Desarrollo de un plan integral para la adquisición de la competencia de comunicación en el grado en Odontología de la Universidad del País Vasco: un reto institucional / Development of a comprehensive plan for the acquisition of communication skills in the degree in dentistry at the University of the Basque Country: an institutional challenge

INTRODUCCIÓN: La praxis de la odontología requiere el desarrollo adecuado de las habilidades de comunicación, competencia transversal que ha de estar garantizada durante los estudios de grado. Esto supone un reto institucional, por cuanto las facultades han de poner los mecanismos académicos para evaluar el nivel de desarrollo de dichas habilidades. MÉTODOS: Se plantea un plan integral de carácter colaborativo para el desarrollo de las habilidades comunicativas en el grado en Odontología de la Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, que contempla cuatro fases: a) recogida y socialización de la información sobre el desarrollo de la competencia; b) diseño de desarrollo trasversal y vertical de la competencia; c) implementación y análisis de resultados; y d) recogida de evidencias del proceso y divulgación de los resultados. RESULTADOS: Tras la detección de las fortalezas y debilidades, se definieron 40 habilidades comunicacionales, estructuradas en cinco bloques (comunicación oral con pacientes/familiares, comunicación oral con otros profesionales, comunicación escrita con pacientes/familiares, comunicación escrita con otros profesionales sanitarios y técnicas de comunicación odontólogo-paciente) y tres niveles de desempeño (identificación de la información, desempeño con alta supervisión y desempeño autónomo con moderada supervisión). Para su desarrollo, se diseñaron 19 actividades formativas y de evaluación, actualmente en implementación. CONCLUSIÓN: El plan se está desarrollando con éxito, y las evidencias del proceso, recogidas en un portafolio, servirán para el seguimiento de la titulación

INTRODUCTION: The practice of dentistry requires the proper development of communication skills, which must be guaranteed during undergraduate studies. This is an institutional challenge, because the schools have to put the academic mechanisms to evaluate the level of development of these skills. METHODS: The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) is developing a comprehensive collaborative plan that includes four phases: a) collection and socialization of information on the current situation of the development of communication skills; b) design of a training plan to improve these skills, c) training plan implementation and results assessment, and d) gathering evidence of the process and dissemination of the results. RESULTS: After the detection of strengths and weaknesses in communication, we defined a total of 40 communication skills, structured in five blocks (oral communication with patients/family members; oral communication with other professionals; written communication with patients/family members; written communication with other health professionals, and dentist-patient communication techniques) and three levels of performance (identifying information, performance with high supervision, autonomous with moderate supervision). For its development, 19 training and evaluation activities were designed, currently being implemented. CONCLUSION: The plan is being developed successfully and the evidence of the process, collected in a portfolio, will be used to monitor the degree

Treatment of Amalgam Tattoo With a New Technique: Mucoabrasion and Free Connective Tissue Graft.

INTRODUCTION: A new technique was performed for the removal of an amalgam tattoo (AT), consisting in mucoabrasion combined with a free connective tissue graft (FCTG). CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old female presented with a large AT involving the alveolar mucosa and gingiva between teeth #7 and #8, where endodontic treatment and apicoectomy was performed 21 years ago. To avoid compromising esthetics, the lesion was managed with a new technique including mucoabrasion and an FCTG. At the 53-month follow-up, the patient exhibited a naturally appearing soft tissue with no evidence of the AT. CONCLUSION: When performing a one-stage treatment of removing ATs in areas of high esthetic demand, it is possible to achieve good results and ideal gingival color.

One-year results of a nonsurgical treatment protocol for peri-implantitis. A retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes of a nonsurgical treatment protocol for peri-implantitis and to evaluate the influence that some factors could have on the results of this treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective case series, patients with at least one implant with peri-implantitis, treated with a nonsurgical protocol and with a one-year follow-up, were included. Clinical parameters (probing depth, recession, bleeding, and/or suppuration on probing) were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months. Radiographic bone levels were assessed in periapical radiographs taken at baseline and 12 months. An analysis of the factors significantly associated with marginal bone level changes was performed. Descriptive and analytic statistics were carried out at the patient and at the implant level, as well as a multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Data from 37 patients with 70 implants were analyzed. There was a general and consistent improvement from baseline compared to all follow-up points in the clinical variables. A significant radiographic bone gain of 0.91 mm was observed. The factors significantly associated were baseline plaque index, sex, and age at patient level, and type of prosthesis and implant location at implant level. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, this nonsurgical treatment protocol might be considered as a first treatment option for peri-implantitis. More studies are needed, with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups, to confirm these outcomes and their long-term stability.

Complications of harvesting a connective tissue graft from the palate. A retrospective study and description of a new technique.

BACKGROUND: Connective tissue graft (CTG) is considered as the gold standard for the treatment of gingival recessions (GR). There are few studies assessing the complications that can arise in the donor site when harvesting a connective tissue graft (CTG) and how the harvesting technique can influence those complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective clinical study was carried out in order to compare the complications observed in 40 patients with Miller class I, II and III GR ≥ 3 mm, after using the trap-door technique (TD) in the control group and a newly described technique, the "UPV/EHU technique", in the test group. Patients were consecutively allocated to each treatment group. Patients were monitored 14 days after surgery in order to evaluate post-operative complications in the donor site: presence of pain (P), bleeding (B), infection (I) and necrosis > 30%. RESULTS: Although morbidity was observed in both groups, it was less important in the test group (no pain and minimal pain in 30% and 35% of the cases, respectively, and absence of bleeding or infection and necrosis >30% in only 5% of the cases). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, this newly described "UPV/EHU technique" should be considered as a treatment option when harvesting a CTG, with minimal morbidity for patients. Key words:Connective tissue graft, pain, gingival recessions, wound healing, cosmetic periodontal plastic surgery, trap-door technique, "UPV/EHU technique".