A Retrospective, Radiographic Outcomes Assessment of 1960 Initial Posterior Root Canal Treatments Performed by Endodontists and Dentists.

INTRODUCTION: The Air Force Dental Service has established evidence-based treatment standards for endodontics, including 3-dimensional filling of the canal system, cuspal coverage restoration of endodontically treated posterior teeth, and use of rubber dam. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the effect of these standards on outcomes of initial posterior root canal treatments (RCTs) completed by Air Force (AF) and civilian dentists with and without accredited postgraduate training. METHODS: Treatment and follow-up radiographs of AF members who had an initial posterior RCT completed in 2011 were evaluated. A survey of all radiographs was performed to determine the (1) RCT obturation quality, (2) healing of periapical pathosis, and (3) presence and quality of cuspal coverage restorations. RESULTS: A total of 2262 RCTs were examined, with 1960 RCTs meeting inclusion criteria for at least 1 evaluation category. For RCT obturation quality, 1810 RCTs were evaluated, and 96.0% were considered adequate. For cuspal coverage restorations, 1856 RCTs were evaluated, and of these 2.7% were inadequately restored. Healing of periapical pathosis was 91.5% and 85.7% for AF and referred civilian providers, respectively. Survivability was 94.4% for endodontists, 95.3% for AF general dentists with additional training, 87.9% for AF general dentists without additional training, and 78.4% for civilian general dentists. Overall, survivability was 94.1% for a follow-up period ranging up to 47 months, with a mean of 27 months. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective, radiographic analysis, evidence-based practices as followed in the Air Force Dental Service and accredited postgraduate training resulted in improved treatment outcomes.

[Distance E-learning model for IDF dentists].

Distance E-learning is a novel educational modality, becoming more and more available in higher education facilities worldwide, as well as in the Israel Defense Forces, and its School of Military Medicine utilising the "Bareket" E-Learning Interface. The use of distance E-learning is necessary due to the vast progress in medical research, and the need of every doctor for continuing education throughout his whole career. The School of Military Medicine is the main centre of medical knowledge in the IDF, and as such it has to address the need for continuing education, while allowing the doctors to continue their work at the field level without too many disturbances. Thus, we suggest the implementation of an E-learning system for field-level military dentists. The system is nowadays at its pilot run, and is successfully used by IDF dentists, allowing them to refreshen their knowledge on diagnosis and treatment of routine and emergency dental situations, to be examined and receive immediate feedback. Moreover, it allows the command level to control the whole learning process. The main goal of the proposed E-learning system is the standardization of the dental treatment given in field-level clinics throughout the IDF.

Significant indicators of intent to leave among Army Dental Corps junior officers.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the significant predictors associated with Army Dental Corps junior officers' intent to leave (ITL) the military. METHODS: A secondary data analysis of the 2009 Army Dental Officer Retention Survey was conducted. Frequencies, bivariate, linear, and logistic regression analyses were calculated. RESULTS: Forty-six percent of junior officers completed the survey (N = 577; n = 267). Fifty-eight percent of respondents reported an ITL the military before retirement. The following variables were positively associated (p < 0.05) with ITL: unit of assignment, specialty training status or area of concentration, military lifestyle, and residency training. Age and benefits were negatively associated with ITL. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that ITL is a multifactorial issue.

A brief introduction to stomatological education in the Chinese Army.

Modern stomatological education in China has developed into its present form over a period of 90 years. The College of Stomatology of the Fourth Military Medical University, as the only one of its kind in the Chinese army, has been playing an essential role in training professionals and guaranteeing the dental health of all officers and soldiers in the army. Its education system and five-year curricula designed for undergraduates were introduced in relation to those of China's first-rate stomatological colleges. This paper also examines in detail the problems of the current curriculum and holds up the prospect of a further improved curriculum to meet the ever increasing demand for qualified professionals in the military service.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery careers in the military and department of veterans affairs.

Within the Federal Services, a myriad of career opportunities exist for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, consisting of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, have the greatest number of positions available. Federal Services careers are also for those oral and maxillofacial surgeons with a calling to serve their country. The personal fulfillment, patient appreciation, and inter- and cross-specialty relationships are unique to this practice setting because it is free of many of the impediments, to these relationships, that exist in private practice. The highlights of a career in each of these Federal Services are described in this article.

Army junior dental officer retention.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the survey were to quantify the extent of indebtedness of junior dental officers and to determine the impact of a loan repayment program on career decisions. METHODS: We designed a customized survey instrument because no preexisting, validated, survey instrument was available. A query was performed in the Medical Operations Data System to identify all captains (0-3) currently on active duty in the Army (N = 348). The survey sample included 64 junior officers with a 2000 date of rank to captain (0-3), of whom only 52 were in the Medical Command Outlook address book or the Army Knowledge Online white pages. The questionnaire was sent out to these targeted junior dental officers through their official e-mail accounts. Dentists assigned to Korea and to dental field units do not use the same e-mail system as the rest of the Dental Command; therefore, their addresses were not available. In an attempt to increase response rates, commanders were asked to emphasize the importance of responding to the questionnaire. RESULTS: From the sample population of 52 officers who were queried directly, 34 responses were received, for a response rate of 65%. However, commanders forwarded the survey to all Dental Command captains and 102 responses were received. The respondents represented 30% of the total Army inventory of captains; 92% of respondents reported that they had dental school loans, with 43% reporting loans in excess of dollar 50,000. The average dental school indebtedness was approximately dollar 60,700. More than 60% of all respondents reported that loan repayment could change their minds about remaining on active duty. Officers not included in the original sample rated the impact of loan repayment statistically higher than did officers in the original sample. CONCLUSIONS: The findings were that the majority of junior Army dental officers had significant student loans and many of these officers indicated that they would consider remaining on active duty if loan repayment or other monetary inducements were offered.

Today's New dentists face professional challenges and opportunities.

The substantial debt load of new dentists is part of the recent trend toward beginning practice as an associate, in a postdoctoral general dentistry program, or in the military. Other reasons include an opportunity to build clinical speed, learning practice management skills, and earning a guaranteed income. While today's new dentists value the same goals of quality, service, and autonomy that motivate established practitioners, they bring new dimensions to the profession. Diversity and a desire for a balanced lifestyle (among both men and women) affect practice decisions and participation in organized dentistry. The new dentist will look for flexibility and responsiveness to personal and social challenges.

Dentistry in the Armed Forces.

This paper describes the way dentistry is practiced in the Armed Forces and highlights the differences with civilian practice, especially during military operations. The military lifestyle is discussed and the various training pathways and career options available to Armed Forces dentists are outlined.

Military and VA general dentistry training: a national resource.

In 1999, HRSA contracted with the UCLA School of Dentistry to evaluate the postgraduate general dentistry (PDG) training programs. The purpose of this article is to compare the program characteristics of the PGD training programs sponsored by the Armed Services (military) and VA. Surveys mailed to sixty-six VA and forty-two military program directors in fall 2000 sought information regarding the infrastructure of the program, the program emphasis, resident preparation prior to entering the program, and a description of patients served and types of services provided. Of the eighty-one returned surveys (75 percent response rate), thirty were received from military program directors and fifty-one were received from VA program directors. AEGDs reported treating a higher proportion of children patients and GPRs more medically intensive, disadvantaged and HIV/AIDS patients. Over half of the directors reported increases in curriculum emphasis in implantology. The program directors reported a high level of inadequate preparation among incoming dental residents. Having a higher ratio of residents to total number of faculty predicted inadequate preparation (p=.022) although the model was weak. Although HRSA doesn't financially support federally sponsored programs, their goal of improved dental training to care for medically compromised individuals is facilitated through these programs, thus making military and VA general dentistry programs a national resource.

Primeras Jornadas de Sanidad Militar: 25-27 de Abril de 2001 / No disponible

No disponible

Áreas emergentes en Odontología / No disponible

No disponible

La modernización de los hospitales militares: Los Sistemas de Información Sanitaria / No disponible

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Postgraduate educational opportunities in the military services.

The three branches of the service provide advanced training to about 450 dentists each year. Approximately one-third of these positions are in post-doctoral general dentistry and the remainder in specialties, distributed as needed by the various services.