Expanding the functions of dental assistants in Bulgaria and perceptions about their role in the Bulgarian healhcare workforce.

Aim: The study queries a sample of dentists and dental assistants in Bulgaria about their understanding and perceptions of Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDA). The study considers whether expanding the skillset of dental assistants to function in specific scenarios without personal supervision by the dentist may be a viable strategy to address various oral health inequities in the country.

Materials And Methods: An anonymous survey was conducted among 103 practicing dentists and 100 dental assistants throughout the country.

Dental students' knowledge and reporting of child maltreatment: Where are we at today both here and abroad?

Introduction: The study investigates whether suspected child abuse/neglect (SCAN) training in dental school has increased dental student SCAN knowledge and, consequently, reporting.

Materials And Methods: A 25-question survey used to assess for SCAN knowledge in 2006 was readministered to a group of dental students at one US dental school in St. Louis, MO, which has integrated SCAN training into its curriculum for at least 3 years, and one dental school in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, which has not integrated SCAN training as a control.

Antibacterial properties of silver-loaded gelatin sponges prepared with silver diamine fluoride.

Purpose: To evaluate the antibacterial efficiency of silver-loaded gelatin sponges prepared from gelatin and silver diamine fluoride, Ag(NH3)2F.

Methods: A series of novel silver-loaded gelatin sponges were prepared from gelatin and silver diamine fluoride. They were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

Improved Yale Total Tic Severity Score Due to Craniofacial Manipulation With an Oral Appliance.

Background: This study evaluated a novel treatment approach using the concept of cranial facial manipulation with an oral appliance, the TicTocStop Tic Guard (TTSTG), also known as the Tic Guard, to determine its safety and efficacy in the treatment of Tourette syndrome (TS) and chronic tic disorders (CTDs).

Methods: A two-center study was undertaken at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and a facility on Long Island, New York. A total of 77 subjects enrolled between the centers upon referral from local neurologists and via Internet enrollment; 67 subjects started the study, and 58 completed the study.

An International Survey of Female Dental Students' Perceptions About Gender Bias and Sexual Misconduct at Four Dental Schools.

As women enter the dental profession in increasing numbers in North America and around the world, the questions of how they perceive their environment and what kind of barriers they face are important subjects to be addressed. The aim of this study was to assess and compare women dental students' perceptions of bias in their environment and experiences of sexual misconduct at one dental school in each of four countries. In spring 2017, 1,293 female students at four dental schools in the U.

A novel antimicrobial and remineralizing toothpaste containing CaCl₂/chitosan microspheres.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of exploiting amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) formed in situ from chitosan calcium microspheres and phosphate ions in water during brushing for caries control.

Methods: A prototype toothpaste, namely Chi-ACP paste, was specially formulated containing CaCl₂/chitosan microspheres. The efficiency of Chi-ACP paste for remineralization on human tooth enamel was evaluated via an in vitro pH cycling approach.

Influence of a cylindrical crosshead on shear bond testing of composite-tooth interfaces.

The effect of a cylindrical crosshead on shear bond strength of composite to dentin was assessed by finite element analysis (FEA) after shear bond testing thirty mandibular molars restored with composite cylinders (Tetric EvoCeram-3 mm diameter) perpendicular to conditioned dentin. Cross-sectional geometric models were created with quadrilateral linear plane stress elements. Stress distributions for normal, shear, and major principal stresses were plotted.

Effects of atmospheric non-thermal argon/oxygen plasma on biofilm viability and hydrophobicity of oral bacteria.

Purpose: To evaluate the bactericidal effects of atmospheric non-thermal argon/oxygen plasma on in vitro oral biofilms constructed from S. mutans and/or S. sanguinis, and the influence of the plasma on the virulence properties of A.

Dental and Dental Hygiene Intraprofessional Education: A Pilot Program and Assessment of Students' and Patients' Satisfaction.

Interprofessional and intraprofessional education (when students from two or more professions or within the same profession, respectively, learn about, from, and/or with each other) is crucial for effective interdisciplinary collaboration. The aims of this study were to assess the effectiveness of a clinical intraprofessional education program for dental and dental hygiene students, based on students' expectations and satisfaction with the program and patients' satisfaction with the team-based care. The pilot program was developed at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry, where dental hygiene students were paired randomly with dental students scheduled for prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, or periodontal maintenance.

Effects of trimethylsilane plasma coating on the hydrophobicity of denture base resin and adhesion of Candida albicans on resin surfaces.

Statement Of Problem: Candida-associated denture stomatitis is the most common oral mucosal lesion among denture wearers. Trimethylsilane (TMS) plasma coating may inhibit the growth of Candida albicans on denture surfaces.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate whether TMS plasma coatings can effectively reduce C albicans adhesion on denture base acrylic resin surfaces.

A Novel Protocol to Evaluate Hard and Soft Tissue Relationships in Three Dimensions without the Use of Additional Radiographic Studies.

Objective: The evaluation of hard and soft tissue relationships is an important part of the study of facial morphology, craniofacial development and orthodontic treatment and outcomes. Historically, this evaluation has occurred in two dimensions. The purpose of this study was to develop a protocol to study the relationships of hard and soft tissues in three dimensions without the use of additional radiation.

Comparison of Laser Versus Rotary Instrumentation- A Case Study.

The use of an erbium laser to treat carious teeth has proven to have several advantages when compared to rotary instruments. The clinician is able to remove a minimal amount of tooth structure, thus minimizing the risk of pulpal exposure. The extremely short pulses of erbium lasers combined with an aerosolized water spray have been shown to cool the pulp as opposed to rotary instruments which may create heat that could lead to a pulpitis.

The SPA Factor or Not? Distinguishing Sex on the Basis of Stereotyped Tooth Characteristics.

Objectives: The study examines whether faculty, dental students, or laypeople can determine the sex of a patient solely by looking at the shape of their teeth.

Methods: Fifty faculty, 100 students, and 50 patients evaluated 40 photographed smiles for 8,000 observations. The subject group was comprised of 20 males and 20 females.

Headache and jaw locking comorbidity with daytime sleepiness.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between craniofacial pain symptoms (painful conditions present in the cranium and face, including jaw joint-related pathology and primary headache conditions) and daytime sleepiness, determined by the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), to correlate comorbidity as well as potential predictive factors.

Methods: 1,171 patients seeking care for chronic pain and/or sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) at 11 international treatment centers were included in the study. Patients completed the ESS and identified their primary craniofacial pain and sleep pathology symptoms.

Non-Orthodontic, Non-Restorative Closure of Acquired Diastemata.

Aim: To illustrate the reversibility of "pathologic tooth migration" in several patients that were managed by periodontal therapy alone, along with a review of the relevant literature.

Background: Pathologic tooth migration (PTM) is a common phenomenon among patients seeking dental care. Different etiologic factors have been implicated in PTM: loss of periodontal support, occlusal interferences, posterior bite collapse, and various oral habits such as: lip biting, tongue thrusting, and playing wind instruments.

Changes in the Clinical Training of Dental Students at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.

Dental education is an ever evolving process due to continual advancements in patient treatment. This article provides the reader with a look into an educational process that affords the student with better clinical experience without an increase in clinical training hours. When a comprehensive care model of education is introduced into a traditional care setting, the comparison of procedures completed with the previous 5 years results indicate an increase in the number of amalgam and composite restorations placed of 26% and an increase in crowns placed of 32.

A simplified approach to implant restorations using innovative digital technology.

Digital impressions and CAM/CAD systems are currently burgeoning dental technologies. This article presents a case study describing the clinical protocol necessary to produce multiple crown restorations supported by dental implants.

Assessment of the effect of chemical agents used in dentistry on the removal of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Escherichia coli from sandblasted acid-etched titanium dental implants: an in vitro study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of chemicals to decontaminate Escherichia coli (E coli) or Porphyromonas gingivalis (P gingivalis) from sandblasted acid-etched (SAE) titanium dental implants.

Materials And Methods: SAE titanium dental implants were contaminated with E coli or P gingivalis and incubated in a sterile bacterial culture media under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. The implants were treated with 10 different conditions: calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)₂] paste for 1 minute and saline irrigation for 1 minute; Ca(OH)2 paste for 1 minute and 0.

Efficacy of Philips Sonicare AirFloss compared to manual brushing and flossing: an in vitro study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in reduction of an interproximal surface coating with the use of Sonicare Airfloss, tooth brushing or dental flossing since there are currently no articles available comparing dental flossing to Sonicare Airfloss. Three groups of six typodont teeth were sprayed with Occlude Indicator Spray as a test surface coating. Each group was treated with one removal method: Sonicare Airfloss, tooth brushing or dental flossing.

Breaking the fluoride diffusion barrier with combined dielectrophoresis and AC electroosmosis.

Purpose: To compare the deposition of fluoride particles into bovine enamel by diffusion (n = 20); dielectrophoresis (DEP) at 10 Hz and 5000 Hz (n = 10); and DEP (10 Hz and 5000 Hz) combined with AC electroosmosis (ACEO) at 400 Hz (DEP/ACE) (n = 10).

Methods: Fluoride particle movements induced at 10, 400, and 5000 Hz frequencies, were analyzed with light microscopy and stack imaging in real time. Fluoride concentrations were measured at various enamel depths using wavelength dispersive spectrometry.

Provisional prostheses during ridge augmentation and implant dentistry.

Recent advancements in ridge augmentation and bone regeneration have expanded the pool of patients that could benefit from dental implants. However, providing the patient with a temporary prosthesis during the wound healing phase without impairing the process is a challenging task. This article summarizes available information pertaining to provisional prostheses, both tooth-supported and soft tissue-supported, that may meet the patient needs.

Student perceptions about the mission of dental schools to advance global dentistry and philanthropy.

In this study, 491 dental students at one dental school in the United States and one in Bulgaria were surveyed to assess their perceptions about the mission of dental schools to advance global dentistry and philanthropy. The study included questions about prior involvement in charitable dental missions. Many respondents felt that their dental school does not advance global dentistry nor adequately teaches students the virtues of philanthropy and volunteerism.

The role of occlusal loading in the pathogenesis of non-carious cervical lesions.

Purpose: To evaluate the putative role of occlusal loading in the pathogenesis of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) in subjects who exhibited mixed excursive guidance [i.e., immediate canine guidance on one side and group function (GF) on the other].

Fluoride uptake by human tooth enamel: topical application versus combined dielectrophoresis and AC electroosmosis.

Purpose: To compare fluoride uptake by enamel after applying 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel to human tooth enamel topically (n = 12) or with combined dielectrophoresis and AC electroosmosis (DEP/ACE) at frequencies of 10, 400 and 5,000 Hz (n = 12) for 20 minutes.

Methods: DEP/ACE induced nonuniform electrical fields with three alternating current frequencies to polarize, orient, and motivate fluoride particles.