Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Queensland, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

Background: A number of systematic reviews provide the basis for decision-making in treatment planning of the reconstruction of mutilated dentitions. This includes identifying teeth difficult to treat/save and decisions on replacement such teeth if extracted. Aims: 1) To assess attitudes of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in a community where provision of dental implants is a widely practiced treatment; and to determine variations in attitudes with respect to dentists’ factors, training factors and implant-provision factors (Study 1): and 2) To determine treatment decision making with respect to maintaining periodontally compromised teeth among dentists with and without postgraduate qualifications in implant dentistry (Study 2). Methods: Study 1:A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a random sample of registered dentists in Hong Kong regarding their attitudes towards implant dentistry with respect to (1) perceived superiority, (2) perceived outcomes, (3) perceived complications and maintenance issues and (4) placement issues. In addition, information was collected on dentists’ factors, training factors and implant provision factors. Variations in attitudes towards implant dentistry were explored. Study 2: A series ofpatient scenarios with varying degrees of periodontal disease levels was presented to selected dentists. Information on their decision-making outcomes, and their intention to retain compromised teeth was analysed in bivariate and regression analyses; accounting for postgraduate implant training, gender, years in dental practice and implant placement experience. Results: Study 1: Among eligible practitioners (n=246), the response rate was 46.3%. Most dentists’perceived implants to be superior to conventional prostheses for the replacement of a single missing posterior tooth (80%) and likewise, for the replacement of a single missing anterior tooth (67%). Variations in attitudes existed with respect to dentists’ factors: years in practice (p<0.05), place of graduation (p<0.05); implant training factors (p<0.05), number of days of training (p<0.05) and implant experience factors (p<0.05). Study 2:This study involved 30 dentists with postgraduate implant qualifications (GDPP), 33 dentists without postgraduate implant qualifications (GDP) and 27 dentists undergoing postgraduate training for implant qualifications (GDPT). Variations in treatment decision-making were evident between the three groups (p<0.05). Differences in treatment approaches to retaining compromised teeth were apparent(p<0.05). Furthermore, variations in rehabilitation of extracted scenarios existed in terms of use of implants and number of implants needed for rehabilitation. Accounting for dentist and practice factors in regression analyses, compared to GDP, GDPP/GDPT were three times as likely to retain periodontally compromised upper molars with painwith pain (OR 3.08, 95%CI 1.09, 8.14 p=0.03), or without pain (OR 3.10, 95%CI 1.04, 10.62 p=0.04). Conclusions: Study 1:In a community where provision of dental implants is widespread the attitudes of GDPs are not wholly in line with evidence-based knowledge. Variations in their attitudes exist with respect to dentist factors, training and experience issues. Study 2: Variations in treatment decision making with respect to retaining periodontally compromised teeth exist between dentists with and dentists without postgraduate training in implant dentistry. Furthermore, there are differences in their management approaches. / published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

Thesis (M. Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-122). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis (M.D.S.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Dentistry, 1998? / Bibliography: leaves 115-123.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1985.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1985.

Thesis (Ph. D. in Psychology)--University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee, 1996. / Vita. Photocopy (positive) University Microfilms No. 97-17147. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-69).

Thesis (Ph. D. in Psychology)--University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee, 1996. / Vita. Photocopy (positive) University Microfilms No. 97-17147. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-69).

Atrazine (ATZ) is an agricultural herbicide. The US Environmental Protection Agency has set the maximum contaminant level at 3 μg/l in potable water, though concentrations can greatly exceed this amount depending on the time of year. Epidemiological studies report associations with developmental health outcomes with potable water exposure. Studies in model organisms identify ATZ as a neurotoxicant and endocrine disrupting chemical. The zebrafish model system was used to test the hypothesis that developmental ATZ exposure has immediate health consequences as well as in the subsequent generation. It was first hypothesized that developmental ATZ exposure generates metabolites similar to those found in mammals and alters morphology and behavior in larvae. In the exposed generation, targeted metabolomic analysis found that zebrafish produce the same major ATZ metabolites as mammals. The visual motor response test at 120 hpf detected hyperactivity in larvae in the 0.3 ppb treatment group and hypoactivity in the 30 ppb treatment group. These findings suggest that developmental ATZ exposure generates metabolite profiles similar to mammals leading to behavioral alterations supporting ATZ as a neurodevelopmental toxicant. In the subsequent generation (F1), it was hypothesized that parental ATZ exposure altered protein expression leading to modifications in morphology and behavior in developing progeny. Proteomic analysis identified differential expression associated with neurological development and disease and organ and organismal morphology, specifically the skeletomuscular system. Head length and the ratio of head length to total length was significantly increased in the F1 in the 0.3 and 30 ppb ATZ treated groups. Craniofacial morphology was assessed based on molecular pathway analysis and revealed decreased cartilaginous structure size, decreased surface area and distance between saccular otoliths, and a more posteriorly positioned notochord, indicating delayed ossification. The visual motor response assay showed hyperactivity in the F1 of the 30 ppb treatment group for total distance and time spent moving in the F1 of the 0.3 and 30 ppb treatment groups for all phases. Collectively, these results demonstrate persistent ATZ developmental toxicity in this multigeneration study.

This study reviews the three-year Bachelor of Dental Therapy curriculum, which was introduced at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 1980. The dental therapist was introduced to the health care system during the apartheid era, to improve access to basic dental services to disadvantaged sectors of the population. However thirty years later, this situation has not improved. Therefore the purpose of this study is to evaluate the dental therapy curriculum offered at this university, to determine whether it is able to produce graduates who are adequately prepared to practice competently, according to the scope of practice prescribed by the regulatory body, and to meet the oral health needs of the population. To conduct a comprehensive evaluation, it was necessary to evaluate the multiple influences on this curriculum. As a result, the Hicks model called Typical Influences on Curriculum was selected to serve as the theoretical framework. This resulted in the use of the mixed methods research approach. Pragmatism was consequently selected to form the philosophical foundation of this study due to the fact that it allowed for the combination of methodological tools to answer the research questions. The first question defined the role of the dental therapist in the health care system. Qualitative interviews with all stakeholders who are associated with this profession, in the context of the needs of the country, provided the answer to this question. The second question, on how the curriculum prepared its graduates to perform this role, was conducted by a combination of methods. The evaluation of the form and content of the curriculum, and the training facilities, were combined with the interviews conducted with students, graduates and academics, on their perceptions of the educational process and the competence of graduates. The third question about the perceptions of stakeholders on the appropriateness of training and clinical competence was established by qualitative interviews. This led to the development of the inferences and recommendations for this study. The overall inference was that the dental therapy curriculum did not produce appropriately-trained graduates to meet the needs and challenges of South Africa. This resulted in the development of a new curriculum evaluation model for health science education, which was considered to be an extension of the Hicks model. Recommendations were also made on how this model could be implemented with respect to the dental therapy curriculum. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2011.