The status of nutrition programs in dental education and practice is reviewed, problems are analyzed, and solutions are offered. Problems include lack of well-defined policy guidelines, confusion over the state of scientific knowledge, and the scope of nutrition counseling. Among conclusions and recommendations are the need to emphasize clinical…

Classification according to Bloom's taxonomy of 518 tests items from one dental school's predoctoral written examination revealed almost 84 percent to be at the knowledge level and the remainder at the comprehension level, with none at any higher cognitive level (application, analysis, synthesis, or evaluation). (MSE)

A study investigated the quantity of alloy lost in the fabrication of three types of cast restoration by dental students, and identified the proportion of loss at each of the four principal stages of the fabrication process. Suggestions for reducing metal loss and related costs in dental schools are offered. (MSE)

Residents benefit from general practice dental residencies by getting training in areas not adequately covered in the undergraduate curriculum and having time to mature professionally. Patients benefit from improved care and increased access to services. Greater attention should go to the quality and types of services such programs make possible.…

The organization and operation of a flexible, modular core dental curriculum used at the University of Florida are described, experiences with 10 years of its use are outlined, and further refinements are projected. (MSE)

A laboratory exercise for dental students is presented using a toxic dose of lidocaine in place of an anesthetic dose of pentobarbital. The use of lidocaine demonstrates its toxic and lethal actions and increases the relevance of the experience for dental students. (Author/MLW)

A survey of 48 United States and 9 Canadian undergraduate dental school clinics investigated the extent of routine use of screening blood tests for patients, test types used, and plans to increase or decrease screening test use. Six responded that they routinely test asymptomatic patients, with 2-20 tests used per patient. (MSE)

A discussion of the dental school administrator's mentoring role looks specifically at the administrator's responsibility in creating an environment fostering faculty growth and productivity. The mentoring administrator is a central, integral, and positive force within the department and school, using teaching, facilitating, and coaching rather…

The first of two papers giving basic information about research planning for dental educators inexperienced in research outlines the definitions and types of research and the importance of sound design, adequate support, smooth project execution, and acceptance of the results. (MSE)

A laboratory experiment that demonstrates the effects of various dental materials on a representative enzyme from the pulp is outlined. The experiment encourages students to consider the effects that various restorative materials and techniques might have on enzymes in the living pulp. (Author/MLW)

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…

Meta-analysis is proposed as an effective alternative to conventional narrative review for extracting trends from research findings. This type of analysis is explained, advantages over more traditional review techniques are discussed, basic procedures and limitations are outlined, and potential applications in dental education and clinical…

A study investigated the efficacy of glutaraldehyde and several other disinfectants for disinfecting teeth to be used for teaching and research, as an alternative to autoclaving for teeth with amalgam restorations. Results indicate that formalin was the only disinfectant that penetrated tooth pulp chambers in effective antimicrobial…

The theory of reasoned action is applied to dentists' behaviors toward and treatment of patients with or at risk for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Two belief components are seen as critical: (1) beliefs about consequences of treating these patients; and (2) perceptions of how his reference groups view such treatment. (MSE)

Viewpoints of speakers and participants at a symposium on nutrition education in dental curricula are reported, and recommendations for action are outlined, including recruitment of nutritionists for dental faculties, screening and counseling exercises in clinical training, instruction in interpretation of computerized dietary analysis, and…