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Biomedical subjects

G H Westerman

Publications and source records attributed to G H Westerman.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Effects of argon laser irradiation and acidulated phosphate fluoride on root caries.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of argon laser irradiation (ArI) and topical acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) treatment on artificial caries formation in root surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After soft tissue debridement and fluoride-free prophylaxis, the teeth were divided into quarters and acid-resistant varnish was applied, leaving windows of sound root surface exposed. Each tooth received four separate treatments: (1) Control-mesiobuccal quarter; (2) ArI only--mesiolingual quarter; (3) ArI followed by APF- distobuccal quarter; (4) APF followed by ArI-distolingual quarter. ArI was for 10 seconds at 2W (100J/cm2) and APF treatment was for 4 minutes. After artificial lesion formation, sections were prepared and evaluated with polarized light. Mean lesion depths were determined and compared (ANOVA & DMR for a paired design). RESULTS: Mean lesion depths were: 347 +/- 41 microns--controls; 263 +/- 32 microns--ArI only; 158 +/- 21 microns--ArI followed by APF; and 149 +/- 17 microns -APF followed by ArI. Lesion depths were significantly different (P < 0.05) between the control group and each treatment group, and between ArI only group and either combined APF and ArI groups. No lesion depth difference (P > 0.05) was present between the combined APF and ArI groups. Argon laser irradiation significantly enhanced the resistance of root surfaces to demineralization. Combination of APF treatment with argon laser irradiation provided added protection against a constant artificial caries attack.

Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride↗
PubMed1993

Caries-like lesion initiation and progression around laser-cured sealants.

This study evaluated and compared the effects of argon laser and visible light polymerization of a pit and fissure sealant material on caries-like lesion initiation and progression. Following the lesion initiation period, the primary surface lesion depth was significantly less (P < 0.05) for the argon laser-cured group (97 microns) when compared with that for the visible light-cured group (151 microns). Wall lesion occurrence was 5% for both treatment groups. Following lesion progression, the primary surface lesion depth was significantly less (P < 0.05) for the argon laser-cured group (129 microns) when compared with that for the visible light-cured group (232 microns). Wall lesion occurrence was 15% and 5% for visible light-cured and argon laser-cured groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Argon laser-curing of sealant material may enhance the caries resistance of the enamel forming the enamel-resin interface and result in a reduction in caries formation adjacent to sealants.

Argon↗
PubMed1991

Personality types of dentists.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was used to determine the personality types of dental graduates, 1964-1984, from Creighton University, School of Dentistry. The MBTI reveals the strength and nature of preferences along four dimensions: extraversion-introversion, sensing-intuition, thinking-feeling, and judging-perceptive. In sample (N = 472), four personality types: ISTJ (108), ESTJ (66), ISFJ (48), and ENTJ (37), accounted for 54.9% (N = 259) of the dentists. The remaining 45.1% (N = 213) were divided among 12 personality types without any type accounting for more than 6.1% (N = 29). Comparisons with a general population (N = 9,320) revealed that the dental sample included more introverts (58.9%), thinkers (65.9%) and judgers (75.0%). The implications of personality characteristics, as applied to dentistry through communication patterns, relationships with co-workers and management styles were discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Perceptions of stress among third-year dental students.

The purpose of this study was to identify the perceived stress of third-year dental students using a large sample (four classes). The dental environmental stress (DES) questionnaire was administered to 263 (87.7 percent) third-year students from 1984 to 1988. The top six stress items, as perceived by third-year students, included examinations and grades, graduation requirements, inconsistency of professor's feedback, patient tardiness or no show, atmosphere created by clinical faculty, and financial responsibilities. In addition, 15 of the 38 DES questionnaire items were considered moderately stressful or very stressful by at least 34.0 percent of the students.

Female↗
PubMed1989

Personality variables as predictors of performance for first-year dental students.

This study attempted to determine if students with certain personality preferences outperform others over the course of the initial dental school year. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was used to assess the relationship between personality preferences and academic performance. One hundred and ninety-nine dental students in four successive first-year classes, 1983-86, participated. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to relate academic performance (first-semester, second-semester, and first-year GPAs) to personality preferences (EI, SN, TF, JP) and academic predictors (entering GPA and DAT scores). For personality preferences, all correlation coefficients were low and nonsignificant. In comparison, entering GPA and DAT (academic) scores were significantly correlated with first-semester, second-semester, and first-year GPAs. DAT (perceptual ability) scores showed a significant correlation with first-semester GPAs only.

Educational Measurement↗
PubMed1988

Stress symptoms among third-year dental students.

The purpose of this study was to document the stress (anxiety and depression) symptoms of third-year dental students using two psychological measures. Eighty-six students in two successive third-year classes were tested with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in October, December, and April. For both state and trait anxiety, changes across test administrations indicated significant increases for the 1985 class. For depression, no significant changes were found across either test administration or between classes. Comparisons were made between the reported stress symptoms of third-year and first-year dental students. A stress management program within the dental school environment was recommended.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1986

Personality styles of first-year dental students.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was used to measure the personality styles of dental students in two first-year classes. The MBTI measures the strength and nature of preferences along four dimensions: extroversion-introversion, sensing-intuition, thinking-feeling, and judging-perceptive. In the sample (N = 120), four personality styles--ESTJ (19), ESFJ (19), ENTJ (16), and ISTJ (12)--accounted for 55 percent of the students (N = 66). The remaining 45 percent (N = 54) were divided among 12 personality styles with no style comprising more than 5.8 percent of the students (N = 7). Further comparisons of personality traits emphasized the similarities of the student sample on dimensions of extroversion (68.3 percent), sensing (61.7 percent), and judging (74.2 percent). Comparisons with previous research confirmed the predominance of ST (sensing with thinking) and SF (sensing with feeling) combinations within dentistry. The implications for the organization and curriculum of dental schools considering the personality traits of these dental students are discussed.

Attitude↗
PubMed1974

Crossbites.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Malocclusion↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Variations of palatal dimensions in patients with Down's syndrome.

Palatal dimensions (width, depth, and height) of 40 patients with Down's syndrome were compared to 44 control patients. The height was measured with a specially designed palatal-height gauge. The palatal dimensions of patients with Down's syndrome were narrower in width, shorter in depth, and lower in height.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Argon laser irradiation and acidulated phosphate fluoride treatment in caries-like lesion formation in enamel: an in vitro study.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the combined effects of argon laser irradiation (ArI) and acidulated phosphate fluoride treatment (APF) on caries-like lesion formation in human enamel. Each specimen was divided into tooth quarters with each quarter assigned to one of four groups: 1) control; 2) ArI Only; 3) ArI before APF treatment; 4) APF treatment before ArI. After a fluoride-free prophylaxis, acid-resistant varnish was applied to the tooth quarters, leaving sound enamel windows exposed on buccal and lingual surfaces. Argon laser irradiation was at 2 watts for 10s (100J/cm2). APF treatment was with a 1.23% APF gel for 4 min. Lesions were created in sound enamel windows with an acidified gel. After lesion formation, sections were obtained and imbibed with water for polarized light study. Body of the lesion depths were determined and compared among the four groups. Lesion depths were: 195 +/- 23 microns for control; 129 +/- 17 microns for ArI only; 96 +/- 14 microns for ArI before APF; and 88 +/- 11 microns for APF before ArI. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between the control group and all treatment groups, and between the ArI only group and both combined APF and ArI groups. Significant difference (P > 0.05) was not found between the ArI before APF and the APF before ArI groups. Laser irradiation alone reduced lesion depth by 34% compared with control lesions. When ArI was combined with APF treatment, lesion depth decreased by more than 50% compared with control lesions, and by 26 to 32% when compared with lased-only lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride↗