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Biomedical subjects

G T Chiodo

Publications and source records attributed to G T Chiodo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Addressing family violence among dental patients: assessment and intervention.

Health care professionals increasingly encounter family violence victims, but often do not recognize the signs of abuse. A mailed survey and personal interviews with dental health care workers reveal an uncertainty about intervening when abuse is suspected. The authors examine DHCWs exposure to family violence among their patients, educational history and thoughts about intervention.

Adult

Factors that influence clinicians' assessment and management of family violence.

OBJECTIVES: High rates of family violence and low rates of detection, report, and therapeutic intervention by health professionals are well documented. This study was undertaken to determine what factors influence clinicians' decision making about identifying abuse and intervening with victims. METHODS: Survey data about clinicians' experiences with and attitudes toward family violence were gathered by mailed questionnaire from a random sample of practicing clinicians in six disciplines (n = 1521). RESULTS: Data showed similarities within and wide differences among three groups of subjects: dentists/dental hygienists, nurses/physicians, and psychologists/social workers. Overall, a third of subjects reported having received no educational content on child, spouse, or elder abuse in their professional training programs. Subjects with education on the topic more commonly suspected abuse in their patients than those without; among all subjects, spouse abuse was suspected more often than child abuse while elder abuse was suspected infrequently. Significant numbers of subjects did not view themselves as responsible for dealing with problems of family violence. Subjects indicated low confidence in and low compliance with mandatory reporting laws. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for educators to expand curricula on family violence and for legislators to reexamine mandatory reporting laws.

Adolescent

Sexual advances by patients in dental practice: implications for the dental and dental hygiene curricula.

The occurrence of patient initiated sexual advances toward dental health professionals has not previously been examined. Information from other health care specialties and reports from dental and dental hygiene students indicate that such advances do occur and that providers are rarely educated to deal effectively with them. Utilizing an anonymous survey of 300 Oregon dentists and 300 dental hygienists, this study sought to quantify the frequency of patient initiated sexual advances toward dental professionals and to survey practitioners as to their reactions to and methods of dealing with such advances. The information provided by the 483 (81 percent) respondents indicates that up to 44 percent of providers experience one or more patient verbal advances and up to 23 percent of providers experience one or more patient physical advances during a five year period. These advances are a significant source of concern for many dental professionals. Based upon this information, implications for the dental and dental hygiene curricula are considered.

Adult

Rapidly progressive periodontal disease associated with HIV infection: report of case.

A case of rapidly progressive periodontal disease associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is presented. Rapid horizontal bone loss, with only moderate inflammation, occurred during a 13-month period. Pocket depth was significantly less than anticipated, given the degree of bone loss. The patient had no signs or symptoms of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The cause, features, diagnosis, and management are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Oral cancer detection. The importance of routine screening for prolongation of survival.

The incidence of oral cancer has increased in the past ten years. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to long-term survival; however, patients at highest risk visit the dentist infrequently. The reddish, velvety or erythroplakial lesion at the base of the tongue or floor of the mouth is highly suspicious in any patient and requires further evaluation. High-risk patients with less suspicious appearing lesions must be reevaluated on close recall. Prognosis improves vastly when the lesion is detected and treated early. One study demonstrated a 64% five-year survival rate for patients with oral cancer that was diagnosed before regional lymph node involvement versus a 15% five-year survival for patients whose lesions were diagnosed after regional lymph node involvement. By including an oral cancer examination in routine physical examination of patients, the physician and public health nurse can increase the likelihood of early detection of oral cancer.

Aged

Counseling principles for more effective patient education.

Patients often fail to progress in preventive dentistry behavior. Greater success will be realized if the dentist uses a counseling approach based on basic theoretical principles of psychological counseling. Humanistic and behavioral counseling theories are adaptable to the dental environment. An approach modeled on the exploration, understanding, and action phases of counseling is practicable for the clinical dentist.

Behavior

Dental treatment during pregnancy: a preventive approach.

Applying the basics of preventive dentistry at the primary level will broaden the scope of prenatal care. Dentists should encourage all patients of childbearing age to seek oral health counseling and examination as soon as they learn they are pregnant. Specific printed information on pre- and postnatal fluoride, plaque control, nutrition, and tooth development should be available for pregnant patients. Recall systems should allow for pregnant patients. Emergency problems should not be deferred for treatment in the second trimester but should be alleviated immediately. Indicated medications should not be withheld because of pregnancy but patients must be informed of benefits and risks. Consultation with the patient's physician is always appropriate.

Consultants