Investigating the technical quality of undergraduate endodontic treatment in a primary care-based dental school

Introduction The success of root canal treatment (RCTx) relies on the technical quality of the root canal filling, often assessed through radiographic evaluation.Aims This audit aims to evaluate the technical proficiency of Peninsula Dental School (PDS) undergraduate dental students in RCTx, comparing it with established European standards.Design Conducted as a retrospective study, this evaluation focuses on assessing the technical quality of RCTx performed by undergraduate dental students at PDS across various academic years.Setting PDS, a primary care-based dental school in the UK, serves as the focal point for this evaluation.Materials and methods Reviewed 2021-2022 endodontic cases by supervised undergraduates. Analysed radiographs for obturation, voids and errors based on established benchmarks. Randomly selected unbiased cases, assessing voids, filling proximity, missed canals and canal anatomy preservation.Interventions Comparative analysis of RCTx quality between PDS students and counterparts from other dental schools, exemplified by Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH).Results Findings revealed that 62.07% of single-rooted and 60% of multi-rooted teeth treated by PDS students met European standards.Discussion The implications highlight the proficiency of PDS students in RCTx, comparing favourably to DDUH.Conclusion Recommendations emphasise conducting regular educational audits in dental schools to continually enhance RCTx techniques and ensure high-quality clinical teaching.

Blended learning in undergraduate dental education: a global pilot study

AIMS

To explore the global trends in blended learning in undergraduate dental education during the COVID pandemic and during the recovery phase by engaging with the students and faculty and evaluate the implications for dental education in the post-COVID era.

METHODS

It was a pilot cross-sectional study which employed a convenience sampling technique to recruit representatives of dental faculty and undergraduate students in 80 dental institutions globally. A previously validated questionnaire consisting of a combination of closed and open-ended items was used for data collection. Responses to these online questionnaires were processed and analysed using the R statistical computing environment.

RESULTS

A total of 320 dental students and 169 faculty members from 47 different dental institutions participated in the study. Video and Live Online Tutorials were considered to be the most effective method of online learning followed by online question banks by both groups. Significant differences were noted between faculty and students regarding time spent and effectiveness of online teaching and learning, respectively, both before and after the start of COVID. The results highlight the faculty need to engage more closely with the students to address their learning needs. Finally, the participants provided several recommendations regarding the future development of teaching and learning strategies as well as assessments in the post-pandemic era.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study which explores blended learning in dental education with participants from multiple institutions in different regions of the globe. Compared to the faculty, students considered online learning to be less interactive and preferred learning activities and all assessments to be delivered face-to-face. The results underscore the need to adapt teaching practices to suit the learning needs of the students.

Oral microbes and the formation of cerebral abscesses: A single-centre retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Intracranial abscesses are relatively uncommon, but can result in significant mortality and morbidity. Whilst many potential causes of brain abscesses are recognised, in many cases the origin of infection remains clinically unidentified. Our objective was to investigate the role of bacteria found in the oral cavity in the development of brain abscesses.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed using data from 87 patients admitted to a single UK neurosurgical unit with brain abscesses over a 16-year period. Using microbiological data obtained from abscess sampling and peripheral cultures, species of bacteria were categorised in patients where no primary source of infection was identified (NSI) for their brain abscess (n = 52), or where an infective source (ISI) was identified. The microbiological data was then screened to identify common oral bacteria in each group.

RESULTS

Brain abscesses from the ISI group (n = 35) demonstrated a significantly lower preponderance of oral bacteria (n = 8), than the NSI group (n = 29) (p < 0.05). Brain abscesses from the NSI group also had significantly higher counts of Streptococcus anginosus compared to ISI (p < 0.05), with brain abscesses being most common in the frontal and parietal lobes for both ISI and NSI.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the oral cavity could be considered as a source of occult infection in cases of brain abscess where no clear cause has been identified. Future studies should include oral screening and microbiome analysis to better understand the mechanisms involved and develop approaches for prevention.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Oral bacteria may be an under-recognised cause of brain abscesses. Careful review of oral health in brain abscess patients may help establish causation, particularly in patients with no cause for their abscess identified. Good levels of oral health may help prevent the development of brain abscesses in some individuals.

Dental Pain in Care Homes: Is It a Phenomenon? A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background: Evidence suggests that 80% of residents living in nursing homes have moderate to severe pain, could dental causes be an under reported contributory factor. The evidence suggests that this is an under-researched area. Our project aims were to explore and consolidate the current literature and conduct some stakeholder groups with care home managers and dentists. Our stakeholder group will be reported elsewhere. Methods: We used the SPIDER framework to set out key search terms. Which included “dementia” OR “cognitively-impaired” OR “carehome residents” AND “dental pain” OR “oralfacial pain” OR “mouth pain” AND “pain assessment” OR “pain identification”. A literature search was carried out on 8 and 9 March 2022 in the electronic databases: Cochrane, PubMed, Medline, Dental & Oral Sciences Source, CINAHL, Global Health, SocINDEX, Ovid (Medline) and Scopus. Restrictions were placed on dates and language (2012–2022 and English only). Results: The search yielded 775 papers up to the year 2020. After screening and exclusion, we were left with five papers: four quantitative and one qualitative. Conclusions: This review demonstrates that there has been very little research into oral health and/or dental pain in adults with dementia. Furthermore, the recommendations have yet to be taken forward. Identifying pain in older adults with dementia remains challenging. There is a need to develop an algorithm in conjunction with care home staff and dental practitioners in order to identify and address the pain associated with dental disease in adults with dementia.

Dental education in primary care: 14 years of Peninsula Dental School

Peninsula Dental School, established in 2006, was the UK's first new dental school in 40 years. It had the freedom to develop a completely new dental education curriculum planned on pedagogic thinking, designed to equip the dental care professionals of the twenty-first century. This was based on three distinct pillars: professionalism (developing a student's trust in their own autonomy); dental skills of the highest order (not just technical skills but also communication skills); and social engagement. As such, a truly innovative approach to dental education was created that has strong roots in evidence.

This paper describes the University of Plymouth Peninsula Dental School's achievements against these initial objectives under the following areas: training in primary care; a novel spiralling integrated curriculum and assessments; facilities reaching out to deliver patient care; bringing meaningful patient contact to students from the earliest months of their course; embedding community engagement within the curriculum; development of Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise; and team working, training a variety of dental care profession students side by side.

The University of Plymouth Peninsula Dental School, working with all its partners, has successfully pioneered and delivered significant changes in the field of education and continues to strive to further develop these and more for the future.

An insight into the development of a new UK dental school.

A focus on dental education based in primary care, reaching out to deliver patient care, embedding community engagement in a curriculum and team working of dentists and dental care professionals side by side.

An overview of the benefits of a social enterprise clinical placement model.

Dentistry where there is no Dentist: A retrospective analysis of urgent dental care reported through the British Antarctic Survey Medical Unit (BASMU), 2015 - 2020

AIM

To evaluate the nature of dental related morbidity in British Antarctic Survey (BAS) deployed personnel, and to compare the findings to those in other deployed population groups. Additional aims include outlining the evidence-based approach to further developing a training programme for non-dentists, to manage dental emergencies.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of dental morbidity between 2015 - 2020 reported through the British Antarctic Survey Medical Unit (BASMU) database of dental reported morbidity recorded by deployed medical officers.

RESULTS

Analysis and comparison of dental morbidity in deployed personnel to austere environments revealed similarity, in that relatively minor conditions led to the most significant number of presentations for personnel seeking dental advice when deployed.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental morbidity for deployed personnel in austere conditions can present with a range of symptoms from relatively minor to severe. Use of best evidence to configure training packages to likely presentations, may limit likelihood of necessitating evacuation from remote locations, or limit morbidity when evacuation is not feasible.

Addressing racial inequalities in dental education: decolonising the dental curricula

The aim of this paper is to highlight the impact of racial disparities on the educational experiences of Black and minority ethnic students in healthcare education. Attainment gaps and barriers to career progression for minority ethnic home students in the United Kingdom have been recognised for decades, but little progress has been made to address these issues. Students and staff in higher education have been campaigning for 'decolonisation of the curriculum' to improve inclusivity and representation. These trends are being mirrored in medical education and there is growing recognition to decolonise the medical curricula. This would improve the educational experience and attainment of minority ethnic students and doctors, and would also help to address disparities in healthcare provision for minority ethnic patients. The context for decolonisation of the dental curricula is provided, followed by a discussion on the benefits, challenges and strategies for such decolonisation.

A qualitative account of young people's experiences of alcohol screening and brief interventions in schools: SIPS Jr-HIGH trial findings

BACKGROUND

The United Kingdom (UK) has seen a decrease in the number of young people drinking alcohol. However, the UK prevalence of underage drinking still ranks amongst the highest in Western Europe. Whilst there is a wealth of evidence reporting on the effectiveness of both primary, and secondary interventions, there are few reports of the experiences of young people who receive them.

METHODS

The present study reports findings from interviews with 33 young people who were involved in an alcohol screening and brief intervention randomized controlled trial in schools in England. All interviews were analysed using inductive applied thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three major themes were identified following the analysis process: 1) drinking identities and awareness of risk; 2) access to support and advice in relation to alcohol use; and 3) appraisal of the intervention and potential impact on alcohol use.

CONCLUSIONS

There appeared to be a reluctance from participants to describe themselves as someone who drinks alcohol. Furthermore, those who did drink alcohol often did so with parental permission. There was variation amongst participants as to how comfortable they felt talking about alcohol issues with school staff. Overall participants felt the intervention was useful, but would be better suited to 'heavier' drinkers.