An ethnographic approach to researching the introduction of new forensic DNA technologies in policing in the UK

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.Forensic DNA techniques provide essential support in criminal investigations, especially in the case of serious and major crimes where no expenses are spared. However, we know less about their current use and provision in relation to offences which occur more frequently, such as burglary or theft from a vehicle (also known as ‘volume crime’ in the UK). There are different ways in which a researcher can begin to address this knowledge gap. The present case study discusses a qualitative methodological perspective that aimed to illuminate the ways in which existing and future forensic capabilities are viewed by the various professionals involved in their adoption and use. In the context of an unsettled forensic landscape, marked by budget cuts to police forces and an increased scrutiny on the effectiveness of forensic resources, understanding how forensic DNA technologies are made sense of by these professionals can help inform their implementation in policing. This case study shows how ethnographic interviews and observations, combined with visual and documentary methods open to critical scrutiny institutional processes and occupational dynamics that have often been overlooked in current scholarship. It argues that a qualitative perspective focused on organizational narratives and career trajectories renders visible the skills and activities of forensic examiners and police officers, and in doing so, provides valuable insights into the difficulties of introducing new forensic DNA technologies in the examination of volume crime

Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture in Association with Systemic and Local Factors as Potential Predictors of Implant Failure

Clinicians have described the success rates of dental implants. The use of implants is projected to increase in the future. With a 5-10% failure rate, it is unclear the exact factors that are associated with implant failures. To improve upon these success rates, it is critical to understand parameters associated with implant failure including: periodontitis, peri-implantitis, systemic diseases, site preparation, dental history of the implant site, bone quality, materials, occlusion, and treatment timelines. While bone quality is associated with failure, objective measures to assess bone quality and characteristics are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine whether possible comorbidities, associated dental parameters, and measurable bone quality are possible predictors of implant failure. In this study, we utilized the electronic health record system axiUm® to retrospectively investigate non-failed (NF) and failed (F) dental implants from a patient cohort with 149 implants placed between 2012-2015 at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. A chart review was conducted extracting information on age, gender, systemic diseases, smoking, occlusal trauma, parafunction, bone grafting history, treatment timelines, implant site/type/placement protocol, infection, torque at placement, bone quality and microarchitecture assessed by the novel, innovative technology: trabecular bone score (TBS). A total of 149 implants, 46 failures and 105 non-failed controls, were selected based on similar implant sites. Preliminary data obtained from analysis suggests that average time from implant placement to failure was 6.6 months (0.55 years). Parafunction habit (p=0.0202) and increased number of implants (p=0.0478) were found to be associated with increased implant failure

Designing and Evaluating an Interprofessional Practice Experience Involving Dental and Pharmacy Students

Purpose: To describe the design and evaluation of an innovative interprofessional practice experience involving pharmacy and dental students. Background: Accreditation standards for pharmacy and dentistry schools mandate that interprofessional education (IPE) is introduced and practiced throughout the curriculum. There is a paucity of data involving interprofessional practice experiences with dental and pharmacy students. Description of Program: Pharmacy and dental student-teams conduct health and medication histories for patients seen at Temple University’s dental admissions clinic. Additionally, these teams collaborate to conduct tobacco cessation counseling for current tobacco users. This interprofessional practice experience was designed to prepare students to build more effective collaborative healthcare teams. In order to evaluate this experience, we measured student perceptions with the SPICE-R Instrument and collected student and faculty feedback regarding achievement of pre-specified learning objectives for the experience. Preliminary Results: The SPICE-R pre- and post-surveys were completed by 108 students (80 dental and 18 pharmacy) as part of the experience. Mean item scores significantly increased, indicating that student perceptions were more favorable after the practice experience. Mean scores on factor subscales significantly increased for all students (Interprofessional Teamwork and Team-Based Practice from 4.35 to 4.63, p\u3c0.001; Roles/Responsibilities for Collaborative Practice from 4.08 to 4.48, p\u3c0.001; Patient Outcomes from Collaborative Practice from 4.3 to 4.57, p\u3c0.001). The item and factor subscale increases were similar when analyzed separately by profession. The majority of dental and pharmacy faculty and students agreed that the learning objectives of this practice experience were achieved. Relevance: Pharmacy and dental students’ perceptions about IPE and collaborative practice were more favorable after completing this interprofessional practice experience which is consistent with previous studies. Recommendations: Evaluation of student perceptions of IPE can be utilized as one strategy to demonstrate learner outcomes within IPE. Faculty feedback can be utilized to evaluate IPE outcomes and improve practice experiences. Learning Objectives Describe approaches for engaging students and faculty in interprofessional practice experiences. Describe assessment strategies and tools that can be used to evaluate interprofessional practice experiences. Design an innovative interprofessional curriculum within a collaborative practice environment with attention to actualizing academic and clinical partnerships

Improving Dental Visits for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders through an Understanding of Sensory Processing

The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggests that dental practices will be seeing patients with this diagnosis more frequently. Although patients with ASD have similar dental needs to other patients, the symptoms of the disorder may influence the ability of dental practitioners to provide necessary care. Dental professionals may be unaware of the difficulties with sensory processing common to patients with ASD. However, awareness of sensory processing issues and knowledge of strategies to improve the sensory experience for individuals with ASD may improve dental visits for these patients and allow for enhanced dental care provision

Retroauricular Pleomorphic Adenoma Arising from Heterotopic Salivary Gland Tissue

A 38-year-old woman is described who presented with a slowly growing mass on the posterior aspect of the left ear. Excision and histopathologic evaluation revealed a pleomorphic adenoma (PA) originating from heterotopic salivary gland tissue. Many authors have presented cases of PAs originating from ceruminous glands in the external auditory canal or of so-called chondroid syringoma originating from apocrine and eccrine sweat glands. This is the only case in the recent literature of a PA originating from a heterotopic rest of salivary gland tissue in the retroauricular region. The 3 main sources of PAs, their embryologic derivation, and treatment are described

A classification of maxillary premolar sockets in relation to the osseous housing for immediate implant placement

The aim of this study was to establish a classification system for use in immediate implant placement by examining fresh extraction sockets in maxillary premolars and evaluation of the varying morphologies using CBCT imaging. Selection criteria included dentulous patients ages 15-85 that had CBCT imaging taken for varying treatment. A total of 400 maxillary premolars were classified by their root morphology as Type I (two-rooted premolar with interradicular bone), II (fused roots with mesiodistal alveolar constriction) or III (single blunted root with no interradicular bone). The internal root angle was measured for all Type 1 maxillary first premolars (n=40), as well as the interradicular septal bone height. A Type 1 premolar socket is present in 32% of the sampled maxillary first and second premolars. Type 2 socket was present in 22% of premolars, and type 3 socket was present in 46% of premolars. The average internal angle formed between the long axis of the crown versus the long axis of the palatal root was 11.46 ± 4.35° (range 4° to 20.7°). The average interradicular septal bone height was of 6.9 ± 1.6 mm (range 3.28 to 9.61). Type I root form had the highest incidence at maxillary first premolars sites and has the most alveolar bone available, thus having a higher probability for primary stability. The type III root form is most common in the maxillary second premolar site and has the least amount of alveolar support for immediate implant placement. The angulation and alveolar bone support provided by the palatal root in Type I root form maxillary first premolar sites may provide stability for an immediate implant at an appropriate prosthetic position