Development of dental faculty members is paramount to providing outstanding education and role modeling for students. With the large number of second career educators in dental schools, an efficient method of acquiring teaching skills is important for new faculty members. Knowing the skill progression and learning experiences identified by dental educators of varying rank may lead to more efficient, effective faculty development. The aims of this study were to identify the perceptions of a group of faculty members about the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and learning experiences that contribute to developing teaching expertise and to compare and contrast the perceptions of new and more senior faculty members on these subjects. The Dreyfus skill acquisition continuum of novice to expert performance was used as a construct reference. The study used a mixed-methods approach in which qualitative and quantitative data were collected concurrently in an electronic survey of faculty members at one U.S. dental school. Of the 492 total faculty members, 80 survey responses were received, for a 16% response rate. Open coding and analysis of responses revealed some common themes. Building rich content knowledge and learning varied methodologies for teaching and assessment, supported by an awareness of peer role models, were perceived to be features of early growth. Content prioritization, clarity, and customization appropriate for the learner characterized mid growth. As theorized in the Dreyfus model, more experienced faculty members described a fluid, less structured teaching process, increased reflection, and appreciation of the strength of the educational community. The results of this study may help increase dental educators' understanding of teaching skill acquisition and inform faculty development and support.

Background: Seniors recognize the need for dental care in maintaining quality of life. Research has identified behaviors that are associated with improved dental health. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the association of certain attitudes and behaviors upon tooth loss. Method: This study obtained data by random selection from patients in the UOP School of Dentistry via paper survey. Results: A statistically significant association was evident between tooth loss and seeing a dentist only when absolutely necessary, as well as going five years or more without seeing a dentist. Another significant correlation was made between smoking cigarettes and the use of cocaine or methamphetamines and tooth loss. Factors found to have positive correlations with having 10 or more teeth were found when a dentist was seen twice a year or more frequently, having full time employment for most of the patient's life, tooth grinding at night, the daily use of one or more glasses of alcohol, and brushing and flossing twice a day. Conclusion: Patients with fewer than ten teeth express attitudes which emphasize the value of their teeth similarly to those patients who have more than ten teeth. Behavior differences between the two groups are various and significant. Long-term retention of teeth can be positively influenced by the avoidance of cigarette smoking, and cocaine and methamphetamine use. Twice-yearly or more regular dental visits, the maintenance of full-time employment, and twice daily brushing and flossing were associated with tooth retention.

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Differences among operators in a simulation of the decision regarding gaps in crowns accounted for 63% of the variance; type of explorer used in assisting this decision accounted for about half as much variance. Faculty members making such judgments exhibited high intra-operator consistency but significantly lower inter-operator consistency than did students. The study suggests that the internal standards dentists use for clinical decision making deserves further study as they may be as significant as the equipment used.

A method is presented for measuring interalveolar dimension (IAD) of existing dentures using a caliper. Directions for construction of an IAD gauge are included. This device is easy to construct and "zeroes out" in the closed position. The measurement is useful for determining occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) in new dentures and for monitoring changes over time. Its dimension is entered in the patient record for future reference.

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