Journal of dental hygiene : JDH
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effect of Mobile Text Messages and a Novel Floss Holder on Gingival Health: A randomized control trial.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of using mobile text messages and a novel floss holder as compared to finger flossing or the novel floss holder alone, on the psychological, behavioral, and clinical parameters of patients with gingivitis. Methods: A total 165 adults were assessed for eligibility and 144 met the criteria for randomization into three groups: Finger Floss (FF, n=43), Novel Floss Holder (NFH, n= 40), and Novel Floss Holder plus Text Messages (NFH+TM, n= 61) following a dental hygiene consultation appointment. Gingival bleeding points were measured on probing (BOMP) at baseline and four months later by a calibrated dental hygienist, blinded to the experimental groups. ⋯ Conclusions: The use of a novel floss holder, NFH, was shown to improve the behavioral and psychological determinants of periodontal health four months after introduction of the device. However the clinical measures of BOMP only improved significantly when used in conjunction with text messages (NFH+TM). The use of a consciousness awareness technique,TMs, in combination with a novel device, may help patients to reach therapeutic objectives and contribute to the management of periodontal pathologies such as gingivitis.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of a Training Needle on Dental Hygiene Student Anxiety.
Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess whether practicing with a cotton-tipped applicator as compared to a new training device had an effect on the anxiety levels of dental hygiene students prior to administering and receiving their first intraoral injection for local anesthesia. Methods: This pilot study used a convenience sample of senior dental hygiene students from an entry-level Bachelor degree dental hygiene program. Participants completed a pre-test survey after watching a video demonstrating the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) injection technique to determine anxiety levels regarding administering and receiving an intraoral injection. ⋯ Chi-square tests determined no statistical significance (p =0.125) between the test and control groups in the post-test surveys. Conclusion: Dental hygiene students demonstrated decreased anxiety levels regarding administering and receiving an intraoral injection regardless of the assigned practice device in this pilot study. While use of a training needle was not shown to be superior at reducing anxiety in novice student operators when compared to a cotton tipped applicator, it may be a useful device for teaching local anesthesia administration techniques.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The Use of Immersive Visualization for the Control of Dental Anxiety During Oral Debridement.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Immersive Visualization (IV) eyewear on anxious, adult patients during oral debridement. ⋯ Results from this study support the use of IV eyewear as an effective technique to reduce anxiety in adults during oral debridement. The use of the IV eyewear was well received by all subjects. The portable, affordable and easy-to-operate IV system makes this technique an appealing approach of reducing dental anxiety.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of daily oral care with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate and a standard oral care protocol on the development of nosocomial pneumonia in intubated patients: a pilot study.
The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if a difference existed between nosocomial pneumonia rates for intubated critical care unit (CCU) patients who received twice-daily oral hygiene care with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate and those who received the standard oral care. ⋯ Twice-daily oral hygiene care with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate may hold promise as a nosocomial pneumonia reduction strategy within hospital CCUs; however, its application requires further testing.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Interpersonal communications skills for dental hygiene students: a pilot training program.
The educational preparation of most oral health professionals specifically has not addressed professional-patient interaction skills. The purpose of this pilot research project was to determine if the Carkhuff model of communication skills training would improve the interpersonal communication skills of junior dental hygiene students. ⋯ It is important that dental hygiene practitioners have the requisite interpersonal skills to facilitate the partnership between each patient and client in attaining and maintaining optimal oral health. The results of this pilot study support the recommendation that interpersonal communication skills training become an integral part of the dental hygiene curriculum. However, further studies on this aspect of education should be completed in order to verify the results of this study and provide further support for changes in the education and socialization process of dental hygiene professionals.