Employer and graduate perceptions of the competence of graduates from a dental school in Trinidad

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate employers' and graduates' perceptions of the competence of dental graduates from the School of Dentistry, University of the West Indies (UWI). Method: Anonymous questionnaires were sent to employers of the dental graduates in 2013. Similar questionnaires were also completed by graduates of the class of 2011 and 2012. Respondents were asked to rate employees or self assess the UWI School of Dentistry (SoD) curriculum's 23 competency areas and 6 domains of dental practice including: professionalism, assessment of a patient, establishment and maintenance of oral health. Results: Response rates of 48.3%, 100% and 95.7% were obtained from the employers, class of 2011 and class of 2012 respectively. The graduates' self-rated competency means were satisfactory or higher (better) in all competency areas. Employers rated the competency of UWI graduates higher than average in all competency areas except temporomandibular joint/occlusion therapy, orthodontic therapy and dental office administration. Overall, the graduates consistently rated themselves significantly higher than the employers except for periodontal therapy, minor oral surgery, removable prosthodontics and dental office administration. The graduating class of 2011 rated themselves significantly higher than class of 2012 in most (15 out of 23) competency areas. Conclusion: Employers and graduates rated UWI dental graduate competency above average in all areas except orthodontics and dental office administration. UWI dental graduates have a better perception of their competency than do their employers. The School of Dentistry needs to pay particular attention to the areas highlighted and review the curriculum accordingly.

Oral and dental conditions presenting to medical practitioners in Trinidad and Tobago.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the type and frequency of oral and dental conditions presenting to medical practitioners in Trinidad and Tobago, type of management, and interest in continuing education in oral diseases. METHOD: Cross sectional survey of registered medical practitioners in Trinidad. 20-item self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: 103 medical practitioners participated in the study (response rate 69%). Mean age 33 years. Mean years since qualifying was 8 years and 72% worked mainly in hospital service or private practice (19%); 67% had seen patients with a dental problems, with 69% of those at least as frequently as once a month. Most frequently seen problems were dental abscess (72.5%) and toothache (59.4%). In the case of dental abscess and oral mucosal infection 31.9% and 63.8% respectively, diagnosed and treated before referring. 84% cent expressed interest in receiving continuing education in oral diseases. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of access to oral care in Trinidad and Tobago, medical practitioners appear to be important providers and may benefit from further training in the diagnosis and management of oral diseases.

Oral and dental conditions presenting to medical practitioners in Trinidad and Tobago.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the type and frequency of oral and dental conditions presenting to medical practitioners in Trinidad and Tobago, type of management, and interest in continuing education in oral diseases. METHOD: Cross sectional survey of registered medical practitioners in Trinidad. 20-item self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: 103 medical practitioners participated in the study (response rate 69 per cent). Mean age 33 years. Mean years since qualifying was 8 years and 72 per cent worked mainly in hospital service or private practice (19 per cent); 67 per cent had seen patients with a dental problems, with 69% of those at least as frequently as once a month. Most frequently seen problems were dental abscess (72.5 per cent) and toothache (59.4 per cent). In the case of dental abscess and oral mucosal infection 31.9 per cent and 63.8 per cent respectively, diagnosed and treated before referring. 84 per cent expressed interest in receiving continuing education in oral diseases. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of access to oral care in Trinidad and Tobago, medical practitioners appear to be important providers and may benefit from further training in the diagnosis and management of oral diseases.

The prevalence and severity of non-carious cervical lesions in a group of patients attending a university hospital in Trinidad.

Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are often encountered in clinical practice and their aetiology attributed to toothbrush abrasion, erosion and tooth flexure. This paper aims to determine the prevalence and severity of NCCLs in a sample of patients attending a university clinic in Trinidad and to investigate the relationship with medical and dental histories, oral hygiene practices, dietary habits and occlusion. Data were collected via a questionnaire and clinical examination. Odds ratios were used to determine the association of the presence of lesions and the factors examined. One hundred and fifty-six patients with a mean age of 40.6 years were examined of whom 62.2 per cent had one or more NCCLs. Forty five per cent of the lesions were sensitive to compressed air. Younger age groups had a significantly lower correlation with the presence of NCCLs than older age groups. Other significant factors included patients who reported heartburn, gastric reflux, headaches, bruxism, sensitive teeth and swimming or had a history of broken restorations in the last year. There was also significant correlation of NCCLs in patients who brushed more than once a day or used a medium or hard toothbrush. Patients with vegetarian diets and those who reported consuming citrus fruits, soft drinks, alcohol, yoghurt and vitamin C drinks were associated with the presence of lesions. Significant associations were also found in patients with group function, faceting, clicking joints or those who wore occlusal splints.

The prevalence and severity of non-carious cervical lesions in a group of patients attending a university hospital in Trinidad.

Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are often encountered in clinical practice and their aetiology attributed to toothbrush abrasion, erosion and tooth flexure. This paper aims to determine the prevalence and severity of NCCLs in a sample of patients attending a university clinic in Trinidad and to investigate the relationship with medical and dental histories, oral hygiene practices, dietary habits and occlusion. Data were collected via a questionnaire and clinical examination. Odds ratios were used to determine the association of the presence of lesions and the factors examined. One hundred and fifty-six patients with a mean age of 40.6 years were examined of whom 62.2% had one or more NCCLs. Forty five per cent of the lesions were sensitive to compressed air. Younger age groups had a significantly lower correlation with the presence of NCCLs than older age groups. Other significant factors included patients who reported heartburn, gastric reflux, headaches, bruxism, sensitive teeth and swimming or had a history of broken restorations in the last year. There was also significant correlation of NCCLs in patients who brushed more than once a day or used a medium or hard toothbrush. Patients with vegetarian diets and those who reported consuming citrus fruits, soft drinks, alcohol, yoghurt and vitamin C drinks were associated with the presence of lesions. Significant associations were also found in patients with group function, faceting, clicking joints or those who wore occlusal splints.

Tooth surface loss in adult subjects attending a university dental clinic in Trinidad.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of tooth surface loss (TSL) in a sample of subjects attending a university dental clinic in Trinidad and to investigate the relationship to tooth brushing, medical history, parafunction and dietary habits. DESIGN: Tooth surface loss was measured clinically by the index used in the 1998 UK, Adult Dental Health Survey. SETTING: Trinidad, West Indies. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of adult subjects attending The University of the West Indies Dental School Polyclinic, Mount Hope. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered and tooth surface loss measured clinically. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: mild, moderate and severe tooth surface loss. RESULTS: 155 subjects were examined (mean age 40.6 years) of whom 72% had some degree of TSL with the majority (52%), exhibiting mild, 16% with moderate and 4% with severe TSL. There were associations found between TSL and age (OR=3.14), reflux (OR=1.37), parafunction (OR=1.06), weekly consumption of citrus fruits (OR=1.31) and soft drinks (OR=1.78), daily consumption of alcohol (OR=1.40) and a vegetarian diet (OR=2.79). CONCLUSIONS: Tooth surface loss in this Trinidadian population group appears to be common. Data supports an association between TSL and age, reflux parafunction and certain dietary patterns.

Sealing capacity in vitro of thermoplasticized gutta-percha with a solid core endodontic filling technique.

This study assessed the sealing capacity of two endodontic gutta-percha filling techniques. Thirty-four single-rooted fully developed teeth were endodontically accessed, instrumented and randomly divided into two experimental groups (n = 12) and two control groups (n = 5). In Group A, root canals were obturated using a solid core thermoplastic technique (Densfil), in Group B and Group C (negative control) canals were obturated with laterally condensed gutta-percha, and in Group D (positive control) canals were left unobturated. AH-26 was used as the sealer. Two days later, the teeth were conventionally prepared for testing apical and coronal leakage, immersed in india ink for 5 days and subsequently cleared. The linear coronal and apical extent of dye penetration was measured under a light dissecting microscope. The mean apical leakage for Group A was 1.39 mm, and for Group B 2.76 mm, whereas the mean coronal leakage for Group A was 2.87 mm, and for Group B 4.03 mm. The differences between the groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).