Digital Commons Network^™

Unlocking The Power Of Experiential Learning: Student Reported Changes Following Combined Nicu Instruction, Megan M. Black, Natalie A. Perkins, Valerie F. Mcdaniel

Pacific Journal of Health

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the impact of in-person observation, in conjunction with didactic lectures, on students' perceived knowledge of speech-language pathology's (SLP) role and the roles of other healthcare professionals within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Method: Data for this study were initially collected for educational purposes and were later retrospectively analyzed with Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. Ten participants who met the inclusion criteria underwent a didactic lecture on SLPs in the NICU followed by observing an SLP in action at a local NICU. Participants completed multiple surveys, allowing for a comparison of their perceived knowledge …

Rapid Direct Wax Up For Provisional Crown Fabrication, Debra A. Woo Dds, Ma, Chi Tran

Pacific Journal of Health

While there are numerous choices for provisionalization, this technique is advantageous when a patient presents with an immediate need for temporization and there is limited time in the schedule for both the patient and provider. Providing an efficient solution using readily available materials that address the esthetics, function and reduction of sensitivity until the patient can be appointed for definitive treatment is illustrated.

The Effect Of Covid-19 On Antibiotic Resistance, Debra A. Woo Dds, Ma, Karen A. Schulze Dds, Phd, Mali K. Mcguire Dds, Ms

Pacific Journal of Health

Over three years have passed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. During these times we have experienced significant changes in all areas of our life. In healthcare, more attention was focused on COVID-19 than other concerns. An unexpected consequence of the pandemic was a silent progression of an increased spread of multi-resistant pathogens. While antibiotic use during the pandemic varied across healthcare settings, antibiotics were prescribed for COVID-19 patients, even though antibiotics are known not to be effective against viruses.¹ In dentistry, antibiotics were prescribed to prevent potential dental infections, since many dental offices were not open. Antimicrobial …

Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students’ Experience With Microaggressions In The Clinic: A Call To Action, Jocelin T. Friedman, Todd E. Davenport

Pacific Journal of Health

As Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students fulfill off-campus clinical experience requirements at healthcare institutions, they are mentored by clinical instructors who are employees of said healthcare institutions. Clinical instructors, patients, or other staff members there may commit microaggressions against physical therapy students with varying subject matters, intentions, and effects on the students. Microaggressions are brief verbal humiliations which may or may not be intentional, but nonetheless convey derogatory slights or insults towards a target group. This article explores DPT students’ real-life experiences with microaggressions within the clinical education realm and the challenges a Director of Clinical Education faced in …

What We Know About School-Based Health Centers: Literature On Outcomes, Cost Impact, Implementation, And Sustainability, Michelle R. Coble, Valerie F. Mcdaniel

Pacific Journal of Health

Many children lack access to adequate healthcare in the United States. School Based Health Centers (SBHC) are a useful resource for accessing those needed services. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the available research for the strengths of SBHCs with improving health outcomes and health equity, cost impact of SBHCs, and best practices for implementing and sustaining an SBHC. The focus of this study was on reviewing the current literature on the impact of SBHCs on improving health equity, health outcomes, cost impact, and to establish best practices for implementing and sustaining an SBHC. Although the current literature …

Evidence Based Practice: Assessing The Educational Outcome, Michelle Brady Dr., Des Gallagher

Pacific Journal of Health

Healthcare providers and patients strive for optimal outcomes with a growing trend to embed the principles of evidence-based practice (EBP) into mainstream care delivery by practicing dentists. The foundations of future best practice are built at dental school. How do we evaluate the outcome of an EBP syllabus?

This study describes the use of the KACE assessment tool to assess the learning outcomes of final year DDS students who had completed an EBP program. The use of a validated instrument to measure four dimensions, knowledge, attitudes about it, familiarity with sources for accessing evidence and confidence in critical appraisal skills …

Polymer Chemistry Of Dental Adhesives, Alia J. Rubaie, Karen A. Schulze

Pacific Journal of Health

Dental adhesives are water soluble, non-toxic materials that bind composite resins to dentin and enamel. Adhesive systems are dependent on a polymerization process at the interface and require different moieties to prepare the substrate to effectively interact with the tooth surface. Due to their critical role in restorative procedures, many chemists are interested in strengthening the adhesive bond strength at the interface. This review paper covers the evolution of dental adhesive systems over time and provides an extensive overview of what components make up a dental adhesive system. Additionally, this article explores the common issues found in adhesive systems, and …

Creating A Case-Based Exam To Assess Student Progress In A Health Professional Program, Terry Hoover, Parvati Iyer, Meixun Zheng

Pacific Journal of Health

Student-centered education requires timely identification of professional students not progressing appropriately in their chosen discipline. However, many institutions in the United States have been slow to develop “progress” exams designed to assess to test individual student progress towards graduation. Literature review found scant evidence of schools reporting design and implementation of such assessments. This paper shares the process piloted at one U.S. dental school to develop a case-based written exam, map test items to concepts/knowledge expected of students and evaluate the validity and effectiveness of the exam as a useful measure of learning progress. It also analyzes the correlation between …

Opioids And Dentistry, Anne E. Wampler

Pacific Journal of Health

Dental professionals are among the leading prescribers of opioids in the United States and play a significant role in the current opioid epidemic. While dental professionals prescribe these potent pain killers to provide relief to patients, the serious implications of their prescription and distribution must be considered. This manuscript covers the science behind opioids, history of the opioid epidemic, the affliction it is currently causing in the U.S., the immense impact dentists have in providing opioid prescriptions along with gross over-prescription practices, and much more. Other topics discussed include alternative pain management, safe prescribing practices, naloxone, and how dentists can …

Antibacterial Efficacy Of Novel Eastern Medicine-Inspired Toothpastes Compared To Commercial Formulations, Joshua S. Goldfaden

Pacific Journal of Health

Toothpaste is an oral health care agent that dates back to the 5^th Century B.C. in East Asia. Following the conception of dentistry in the 7^th Century B.C. and the field’s subsequent growth, the embodiment of toothpaste has evolved from containing natural substances such as tea leaves to abrasive chemicals, particularly: fluoride, triclosan, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Regarding how each respective reagent functions, fluoride forms a complex with calcium ions in the teeth to prevent erosion of the protective enamel coating. This ion also disrupts metabolic activities of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), which are the …

The History Of The Dental Profession - From Ancient Origins To Modern Day, Steven A. Kezian

Pacific Journal of Health

Abstract:

This research paper explores some of the earliest known evidences of dental treatment and traveled through time discussing important figures who made vital contributions toward the development of this profession.

Dentistry is one of the oldest professions to be developed. Ever since there have been humans, there have been problems with our teeth, and we have been figuring out ways to alleviate them. The idea that there were people specializing in the healing of the teeth and oral diseases has roots to ancient pre-history and a long and fascinating saga.

This history is divided into five stages:

-Ancient pre-history …

Commentary: Phytocannabinoids As Therapeutic Agents To Combat Chronic Gingival Disease., Nick Narek Ohanian

Pacific Journal of Health

The therapeutic potential of cannabis has been harnessed for thousands of years yet the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has still not approved cannabis as a safe or effective drug. The FDA has, however, approved the manufacturing of pharmaceutical drugs, which contain a “synthetic version of a substance that is present in the marijuana” and other compounds that mimic its action. A search of the US National Library of Medicine and National Institute of Health for keywords “CBD” and “Periodontitis” together yields only 2 publications. Although the current State and Federal regulations on the use of cannabis for …

Screening Of Physical Activity Levels In Older Adults At A Community-Based Health Fair: A Feasibility Study, David B. Gillette, Preeti Oza, Todd E. Davenport

Pacific Journal of Health

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of activity level screenings in community-based health fairs. Additionally, we assessed relationships between participants’ sociodemographics, health-related factors and self-reported activity levels.

Methods: Feasibility was assessed by the time required to conduct screenings and ease of integrating it into the health fair workflow. Physical Therapy students collected responses using Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and the Physical Activity Level (PAL) items from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Results:Screenings increased service and wait times. Participants (N=37, mean age=71.5 years) reported a mean of 4.8 fall risk factors, …

Integrating Oral Health Into Social Marketing Campaigns: Program Development And Description For San Francisco Children’S Oral Health Strategic Plan, Carsen Bentley

Pacific Journal of Health

Integrating oral health into an existing San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) social marketing campaign was a specific goal of the San Francisco Children’s Oral Health Strategic Plan 2014-2017 with the purpose to more fully integrate oral health promotion into the City’s overall health promotion efforts. In the winter of 2015, utilizing a collaborative approach, oral health was successfully integrated in the Open Truth campaign, promoting decreased consumption of sugar sweetened beverages in order to improve health outcomes, including decreasing tooth decay.

Comparative Efficacy Of Video And Text Instructional Modalities For An Oral Surgery Technique Among Dental Students, Ho-Hyun Brian Sun, Jeffrey A. Elo, Grant D. Mcclendon, Hardev Singh, Chan M. Park

Pacific Journal of Health

Purpose: To gauge the efficacy of video media in pre-doctoral oral and maxillofacial surgery education and compare it to traditional text-based learning materials.

Methods: Twenty novice dental students were randomly divided into two groups to place an Erich arch bar to the maxillary dentition of a dentoform. Group A was given a 10 minute video instruction while Group B was given 10 minutes to review written text instruction. All participants were given 45 minutes to place the arch bar on a dentoform while being recorded. This session concluded with a survey of student perceptions using the SEEQ. The …