Semi-automated scoring of pulmonary emphysema from X-ray CT: trainee reproducibility and accuracy.

Objective: We developed a semi-automated tool to quantify emphysema from thoracic X-ray multi-detector (64-slice) computed tomography (CT) for training purposes and multi-reader studies.

Materials And Methods: Thoracic X-ray CT was acquired in 93 ex-smokers, who were evaluated by six trainees with little or no expertise (trainees) and a single experienced thoracic radiologist (expert). A graphic user interface (GUI) was developed for emphysema quantification based on the percentile of lung where a score of 0=no abnormalities, 1=1-25%, 2=26-50%, 3=51-75% and 4=76-100% for each lung side/slice.

Sharing best practice: developing a Web-based database.

This article reports on the development of a web-based interactive database that was designed to facilitate the dissemination of practice development, research and audit projects across a large NHS trust. A multidisciplinary team worked collaboratively to design the database in order to ensure that it incorporated features which made it easy for the end user. Concise structured information on each project was recorded and search facilities incorporated to facilitate access to information.

The immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae: meningococcal protein conjugate vaccine in Polynesian and non-Polynesian New Zealand infants.

Objective: To examine the comparative immunogenicity of the Haemophilus influenzae type b-meningococcal protein (PRP-OMP) conjugate vaccine in Polynesian and non-Polynesian New Zealand infants.

Methodology: Fifty-six Polynesian and 53 non-Polynesian infants aged 2-7 months recruited from primary health care settings in Auckland received a two-dose primary series of PRP-OMP. A sub-sample of 83 participants received a booster dose of PRP-OMP at 12-16 months of age.

Oral health promotion for the older adult: implications for dental and dental hygiene practitioners.

The role of the dental and dental hygiene practitioner in geriatric oral health promotion can be viewed in terms of three questions. What purposeful or directed steps have been taken to improve oral health promotion? How can health promotion be improved? How can education and research help the practitioner? Professional associations, educators, researchers, school curricula, instructional programs, and dental products companies have tried to improve oral health promotion. At each level, communication of information and effective use of information has been compromised.

Dental needs and perceptions of adult Hispanic migrant farmworkers in Colorado.

To identify oral health needs, 231 adult Hispanic migrant farmworkers participated in an oral interview and dental epidemiologic survey in Colorado in summer 1986. DMFT and CPITN scores and restorative treatment needs were recorded. Overall treatment needs then were calculated.

Training dental and nondental professionals together: the oral health gerontology fellows program.

This project demonstrated the feasibility of training dental and nondental professionals to develop and implement programs in oral health care of older adults. Eight self-guided study modules were developed and tested. Trainees drawn from dentistry, dental hygiene, nursing, and planning/administration completed a 6-month individualized training program under the guidance of faculty mentors.

Dental caries in permanent teeth in children of migrant farm workers.

A 1984 study of dental disease in 534 children (aged 6-15) of migrant farm workers in Colorado found that the prevalence of disease for this population continues to exceed the national and regional average. The mean DMFS was 3.56 with only 23 per cent caries free compared to a regional non-migrant DMFS mean of 2.

Changing patient needs and their impact on clinical education.

Dental records of 1,800 clinic patients were examined in nine U.S. dental schools.

Characteristics of dental teaching patients.

Questionnaires were distributed to adult patients in a representative national sample of nine dental schools to solicit information on patient demographics, use of services, and perception of the care received. Responses from 2,346 patients were analyzed and compared to findings from various local studies. Results indicate: age range of patients and type of dental needs available to students is extremely variable among schools, the major referral system is through friends and relatives, most patients pay for all of their care and seek care at dental schools because of reasonable costs, transportation and parking pose significant problems for some patients, the majority of respondents had been patients for two years or less, and many patients want all of their clinical and interpersonal dental needs met in the school setting.

Current availability of patients in dental hygiene programs.

Dental hygiene programs were surveyed to determine current availability of patients to meet the training needs of dental hygiene students. Eighty-six percent of the programs responded. Widespread inadequate to marginal patient availability was reported in periodontics and radiology.

Current and future projections of dental school patient availability.

Results of a mail questionnaire received from 59 United States and ten Canadian dental schools indicated a potentially serious problem in obtaining and maintaining dental teaching patients. Most schools report at least one shortage that could eventually compromise the clinical education process. Future projections indicated a continuing problem due to perceived reductions in disease incidence.