The Prevalence of Dental Anxiety in Patients of a University Dental Clinic

Dental anxiety remains a pervasive barrier to dental treatment for many individuals, including college-age patients. In this article, the author reviews dental anxiety and examines the usefulness of assessment instruments for identifying dental anxiety. Using 2 unique assessment instruments, he examines the prevalence of dental anxiety in his university dental clinic's patient population. The 2 assessment instruments were determined to be equally effective in identifying anxious dental patients. Both instruments revealed that the average patient surveyed had low-to-mild dental anxiety. The results of this survey concur with those of previous studies of college-populations.     

A Student-to-Student Dental Outreach Program

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the individual, interpersonal, and institutional level factors that are associated with overall mental health among college students. Participants: Data are from an online cross-sectional survey of 2,203 students currently enrolled at a large public university. Methods: Mental health was ascertained using a subcomponent of the RAND Medical Outcomes Study functioning and well-being measures developed by the RAND corporation. Stepwise regression was used to determine if self-reported measures of individual (ie, coping abilities), interpersonal (ie, intergroup awareness), and institutional (ie, campus climate/tension) level factors were associated with overall mental health, after controlling for demographic characteristics. Results: The combined effects of both individual and institutional level measures were associated with student mental health. In particular, limited coping abilities and a perceived racially tense campus climate contributed to the psychological distress of college students. Conclusions: Simultaneously addressing the individual and institutional level influences on mental health offers the most promising help for students.     

A Dental Program Evaluation and Follow-up

Abstract

College-aged individuals are at risk for bicycle-related head injuries, but the risk of such injuries can be reduced by their use of bicycle helmets. The objective of this research was to measure the rate of bicycle helmet use by university bicyclists at a large public university in the southwestern United States at three different times. Bicyclists riding onto campus were observed as they rode through a main campus entrance in 1985, 1990, and 1994, and the percentage of bicyclists who were wearing a helmet was recorded. The bicyclists were unaware that their helmet use was being monitored. In 1985, 10% of bicyclists were wearing helmets; in 1990, only 4.4% wore helmets. In 1994, the proportion of helmet-wearing bicyclists had increased to 24%. Although the sample sizes were small, the 1994 increase was statistically significant. The reasons for the increase are unclear, and further study is needed to identify factors related to university bicyclists' use of bicycle helmets.     

An Examination of Older Immigrants' Use of Dental Services in the United States

The recent influx of immigrants aged 65 and older in the United States triggers an increasing need to understand older immigrants' dental services use. This paper uses data (n = 9,617) from the 2004 and 2006 waves of the Health and Retirement Study to examine the dental services use of older Americans. In particular, this study focuses on differences in dental services use between immigrants and natives and potential contributing factors. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed, contrary to expectation, that older immigrants were more likely to use dental services than older natives despite numerous barriers (odds ratio = 1.30 in 2004). The results in 2006 confirmed these findings. The results from 2004 and 2006 analyses showed dental insurance coverage, sex, and marital status were associated differently with dental services use for immigrants and natives. Implications for current oral health policies and future research of older Americans are discussed, as well as methods for meeting older immigrants' growing dental services needs.     

The Emergency Dental Service at Southern Illinois University/Carbondale

Abstract

The Student Emergency Dental Service (SEDS), a program of Allied Health and Public Services, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC), began treating patients in January 1978. The purpose of the program is twofold. The main emphasis of SEDS is to treat patients with dental-related disorders of an emergency nature. The other purpose of SEDS is to help raise the level of dental knowledge among the student population so as to prevent the emergency situations from occurring.

The Student Emergency Dental Service is essentially an “emergency only” service, even though prevention is highlighted. Such an emergency service cannot compete with a comprehensive service in terms of providing total patient dental care. Hence, the SEDS program has some innate limitations a comprehensive service does not. It must work from certain guidelines. It cannot treat everyone, and the mode of treatment must be altered to aid the emergency patient. This creates dilemmas that will be addressed in this paper. The organization, accomplishments, and advantages and disadvantages of the SEDS program at Southern Illinois University are also discussed.     

The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Women's Dental Experiences

ABSTRACT

One hundred and thirty-two women with a history of sexual abuse and 49 reporting no such history were compared, using a pilot-tested Dental Experiences Questionnaire. A history of abuse, especially severity of abuse, was found to be predictive of different patterns in making and keeping dental appointments; stress-related dental problems; and PTSD-type symptoms while at the dentist. Physical proximity, tactile, and kinesthetic experiences were evocative and therefore particularly discomfitting. Strategies that increased dental patients' sense of control, provided a feeling of protection or safety, and allowed for empowerment were positively endorsed, especially by sexual abuse survivors.     

Professionalization,Gender and Female‐dominated Professions: Dental Hygiene in Ontario*

Cet article explore L'influence des rapports sociaux entre les sexes et du féminisme sur les professions à majorité féminine au moyen d'une étude de cas en hygiène dentaire en Ontario. Le statut professionnel à part entière a échappéà plusieurs de ces professions, y compris L'hygiène dentaire. Historiquement, cette dernière était définie comme un travail pour les femmes, àêtre exécuté sous la stricte surveillance des dentistes hommes. Récemment, L'hygiène dentaire a poursuivi un projet de reconnaissance professionnelle et lutté pour une plus grande indépendance à L'endroit de la dentisterie. Les idées issues des rapports sociaux entre les sexes et particulièrement du féminisme y ont occupé une place centrale. This paper explores the influence of gender and feminism on the professional projects of female‐dominated professions, through a case study of dental hygiene in Ontario. Full professional status has eluded many female‐dominated professions, including dental hygiene. Historically, dental hygiene was defined as work for women, to be performed strictly under the control of male dentists. In recent years, dental hygiene has pursued a professional project and struggled for greater independence from dentistry. Ideas about gender and, particularly, feminism have been central to their professional project.     

Costs,Benefits, and Management Considerations of a Prepaid Student Dental Health Plan

Abstract

The Student Dental Health Program (SDHP) is an open panel, prepaid dental insurance plan at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. The program was developed primarily to provide optimal dental health service; however the SDHP also serves educational and research functions that are consistent with the objectives of the university. The student bodies of the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Optometry constitute the enrollee population.

Total cost rose from $18,418 in 1969–70 with 862 enrollees, to $70,930 in 1975–76 with 1,618 enrollees. During the same period the number of procedures completed increased from 2,868 to 6,796, with the average cost per procedure increasing from $6.42 to $10.44. The number of restorative services declined and preventive services increased. In 1976–77 benefits per student treated were estimated at $80 as compared to the annual fee of $48. The value of unmet needs upon entrance to the program averaged $59 per enrollee in 1974–75. By 1976–77 this figure was reduced to $26 due to implementation of an initial screening. The program is self-supporting due to a variety of cost containment measures. On balance, the program can be considered successful and beneficial to all parties concerned.     

Depressive Symptoms,Stress, and Social Support Among Dental Students at a Historically Black College and University

Objective: The authors measured the prevalence of depressive symptoms among dental students at a historically black college in the United States to determine how depressive symptoms, stress, and social support influence each other within this student population. Participants: Dental students (n = 143) completed a self-administered survey to assess depressive symptoms, stress, and social support, using validated and reliable instruments. Participants also reported demographic variables. Methods: The authors used multivariable linear regression controlling for potential confounding. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 16.7%. There were significantly higher levels of stress for students with depressive symptoms compared with those without such symptoms (p < .01), and students with depressive symptoms had significantly lower levels of social support (p < .01). Results show higher levels of depressive symptomatology to be related to decreased social support at both high and low stress levels (p < .01). Conclusions: Stress and social support are associated with depressive symptoms among dental students.     

Barriers to migrant entry to occupations in Australia

In 1986, 21.3% of the population of Australia had been born overseas; currently, foreign born workers comprise 25% of the labor force. The level of skilled immigration has continued to increase throughout the 1980s. In the past, most English-speaking migrants gained recognition of their overseas qualifications, but about half of those from non-English speaking countries have never been able to return to their pre-migration occupations. Beginning with the medical field, occupational regulating gradually grew with state autonomy being a marked feature. Australia has 1 of the most highly regulated labor markets in the world, with hundreds of bodies to determine entry criteria. The Council of Overseas Professional Qualifications, established in 1969, guides selection and tests professionals both overseas and already resident in Australia. The Tradesmen's Rights Regulation Act recognizes acceptable tradesmen. Aside from these 2 bodies, the majority of qualifications are assessed at the state or local level. Problems skilled immigrants have encountered in attempting to gain recognition of their overseas qualifications include 1) preference for locally trained workers or discrimination against non-British/non-Australian qualifications; 2) lack of adequate information about assessment procedures; 3) inadequate use of interpreting and translating services; 4) language difficulties in tests; and 5) frequent assessment only on formal qualifications, with skills and experience not being evaluated. The 2 basic models for assessing occupational suitability are the valuation of qualifications approach and the valuation of skills approach. To illustrate the operation of various models of assessment, the author discusses these occupations: medicine, nursing, engineering, computing, and electrical trades. The major factors that are essential for an overall strategy of change include 1) less occupational regulation in the labor market; 2) national registration and licensing systems in the "life-threatening" or "critical" occupations; 3) optional certification systems preferably at the national level, in the noncritical occupations; 4) skills-based assessments; 5) mainstreaming of all assessment mechanisms into authorized accrediting and assessing agencies; and 6) flexible means of entry to occupations. The establishment of an appropriate mechanism and legislation for achieving this change is of paramount importance.     

试论如何实现中国收入分配的公平

随着我国经济水平的不断提高及市场价值取向改革的推进,收入差距迅速扩大,贫富两极分化的趋势越来越明显.这种趋势已经引起了人们极大的关注.在我国进一步向市场经济转轨的过程中,若任由这种趋势继续发展,那么它所带来的政治的、经济的、道德的负面后果将严重偏离有中国特色社会主义建设的目标.     

Urge to Gamble in Problem Gamblers Exposed to a Casino Environment

Cue-reactivity has received increased attention in addiction research, though not for gambling in particular. We examined cue reactivity in 18 problem gamblers by accompanying them to a gaming casino and measuring their subjective urge to gamble over a 1-h period. Half of the sample was additionally exposed to a gambling-specific negative mood induction (NMI) manipulation via guided imagery. Overall, about two-thirds of the sample reported moderate to high-gambling urges during the casino exposure. Additionally, the NMI reduced cue-reactivity. Finally, gambling urges in both groups decreased over the course of the exposure sessions. These findings suggest that a majority of problem gamblers experience the urge to gamble when exposed to gambling cues and that the intensity of these urges decrease with time, especially in the presence of a gambling-relevant NMI. Cue exposure should be studied further as a potential tool in the treatment of problem gambling.