Digital Commons Network^™

A Scoping Review Of The Roles, Training, And Impact Of Community Health Workers In Oral Health Supplemental Tables, Dina T. Garcia, Jaime Lawson, Erica R. Brody, Susan C. Mckernan, Sarah E. Raskin, Nixon Arauz, Maghboeba Mosavel, Tegwyn Brickhouse

Health Behavior and Policy Publications

Objective: To synthesize English or Spanish-language literature on community health workers’ (CHWs’) roles, training, and impact in oral health. Basic research design: A scoping review conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) methodological framework. Method: Electronic literature searches were conducted in Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), DOSS, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Global Health CAB from inception of the databases to April 2020. Three reviewers independently conducted the title and abstract and full-text reviews. This was followed by data charting by three reviewers and data summarizing by two reviewers. Results: Out of the 36 articles that met the inclusion …

Xylitol In Preventing Dental Caries, Nicholas Fields, Tu Bui

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Abstract

Problem: Dental caries is a common form of tooth infection among adults and children. The disease is easily transmissible, and therefore a great focus should be put on prevention to ensure healthy and proper oral hygiene for the population. Xylitol use has been proposed as one of the most effective preventive interventions against dental caries.

Methods: The literature review engaged different electronic databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library in evaluating the effectiveness of xylitol use in preventing dental caries in both children and adults. Articles used in the review were published between 2016 …

Can Botox Be The Cure For Tmj Associated Pain And Dysfunction?, Haley Headley, Bella Pollard

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Problem: Over 10 million Americans suffer from pain, headaches, and jaw dysfunction associated with temporomandibular joint disorders. Traditionally, when diagnosed, patients are given conservative treatment option recommendations such as an occlusal bite guard, stabilization splint, and over-the-counter pain medication, such as Ibuprofen. These conservative treatment options are meant for short term use. What is the long term answer to temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction? Surgical replacement of jaw joints with artificial implants has been considered; however, the effectiveness of this irreversible procedure is inconclusive and highly controversial. Botulinum toxin type A injections, or botox, offers an alternative treatment that …

The Effects Of Covid-19-Related Stressors On Bruxism And Temporomandibular Disorders, Hagir A. Saleh, Samantha Smith

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Problem: COVID-19 has proven to be a major public health emergency, with an array of physical and emotional complications. While COVID-19 has its own effects on the human body, anxiety induced by the pandemic has shown to take a toll on the human oral cavity by means of causing individuals to grind and clench their teeth due to anxiety/stress, potentially leading to temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain.

Methods: A thorough review of literature was conducted by consulting credible studies published on online databases such as PubMed, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, Google Scholar, and Academic Search Complete. The studies examined …

Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate Bulletin [2021], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Graduate bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2021-2022. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for graduate programs.

Lucy Corr Dental Clinic: Addressing Dental Needs Of Uninsured Older Adults, Patricia B. Bonwell

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Discuss the critical importance of oral health and the oral-systemic relationship in older adults.

2. Describe how dental insurance determines receipt of dental treatment in older adults.

3. Share how the Lucy Corr Dental Clinic (LCDC) increases access to dental care for uninsured older adults.

4. Describe valuable collaborations with community foundations, the Virginia Dental Association, and Virginia Commonwealth University that enable the success of the LCDC.

Improving Guardianship Practices Through Collaborative Stakeholder Action, Erica Wood, Shasta Douglass

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Describe the purpose of adult guardianship and its effect on fundamental rights.

2. Explain the need for guardianship reform, the obstacles to reform, and what issues need attention in Virginia.

3. Discuss the purpose of state Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS) and the creation and accomplishments of Virginia WINGS.

4. Review cases in which a WINGS pilot project supported the needs and rights of adults with guardians.

Virginia Dental Journal (Vol. 98, No. 4, 2021)

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Opioid And Nonopioid Analgesic Prescriptions For Dental Visits In The Emergency Department, 2015-2017 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, Shillpa Naavaal, Uma Kelekar, Shital Shah

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

Introduction: Prescription and nonprescription opioid misuse and the rising number of dental visits in emergency departments (EDs) are growing public health concerns in the US. Our study objective was to examine the relationship between prescription analgesics (opioids and nonopioids) and the type of ED visits (dental and nondental) at the national level.

Methods: We used data from the 2015-2017 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to examine the association between opioid, nonopioid, and combination of opioid and nonopioid analgesic prescriptions and dental and nondental visits in the ED. Covariates included socioeconomic variables, time of visit, provider type, triage level, hospital …

For Medicaid Beneficiaries, The Ability To Find A Dentist Is A Key Component Of Access To Care, Julie C. Reynolds, Shillpa Naavaal

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

No abstract provided.

Medical Expenditures And Health Care Utilization: A Comparison Among U.S. Adult Tobacco Consumers (I.E. Never Tobacco Users, Cigarette Smokers And Smokeless Tobacco Users), Raheema S. Muhammad

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction

Cigarette smoking poses a great economic cost on the U.S. health care system by incurring high health care expenditure and health care utilization in the adult population. Although there is a sufficient amount of information on the health care cost associated with cigarette smoking there is a gap in how other forms of tobacco use may impact healthcare expenditures and utilization in comparison to cigarette smoking. The main objectives of this study were: 1) to estimate and compare health care expenditure and health care utilization across different tobacco use groups using nationally representative data 2) to estimate and compare …

Comparing The Sensitivity And Specificity Of Cbct And Mri In Detecting Osteoarthritis Of The Tmj: A Systematic Review, Gabriel R. Saavedra

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this systematic review was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This was done by using computed tomography (CT) and the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) as reference methods and using CBCT and MRI as index methods. A specific search strategy was developed and applied to these electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, DOSS, and Cochrane. The search results returned 802 articles, which were then narrowed down using the inclusion/exclusion criteria, to four final articles that were included in …

Ck2 Phosphorylation Of Human Papillomavirus 16 E2 On Serine 23 Promotes Interaction With Topbp1 And Is Critical For E2 Plasmid Retention Function, Apurva Tadimari Prabhakar

Theses and Dissertations

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the causative agents in most cervical cancers and have been implicated in a rising number of oropharyngeal cancers. HPV positive oropharyngeal cancers have increased significantly over the last two decades with no specific anti-viral therapeutic options for the treatment of HPV diseases. During its lifecycle, HPV16 encoded E2 protein interacts with host cellular factors to regulate viral transcription, replication and genome segregation/retention. Our understanding of the cellular partner proteins that E2 uses to mediate its functions remains incomplete.

Previously, an interaction between E2 and the host protein TopBP1 was identified. In earlier studies, it was also …

Virginia Dental Journal (Vol. 98, No. 3, 2021)

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Virginia Commonwealth University Undergraduate Bulletin [2021], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Undergraduate bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2021-2022. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for undergraduate programs.

Virginia Commonwealth University Professional Bulletin [2021], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Professional programs bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2021-2022. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses.

The Contribution Of Different Permanent Tooth Types To Untreated Caries: Implications For Public Health Surveillance And Prevention, Susan O. Griffin, Liang Wei, Shillpa Naavaal, Eleanor Fleming

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

Background: Untreated caries (UC), although highly prevalent, is largely preventable. Information on the contribution of different teeth to UC prevalence and severity could be helpful in evaluating UC surveillance protocols and the relative benefits of caries prevention interventions.

Methods: The authors combined data from 3 cycles (2011-2016) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for participants aged 6 through 11 years, 12 through 19 years, 20 through 34 years, 35 through 49 years, 50 through 64 years, 65 through 74 years, and 75 years and older. For each age group the authors calculated the contribution of successive permanent tooth …

Influence Of Metal Sleeves In The Accuracy Of Dental Implant Placement Using Guided Implant Surgery, Coleman Adams

Theses and Dissertations

The fabrication of implant surgical guides through stereolithographic 3D printing has become a staple in dental implant guided surgery over the last couple decades. These surgical guides have typically utilized metal sleeves to assist in guidance of the drills during osteotome preparation. The metal sleeves can be costly and potentially cause deviations if improperly placed during post-processing of the guide. This research explored a novel method for the utilization of sleeve-free surgical guides by comparing the dimensional and angulational deviations between the implant guides with and without a metal sleeve. To achieve this goal, two separate aims were pursued. Our …

Access To Behavioral Health Services: Supply, Coverage, And Health Insurance Literacy, Heather Saunders

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines policy and individual barriers to behavioral health (BH) service utilization. The full reach of federal policies like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) may be limited by state policies and the supply of the workforce available to deliver these services. Further, individual factors, such as low health insurance literacy, may influence patterns of behavioral healthcare utilization. Despite efforts to increase access to behavioral health services, treatment rates remain low, suggesting that barriers remain. To explore the effectiveness of these policies and examine remaining barriers, this dissertation explores three main research …

Knowledge, Perception, And Clinical Management Strategies Of Us Pediatric Dentists On Molar Incisor Hypomineralization, Courtney T. Brashier

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional, survey-based study is to determine current US pediatric dentists’ knowledge, perceptions, and clinical management strategies for patients with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH).

Methods: Following appropriate protocol and authorizations, all active pediatric dentists, general dentists, and post-doctoral student members identified by the 2020 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s membership list were invited to partake in an anonymous email survey. Data regarding participants sociodemographic, education, and clinical backgrounds were collected in addition to information obtained from MIH-focused questions. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to compare and analyze data. A significance level was set at …

Value Of Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire In Referrals For Obstructive Sleep Apnea At Vcu Pediatric Dental Clinic, Elizabeth H. Hering

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the number of VCU pediatric dental patients screened for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) relative to the number of referrals made for a pediatric sleep study.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of children between the ages of 1-18 years seen at the VCU Pediatric Dental Clinic between 2016-2020. Patients with a completed sleep apnea screening questionnaire in the health history form or sleep apnea form/referral were identified. The data was used to determine how many referrals were made for a pediatric sleep study in patients screening positive for sleep apnea. …

Antibiotic-Loaded Dendrimer Hydrogels In Periodontal Bone Regeneration: A Feasibility Study, Nicholas G. Yesbeck

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Prescription of a complete course of oral antibiotics following bone grafting procedures is a common clinical practice in surgical periodontics. Prophylactic administration of antibiotics reduces the risk of surgical site infection and systemic administration is preferred over local delivery because of short duration of action in the latter circumstance. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the ability of dendrimer hydrogels (DH) to prolong the release kinetics of antibiotics in-vitro. A secondary goal will be to analyze the effect of different particulate bone allografts on the release kinetics of the antibiotic.

Methods: Dendrimer hydrogels (DH) were synthesized …

Treatment Outcome Of Perforation Repair With Bio-Ceramic Based Materials: A Retrospective Study, Lolwa Alyahya

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION:

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the treatment outcome of orthograde perforation repair using bio-ceramic based materials.

METHODs:

Data from the VCU graduate endodontic practice were analyzed retrospectively. Treatment had been conducted by VCU endodontic residents under the supervision of qualified endodontists during the period from August 2014-December 2020. All cases in which a bio-ceramic based material had been used as a perforation repair material were included. Bio-ceramic based materials included MTA, EndoSequence Root Repair Material Putty and Paste (ERRM), and iRoot BP Plus Root Repair Material (BP-RRM). Perforation repair was performed using a dental …

Perceived Efficacy Of Extrusion Of Maxillary Lateral Incisors With Aligners, Mason T. Bates

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To assess the perceived efficacy of aligners (Invisalign, Align Technology Inc) at performing extrusive movements of maxillary lateral incisors, determine a general threshold of when a maxillary lateral incisor is not extruding as predicted and requiring intervention, evaluate the frequency and methods of intervention to achieve the predicted extrusion, and to evaluate any related differences between orthodontists and general dentists, and between clinicians having treated various numbers of patients with Invisalign in the past 12 months.

Methods: An original 18-question survey was sent by mail to a randomized and geographically proportionate selection of orthodontic specialists (N = …

Il-36g Cytokine Induction In Oral Epithelial Cells Triggered By Treponema Denticola And Their Role In Chronic Periodontitis, Christopher Blake

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is a polymicrobial disease affecting 10-15% of the population. Periodontal disease affects the quality of life by reducing mastication and potentially causing tooth loss. Periodontal disease is also linked to more severe, systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Development of the diseased state occurs when the plaque biofilm shifts from healthy to dysbiotic. The shift to a dysbiotic biome brings with it a shift in bacterial presence, specifically an increase in gram-negative bacteria, such as T. denticola. T. denticola is a gram-negative, anaerobic spirochete whose relationship with oral epithelial cells is poorly understood. Preliminary data …

Canalpro Eal Accuracy Compared To The Root Zx Eal, Benjamin T. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

CanalPro Electronic Apex Locator Accuracy Compared to the Root ZX Electronic Apex locator

Benjamin Brown, Garry Myers, Caroline Carrico, Duane Schaefer

Department of Endodontics, Virginia Commonwealth University

Objectives: Electronic apex locators (EAL) are an effective instrument in measuring the working length of a canal. The Root ZX is considered the gold standard by many. The aim of this research is to compare the accuracy of the CanalPro EAL to the Root ZX.

Methods: The actual length of 43 single rooted extracted teeth were measured with a #10 hand file when the tip was visualized at the foramen under a microscope. …

Validation Of A Screening Tool For Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Pilot Study, Julia A. Giardina

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Pediatric-Modified-STOP-Bang (PM-STOP-Bang) as a screening tool to assess sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) within a pediatric population. The specific aims of this study were: 1) compare the PM-STOP-Bang scores with those from the validated Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), 2) determine the ability of the PM-STOP-Bang and the PSQ screening tools to accurately detect children of high risk for SRBD from a one-night home sleep apnea test (HSAT).

Methods: Orthodontic patients were screened using the PM-STOP-Bang at VCU Graduate Clinic. Patients (n=10) who were recruited and enrolled. Five were determined to …

Patient Perspectives On Teledentistry And Face-To-Face Doctor Interaction During Orthodontic Treatment, Jackson K. Griffeth D.M.D.

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Orthodontic patients were surveyed to determine the perceived value of doctor-to-patient face-to-face interaction, the desire for convenience and attitudes toward specific uses of teledentistry.

Methods: Participating private practice orthodontists emailed the survey to active patients. 75 self-pay patients from VCU Orthodontic clinic were also invited to complete the survey. Patients 18 years or older were asked to complete the survey regarding their own treatment. Parents of patients under age 18 were asked to complete a separate survey regarding their child’s treatment. Questions asked patients about the importance of face-to-face interaction with their orthodontist and their preferences for the inclusion …

Reproducibility And Accuracy Of The Virtual Occlusal Record, Anne M. Harper

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To evaluate the reproducibility and accuracy of the virtual occlusal record compared to the gold standard physical bite record

Methods: Two physical bite records of PVS and two virtual bites using an iTero Element scanner were obtained from 22 participants. Intraoral scans were exported as STL files, and virtual occlusal records were created. CBCT images were taken of physical occlusal records and converted to STL files. STL files were superimposed using Geomagic Control X™ Software. Root mean square (RMS) and percent similarity within 0.25 mm tolerance were compared at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: Average …

In Vitro Evaluation Of The Solubility Of Endosequence Bc Sealer In Acidic Solutions, Inderpal S. Sappal

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: In recent years, bioceramic sealers (BCS), such as EndoSequence BC Sealer, have gained popularity in endodontic practices. Previous research has found BCS difficult to remove from canals during retreatments when compared with other endodontic sealers. Acidic solutions have been found to inhibit the set of BCS and increase their solubility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acidic solutions in the removal of BCS as compared with a traditional retreatment solvent.

Methods: Roots of extracted human single rooted teeth (N=15) were prepared into 17 mm sections, then instrumented with ProTaper Gold (PTG) rotary files up …