Pediatric Dentistry Academic Workforce Survey.

Purpose: The purposes of this paper were to: (1) assess the current status of the pediatric dentistry academic workforce; (2) compare current findings with a similar survey completed in 2006; and (3) explore factors influencing the faculty workforce in pediatric dentistry. Methods: In 2016, 144 pediatric dentistry faculty members completed a web-based survey regarding workforce issues. Questions were asked regarding: (1) faculty demographics; (2) academic job history; (3) academic career longevity and possible change motivators; and (4) private practice participation. Results: A slight increase in the number of female pediatric dentistry educators was noted, since 2006. The precipitous drop in pediatric dentistry educators within the first five years of their academic careers, noted in 2006, seems to have improved somewhat, with more respondents indicating that they had been in their academic careers between five and 10 years than previously. However, a concerning number of faculty vacancies remain unfilled. Conclusions: Survey results indicate that pediatric dentistry's academic workforce challenges are consistent with the well-documented national shortage of dental faculty members. The most notable changes since the 2006 survey are the slight increase in female faculty members and a possible trend toward slightly younger faculty members and slightly longer faculty retention.

Sharing early preventive oral health with medical colleagues: a dental pain prevention strategy.

An alarming number of children suffer from preventable dental pain and infections. Untreated caries may cause severe discomfort and grave systemic problems. Using this article as a curriculum of fundamentals, all dental professionals are encouraged to share current best practice oral health prevention strategies with their local community medical providers. Subject matter includes rudimentary pathophysiology, very early oral health risk assessment, anticipatory guidance, fluoride varnish, and establishing a dental home by age 1.

Student occupational exposure incidence: perception versus reality.

Reports of clinical injuries made to a dental school Office of Occupational Health and Safety at the time of their occurrence were compared to self-reports on a survey for dental students in five classes at various times over their educational careers. The majority of injuries were from needlesticks and mishaps with hand instruments. Underreporting at the time of injury was approximately one-third in the first clinical year and one-half in the final clinical year of the three-year program. Students reported a greater perceived likelihood of injury later in their education than at the beginning but a decreased fear of such injuries. Female students reported more needlesticks and a greater fear of injury than did male students. It is hypothesized that a personal interpretation of the meaning of clinical injuries influences reporting behavior.

Accessory tragus: A report of 2 cases.

The purpose of this article was to review the embryology of the external ear, as related to the clinical finding of accessory tragus (ear tags). Medical management of the accessory tragus is discussed, as well as differential diagnoses and associated syndromes. A general clinical description of accessory tragus is described, and 2 specific cases in pediatric patients are presented.

Palatal erythema in patients using Listerine Cool Mint PocketPaks Oral Care Strips: case reports.

The purpose of this report was to present 2 cases of similar erythematous lesions in patients using Listerine Cool Mint PocketPaks Oral Care Strips. The first case, a 44-year-old female presented with an erythematous, well-defined, macular lesion centrally located on the midhard palatal gingiva. The second case involved a healthy 7-year-old Hispanic female who presented with a similar lesion and the same clinical presentation. Both presented as solitary lesions involving the height of the palate, with bilateral congruency to the mid-palatal suture line. The lesions were square in shape, with 3 sides being distinctly demarcated. The fourth side feathered anteriorly, gradually disappearing as it approached the anterior third of the palate. On verbal questioning in both cases, no discomfort or irritation was indicated in the medical history or by the patient. Both patients indicated regular use of Listerine Cool Mint PocketPaks Oral Care Strips. Treatment consisted of a: (1) recommendation that the strips be discontinued; and (2) re-evaluation of the lesions at the follow-up appointments to make assessments for any possible changes in lesion color, size, or shape. Following discontinuance of the Oral Care Strips, the lesions disappeared. Follow-up appointments suggest an allergic contact focal erythema caused by prolonged contact with the irritant, in this case due to use of Listerine Cool Mint PocketPaks Oral Care Strips.

Unerupted mandibular second primary molar with an unusual histopathological finding: a case report.

This is the case of a healthy 6-year old female with a clinically absent right mandibular second primary molar with no history of that tooth ever being present. Radiographic examination revealed a well-circumscribed pericoronal radiolucency surrounding the mandibular right primary second molar. The mandibular right second premolar was displaced mesially. Treatment consisted of enucleation of the lesion with removal of both the unerupted primary second molar and second premolar. The histopathology of the excised lesion revealed a hyperplastic dental follicle with a focal proliferation of odontogenic epithelium and duct-like structures, probably representing an incipient adenomatoid odontogenic tumor.

Initial plaque score as an indicator of patient appointment compliance.

High plaque score is widely recognized as predicting patients' likely restorative needs and future caries risk. This study evaluated high plaque scores as predictors of patient appointment compliance behavior. It was found that high initial plaque scores can predict poor compliance with subsequent recall appointments.

Evaluation of a clinical outcomes assessment tool in a U.S. dental school.

Quality assurance (QA) programs in dental schools have a component of their program devoted to treatment outcomes. To this end, our institution has implemented TOUCH (Treatment Outcomes Unacceptable for Clinical Health) seminars and Unusual Occurrence Reports (UORs). The seminars allow a faculty member to present a case to faculty and students with feedback from the audience on how the case was managed. The UORs track clinical incidents outside the range of normal. Participation in both of these QA measures has been less than expected. The goal of the current study was to discover the reasons for participation and lack of participation. A twelve-item survey was completed by seventy-one clinical faculty members and analyzed for trends. Faculty report only 28.3 percent of the unacceptable outcome cases they know about. The two most common reasons given for reporting an unusual occurrence were that it would help the institution reduce similar incidents and it would provide an opportunity to share learning experiences. The most common reason given for not reporting an unusual occurrence was not remembering to do so. Faculty members were most willing to present a TOUCH seminar if guaranteed that no negative repercussions would result. Suggestions for increasing participation in both programs include emphasizing their value, modifying the seminar format, providing more reminders, and reassuring against repercussions.