The purpose of this study was to assess the concurrent validity of the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) Written Examination and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) by correlating students' scores with their performance in the final year of the D.D.S./D.M.D. program. The subjects of this study were the 2,317 students at nine Canadian dental schools who completed both NDEB examinations between 1995 and 2000. The findings indicate positive correlations (r=0.43 and r=0.46, p<. 001, for the written and OSCE examinations respectively) between students' examination scores and final year results. Year-to-year and school-to-school variations were minimal. These findings supported the concurrent validity of both NDEB examinations.Dr. Gerrow is Chair,
The integrity of formalin-fixed periodontally diseased root surfaces was assessed following root planing to dentin and citric acid application. Extracted human teeth (fixed in 10% formalin), with crowns removed, were vertically sectioned in half. A horizontal groove on each proximal surface marked the extent of attachment loss. The diseased root surface was vigorously root planed to expose dentin. Cotton pellets, soaked in a saturated solution of citric acid, were either "placed" (control) or "burnished" (vigorously rubbed using root planing pressure) (experimental) on the prepared root surface for 5 min. Pellets were changed 2 times/min. The teeth were fixed and prepared for scanning electron microscope viewing and photography. A representative print was selected for each specimen. To confirm differences between test and control groups, untrained raters were asked to perform 2 sorting exercises. First, they were asked to sort the representative photographs of each specimen into 2 piles based on surface characteristics. Second, they were asked to choose from pairs of photographs, representing matched specimens, the one photograph which appeared to have the greatest collagen surface area. The surfaces of experimental specimens revealed patent dentinal tubules and an intertubular area with a very distinct "shag carpet" appearance of deeply tufted collagen fibrils. Control samples also exhibited open dentinal tubules, yet the intertubular surface displayed a "matted collagen" surface. Results of the 2 sorting exercises confirm that burnishing of formalin-fixed dentin root surfaces for 5 min with cotton pellets soaked in a saturated solution of citric acid consistently produces a distinct tufted collagen fibril surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Preliminary work has shown that the rate of dentin demineralization increases with increasing concentrations of citric acid. This rate subsequently diminishes at much higher concentrations. The purpose of this study was to more precisely identify the citric acid concentration which produces peak dentin demineralization and to determine if this demineralization process is time dependent. Flat dentin surfaces were prepared on the buccal and lingual sides of 15 bovine molars. 8 depressions were made in each dentin surface using a #8 round bur in a high-speed handpiece with air-water coolant. Various concentrations of citric acid solutions (weight per cent) were prepared, e.g., 0%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 65% and their respective pH's recorded. 3 microliters of each citric acid solution were placed in individual depressions on the dentin surfaces and left undisturbed for 1, 2 or 3 min. Cotton pellets were used to soak up the citric acid solution, along with any dissolved calcium, and were subsequently placed in 10 ml of 18 Me omega water. The parts per million calcium found in each water sample were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Peak dentin demineralization for 1-, 2- and 3-min application times occurred at 30% (pH = 1.55), 25% (pH = 1.62) and 25% (pH = 1.62) citric acid concentrations/(pH), respectively. Dentin demineralization was found to be time-dependent for all citric acid solution concentrations. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.
As part of the recommended review of the national competencies for beginning general dentists in Canada, a validation survey was distributed to 731 dentists. The survey asked participants to supply demographic information and rate each of the forty-six competencies on a 5-point Likert scale. The response rate was 43.1 percent (315 total usable responses). Self-reported demographic data was used to create respondent subgroups. The participants rated all of the competencies quite high with thirty-six of the forty-six receiving rankings averaging 4.0 or higher on the 5-point scale. No competency received a ranking averaging lower than 3.0. Competencies rated as most important by the entire sample were also rated as most important by all respondent subgroups. The results of this validation survey provide evidence of content validity and reinforce the value of a national competency document that can serve as a reference for curriculum management, program accreditation, and development of certification examinations.Dr. Gerrow is Professor and Chair,
Graduates of dental programs constitute a stakeholder group that is able to provide unique information concerning the effectiveness of the dental curriculum in preparing them for dental careers. Following the implementation of planned curricular changes, graduates of the former and the new curricula were surveyed. Results indicate that, while both groups perceive themselves to have been adequately prepared by their D.D.S. program for practice, graduates of the new curriculum indicated a higher level of preparedness in several areas, especially regarding selecting, prescribing and administering pharmacotherapeutic agents. In addition, the results suggest that the change in the first two years from an emphasis on basic sciences and preclinical laboratory work to an early introduction to live dental patients and the integration of foundation sciences and clinical courses were endorsed. The evidence gathered from this alumni survey indicates that the reforms implemented in the dental curriculum were appropriate. Areas requiring further investigation are also discussed.
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