Pamela Stein

Serum antibodies to periodontal pathogens are a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease

Chronic inflammation in periodontal disease has been suggested as a potential risk factor in Alzheimers disease (AD). The purpose of this study was to examine serum antibody levels to bacteria of periodontal disease in participants who eventually converted to AD compared with the antibody levels in control subjects.

Tooth Loss, Apolipoprotein E, and Decline in Delayed Word Recall

Our previous research suggests an association between a low number of teeth and increased risk of dementia. The aim of the present study was to determine if a low number of teeth is specifically related to memory decline as evidenced by low Delayed Word Recall scores. In addition, we examined the combined effect of a low number of teeth and the apolipoprotein E ϵ4 allele on Delayed Word Recall scores. We hypothesized that the scores of those who had the allele and a low number of teeth (0-9) would decline more rapidly over time than those participants with a greater number of teeth who lacked the allele. We found that individuals with both risk factors (the allele and fewer teeth) had lower Delayed Word Recall scores at the first examination and declined more quickly compared with participants with neither of these risk factors or with either risk factor alone.

Using text messaging in an undergraduate nursing course.

Text messaging is a popular means of communication among young adults. Consequently, this mode of communication may be used to positively influence students in their academic studies. In this study, students were given the opportunity to receive text or e-mail messages regarding lecture content. Short message reminders, in the form of texts or e-mails, were used to send bite-sized course content to undergraduate nursing students. Messages included questions that would be answered in the next days lecture or reiterated a main point presented in the previous days lecture. Following a survey at the end of the course, text users responded positively toward this pedagogical approach and felt the use of text messaging enhanced their learning experience. E-mail users reported a short message reminder was moderately useful to their study of anatomy. These results suggest text messaging may be a valuable tool for educators as they seek to incorporate technology into the classroom.

Strategies for communicating with older dental patients

BACKGROUND Communication between dentists and patients 65 years or older is a critical aspect of providing optimum care, particularly given the increasing number of older adults and the communication barriers they often encounter. METHODS The authors conducted a targeted literature review of the broad health communication literature and published health literacy guidelines to examine the barriers to effective communication that are specific to the older adult population, as well as strategies for overcoming these barriers. RESULTS Findings from health communication and health literacy research provide insight into techniques to improve communication with older patients, such as preparing an agenda for the appointment, exhibiting warm nonverbal behavior, listening attentively, asking open-ended questions, using simple language, presenting key points one at a time and providing patients with written instructions. CONCLUSIONS Physical, psychological and literacy issues pertaining to both patients and providers present barriers to effective communication. Practitioners can surmount these barriers by enacting communication strategies tailored to older adults. Practical Implications. Dentists can overcome barriers to communication and improve the quality of patient care by considering the communication barriers specific to older adults and enacting strategies to overcome these barriers.

Perceptions of Oral Health in Appalachian Kentucky: Implications for Message Design

We conducted three studies to investigate Appalachian college students’ perceptions and behavior concerning oral health for the purpose of identifying salient factors to consider in designing persuasive messages to promote oral health. In Study 1, we conducted seven focus groups with 67 college students at a state university in Appalachian Kentucky. Using thematic analysis, we found that students based their oral health behavior on the perception that people living in Appalachia have poor oral health and that students denied, confirmed, reframed, or fulfilled this “misconception.” In Study 2, quantitative results from a representative survey of students (N = 587) at the same university indicated that the barriers to enacting good oral health behavior were primarily logistical in nature, whereas the facilitators of good oral health behavior were largely social. In Study 3, results from dental screenings (N = 364) of students at the university demonstrated that about one in five students presented with active, visible decay. We discuss how these results inform our understanding of oral health behavior in Appalachia and the implications of these results for designing messages to promote oral health in the region.

Smiles for Life: an oral health education resource.

The elderly, especially those who reside in long term care facilities, are particularly vulnerable to poor oral health, which negatively impacts their overall health. This article introduces a tool to aid medical directors in addressing their patients’ oral health needs. Smiles for Life: A National Oral Health Curriculum has been widely used by physicians, medical residents, advance practice registered nurses, and physician assistants since its initial release in 2005. The newest module, Geriatric Oral Health, was released in October 2011. This module addresses the oral health needs of the elderly, oral health assessment, common oral conditions of the elderly, oral-systemic links particular to elderly, drug effects, caregiver issues, and encourages medico-dental collaboration.

The anatomy of self-defense

The following study describes a creative application of anatomical principles in the instruction of self‐defense. Undergraduates at the University of Kentucky were invited to a special lecture that featured a series of self‐defense moves introduced by a local police officer. Following a demonstration of each self‐defense tactic, the students were briefed on the anatomy of both the victim and the assailant that contributed to the overall effectiveness of each move. This approach was unique in that students learned critical knowledge of self‐defense while reinforcing anatomical principles previously introduced in class. Moreover, this integration of topics prompted students to think about their response to potentially dangerous situations on campus. Anat Sci Ed 1:130–132, 2008.