Nutrition education is an integral part of dental education as well as a variety of other healthcare professions1, but interprofessional education (IPE) between the fields of dietetics and dental hygiene is limited. The purpose of this pilot study was to define areas of opportunity to establish a foundation for the implementation of complimentary curriculum between the dietetics and dental hygiene programs at ETSU. A 76-question survey was developed and administered to dietetic interns (n=26), dental hygiene students (n=49), dietetic faculty (n=23), and dental hygiene faculty (n=19) at ETSU and Baylor College of Dentistry at Texas A&M Health Science Center. Data analysis reveals a knowledge proficiency deficit in dental hygiene students related to nutrition and oral health as well as significant findings in perceived roles of the ‘other’ profession. The potential for interdisciplinary education and training between dietetic and dental hygiene students at ETSU is promising, potentially leading to improved patient care.

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Oral health plays an integral role in our general health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Practicing evidence-based oral hygiene behaviors prevent oral diseases and improve systemic health. The burden of preventable oral diseases persists worldwide and weighs particularly heavy on specific population groups. While many studies have explored oral health among those of advanced age, children, and minority groups, there are a very few exploring the oral health care needs of postsecondary students, specifically those born outside of the United States (U.S.). Recognizing this gap in the literature, this study sought to gain a better understanding of oral health access among non-US born postsecondary students with a goal of identifying factors affecting their oral health behaviors. To achieve the objectives of this explorative study, a cross-sectional study design was implemented. A 30-question survey was provided to individuals born outside the U.S. and currently enrolled in postsecondary educational institutions. Descriptive statistics was presented, and a quantitative analysis was performed. The study results suggest that foreign-born postsecondary students may perceive oral health care in the U.S as inaccessible due to economic barriers such as costs and lack of insurance. Moreover, it was found that this population is less likely to visit a dentist because they cannot find a "convenient time" or because they believed their "mouth is healthy". Factors associated with perceived improvements in oral hygiene behaviors included enrollment in postsecondary education and the number of years they've resided in the U.S. Conversely, factors associated with a decline in perceived oral hygiene behaviors included school-induced stress and acculturative stress. It was also found that on-campus dental clinics were less frequently utilized than off-campus dental clinics, with many preferring to receive oral health care outside of the U.S. Citizenship status was also found to be a factor influencing student's oral health seeking behaviors.

Diploma work with the theme Knowledge of selected respondents about oral health consists of a theoretical and a practical part and it deals with level of awareness about oral health by dental hygiene pacients. The main aim of this work is to provide a summary of information about oral health, free from myths and marketing manipulative techniques through a leaflet which is the product of this work. While creating the educational leaflet the author reflects results of a questionnaire survey which is a research tool of the practical part of the diploma thesis. Based on the answers given in the individual questionnaires, the information brochure is primarily directed to refute the most common misconceptions or beliefs of respondents, and at the same time, it was useful for obtaining information about correct oral care in both dental surgeries and e.g. at schools during lessos of health education. The theoretical part of the diploma work is devoted to basic anatomical and histological description of oral cavity, oral health in general, distinction of the terms gingiva, dental plaque or dental calculus. The hinge part is the chapter devoted to dental hygiene, in which the author deals with both profession of a dental hygienist and means of oral cavity care in the setting of the dental hygiene surgery and...

This qualitative study focused on the dental disparities in Blount County, TN and sought to determine if there are enough dental clinics within the dental safety net. Interviews were conducted with 18 individuals who were either service providers or clients of organizations such as the Salvation Army, Alcoa Good Samaritan Clinic, the local health department, Trinity Dental Clinic, Volunteer Ministry Center, Remote Area Medical, and Blount Memorial Hospital. Inclusion criteria for clients included: homeless or living below the poverty level, uninsured, 18 to 65 years of age, has not seen a dentist in the past year and currently suffering a dental problem. The most obvious common theme among the 11 clients interviewed was that they struggle with getting dental care. Patients were asked when the last time they had seen a dentist and they answered years ago, most over ten years ago. Eight of the eleven clients did not know of any facilities they could go to. Cost was the main reason for these clients not seeking dental care. Two dentists were asked about the reasons for disparities in dental care. The major common themes between the dentists were cost, access to care, and education. All five case managers said that they had clients experiencing dental needs ranging from a simple cleaning to an abscess. Currently in Blount County only one dental clinic serves over 17,000 residents who live in poverty.

There is a great demand and need for oral health care during the course of HIV disease (HIV Costs and Services Utilization Study; Marcus et. al., 2005). HIV+ patients identified three key barriers to obtaining oral health treatment: 1) beliefs and attitudes of dental health care providers (DHCPs) may have lead to their unwillingness to treat HIV/AIDS patients; 2) the existence of racial and ethnic disparities in health care in the United States, and 3) how DHCPs perceive their risk of contracting HIV. The fear and stigma associated with treating patients with HIV further compromises their access to care and their health status. Oral health conditions associated with HIV disease are frequently more severe than those of the general population, making access to both dental and medical care imperative. Plus, Florida has some of the highest numbers of HIV/AIDS patients in the nation. This study was descriptive, cross-sectional and used quantitative methods to explore the dental hygienists' behavioral and normative beliefs, attitudes, and intentions toward treating patients with HIV/AIDS. A three-phase pilot study was conducted to assess the validity and reliability of the survey instrument. An email delivery method was used to implement the survey, and a 22% response rate was achieved (n=219). The majority of respondents were female (96%), white (89%), married (77%), currently working (86%), and had treated HIV/AIDS patients in private practice (80%). Bivariate analysis showed that dental hygienists' intentions toward treating HIV/AIDS patients were significantly associated with five independent variables, and binary logistic regression confirmed the significance of two of these associations. Overall, study participants indicated that they were willing to, and had positive attitudes toward, clinically treating HIV/AIDS patients; they were confident in their ability to treat them, and their normative beliefs did not hinder their intention to do so, and they did not worry about acquiring HIV in the workplace. Three recommendations were made: increase access to oral health care for HIV/AIDS patients within community settings by removing barriers to care, incorporate cultural/sensitivity training in all dental/dental hygiene school curriculums, and mandate Florida HIV/AIDS continuing education requirements every biennium for dentists and dental hygienists.

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Darbo tikslas. Įvertinti privataus ir viešojo odontologijos centrų pacientų nuomonę apie profesionalią burnos higieną. Tyrimo metodika. Buvo atlikta anoniminė anketinė apklausa viename privačiame ir viename viešajame odontologijos centruose, esančiuose Kauno mieste. Buvo išdalinta 200 anketų, jas užpildė ir gražino 172 respondentai (atsako dažnis 86 proc.). Tyrimo objektas – pacientai nuo 18 metų amžiaus, atėję atlikti profesionalios burnos higienos procedūros į burnos higienos kabinetą. Statistinė duomenų analizė atlikta naudojant SPSS 13.0 for Windows versijos programinį paketą. Kokybinių kintamųjų ryšio hipotezėms tikrinti taikytas Chi kvadrato (χ²) kriterijus. Proporcijų lygybei tikrinti taikytas z kriterijus. Rezultatai. Pirmą kartą burnos higienos procedūrą atliko 16,9 proc. pacientų, kartą per pusę metų procedūrą atlieka 26,7 proc. pacientų, kartą per metus – 43,6 proc. pacientų, o kas kelis metus – 12,8 proc. pacientų. Geresnius burnos higienos įgūdžius bei žinias turėjo moterys. Jaunesnio amžiaus pacientai dažniau lankėsi pas burnos higienistą nei vyresnio amžiaus pacientai (atitinkamai 31,9 proc. ir 16,1 proc.; p<0,05) bei geriau vertino savo dantų būklę. Aukštąjį išsilavinimą turintys pacientai, turėjo geresnius burnos higienos įgūdžius bei geriau vertino savo dantų būklę, lyginant juos su aukštesnįjį ar vidurinį išsilavinimą turinčiais pacientais. Pacientai rinkosi viešąją, o ne privačią gydymo įstaigą dėl to, kad viešojoje gydymo įstaigoje pigesnės paslaugos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Aim of the study. To evaluate the opinion of patients in private and public odontology centers about professional dental hygiene. Methods. An anonymous questionnaire was accomplished in one private and one public odontology centers in Kaunas. 200 questionnaires were distributed to patients and 172 patients responded (response rate 86 %). Patients older than 18 years were surveyed after their visits to dental hygienists. The data was analyzed by SPSS 13.0 for Windows statistical software. Chi square and z criterions were used to evaluate relations between the variables. Results. First time professional dental hygiene procedure was accomplished by 16,9 % pacients, one time per 6 months – 26,7 %, once a year – 43,6 % and one time in a few years – 12,8 % pacients. In a comparison of the responses of women and men, women had better dental hygiene skills and knowledge. Dental condition was estimated better in younger patients (younger than 45 years) and these patients were having professional dental hygiene procedures more often than older patients (31,9 % and 16,1 % respectively, p<0,05). While evaluating patient‘s skills, knowledge and opinion about dental hygiene it was noticed that respondents with higher education had more knowledge about dental hygiene, compared with respondents with secondary education. Patients selected public odontology centre because of cheaper service, good geographical location and a belonging to these institutions. Patients chose private odontology... [to full text]

Work Orthodontic tooth defects at elementary tries through a questionnaire survey on selected basic school in Kladno to detect and identify the main orthodontic dental problems among older pupils, barriers to possible improvements and potential solutions. The topic of thesis and falls into an increasingly topical issue of children's dental health, which devotes many experts and research worldwide. The pivotal part based on the information obtained during the survey of students, parents and orthodontists in the extra work completed with valuable insights and suggestions addressed dentists and dental hygienists. The text has also focused on the role and effectiveness of preventive school programs, as well as theoretical and professional aspect of the topic, when most attention is devoted to the actual anatomy of the teeth, bite disorders, orthodontic apparatuses and their maintenance in dental hygiene. KEY WORDS Anatomy of the tooth, bite disorders, orthodontic appliances, dentistry, dental hygiene

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / The aim of this study was to compare the oral health status between well and malnourished children under five years old attending Mother and Child Health clinic in Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Maseru, Lesotho. / South Africa