Dentistry Commons^™

The Impact Of Powered Toothbrushing On Patients With Diabetes, Kristian Ariel Carrasco

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: Studies have shown that periodontal therapy can help manage diabetes and that powered toothbrushes promote better home care. However, there is no literature making the connection whether powered toothbrushes could assist in blood glucose management in diabetic patients. The primary aim for this study was to evaluate the efficacy of brushing with a powered toothbrush in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Methods: This clinical study included 8 (N = 8) adult participants from Willamette Dental group in Richland, WA. The individuals were asked to participate in a 6-week study testing whether brushing with a powered toothbrush affected their blood glucose …

Evaluating An Interprofessional Ergonomic Intervention For Dental Hygiene Students, Lashonna M. Knight

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: Ergonomics plays an important role in identifying and reducing biomechanical stress and preventing musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries by creating a better fit between physical requirements and work environments. This study examined the benefits of implementing an interprofessional education (IPE) module in a dental hygiene curriculum with a dental hygienist (DH) and occupational therapist (OT) teaching and assessing students’ ergonomics.

Methods: Students participated in an IPE intervention to incorporate preventive techniques into their daily routine, to model these protective strategies for use as practicing DHs throughout their careers. Prior to the module and at the end of the six-week study, students …

A Pilot Study: Periodontal Risk Factor Screening Tool For Certified Diabetes Care Education Specialists, Holly Brawner

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: There is a bidirectional link between uncontrolled diabetes and untreated periodontal disease. Controlling periodontal infection plays an essential role in the overall management of diabetes. This study explored an interprofessional (IP) collaboration between Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) and Dental Hygienists and the utility of a point of care Periodontal Screening Tool (PST) for CDCES to build confidence in informing their clients on periodontal disease risk factors and providing resources to seek dental care.

Methods: This pilot study used a pre-test post-test design where a survey was administered prior to CDCES participating in an Education and Training …

A Pilot Study Of Meditation As A Stress Reliever For Dental Hygiene Students During Times Of Heightened Stress, Sarah Henderson

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: Dental hygiene students face an exorbitant amount of stress during their educational pursuits. This has only been compounded by the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students may benefit from the practice of meditation in managing their stress levels during these trying times. This study analyzes the effectiveness of meditation as a stress reliever for dental hygiene students as they navigate their education during the pandemic and the effects it may have on perception of stress, academic achievement, and physical health.

Methods: Students participated in a four-week meditation study, consisting of a 30-minute guided meditation completed once weekly. Prior …

Preparing Student Dental Hygienists In Care Of Persons Of Developmental Disabilities Using A Virtual Patient Module, Janis Mcclelland

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine if participation in an interactive virtual patient (VP) module increased dental hygiene students’ knowledge in caring for individuals with developmental disability (DD) and if participation in an interactive, VP module would impact dental hygiene students’ perception of difficulty in caring for individuals with DD.

Methods: The study utilized a mixed-methods study design with a convenience sample composed of eighteen (N=18) dental hygiene students. A pre-test/post-test design was utilized in two measures based on the content of the VP module. The eight-item Disability Situations Inventory (DSI) measured perceived sense of difficulty in …

A Pilot Study Of Oral Health Related Quality Of Life During Gynecologic Cancer Treatment, Stephanie Kushnir

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if oral health education increases oral health related quality of life in gynecologic oncology patients.

Methods: In this pilot study, 23 participants (18 - 70+ years) with a history of gynecologic cancer were recruited to participate in the study. Participants completed an Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire prior to and after given education packet.

Results: At baseline, the mean pre-test OHIP-14 score was 6.7 (SD 8.4) and mean OHIP-14 post-test score was 8.8 (SD 8.4). Pearson Correlation was .90. P (T< = t) one-tail p < .008. Demonstrating statistical significance.

Conclusion: OHIP-14 scores increased after four-weeks, higher scores of …

Interprofessional Education Between Dental Hygiene And Occupational Therapy Students In Relation To Stroke Care, Morgan Umlauf

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: To determine if interprofessional education (IPE) program with dental hygiene and occupational therapy students help determine roles and responsibilities in patients post-stroke.

Methods: A virtual 90-minute educational module was presented to occupational therapy and dental hygiene students, hosted over zoom with a 30-minute presentation followed by an open discussion over two case studies. A pretest was administered before the event and followed by an immediate posttest. Both tests included the Modified Readiness for Interprofessional Learning (mRIPLS) items that are on a 5-point Likert scale.

Results: The virtual IPE showed that there were positive changes in pretest to posttest scores. …

Assessing Interpersonal Communication In Dental Hygiene Students Providing Geriatric Care, Lasandra Wilson

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: This study examined the implementation of an educational module regarding development of communication skills between dental hygiene students and the geriatric population. The educational module assessed students’ perceived abilities and confidence in communicating with the geriatric population. Subsequently, a standardized rubric determined if there is a difference between how faculty assess students, patients assess students, and students assess themselves.

Methods: Dental hygiene students from the University of South Dakota participated in the educational module and completed pre and post tests. Voice recordings from student-patient interactions in the clinic setting were evaluated by faculty, patients, and students using a rubric …

Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examinations As A Framework For Active Learning And Assessment: A Retrospective Analysis Of Dental Hygiene Student And Instructor Perceptions, Kellie Whitcomb

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: Millennials have unique needs as learners and have come to expect the use of technology in education. Utilizing technology to implement formative virtual objective structured clinical examinations (vOSCEs) may engage millennial students due to the non-linear nature and active pedagogy while also preparing them for provisional or full licensing exams. The purpose of this study was to determine what implications there may be for future formative vOSCE use in dental hygiene programs by assessing dental hygiene student and clinic faculty experience with vOSCEs.

Methods: Research was from a qualitative perspective. The design was a retrospective phenomenological cohort study utilizing …