Strengthening the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's Public Policy Advocate Network: Identifying Advocacy Efforts and Recommendations.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to collect information on involvement, training, and barriers to participation in advocacy efforts for Public Policy Advocates (PPAs) of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and make recommendations to the AAPD. METHODS: Preliminary data were collected from the PPAs during structured AAPD program meetings, conference calls, and individual interviews. Based on these data, a survey was created, piloted, and sent electronically to all PPAs. Data were analyzed and collated by frequencies. RESULTS: Responses from 38 PPAs (100 percent) revealed they were involved with state legislatures and state chapters of the AAPD and American Dental Association. Eighty-two percent of the PPAs requested additional public policy training and clearer communication channels within the network. PPAs are funding their own advocacy efforts, and the time and resources spent away from patient care is a financial barrier. CONCLUSIONS: The Public Policy Advocate network holds a broad policy skill set and voluntarily commits time and resource to advocate for the support of the pediatric dental patient at state and federal government levels. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry can strengthen the PPA's self-directed leadership role at state and federal levels through formalized training, restructuring of the network, and increased resources.

Fixation of Metacarpal Shaft Fractures: Biomechanical Comparison of Intramedullary Nail Crossed K-Wires and Plate-Screw Constructs.

OBJECTIVES: Metacarpal (MC) fractures are very common, accounting for 18% of all fractures distal to the elbow. Many MC fractures can be treated non-operatively; however, some are treated most effectively with surgical stabilization, for which there are multiple methods. It was postulated that plates would have a significantly higher (P < 0.05) load to failure than crossed K(XK)-wires and that intramedullary metacarpal nails (IMNs) and XK-wires would have equivalent load to failure. METHODS: Mid-diaphyseal transverse fractures were created in 36 synthetic metacarpals and stabilized using nails, XK-wires or non-locking plates. Three-point bending was performed with continuous recording of load and displacement. Statistical analysis was performed using single factor ANOVA and Scheffe's test. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. RESULTS: Biomechanical testing revealed significant differences between groups in load-to-failure. Average load to failure was significantly greater in the plate (1669 ± 322 N) than the XK-wire (146 ± 56 N) or IMN (110 ± 43 N) groups. The loads to failure of the K-wires and nails were equivalent. Plates were 11 and 15 times stronger in three-point bending than the K-wires and nails, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between strengths of the K-wires and nails. CONCLUSIONS: Although plates are the most stable means of fixation of midshaft metacarpal fractures, if minimally-invasive techniques are indicated, intramedullary nails may provide equivalent stability as commonly-used XK-wires. Although some studies have shown favorable clinical outcomes with IMNs, additional clinical correlation of these biomechanical results to fracture healing and outcomes is needed.

Characterization of the anchoring morphology and mineral content of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments of the knee.

The manner in which ligament connects to bone remains an area of interest for researchers, bioengineers, and clinicians. Stable fixation of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft has been shown to be paramount to preventing excess anterior tibial translation and to restoring the normal kinematics of the knee joint. In this study, the surface area of attachment and the mineral characteristics of the ACL and medial collateral ligament (MCL) attachment sites were characterized to determine the factors that contributed to ligament attachment strength. Findings from this study indicated that the area of attachment of the ACL's insertion was significantly greater than the ligament's origin (95.8 mm(2) ± 21.5 vs. 73.2 mm(2) ± 16.2, P = 0.009). Additionally, the ACL was measured to have a greater surface area of attachment when compared with the MCL (84.5 mm(2) ± 18.8 vs. 58.2 mm(2) ± 23.8, P = 0.005); although, the MCL was observed to have a greater region of calcified fibrocartilage (CFC) than the ACL (533.0 µm ± 116.9 vs. 195.5 µm ± 36.6, P = 0.0003). No significant correlation was observed between the ligament's area of attachment and the thickness of the CFC region. Measurements of ash percent suggested that the boundary region, between the CFC and host bone, possessed the least mineral content for the three regions of interest. These data suggest that ligament attachment strength can be attributed to several factors, including the ligament's area of attachment, regional thickness, and mineral content of the CFC.