Comparación del desempeño técnico-asistencial en programas escolares con diferentes modalidades de implementación / Comparison of technical-assisstance performance in school programs with different implementation modalities

Se comparó el desempeño técnico-asistencial de 2 programas de atención odontológica con iguales protocolos de atención y diferente modalidad de implementación. Ambos programas se caracterizaron por un perfil preventivo-promocional; uso de protocolos validados según riesgo biológico, atención odontológica adaptada a sedes no convencionales, recursos asignados por método de necesidades; ejecución por recurso humano pre-profesional supervisado y modulación por altas. La modalidad de implementación difirió en la densidad/concentración de las actividades realizadas: en el Programa Extensivo (PE) las acciones se implementaron con frecuencia semanal; en el Programa Intensivo (PI) las acciones se concentraron en una semana en el año. Cobertura anual: PE = 120 escolares de 6 a 9 años de edad; PI = 180 escolares y preescolares de 3 a 12 años de edad. Se midió la cantidad de prestaciones, sesiones y tiempo -en minutos- hasta alcanzar el Alta Básica Operativa (ABO). Para comparar grupos (PI y PE) se utilizaron los tests: U de Mann Whitney, t de Student para mues-tras independientes, chi cuadrado y comparación de proporciones. La razón de prestaciones/sesión fue significativamente mayor (p=0,000) en el programa intensivo. El número de prestaciones hasta el alta (ABO) y la razón tiempo/sesión no mostraron diferencias entre programas (p=0,8 p=0,087), mientras que se evidenció una mayor razón tiempo/prestación y tiempo en alcanzar el alta (ABO) en la modalidad extensiva (p=0,000). La modalidad intensiva mostró mayor eficiencia en el desempeño técnico asistencial que la extensiva (AU)

Aim: To compare technical-care performance of 2 dental care programs with the same care protocols and different implementation modalities. Both programs shared the following features: preventive-promotional profile; use of validated clinical protocols according to biological risk, dental care adapted to non-conventional settings, allocation of resources by needs method; supervised pre-professional human resource and modulation by discharges. The implementation mode differed in the density/concentration of the activities: in the extensive program (EP) the actions were implemented on a weekly basis along the year; in the intensive program (IP) the actions were concentrated in one week in the year. Annual coverage of the programs: 180 schoolchildren and preschoolers (3 -12 years old); EP = 120 schoolchildren (6 - 9 years old). We measured the following variables: the number of dental services performed, the number of sessions and the time, in minutes, to reach the basic operating discharge (BOD). We used the following tests to compare groups (IP and EP): Mann Whitney U; Student's t for independent samples, chi square and comparison of proportions test. The action per session ratio was significantly higher (p=0.000) in the intensive program. The number of actions performed until discharge (BOD) and the time per session ratio did not show differences between programs (p=0.8 p=0.087). In the extensive mode, compared to intensive mode, it took longer to reach discharge (BOD) (p=0.000) The program implemented with intensive modality (PI) showed greater efficiency regarding technical-care performance when compared to the extensive mode (AU)

Utilización de servicios de salud por la población de cuatro consultorios del médico de la familia / Use of health services by the population of four family doctor's offices

Introducción: La utilización de los servicios de salud es un proceso social, dinámico y complejo. Objetivo: Describir la utilización de los servicios de salud por la población de cuatro consultorios del médico y la enfermera de la familia. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal entre los meses de enero de 2019 a enero de 2020. Se aplicó una encuesta a 775 personas de 18 años y más. Los datos se procesaron con el paquete estadístico SPSS versión 20.0 para Windows. Se utilizaron estadísticas descriptivas, expresando los resultados en tablas de distribución de frecuencias. Resultados: El rango de edades de mayor representatividad fue el de 70-74. El sexo femenino representó el 10,2 por ciento (46) y el masculino el 12,7 por ciento (41). En relación con la iniciativa para solicitar actividades de promoción y prevención, las más solicitadas fueron toma de tensión arterial, chequeo médico y peso corporal. La solicitud habitual de receta médica (706; 87,3 por ciento) se realiza al médico del consultorio. El lugar a donde se dirige el paciente, fundamentalmente, en caso de necesitar atención médica no urgente es al consultorio médico de la familia (650; 83,9 por ciento). Los lugares a donde se dirige, esencialmente, en caso de necesitar atención médica urgente son al cuerpo de guardia del hospital (520; 67,5 por ciento) y al cuerpo de guardia del policlínico (208; 27,0 por ciento). Conclusiones: La población de los cuatro consultorios estudiados utiliza los servicios en los diferentes niveles según el problema de salud que necesita resolver. Sería importante poder identificar en otras investigaciones por qué las actividades menos solicitadas son el tacto rectal, el antígeno prostático y el examen físico de mama, en aras de trazar estrategias que permitan incrementar el empoderamiento para la salud individual(AU)

Introduction: The use of health services is a social, dynamic and complex process. Objective: Describe the use of health services by the population of four family doctor and nurse's offices. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out from January 2019 to January 2020. A survey was applied to 775 people of 18 years and older. The data was processed using the SPSS statistical package version 20.0 for Windows. Descriptive statistics were used, expressing the results in frequency distribution tables. Results: The age range of greatest representativeness was 70-74. The female sex represented 10.2percent (46) and the male sex was 12.7percent (41). In relation to the initiative to request promotion and prevention activities, the most requested were blood pressure testing, medical check-up and body weight. The usual request of prescriptions (706; 87.3percent) is made to the doctor in the office. The place where the patient goes, fundamentally, in case of needing non-urgent medical attention is to the family doctor's office (650; 83.9percent). The places where the patient goes, essentially, in case of needing urgent medical attention are the emergeny service in the hospital (520; 67.5percent) and the emergency service of the polyclinic (208; 27.0percent). Conclusions: The population of the four family doctor's office studied uses the services at different levels according to the health problem they need to solve. It would be important to be able to identify in other research why the least requested activities are digital rectal examination, prostate antigen and breast physical examination, in order to draw strategies that allow increasing empowerment for individual health(AU)

A extensão universitária na formação do cirurgião-dentista / Importance of university extension in the professional training of dentalsurgeons

As universidades têmse transformado ao longo dos tempos. O foco principal no ensino foi sendo ampliado com ações de pesquisa e de extensão. Esta vem ganhando cada vez mais espaço nas instituições de ensino superior, fazendo parteda tríade que sustenta a formação universitária. O objetivo desta revisão de literatura foi mostrar a importância da extensão universitária na formação profissional de cirurgiões-dentistas e para a sociedade. A estratégia de busca de artigos se deu por palavras-chave relacionadas à Odontologia e à extensão universitária em bases de dados eletrônicas, no período de agosto a outubro de 2019. A prática da extensão,em comunidades diversas, fortalece a compreensão dos estudantes quanto ao processo saúde-doença, permite conhecer arealidade econômica e social em diferentes cenários, permite vivenciar a rede deserviços públicos de saúde, assim comoparticipar da prestação de serviços à população, tornando-osmais humanizadose capacitados a promover a saúde da comunidade em que estão inseridos. A extensão universitária tem um importante papel na formação profissional do cirurgião-dentista, colaborando para que atue deforma competente para contemplar as diversas necessidades da população, estimulando ações de promoção de saúde e informação à população emgeral, que também se torna beneficiada com estas ações, e fortalecendo o compromisso da universidade com a sociedade (AU).

Universities have transformed over time. The main focus of teachingstarted to expandwith research and extension activities. Extensioncourseshavebeen increasingly introducedin higher education institutions, participating inthe triad that sustains university education. Thisliterature review aimed to show the importance of university extension in the professional training of dental surgeons and society. The strategy for searching articles was based on keywords related to dentistry and university extension,in electronic databases, from August to October 2019. In different communities, the practice of extension strengthens the understanding of students about the health-disease processandallows knowing the economic and social realitiesof different scenarios, experiencing the public health care network, and participating in the provision of services to the population, which makesstudents more humanized and able to promote health to theircommunities. University extension plays an important role in the professional training of dental surgeons, helping them to workcompetently assisting in the diverse needs of the population, stimulating health promotion and information tothe general population who also benefitsfrom these activities, andstrengthening the commitmentof the universityto society (AU).

Construção de competências colaborativas para o trabalho em saúde nos estágios curriculares de Odontologia no SUS / Construction of collaborative skills for health work in curricular internships in Dentistry in SUS

Com a implementação do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), foram necessárias mudanças curriculares que preparassem os profissionais para atuar em equipe na rede de saúde. No início do século XXI passaram a ser implementadas as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais (DCN) que trouxeram várias mudanças, dentre as quais destaca-se a inserção do estudante de graduação no SUS. O objetivo desse estudo é analisar as percepções dos egressos do curso de graduação em Odontologiadiurnode uma universidade pública do Rio Grande do Sul, acerca da construção de competências colaborativas, durante a formação nos Estágios Curriculares Supervisionados (ECS)no SUS. Trata-se de um estudo de natureza descritiva com análise de dados qualitativos e quantitativos. Inicialmente, 133egressos, que vivenciaram os ECS entre 2012/1 a2016/1, responderam a um questionário online com questões abertas e fechadas. Com uma amostra intencional de 14 egressos,que responderam ao questionário,foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas em profundidade. O material quantitativo foi submetidoà análise descritiva e o material qualitativo àanálise de conteúdo temática. Considerando que os dados quantitativos e qualitativos são complementares, eles foram submetidos a triangulaçãoe os resultados são apresentados em duas unidades de análise: Caracterização,inserção e escolhas profissionais dos egressos e Construção de competências colaborativas. A maioria dos egressos participantes (67,7%) são do sexo feminino e estão atuando em Porto Alegre ou região metropolitana (78,6%), 29,1% deles estão vinculados a serviços públicos de saúde. A satisfaçãocom os ECSé destacada pelos egressos, que os descrevemcomoindispensáveispara sua formação. Dentre as competências colaborativas construídas por meio dos estágios, o aprendizado de trabalhar em equipeinterprofissional é destacado pela maioria dos egressos (85,3%), sendolembrada comofundamental paraa atenção integral do usuário. Conclui-se que o curso de Odontologia tem obtido sucesso na formação de profissionais voltados para atuação no SUS, tendo um percentual considerável de egressos vinculados aos serviços públicos de saúde (AU).

With the establishment of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), curricular changes were necessary to prepare the professionals for teamwork in the healthcarenetwork. In the early 21stcentury, the National CurricularGuidelines (DCN) were implementedand brought several changes, mainly the insertion of undergraduate students in SUS. This study analyzedthe perceptions of graduates of the daytime Dentistry course from a public university in Rio Grande do Sul about the construction of collaborative skills during training in the Supervised Curricular Internships (ECS) in SUS. This descriptive study analyzed qualitative and quantitative data. Initially, 133 graduates who experienced the ECS between 2012/1 to 2016/1 answered an online questionnaire with open and closed questions. Deeper semi-structured interviews were conductedon an intentional sample of 14 graduates who answered the questionnaire. The quantitative material was submitted to descriptive analysis and the qualitative material to thematic content analysis. Considering that quantitative and qualitative data are complementary, they were submitted to triangulation and the results are presented in two units of analysis: Characterization, insertion and professional choices of graduates;and Construction of collaborative skills. Most participating graduates (67.7%) are femalesand are working in Porto Alegre or metropolitan area (78.6%), being 29.1% inserted in public health services. The satisfaction with the ECS is highlighted by the graduates, who describe them as fundamental for their training. Among the collaborative skills built during internships, learning how to work in an interprofessional team was highlighted by most graduates (85.3%), being remembered as fundamental for the integral care to the user. It is concluded that the Dentistry course has been successful in the training of professionals to workin SUS, with a considerable percentage of graduates inserted in public health services (AU).

Intervención comunitaria en salud bucal en la población de San Pablo de Pillao, Perú, 2018 / Community oral health intervention in the population of San Pablo de Pillao, Peru, 2018

RESUMEN Introducción. Las intervenciones comunitarias permiten promover la salud y prevenir enfermedades en el poblador. Objetivo. Describir los diagnósticos y tratamientos realizados por estudiantes de odontología en el Campamento Universitario Multidisciplinario de Investigación y Servicio. Métodos. Se diseñó un estudio epidemiológico, con el enfoque cuantitativo en el distrito de San Pablo de Pillao, provincia Huánuco, Perú. Participaron docentes y estudiantes de la Facultad de Medicina, Humana, Odontología, Nutrición y Psicología. De un total de 250 asistentes a las sesiones, 95 adultos fueron atendidos en la consulta odontológica. Se realizaron sesiones educativas referidas a "anemia y desnutrición", "enfermedades diarreicas", "infecciones respiratorias", "alcoholismo y violencia", "crecimiento y desarrollo", "lactancia materna" y "salud bucal", así como una campaña de diagnóstico y tratamiento de efecciones bucodentales. Se utilizó el programa Excel para el análisis de datos. Resultados. Se atendieron 95 pobladores adultos. El 6,3 por ciento correspondió a edéntulos totales y el 40 por ciento a edéntulos parciales. De los dentados, el 97,3 por ciento presentó caries dental con un promedio de índice CPOD (suma de los dientes cariados + dientes perdidos + dientes obturados, en la dentición pemanente) de 2,08 ± 1,56. Con respecto al estado periodontal, el 38,9 por ciento presentó inflamación gingival severa. En los adultos se realizó 35 restauraciones, 28 exodoncia y 8 ajustes de prótesis. En adultos y niños se realizaron fluorizaciones y cinco actividades educativas de promoción de la salud. Conclusiones. La presencia de caries y enfermedad gingival fue altamente prevalente; las principales actividades terapéuticas realizadas en el campamento fueron las restauraciones y exodoncia(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Community interventions make it possible to promote health and prevent disease in the population. Objective: Describe the diagnoses and treatments made by dental students at the Multidisciplinary Research and Service University Camp. Methods: A qualitative epidemiological study was designed for the district of San Pablo de Pillao, Huánuco province, Peru. The participants were teachers and students from the School of Human Medicine, Dentistry, Nutrition and Psychology. Of the total 250 subjects attending the sessions, 95 adults were cared for at the dental service. The educational sessions conducted dealt with the topics of "anemia and malnutrition", "diarrheal diseases", "respiratory infections", "alcoholism and violence", "growth and development", "breastfeeding" and "oral health", as well as a campaign about diagnosis and treatment of oral disorders. Data analysis was performed on Microsoft Excel. Results: Of the total 95 adult residents cared for, 6.3 percent were totally edentulous and 40 percent were partially edentulous. Of the dentate subjects, 97.3 percent had dental caries with a mean DLRP index (sum total of decayed + lost + restored permanent teeth) of 2.08 ± 1.56. As to periodontal status, 38.9 percent had severe gingival inflammation. A total 35 restorations, 28 exodontias and 8 prosthesis adjustments were performed on adult patients. Adults and children alike received fluoridation and attended five educational health promotion sessions. Conclusions: Dental caries and gingival disease were highly prevalent. The main therapeutic actions performed in the camp were restorations and exodontia(AU)

Do Antibiotics Decrease the Risk of Inflammatory Complications After Third Molar Removal in Community Practices?

PURPOSE: The role of antibiotic use in third molar (M3) surgery is controversial. The purpose of this study was to measure the association between antibiotic use and postoperative inflammatory complications after M3 surgery in the community office-based ambulatory private practice setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors designed and implemented a prospective cohort study and enrolled a sample composed of patients who had at least one M3 removed in a private practice setting by oral and maxillofacial surgeons participating in a practice-based research collaborative from June 2011 through May 2012. The predictor variable was antibiotic use of any type, categorized as yes or no. The primary outcome variable was the presence or absence of an inflammatory complication, specifically surgical site infection (SSI) or alveolar osteitis (AO), after M3 removal. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression statistics were computed to measure the association between antibiotic use and inflammatory complications after M3 removal, with statistical significance set at a P value less than or equal to .05. RESULTS: The study sample was composed of 2,954 patients. Three fourths (75.2%) of the sample received antibiotics in some form. The overall inflammatory complication (AO or SSI) frequencies in the antibiotic and nonantibiotic groups were 5.0 and 7.5%, respectively (P = .012). After adjusting for differences between the two groups, statistical significance between the groups persisted. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that antibiotic therapy, regardless of type, dose, frequency, or pattern of delivery, is associated with a decreased risk of inflammatory complications after M3 removal.

Evaluation of a community dental service for homeless and 'hard to reach' people.

OBJECTIVE: Since 2013, Revive Dental Care has been operating a community outreach dental service for homeless and 'hard-to-reach' patients. This research aimed to (a) explore the dental care experienced by people accessing the service, (b) examine barriers and facilitators to using a dental service, (c) examine the impact of the service and (d) identify good practice in providing dental services for homeless people. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 20 patients, nine members of the dental staff and four staff members from the community centres providing services for homeless people. RESULTS: Findings suggest that homeless patients have overall poor daily dental care and experience significant dental problems due to a range of lifestyle factors. Most participants had not seen a dentist for many years and previous experiences of seeing a dentist were often unpleasant. Barriers to care included fear, embarrassment, lack of money, living chaotic lifestyles, not prioritising dental care and difficulties finding an NHS dentist that would take on homeless people. Service provision for homeless and/or hard-to-reach patients needs to be proactive with dental staff going to community settings and making personal contact. CONCLUSION: Crucially, providers must acknowledge that the patients are vulnerable. A successful service needs to be informal, adapt to patient needs and accommodates chaotic lives.

Health literacy environmental scans of community-based dental clinics in Maryland.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted health literacy environmental scans in 26 Maryland community-based dental clinics to identify institutional characteristics and provider practices that affect dental services access and dental caries education. METHODS: In 2011-2012 we assessed user friendliness of the clinics including accessibility, signage, facility navigation, educational materials, and patient forms. We interviewed patients and surveyed dental providers about their knowledge and use of communication techniques. RESULTS: Of 32 clinics, 26 participated. Implementation of the health literacy environmental scan tools was acceptable to the dental directors and provided clinic directors with information to enhance care and outreach. We found considerable variation among clinic facilities, operations, and content of educational materials. There was less variation in types of insurance accepted, no-show rates, methods of communicating with patients, and electronic health records use. Providers who had taken a communication skills course were more likely than those who had not to use recommended communication techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide insight into the use of health literacy environmental scan tools to identify clinic and provider characteristics and practices that can be used to make dental environments more user friendly and health literate.

The influence of reflection on portfolio learning in undergraduate dental education.

INTRODUCTION: Disparity exists between the growing consensus about the positive effects of reflection on performance and the scarcity of empirical evidence demonstrating this effect. Portfolios are considered a useful instrument to assess and supervise competence-based education and to stimulate reflection. The present study describes the introduction of a portfolio in a social dentistry and oral health promotion course and investigates student reflection as a predictor for the acquisition of the other competences in the course. METHODS: Fourth year undergraduate dental students (n = 110) in the course 'Society and Health' between 2008 and 2011 collected evidence in their portfolios, demonstrating the acquisition of five competences: the ability to (1) assess the oral health profile of a target group; (2) integrate theoretical models in health promotion; (3) search for and apply scientific evidence; (4) work trans-, multi- and/or trans-disciplinarily; (5) reflect on personal development. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate the predictive value of reflection on the other course related competences. RESULTS: Reflection scores proved to significantly predict other course-related competences, when analysing all students between 2008 and 2011 and for each year separately, explaining between 10.7% and 25.5% of the variance in the other competences. CONCLUSION: Undergraduate dental students' competences related to social dentistry and oral health promotion were significantly predicted by the reflection scores obtained in a portfolio-based context. In line with the growing consensus about the benefits of reflection for dental students and professionals, results suggest the value to further develop the integration of reflection in dental education and practice.

Developing the continuum of dental education: including dental foundation trainers in the delivery of a community-based clinical teaching programme.

INTRODUCTION: Despite advances in evidence-based dental school educational programmes, the charge is sometimes made that dental students are 'no longer as good as they used to be'. Recent modifications have meant that dental education is now a 'life-long experience', of which dental school is the initial, albeit very important, component. Contemporary dental students will normally enter dental foundation (DF) training on completion of dental school. As such there may be value in including DF trainers in dental school teaching programmes. The aim of this paper is to report the experiences, feedback and opinions of these DF trainers following their first-hand experience of the community-based clinical teaching programme at Cardiff, and assess if their perspectives of contemporary dental student education changed following this. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DF trainers were invited to attend the community-based clinical teaching programme at Cardiff on an observer basis. Twenty-four DF trainers attended, following which evaluation questionnaires were completed. Information sought included opinions and attitudes to the teaching programme, the physical environment in which the teaching programme took place, knowledge and attitudes towards community-based clinical teaching and modifications that DF trainers would make to the teaching programme to further improve the knowledge, skills and attributes of dental school graduates for DF training. RESULTS: Responses were received from 20 DF trainers (response rate = 83%). All 20 respondents felt that the teaching provided within the community-based clinical teaching programme was appropriate, with one respondent noting that it was like 'a day in the life of a dental practice', 'where anything could present'. Sixteen respondents were satisfied with the scope and content of the community-based clinical teaching programme, with a small number recommending inclusion of teaching in relation to inlays/onlays (n = 2), simple orthodontics (n = 1) and splinting (n = 1). Eighteen respondents reported that they felt students were adequately prepared for entry into DF training. All 20 respondents reported that their visit to the community-based clinical teaching programme had improved their perception of contemporary dental school education with one respondent noting: 'I am certainly more confident about students graduating' and another noting: 'It has reassured me that there are final year dental students that appear very professional and competent'. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation has demonstrated there is much to be gained by inclusion of DF trainers in undergraduate dental student community-based clinical teaching programmes. In an era where tensions exist between dental school teaching and subsequent DF training and independent practice, inclusion of DF trainers can exert positive pressures on dental school programmes and on DF training to ensure that young and newly graduating dentists are best prepared to meet the needs of their patients.

Camera-related behaviours of female dental nurses and nursery school children during fluoride varnish application interactions in nursery school settings.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate camera awareness of female dental nurses and nursery school children as the frequency of camera-related behaviours observed during fluoride varnish applications in a community based health programme. METHODS: Fifty-one nurse-child interactions (three nurse pairs and 51 children) were video recorded when Childsmile nurses were applying fluoride varnish onto the teeth of children in nursery school settings. Using a pre-developed coding scheme, nurse and child verbal and nonverbal behaviours were coded for camera-related behaviours. RESULTS: On 15 of 51 interactions (29.4%), a total of 31 camera-related behaviours were observed for dental nurses (14 instances over nine interactions) and children (17 instances over six interactions). Camera-related behaviours occurred infrequently, occupied 0.3% of the total interaction time and displayed at all stages of the dental procedure, though tended to peak at initial stages. CONCLUSIONS: Certain camera-related behaviours of female dental nurses and nursery school children were observed in their interactions when introducing a dental health preventive intervention. Since the frequency of camera-related behaviours are so few they are of little consequence when video-recording adults and children undertaking dental procedures.

Opportunities and challenges to promoting oral health in primary schools.

UNLABELLED: Inequalities in oral health in areas of socio-economic disadvantage are well recognised. As children spend a considerable proportion of their lives in education, schools can play a significant role in promoting children's health and oral health. However, to what extent schools are able to do this is unclear. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate opportunities and challenges to promoting oral health in primary schools. METHODS: A purposive sample of 20 primary schools from socially and economically disadvantaged areas of Cardiff, UK were selected to participate in this qualitative study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with head teachers or their nominated deputies. RESULTS: General awareness of health and oral health was good, with all schools promoting the consumption of fruit, water and milk and discouraging products such as carbonated drinks and confectionaries. Health promotion schemes wereimplemented primarily to improve the health of the children, although schools felt they also offered the potential to improve classroom behaviour and attendance. However, oral health was viewed as a separate entity to general health and perceived to be inadequately promoted. Successful health promotion schemes were also influenced by the attitudes of headteachers. Most schools had no or limited links with local dental services and, or oral health educators, although such input, when it occurred, was welcomed and highly valued. Knowledge of how to handle dental emergencies was limited and only two schools operated toothbrushing schemes, although all expressed an interest in such programmes. CONCLUSION: This study identified a positive predisposition to promoting health in primary schools. The challenge for the dental team, however, is to promote and integrate oral health into mainstream health promotion activities in schools. The paper also makes recommendations for further research.

Dental general anaesthesia--will the service disappear? A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To identify likely future trends in recruitment of consultant anaesthetists to the ambulatory dental general anaesthetic (DGA) services. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of all anaesthetic specialist registrars (SpRs) in their final year of training, within Mersey and South-Western Deaneries in the U.K. RESEARCH DESIGN: A questionnaire divided into a quantitative section to establish level of training in ambulatory DGA, and a qualitative section designed to elicit opinions and attitudes towards ambulatory DGA services. RESULTS: The response rate was 75% (27/36). Within both regions 81% (22/27) had received practical training in ambulatory DGA procedures. SpRs in the South-Western Deanery held the greatest misgivings about the ambulatory DGA technique. Once appointed to Consultant position only 11% (3/27) of respondents expressed a definite interest in providing ambulatory DGA services. CONCLUSIONS: Within the Northwest and Southwest of England, most specialist registrars in anaesthetics receive training in ambulatory DGA, although their future commitment to the delivery of these services is questionable.

A personal digital assistant application (MobilDent) for dental fieldwork data collection, information management and database handling.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a personal digital assistant (PDA) application for oral health assessment fieldwork, including back-office and database systems (MobilDent). DESIGN: System design, construction and implementation of PDA, back-office and database systems. METHODS: System requirements for MobilDent were collected, analysed and translated into system functions. User interfaces were implemented and system architecture was outlined. MobilDent was based on a platform with. NET (Microsoft) components, using an SQL Server 2005 (Microsoft) for data storage with Windows Mobile (Microsoft) operating system. The PDA devices were Dell Axim. RESULTS: System functions and user interfaces were specified for MobilDent. User interfaces for PDA, back-office and database systems were based on. NET programming. The PDA user interface was based on Windows suitable to a PDA display, whereas the back-office interface was designed for a normal-sized computer screen. A synchronisation module (MS Active Sync, Microsoft) was used to enable download of field data from PDA to the database. CONCLUSIONS: MobilDent is a feasible application for oral health assessment fieldwork, and the oral health assessment database may prove a valuable source for care planning, educational and research purposes. Further development of the MobilDent system will include wireless connectivity with download-on-demand technology.

Representação social de acadêmicos de odontologia sobre a área de Odontologia Social / Social representation of dental students about the field of social dentistry

A concepção tradicional do currículo odontológico, dividido em disciplinas, não foi capaz de aproximaro profissional formado da realidade do sistemanacional de saúde. No início da formação, osacadêmicos dos cursos de Odontologia são capazesde construir uma imagem da área de estudo de algumasdisciplinas; porém, quanto à OdontologiaSocial, há desconhecimento da área de atuação. Foiobjetivo do presente trabalho conhecer a percepçãopreviamente formada sobre a Odontologia Social,de alunos do 3º ano do Curso de Odontologia daFaculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba da UniversidadeEstadual Paulista (FOA-UNESP), que aindanão haviam cursado a referida disciplina. A cada ano,no primeiro dia de aula da disciplina, todos os alunosrespondiam à pergunta aberta: “Odontologia Socialé...”. Ao final de 3 (três) anos, foram apurados 195questionários. Inicialmente, fez-se uma leitura naíntegra de todas as respostas de uma forma rápida;em seguida, novas leituras foram realizadas de formacriteriosa, considerando-se as partes significativas.Posteriormente, foram identificados as palavras-chavese os trechos pré-codificados para cada uma dascategorias. Foram pós-categorizados 05 temas: desconhecimentoda área, integração do profissionalcom a sociedade, atuação meramente preventiva,odontologia voltada para a população carente e políticaspúblicas. Concluiu-se que os acadêmicos desconhecemo objetivo da área e ainda possuem umavisão restrita da Odontologia Social como sendo voltadapara ações de cunho assistencial em populaçõescarentes, com ênfase na prevenção das doenças. Essesdados demonstram a necessidade de uma adequaçãodo currículo da instituição para atender asDiretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para os cursos degraduação em Odontologia

The origins and design of the Dental Pipeline program.

Funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the California Endowment and with student financial aid from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the primary goal of the Pipeline, Profession, and Practice: Community-Based Dental Education program is to reduce disparities in access to dental care. In a national competition, fifteen dental schools were selected to participate. By the final year (2007) of the five-year project, the schools are expected to achieve three objectives: 1) increase the time (sixty days/year) that senior students and residents spend in patient-centered community clinics and practices treating underserved populations; 2) provide didactic and clinical courses for students and residents that prepare them for their community experiences; and 3) recruit more underrepresented minority and low-income students. The national program office that directs the project is located at Columbia University, and a national advisory committee oversees the program for the sponsoring organizations. The challenge is to demonstrate that the Pipeline objectives are achievable and that the program is sustainable without external support.