Dentistry Commons^™

Application Of A Theory-Based Educational Intervention To Increase The Frequency Of Performing Oral Health Assessments On Children Among Advanced Practice Registered Nurses And Nurses, Denise Michelle Claiborne

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of a theory-based educational intervention would increase the frequency of performing oralhealth assessments (OHAs) during well-child visits among nurses. A randomized experimental design was conducted to determine if the educationalintervention would improve frequency of performing OHAs, in addition to, knowledge, confidence in performing OHAs, and advising parents. Using a non-probability sampling frame, “snowball technique,” a total of 46 participants were recruited. After exclusion criteria, 33 advanced practice registered nurses(APRNs), registered nurses (RNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs); were randomized into a control or experimental group. Data collection occurred over …

The Effects Of Instrument Handle Design On Forearm Muscle Activity During Scaling By Dental Hygienists, Jessica Rae Suedbeck

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 4 different commercially available instrument handle designs (A. 16 grams and 12.7 mm diameter; B. 23 grams and 11.1 mm diameter; C. 21 grams and 7.9 mm diameter; D. 18 grams and 6.35 mm diameter) on the muscle activity of four forearm muscles during a simulated scaling experience. Methods: A convenience sample of 27 dental hygienists used a Columbia 13/14 curet with four different instrument handles to scale artificial calculus. While scaling, each participant’s muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG). Participants completed an end user opinion …

The Effect Of Magnification Loupes On Posture During Instrumentation By Dental Hygienists, Emily Anne Ludwig

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dental magnification loupes on posture during instrumentation. Methods: A convenience sample of twenty-seven righthanded dental hygienists with no history of injuries or disabilities of the head, neck, and trunk regions was enrolled. Baseline posture calibration was taken. Accelerometers were placed on four locations of the head and trunk (occipital pole of head, cervical vertebrae: C5, thoracic vertebrae: T5, lumbar vertebrae: L1) to measure changes in posture. Accelerations in three axes were recorded (anterior/posterior (AP), medial/lateral (ML), vertical (VT)). Mean accelerations of the three axes were used to compute …

Interprofessional Collaboration Between Dental Hygienists And Registered Nurses: The Time Is Overdue, Jacqueline E. Sharpe, Muge Akpinar-Elci

Center for Global Health Publications

The recent publication of an article that is listed as a Critical Issue in the Journal of Dental Hygiene deserves strong letters of endorsement from nursing professionals. It has been twelve years since the Institute of Medicine called for interprofessional education to be adopted by the health professional education community. The increasing numbers of dentists in dental programs and the decreasing numbers of physicians in medical programs lend itself for dentists and physicians to be supportive of such interprofessional collaborations.

Assessment Of Mass Fatality Preparedness And Response Content In Dental Hygiene Education, Ann M. Bruhn, Tara L. Newcomb, Manasi Sheth-Chandra

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

When mass fatality incidents (MFIs) occur, they can quickly overwhelm local, state, and government agencies, resources, and personnel. It is important to have a rapid and effective response with skilled, multidisciplinary victim identification teams since specific skill sets are necessary to participate in mass fatality preparedness and response. The aims of this study were to determine the extent of formal education related to mass fatality preparedness and response training in U.S. dental hygiene programs and to assess program directors' perceptions of the need for such training. A 23-item cross-sectional survey was emailed to 319 U.S. dental hygiene programs in 2015. …

Animal Assisted Therapy In A Special Needs Dental Practice: An Interprofessional Model For Anxiety Reduction, Caren M. Cajares, Carolyn M. Rutledge, Tina S. Haney

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Purpose: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) suffer from poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease that may predispose them to systemic diseases. In order to receive dental care, the assistance of a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is often needed. The role of the CRNA is to provide sedation to reduce the high level of anxiety demonstrated by many individuals with intellectual disabilities in the dental suite. However, this can become a challenge with patients that are anxious when they arrive. The purpose of this paper is to describe an interprofessional dental team that added a certified therapy dog …

Disaster Preparedness And Response: A Survey Of U.S. Dental Hygienists, Brenda T. Bradshaw, Ann P. Bruhn, Tara L. Newcomb, Bridget T. Giles, Kathryn Simms

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess dental hygienists’ interests, current involvement, formal education, views, comfort levels, and intentions for involvement with disaster preparedness and response.

Methods: Dental hygienists (n=400) were asked to respond to a 21-item online survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square goodness-of-fit tests, and a paired-samples t-test. Common themes were identified and categorized from open-ended questions.

Results: A response rate of 84% (n=334) was obtained. Most respondents (97%) reported no involvement with disaster preparedness and response; however, a majority (86%) reported interest. Of those who indicated an interest in disaster preparedness and response, …

Interventions For The Reduction Of Dental Anxiety And Corresponding Behavioral Deficits In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jessica L. Elmore, Ann M. Bruhn, Jonna L. Bobzien

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can greatly inhibit a child's communication and social interaction skills, impacting their comfort during dental hygiene treatment and services. Children with ASD may exhibit sensory sensitivities, fear of the unfamiliar and lack of socio-cognitive understanding, leading to anxiety and corresponding behavioral deficits. Since the prevalence rates for ASD have risen significantly in the past decade, increased emphasis has been placed on educational and behavior guidance techniques, which can be helpful for children with ASD because of their increased capabilities in visual-processing. The purpose of this literature review is to summarize the interventions available to reduce dental …

Diabetes Status, Predisposing, Enabling, And Oral Health Illness Level Variables As Predictors Of Preventive And Emergency Dental Service Use, Sabha Alshatrat

Health Services Research Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between diabetes and dental service use. This study addressed the question of whether individuals with diabetes are more or less likely to utilize dental services, measured in terms of preventive and emergency services during the past year. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the contributions of diabetes status to dental service use, relative to the contributions of Andersen and Newman Framework of Health Services Utilization dimensions (predisposing, enabling, and illness variables) in predicting dental service utilization during the past year using a nationally representative sample from a 2001-2002 National …

Dental Consumers' Perceptions Of Dental Hygienists With Visible Tattoos, Amanda Brooke Verissimo

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if visible tattoos affected the perceptions of dental consumers toward the professionalism and credibility of dental hygienists.

Methods: An 11 item, IRB approved investigator designed survey was administered online to 203 subjects invited to participate via a commercial web source. Surveys were randomized according to respondents' birth month. Participants viewed one of three photographs of a dental hygiene model wearing short-sleeved scrubs without a tattoo, with a large sleeve tattoo on the arm or with a small tattoo on the wrist. Participants scored each photograph on a 5-point Likert scale based …

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 Perception And Employability Of Dental Hygienists With Visible Tattoos, Christina Lynn Cox

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if the presence of visible tattoos could hinder employment for dental hygienists. Methods: 1,800 electronic surveys were distributed to licensed dentists in the state of Virginia. Surveys were arbitrarily assigned according to subject's birth month. Participants were shown a photograph of a dental hygienist with one of the three conditions: 1) no tattoo, 2) small tattoo, or 3) large "sleeve" tattoo. Respondents were asked to score the image based on five categories: ethical, responsible, competent, hygienic and professional, using a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

Disaster Preparedness & Response: A Survey Of U.S. Dental Hygienists, Brenda Tallon Bradshaw

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine dental hygienists' interests, formal education, views, comfort levels, and intentions for becoming involved in disaster preparedness and response as measured by a 21-item survey entitled "Victim Identification for Disaster Preparedness & Response: A Survey of Dental Hygienists". Methods: A nonprobability convenience sample (n=400) was recruited for an online survey. Data was analyzed for statistical significance using descriptive statistics, chisquare goodness-of-fit tests, a Mann-Whitney U test, and a paired-samples t-test. Similar themes were identified and categorized from open-ended questions. Results: A response rate of 83.5% (n=334) was attained. Regardless of years …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Barriers Toward Evidence-Based Practice Among Oral Health Professionals In Saudi Arabia, Sukainah Abdulwahab Almeedani

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Evidence -based decision making enables oral health professionals to make clinical practice decisions by utilizing the best available and most current scientific evidence. In combination with patients' values and circumstances, oral health professionals' experience and judgment are equally considered with scientific evidence in evidence-based decision making. The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge and attitudes of evidence-based practice (EBP) among oral health professionals in Saudi Arabia and to determine the obstacles and barriers to implementation. Using a descriptive survey design, classrooms and clinics of 258 oral healthcare professionals were randomly selected from King Saud University, College of …

Analysis Of Electronic Teaching And Reflective Learning For Dental Hygiene Education, Cassandra Huffman

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The problem of this study was to examine if electronic course delivery used reflective learning strategies in educating dental hygiene students.

Oral Health Promotion: Knowledge, Confidence, And Practices In Preventing Early-Severe Childhood Caries Of Virginia Wic Program Personnel, Lorraine Ann Fuller, Sharon C. Stull, Michele L. Darby, Susan Lynn Tolle

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study assessed the oral health knowledge, confidence and practices of Virginia personnel in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

Methods: In 2009, 257 WIC personnel were electronically emailed via an investigator-designed 22-item Survey Monkey® questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fishers Exact tests compared personnel demographics and oral health knowledge, confidence and practices at the p≤0.01 and 0.05 significance level.

Results: Response rate was 68%. WIC personnel were knowledgeable about basic oral health concepts. More than half of those reporting were not confident assessing for visual signs of dental decay and do not routinely …

Injury Prevention With Physical Therapy, Karen Kott, Margaret F. Lemaster

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

(First paragraph) Ergonomics is the study of human performance (positioning and movement) and workplace design, such as equipment, ambience, and placement. The purpose of ergonomics is to maximize productivity by increasing safety, improving work quality, reducing operator fatigue and discomfort, and decreasing the risk of work -related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).^1-3

Comparison Of Corded And Cordless Handpieces On Forearm Muscle Activity, Procedure Time And Ease Of Use During Simulated Tooth Polishing, Gayle Mccombs, Daniel M. Russell

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: Dental professionals suffer from a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Dental hygienists in particular have a high prevalence of pain in the forearms and hands. The objective of this study was to compare 1 cordless handpiece to 2 corded handpieces during simulated tooth polishing in terms of the muscle loads (recorded as electromyography (EMG) activity), duration of polishing procedure, and dental hygienist opinion about ease of use. Methods: EMG was used to quantify muscle electrical activity of 4 forearm muscles during simulated dental polishing with 2 corded handpieces (HP-A and HP-B) and 1 cordless handpiece (HP-C). A …

Use Of Immersive Visualization For The Control Of Dental Anxiety During Dental Hygiene Treatment, Carmelo Padrino-Barrios

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of immersive visualization (IV) therapy, a technique that provides visual and stereoscopic display through the use of eyewear, in anxious patients during an oral prophylaxis. Methods: A convenience sample of thirty adults was enrolled. A split mouth design was utilized. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: group A (use of IV for the right side of the mouth), and group B (use of IV for the left side of the mouth). Subjects received a full mouth oral prophylaxis (removal of supra and subgingival calculus and selective polishing), always …

Fluorescent Technology Versus Visual And Tactile Examination In The Detection Of Oral Lesion: A Pilot Study, Hadeel Mohammed Ayoub

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of the VELscope® Vx, versus a visual and tactile intraoral examination in detecting oral lesions in an adult, high risk population. Methods: A convenience sample of 30 participants (17 cigarette smokers and 13 dual addiction smokers) was enrolled. For the purpose of this study, dual addition was defined as cigarettes plus hookah usage. Two trained and calibrated dental hygienists conducted all examinations. Visual and tactile intraoral examinations were conducted, followed by VELscope® Vx florescence examinations. All subjects received an inspection of the lips, labial mucosa, buccal mucosa, floor of …

Comparing Velscope Vx And Traditional Oral Exams In Shisha (Hookah) Smokers: A Pilot Study, Amanda E. Kimball

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare oral findings using two exam types, the VELscope Vx® screening device versus a modified oral examination in detecting oral potentially malignant lesions in shisha smokers.

Methods: Thirty-one participants who reported currently smoking shisha and tobacco were recruited. Participants were identified for smoking habits to include two groups, to include those who reported smoking shisha exclusively and those who reported smoking shisha and tobacco. Each group received both exam types; examiners used a standardized protocol. A health history questionnaire was also collected to assess participant's oral cancer risk factors such as age, race, …

Teledentistry: A Systematic Review Of Clinical Outcomes, Utilization And Costs, Susan J. Daniel, Lin Wu, Sajeesh Kumar

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review is to identify clinical outcomes, health care utilization and costs associated with teledentistry. Relevant databases were searched for articles on teledentistry published until March 2012, reference lists examined and key journals hand searched. Of a possible 58 articles, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Clinical outcomes were generally improved following a teledentistry intervention and satisfaction with teledentistry was consistently high. The few studies examining health care utilization reported mixed findings, but preliminary evidence suggests cost savings for health care facilities.

There is a consistent trend in the literature supporting the efficacy and effectiveness …

Evaluation Of Autonomous Robotic Milling Methodology For Natural Tooth-Shaped Implants Based On Sko Optimization, Yongki Yoon

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Robotic surgery is one of the most demanding and challenging applications in the field of automatic control. One of the conventional surgeries, the dental implantation, is the standard methodology to place the artificial tooth root composed of titanium material into the upper or lower jawbone. During the dental implant surgery, mechanical removal of the bone material is the most critical procedure because it may affect the patient's safety including damage to the mandibular canal nerve and/or piercing the maxillary sinus. With this problem, even though short term survival rates are greater than 95%, long term success rate of the surgery …

Vital Tooth Whitening Effects On Oral Health-Related Quality Of Life In Older Adults, Ann M. Bruhn, Michele L. Darby, Gayle B. Mccombs, Carleen M. Lynch

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if vital tooth whitening affects oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) in adults age 50 years and older, and if tooth whitening causes increased participation in social activities.

Methods: Using a 2 group, single blind, randomized, pre-test, multiple post-test design, 62 participants were enrolled. The experimental group used a whitening product twice daily for 3 weeks. The control group used no whitening products. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) served as the pre- and post-test measure. The OHIP measures OHRQOL on 7 subscales: functional factors, psychological disabilities, psychological discomforts, physical disabilities, …

Magnification Loupes In U.S. Entry-Level Dental Hygiene Programs - Occupational Health And Safety, Leslie Mchaney Congdon, Susan Lynn Tolle, Michele Darby

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine policies and practices regarding magnification loupes among faculty and students in accredited dental hygiene programs as measured by a 31 item, self-designed questionnaire. In addition, the study compared policies among dental hygiene programs in 2 year versus 4 year programs in terms of requirements for the use of magnification loupes.

Methods: After institutional review board approval, a 31 item self-designed questionnaire was emailed via Survey Monkey to 303 entry-level dental hygiene programs. An overall response rate of 75% was obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test of independence. …