Digital Commons Network^™

The Prevalence Of The Need For Esthetic Crown Lengthening In Post Orthodontically Treated Subjects, David Clark Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The problem of excess gingival display is difficult to diagnose and treat. By studying one aspect of excess gingival display, namely the size relationships of the clinical crowns of teeth, we can begin to quantify reasonable goals of therapy. In this study, two hundred plaster models were used as subjects. These represented two hundred patients before and after orthodontic therapy. The six anterior teeth were measured for length and width and compared to known ideals. Teeth that did not meet ideal standards may require treatment. It was found that the mean tooth length after orthodontic therapy was approximately two millimeters …

Is Number Of Pregnancies A Risk Factor For Heart Attack In Women?, Pavan Kumar Irukulla

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Studies regarding number of pregnancies and coronary heart disease have shown inconsistent results. In the present study, we assessed the association between number of pregnancies and heart attack (HA) in women.Methods: Using data from NHANES III a cross sectional data analysis of 10634 women aged 17 and above was conducted. We considered socio-demographic factors and other potential risk factors including physical activity, smoking, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, BMI, age, and family history of heart attack. We conducted Bivariate analysis to determine prevalence and crude odds ratios. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding variables using SPSS. …

C-Reactive Protein Levels In Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis Patients, Trang Nguyen Salzberg

Theses and Dissertations

Background: There is mounting evidence to indicate that periodontitis may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Periodontitis may be linked to CVD as either an etiologic mechanism or a predisposing factor that can hasten disease progression. Proinflammatory cytokines, elevated fibrinogen, and platelet aggregation are all potential mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to compare and review the serological differences in subjects with severe periodontitis, some of which involve established risk factors for atherosclerosis, particularly heightened C-reactive protein levels. Methods: A total of 184 subjects, comprising of two periodontal subgroups, non-periodontal (NP = 91) and generalized aggressive periodontitis …

The Association Between Periodontal Disease And C-Reactive Protein In Patients With A History Of Heart Attack, Robert Lee Fletcher Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The patient population consisted of a maximum of 18,570 subjects who completed the NHANES III questionnaire and examination from 1988 - 1994. The physical examination included such things as body mass index and serum samples, social and medical history. The periodontal examination recorded probing depth, attachment loss and gingival bleeding. Serum samples were analyzed for CRP levels, cholesterol levels etc. Demographic, cardiovascular and oral health variables were compared in subjects with a history of heart attack. Result showed that history of heart attack is associated with increased odds ratio for elevated CRP, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, male gender, non-white race and …

The Effects Of The Handwriting Without Tears Program On The Handwriting Of Students In Inclusion Classrooms, Lisa Owens

Theses and Dissertations

Many handwriting programs are currently used in schools, but little research has been conducted on their effectiveness. A quasi-experimental non-equivalent comparison group pretest posttest design examined effects of the Handwriting Without Tears program with special and general education students enrolled in inclusion classrooms. Two experimental classes received instruction with the HWT method while two comparison classes received instruction using traditional methods. Handwriting performance was measured using the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment. One-way analysis of covariance tested the differences between rates of handwriting improvement for experimental and comparison groups while controlling for pretest scores. Students in the experimental classes showed no statistically …

Association Between The Frequency Of Physical Education Classes And The Prevalence Of Overweight/Obesity In Adolescents, Collin N. Rice

Theses and Dissertations

Background/Objective: Overweight and obesity has been steadily on the rise in the United States for all groups. The prevalence of obesity for adolescents has tripled since 1980. The purpose of this study is to determine an association between the frequency of physical education classes and the prevalence of overweight/obesity in adolescents in the United States.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) of the Center for Disease Control. The outcome variable for the study was Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI of 25 or greater was considered overweight or obese. The main independent …

Body Image And Attitudes Toward Obesity In College Students, Sarah Rebecca Goodwin

Theses and Dissertations

The current study was conducted in order to examine the impact of ethnicity on gender differences in body type preferences and perceptions and add to the literature examining racial differences in body type preferences and perceptions. The current study was an expansion of one by Gipson et al conducted at a historically Black university in 2004, in which responses and BMI measurements of 191 college students were examined for associations between BMI and gender, and body image and attitudes toward obesity. For the current study the sample of 176 college students enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University, an ethnically diverse institution, …

Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Investigative Analysis Of Their Access To Dental Care, Chad Wallace Ellsworth

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the utilization of dental services for children with autism spectrum disorders and identify barriers these children face when accessing dental services in the state of Virginia. Methods: A survey was mailed to families in the state of Virginia that care for at least one child with the neuro-developmental disorder on the autism spectrum scale. The mailing list was obtained from "The Autism Program of Virginia." This list contains the names of families/guardians of children with autism spectrum disorders. These individuals live throughout the State of Virginia. This project analyzed survey questions …

Evaluation Of The Hayes E. Willis Health Center In South Richmond -- Has It Served Its Targeted Population?, Shannon Nicole Shaw

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The Hayes E. Willis Health Center (HWHC) was opened in a neighborhood of South Richmond in October 1993 to remove the barriers that prevented South Richmond residents from accessing primary healthcare services. The major objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the HWHC in providing primary care to the South Richmond Community deemed to be in need. An additional objective was to describe the changes in characteristics of clinic users and illnesses seen over time.Methods: Patient data was compared from the HWHC�s first full year of operation in which patient data was collected (1995) to the …

Factors Influencing Applicant Ranking Of Orthodontic Programs, Michael D. Payne

Theses and Dissertations

Orthodontic programs spend considerable amounts of time and energy to attract, recruit, and interview the best and brightest applicants. Applicants and programs submit ranked preferences, and resident positions are filled by a computerized matching system (Match). The specific aims of this study were to determine the relative importance of certain factors in applicants' Match ranking of orthodontic programs and to determine differences between orthodontic Program Directors perceptions and actual factors cited by applicants influencing their ranking of orthodontic programs.Surveys were mailed to 55 orthodontic Program Directors and 478 applicants participating in the 2002 orthodontic Match. Forty-nine Program Director (89%) and …

Targeting The Male In Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Terri Burgan

Theses and Dissertations

Study Objectives: To examine demographic characteristics and contraceptive habits of young men.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted utilizing data analyzed from three waves of the National Survey of the Adolescent Male (NSAM) administered in 1988, 1991, and 1995. The first wave consisted of 1,880, never-married, noninstitutionalized 15-19 year old men living in the United States. The second wave consisted of 1,676 re-interviewed respondents who were 17-22 years old. The third wave consisted of 1,377 re-interviewed respondents who were 22-27 years old. Descriptive statistics were used to compare personal and demographic characteristics across each year group. Odds ratios, and their corresponding …

Orthodontic Faculty Recruitment And Retention: Goals And Perceptions, Sheldon L. Peck

Theses and Dissertations

There is a shortage of faculty in academic dentistry and orthodontics in particular. The purpose of this study was to quantify real and perceived differences in income, workload, and satisfaction between full-time academic and private practice orthodontists. Surveys were returned by 119 (70%) faculty, 79 (36%) private practitioners, and 160 (59%) orthodontic residents. Average annual income for faculty was less than half that of private practitioners. Faculty also reported working significantly more hours per week and taking less vacation time. Though both faculty and practitioners perceived their own jobs to be more satisfying overall, faculty felt academics was more stressful, …

The Relationship Of Metabolic Control To Hardiness, Self-Efficacy, And Perceived Medication Adherence In Adults With Diabetes Mellitus, Ok Chon Allison

Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes mellitus, a serious and costly disease, is a public health challenge. Diabetes is controllable, yet non-adherence to prescribed medications causes diabetesrelated complications resulting in hospital admissions and readmissions that may be prevented. A cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study was conducted to investigate the relationship of metabolic control (A1C) to hardiness, self-efficacy, and perceived medication adherence. Health-Related Hardiness Scale (Pollock, 1990); Long-Term Medication Behavior Self-Efficacy Scale (De Geest et al., 1994); and Perceived Medication Adherence Scale (Allison, 2000) were administered to 215 participants. Data analyses of correlation and multiple linear regression using SPSS 10.0 statistical software were performed. Metabolic control was not …

Utilization Of The Vacuum Form Machine: Custom Mouthguards Versus Esthetic Bleaching Trays, Jacqueline Michele Carney

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study analyzed the percentage of Virginia practitioners utilizing vacuum form machines, types of appliances recommended, and types of patient information provided.Methods: Questionnaires were constructed and mailed to 2500 dentists.Results: 80% of dentists utilized vacuum form machines, 42.5% recommended mouthguards, 60.2% recommended home bleaching trays, 37.6% provided patient information on mouthguards, 37.1% provided patient information on home bleaching trays, 16.5% inquired on patient questionnaires about mouthguard protection during contact sports,and 17.3% inquired on patient questionnaires about tooth color satisfaction.Conclusions: Dentists use vacuum form machines for home bleaching trays more than mouthguards. General dentists and pediatric dentists provide patient information …

Lip Profile Preferences In Varying Sagittal Mandibular Positions, Grant Gordon Coleman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of sagittal mandibular position on preferred lip position in profile. Five androgynous silhouette profiles differing only in the degree of mandibular retro- or prognathism (-25º, -18º, -11º, -4º, & +3º facial contour angles) were created. Using a computer animation program, evaluators moved the lips independently into the position deemed to be the most esthetic for each profile. Evaluators included adolescent orthodontic patients, parents of patients, and orthodontists. In general, no differences in preferred lip position were found between the –11º & -4º profiles or between the –18º & +3º profiles, …

Factors Associated With Metabolic Syndrome, Patricia Marie Selig

Theses and Dissertations

The metabolic syndrome, a clinical condition linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease is a powerful predictor for overall mortality, and is present in more than 20% of the US. population (Ford, Giles, & Dietz, 2002). This study examines gender differences as well as other factors associated with metabolic syndrome as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III of the National Cholesterol Education Program.

A sample of 10,134 adults between 20-64 years of age was selected from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey. Metabolic syndrome was present in 19.6 % of this sample. An ecological model of health services was …

Factors Influencing Mammography Utilization Among Disabled And Nondisabled Women, Jeffrey S. Legg

Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in women in the United States. Because the majority of risk factors for breast cancer are not modifiable, early detection methods such as mammography are essential. However, concern exists for the equitable provision and use of mammography services in the U.S. Mammography is ofien underutilized by various subpopulations resulting, potentially, in these groups not experiencing the benefits of early detection. A subpopulation that has received little attention in the study of mammography utilization encompasses persons classified as disabled.

The 1998 National Health Interview Survey provided the data for this analysis. …

Scoring Sentences Developmentally: An Analog Of Developmental Sentence Scoring, Amy Seal

Theses and Dissertations

A variety of tools have been developed to assist in the quantification and analysis of naturalistic language samples. In recent years, computer technology has been employed in language sample analysis. This study compares a new automated index, Scoring Sentences Developmentally (SSD), to two existing measures. Eighty samples from three corpora were manually analyzed using DSS and MLU and the processed by the automated software. Results show all three indices to be highly correlated, with correlations ranging from .62 to .98. The high correlations among scores support further investigation of the psychometric characteristics of the SSD software to determine its clinical …

Distance Education And Dementia Caregivers: A Comparison Of Three Methods, Mary Colleen Corrigan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the research is to examine the family experience of dementia caregiving and design an educational intervention to assist family members in the caregiving role. Stress results when a caregiver confronts environmental demands (dementia behaviors) that threaten personal well-being. The perception of threat is the process of primary stress appraisal. Caregivers evaluate coping options, a process of secondary stress appraisal. Positive secondary appraisal (view the situation as amenable to change) has the potential to trigger re-appraisal of the primary threat, and to reduce overall stress.

Education is one way to affect secondary appraisal. Adult learners benefit from progressive …

Alveolar Ridge Dimension Analysis Following Socket Preservation Using Clinical Assessment And Cone Beam Computed Tomography (Cbct)., Sayward Duggan

Theses and Dissertations

AIM: Extraction of a tooth can lead to alveolar ridge resorption which can be minimized by socket preservation. The aim of this study is to analyze vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge dimensions clinically and by CBCT immediately following extraction and 3-4 months following socket preservation. METHODS: The preserved group (P) consisted of 20 patients with1-2 non-molar teeth requiring extraction with socket preservation, while the control group (C) consisted of 5 patients requiring extraction alone. An acrylic stent was fabricated presurgically in order to measure vertical and horizontal ridge dimensions clinically and radiographically immediately following extraction and 3-4 months following socket …

A Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Eye Protection Methods Used In General Anesthesia, Larry W. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quasi experimental, clinical study was to determine whether taping of the eye or applying ophthalmic ointment along with taping of the eye yields a difference in occurrence and symptoms of corneal epithelial defects in surgical patients undergoing general anesthesia. Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory provided the theoretical framework for this study.

Fifty subjects were randomly selected from a convenience sample of surgical patients in two 300 bed hospitals located in a Midwestern state. The subjects ranged from 18 to 60 years of age. The subjects had no history of previous eye surgery or glaucoma, and were not …

Outcomes Of Pregnancy In Women With Cystic Fibrosis, Bethany Jean Geldmaker

Theses and Dissertations

Medical advances in disease management has improved quality of life for women with cystic fibrosis (CF) and now enables them to consider pregnancy. The purpose of the study was to examine women's perceptions of how the demands of having CF influenced their ability to care for their children and continue to meet their own health needs. The study design was grounded theory methodology with a complementarity research technique to incorporate qualitative and quantitative data collection. Participants were 12 women recruited over the Internet and through an adult CF newsletter who completed questionnaires for demands of illness (DOlI) and self care …

Lds Life Tables: A Comparison Of Long-Lived Populations, Christopher R. Layton

Theses and Dissertations

This research estimates the life expectancy of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Utah. We create gender-specific life tables for four groups: total Utah, active LDS, less-active LDS, and non-LDS. Male life tables are based on data from 1991-1995; female life tables are based on data from 1994-1998. Life expectancy at birth is 75 years for all utah males, 79.8 years for active LDS Utah males, 71.6 years for less active LDS Utah males, and 71.5 years for non-LDS Utah males. Female life expectancy at birth is 80.4 years for all Utah females, 83.9 …

The Determinants Of Post-Discharge Healthcare Utilization And Outcomes For Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Social Ecological Perspective, Shyuemeng Luu

Theses and Dissertations

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has a persistent nature: PTSD troubles patients

even decades after the occurrence of traumatic events. The “health behavioral model” is

adopted to examine the effects of external environmental, predisposing, enabling, and

need for care factors on the use of VA post-discharge ambulatory care and readmissions.

Data were obtained from the Patient Treatment File (PTF) and the Outpatient Care File

(OPT), the Area Resource File (ARF), American Hospital Association data sets (AHA), and the Uniform Crime Report (UCR).

The use of VA post-discharge ambulatory care is analyzed by using structural equation modeling (SEM). The readmission to VAMCs …

Family-Of-Origin Distress And Intimacy In Later-Life Couples, Paul James Birch

Theses and Dissertations

Married couples aged 55-98 were surveyed regarding their perceptions of family-of-origin distress, their affective communication and problem solving communication skills, and their emotional intimacy. Two 2-way ANOVAs were performed with husbands' (model 1) and wives' (model 2) emotional intimacy scores as dependent measures and family-of-origin distress scores as the independent measures. Then both models were re-analyzed with affective communication and problem solving communication entered as co-variates. Results suggested that for both husbands and wives, emotional intimacy was affected by family-of-origin distress. Additionally, intimacy was affected by the distress in their spouses' family-of-origin in both models. Post-hoc analyses suggested that as …

Psychoneuroimmunology And Healing Touch In Hiv Disease, Jo Lynne Wheeler Robins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of Healing Touch (HT) on well-being and neuroendocrine function in individuals living with HIV disease. A total of 27 males completed the 4-week HT intervention. Each weekly HT session lasted 30 minutes and consisted of only the chakra connection, Because of the small sample size and the impact of gender on neuroendocrine and immune function, women were not included in this study Dependent variables included well-being as measured by three well-being and two psychological distress instruments, serum serotonin, salivary DHEA and cortisol, and a variety of enumerative and functional measures …

Oral Performances As Ritual: Animating The Invisible In Mormon Women's Miscarriage Stories, Kristin Leifson Ballif

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is comprised of ten Mormon women's miscarriage stories and it is their stories that are used as the text for my analysis. The purpose of the study is to provide a space for these women to share their experiences and to reveal their cultural values and beliefs. Because the women are all Mormon, there are some distinctive cultural and religious values that are shared within their stories and it is these aspects that are analyzed and discussed within the text.

Women need to be able to share their miscarriage stories so as to alleviate feelings of isolation and …

Parental Divorce And Lds Young Adult Attitudes Toward Marriage And Family Life, Sarah D. Finney

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the influence of parental divorce on the attitudes of young adult members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) toward marriage and family life. A sample of 180 students from three universities completed self-report questionnaires measuring various attitudes toward aspects of marriage and family life. The results indicated that parental divorce alone was not a significant predictor (p.≤.05) of young adults' attitudes toward marriage and family life. The one difference found was that young adults' coming from divorced families-of-origin were less attracted to the idea of commitment and sacrifice involved in a marriage …

Lds Counselor Ratings Of Problems Occurring Among Lds Premarital And Remarital Couples, Travis R. Adams

Theses and Dissertations

A fundamental purpose of this study was to provide marriage preparation providers with counselors perceptions of potential marital problem areas. A structured questionnaire was sent to LDS counselors, defined as members of the Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists (AMCAP). These LDS counselors rated 29 problem areas that LDS couples, (members members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), might encounter in a first marriage or remarriage. Results (N=231) were analyzed in an attempt to determine the most frequent, most damaging and most difficult problems to deal with in LDS first marriages and remarriages.

Findings suggest that "communication", …

Pharmacokinetics And Pharmacodynamics Of Ethanol In Healthy Volunteers: Effects Of Input-Rate And Degree Of Ethanol Exposure On Subjective And Objective Measures Of Impairment, Vijay A. Ramchandani

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this project was to investigate the effect of input-rate (oral and intravenous) and degree of exposure on the pharmacokinetics of ethanol and on subjective and objective measures of impairment, as well as on the development of acute tolerance to the effects of ethanol in young, healthy volunteers.

The primary objective of this research was to test the following hypotheses: 1) the rate and degree of ethanol exposure (oral and intravenous) in normal healthy males and females affect the pharrnacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynarnics (PD) of ethanol in a non-linear fashion; 2) the EEG changes after ethanol administration correlate …