Predoctoral implant dentistry curriculum survey: European dental schools.

PURPOSE: In 2002 a survey of European dental schools was conducted. The purpose of the survey was to determine the curricular structure, teaching philosophies and materials used in predoctoral implant dentistry courses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six European dental schools were randomly selected from the Association for Dental Education in Europe representing 33 countries. A questionnaire was mailed to the predoctoral implant dentistry director/chairperson of the selected European dental schools. Of these, 40 schools returned the completed survey, resulting in a response rate of 71%. The mean, median and range of responses were computed where applicable. RESULTS: The results from this survey show that 80% of the responding schools required a course in implant dentistry. Between 1997 and 1999 over a third of responding schools (36%) incorporated a predoctoral implant dentistry course into their curriculum. Eighty-seven per cent of the schools have some prosthodontists teaching the course. Thirty-seven per cent of schools are offering a laboratory course in conjunction with the implant course. Sixty-three per cent of the schools are not restoring implant cases at the predoctoral level. However, 68% of schools reported students are required to be present during implant surgery. Ten per cent of schools require that the implant-related laboratory work be completed by the students. CONCLUSIONS: Predoctoral implant dentistry educational programmes vary from school to school. Yet a large percentage of schools agree on certain topics, including the importance of including implant education in predoctoral dental programmes.

The dental student as a technician: preclinical and clinical laboratory programs in fixed prosthodontics.

PURPOSE: A 2-part survey of United States dental schools was conducted. The first part of the survey was published in 1998 and determined the curricular structure, techniques taught, and materials used in predoctoral fixed prosthodontics courses. The purpose of the second part of the survey was to ascertain the delegation of laboratory procedures in preclinical and clinical fixed prosthodontic programs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey was mailed to the course directors of predoctoral fixed prosthodontic programs at 53 US dental schools. Of these, 42 schools returned the completed survey, resulting in a response rate of 79%. RESULTS: Results from this survey show that certain laboratory procedures in preclinical and clinical fixed prosthodontics are completed by dental laboratories (either in-house or commercially available laboratories). CONCLUSIONS: For the preclinical programs of fixed prosthodontics, there is more student involvement in the completion of laboratory procedures in the dental schools surveyed. In clinical fixed prosthodontic programs, there is a high emphasis on patient care and less on laboratory techniques that can be delegated to laboratory technicians.

Predoctoral fixed prosthodontics curriculum survey.

PURPOSE: In 1996, a survey of American dental schools was conducted. The purpose of the survey was to determine the curricular structure, techniques taught, and materials used in predoctoral fixed prosthodontics courses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey was mailed to the course directors of predoctoral fixed prosthodontic programs at 53 American dental schools. Of these, 42 schools returned the completed survey, resulting in a response rate of 79%. The mean, median, and the range of responses were computed where applicable. RESULTS: The results from this survey show that the mean student-to-faculty ratio in the preclinical course was 11:1, with a median of 10:1 and a range of 5:1 to 25:1. The mean number of laboratory clock hours was 164, with a median of 148 and a range of 81 to 288. The mean number of lecture hours reported was 42, with a median of 35 and a range of 20 to 80. Fifty-five percent of the schools used the Hanau semiadjustable articulator. The most commonly used provisional technique was the thermoplastic custom external surface form (44%). The finish line of choice for the full metal restoration was the chamfer placed circumferentially (74%). The finish line of choice for the porcelain-fused-to-metal restoration was the shoulder placed facially and the chamfer placed lingually (38%). CONCLUSIONS: Predoctoral fixed prosthodontics education and technical experience varies from school to school, yet a large percentage of schools agree on certain topics.

Comparison of retention and release periods for implant overdenture attachments.

The aim of this study was to compare the retention and release periods of the Nobel Biocare bar and clip (NBC), Nobel Biocare ball (NB), Zest anchor (ZA), Zest magnet (ZM), and Sterngold ERA (SE) attachments on an implant-retained overdenture model. The attachments were tested using two permanently placed Brånemark implants on a test model that was attached to an Instron machine (cross-head speed 50.8 mm/minute). Each attachment had one part embedded in a denture-like housing, and the other part screwed into the implants. Dislodging tensile forces were applied to the housings in two directions simulating function: vertical and oblique. Eight tests were done in two directions with three samples of each attachment. The dislodging forces generated measurements of the peak load, break load, and displacement at peak load and break load. Release periods were calculated using displacements between the peak load and break load and the cross-head speed. Results showed the NBC to be significantly most retentive for the break load when subjected to vertical and oblique forces with mean values and standard deviations of 2104.5 +/- 506.7 g and 1958.1 +/- 165.4 g, respectively. Next most retentive was the SE, followed by the ZA and NB. The ZM was significantly least retentive (127.8 +/- 7.0 g and 143.5 +/- 19.7 g). For the release period, results showed the NBC to have significantly the fastest release period for vertical and oblique forces (1.86 x 10(-3) and 7.35 x 10(-4) minutes). The ZM significantly had the slowest release period for those forces (3.02 x 10(-2) and 2.35 x 10(-2) minutes). The data suggested that the NBC could be selected when a higher degree of retention and fast release period are desired. The next most retentive was the SE; ZM was the least retentive and had the slowest release period.

Controlled clinical trial of oral and parenteral nefopam hydrochloride. A novel and potent analgesic drug.

The results of a controlled, double-blind clinical trial are reported demonstrating the potency of analgesia produced by orally and parenterally administered nefopam HCl in hospitalized patients with pain principally of skeletal and neuromuscular origin. The drug is an analogue of orphenadrine, consisting of a cyclization of the diphenhydramine molecule. A double-blind, crossover study was made of the analgesic effects of intramuscular doses of 20 mg nefopam HCl, 50 mg pethidine, and saline placebo in 20 patients. Nefopam and pethidine were found to be equally effective and statistically superior to placebo. A double-blind, randomized study was made of orally administered nefopam HCl, 60 mg t.i.d., for three days and of placebo t.i.d. for three days in 80 patients. Nefopam was distinctly superior to placebo in analgesic effectiveness, both in the initial single dose and in maintaining therapeutic benefit for the duration of the three-day trial. It was concluded that nefopam is a potent analgesic of novel structure and unique physiologic properties.