No abstract

Since the year 2000, prospective dental students at Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria, have undergone both theoretical and practical preadmission exams, called the Dental Admission Test (DAT). The aim of this investigation was to assess the suitability and outcome of this selection practice. Five classes from 2001 to 2005 (N=97; forty-three female, fifty-four male) were retrospectively reviewed. DAT results were compared with student performance, gender, ability to graduate on time, and dropout rates. Furthermore, the influence of a previous medical degree was evaluated. The t-test was used to analyze correlations between the results of the DAT and the following: gender, students who graduated on time, and students who had previously completed a medical degree. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was applied to analyze correlations among test scores, age, and students' performance during the first clinical year. Students graduating on time were noted to have significantly better DAT results; students with a previous medical degree showed significantly better grades during their first clinical year. The difference between the performance of male and female applicants on the DAT was not significant. Correlation was found between DAT results and dental school performance (r=-0.462). We conclude that the DAT may reduce dropout rates by excluding applicants unlikely to be successful in practical courses and that DAT scores are a reliable tool to predict student performance during the first clinical year of dental school in Innsbruck.

The tested in-office desensitizing paste containing 8.0% arginine and calcium carbonate provides significantly greater hypersensitivity relief compared to calcium carbonate alone.

The purpose of this study was to identify the performance differences between two groups of Austrian dental students (one with a prior medical degree and one without a medical degree) during their dental school training and inal dental licensure examination. A speciic aim was to determine if having a medical degree is a predictive factor for dental students' scores on the Austrian Dental Admission Test (Austrian DAT), performance in the dental clinic, and scores on inal exam. The study consisted of a retrospective analysis of 122 students (thirty-nine with a medical degree and eighty-three without a medical degree) who were enrolled in the Dental Clinic at Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria, between 2001 and 2006. Three performance categories were considered: Austrian DAT results, clinical performance after the irst clinical year in dental school, and performance on the inal dental licensure examination. Information on students' age, gender, and previous medical degree was collected from oficial records. Analyses with student's t-test and Pearson's chi-square test revealed that the students with a medical degree had signiicantly higher Austrian DAT total test scores, grade point averages after the irst clinical year, and scores on the inal exam. Additionally, those students had signiicantly better performance on the inal exam in prosthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery. The linear regression analysis showed that a medical degree had an independent effect on average scores on the inal exam, age, and Austrian DAT test scores, while gender showed no statistically signiicant effect. Overall, the study found that dental students with a prior medical degree had signiicantly higher Austrian DAT total test scores and performed signiicantly better in the irst clinical year and on the inal exam than those without a prior medical degree.

Both the implant systems are clinically satisfying. Nevertheless, the Brånemark group showed a better radiological performance than the Xive group.