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Biomedical subjects

C S Ayers

Publications and source records attributed to C S Ayers.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

U.S. and Canadian dental school involvement in extramural programming.

This project was undertaken from July 1999 to August 2000 to identify the status of extramural programming (that is, a program that has undergraduate dental students providing any aspect of dental care to individuals in settings outside the main clinical facility of the school) in North American dental schools. A survey instrument was mailed to all United States and Canadian dental schools concerning student involvement in extramural programming. The response rate was 79.7 percent. Of the schools responding, 3.9 percent did not offer extramural programming. The type of extramural sites, the percentage of schools offering each type of site, and the mean number of weeks students are at each site were as follows: hospital clinics--71 percent, 2.5 weeks; public health clinics--65 percent, 6 weeks; schools and day care centers--49, 1.7 weeks; private dental offices--37 percent, 2 weeks; and "other"--29 percent, 2.5 weeks. The average number of weeks spent at extramural site(s) per class was: freshman 1.9 weeks (SD=4.3); sophomores 2.3 weeks (SD=4.2); juniors 2.6 weeks (SD=1.9); and seniors 5.3 weeks (SD=6.7). Of total student time in extramural programming, 43.3 percent was spent delivering basic clinical services, 24.4 percent comprehensive clinical services, 11.8 percent health education, 11.8 percent preventive dentistry, and 8.7 percent community activities. From the data collected it is apparent that the majority of North American dental schools are providing a variety of extramural experiences for their dental students. It was found that student involvement in extramural programming increases gradually from the freshman to the senior year.

Canada↗

Quality assessment of dental restorations: a comparison by dentists and patients.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the patient's and dentist's perception of quality. A group of 117 patients completed a questionnaire which rated their perceptions of the quality of their prior dental treatment. Each patient was given a thorough dental examination, and all restorations were evaluated for 14 criteria of quality. A dental quality index was calculated for each patient, and this was correlated with the patient's overall satisfaction and also with the patient's perception of quality of treatment. Both correlations indicated that no relationship existed between these two perceptions of quality. It was concluded that patients and dentists were looking at different criteria when judging quality of dental care.

Consumer Behavior↗

Clinical significance of taurodontism.

In an attempt to determine the clinical significance of taurodontism, two reports of cases of patients with the anomaly have been presented. It seems that the taurodont form does not interfere with routine operative procedures, but it is suggested that the morphology might hamper the location of orifices and could create difficulties in instrumentation and obturation in endodontic treatment. It is hoped that other cases involving the treatment of taurodont teeth will be reported to aid in determining the clinical significance of the anomaly for other areas of dentistry.

Adult↗

Attitudes of older versus younger adults toward dentistry and dentists.

A total of 416 adults were interviewed by telephone to gauge their attitudes toward dentistry and dentists. Attitudes of those age 55 and older were compared with those younger than age 55. It was found that 72% of those 55 and older had not visited a dentist in the previous 2 years because they felt it was not necessary; 38.5% of respondents younger than 55 gave this reason. Only 15% of those 55 and older reported that high costs kept them away from the dentist.

Age Factors↗

Salivary testing to reduce sugar consumption in school children.

A total of 423 elementary and middle school children participated in a project to see if it would be possible to reduce their sugar consumption. Children tested their salivary lactobacillus colony count and buffering capacity in their health/science class, and they used this information to measure their caries risk. Because the lactobacillus colony count is a good indicator of a person's recent sugar consumption, any change in sugar consumption will produce a change in the lactobacillus colony count. Children's saliva was tested four times, and an intensive dietary counseling program was provided in the classroom. Results showed that lactobacillus counts went down, and the children reduced their sugar consumption.

Adolescent↗