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Biomedical subjects

J P DeWald

Publications and source records attributed to J P DeWald.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Career retention in the dental hygiene workforce in Texas.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence the retention and attrition of dental hygienists within the workforce in Texas. Respondents' perception of the role of employee benefits and practice of dental hygiene on career retention were explored. Demographic descriptors, including educational level, marital status, age, employment setting, and practice statuses, were also examined. METHODS: A questionnaire modified from the American Dental Hygienists' Association Extension Study: Retention of Dental Hygienists in the Workforce Final Report, April 1992, was mailed to a systematic sample of licensed Texas dental hygienists in March 1999. Descriptive statistics were computed for dental hygienists currently in practice in Texas and those not in practice at the time of the survey. Differences in demographics, benefits, and attitudes between dental hygienists currently in practice in Texas and dental hygienists not in practice at the time of the survey were tested using independent t-tests for interval data and chi-squared tests for categorical data. All statistical analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS v. 9, Chicago, Illinois). RESULTS: A response rate of 68.1% was obtained. Results revealed the primary reasons for remaining in the practice of dental hygiene were salary, family responsibility, professional collaboration, and variety of work. The primary reasons for leaving dental hygiene practice were family responsibility, boredom, salary, and lack of benefits. Secondary and tertiary reasons stated for staying in clinical practice revealed additional factors including benefits, participation in decision-making, and a safe environment. Dental hygienists in clinical practice were more likely to be employed by a dentist in a single practice and see more patients per day, have a certificate or associate's degree, be unmarried, have fewer children, and be younger than dental hygienists not in practice. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that dental hygienists in Texas who remain in the workforce are positively influenced primarily by salary. Dental hygienists in Texas who had left the workforce were primarily influenced to leave practice because of family responsibility. Boredom and lack of benefits were also important factors in deciding to leave clinical practice. Employers of dental hygienists need to be aware of these factors in the hiring process. In addition, dental hygiene educators should prepare students in interviewing techniques for better communication regarding retention factors.

Adult↗

Developing a competency-based curriculum for a dental hygiene program.

A three-step process was used that involved developing a competency document, an evaluation plan, and a curriculum inventory. The competency document, Competencies for the Dental Hygienist, included three domains, nine major competencies, and fifty-four supporting competencies. These became the department's educational goals. The evaluation plan included multiple methods for assessing each of the nine major competencies. The faculty initially identified evaluation methods that were currently in place and then added strategies for the various gaps in the plan. The curriculum inventory defined the entire curriculum in terms of the competencies. For each supporting competency, there was a list of major and foundation topics, each linked to specific courses. The strategy used to identify both the evaluation methods and curriculum topics was to survey the faculty. Information from assessments and the curriculum inventory directed the modification of the curriculum for alignment with the competencies. This process has resulted in improvements in teaching, evaluation, and student learning. The strengths and weaknesses of this competency-based curriculum development are presented, with specific recommendations for other-programs undergoing similar curriculum development.

Competency-Based Education↗

The use of extracted teeth for in vitro bonding studies: a review of infection control considerations.

OBJECTIVE: Infection control concerns regarding the handling of teeth for research purposes have prompted investigators to evaluate the effects of disinfection/sterilization on extracted teeth. The objectives of this literature review were to assess the reported findings of the effect of disinfection or sterilization on teeth used for in vitro bonding studies and make recommendations on their use. METHODS: A search of the literature was performed to obtain background information on infection control guidelines and current findings regarding disinfection or sterilization of extracted teeth. Published articles addressing the effects of different disinfection and sterilizing procedures on the tooth, such as structural changes of dentin and dentin permeability or effect on bond strengths, were examined and compared for agreement or disagreement of findings. The review was organized by the type of disinfection or sterilization method utilized by the investigators. These methods were evaluated in an attempt to address whether disinfection/sterilization of extracted teeth can be recommended or if the procedure simply produces another variable. RESULTS: Formalin, chemical heat sterilization (Chemiclave), autoclave, ethylene oxide and gamma radiation methods of disinfection/sterilization have been investigated for their effects on extracted teeth. When the effect of formalin storage on dentin bond strengths was examined, investigator results were extremely varied. Autoclave and chemical sterilization were found to produce comparable dentin bond results when compared to controls. Gamma radiation did not produce structural changes in the dentin but it currently has not been investigated for its effect on dentin bond strength. And while ethylene oxide produced similar dentin bond strength results when compared to controls, its use as a sterilant was determined to be ineffective. SIGNIFICANCE: Investigators have found formalin storage to be effective for infection control purposes. It cannot, however, be recommended as a storage medium for dentin bonding studies due to the variability in dentin bond strengths resulting from its use. Ethylene oxide is also not recommended due to its inability to effectively sterilize teeth. Chemical heat and autoclave sterilization methods are recommended for preventing cross-contamination during in vitro dentin bonding research. This recommendation is based on current research findings which examined the effect of these sterilization methods on dentin and dentin bond strengths.

Dental Bonding↗

Bond strengths between elastomeric impression materials and disinfected preliminary impressions.

Bond strengths between disinfected putty impressions and subsequent wash applications were determined in specimens made to simulate clinically an interrupted two-step impression technique. The effect of a disinfectant on the bond strength between a disinfected wash impression and a subsequent wash application was also evaluated to simulate perfecting a disinfected final impression clinically. Vinyl polysiloxane (putty or wash) and polyether (wash only) impression materials were placed in perforated metal cylinders, allowed to set, and dipped in an iodine or glutaraldehyde disinfectant. Wash material was then applied to the disinfected material by use of another metal cylinder and allowed to set before the specimen was tested in tensile mode. Significant decreases in bond strengths were found in both clinical simulations but were limited to specific impression material and disinfectant combinations.

Dental Bonding↗

Wettability of impression materials treated with disinfectants.

The purpose of this investigation was to comprehensively compare various combinations of impression materials, die stones and disinfectants so as to provide clinical guidelines for selection of materials. The effect of immersion disinfection on the wettability of five types of impression materials, polyether, light-cured polyether urethane dimethacrylate, polysulfide, hydrophilic and hydrophobic polyvinyl siloxanes, was evaluated. This evaluation was determined by contact angle measurement of two die stones on the impression materials and also by bubble formation in casts made from the same materials after disinfection. The disinfectants utilized were 0.5% sodium hypochlorite and 0.13% glutaraldehyde-phenate. There were significant interactive effects (P less than 0.02) on contact angle between stone and disinfectant, impression and disinfectant, and impression and stone. The effect of disinfection was found to vary among impression materials. Although there was a significant correlation found between contact angle and bubble formation, contact angle was not found to be a strong predictor of bubble formation in this study. For these findings, it is recommended to evaluate each disinfectant and impression material combination individually.

Analysis of Variance↗

Marginal leakage in class V composite resin restorations with glass ionomer liners in vitro.

This in vitro study evaluated the use of a glass ionomer lining cement in conjunction with composite resin in class V preparations in terms of marginal sealing ability. Two preparations, the occlusal walls in enamel (etched) and the gingival walls in dentin, were place in each tooth. One contained the etched glass ionomer liner, a dentin bonding agent, and a microfill composite resin. The second contained the dentin bonding agent and the microfill composite resin. The teeth were thermocycled, stained with methylene blue dye, sectioned, and evaluated for leakage at the occlusal and gingival margins on a scale of 0 to 3. No significant leakage was recorded at the occlusal margin for either restoration. Leakage at the gingival margin was significantly reduced for the lined restorations, and in no instance did the dye penetrate beyond the liner, which suggests that the lining cement may significantly decrease leakage at the gingival aspect of composite resins in class V restorations.

Composite Resins↗

Microleakage in restorations with glass ionomer liners after thermocycling.

The purpose of this study was to compare microleakage around two types of restorations lined with polyalkenoate (glass ionomer) cements after thermocycling. Preparations were made in 48 molars to a diameter and depth of 2.0 mm. Half of the preparations were lined with glass ionomer, and the remainder were not lined. Dental amalgam or glass ionomer restorative material was placed and the amalgams were left unburnished and unpolished. Selected restorations were thermocycled 625 times between 4 degrees C and 50 degrees C. Teeth were immersed in 0.5 per cent methylene blue solution, sectioned and visually scored for microleakage at X 100 magnification. Data analysis indicated significant differences in microleakage because of: thermocycling (chi 2 = 103.38, d.f. = 19,2P less than 0.0004); presence of glass ionomer liners (chi 2 = 53.28, d.f. = 19,2P less than 0.0001); and type of restorative material (chi 2 = 103.44,d.f. = 19,2P less than 0.0004). The use of a glass ionomer liner significantly reduced microleakage in both amalgam and glass ionomer restorations when subjected to thermocycling.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

Evaluation of glass-cermet cores under cast crowns.

The goal of this study was to compare two core materials--glass-cermet and amalgam--in terms of crown retention when significant tooth structure is missing. The glass-cermet's ability to bond to teeth with and without the aid of retentive pins and/or grooves was examined. The effects of two storage solutions, formalin and sodium azide, on the bond of the glass-cermet were also evaluated. Sixty human molars were obtained and stored in either formalin or sodium azide. Thirty molars were prepared with one wall of tooth structure remaining, and the other 30 were prepared with two walls. Before being restored with glass-cermet, the preparations received either no retention, retentive grooves and pins, or retentive grooves only. Each preparation restored with amalgam received pins and grooves. Type III gold crowns were cemented in vitro with glass-ionomer luting agent, thermocycled 2500 times (5-50 degrees C), and then removed under a tensile force. The to amalgam and has adequate adhesion to the tooth, without additional retention, when at least two walls of the tooth remain. However, when only one wall of the tooth remains, the amalgam core is superior under tensile forces. There was a significant difference between the sodium azide and formalin storage solutions with regard to bond strength in one group (two walls, no pins, no grooves). In general, the cores placed on teeth stored in sodium azide exhibited tensile bond strengths lower than those stored in formalin.

Adhesiveness↗

Comparative study of luting agents with composite resin cores.

This study compared bond strengths of zinc phosphate and polycarboxylate cements in cementing cast gold crowns to composite resin cores. The study also compared the effect of thermocycling on the bond strengths in tension of the two cements under varied storage and thermocycling conditions. Sixty standard cores were made from composite resin material. Gold alloy crowns were cast for each core and cemented with zinc phosphate or polycarboxylate cement. The samples were stored for 1 day or 1 month and then cycled with 60-second dwell times between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C distilled water baths for 5, 100, or 1000 cycles. The controls were stored for the same periods and were not cycled. Overall comparison of both storage periods and all cycled and noncycled groups revealed that zinc phosphate cement had significantly higher bond strengths than polycarboxylate cement. Increasing the storage time before cycling significantly increased the bond strengths for both cements. There was no difference between any of the cycle periods or the noncycled controls for either cement.

Composite Resins↗

A comparative study of the bond strengths of amalgam and alloy-glass ionomer cores.

The purpose of this study was to compare the bond strengths of dental amalgam cores and dental alloy-glass ionomer cores that were luted to cast gold crowns with glass ionomer cement. Seventy-two human extracted molars were sectioned horizontally and four regular thread mate system pins were inserted into a flat pulpal floor. The teeth were restored with amalgam or alloy-glass ionomer admixture and prepared for crown preparations. Castings were produced with type III gold and cemented to the cores with Fuji type I glass ionomer cement. Thirty-six of the specimens were subjected to thermal fatigue by cycling between 4 and 50 degrees C for periods of 1, 5 and 10 weeks. The remainder of the specimens were retained in deionized water at 37 degrees C. Bond strengths of the cores, in tension, were measured with a universal testing machine. The alloy-glass ionomer cores exhibited higher bond strengths than the amalgam cores for virtually all time periods, particularly the thermocycled samples. The alloy-glass ionomer cores exclusively displayed core fractures and pin/tooth insufficiencies while the amalgam cores failed because of a deterioration of the glass ionomer luting cement.

Crowns↗

A comparison of four modes of evaluating depth of cure of light-activated composites.

Four commonly used methods for evaluating depth of cure in light-activated composites were compared. Optical and scraping methods correlate well, but severely overestimate depth of cure as compared with hardness testing or degree of conversion analysis. Degree of conversion appears to be the most sensitive test of depth of cure.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Dental and dental hygiene students' attitudes in a joint local anesthesia course.

In 1995, the local anesthesia course was combined for dental and dental hygiene students. It was also the first time that dental hygiene students were instructed clinically in local anesthetic techniques. Faculty felt it important to evaluate student attitudes regarding these curriculum changes. This study assessed students' perceptions of the adequacy of background preparation courses, concerns about administering local anesthetics and attitudes about its administration by dental hygienists. A pre/post survey was completed by dental and dental hygiene students. T-tests were used to determine if differences in attitudes existed between groups and if changes in attitudes occurred within groups after taking the course. Results indicated that both groups believed they had adequate background preparation. Apprehensions about administering local anesthetics were similar, but the dental hygiene students felt significantly less anxiety (p < 0.01). Results also differed significantly on the issue of hygienists administering local anesthetics, with hygiene students in support of it and dental students opposed (p < 0.01). Results confirmed that no changes were needed in the existing prerequisite courses for both groups. A need to address student anxiety about local anesthetic administration has been identified. In addition, it may be beneficial to expand dental students' appreciation of dental hygiene education to foster mutually successful working relationships in the future.

Anesthesia, Dental↗