMBRA implementation in private dental practice. Surveys were mailed to a randomized sample of 1,000 dental hygienists licensed to practice in California.

Assuring dental hygiene clinical competence for licensure: a national survey of dental hygiene program directors.

Purpose: To conduct a national survey of dental hygiene program directors to gain their opinions of alternative assessments of clinical competency, as qualifications for initial dental hygiene licensure.

Methods: A 22 question survey, comprised of statements eliciting Likert-scale responses, was developed and distributed electronically to 341 U.S.

Adjunctive use of the diode laser in non-surgical periodontal therapy: exploring the controversy.

Despite the controversy regarding clinical efficacy, dental hygienists use the diode laser as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy. The technique to maximize successful laser therapy outcome is controversial as well. The purpose of this review is to explore the scientific foundation of the controversy surrounding the use of the diode laser as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups entering the dental hygiene profession.

African American, Hispanic/Latina, and American Indian/Alaska Native persons are markedly underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (UREG) in the dental hygiene profession. The purpose of this study was to survey UREG dental hygiene students to determine their perceptions of the barriers and facilitators that influenced their decision to enter the dental hygiene profession. Participants were eighty-four UREG students attending entry-level dental hygiene programs across the state of California.

The relationship between postmenopausal osteoporosis and periodontal disease.

The purpose of this literature review is to summarize the scientific evidence, examining the relationship between postmenopausal osteoporosis and periodontal disease, and to determine if the relationship is causal or casual. A total of 8 electronic databases were searched to identify studies that included the following keywords: osteoporosis, periodontal disease, alveolar bone loss, estrogen deficiency, tooth loss and postmenopausal. Relevant abstracts were retrieved and critically evaluated.