Category: Projects

As patients age and live longer, patients’ demand for non-removable options to replace teeth grows. In this particular case study, I evaluated and formulated a comprehensive treatment plan to restore form and function in a partially edentulous patient. Considering the patient’s preference for a fixed implant treatment option, I assessed the risks and benefits contributing to the long-term success of implants for this patient. I developed a surgical and restorative plan for implant placement involving both single unit and multi-unit implant prostheses. From implant planning, placement and restoration, I gained a greater understanding for similarities and differences between workflows for single unit and multi-unit implant prostheses. Thank you to my mentors Dr. Allen Wong, Dr. Debra Woo Dr. Michael Beckley, and the whole AEGD faculty team for their support and guidance.
Methods: A group of third year dental students developed a mentoring program for incoming second year students. The program involved a series of workshops and hands-on training sessions where the third year students shared their experiences and best practices for success in the dental school clinic. The program covered a range of topics, including patient communication, treatment planning, financial decisions and diagnostic principles.

Results: The Clinic transitions program was successful in helping incoming second year students navigate the challenges of transitioning into the clinic, as gathered by surveys. The second year students reported feeling more confident and prepared after participating in the program. The third year students also gained valuable leadership and teaching experience, which will be beneficial to them as they continue their dental education and future careers.

Conclusions: The Clinic transitions program was an effective way for third year dental students to share their experiences and knowledge with incoming second year students. The program not only helped the second year students succeed in the dental school clinic, but also provided the third year students with valuable leadership and teaching experience. The dental school plans to continue this mentoring program in the future to ensure that all students have the resources and support they need to succeed.

Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge the support of the dental school faculty and staff in making this program possible. The work of Dr. Gupta, Des Beltran and Marietta Daniel was critical to the success of the program. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge the participating second year students who arrived engaged and eager to learn at every session.

Read more ›

Objective: An instructional project designed to provide the necessary knowledge and resources for incoming second year students to successfully transition from providing simulation dental care to clinical dental care at the University of Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.

Methods: A group of third year dental students developed a mentoring program for incoming second year students. The program involved a series of workshops and hands-on training sessions where the third year students shared their experiences and best practices for success in the dental school clinic. The program covered a range of topics, including patient communication, treatment planning, financial decisions and diagnostic principles.

Results: The Clinic transitions program was successful in helping incoming second year students navigate the challenges of transitioning into the clinic, as gathered by surveys. The second year students reported feeling more confident and prepared after participating in the program. The third year students also gained valuable leadership and teaching experience, which will be beneficial to them as they continue their dental education and future careers.

Conclusions: The Clinic transitions program was an effective way for third year dental students to share their experiences and knowledge with incoming second year students. The program not only helped the second year students succeed in the dental school clinic, but also provided the third year students with valuable leadership and teaching experience. The dental school plans to continue this mentoring program in the future to ensure that all students have the resources and support they need to succeed.

Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge the support of the dental school faculty and staff in making this program possible. The work of Dr. Gupta, Des Beltran and Marietta Daniel was critical to the success of the program. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge the participating second year students who arrived engaged and eager to learn at every session.

Read more ›

One of the biggest barriers to care in providing oral health care is the fear of dentists from the public. Patients with special healthcare needs may have sensory triggers, anatomical abnormalities, and face other barriers when seeking dental care. When dental needs are unmet, the periodontal condition worsen, and could lead to unwanted tooth decay. Early intervention and maintenance care is important to ensure the patient’s oral health is in good condition. Intervention such as sensory desensitization, caregiver education, removing the barriers to seek care, and utilization of alternative tools such as a universal soft tissue retractor will help increase patient compliance.

Read more ›

The sounds, sights, and smells of a dental office have always been at the forefront of patient dental anxiety. With this in mind, we set out to identify how deafening dental instruments can be. The dental handpieces, suction devices, and hygiene equipment such as the cavitron dental scaler noise levels were measured. In this study, both the hearing of the dentist and patient were analyzed along with the overall decibel level and frequencies to determine what is causing the most negative effect on the hearing of the patient as well as the operator and dental personnel. The materials used in this study were: saliva ejector, high speed evacuation suction, cavitron, slow speed handpiece, electric high speed handpiece, and air driven high speed handpiece. We used a combination of dental instruments simulating what is used in a clinical setting. The collaboration between dentists, dental students, audiologists, and audiology students was strategically used in this study to allow for this study to be highly effective and specialized.

Read more ›

Objectives: Tooth movement is caused by the application of force. In short, applied force strains structures present in the PDL space – cells, ligaments, blood vessels. Cells in the PDL are damaged by extension and by diminished oxygen supply due to compression of blood vessels. Compounds released from damaged or dead cells trigger an innate inflammatory response. One of the biomarkers of that response is increased formation of extracellular fluid (edema), specifically gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Our goal is to monitor changes of GCF flow during the orthodontic treatment with Invisalign.

Read more ›

Various systematic reviews and original articles were studied and analyzed to identify external cervical root resorption, its pathogenesis, and potential predisposing factors. Although several potential aetiological factors have been associated with the development and progression of ECR, the etiology, and pathogenesis of ECR are still poorly understood and as a result, many of these resorptive defects are misdiagnosed and mismanaged.

Read more ›