Digital Teaching Tools and Medical Education – Challenges and Solutions

Introduction: The modern educational process must integrate new tools, to keep pace with technological advances. The current generation of students (Generation Z-“digital natives”) have specific demands regarding the learning process, because they are familiar from their early childhood with technology, being declared supporters of independent and active learning style, based on visual, tactile, and kinesthetic content as well as practical activities, and less on theoretical lectures. Significant changes are required in this context, and the academic curricula must be re-designed to keep its efficacy. Our paper aims to investigate the extent to which the preferences of medical students for the autonomous use of multimedia resources in the learning process are correlated with their opinions towards Internet and the intensity of using it in their daily activities. Methods: We investigated 551 medical students from 4 Romanian medical universities, 76.2% females, 63.7% in the 1st and 2nd years of study. Students were asked to express on Likert-scales their agreement with a list of statements about Internet services, as well as whether they like learning using multimedia tools and how intensively they use Internet services. Results: The students agree to a medium to large extent with the favorable statements about Internet services but are also aware of the negative influences that indiscriminate use of such technology can have. The intensity of Internet usage is high, although not exaggerated. The score of favorable opinions about Internet services is statistically significant correlated with the students’ agreement to use digital tools in learning; the students enjoy the online learning, as well as the PowerPoint presentations and the documentation online. Conclusions: Generally speaking, the students who enjoy using multimedia resources for learning are constant users of Internet services as well; they use Internet mainly for information, and in the second place for communication through instant messaging applications

NON-INVASIVE ERGONOMIC METHODS OF EVALUATION INVOLVED IN ORAL REHABILITATION IN VIEW OF SURGICAL PROCEDURES

The age interval of 18-35 brings together a lot of patients with morpho-functional particularities which decisively influence the therapeutic approach in the field of partial edentation, aspect which includes the correlation of these parameters with the general condition. The aim of this study quantifies the contribution of the non invasive and minimally invasive methods of paraclinical evaluation corroborated with the clinical aspects, a particularly important element being represented by the inter-relation between the general condition – oral pathology. The study group was represented by patients with ages between 18 and 35 years, diagnosed with partial edentation, with various problems of the general condition. The non-invasive therapy and the minimally invasive therapy of diagnostic govern the territory of the adolescent stomatology, determining statistically significant correlations between the general condition reflected in the thermographic trajectories and the oral pathology supported by the classic paraclinical examinations in dental medicine

PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF RECONSTRUCTION, USING NANOFIBRILLATED STRUCTURES

Aim of the study The purpose of this study is to conduct a rigorous analysis of the dental reconstruction methods based on the non-metallic vs. metallic register, in complete agreement with the type of dental destruction and the type of static or dynamic occlusion of the patient. Material and methods The study included 57 patients aged between 21-65 years, who reported to the dental cabinet to treat various coronary odontal lesions, extended in surface and depth, which triggered various functional disorders, especially related to physiognomy and mastication. For their morpho-functional rehabilitation the Reforpost Fiber Glass Kit (Angelus) fibrillated system was used (intra-radicular pivots) reinforced with fiberglass. Luxa Core Z was used for fixation, a nanohybrid composite with double polymerization. Results The results obtained indicate that this system shows multiple advantages: it ensures an excellent esthetic look, it shows very good retention (due to the parallel form, with slots), high radio-opaqueness that allows radiographic visualization, an elasticity that is similar to the dentine (low risk of root fracture), the conical shape translates into less tissue removed from the apical third of the radicular canal, the high percentage of fibers ensures excellent mechanical properties as, due to the longitudinal fibers, it can be easily removed and by the direct use (prefab) the working time and costs are reduced. Conclusions The choice of nano-fibrillar structures in odontal reconstructions with various types of composite materials is in complete agreement with a series of local factors, the clinical finality being characterized by the proper esthetic reconstruction and an optimum resistance, in compliance with the types of forces that act on this level

METHODS OF REINFORCEMENT – IMPLICATIONS IN THE OPTIMIZATION OF COMPLETE DENTURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLINICAL PARTICULARITIES

The clinical reality of the total edentation from the point of view of the impact on the general condition of the patient, with extremely serious disturbances on the body pattern, correlated with the variety of clinical situations, always impregnated by the current social aspects, are only a few elements that advocate optimizing the total prosthesis structure by different reinforcement methods. The aim of the study is the practical materialization of the possibilities of optimization of the parameters of totally removable prostheses by associating the types of acrylate with the method of reinforcement with polyethylene fibers and metal nets. Material and method :A total of 12 specimens were made in the form of thin rectangular plates with a longitudinal dimension of 40 mm, a width of about 20 mm, having a thickness ranging from 1.8 to 2.5.Biomechanical tests were done on a HEKERT 50 machine (on a 10 kN scale) and on a Textenser test machine (500N maximum force).The test specimens have combined the different types of acrylate used in dental practice by associating it with various forms of reinforcement, represented by metal nets, respectively polyethylene fibers. Results and discussions: After the examination of the traction patterns of the traction specimens, the following aspects were noted: Unarmed materials showed cross-sectional sections, slightly corrugated with respect to the direction of force. The armed (asymmetric) materials yielded to areas without reinforcement (cracks usually starting from the hole made at the gripping ends). The cracks produced in the reinforcing areas had the following directions: transverse to the reinforcing fibers: I (acrylate and randomly arranged polyethylene fibers), II (acrylate, longitudinally disposed polyethylene fibers), III (acrylate, metal mesh). Conclusions: In the optimization of the therapeutic solutions excellent results are obtained in case of reinforcement with polyethylene fibers longitudinally disposed. It is known that the clinical particularity dictates the final design of the total prosthesis, so in the case of patients with muscular hypertonia, the optimal therapeutic solution remains the reinforcement with polyethylene fibers due to the very good adherence of the polyethylene fibers to the acrylate followed by the metal mesh reinforcement

BIOMATERIALS USED IN ORAL REHABILITATION OF THE EDENTULOUS ALLERGIC PATIENTS

The aim of this study was to present some practical possibilities of oral rehabilitation by using thermoplastic materials and flexible biomaterials for the removable dentures in edentulous allergic patients. . Material and Methods: The study lot included a number of 20 patients diagnosed with total and partially extended edentation showing allergies to classic acrylic prostheses, manifested at the level of the oral mucosa. They presented allergenic reactions when they were treated by removable dentures made by classic PMMA. After methodical clinical and complementary examinations, the patients received a new prosthetic treatment made by thermoplastic materialsand flexible biomaterials, according with particularities of clinical case Results: The construction of a total denture using the Polyan thermosetting material (modified methacrylate). The main feature of this material refers to the content of residual monomer, which is significantly lower than in the case of conventional dentures based on thermos-polymerizable polymethyl methacrylate. Flexible, monomer-free biomaterials are the ideal therapeutic choice in case of patients diagnosed with partially extended edentation who show allergies to classic acrylates. Conclusions: Nowadays, thermoplastic materials, due to their superior properties and their precision of manufacturing in the dental lab represent a better alternative used for removable dentures, comfortable and very well accepted by patients

CONTEMPORARY THERAPEUTIC DECISIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF VARIOUS TYPES OF EDENTATION

The choice of a removable therapeutic solution is the result of a careful analysis of the prosthetic field particularities, a special attention being paid to the evaluation of the odonto-periodontal support, of the mucous-bone support and of the presence of local, loco-regional or general complications. Aim: The study aimed at the individualization of flexible removable therapeutic methods represented by acrylic elastic prosthesis made up of various elastic materials, namely Flexite and Biodentaplast as a long term provisory therapeutic method, with well defined roles. Materials and Methods:Based on a lot of patients, we selected and investigated a group made up of 11 patients – 7 women and 4 men, coming from the urban environment in a proportion of 54.55% and from the rural environment in a proportion of 45.45%, who were examined within the clinical facility of Dental Medical Education of the Faculty of Dental Medicine – “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi. All patients had a diagnosis of partial edentation, of a varied etiology and with various complications in the absence of an efficient therapy or even due to faulty prosthetics. Results:The sum of clinical-biological indices is an undisputable marker of successful clinic finality in the case of various types of fixed or removable restorations. With regard to the edentation classes at the maxillary level, one can notice a prevalence of total edentation, followed by subtotal edentation in a proportion of 23.5 %, the next one being represented by Class I Kennedy, in a proportion of 20.6%, class III Kennedy having a\ud percentage of 14.7% while Class II and IV Kennedy had equal percentages. With regard to the odontal support, we notice a prevalence of the odonto-periodontal support in 35% of the cases, followed by a less favorable odontal support in 25% of the cases, an unfavorable odontal support in 20% and a very favorable support in 20% of the cases..Conclusions:Elastic removable dentures are a successful therapeutic alternative, the therapeutic decision for this treatment being in full agreement with the status of the clinical-biological and odonto-periodontal indices, as well as the type of occlusion

The Role Of Noninvasive Therapy In Partial Edentation Homeostatic Rehabilitatio

This study aims, at identifying the contribution of the noninvasive and minimally invasive therapy such as ozone therapy, in rehabilitation of partially edentulous patient. Material and method: the study group was represented by patients with ages between 29 and 59 years, diagnosed with partial edentation, treated in Clinical Base for Learning from the School of Dental Medicine, Iasi, between 2007 and 2010. Ozone therapy was used as treatement on a number of 130 patients with different pathologies and we evaluated clinically and paraclinically the results optained by comparative anallysis of data. Results: The results optained subsequent to clinical and paraclinical evaluation show the positive effect of ozone therapy in speeding the process of healing and biostimulative role on each level of the stomatognatic system

STUDY ON ELEVATION OF PARTIALLY REMOVABLE PROSTHESES IN SYSTEMIC CONTEXT IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS

The quality of life is in to the close relationship with maintenance of oral health, part of general health which is affected or which influence, having in the end, a great impact on mental condition and integration. The aim of our study was to establish the main criteria for the choice of partially movable prostheses in geriatric patients in a systemic context. Material and method.The study was conducted on a group of 60 geriatric patients diagnosed with various forms of general pathology corroborated with various edentational forms presented on the basis of the Clinic of , Iasi. Education of the Faculty of Dental MedicineAll patients underwent a complex clinical examination , supported by paraclinical assessments. which allowed the establishment of a biological balance sheet.Results and discussions Following the subjective clinical examination (anamnesis and questionnaire), we identified 34% of cases with diabetes, 36% with cardiovascular pathology, 9% with respiratory pathology (COPD and Asthma), 10 % of cases with diabetes associated with HTA, 1 1% cases of digestive pathology (chronic gastritis, hepato-biliary pathology). Conclusions:The flexible dentures observe these criteria better than those of conventional acrylate. The implied patients prefer flexible acrylate at a rate of 100

Medicine Students’ Opinions Post-COVID-19 Regarding Online Learning in Association with Their Preferences as Internet Consumers

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted e-learning as a critical component that ensured the continuity of students’ education processes. In this regard, many research groups aim to provide new scientific data about the efficiency and benefits of e-learning for healthcare students. Our study aims to evaluate the attraction of e-learning among medical and dental Romanian students, in association with their preferences as internet and computer consumers. The study enrolled 551 students in medicine from four Romanian Universities of Medicine and Pharmacy, located in major cities (Iași—64.6%, Craiova—19.6%, Timișoara—14.5% and Cluj Napoca—1.3%), mostly females (76.2%), from the first and second years of study (63.7%) or the fourth to sixth years of study (23.3%), aged 18–20 years (53.9%). To investigate their opinions about the efficiency of e-learning, we used an anonymous questionnaire with 31 items regarding advantages (17 items) and possible drawbacks (14 items). The students in medicine had favourable opinions about online learning because these tools are more comfortable (75.2%) and more flexible (60.1%). The main reasons for disagreement were the lack of direct communication and human interaction with teachers (53.2%), limitations due to the particularities of some disciplines that cannot be easily transferred to the online environment (46.4%), and the lack of proper motivation (32.5%). Older students, who liked to use multimedia resources in the learning process and used the internet mainly for information purposes or domestic facilities, had the highest scores for favourable opinions about online learning. The younger students, who did not prefer using multimedia resources in the learning process, also had the highest scores for disagreement regarding online learning. There were no statistically significant differences between genders

THE IMPLICATIONS OF PROSTHESIS TYPE IN THE THERAPEUTICAL SUCCESS OF PARTIALLY EXTENDED EDENTULOUS

Edentulism represents a complex clinical entity, having an important impact on the facial harmony and the general condition of the body. The aim of this study is to identify the local, regional and general complications of the edentulism, as well as the evaluating and treatment methods according to some particular cases.Twenty subjects from the Faculty of Dentistry of Iasi, Clinical and Education Base have been evaluated and diagnosed with different complications of the partial edentulism. The clinical and paraclinical methods were minimally invasive or non- invasive methods.We remark the prevalence of the local complications represented by the vertical and horizontal migrations, 45% being associated with regional complications such as articular dysfunctions according to the amplitude and age of edentulism, as well as the start of the specialty therapy.The therapeutical aspects included the temporary prosthetic treatment in order to rehabilitate the static and dynamic occlusion parameters, affected by the edentulism and its complications.Therapeutical aspects corroborated with the specific evaluating methods depend on the particular case. These essential aspects lead to the final treatment plan (fixed or mobile)