Transitioning from pre-clinical to clinical dental radiology, a pilot study: Student perceived influences on confidence.

Introduction: Producing radiographic images requires the use of ionizing radiation, which has been well documented for its potentially detrimental effects on human tissues. Therefore, dental hygiene students begin their radiographic training by practicing on manikins in a pre-clinical environment. Use of manikins does not allow for patient interaction factors.

The role of stationary intraoral tomosynthesis in reducing proximal overlap in bitewing radiography.

Objectives: This study examined the utility of stationary intraoral tomosynthesis (s-IOT) in opening proximal contacts in bitewing radiography.

Methods: 11 DENTSPLY Rinn Dental X-ray Teaching and Training Replica mannequins (Model #546002, Elgin, Ill) were imaged with a prototype s-IOT device (Surround Medical Systems, Morrisville, NC) and standard bitewing (SBW) technique. Premolar and molar bitewings were acquired with each system.

Characterization and preliminary imaging evaluation of a clinical prototype stationary intraoral tomosynthesis system.

Purpose: Technological advancements in dental radiography have improved oral care on many fronts, yet diagnostic efficacy for some of the most common oral conditions, such as caries, dental cracks and fractures, and periodontal disease, remains relatively low. Driven by the clinical need for a better diagnostic yield for these and other dental conditions, we initiated the development of a stationary intraoral tomosynthesis (s-IOT) imaging system using carbon nanotube (CNT) x-ray source array technology. Here, we report the system characterization and preliminary imaging evaluation of a clinical prototype s-IOT system approved for human use.

A Comparison of Technique Errors using Two Radiographic Intra-oral Receptor-holding Devices.

Purpose: Technological advances in intra-oral receptors have resulted in film-holding devices that may or may not be interchangeable with photostimulable phosphor receptors. This study evaluated the number and types of technique errors that occurred when using PSP receptors with a standard film-holding device and a dual PSP/film-designed device.

Methods: The Rinn XCP-ORA® (Standard) and the Rinn Flip-Ray® PA device (Test) were compared using rectangular collimation.

Technical Performance of Universal and Enhanced Intraoral Imaging Rectangular Collimators.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the number and type of technical errors between 2 rectangular collimators, time/motion effort and radiographer preference.

Methods: Subjects (n=17) were recruited to expose an 18 projection full mouth series (FMX) using Tru-Align™ (enhanced) and Rinn® (universal) collimator devices. Both FMXs were exposed using photostimulable phosphor (PSP) digital sensors on a DXTTR manikin with an intraoral x-ray unit.

Comparison of suction device with saliva ejector for aerosol and spatter reduction during ultrasonic scaling.

Background: Aerosols and spatter are concerns in health care owing to their potential adverse health effects. The Isolite illuminated isolation system (Isolite Systems) and a saliva ejector were compared for aerosol and spatter reduction during and after ultrasonic scaling.

Methods: Fifty participants were randomized to control (n = 25, saliva ejector) or test (n = 25, Isolite) groups and received a prophylaxis with an ultrasonic scaler.

Prevalence of periodontitis according to Hispanic or Latino background among study participants of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Background: Hispanics and Latinos are an ethnically heterogeneous population with distinct oral health risk profiles. Few study investigators have examined potential variation in the burden of periodontitis according to Hispanic or Latino background.

Methods: The authors used a multicenter longitudinal population-based cohort study to examine the periodontal health status at screening (2008-2011) of 14,006 Hispanic and Latino adults, aged 18 to 74 years, from four U.

Reducing the risk of intraoral radiographic imaging with collimation and thyroid shielding.

The 2007 modification by the International Commission on Radiation Protection of the calculation of effective dose from ionizing radiation has renewed interest in the concept of As Low As Reasonably Achievable exposure, and the technical approaches for reducing doses. This intraoral imaging study compared effective doses from circular and rectangular collimator modalities. A total of 18-image adult and 12-image child full mouth series were exposed using a 6 cm diameter circular collimator, a universal rectangular collimator, and an enhanced rectangular device for both adult and child phantoms.

The prevalence of caries and tooth loss among participants in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Background: The Hispanic and Latino population is projected to increase from 16.7 percent to 30.0 percent by 2050.

Heterogeneity in periodontitis prevalence in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine acculturation and established risk factors in explaining variation in periodontitis prevalence among Hispanic/Latino subgroups.

Methods: Participants were 12,730 dentate adults aged 18-74 years recruited into the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) from four U.S.

Effects of periodontal therapy on rate of preterm delivery: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To test the effects of maternal periodontal disease treatment on the incidence of preterm birth (delivery before 37 weeks of gestation).

Methods: The Maternal Oral Therapy to Reduce Obstetric Risk Study was a randomized, treatment-masked, controlled clinical trial of pregnant women with periodontal disease who were receiving standard obstetric care. Participants were assigned to either a periodontal treatment arm, consisting of scaling and root planing early in the second trimester, or a delayed treatment arm that provided periodontal care after delivery.

The oral and systemic impact of third molar periodontal pathology.

Purpose: Analyze in pregnant subjects the relationship between third molar periodontal pathology, and subjects' overall periodontal status. Assess also, the associations between postpartum periodontal status by jaw and a systemic impact, preterm birth, or elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP).

Patients And Methods: Data were from an IRB-approved study, Oral Conditions and Pregnancy.

Third molars and progression of periodontal pathology during pregnancy.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the association between third molar periodontal pathology at enrollment and periodontal disease progression during pregnancy.

Patients And Methods: The data were derived from patients in an institutional review board-approved prospective study known as the Oral Conditions and Pregnancy (OCAP) study. Demographic, health behavior, and medical history data were obtained from medical records.

Risk indicators for third molar caries and periodontal disease in senior adults.

Purpose: This study was designed to identify risk indicators for the prevalence at enrollment and incidence over 36 months of periodontal pathology and coronal caries experience affecting third molars in a community-based study of people over 65 years of age.

Subjects And Methods: Data from a subsample of 810 dentate subjects from the Piedmont 65+ Study were available for analyses. All visible teeth were examined.

Third molar periodontal pathology and caries in senior adults.

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the prevalence at enrollment and incidence over 36 months of periodontal pathology and caries affecting third molars in a community-based study of people over the age of 65 years in North Carolina.

Subjects And Methods: A sub-sample of 818 subjects with dental examinations taken from the Piedmont 65+ Study was available for analysis. All visible teeth were examined.

Reliability of third molar probing measures and the systemic impact of third molar periodontal pathology.

Purpose: This study examined the reliability of assessing clinical periodontal measures on third molars, and the association between oral inflammation with periodontal pathology including third molars, and systemic inflammation including negative obstetric outcomes.

Patients And Methods: Reliability of third molar probing depth (PD) was assessed for 41 patients by trained examiners. The data for the association between oral inflammation with periodontal pathology and systemic outcomes were derived from an IRB-approved study, "Oral Conditions and Pregnancy.

Progressive periodontal disease and risk of very preterm delivery.

Objective: The goal was to estimate whether maternal periodontal disease was predictive of preterm (less than 37 weeks) or very preterm (less than 32 weeks) births.

Methods: A prospective study of obstetric outcomes, entitled Oral Conditions and Pregnancy (OCAP), was conducted with 1,020 pregnant women who received both an antepartum and postpartum periodontal examination. Predictive models were developed to estimate whether maternal exposure to either periodontal disease at enrollment (less than 26 weeks) and/or periodontal disease progression during pregnancy, as determined by comparing postpartum with antepartum status, were predictive of preterm or very preterm births, adjusting for risk factors including previous preterm delivery, race, smoking, social domain variables, and other infections.

Cross-contamination of the PSP sensor in a preclinical setting.

Purpose: This study tested an infection control protocol for photostimulable phosphor (PSP) sensors while simulating multiple uses.

Methods: Dental hygiene students (n=36) were randomly assigned to a control group (dry wipe) or test group (disinfectant wipe). A sterile, barriered sensor was placed in a peer patient's mouth to simulate an exposure.

Intrapocket anesthesia for scaling and root planing in pain-sensitive patients.

Background: In 2 previous multicenter studies evaluating the efficacy of a novel anesthetic gel (lidocaine 25 mg/g plus prilocaine 25 mg/g), there was a rather small, although statistically significant, overall difference between the active and placebo gels. There were, however, large center variations. At centers where the placebo-treated patients reported high pain scores, the difference between treatments was large, suggesting that the anesthetic gel is most effective in patients who experience the procedure as painful.

A comparison of slide/audiotape and Web-based instructional formats for teaching normal intraoral radiographic anatomy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between individual learning styles, test performance, and attitudes toward the use of Web-based self-instruction and slide/audiotape self-instruction

Methods: Participants consisted of 33 junior, first-year dental hygiene students enrolled in a university-based dental hygiene program. A stratified random allocation (by gender, English as a second language, and prior dental experience) and random number table were used to assign participants into one of two groups. Group one studied the mandibular arch using the slide/audiotape format and the maxillary arch using the Web-based format, and group two studied the mandibular arch using the Web-based format and the maxillary arch using the slide/audiotape format.

Pre-clinical performance comparing intraoral film and CCD-based systems.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare dental hygiene student radiographic performance using film and charge-coupled device (CCD) systems. Specific objectives were to compare the 1) number of technique errors, 2) error type, 3) retake frequency, and 4) learning experience using both systems.

Methods: Twenty-eight subjects exposed two 18-projection full series, one film-based, and one CCD-based system, on a manikin.