Root caries prevalence was recorded for a consecutive sample of dental patients (n = 146), aged over 55 yr and with at least 12 natural teeth. The mean root DFS score of the males (n = 49) was 6.34 +/- 4.55 and for the females (n = 97) 3.76 +/- 3.31 (P less than 0.001). The salivary levels of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and yeasts were determined in addition to salivary flow rate and buffering capacity. Subjects with greater than 1 root DFS had significantly higher salivary levels of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and yeasts. They also had fewer teeth and more exposed root surfaces. In step-wise multivariate analyses the factors significantly related to the root DFS score were the number of exposed root surfaces, number of teeth, sex and salivary yeast levels (R2 = 0.41). In the multivariate analyses salivary levels of mutans streptococci were not significantly related to any clinical measurement of root caries experience due to the greater strength of association between the root DFS score and salivary levels of yeasts. Subjects prescribed medicines with a reported xerostomic effect had significantly fewer active root lesions than those not prescribed such medicines and salivary levels of all microorganisms studied were significantly elevated in subjects prescribed medications containing sucrose.
The use of social media has greatly expanded in the last decade, with widespread use of smartphones, the internet, and other multimedia to enhance learning. There is evidence to suggest that social media has a place in healthcare education, but there is limited research to suggest the effectiveness or use of it in dental foundation training. This paper discusses the risks and benefits of social media and suggests that a better understanding of social media and its role in the development and practice of newly qualified dental professionals could benefit both trainees and trainers.
With increasing numbers of older people retaining their natural dentitions, dentists are becoming increasingly aware of the problem of dental caries occurring on exposed root surfaces--root caries. This study reports the prevalence of root caries in a selected older population, living in the community and attending a general dental practice in Bexhill, East Sussex. A total of 146 non-institutionalised people, aged at least 55 years with at least 12 teeth, were examined. Most of the subjects (88.4%) had evidence of root caries, males and denture wearers having more lesions than females and non-denture wearers, respectively. Active coronal caries was present in only 11.6% of the subjects, whereas active (soft or leathery) root caries lesions were present in 31.5% of the subjects. The teeth and surfaces most commonly affected by root caries were found to be similar to those seen in previous epidemiological surveys. The majority of active root caries lesions were within 1 mm of the gingival margin, while inactive lesions tended to be greater than or equal to 1 mm from the gingival margin. Colour of root caries lesions was not diagnostic of caries activity. A more detailed method of recording root caries lesions is also described.
Objective To undertake a detailed educational evaluation into dental students' experience of the concept of belongingness and their development as 'safe beginners' on an outreach placement at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy (UPDA).Method The participants were asked two questions: Did you feel belongingness at UPDA?; and When in your year rotation did you feel this? They completed the educational evaluation anonymously in their last week of attendance. The quantitative data was handled with descriptive statistics and the qualitative data was analysed for recurring themes.Results A 95% response rate was achieved. Eighty six percent of respondents strongly agreed to feeling belongingness and 56% felt it after their first two weeks. Four themes were identified: 'Interaction with the preexisting people environment' (1a. Initial welcoming and warmth 1b. Continued interest in me as an individual); 'Developing collegiality' (2a. My group of fellow students 2b. Working with the dental team as a dentist 2c. The team of everyone at UPDA); 'In the clinical environment' (3a. Being a dentist with responsibility and respect 3b. The physical environment 3c. Becoming a reflective independent practitioner); and 'Leadership'.Conclusion Belongingness in dental education should be defined as:- a deeply personal and contextually mediated experience in which a student becomes an essential and respected part of the dental educational environment where all are accepted and equally valued by each other and which allows each individual student to develop autonomy, self-reflection and self-actualisation as a clinician.
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