Trends in Basic Sciences Education in Dental Schools, 1999-2016.

The purpose of this study was to examine data published over the past two decades to identify trends in the basic sciences curriculum in dental education, provide an analysis of those trends, and compare them with trends in the basic sciences curriculum in medical education. Data published from the American Dental Association (ADA) Surveys of Dental Education, American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Surveys of Dental School Seniors, and two additional surveys were examined. In large part, survey data collected focused on the structure, content, and instructional strategies used in dental education: what was taught and how.

Psychometric Evaluation of a 13-Point Measure of Students' Overall Competence in Community-Based Dental Education Programs.

Since 2006, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry has used a 13-point measure of overall competence instrument to assess fourth-year dental students' end-rotation performance at community clinics. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of this instrument used by preceptors to rate students' overall competence during community-based dental education experiences. The measure was analyzed using performance ratings for all fourth-year DDS students in the graduating classes of 2012 and 2013 (combined n=201).

Continued competency in the specialties and academics.

The competency approach to education requires demonstration of a set of knowledge, skills, and values appropriate to the current practice situation. The Commission on Dental Accreditation requires that dental educational programs provide evidence that predoctoral programs, postgraduate dental education, dental hygiene, and specialty programs provide evidence that their programs make it possible for candidates to achieve competence, assess competence and provide remediation, and deny degrees or certificates to those who do not possess competence. All nine specialty programs recognized by the American Dental Association require additional periodic assessment for continued competence.

The status of ethics teaching and learning in U.S. dental schools.

The purpose of this study was to gather and analyze information about the status of ethics teaching and learning in U.S. dental schools and to recommend a curriculum development and research agenda for professional ethics in dental education.

Dental students persuade the Michigan Dental Association to strengthen its codes of ethics: do actions speak louder than words?

This is a case study of how four different groups viewed proposed language in professional ethics codes regarding personal relationships with patients. The ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws, and Judicial Affairs; the House of Delegates of the Michigan State Dental Association; and first-year students at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry favored a strongly worded statement in their codes, while the House of Delegates of the ADA passed a statement that was more "advisory" in nature. Support material concerning the statement on personal relationships is presented as an ethics case, and suggestions are presented regarding the ethical principles underlying positions on the issue.

The spectrum of antimicrobial activity of the bacteriocin subtilosin A.

Background: Bacterocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria with a relatively narrow range of activity against closely related organisms. Subtilosin A is a bacteriocin produced by Bacillus subtilis that has activity against Listeria monocytogenes, which might indicate antimicrobial activity unusual for bacteriocins.

Objectives: To examine the antimicrobial activity and factors affecting the activity of subtilosin A against a range of potentially pathogenic bacteria.

Induction of {beta}-defensin resistance in the oral anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Induction of resistance of oral anaerobes to the effects of human beta-defensin 1 (hbetaD-1) to hbetaD-4 was investigated by pretreating cells with either sublethal levels of defensins or environmental factors, followed by a challenge with lethal levels of defensins. Cultures of Porphyromonas gingivalis were (i) pretreated with defensins at 1 ng/ml, (ii) heated to 42 degrees C (heat stress), (iii) exposed to normal atmosphere (oxidative stress), or (iv) exposed to 1 mM hydrogen peroxide (peroxide stress). Samples (10 microl) were distributed among the wells of sterile 384-well plates containing hbetaD-1 to -4 (100 microg/ml).