Brushing Behavior Changes and Plaque Removal with an Electric Toothbrush: A clinical trial.

To evaluate changes in toothbrushing behavior and plaque removal performance with usage of a next generation oscillating-rotating electric toothbrush (NG-OR). This exploratory clinical study had a two-treatment, three-period, single-group, sequential design. Generally healthy adults with a screening whole mouth mean Turesky modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI) score of at least 1.

Dental hygiene student perceptions of a school-based sealant program: A qualitative review.

Purpose/objectives: The purpose of this 2021 study was to explore experiences acquired from a school-based sealant program (SBSP), to improve understanding of the relationship between SBSP and dental hygiene (DH) student outcomes, and to inform institutions of the value of educational experiences aiming to reduce disparities in access to dental care.

Methods: University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry Senior DH students complete a community engaged course which includes participation in community projects and clinical activities targeting Kansas City's urban and surrounding rural environments. The SBSP is a component of this course.

Brushing behaviour changes and plaque removal with an electric toothbrush: A clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate changes in toothbrushing behaviour and plaque removal performance with usage of a next generation oscillating-rotating electric toothbrush (NG-OR).

Methods: This exploratory clinical study had a two-treatment, three-period, single-group, sequential design. Generally healthy adults with a screening whole mouth mean Turesky modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI) score of at least 1.

Prevalence of baseline hypocalcemia and symptomatic hypocalcemia during leukapheresis.

Symptoms of hypocalcemia are reported in up to 50% of patients undergoing leukapheresis procedures. There is no set standard of practice for administering calcium supplementation in the prevention or treatment of hypocalcemia symptoms. The goal of this descriptive, retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of baseline hypocalcemia and symptomatic hypocalcemia during leukapheresis with acid citrate dextrose solution A and to identify patient characteristics associated with symptomatic hypocalcemia.

Are adults with autism receiving regular preventive dental services?

Purpose/aim: To investigate the frequency of preventive dental care among adults with autism and explore factors associated with receiving regular preventive care.

Materials And Methods: De-identified data was collected from electronic health records of 18-year-old or older patients with autism that had at least one preventive dental procedure recorded. The data was then analyzed to describe the frequency of preventive dental procedures provided for this population and investigate what variables are associated with regular care.

Fidelity of motivational interviewing training for dental hygiene students.

Use of Motivational Interviewing (MI), a patient centered counseling strategy in the health professions, has demonstrated efficacy. Given the varied training associated with the delivery of health interventions, it is essential adherence and competence are equivocally assured. Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) coding evaluated our recorded standardized patient oral assessment and planning sessions to identify the skills in which MI-trained students (n = 26) performed compared to student counterparts (n = 24) not trained in the MI curriculum.

High Patient Disease Burden in a Cross-sectional, Multicenter Contact Registry Study of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases.

Objectives: Clinical features of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) have been well-described in the literature, however, characterization of features experienced by patients with other eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs) is lacking. Using data collected from a patient contact registry, we sought to characterize and contrast patient-reported gastrointestinal and extragastrointestinal symptoms and comorbidities in non-EoE EGIDs, including eosinophilic gastritis, gastroenteritis and colitis, relative to EoE.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of contact registry data collected from 2015 to 2018.

Relationships Between Course Capture Systems and Student Performance in Dental Hygiene Education.

The aim of this mixed-methods longitudinal study was to assess student perceptions of technology use, and to examine the relationship between technology use and performance as reflected by self-reported student grade point averages. Students (n=351) enrolled in a dental hygiene program within a dental school located in the mid-western United States were surveyed in three courses from 2008 through 2012 to gather their perceptions regarding usage of a lecture recording system (LRS). Additionally, self-reported grade point averages were collected over the same period of time.

Effectiveness of an Antigen-Specific Chairside Test as Compared to a Culture-Based Test.

To compare the effectiveness of an antigen-specific chairside test to a culture based test. Fifty-three patients receiving dental hygiene care at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Dentistry were enrolled in the study. Stimulated saliva was collected from the patients and utilized for both bacteria tests.

Improving periodontal outcomes: merging clinical and behavioral science.

New data indicate that periodontal diseases are much more prevalent than previously thought, which means that there are large numbers of patients who will need to be diagnosed and treated for periodontal disease in a general dental practice. Oral hygiene procedures performed by patients between office visits are important for gingival health. No particular type of toothbrush has consistently been shown to have superior plaque-removal ability over another.

Dental Hygienists' Experiences with Motivational Interviewing: A Qualitative Study.

The effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing (MI) to change health behaviors is well documented. Previous studies support use of MI to change oral health behaviors in the areas of early childhood caries and periodontal diseases, but research is limited due to the sparse number of oral health care providers with training in MI. The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) formally integrated MI training into its dental hygiene curriculum five years ago.

Fifteen years of portfolio assessment of dental hygiene student competency: lessons learned.

Adoption of portfolio assessment in the educational environment is gaining attention as a means to incorporate self-assessment into the curriculum and to use evidence to support learning outcomes and to demonstrate competency. Portfolios provide a medium for students to demonstrate and document their personal and professional growth across the curriculum. The purpose of this literature review is to discuss the drivers for portfolio education, the benefits to both students and program faculty/administrators, the barriers associated with portfolio use, and suggested solutions that have been determined through several years of "lessons learned.

Analysis of patient factors impacting duration of periodontal maintenance appointments: an exploratory study.

Purpose: The periodontal maintenance (PM) appointment requires varying amounts of time and is absolutely essential for long-term successful periodontal therapy. This study assessed time requirements for PM and relative contribution of patient-level factors such as oral health status, complex medical history, maintenance compliance and demographics.

Methods: One hundred patients receiving PM in a graduate periodontal program at a dental school participated in this cross sectional, observational study and components of their PM were timed in minutes/seconds.

Referring periodontal patients: clinical decision making by dental and dental hygiene students.

Referral of periodontal patients requires development of a complex set of decision making skills. This study was conducted to determine criteria used by dental and dental hygiene students regarding the referral of periodontal patients for specialty care. Using mixed methods, a thirteen-item survey was developed to elicit the students' perceptions of their knowledge, confidence regarding managing patients, and clinical reasoning related to periodontal patients.

Motivational interviewing in dental hygiene education: curriculum modification and evaluation.

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a person-centered, goal-directed method of communication for eliciting and strengthening intrinsic motivation for behavior change. Originally developed in the field of addiction therapy, MI has been increasing applied in the health professions with a growing body of successful outcomes for tobacco cessation and diabetic control, which can significantly impact oral health. MI has shown preliminary value for impacting oral behaviors that reduce early childhood caries, plaque, and gingival inflammation.

A qualitative case study of the legislative process of the hygienist-therapist bill in a large Midwestern state.

Purpose: Inequitable access to dental care contributes to oral health disparities. Midlevel dental provider models are utilized across the globe as a way to bridge the gap between preventive and restorative dental professionals and increase access to dental care. The purpose of this study was threefold: to examine lessons learned from the state legislative process related to creation of the hygienist-therapist in a Midwestern state, to improve understanding of the relationship between alternative oral health delivery models and public policy and to inform the development and passage of future policies aimed at addressing the unmet dental needs of the public.

Massachusetts dental public health program directors practice behaviors and perceptions of infection control.

Purpose: The objective of this exploratory study was to deter mine the current infection control practices used in Massachusetts dental public health programs and assess the perceived compliance and challenges with infection control standards as outlined in the 2003 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection control guidelines.

Methods: A convenience sample of program directors of dental public health programs in Massachusetts (n=82) were invited to participate. The directors were identified through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, local dental/dental hygiene schools and key stakeholders in dental public health.

Comparing the risk identification and management behaviors between oral health providers for patients with diabetes.

Purpose: Evidence supporting the link between periodontal disease and systemic disease continues to grow. To date, little is known about how dental professionals incorporate this information into managing diabetic patients. This study examines the risk identification and practice behaviors regarding diabetic patients among dentists, hygienists and specialists.

California dental hygienists' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding herbal and dietary supplements.

Purpose: As more Americans use dietary supplements, the potential for increased adverse effects increases. The purpose of this study was to identify the current knowledge, attitudes and practice behaviors among California dental hygienists regarding herbal and dietary supplements (HDS).

Methods: A stratified random sample of 1,203 registered California hygienists were surveyed.

Adherence and preexisting major protease inhibitor resistance mutations are associated with virologic failure of a dual-class antiretroviral regimen with inhibitors of HIV-1 viral protease and integrase.

Objectives: Novel treatment strategies are needed for treatment-experienced HIV-infected individuals. We retrospectively evaluated virologic outcomes on a dual-class, protease inhibitor (PI) plus raltegravir, antiretroviral (ARV) regimen.

Methods: Virologic success was defined by a plasma HIV-RNA level ≤200 copies/mL.

Student self-assessment in dental hygiene education: a cornerstone of critical thinking and problem-solving.

Self-assessment is an integral component of learning and developing decision making and critical thinking skills in the practice of dental hygiene. Dental hygienists must think critically and develop problem-solving strategies during their formal education to ensure lifelong quality and ongoing development of their personal knowledge and skill as related to providing comprehensive, evidence-based patient care. The primary focus of this qualitative investigation was to obtain undergraduate dental hygiene students' perceptions of and experiences with self-assessment.

Examining the effect of the Flextend Orthotic Device on grip strength: a pilot study.

Strengthening exercises like those used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome have been recommended for prevention however their effectiveness when used in this manner are not known. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the Flextend Orthotic Device on grip strength of dental hygiene students. This study used a convenience sample of 24 (n=24) first year dental hygiene students.

Examining clinical assessment practices in U.S. dental hygiene programs.

Competency-based education (CBE) in dental hygiene education is intended to measure learned skills that prepare students to independently provide services for the public. A variety of standardized clinical assessment techniques (SCATs) are available to substantiate the competence of health care professionals, including, but not limited to, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), triple jump exams, standardized patients, and simulations. Standardized clinical examinations test students' abilities to treat diverse patients in a consistent, controlled setting.

Examining the role of collaborative assessment in a didactic dental hygiene course.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a technique known as collaborative assessment considering students' and faculty members' perceptions of the value and utility of this approach. Twenty-eight dental hygiene students took eight individual assessments (quizzes) immediately followed by completion of the same assessment in a five-member peer group as part of a didactic dental hygiene course. At the end of the semester, student perceptions and course performance were examined.

Utilizing public health clinics for service-learning rotations in dental hygiene: a four-year retrospective study.

National reports outlining disparities in oral health care in the United States have focused attention on ways to encourage health care providers to become more involved in the public health arena. Utilization of service-learning in professional health education programs is one method being explored. The purpose of this study was to conduct a retrospective review of a service-learning rotation within a dental hygiene public health course.