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This study evaluated the effects of chemical biocides used to control dental unit waterline biofilm on the bond strength of resin to enamel. Sixty bovine teeth were randomly assigned to six treatment groups. One-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference in means (p0.001) and Tukey's multiple range test indicated that three of the experimental groups had significantly lower mean shear bond strengths than the control (p0.05). This finding suggests that dental unit waterline biocides may adversely affect adhesion of resin to enamel.

Radiographs are an important adjunct to providing oral health care for the total patient. Historically, radiographic images have been produced using film-based systems. However, in recent years, with the arrival of new technologies, many practitioners have begun to incorporate digital radiographic imaging into their practices. Since dental hygienists are primarily responsible for exposing and processing radiographs in the provision of dental hygiene care, it is imperative that they become knowledgeable on the use and application of digital imaging in patient care and record keeping. The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive overview of digital radiography in dentistry. Specific components addressed are technological features, diagnostic software, advantages and disadvantages, technique procedures, and legal implications.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of three film-speed/collimator combinations on image quality, based on reviewer preference and diagnostic quality, based on caries detection.Two hundred sixteen proximal surfaces were evaluated for the presence and severity of carious lesions on bitewing-simulated projections using D-speed film/circular, E-speed film/rectangular, and E-speed film/circular collimation. Matched films by model type were ranked, based on reviewer preference. Preference data were analyzed using Friedman's test, while the caries detection data were analyzed using a 3 x 3 x 3 x 6 ANOVA model and the kappa statistic. Variability components of the ANOVA were used to determine inter- and intra-rater reliability.Inter- and intra-rater reliability were 90.9 and 98.7%, respectively. Each of the film-speed/collimator combinations had average preference rankings that were significantly different from one another for each criteria (p0.001), with E-speed film/rectangular collimation consistently ranking highest and E-speed film/circular collimation consistently ranking lowest. There was excellent agreement in caries detection among the three film-speed/collimator combinations (kw = 0.92, kw = 0.94).Results from the subjective comparison indicated that E-speed film with rectangular collimation ranked highest for film resolution, overall appearance, and choice for caries diagnosis, while E-speed film with circular collimation ranked lowest. Caries diagnosis was comparable among the three film-speed/collimator combinations.

Producing radiographs of good diagnostic quality while keeping the dose as low as possible is the goal of the dental radiographer. Rare earth compound filters reduce the dose, but few clinical studies have evaluated the diagnostic yield. The diagnostic quality of a samarium compound filter used with E-speed film was compared with that of a conventional aluminum filter used with E-speed film. Bitewing projections with the test and standard filters were exposed for 39 patients. Agreement was evaluated with kappa statistics. The results indicated a substantial level of agreement between the two filter types. The combination of samarium compound filter and E-speed film appears to be a good mechanism for achieving dose reduction without compromising the diagnostic yield of the film.

This study examined the effect of dental hygiene preparation prior to entering dental school on dental school performance. Study participants included 203 female students who entered a public dental school from 1980-1989. Groups 1 and 2 had completed dental school prerequisites and a dental hygiene curriculum in a community college setting (n = 19) or university setting (n = 22) respectively, and Group 3 (n = 162) were traditional students with no dental hygiene education. Preadmission variables were predental science and non-science grade point averages (GPA) and Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores. Performance variables were GPA of years one and two of dental school and National Board scores (Part 1). Results showed that Group 2 hygienists had significantly lower predental science GPAs than Group 1 or 3 and significantly lower non-science GPAs than Group 3 (p0). Both groups of hygienists had significantly lower DAT scores than Group 3 (p0). No difference was seen in first and second year GPAs or the National Board average. Adjusting performance scores to compensate for deficiencies in preadmission variables showed that Group 2 hygienists had significantly higher adjusted first-year GPAs and National Board averages than Group 3 (p0). Thus, hygienists performed as well as non-hygienists in spite of weaker admission credentials.

Since the mid-1970s, the dental hygiene profession has experienced a decline in the number of applicants. Reasons cited for this decline are fewer traditional college-age students, an increase in the career opportunities available to women, and a decrease in student financial aid. Four-year dental hygiene programs have experienced applicant decline faster than two-year programs. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influenced university freshmen to designate dental hygiene as a career choice. Factors examined included reasons for choosing or not choosing a career in dental hygiene, and retention in the college major chosen. A questionnaire was mailed to three groups of students who entered the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill as freshmen from 1985 through 1987: (1) all students who designated dental hygiene as a major on their entrance application; (2) a random sample who did not; and (3) all the freshman during that time period who subsequently matriculated into the dental hygiene program. The overall response rate was 78% (n = 80). Subjects began to explore career opportunities at a mean age of 16. Having a family member/friend in the selected field was found to be the most influential factor in career selection. Among dental hygiene students, contact with a dental hygienist was perceived to be influential in their career choice. Entering college freshmen exhibited a lack of knowledge about the dental hygiene profession, and most had not received any information about dental hygiene in high school. These findings can be used to develop recruitment strategies.