Application of principles learned in a prevention-focused pediatric dental residency curriculum to professional practice.

Purpose: This study examined whether pediatric dentists who participated in a pediatric dental residency program focusing on disease prevention and management training and screening for social determinants of health (SDOH) were applying these principles to their professional practice upon graduation.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, a one-time-only online survey was disseminated to 75 pediatric dentists who graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles's training program between 2012 and 2022. The 21-item survey included questions on demographics, patient population characteristics, and application of preventive dentistry and SDOH to their professional practice.

Pediatric Oral Health Online Education for Rural and Migrant Head Start Programs in the United States.

Children living in rural and migrant areas in the United States disproportionately suffer from poor oral health. Additionally, there continues to be a shortage of pediatric dentists practicing in rural/migrant areas. The purpose of this formative research study was to assess whether staff, teachers and families from rural/migrant Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) programs in California were receptive to oral health online education workshops conducted by pediatric dental residents who were assisted by bilingual (English and Spanish) community oral health workers (COHWs).

A 12-year follow up of principles learned in a pediatric dentistry Master of Public Health dual degree program applied to professional practice.

Introduction: Dental public health professionals play a critical role in preventing and controlling oral diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the application of public health principles learned in a pediatric dentistry Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree program to professional practice upon graduation.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pediatric dentistry/MPH dual degree alumni who graduated from the program between 2012 and 2023.

Observational Study Exploring the Efficacy and Effectiveness of a New Model of Peer-Assisted Simulation-Based Learning Clinical Placement.

(1) Background: Immersive simulation-based learning is relevant and effective in health care professional pre-licensure training. Peer-assisted learning has reciprocal benefit for the learner and the teacher. A fully simulated model of fieldwork placement has been utilised at Curtin University since 2014, historically employing full-time faculty supervisors.

Berg Balance Scale Score as a Predictor of Independent Walking at Discharge among Adult Stroke Survivors.

The purpose of this study was to determine which admission clinical assessment or assessments best predict independent walking at discharge (IW-DC) among adults with unilateral impairments hospitalized for rehabilitation post-stroke. On admission, we collected measures of balance (Berg Balance Scale [BBS]), physical function (Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment - Activity Inventory), postural and leg motor control (Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment - Impairment Inventory), functional independence (FIM), sensation and proprioception, and pushing behaviour (Four-Point Pusher Score). Logistic regression determined which measures influenced the odds of IW-DC.

Rasch analysis of the Burke Lateropulsion Scale (BLS).

Background: Lateropulsion is a common problem following stroke. Whilst the Burke Lateropulsion Scale (BLS) is recommended in the literature as the outcome measure of choice for measuring lateropulsion, the internal validity of the BLS has not been investigated.

Objectives: To evaluate the internal validity of the BLS for use in evaluating the effectiveness of therapies aimed at reducing lateropulsion.

Benefits of powered standing wheelchair devices for adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the first year of use.

Aim: Poorer physical and mental health often accompany loss of walking in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This study assessed the impacts of powered wheelchair standing device (PWSD) use on muscle and joint pain, joint angles when standing and mental health in adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Methods: Fourteen adolescents and parents participated in a stepped wedge design study over 12 months.

Characteristics of the shoulder in patients following acute stroke: a case series.

Background: Stroke can result in pain and loss of motor control in the hemiplegic shoulder, and while prevention of secondary changes is likely to be the most effective management, there is limited evidence directing clinicians towards the most at-risk patients.

Objectives: The aim of this case series was to investigate the presentation of shoulder pain, motor impairment, shoulder passive range of motion (PROM) and alignment of the hemiplegic shoulder following acute stroke.

Methods: This study reported data that was collected as part of a pilot randomized controlled trial investigating kinesiology taping of the hemiplegic shoulder.

Powered standing wheelchairs promote independence, health and community involvement in adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a common neuromuscular disorder involving progressive muscle weakness. A powered wheelchair standing device provides capacity to stand despite increasing muscle weakness. This study used qualitative methods to explore how adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy used a powered wheelchair standing device in their daily lives.

Reliability and Validity of the Four-Point Pusher Score: An Assessment Tool for Measuring Lateropulsion and Pusher Behaviour in Adults after Stroke.

The authors determined the reliability and validity of the Four-Point Pusher Score (4PPS) among stroke survivors. Stroke survivors were invited to participate within 48 hours of admission to a stroke rehabilitation unit in a tertiary hospital. Intrarater reliability was determined by examining scores assigned to the same patient by the same physiotherapist.

Propulsion strategy in the gait of primary school children; the effect of age and speed.

The strategy used to generate power for forward propulsion in walking and running has recently been highlighted as a marker of gait maturation and elastic energy recycling. This study investigated ankle and hip power generation as a propulsion strategy (PS) during the late stance/early swing phases of walking and running in typically developing (TD) children (15: six to nine years; 17: nine to 13years) using three-dimensional gait analysis. Peak ankle power generation at push-off (peakA2), peak hip power generation in early swing (peakH3) and propulsion strategy (PS) [peakA2/(peakA2+peakH3)] were calculated to provide the relative contribution of ankle power to total propulsion.

Perspectives on hand function in girls and women with Rett syndrome.

Objective: Rett syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that is usually associated with a mutation on the X-linked MECP2 gene. Hand function is particularly affected and we discuss theoretical and practical perspectives for optimising hand function in Rett syndrome.

Methods: We reviewed the literature pertaining to hand function and stereotypies in Rett syndrome and developed a toolkit for their assessment and treatment.

Upper and lower lumbar segments move differently during sit-to-stand.

Sit-to-stand (STS) is a functional dynamic task, requiring movement of the lumbar spine, however, little is known about whether regional differences or between-gender differences exist during this task. The aim of this study was to confirm whether kinematic differences existed within regions of the lumbar spine during STS and also to determine whether between-gender differences were evident. An electromagnetic measurement device, recording at 25 Hz, determined how different lumbar spine regions (combined, lower and upper) moved during STS in 29 healthy participants (16 males, 13 females).