Analysis of characteristics of students (n=1,684) using the Postdoctoral Application Support Service found significant differences in applicants to various program areas. Applicants to pediatric programs had the most varied characteristics; applicants to oral and maxillofacial surgery were the most homogeneous. The study provides baseline data for…

Results of a study with dental assistants and hygienists, clinic clerks, supply and sterilization personnel, receptionists, and housekeeping and secretarial staff (n=80) suggest that inservice training programs on infection control and clinical asepsis procedures may be better accomplished by practical demonstration than by lecture or seminar.…

The organizational characteristics of colleges of dentistry as perceived by their deans, associate deans, and department chairs were investigated. Likert's Profile of Organizational Characteristics was used to describe the administrative structures of the colleges on a continuum from exploitive/authoritative through benevolent/authoritive and…

A study compared the field dependence/independence and a measure of emotional empathy in 44 dental hygiene students and 42 students in an introductory psychology course. The results do not entirely support previous findings that dental hygiene students are typically more field independent. (Author/MSE)

The prevalence of 4 of 16 personality styles found in two dental school first-year classes is compared with personality styles found among practicing dentists, and the implications for dental program organization and curriculum are discussed. (MSE)

Self-teaching booklets and computer media were evaluated for teaching diagnostic testing with first (n=49), second (n=41) and third year (n=71) dental students as a foundation for further development of clinical decision-making skills. Results found the media more effective than no instruction and equally effective to the traditional lecture…

The strengths and weaknesses of five typical machine-scored test formats are discussed, specific recommendations for format selection are made, and reasons for the importance of format are examined. (MSE)

Comparison and analysis of the restorative treatment recommendations made by dentists and dental school students for 63 patients found about 85% agreement on treatment plans. It is observed that the results provide some basis on which to assess how well dental school treatments reflect mainstream practice. (MSE)

A national study of 578 dentists showed the most frequently used sources of information about dental patient medication and other medical management issues were the consultant network, the patient's physician, and "Physician's Desk Reference." Professional meetings, professional journals, and pharmaceuticals representatives were less…

A statistical study is presented of the 1976 location, by region and state, of the active civilian dentists of the United States in relation to the dental schools from which they graduated. A master matrix table shows state-by-state distribution of the graduates of each school and, conversely, where each state obtained its dentists. (Author/JMD)

The "Seventh Report to the President and Congress on the Status of Health Personnel in the United States" by the Health Resources and Services Administration and the American Association of Dental Schools'"Manpower Project Report No. 2" are compared, and their findings and implications for dental health personnel are discussed.…

A survey of 319 junior and senior dental students at the University of Missouri, Kansas City assessed the characteristics of students in two programs (traditional and accelerated), and investigated differences in their prior experiences, perceptions of the dental profession and career options, and postgraduate plans. (MSE)

Using national survey data, dental school clinic fees were analyzed over a seven-year period. Analysis looked at fees for specific procedures, fee trends in different specialty areas, and comparisons of fees in dental school clinics and private practice. A comparison between clinic fees and the Consumer Price Index was also made. (MSE)

Comparison of two classroom techniques in a dental research methodology course found students writing note summaries (n=21) later performed better on recall, and students keeping learning logs (n=24) were better at critical analysis. Note-summarizers complied better with instructions and their attitudes about future use of the technique were more…

A study of the relative effectiveness of an introductory activity to teach intracoronal operative preparations to dental students (n=35) found that in comparison with traditional classroom methods used with 29 students, the leadup activity resulted in more efficient instruction and improved learning. Amount of teacher supervision was also a…