Salivary microbiome changes distinguish response to chemoradiotherapy in patients with oral cancer.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is associated with oral microbial dysbiosis. In this unique study, we compared pre- to post-treatment salivary microbiome in patients with SCC by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and examined how microbiome changes correlated with the expression of an anti-microbial protein.

Results: Treatment of SCC was associated with a reduction in overall bacterial richness and diversity.

Entrustable professional activities framework for assessment in predoctoral dental education, developed using a modified Delphi process.

Purpose/objectives: The purpose of this study was to define and develop a set of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for dental education using a modified Delphi consensus approach. EPAs define the core tasks that a graduating dentist needs to perform independently in practice. The EPA framework facilitates assessment of competencies as they manifest in the tasks and independence needed to be ready for practice.

Contemporary appraisal of factors influencing pediatric dental program directors' selection of residents.

Purpose: With the increasing number of applicants and changes to information available in applications, pediatric dentistry program directors must adapt the resident selection process. The evaluation approach was significantly impacted when the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) changed to a pass/fail grading system. The purposes of this are study to examine what criteria pediatric dentistry program directors now use to select residents, and to evaluate current criteria against those used in the past.

Dental Students' Evaluations of Practice Management Education and Interest in Business-Related Training: Exploring Attitudes Towards DDS/DMD-MBA Programs.

Being well prepared for a competitive business environment is crucial for future dentists. The aims of this study were to assess dental students' satisfaction with their practice management education, their current and future interest in business-related education and attending a DDS/DMD-MBA program, and the relationship between their demographic and other characteristics and their business education-related responses. The study, conducted in 2016 and 2017, surveyed students in all four years at the authors' home school and at other schools that did not have a DDS/DMD-MBA program.

General Dentists' Perceptions of Dental Hygienists' Professional Role: A Survey.

Changes in dental hygienists' scope of practice in the United States (U.S.) are not independent of general dentists' attitudes and behavior related to dental hygienists' professional roles.

Educating Dental Students About Eating Disorders: Perceptions and Practice of Interprofessional Care.

Providing care for patients with eating disorders (EDs) requires an interprofessional care (IPC) approach. The aims of this study were to assess dental students' ED- and IPC-related educational experiences, perceptions of preparedness for ED-related communication with patients and providers, and attitudes related to an IPC approach to ED. Relationships among perceptions of education, preparedness, attitudes, and characteristics (e.

Climate Study of the Learning Environment for Faculty, Staff, and Students at a U.S. Dental School: Foundation for Culture Change.

The aim of this study was to assess the culture and climate for diversity and inclusion and the humanistic learning environment for students, faculty, and staff at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. From July 2014 to June 2015, two committees of 16 faculty members, staff members, and students, in partnership with trained program evaluators, used a participatory program evaluation (PPE) process to conduct the assessment using key informant interviews, surveys, and focus groups. The topics addressed were humanistic environment, learning environment, diversity and inclusion, microaggressions and bullying, and activities and space.

LGBT Coverage in U.S. Dental Schools and Dental Hygiene Programs: Results of a National Survey.

The aims of this study were to assess curricular coverage of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) content in U.S. and Canadian dental schools and U.

Cytokines in saliva increase in head and neck cancer patients after treatment.

Objective: Approximately one-third of advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) recur within 2 years of treatment. Due to ease of collection, saliva is of interest to monitor changes that correlate with treatment. Previously this was a challenge due to xerostomia after conventional radiation.

Predictors of Dysgeusia in Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated With Chemotherapy and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy.

Objective(s): Dysgeusia is a significant factor reducing quality of life and worsening dysphagia in patients receiving chemoradiation therapy for head and neck cancer. The factors affecting dysgeusia severity are uncertain. We investigated the effects on patient-reported dysgeusia of doses to the oral cavity, salivary output (required to dissolve food particles), and patient-reported xerostomia.

Student Evaluations of Teaching: Dental and Dental Hygiene Students' and Faculty Members' Perspectives.

The aim of this study was to explore dental and dental hygiene students' and faculty members' perceptions of student evaluations of teaching (SET) and determine whether dental vs. dental hygiene student, beginning vs. advanced student, and faculty vs.

Grand rounds for dental students: an exploration.

Grand Rounds are widely used in medicine for educating students comprehensively about clinical issues. The aim of this study was to explore the value of Grand Rounds for introducing first- (D1) and second-year (D2) dental students to an interdisciplinary approach to dental care. The objectives were to explore how interested students were in various topics, which topics they would like to see addressed in future sessions, which aspects they liked/disliked, how they evaluated the program components, and how they evaluated the outcomes.

Dental and dental hygiene students' perceptions of a standardized patient instructor conflict resolution program.

The aim of this study was to examine students' perceptions of the value of a standardized patient instructor conflict resolution program designed to strengthen their communication and confidence during difficult patient conversations. Three cohorts of students at one dental school were part of the study: the dental class of 2013, the dental class of 2014, and the dental hygiene class of 2013. The same groups of students completed surveys immediately following the program and one, two, or three years afterwards.

Toxicities affecting quality of life after chemo-IMRT of oropharyngeal cancer: prospective study of patient-reported, observer-rated, and objective outcomes.

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) aiming to spare the salivary glands and swallowing structures would reduce or eliminate the effects of xerostomia and dysphagia on quality of life (QOL).

Methods And Materials: In this prospective, longitudinal study, 72 patients with stage III-IV oropharyngeal cancer were treated uniformly with definitive chemo-IMRT sparing the salivary glands and swallowing structures. Overall QOL was assessed by summary scores of the Head Neck QOL (HNQOL) and University of Washington QOL (UWQOL) questionnaires, as well as the HNQOL "Overall Bother" question.

Survey of Michigan dentists and radiation oncologists on oral care of patients undergoing head and neck radiation therapy.

Background: Oral complications of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) are associated with a significant decline in oral health-related quality of life (OHQOL). The dentist, working with the radiation oncologist and the rest of the health care team, plays an important role in the prevention and management of these complications, but patients do not always receive care consistent with current guidelines. This study investigated barriers to recommended care.

Reducing xerostomia after chemo-IMRT for head-and-neck cancer: beyond sparing the parotid glands.

Purpose: To assess whether, in addition to sparing the parotid glands (PGs), xerostomia after chemotherapy plus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (chemo-IMRT) for head-and-neck cancer is affected by reducing the dose to the other salivary glands.

Patients And Methods: In a prospective study, 78 patients with Stage III-IV oropharynx/nasopharynx cancer underwent chemo-IMRT, with the aim of sparing the parts of the bilateral PGs, oral cavity (OC) containing the minor salivary glands, and contralateral submandibular gland (SMG) outside the target (when contralateral level I was not a target). Before therapy and periodically for 24 months, validated patient-reported xerostomia questionnaire (XQ) scores and observer-graded xerostomia scores were recorded.