Preventive Dentistry In Texas, Usa

This paper presents the results of a 1985 survey of 1000 Texas dentists regarding three major types of preventive measures--educational services, preventive procedures, and diagnostic services. The results show that among several given educational services, respondents tended most to instruct on correct brushing or flossing and tended least to counsel on diet. Among preventive procedures, most dentists removed plaque or calculus. A very small portion applied occlusal sealants on patients under the age of 15. As for diagnostic services, most performed oral cancer screening exams. Most performed dental X-rays, but many did not use leaded protection on their patients while taking X-rays. A large number did not check their patients' blood pressure. Income, attendance of continuing education programs, and number of dental hygienists were strong, positive predictors of provision of all three types of preventive measures. Dentists who practiced in more populous areas, or had practiced for fewer years, more likely provided patients with educational services and preventive procedures. Dentists delivered more preventive procedures if they attended more professional dental meetings. Dentists who worked more hours were more likely to provide educational services and preventive procedures. Patient load correlated negatively with dentists' delivery of preventive procedures.     

Personality, self-esteem, stress, and satisfaction among Texas dentists.

Do the personality styles of dentists significantly influence their sense of well-being in their profession? A recent study using the Bi/Polar Inventory of Core Strengths differentiated 218 Texas dentists into eight personality profiles. Patterns VII and V (both risking and practical) as a group reported significantly higher self-esteem, higher ability to cope with stress, lower psychological distress, higher satisfaction with dentistry, and greater likelihood of choosing dentistry again as a career, than did Patterns III and IV (both thinking and theoretical). The results suggest that Patterns VII and V may be the most compatible with dentistry, and Patterns III and IV the least compatible. Also, the practical orientation (preferred by nearly 80% of the Texas dentists sample over the theoretical orientation) may be the single most influential personality trait in terms of compatibility with dentistry. Implications arise in career counseling, dental school admissions committees, and counseling dentists dissatisfied with.     

Sleepless in Texas

Dental sleep medicine is an exciting frontier in dentistry. It is regulated by a strict set of standards as outlined by the current governing board of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. It is imperative for all dentists who desire to treat patients with sleep disorders to obtain the knowledge, then to set out to establish relationships with the medial profession in order to properly treat these patients. This relationship is necessary to treat patients with these sleep disorders. It calls for communication between two branches of the medical professions that has not been seen since my grandfather, who was a dentist, communicated about patients with his brother, who was a physician, while at family dinners! It is a great responsibility with great rewards.     

Texas dentistry, past and present, on the 20th anniversary of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School

An outline of the development of dentistry in Texas is presented. The growth of higher education and the emergence of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and its Dental School is highlighted on the 20th anniversary of the Dental School.     

Knowledge, Attitude and use of Fluorides among Dentists in Texas

Aim: The centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) recommendations on fluoride use were published in 2001. This study examines how this information has diffused to practicing dentists and the level of fluoride knowledge and use among Texas dentists. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was sent to dentists who self-identified as being in pediatric (343), dental public health (72), and general practices (980); a 12% sample of registered dentists in Texas. Results: Response rate was 42.9%. About 90% of surveyed dentists reported using fluorides routinely. Only 18.8% reported fluoride varnish as the topical fluoride most often used. About 57% incorrectly identified primary effect of fluoride. 'Makes enamel stronger while tooth is developing prior to eruption' was the most commonly cited wrong answer (44%). Only 5% identified that posteruptive effect exceeds any preeruptive effect. Conclusion: Despite the evidence for fluoride varnish preventing and controlling dental caries being Grade I, its use is still uncommon. Dentists are expected to be knowledgeable about products they use, but this study reflects lack of understanding about fluoride's predominant mode of action. More accurate understanding enables dentists to make informed and appropriate judgment on treatment options and effective use of fluoride based on risk assessment of dental caries. Clinical significance: Lack of knowledge of, or failure of adherence to evidence based guidelines in caries prevention by use of appropriate fluoride regimens may adversely affect caries incidence in the population. Keywords: Dental caries, Fluorides, Evidence-based dentistry, United States, Diffusion of innovation. How to cite this article: Bansal R, Bolin KA, Abdellatif HM, Shulman JD. Knowledge, Attitude and use of Fluorides among Dentists in Texas. J Contemp Dent Pract 2012;13(3):371-375. Source of support: Nil. Conflict of interest: None declared.