Learning Clinical Skills Using Haptic vs. Phantom Head Dental Chair Simulators in Removal of Artificial Caries: Cluster-Randomized Trials with Two Cohorts' Cavity Preparation.

Dental task trainer simulators using haptics (virtual touch) offers a cost-effective method of teaching certain clinical skills. The purpose of this study is to evaluate students' performance in removing artificial caries after training with either a haptic dental chair simulator with virtual reality or a traditional dental chair simulator with a mannequin head. Cluster Randomized Controlled Trials in two cohorts, both Year 1 dental students. Students taught using traditional dental chair simulators were compared with students taught using haptic-based simulators on their ability to cut a cavity in a plastic tooth following training. Across both cohorts, there was no difference in the quality of cavity cut, though students' technique differed across the two simulator groups in some respects. No difference was seen across both cohorts in the quality of cavity cut for a simple preparation, though students in the haptic condition performed less well in the more demanding task. Moreover, students in the haptic group were also less likely to be perceived to be 'holding the instrument appropriately'. These findings suggest further investigation is needed into the differences in handling of instruments and level of clinical task difficulty between the simulators.

Patients' expectations: is there a typical patient?

OBJECTIVES: To qualitatively explore, and analyse, patients' expectations before the start of fixed appliance orthodontic treatment and determine whether typologies exist. DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional qualitative study, which involved 13 patients (aged 12-15 years). SETTING: NHS Hospital Orthodontic Department (UK). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with patients who consented to participate before the start of fixed appliance orthodontic treatment. The in-depth interview data were transcribed and then managed using a framework approach, followed by associative analysis. RESULTS: The in-depth interviews revealed two major themes and associated subthemes which were: first, patients' expectations about the treatment process and outcome; and second, patients' expectations of themselves during and after treatment. Three typologies related to patients' expectations of the orthodontic treatment process were also identified. The first group of participants had minimal expectations of the treatment process, did not anticipate discomfort or pain and did not anticipate that treatment would cause disruption to their daily life. The second group of participants had expectations that treatment would involve arch wire changes, dental extractions and result in some discomfort/pain, which would cause some limited disruption to their daily life (moderate expectations). The third type of participant had expectations of the treatment process involving arch wire changes and dental extractions, and anticipated that the discomfort and pain experienced would significantly affect their daily life (marked expectations). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide the clinician with information about patient typologies and provide the clinician with some direction when communicating with their patients and managing their expectations before the start of treatment.

Methods of qualitative research in dentistry: a review.

UNLABELLED: Over the last decade, researchers in health services research started using qualitative research methods. This has led to a corresponding rise in the reporting of the qualitative research studies in medical and related journals, including dental journals. Qualitative research is often contrasted with quantitative research as a set of 'non quantitative methods', since it does not deal with numbers and enumerate phenomena. It interprets the information people bring to research, which helps us to understand social phenomena in natural settings like their own territory, in their own language and on their own terms, giving emphasis to the meaning, experience and view of all the participants. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This article will help the clinician to understand the importance of in-depth knowledge of behaviour and social phenomena around the patient.

Public health aspects of tobacco control: setting the agenda for action by oral health professions across Europe.

Tobacco use is a significant public health problem across Europe. Each year over half a million Europeans die prematurely due to a smoking-related disease. Tobacco use is a primary cause of many oral diseases and adverse oral conditions. The prevalence of tobacco use varies considerably across Europe, although in many countries overall rates of use have declined in recent years. However, tobacco use among women and young people is rising in several European countries. Tobacco behaviour is influenced by an array of factors, and quitting is a major challenge for many tobacco users. Tobacco use is now considered a chronic progressive relapsing condition requiring very specific support and assistance. To reduce tobacco use across Europe, a range of complementary actions and policies are required at an international, national and local level. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) outlines an array of evidence-based policies that can be implemented to prevent tobacco use and promote cessation. National dental associations and professional groups across Europe have an important role to play in supporting the ratification and implementation of the FCTC. The aim of this paper is to outline the public health aspects of tobacco control and highlight how the oral health professions across Europe can become actively engaged in this important and relevant area of prevention.