hapTEL, an interdisciplinary project funded by two UK research councils from 2007 to 2011, involves a large interdisciplinary team (with undergraduate and post-graduate student participants) which has been developing and evaluating a virtual learning system within an HE healthcare education setting, working on three overlapping strands. Strand 1…

Six senior dental students participated in a preprosthetic surgery clinic and then performed implant surgery on patients. Patient reactions were highly favorable. Students and faculty found the prosthodontic phase more difficult than the surgical. Program continuation at the predoctoral level is anticipated. (MSE)

A program designed for the highly qualified recent high school graduate making a commitment to a dental career provides early student contact with the dental school and its programs, reduces the years required for a dental degree, and combines predental and dental education. The program's first-year results are mixed. (MSE)

A study club for continuing education in dental implant techniques at the University of Washington is described and evaluated. Training included didactic and patient treatment components. In two sessions of the program, 17 participating restorative dentists and oral surgeons completed treatment on 12 patients. Practitioners found this…

A program in dental care for the handicapped offered at the University of North Carolina is described. Results of a survey of program participants over a five-year period indicates that the program results in decreased fear and anxiety about treating handicapped patients. (JMF)

The federal general dentistry grant program supports development of new programs and first-year positions in postdoctoral general dentistry education. Since inception, 115 institutions have participated, establishing 59 new programs (88% remain in operation) and 560 new positions (69% of which are still being filled), representing 72% and 77%,…

Twenty-six student volunteers participated in an eight-hour self-instructional program and were compared to students in a control group. Analyses of covariance with perceptual ability test indicated that the experimental group statistically significantly outperformed the control group on all but one preparation. (Author/MLW)

A program providing instruction in medical topics throughout the dental curriculum at Tufts University is described, and the results of a survey indicating alumni satisfaction with training in physical evaluation techniques and ability to detect medical problems are discussed. (MSE)

A five-year project of postgraduate training in dentistry for patients with severe disabilities resulted in significant cognitive and confidence gains for the participating dentists, dental hygienists, and assistants. Over 75 percent of the graduates were found to actively apply their training, especially in academic dentistry. (MSE)

The University of Maryland Dental School's revised predoctoral general practice program includes a clinical component simulating actual practice, including patient, personnel and office management, team-building, marketing, specialist referrals, and quality control. The program is described and patient, student, and faculty responses to it are…