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Biomedical subjects

N L Sisty

Publications and source records attributed to N L Sisty.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Review of training and evaluation studies in expanded functions for dental auxiliaries.

A review of the literature on research in expanded functions for dental auxiliaries is presented. Summaries of each of the training and evaluation studies sponsored by both private and government agencies are given. Wide variation in research methods of these studies and the failure to report important details make it difficult to interpret and use the research findings. Results from all studies indicate that dental auxiliaries can, with the proper training, perform selected reversible and irreversible dental procedures at an acceptable level of quality. Future research should be conducted in private practice settings and in new oral health care delivery systems with various configurations of expanded function dental auxiliaries.

Dental Assistants

Evaluation of student performance in the four-year study of expanded functions for dental hygienists at the University of Iowa.

A comparison was made of the quality of selected operative and periodontal procedures completed by expanded-function dental hygiene and senior dental students. Each student group included 48 students selected from all academic quartiles of their respective classes. The evaluated operative procedures included a Class II preparation and amalgam restoration and a Class III preparation and composite restoration. Both operative procedures were completed twice, once on a patient and once on a Dentoform. The periodontal procedures were completed on patients and included a periodontal examination, a periodontal treatment plan, and one quadrant of root planing and soft tissue curettage. Three examiners independently rated each student's performance in an examiner-blind situation. Examiners judged numerous criteria for each procedure as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. In addition, an overall rating of excellent, clinically acceptable, or unacceptable was given to each procedure. Comparisons between student groups of the time required to complete procedures showed that dental students completed cavity preparations of all operative procedures and quadrants of root planing and curettage in significantly less time than did dental hygiene students. For restorations, periodontal examinations, and treatment plans, there was no significant difference between student groups in the time required to complete procedures. In general, the results of the study showed that the dental hygiene students were able to perform selected operative and periodontal procedures at a comparable level to that of senior dental students.

Clinical Competence