Brian M. Lange

A Survey of Endodontic Residents’ Attitudes About a Career in Dental Education

There is an increasing demand for qualified educators throughout American dental schools. A survey designed to identify reasons for interest or lack of interest in education as a career was sent to all first and second year endodontic residents enrolled in the United States in 1999. Seventy-four percent of the 392 students responded (224 men and 65 women). The survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. Ninety-three percent of the respondents reported an interest in teaching on a part time basis, and of those, 51% were willing to teach 1.5 days/week, but only 16% were willing to teach more than 1.5 days/week. The survey included a list of eight potential reasons for not being interested in a career in education and respondents were asked to mark their top three. Low salaries for teachers was the most frequently chosen reason (70%), 51% listed educational debt, and 31% listed desire to be their own boss or lack of interest in research. Students were also asked to choose the top three reasons for interest in dental education from a list of seven reasons. Enjoyment of clinical teaching was the most frequently selected reason (41%): 32% included enjoying working with others in the field and 24% listed enjoyment of the university atmosphere.

The use of rehearsal and positive reinforcement in the dental treatment of uncooperative patients with mental retardation

We evaluated the effectiveness of a multi-component behavioral intervention including the provision of information (e.g., tell-show-do procedure), monetary and social reinforcement, brief and frequent dental sessions, and increased patient control in managing disruptive and resistive behavior during routine intraoral examination and prophylaxis. A multiple baseline design across subjects was used. The four subjects were all adult males, ages from 25 to 41, who ranged in cognitive functioning from severe to mildly mentally retarded. The systematic application of the intervention resulted in significant increases in cooperativeness in the first training session and throughout the study. Improvement in cooperation was maintained over a several month follow-up with as little as one booster treatment session per month. Results are discussed in terms of the ease of use and cost effectiveness of the intervention.

Suicide rate in the dental profession: Fact or myth and coping strategies

This article summarizes relevant scientific data on the alleged high suicide rate among dentists as compared to other health care professions. Potential contributing risk factors for the dental profession are identified. In addition, a brief review is provided for major depressive disorder, a contributor to increased suicide, along with its symptoms, underlying theory, drug treatment and coping skills to combat this disorder.

Oral health outcomes in an adult dental population: the impact of payment systems

This study compared the effect of payment systems on recall visits and oral health outcomes for four patient payer groups. The authors reviewed recall audit data obtained over a 4-year period. Dental payer groups in the study population differed with respect to dental outcomes. Patients who had recall visits at 1 year or longer had worse outcomes than patients seen more frequently. A Medicaid subgroup with the greatest number of risk factors displayed improved oral health outcomes when seen on a more frequent recall schedule. Study findings suggest that, given the increased risks to maintaining oral health, patients being supported by public-funded programs would benefit from more frequent recalls. Such an emphasis would appear to provide the opportunity to improve outcomes in disadvantaged populations and increase the quality of care offered.