Evaluating meaningful learning using concept mapping in dental hygiene education: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Concept mapping, as a teaching strategy, has been shown to promote critical thinking and problem solving in educational settings. Dental clinicians must distinguish between critical and irrelevant characteristics in the delivery of care, thus necessitating reasoning skills to do so. One of the aims of the American Dental Education Association Commission on Change and Innovation (ADEA-CCI) is to identify deficiencies in curriculum which were meant to improve critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 teaching strategies, traditional lecture and lecture supported by concept mapping exercises within collaborative working groups, to determine if there is a beneficial effect on meaningful learning. METHODS: For this pilot study, the study population consisted of students from 2 geographically separated associate level dental hygiene programs in the southeastern U.S. A quasi-experimental control group pre- and post-test design was used. The degree of meaningful learning achieved by both programs was assessed by comparing pre- and post-test results. RESULTS: Both programs experienced a significant degree of meaningful learning from pre- to post-test. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the programs on the post-test. These results were in direct contrast to research in other disciplines on concept mapping and its effect on promoting meaningful learning. Further investigation into the study's outcome was obtained through a follow-up focus group. CONCLUSION: In spite of careful attention to methodology in the development of this research project, the focus group illuminated methodological failings that potentially impacted the outcome of the study. Recommendations are underscored for future conduct of educational research of this kind.

Preliminary findings on the correlation of saliva pH, buffering capacity, flow, Consistency and Streptococcus mutans in relation to cigarette smoking.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the relationship of caries risk, salivary buffering capacity, salivary pH, salivary quality (flow, consistency) and levels of Streptococcus mutans in relation to cigarette smoking. METHODS: This clinical trial consisted of 53 volunteer patients receiving care in a university based dental hygiene clinic. Participants completed a questionnaire specific to their social history in regards to tobacco use, oral health and dietary history. Measurements of unstimulated saliva were collected followed by collection of stimulated saliva samples. These samples were used to measure salivary pH, buffering capacity and Streptococcus mutans levels. RESULTS: The subject's smoking status was significantly associated with caries risk (p= 0.001), with 25% of the variability of caries risk attributed to smoking. The smoking status was significantly associated with buffering capacity (p=0.025), with 9% of the variability of buffering status attributed to the smoking. Associations between smoking status and salivary pH were not statistically significant. The subject's caries risk was significantly associated with buffering capacity (p= 0.001), with 25% of the variability of caries risk attributed to the buffering capacity. The subject's caries risk was significantly associated with salivary pH (p= 0.031), with 9% of the variability of caries risk attributed to the salivary pH. The Streptococcus mutans test showed no statistical significance (p>0.05) possibly due to the number and low variance in the subjects. CONCLUSION: A relationship between caries risk and smoking, buffering capacity and smoking, and stimulated salivary pH and smoking were concluded. No significance difference (p>0.05) between caries risk and salivary pH, salivary quality and smoking, S. mutans and smoking were noted from the preliminary results.

Evaluation of social interaction, task management, and trust among dental hygiene students in a collaborative learning environment.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of collaborative learning on the development of social interaction, task management, and trust in dental hygiene students. These three traits were assessed with the Teamwork Assessment Scale in two different learning environments (traditional lecture/lab and collaborative learning environment). A convenience sample of fifty-six entry-level dental hygiene students taking an introductory/preclinic course at two metropolitan area dental hygiene programs provided comparable experimental and control groups. Factor scores were computed for the three traits, and comparisons were conducted using the Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsh multiple comparison procedure among specific cell comparisons generated from a two-factor repeated measures ANOVA. The results indicate that the collaborative learning environment influenced dental hygiene students positively regarding the traits of social interaction, task management, and trust. However, comparing dental hygiene students to undergraduate students overall indicates that dental hygiene students already possess somewhat higher levels of these traits. Future studies on active learning strategies should examine factors such as student achievement and explore other possible active learning methodologies.

Microtensile dentin adhesive bond strength under different positive pulpal pressures.

PURPOSE: To measure the in vitro dentin microtensile bond strength of established adhesives under different hydrostatic pulpal pressures. METHODS: After IRB approval, 24 human extracted third molars were randomly distributed into four adhesive treatment groups: Clearfil-SE (self-etch, water-based), One-Step Plus (total-etch, acetone-based), Peak-SE (self-etch, ethanol-based) and PQ1 (total-etch, ethanol-based, Ultradent). Additionally each group was assigned to be restored under 0.0, 5.0 or 15.0 cm of water pressure. Coronal enamel was removed using 60, 240 & 320-grit wet sandpaper until only dentin was visible. After adhesive placement Filtek Z250 Universal Restorative was applied in five 1.0 mm increments. All teeth were tested at 24 hours for microtensile bond strength and examined for mode of failure under light microscopy (x40). RESULTS: A two-factor ANOVA found a statistically significant effect for adhesives, water pressures and their interaction (P < or = 0.001). Post hoc pairwise comparisons of simple effects using the Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsch Range procedure showed Clearfil-SE stronger than the other adhesives at 5.0 and at 15.0 cm water pressure (P < 0.07). One-Step Plus was weaker than PQ1 and Peak-SE at 5.0 and at 15.0 cm water pressure (P < 0.07). PQ1 and Peak-SE at 0.0, 5.0 and 15.0 cm were not significantly different from each other (P > 0.07). For water pressure comparisons, Clearfil-SE was stronger at 0.0 vs. 5.0 cm water pressure (P < 0.07), while there was no difference for Clearfil-SE between 5.0 and 15.0 cm water pressure (P > 0.07). One-Step Plus was significantly stronger at 0.0 cm water pressure than at 5.0 and 15.0 cm water pressure (P < 0.07), and at 5.0 cm water pressure it was stronger than at 15.0 cm pressure (P < 0.07). Both Peak-SE and PQ1 at 0.0 water pressure were significantly stronger than at 5.0 and 15.0 cm water pressure. There was no difference in strength between 5.0 and 15.0 cm water pressure for either of the two adhesives (P > 0.07).

Use of cone-beam computed tomography to identify root canal systems in vitro.

This study investigated the use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a diagnostic tool for identifying root canal systems (RCSs) when compared with images obtained by using charged coupled device (CCD) and photostimulable phosphor plate (PSP) digital radiography in vitro. Seventy-two extracted teeth were exposed with CCD, PSP, and CBCT radiography. Specimens included 24 maxillary molars, mandibular premolars, and mandibular incisors each. Tooth-type selections were based on the greater possibility of multiple RCSs. Three board-certified endodontists evaluated CCD and PSP images to determine the number of RCSs. CBCT images were used to establish "ground truth" for the comparisons and were evaluated by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist who determined the number of RCSs. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed that the endodontists consistently agreed among themselves. When compared with CBCT evaluation, the endodontists, on average, failed to identify 1 or more RCSs in 41% of the teeth with CCD and 40% of the time with PSP. CBCT evaluations identified an average of 3.58 RCSs per maxillary molar, 1.21 per mandibular premolar, and 1.5 per mandibular incisor. Evaluation of CCD images demonstrated an average number of 1.0 RCSs per mandibular incisor, 1.0 per mandibular first premolar, and 3.1 per maxillary molar. Evaluation of PSP images demonstrated an average number of 1.3 RCSs per mandibular incisor, 1.1 per mandibular first premolar, and 3.0 per maxillary molar. In summary, endodontist evaluators with either CCD or PSP methods failed to identify at least 1 RCS in approximately 4 of 10 teeth, which can result in a less optimal healing outcome if a missed RCS is left uninstrumented and unobturated.

Prediction of maxillary canine impaction using sectors and angular measurement.

Maxillary canine impaction has an incidence of 1 in 100 in the general population and has been reported as much higher in an individual orthodontic practice. Because patients with canine impactions generally have longer treatment times, depending on the location of the impacted tooth, early identification of impaction is of critical interest to the orthodontist. Sector location and angulation of the unerupted tooth have been analyzed previously as predictors of canine eruption after deciduous extraction. Additionally, sector location has been studied as an indicator of eventual impaction, resulting in good predictive success. In this study, angulation of the unerupted tooth was measured from panoramic radiographs and added to sector location to see whether the combination of these factors could predict impaction more accurately than sector alone. Results verified earlier findings for sector: canines that become impacted will overlap the adjacent lateral incisor in 82% of cases. Logistic regression analysis also determined that once the canine overlaps the midline of the lateral incisor, there is a greater than 0.87 chance of impaction. Sector was found to be the better predictor of impaction, with angulation adding little supplementary predictive value.

Ethnic and racial minority students in U.S. entry-level dental hygiene programs: a national survey.

PURPOSE: The United States is rapidly becoming a more multicultural society. Although minority groups are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, minorities are not pursuing careers in health care professions in the same proportions. The literature suggests that increasing the number of minorities in the health care professions will increase access to health care for minority populations and help non-minority health care professionals become more aware of and sensitive to minority issues. The results reported here are part of a larger national survey that examined the commitment of entry-level dental hygiene programs to ethnic/racial diversity. METHODS: A 19-item survey was mailed in 1998 to all 233 entry-level dental hygiene program directors in the United States. The survey was piloted using a random sample of six entry-level dental hygiene program directors in the United States. Data were collected on demographics, formal written mission statements that support ethnic/racial diversity, minority recruitment programs, and recruitment mechanisms. Data were analyzed using frequencies, chi-square, t-tests, F-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients. The response rate was 60.1% (140). RESULTS: Results indicate that 10.5% of dental hygiene students and 6.7% of dental hygiene faculty are members of ethnic/racial minorities. Results also indicate that Asian and Pacific Islander (API) students are not underrepresented in U.S. entry-level dental hygiene programs, but Asian and Pacific Islander faculty are. CONCLUSIONS: A statistically significant relationship was found between the percentage of 1) minority faculty and students in entry-level dental hygiene programs; and 2) minority students and minorities in the state where the entry-level dental hygiene program resides.