Clinical science: The influence of modification of cavity design on distribution of stresses in a restored molar

In this study, two different cavity designs were compared from a mechanical point of view: (a) an axisymmetric model of a conventional class 1 cavity preparation and restoration; and (b) an axisymmetric model of a modified cavity design. The modified design was characterized by a cavo-surface angle (c.s.a.) of approximately 90 degrees and a stepped cavity wall. Using a mathematical model, stresses were calculated by finite element analysis to compare the force distribution. It is concluded that the clinical superiority of the modified cavity design, with respect to the marginal breakdown of the amalgam restoration, can be supported by stress calculations. [Journal Article; In English; United States

Effect of selected literature on dentists' decisions to remove asymptomatic, impacted lower third molars

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of studying selected literature on dentists' decisions to remove asymptomatic, impacted lower third molars. A pre-test-post-test control group design was used. Given 36 patient cases, two groups of 16 general dental practitioners each were asked to assess the need for removal of asymptomatic impacted lower third molars. The cases were classified by three parameters: 'position of the third molar', 'impaction type', and 'patient age'. After studying selected literature on this subject by the intervention group, both groups were asked to assess the same cases again. Frequencies of decisions to remove the third molars were calculated. For each participant, tables were composed by crosstabulating the indication to remove a third molar with each of the three parameters. T-tests were used to test the significance of the difference between pre-test and post-test decisions. The overall number of indications to remove asymptomatic, impacted lower third molars decreased by 37,V,, in the intervention group. In the control group, the difference between pre- and post-test was not statistically significant. It was concluded that the provision of selected literature significantly influences treatment decision making by dentists in a third molar decision task

European Core Curriculum in Cariology for undergraduate dental students

As dental caries prevalence is still high in many populations and groups of both children and adults worldwide, and as caries continues to be responsible for significant health, social and economic impacts, there is an urgent need for dental students to receive a systematic education in cariology based upon current best evidence. Although European curriculum guidelines for undergraduate students have been prepared in other dental fields over the last decade, none exist for cariology. Thus the European Organisation for Caries Research (ORCA) formed a task force to work with the Association of Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) on a European Core Curriculum in Cariology. In 2010, a workshop to develop such a curriculum was organised in Berlin, Germany, with 75 participants from 24 European and 3 North/South American countries. The Curriculum was debated by five pre-identified working groups: I The Knowledge Base; II Risk Assessment, Diagnosis and Synthesis; III Decision-Making and Preventive Non-surgical Therapy; IV Decision-making and Surgical Therapy; and V Evidence-based Cariology in Clinical and Public Health Practice and then finalised jointly by the group chairs. According to this Curriculum, on graduation, a dentist must be competent at applying knowledge and understanding of the biological, medical, basic and applied clinical sciences in order to recognise caries and make decisions about its prevention and management in individuals and populations. This document, which presents several major and numerous supporting competences, does not confine itself to dental caries alone, but refers also to dental erosion/non-erosive wear and other dental hard tissue disorders