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Biomedical subjects

Marsha A Pyle

Publications and source records attributed to Marsha A Pyle.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The angle of the articular eminence in modern dentate African-Americans and European-Americans.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences in the angle of eminentia of two 20th century populations based on race, age, gender, and number of teeth and whether there was asymmetry of the angles of eminentia. The sample included dry skulls from the Hamann-Todd Osteological collection as follows: 80 African-Americans (AA, 53 males and 27 females) and 62 European-Americans (EA, 49 males and 13 females), ranging in age from 16-77 years. The lateral, central, and medial aspects of the right and left slopes of the articular eminence were measured in a parasagittal plane. Independent t-tests, paired t-tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients were computed. For the AA population, the right central, lateral, and medial angles of eminentia were steeper than the corresponding left angles (paired t-test, p<0.05); for the AE males only the right lateral and medial angles were significantly steeper than the corresponding left angles (paired t-test, p<0.05). There were no significant relationships between age or number of teeth and the angle of eminentia measurements, nor were there differences in angle of eminentia by gender. There were two differences by race: the EA males had steeper left central and left medial angles than the AA males (independent t-test, p<0.05). The central angle of eminentia was consistently steeper than the medial angle (paired t-test, p<0.01), and the lateral was generally steeper than the medial.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Oral health disparities among the elderly: interdisciplinary challenges for the future.

The elderly, like other population groups, have experienced varying levels of oral health among their diverse demographic subgroups. For those in poverty, experiencing social isolation, residing in long-term care institutions, and with complex medical illness, oral health care may be unreachable. Various models of training, education, and community, public, and professional collaboration have been proposed, yet few strategies have been implemented. Interdisciplinary approaches that bring interested partners together as equal stakeholders may create faster tracks in improving access to health care for those geriatric patients who lack it. This article explores past and present recommendations for interdisciplinary collaborations, reviews the current and future needs of the geriatric population, discusses educational models and content, and expresses the need for leadership to address oral health disparities in the elderly. Finally, strategies for making improvements in the existing oral health disparities are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changing perceptions of oral health and its importance to general health: provider perceptions, public perceptions, policymaker perceptions.

The first ever Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health emphasizes that oral health is essential to the general health and well-being of all Americans, and that oral health can be achieved. But it will require that we think about and approach oral health activities in a different manner. If we desire to influence the mind-set of health care providers, the public, policymakers, and institutions, how do we get from what we know about the relationship of oral health and general health to integrating the notion into everyday actions? The Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health has elevated this issue to the forefront of health care and provided us with an extraordinary opportunity. The challenge: Lead with action and catalyze integration into multiple forums-public, private, and professional-and engage in activities that will change how oral health is perceived broadly. Ultimately, geriatric oral health and the health of all access-limited populations should benefit. To continue preserving the oral health of the millions of older individuals who now enjoy it and to ensure it for those who lack it will require change on multiple societal levels: the health care providers, the neighborhood, the community; Federal, state, and local governments; and the nation as a whole. It means addressing and overcoming multiple barriers to oral health care, which may include problems or disparities in: education, economics, the environment, cultural and social issues, and the health care system itself. To change perceptions, we must remove the barriers to care, educate the stakeholders who can influence or benefit from training programs, conduct broader, population-based research, build public and private partnerships, develop a stronger health care infrastructure, and expand initiatives that target specific risks for declining oral health. In addition to seeking new answers to these problems, it is imperative that we apply what we already know.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Priorities for oral health goals in a sample of older adults.

This study was conducted to identify oral health factors that are important to people who are elderly. By identifying factors valued by patients who are older, dental professionals can gain better insights into the preferences and priorities that patients use in making dental treatment decisions. To determine which factors are important to this population, we compiled a list of oral health goals identified through a literature review. To supplement this initial list, we undertook line-by-line (open) coding of transcripts of two sets of semi-structured interviews. The first set of interviews explored the decision of older adults to seek treatment in response tooth pain. The second set of interviews elicited anticipated responses to three scenarios involving extensive restoration and one scenario involving extraction and prosthetic replacement among older patients at a dental school.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nursing home executive directors' perception of oral care in long-term care facilities.

Oral health in long-term care (LTC) facilities has been repeatedly documented as less than ideal. The complex nature of this environment has made it difficult to understand and improve the oral health status of residents through education and training. The purpose of the study was to investigate how the executive directors (EDs) of LTC facilities value oral health and to determine facility variables, which may influence how oral care is delivered. A mail survey of the EDs of all LTC facilities in Ohio (n = 1018) was conducted with 338 responses received after secondary follow-up (33.2% response rate). The 30-item survey included information concerning the nursing facility, the EDs, the EDs' perception of the level of oral health care, and value statements rated on a Likert-like scale. The results of the survey showed that more than two-thirds of the EDs were female and that most facilities were proprietary (70.3%). ED gender was not statistically associated with any of the oral health variables. Fifty-three percent of the EDs rated their residents' oral health as fair or poor but were still satisfied with the oral care provided at their facilities. The apparent discontinuity between perceived levels of oral health and satisfaction with oral care suggests that EDs are distanced from the oral care of their residents or they do not acknowledge oral health care needs. While the survey results revealed important facility characteristics and administrators' perceptions about oral health, the most important aspect of this project was the low response rate despite secondary follow-up. That, coupled with the negativity expressed upon follow-up, suggests a larger issue that may affect oral health in nursing facilities: oral health continues to have a low priority in this setting. Continuing efforts to improve oral health and educate LTC professionals about oral health's influence on general health is critical for managing the oral health of future generations of aging adults.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A path yet unpaved.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Clinical Competence↗