Effects of a disability-simulating learning unit on ableism of final-year dental students - a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe a disability-simulating learning unit (DSLU) to raise dental students' awareness of the special needs of patients with disabilities as well as to measure the effect of the DSLU on ableism. METHODS: A DSLU among final-year undergraduate dental students (n = 33), was developed and evaluated. The students were randomly divided into two groups (Group I, n = 17; Group II, n = 16). Group II only received conventional teaching (control group), whereas Group I was additionally exposed to the DSLU (intervention group). In the DSLU, typical physical restrictions and the associated difficulties in attending dental appointments were simulated with the help of simulation suits. Four different stations offered the opportunity to experience typical signs of disability in a dental context. About 2 months after the DSLU, both groups were asked to answer the Symbolic Ableism Scale (SAS). An analysis was conducted to examine the participants' average total score and several subscores. The Mann-Whitney U Test was employed to control the differences between the study groups. RESULTS: Overall, the students in the intervention group had a significantly (p = .001) lower mean SAS summary score (median = .37; IQR .32-.42) than the students in the control group (median = .50; IQR .39-.53). For the components "individualism" (p < .0001) and "excessive demands" (p = .002) significant group differences could be observed. CONCLUSION: The DSLU is a potentially feasible and effective method for influencing students' ableism attitude.

Monolithic Polymer-Infiltrated Ceramic Network CAD/CAM Single Crowns: Three-Year Mid-Term Results of a Prospective Clinical Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of monolithic CAD/CAM-fabricated polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) single crowns (SC) after 3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 patients who received 76 single crowns were included in this cohort study. Full-coverage crown preparation with reduced thickness (1.0 to 1.5 mm) was applied. All monolithic PICN SCs (VITA Enamic) were manufactured using a CAD/CAM system and adhesively seated. Clinical follow-up evaluations were performed at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after insertion using modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. Kaplan-Meier survival and success methods were applied to calculate absolute and relative failures. To determine effects of time and restoration, a mixed logit model was adjusted for the modified USPHS criteria (P < .05). RESULTS: PICN SCs revealed an estimated Kaplan-Meier survival rate of 93.9% after 3 years. Four clinically unacceptable fractures occurred, which resulted in replacement of the affected SCs. Neither secondary caries nor debonding were recorded. The 3-year Kaplan-Meier success rate was 92.7%. Significant increases in marginal discoloration (P = .0002) and surface roughness (P < .0001) were noted over time. Color match, anatomical form, and marginal adaptation remained favorable over the given observation period. CONCLUSION: PICN CAD/CAM crowns with reduced thickness showed acceptable survival and success rates over a service time of 36 months. However, extended clinical follow-up periods are needed to evaluate the long-term performance.