Changes in posture: a case study of a dental hygienist's use of magnification loupes.

PURPOSE: Evidence suggests that using magnification loupes will improve the posture of dental clinicians, thus decreasing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this case study was to document the experiences of a dental hygienist during a four week acclimatization period. METHODS: Documentation was comprised of self-reports from the dental hygienist's reflective journaling and postural measurements made by a trained observer using Branson's Posture Assessment Instrument (BPAI), a validated posture assessment instrument. Journal reports and postural measurements were made prior to the use of the magnification loupes and over the subsequent three week trial. CONCLUSION: Use of the magnification loupes was a positive experience. The BPAI results indicated a positive change in neck and low back posture. Further trials of the effectiveness of magnification loupes in reducing musculoskeletal disorders with this occupational group are recommended.

Evaluating the effects of coaching to improve motivational interviewing skills of dental hygiene students.

PURPOSE: Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a style of encouraging and supporting patients in making their own choices in matters concerning their health. MI is emerging in health care as a viable strategy for enhancing a patient's intrinsic motivation to change self care. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effects and level of incorporation of coaching to improve MI adherence of dental hygiene students' patient education presentations as measured by parts of the Motivational Interviewing Integrity Coding System (MITI) and Motivational Interviewing Skills Code (MISC). METHODS: A convenience sample of second year dental hygiene students from a Midwestern community college were invited to participate in the study. This pilot study utilized a pre- and post-test design to evaluate the effect of coaching to improve MI scores of students. Students were audio taped during 2 brief patient education sessions. Upon completion of the first tape, students received feedback and coaching in MI and then made a second tape of a brief patient education encounter. RESULTS: Student subjects changed behavior scores in the direction appropriate to MI following coaching on most measures. Summary scores indicate an improvement in the use of open questions, complex reflections and MI adherence, but not in change talk or reflections-to-questions ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The use of coaching sessions improved the skills of dental hygiene students learning MI-adherent behaviors.

Effect of power toothbrushing on simulated wear of dental cement margins.

UNLABELLED: Power toothbrushes (PTBs), in combination with abrasive dentifrices, may encourage wear of dental cements at crown margins. PURPOSE: The objective of this in vitro simulation was to control the clinical variables associated with PTB use and measure the potential side effects of PTBs with mild and abrasive dentifrices. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Four PTBs ( Braun-Oral-B-Professional Care at 150 g brushing force, Sonicare-Elite at 90 g, Colgate-Actibrush at 200 g and Crest-Spinbrush-Pro at 250 g) and 2 dentifrices mixed 1:1 with tap water (Mild= Colgate-Total, Colgate-Palmolive; Abrasive= Close-up, Chesebrough-Ponds) versus tap water alone (control) were used to abrade 2 cements (Fleck's Mizzy Zinc Phosphate [ZP]; 3M-ESPE Unicem universal cement [UC]) using cement-filled slots (160 m wide) cut into wear-resistant ceramic blocks. A custom fixture controlled PTB/block alignment, PTB loads, and other testing variables. Wear was measured (3 profilometer traces/slot, 5 slots/block/group, baseline to 5-year differences) and analyzed (3-way ANOVA, p < or = 0.05, Bonferroni). RESULTS: Wear for ZP was much greater than UC (p<0.05) for all 4 PTBs and both dentifrices. Brushing with water showed no effects (p<0.05). Cement-PTB-dentifrice interactions did occur. Only minor differences occurred among PTBs. Pooled 5y-wear levels for ZP for both dentifrices approximately 21 microm /5y) were similar to values for current-day posterior composite materials. CONCLUSIONS: Combinations of PTBs with mild and abrasive dentifrices produced significant wear with ZP but not UC; thus, resin-composite cements seem to represent a better choice for wear resistance.