Dental Hygienists Learn to be Masters of Information

In April, dental hygienists from the Eastman Institute for Oral Health attended the class, “Information Mastery for Dental Hygienists” lead by librarian Elizabeth Kettell. The course was held in a computer equipped classroom to allow hygienists hands-on practice in searching for dental information.

In the context of Evidence Based Dentistry, hygienists developed skill in critiquing sources and finding the most accurate, relevant and trustworthy information. They especially enjoyed the chocolate exercise, where they were required to categorize assigned readings as generic chocolate, Hershey’s chocolate or Godiva! The students were introduced to electronic resources from Bibby Library, practice guidelines, systematic reviews, and internet portals such as the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus. In addition, they received instruction in searching the PubMed database, and obtaining the full text of relevant articles.

The course was well received and the students requested a second class to review and practice what they had learned. The second class is planned for June and will include more PubMed searching as well as methods for the hygienists to keep up-to-date in their profession. Given its success, Bibby Library plans to offer the course annually and open it up to dental assistants. If you are interested in individualized instruction in navigating the dental literature, please contact Elizabeth Kettell, elizabeth_kettell@urmc.rochester.edu, 585-275-3247.

Read Summaries of Systematic Reviews

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find all the systematic reviews pertaining to dentistry in one place?  You can!

The American Dental Association (ADA)  Evidence Based Dentistry website includes a database of systematic reviews in oral health. The reviews may be found by searching the site or using the ADA’s drill down topic menu.

Even better, the ADA provides  critical summaries of many of these  systematic reviews.  Critical summaries are brief, concise assessments of a review that are written by ADA Evidence Reviewers.  These reviewers are trained  in the critical appraisal of scientific literature.

Here is a list of the most recently published critical summaries:

• Limited evidence exists that glass ionomer restorations in permanent teeth offer a lower risk of developing carious lesions at margins compared with amalgam restorations
• Insufficient evidence to support the use of stabilization splint therapy over other active interventions in the treatment of temporomandibular myofascial pain
• Evidence linking gastroesophageal reflux disease and dental erosion is not strong
• Evidence indicates minimal short-term space loss after premature loss of primary first molars
• A moderately favorable five-year success rate for resin-bonded bridges
• Prescription of antibiotics for prophylaxis to prevent bacterial endocarditis
• Inconclusive evidence of the effects of orthodontic therapy on periodontal health
• Limited evidence suggested that patients with a history of periodontitis receiving implants might have a greater risk of peri-implantitis.

What Do You Think of Our New Website?

Yesterday, the University of Rochester celebrated the inception of the Eastman Institute for Oral Health. This included launching  a brand new web site for the Institute.

Bibby Library Web Site

In addition, the Bibby library website has been upgraded.  Take a look!  We welcome  your feedback.

Give them Something to SMILE about!

June is National Smile Month

Oral Health America, and participating sponsors, have designated June as National Smile Month. This initiative aims to reinforce the  importance of brushing, good nutrition and regular dental visits.

Oral Health America has provided a handbook with ideas and promotional activities;  they are also hosting a healthy smile contest.

For additional information, visit the Oral Health America site.

ADA Launches Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry Web Site

I am excited to announce the all new Evidence-Based Dentistry web site from the American Dental Association, prepared by dentists for dentists and their patients.  This site provides access to the most current and clinically relevant information.

Nicely organized by three categories, the site brings together:

• A Database of systematic reviews—Organized by topic, currently over 1300 reviews, some with clinical summaries (short and concise assessments of a systematic review written by trained ADA Evidence Reviewers)
• Clinical recommendations—tools that can be used when making evidence-based clinical treatment decisions
• Links to evidence-based dentistry resources—Links to outside resources including tutorials, glossaries and databases

I highly recommend that you explore the site.

Recognize your Dental Assistant

The American Dental Assistants Association will celebrate National Dental Assistants Recognition Week from March 1-7, 2009.

This event, which is also recognized by the  American Dental Association, the Canadian Dental Assistants Association and the Canadian Dental Association, calls for recognition of the dedicated work of dental  assistants.

This year’s theme is One Team, One Goal: Improving Oral Health, and includes  educational and charitable activities.

Want to know more about dental assisting?

• Browse a list of articles, as indexed in PubMed
• Visit the American Dental Assistants Organization website
• Read Dental Assisting Digest online
• See more dental assisting resources

Learn about the Link Between Heart Disease and Oral Health

February is American Heart Month.  What does this have to do with dentistry?  Come to find out, alot! Research suggests a significant link between oral and cardiovascular health.

In particular, periodontal health seems to play a major role.  Read what the American Academy of Periodontology has to say about periodontal disease and the heart.

You may also wish to browse this list of recent reviews pertaining to oral health and the heart:

Antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing endocarditis and infection in joint prosthesis after dental treatment: a review of new trends and recommendations in the literature. Kotze MJ. SADJ : journal of the South African Dental Association 2008 Sep;63(8):440-4. Review.

Antibiotics for the prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis in dentistry. Oliver R, Roberts GJ, Hooper L, Worthington HV. “Cochrane database of systematic reviews . 2008 Oct 8;(4):CD003813. Review.

A change of heart: the new infective endocarditis prophylaxis guidelines. Daly CG, Currie BJ, Jeyasingham MS, Moulds RF, Smith JA, Strathmore NF, Street AC, Goss AN. Australian dental journal 2008 Sep;53(3):196-200; quiz 297. Review.

Cardiovascular disease and periodontitis: an update on the associations and risk. Persson GR, Persson RE. Journal of clinical periodontology. 2008 Sep;35(8 Suppl):362-79.

Inflammation, C-reactive protein, and atherothrombosis.  Ridker PM, Silvertown JD. Journal of periodontology 2008 Aug;79(8 s):1544-51.

Dental treatment, antibiotic cover and infective endocarditis: a major rethink. Seymour RA. Dental update. 2008 Jul-Aug;35(6):366-8, 370. Review.

The effect of chronic periodontitis on the development of atherosclerosis: review of the literature. Niedzielska I, Janic T, Cierpka S, Swietochowska E. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research. 2008 Jul;14(7):RA103-6.

The link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease is probably inflammation. Davé S, Van Dyke T. Oral Dis. 2008 Mar;14(2):95-101.

Associations between periodontal diseases and systemic diseases: a review of the inter-relationships and interactions with diabetes, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. Kuo LC, Polson AM, Kang T. Public Health. 2008 Apr;122(4):417-33. Epub 2007 Oct 29.15.