A Cross-Sectional Study of the Current and Future Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy Student Workforce in the UK and Ireland During 2022-2025: Considering Facilitators and Barriers to the Growth of This Workforce.

Introduction: With evidence suggesting that dental hygienists (DH) and dental therapists (DThs) can undertake a significant proportion of routine clinical work, this paper explores the number of recent graduates and students currently in training in the UK and Ireland and considers whether there are sufficient DH and DTh registrants to positively impact on population needs.

Methods: An online questionnaire survey was distributed by the Directors of Dental Hygiene and Therapy Group to all programme leads of dental hygiene and dental therapy programmes during December 2023.

Results: There was a 100% response rate.

An Investigation Into the Integrity of Fit of Provisional Crowns Using Current Proprietary Temporary Crown Materials.

Three methods of direct provisional crown construction were investigated for accuracy of marginal fit. A modified proprietary crown coping was compared to Bis GMA and isobutyl methacrylate resin provisional crowns with margins modified by using a flowable composite and 'bead on' isobutyl methacrylate respectively. Measurement was at 50x magnification at seven sites over the fit surface.

Development and testing of multi-phase glazes for adhesive bonding to zirconia substrates.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to develop and test multi-phase glaze coatings for zirconia restorations, so that the surface could be etched and adhesively bonded.

Methods: Zirconia disc specimens (n=125, 16 mm x 1 mm) were cut from cylinders of Y-TZP (yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals) ZS-Blanks (Kavo, Everest) and sintered overnight. Specimens were subjected to the recommended firing cycles, and next sandblasted.