Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Considerations For Dental Hygienists, Amber Walters, Susan L. Tolle, Gayle M. Mccombs

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a neurosensory disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain. Typically persistent fatigue, depression, limb stiffness, non-refreshing sleep and cognitive deficiencies are also experienced. Oral symptoms and pain are common, requiring adaptations in patient management strategies and treatment interventions. Appropriate dental hygiene care of patients suffering with this disorder is contingent upon an understanding of disease epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, oral signs and symptoms, as well as treatment approaches. With this information dental hygienists will be better prepared to provide appropriate and effective treatment to patients with FMS.

The Use Of Fluorescence Technology Versus Visual And Tactile Examination In The Detection Of Oral Lesions: A Pilot Study, Hadeel M. Ayoub, Tara L. Newcomb, Gayle B. Mccombs, Marshall Bonnie

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: This study compared the effectiveness of the VELscope(R) Vx versus visual and tactile intraoral examination in detecting oral lesions in an adult, high risk population.

METHODS: The pilot study compared the intra oral findings between 2 examination types. The sample was comprised of 30 participants who were addicted to either cigarettes or a dual addiction (cigarettes plus hookah). High risk population was defined as males who were current cigarette smokers or had a dual addiction. Two trained and experienced licensed dental hygienists conducted all examinations. Throughout the study, all visual and tactile intraoral examinations were conducted first by one …

Oral Care In The Long-Term Care Of Older Patients: How Can The Dental Hygienist Meet The Need?, Tracee S. Dahm, Ann Bruhn, Margaret Lemaster

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

It is estimated that the older population, aged 65 and older, will make up over 20% of the U.S. population by the year 2030. Research acknowledges about 4% of the older population resides in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), where the long-term older patient (LTOP) is under the formal supervised care or custody of institutions with skilled nurses. By the year 2040, 4 million geriatric residents are predicted to move into LTCFs in the U.S. In 2000, the Surgeon General reported LTOPs in LTCFs have greater oral hygiene needs than any other segment of the population to include: root caries, periodontal …

Mass Fatality Incidents And The Role Of The Dental Hygienist: Are We Prepared?, Tara L. Newcomb, Ann M. Bruhn, Bridget Giles

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Dental hygienists can fill critical roles during mass fatality incidents in the area of disaster victim identification, providing much needed support to forensic odontologists. The purpose of this paper is to bring awareness that research is needed to assess current dental hygiene programs, continuing education opportunities and the type of approach being used to develop and implement pedagogy in the forensic specialty area, specifically mass fatality preparedness and response for the dental hygienist. Because of the threat of terrorism in the U.S. and natural disasters like hurricanes, the need to prepare dental professionals in disaster response and fatality management is …

The Use Of Immersive Visualization For The Control Of Dental Anxiety During Oral Debridement, Carmelo Padrino-Barrios, Gayle B. Mccombs, Norou Diawara, Gianluca De Leo

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Immersive Visualization (IV) eyewear on anxious, adult patients during oral debridement.

Methods: Thirty adult volunteers (n=23 females n=7 males) were enrolled in the study. Participants were required to be 18 years or older, exhibit at least moderate anxiety (score 9 or higher) on the Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale-Revised (DAS-R), and be generally healthy. Individuals were excluded from participation if they presented with severe dental calculus, periodontal disease, or dental caries, were taking psychotropic drugs, had a history of convulsive disorders, vertigo, or equilibrium disorders, or required antibiotic premedication. …

Performance Of Dental Hygiene Students In Mass Fatality Training And Radiographic Imaging Of Dental Remains, Tara L. Newcomb, Ann M. Bruhn, Loreta H. Ulmer, Norou Diawara

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: Mass fatality incidents can overwhelm local, state and national resources quickly. Dental hygienists are widely distributed and have the potential to increase response teams' capacity. However, appropriate training is required. The literature is void of addressing this type of training for dental hygienists and scant in dentistry. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess one facet of such training: Whether the use of multimedia is likely to enhance educational outcomes related to mass fatality training.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, pre- and post-test design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of comparable educational modules for 2 groups: a …