Psychometric Evaluation of a 13-Point Measure of Students' Overall Competence in Community-Based Dental Education Programs.

Since 2006, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry has used a 13-point measure of overall competence instrument to assess fourth-year dental students' end-rotation performance at community clinics. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of this instrument used by preceptors to rate students' overall competence during community-based dental education experiences. The measure was analyzed using performance ratings for all fourth-year DDS students in the graduating classes of 2012 and 2013 (combined n=201). The results were that interrater agreement was satisfactory and the measure scored high for internal consistency; also, the measure loaded highly on a single overall competence factor. Ratings on this measure did not correlate with students' final cumulative dental school GPA, but showed a significant positive correlation with their fourth-year fall patient management grades (which signify students' conscientiousness in managing patients and their families in a professional and ethical manner). There were differences in grading systems between the 2012 cohort (which used a pass/fail system) and the 2013 cohort (which used a letter grade system) and the mean ratings they received (higher for the 2013 cohort). Overall, the study found that the 13-point measure demonstrated excellent reliability and validity, suggesting it is useful in determining a student's clinical competence in these settings.

The success rate of narrow body implants used for supporting immediate provisional restorations: a pilot feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Implants were first designed to be used in the reconstruction of edentulous mandibles. However, with the technological advancement, enormous changes were made to improve the implant design and surface characteristics leading to the wide use of implants in the replacement of missing teeth. During the transition from an edentulous span to a fixed prosthesis, narrow body implants (NBIs) have been proposed to enhance patient comfort and function. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the survival and success rates of NBIs used for supporting immediately nonfunctional loaded provisional fixed partial denture (PFPD). METHODS: Either 2.2- or 2.4-mm-diameter dental implants were placed transmucosally into the edentulous ridges of 10 partially edentulous patients. PFPD of self-cured bis-acryl composite material were made using either a vacuform template chairside or a relined prefabricated PFPD. Occlusal adjustments were made to ensure that there was no functional loading on the provisional restorations before they were secured onto the transitional implants. RESULTS: At 1 year, the implant success and survival rates were 38.7% and 93.5%, respectively, with a mean percentage of bone loss of 9.46% (0%-40%) and a mean bone loss of 1.19 mm (range: 0-3.5 mm). CONCLUSIONS: With a favorable implant survival rate, the use of NBIs to support provisional restorations seemed to be a feasible treatment option. In addition, there is merit for research on the long-term use of NBIs-supported final prostheses.