Chairside testing for cariogenic bacteria: current concepts and clinical strategies

Modern approaches to dental caries such as STEM (System for Total Environmental Management) are based on a whole-of-patient and whole-of-biofilm approach to the disease. There are now multiple lines of evidence which indicate that dental caries is a multi-pathogen disease and that mutans streptococci may participate but are not critically essential for disease to occur. A number of new strategies for controlling caries risk are currently being explored, based on the modern biofilm concept. Clinical diagnostic kits examine plaque or saliva for features of the biofilm which are surrogates (markers) of the disease process can be useful in clinical patient management since these can be undertaken at chairside

Oral health students as reflective practitioners: changing patterns of student clinical reflections over a period of 12 months

The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of reflection shown by bachelor of oral health students in relation to their clinical and professional practice.Reflective learning was embedded as a topic in the oral health curriculum within the discipline of dental hygiene practice. Reflective journal writing was integrated with clinical practice and linked with assessment requirements. Students' reflective writing was analyzed thematically to elucidate levels of reflection based on Boud's 4 Rs of Reflection (review, react, relate and respond) over a period of 12 months. Differences in the levels of reflection at different time intervals were examined.Students' ability to critically reflect improved over the period of 12 months. The predominant level of reflection changed from primarily descriptive and superficial at the start of the academic year to primarily critical and relational by the end. As expected, the highest level of critical reflection (respond) occurred infrequently, although it became more frequent as the academic year progressed.Bachelor of oral health students do reflect critically. Regular reflective writing contributed to the development of critical reflective skills in the context of clinical and professional development

Oral health literacy: Implications for the oral health professional

The term "literacy" is commonly used in education and is increasingly mentioned in the health literature and policy documents. Academic literacy, informational literacy, oral literacy, print literacy and numeracy, health literacy, mental health literacy all refer to something quite different. In recent years, the term "oral health literacy" has surfaced. What exactly is oral health literacy? Why should oral health professionals be aware? This article aims to describe the concept of oral health literacy and discuss its importance, relevance and practical application for the oral health professional

Marfan syndrome: a review of the literature and case report

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a connective tissue disorder of variable inheritance that affects multiple organ systems. Cardiovascular, ocular, and skeletal abnormalities are cardinal features of the syndrome. Orofacially, MFS patients typically exhibit skeletal class II malocclusion, dolichofacial growth pattern, mandibular retrognathia, malar hypoplasia, high arched palate, dental crowding, and root anomalies. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the literature, as well as describe an 11-year-old female with MFS diagnosed at the age of 10.5 years. This report emphasizes the orofacial findings in MFS and highlights particularities of dental treatment when social deficits and intellectual disabilities are also implicated