Journal of dental hygiene : JDH
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Comparative Study
The attitudes of Ohio dentists and dental hygienists regarding the use of automated external defibrillators in the dental setting--a follow-up study.
In 2004, the attitudes toward and use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) by Ohio dental professionals were examined. While willing to use an AED, most did not have access to one. With new AED-related legislation and increased awareness of the benefits of AEDs since the initial study in 2004, the purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of and attitudes toward AED usage in the dental setting 7 years following the initial study. ⋯ While hygienists reported more positive attitudes toward AEDs than dentists, the majority of all respondents feel AEDs should be mandated in the dental setting. These findings suggest an increase in cardiac emergencies in Ohio dental settings, an increase in the prevalence of AEDs in Ohio dental settings and that the perceptions of dental professionals are changing in favor of the use of AEDs in the dental setting since the 2004 study.
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Comparative Study
Chronic HPA axis response to stress in temporomandibular disorder.
Perceived stress is associated with temporomandibular disorder (TMD), but whether cortisol levels are elevated in individuals with TMD is unknown. We hypothesized that cortisol concentration, a biomarker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, was elevated in TMD cases relative to controls, and that perceived stress was positively correlated with cortisol concentration. ⋯ Despite greater perceived stress, TMD cases had lower hair cortisol concentrations than controls and the 2 measures of stress were weakly and negatively correlated.
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Comparative Study
Magnification loupes in U.S. entry-level dental hygiene programs--occupational health and safety.
The purpose of this study was to determine policies and practices regarding magnification loupes among faculty and students in accredited dental hygiene programs as measured by a 31 item, self-designed questionnaire. In addition, the study compared policies among dental hygiene programs in 2 year versus 4 year programs in terms of requirements for the use of magnification loupes. ⋯ Most respondents see advantages to loupes, but clinical policies on loupes do not appear to correlate with beliefs. Educational programs in dental hygiene seem slow to adopt and require the use of loupes. Current clinical polices on loupes should be reviewed to ensure graduates experience the potential ergonomic benefits magnification brings to clinical practice during their education.
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The objective of this exploratory study was to deter mine the current infection control practices used in Massachusetts dental public health programs and assess the perceived compliance and challenges with infection control standards as outlined in the 2003 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection control guidelines. ⋯ Within the limitations of the sample size and response rate, directors from public health settings using both fixed/mobile and portable equipment reported being able to apply the current 2003 CDC infection control guidelines with few compliance challenges. However, respondents indicated that the guidelines were hard to apply and that infection control guidelines for settings using portable equipment would be useful.
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Case Reports
Interrelationship between pyogenic granuloma and peripheral ossifying fibroma: a case report.
Pyogenic Granuloma (PG) is an inflammatory hyperplasia which is non-neoplastic in nature. Because of the high incidence of oral PG, critical need exists for its proper diagnosis and treatment. Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma (POF) is a focal reactive overgrowth occurring in young adults. ⋯ Furthermore, it recurred after a year in the same region and the histopathologic diagnosis of the lesion confirmed it as POF. The overgrowth was excised and thoroughly curetted. The case was followed up to 1 year without any signs of recurrence.