The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of insertion angle of orthodontic mini screws on the stability and resistance to movement of the mini screw, and on the peri-implant interface. Three orthodontic mini screws were placed in each tibia of six New Zealand white rabbits bilaterally (N=36), with randomized angulation (65° away, 65° toward, or 90° to the direction of applied force). After two weeks, two orthodontic mini screws within each tibia were loaded with a 200g Nitinol closed-coil spring for up to 14 days. No statistically significant differences were found among the variably angulated loaded and unloaded orthodontic mini screws in the amount of movement or change in angulation demonstrated over the experimental period. Micro CT analysis revealed no clinically significant differences in the amount of cortical bone-to-implant contact. Mini screw placement angulation seems to have minimal impact on stability and migration of orthodontic mini screws over time.

Managed care has become a prominent mechanism for insuring dental care. Empirical research suggests that managed dental plans provide lower quality care to patients. However, few studies have specifically addressed the effects of managed care on the quality of dental hygiene care. Thus, in this study the researcher examines whether dental hygienists deliver a lower level of treatment to managed care patients than to those who are not subject to managed care. Questionnaire data were gathered from 193 members of the American Dental Hygienists' Association residing in the Chicago area. The primary independent variable, managed care, was measured with an item that asked the respondents to indicate the percentage of patients they treat that are insured by a managed dental plan. The questionnaire also contained items that measured the frequency in which the respondents perform 23 tasks that are indicators of quality of dental hygiene care. Principal components factor analysis of these 23 items yielded the study's two dependent variables: periodontal procedures and appointment time. Regression analysis of the data revealed a significant negative relationship between managed care and appointment time. This relationship may be attributable to an economic incentive on the part of dentist-employers who control the amount of time scheduled for dental hygienists' patients. Dentist-employers may reduce the time available for managed care patients in order to allow longer appointments for more profitable fee-for-service patients. The study results did not support the notion that managed care affects the extent to which dental hygienists perform periodontal procedures. These mixed results suggest that future research should examine the relationships between managed care and other aspects of quality of dental hygiene care not addressed in the current study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a multifactorial caries risk assessment model by comparing the risk factor scores with caries increment. Secondary data analysis included a chart review of 434 dental patients in which basic caries risk scores, total risk score and caries increment were collected. ANOVA and logistic regression were conducted to assess the statistical significance of the difference between caries increments across categories of risk factors. Mean tooth caries increments of the risk groups were 0.20±0.8 (low), 1.13±1.59 (moderate), 2.09±2.63 (high), which were statistically significant (p<0.001). Past and present caries experience, carbohydrates, mucogingival bleeding index, and stimulated salivary flow showed statistically significant associations with caries increment (p<0.05) but the total risk score proved to be the most powerful predictor of future caries activity (p<0.001). The multifactorial etiology of caries necessitates the use of a risk assessment model that includes various factors that contribute to caries development.

Dental anxiety is a common problem found in approximately 80% of the adult population in the United States. This study examined the role of dental anxiety within the dentist/patient relationship. Negative experiences were found to be the most significant contributor of dental anxiety. The negative experiences result largely from the relationship between the dentist and the patient. Both dentist and patient are affected from the effects of dental anxiety. Therefore it is important for the dentist to establish a trusting relationship with the patient to ensure that proper dental care can be provided.

Thesis (M.S. in mechanical engineering)--Washington State University, December 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Jan. 4, 2010). "School of Engineering and Computer Science." Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-81).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2009. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-06, page: 3489. Adviser: Grayson Marshall.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2009. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-06, page: 3491. Adviser: John D.B. Featherstone.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2009. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-06, page: 3492. Advisers: Daniel Fried; Gerald Nelson.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2009. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-06, page: 3493. Adviser: John D.B. Featherstone.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2009. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-06, page: 3495. Adviser: Art Miller.