Journal of Disability and Oral Health

Volume 18 Number 2 September 2017

Editorial

Conscious sedation using propofol for the treatment of patients with hypersensitive gag reflexes

C Dickinson, H M S Anwar, M Burke, E Heidari, S Koburunga, J Edwards and N Nizarali

Patient referrals to special needs dental units in Tasmania, Australia

M A W T Lim and G L Borromeo

The oral health status of Special Olympics athletes in Trinidad and Tobago: thirteen years later

Hema Singh, Rahul Naidu, Christina Royer and Ashley Meighan

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and its implications for dental treatment (FOP): A case report

J Doughty, C Steel, P Thakrar and N Kuma

Editorial

There are times when you realise the effect education plays in people’s lives and this invited speech delivered by a recent dental graduate to the combined Dental and Medical graduation ceremony at the University of Liverpool is one of them.

The speech, written and delivered by Dominic Price, speaks for itself and truly highlights the power of belief, trust and motivation. I felt this was something to share with others.

Shelagh Thompson, Liverpool, UK 

Graduation Speech to University of Liverpool Dental and Medical Graduates July 2017

Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, distinguished guests, family, friends, and fellow graduates.

For those who don’t know me, I’m Dominic, a mature student, at least by definition anyway.  I have been asked to talk to you briefly today because there may just be one person in the room who might benefit from hearing my story. A quote I heard recently, “If you march fearlessly in the direction of your dreams, somehow the world conspires to help you”. For me, this sums up how I have ended up standing here talking to you today.

Thirteen years ago, I couldn’t see my dream through the fog of whatever it is that turns a teenager’s brain to mush. I loved learning but hated education, and those who asked me at the time what I wanted to do just got a confused mumble and a shrug in return. I dropped out of school with three AS levels at C and below and an unclassified grade. At the toss of a coin, I went to study plumbing at Further Education FE College rather than joining the Armed Forces, and four years later I was a craftsman for the gas board, a job which turned my relationship with education the right way up and strapped an engine on for good measure. Looking back, if I had resat at college and only achieved mediocre grades, I would not have been able to apply to dental school when I did. Not continuing was the right decision for me, both at the time and in the long term.

At this point three things happened in close succession involving 3 of the most influential women in my life;

• My mum had to be operated on by an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon, which opened my eyes to the world of medicine.

• My step mum, who I had only known for a few years and who is a dentist, casually commented while talking about our jobs that, “Dentistry is just like plumbing, only smaller”!

• A friend in her final year of medical school told me about her university life, her plans to work and travel around the world, and how, “anyone can do it, you just have to work hard”.

With some help and guidance, I started using my annual leave to get work experience, which confirmed for me that if I was going to live without regret, I had to take a chance, so I handed in my notice, moved to the north west, and enrolled on an Access to Higher Education course (to mitigate my AS results (Advanced Subsidiary Level qualifications UK). At the time, there were only a handful of dental schools that would accept an Access course for entry criteria, and thankfully the University of Liverpool was one, I still remember the day I received the offer with such relief, surely the hard bit had been done.

I turned 25 in Fresher’s week. I had decided to live in halls of residence where everyone else was at least five years younger than me, but I am so pleased that I did because I had some amazing experiences and made friends for life. By the 2nd year, I was going out with that medical student, now doctor friend, who was doing exactly as she had planned and was working in Australia. It was while on holiday together that she had finished reading five books by the end of the second day and was trying to read mine over my shoulder but was getting frustrated at finishing two pages and having to wait five minutes for me to catch up, that I was harassed (she would prefer motivated) into ‘getting tested’. It wasn’t long before I was diagnosed with dyslexia, and suddenly there were tools and methods and systems in place to make life (and public speaking) easier.

Now life is not as perfect as social media makes out, and I ended up resitting the third year, but I needed to, and I don’t think I would have it any other way with hindsight. But there is always a positive and I had managed to persuade my girlfriend back from Australia and we were married a year later. During my repeat 3rd year my wife and I bought a house together, and while all this was going on I had become involved in the dental school student committee and the British Dental Student Association, so that by the time I was in 4th year I was the BDSA president and had the opportunity to work with the European Dental Student Association on a visiting programme in Stockholm.

In the 5th year, we had to go through national recruitment to Dental Foundation Training, and finals. This filled me with dread because I have a deep-seated discomfort with amateur dramatics, and both processes involve an element of performance. Thankfully, at the beginning of the year during a lecture, the Head of the Dental School Professor Callum Youngson offered to help anyone who wanted it, you just had to ask. So, I did. And in the weeks leading up to both milestone events, we discussed ways to manage my emotions and developed coping strategies to give me the best chance of performing well enough to get through. Since receiving the finals results my now four-week-old son was born and we moved home when he was a week old to be closer to family and my job starting in September.

So, from 17-year-old college dropout to married dental graduate, home owner, and new father, here are some things I’ve learned along the way:

• Throw yourself in at the deep end, take every opportunity that presents itself, you can do more than you think possible.

• Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Don’t be afraid of failure; use it to your advantage.

• Make as many friends as you can along the way, they are what get you through.

To end I would like to thank all the friends, staff and students alike, and family for getting us all here today, to congratulate you all for this massive achievement. Also to say that if you have a feeling that there is something you should do, no matter how sideways it is, do it, because somehow the world will conspire to help you. Thank you.

Dominic Price, BDS University of Liverpool, England UK

Conscious sedation using propofol for the treatment of patients with hypersensitive gag reflexes

C Dickinson1, H M S Anwar 2, M Burke1, E Heidari3, S Koburunga3, J Edwards4 and N Nizarali1

1. Consultant in Special Care Dentistry, 2. Specialist registrar in Periodontics; Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust; 3. Senior Specialist Clinical Teacher, King’s College London Dental Institute, 4. Consultant in Special Care Dentistry, King’s College Hospital NHS Trust

Abstract

Gagging is defined as an ejectory contraction of the muscles of the pharyngeal sphincter. This is a normal healthy physiological mechanism, preventing foreign objects from entering the pharynx, larynx or trachea. Although gagging is cited as a normal protective reflex, problems have emerged with some patients suffering from a hypersensitive response whilst undergoing basic dental treatment. This paper discusses the problem and describes six case reports in which propofol was used to help overcome patient difficulties.

Patient referrals to special needs dental units in Tasmania, Australia

M A W T Lim and G L Borromeo

Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Australia

ABSTRACT

Even though Special Needs Dentistry has now been recognised as a dental specialty in Australia for more than a decade little is known about the nature of referrals to units dedicated to treating patients with special needs.

Aims and Objectives: To determine the types of patients referred to special needs dental units staffed by general dentists and the reason(s) for these referrals.

Methodology: Referrals for all patient appointments at Special Care Dental Units in the state of Tasmania during August 2015 were reviewed.

Results: Most referrals were from medical practitioners for the management of oral implications of medical conditions or medications. Hospital referrals originated mainly from oncology and geriatric evaluation and management units. Patients had an average of 3 medical conditions. Referrals relating to medications were generally related to the use of Bisphosphonates and Denosumab, and for chemotherapy patients.

Conclusions: This study provides details of the types of patients referred to special needs dental units. In particular, it provides insight into the awareness of the oral implications of medical conditions and medications on oral health and dental treatments amongst the medical profession and thus the importance of interactions between oral health professionals and other health professionals. Furthermore, the data stimulates discussion about the potential influence of clinic location and workforce on patient referrals.

The oral health status of Special Olympics athletes in Trinidad and Tobago: thirteen years later

Hema Singh DDS MPH, Rahul Naidu BDS PhD, Christina Royer DDS and Ashley Meighan BSc DDS

The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago

ABSTRACT

Aim and Objective: To assess the oral health status of Special Olympics athletes in Trinidad and Tobago in 2017 and compare the results of this study against the previous data collected in 2004 and with recent data from Special Olympic athletes worldwide. Methodology: A convenience sample of athletes who participated in the Special Olympics Special Smiles Healthy Athletes screening programme. The standardised Special Olympics screening form was used for the oral health assessment of each athlete. Results: 120 athletes participated. The mean age of participants was 24.1 years with a range of 5–80 years; 70.8% were male and 9.2% reported having dental pain. The prevalence of untreated decay was higher in 2017 than in 2004 (69.2% vs 43.7%), and gingival signs were present in 72.5% of the athletes in 2017 compared to 33.7% in 2014. There was an increase in participants with filled teeth (14.2% vs 9%) but a decrease in sealed teeth in 2017 (0.8% vs 2.9%). Urgent treatment need was found in 32.5% of the athletes. In comparison to Special Olympics athletes worldwide, the findings from Trinidad and Tobago were similar to those from developing countries in the Far-east and Eastern Europe.

Conclusion: The oral health status of Special Olympics athletes in Trinidad and Tobago suggests an urgent need to develop oral health promotion for people with intellectual disabilities and improve their access to oral healthcare.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and its implications for dental treatment (FOP): A case report

J Doughty^1,2, C Steel¹, P Thakrar¹ and N Kumar^1,2

1.                  University College London Hospitals. 2.University College London

Abstract

Aims: This case report discusses the general and dental manifestations of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) and details the dental management considerations particular to this case.

Method: A case report methodology was employed to describe the clinical encounter of a patient with FOP.

Case summary: FOP is an extremely rare hereditary disorder characterised by progressive ossification of the tendons, ligaments, fasciae and striated muscles. The patient’s primary oral complaint was a complete inability to separate the upper and lower jaws, which were “locked” into position. At the age of twenty he underwent extraction of the lower right third molar, which led to progressive ossification and subsequent fixation of the jaws. The patient presented with pain and dental infection over multiple appointments. Treatment planning involved a multi-professional approach including oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral surgery and special care dentistry teams. A novel approach using cone beam CT to identify the location and extent of carious lesions was used. Risk assessment was critical as dental extractions posed a risk of uncontrolled heterotrophic bone formation; the provision of dental restorations posed the risk of inadequate visualisation / placement and trauma to the oral tissues when retracting.

Conclusions: This case poses both a clinical and ethical dilemma. After weighing the potential risks and benefits of dental treatment, there was no clear answer to this case – the plan is for the multi-disciplinary team to provide high quality preventative care and monitor the patient closely, with surgical intervention dictated by pain / infection frequency and any further dental deterioration.

Journal of Disability and Oral Health

Volume 18 Number 1 June 2017

Contents

Editorial

Deep Brain Stimulation: literature review of the unseen challenges to optimal dentistry

G X D Lim

Dental students’ attitudes towards understanding of health, disability and disease in dental patients in Wales, UK: a foundation for special care dentistry

H E Redford and P A Atkin

Oral health status and treatment needs of school children undergoing special education integrated programme in Malaysia – a pilot study

J John, S A Mani, V K Joshi, L Y Kuan, H W Lim, S LWan-Lin, L A Shoaib and R A Omar

Special Care Dentistry in Saudi Arabia: development as a dental specialty - an opinion paper

Hassan Abed

Editorial

Looking back – the journey towards Special Care Dentistry

Today, Special Care Dentistry (SCD) sits proudly alongside other dental specialties in the UK as in other countries across the world. Whilst it is one of the newest (12th), and most ‘fresh-faced’ dental specialty in the UK, there is a long history to how it came to fruition, through the vision and efforts of many dentists, and with the engagement, input and involvement of people with a disability.

Its raison d’être is to promote good oral health and function for people with a disability, together with others who have an important role alongside the dental team. Seventeen years ago - a new millennium - the year 2000, was significant in many ways. I recall seeing-in the new century on the Malvern Hills, with crystal-clear starlit skies – joined by many others, who, like me, were thinking of what the future would bring.

For Special Care Dentistry, that year was a turning point – The Joint Advisory Committee for Special Care Dentistry (JACSCD) was established as a freestanding committee, to ‘promote and oversee the introduction of training programmes, the development of curricula and training standards and formative assessment processes’ (Woof, 2000; Fiske, 2006).

‘A case of need – a proposal for a Specialty in Special Care Dentistry’ (JACSCD; 2003a) and, ‘Training in Special Care Dentistry’ were both published in 2003 (JACSCD; 2003b). Two years later, the General Dental Council approved in principle the establishment of a Specialty of SCD.

Yet, in reality, it was the ‘end of the beginning’; it is important to understand that the speciality grew out of a complex interaction and vision of many stakeholders, including the Royal Colleges, British Society for Disability and Oral Health, the British Dental Association, British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry, the Royal Colleges, lay people, and those with a disability. The journey towards the speciality was long and sometimes difficult, but it was vitally important for those individuals with a disability who were supported by promoting good oral health and function. It was a time of great change and a challenge for the many organisations and individuals who had shared values, but where care pathways and processes sometimes differed. The debate lasted many years, but the specialty of Special Care Dentistry is now on course providing consultant and specialist led services, training and importantly, education to future generations of dental team members at undergraduate and post-graduate level.

A future paper in the Journal of Disability and Oral Heath will provide further detail of the ‘The Journey’ to establishing the specialty both as a historical record and with the hope others will find the resilience to promote and advocate for similar developments in their countries.

References

Woof M. Specialisation in Special Care Dentistry - where from, where now, where to?

J Disability Oral Health 2000; 1: 34-38.

Fiske J. Special Care Dentistry (Editorial). Br Dent J 2006 200: 61.

Joint Advisory Committee for Special Care Dentistry. A Case of Need – a proposal for a Specialty in Special Care Dentistry. London: JACSCD; 2003a.

Joint Advisory Committee for Special Care Dentistry. Training in Special Care Dentistry. London: JACSCD; 2003b.

Marcus Woof

Hon. Senior Lecturer, Disability Studies

University of Birmingham, School of Dentistry.

Deep Brain Stimulation: literature review of the unseen challenges to optimal dentistry

G X D Lim MSc

Nanyang Polytechnic (Adjunct Lecturer), Geriatrics and Special Care Dental Centre NDCS (Visiting Clinician), Eastman Dental Institute (MSc Graduate)

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation is an implantable electrical generator increasingly used nowadays for movement or neuropsychological conditions. It was reported to cause significant morbidity and mortality when used with various dental devices.

AIMS: This literature review seeks to unveil hazards, analyse current guidelines and practices, and highlight the controversies practitioners face when caring for individuals with deep brain stimulation.

METHODOLOGY: Cochrane database, Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed searches were executed using MeSH terms “deep brain stimulation” AND “dentist*”. An open (basic) search for the databases was also done. Information from practice recommendations of the Parkinson’s Society UK, American Parkinson’s Disease Association, National Parkinson Foundation US, European Parkinson’s Disease Society, Parkinson’s Australia, FDA (US), and MEDSCAPE were also analysed for insights regarding deep brain stimulation and dentistry.

RESULTS: A total of 1,778 articles were found and screened, of which 15 were reviewed in full text and 10 were deemed relevant for qualitative synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS: Previous literature suggested diathermy use and post-treatment infections are the main concerns with deep brain stimulation. A deeper understanding of the safety concerns involving other dental procedures (including electrocautery, lasers, lithotripsy, magnetic resonance imaging, radiation therapy, and ultrasound) with deep brain stimulation use is required. In addition, antibiotic prophylaxis recommendations differ internationally. There are also concerns regarding the timing of dental interventions after deep brain stimulation and various considerations during general anaesthesia. This article arranges and summarises these concerns for the perusal of all dental practitioners.

Dental students’ attitudes towards understanding of health, disability and disease in dental patients in Wales, UK: a foundation for special care dentistry

H E Redford1 and P A Atkin2

1General Dental Practitioner, Swansea, 2Consultant/Hon. Senior Lecturer, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University

Abstract

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to explore ideas relating to the wider medical knowledge and attitudes towards understanding of human health, disability and disease in dentistry amongst dental undergraduate students in different stages of the BDS programme at School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Wales.

Methods: A questionnaire relating to students’ attitudes, perceptions and knowledge concerning human health, disability and disease was distributed to first, third and final year students. The questionnaire used Likert scales to allow students to easily rate their attitudes on this topic.

Results: Most students (99%) perceived human disease/clinical medical sciences for dentistry teaching to be relevant to dentistry. Students in their final year perceived themselves to be the most confident with their knowledge of human disease and their ability to use their knowledge when treating patients, compared to third and first year students. The majority of dental students surveyed perceived that dental patients would expect their dentist to have good understanding of their problems with heath, disability and disease and how these problems may impact on treatment choices (81%), but, that patients did not recognise that dental students learned about human health and disease (44%).

Conclusions: The results indicate that dental students recognise that human diseases/clinical medical sciences teaching in dentistry are an essential component of undergraduate curriculum. The teaching provides students with increased knowledge of this topic area along with confidence in using this knowledge whilst treating patients. Students feel that as a dentist, they should have a good understanding of medical problems, disability and disease and how this impacts on treatment and also believe this is what patients expect. A sound understanding of patients’ medical history is key to safe practice, and identifying those patients who may need special consideration when planning dental treatments. The undergraduate human diseases/clinical medical sciences teaching in dentistry, which is later built upon with undergraduate teaching in Special Care Dentistry and sedation provides a good foundation for future safe clinical practice for all patients, whatever their special needs may be.

Oral health status and treatment needs of school children undergoing special education integrated programme in Malaysia – a pilot study

J John1, S A Mani2, V K Joshi1, L Y Kuan3, H W Lim3, S LWan-Lin3, L A Shoaib2 and R A Omar1

1Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry; 2Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry; 3Faculty of Dentistry: University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

AbstracT

Aim and objective. This pilot study aimed to assess oral health status and treatment needs among children with special needs (CWSN) in a Special Education Integrated Programme school in Malaysia, to determine the feasibility of verifying a baseline prior to conducting an intervention programme.

Methodology. A total of 82 CWSN with different types of learning disabilities aged 6-12 years old, who complied with the criteria, participated in this study. Data were collected by clinical examination and analysed using SPSS 20.0 system.

Results. Among the respondents, 62% had one or more decayed teeth, 80% did not have any restorations in their oral cavity and 70% had between moderate to severe plaque index score. Almost all the CWSN required oral hygiene education while more than half required oral prophylaxis and restorative treatment. Only 21% required extraction and 12% were advised to undergo orthodontic treatment. 7.3% of CWSN presented with tooth anomalies. More than a third had either Class I or Class II incisor relationship respectively and two-thirds presented with Class I facial profile. 13% of CWSN had undesirable oral habits.

Conclusion. CWSN who participated in this pilot study had satisfactory oral health status, however, they lacked adequate oral hygiene awareness and required further reinforcement.

Special Care Dentistry in Saudi Arabia: development as a dental specialty - an opinion paper

Hassan Abed BDS MSc Candidate

Department of Basic and Clinical Oral Sciences, Umm Alqura University, Faculty of Dentistry, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Department of Sedation and Special Care Dentistry, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital (GSTT) National Health Services (NHS) Trust, King’s College London, United

Abstract

Special Care Dentistry (SCD) is an unrecognised speciality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and it is not currently taught as a major part of undergraduate or postgraduate dental curricular. The number of people with special needs is expected to increase based on the presence of many risk factors. For instance, the government is facing a rising burden of road traffic injuries as a result of rapid changes in behaviours. Therefore, more survivors are expected who might live using wheelchairs or with permanent physical impairments. Additionally, the elderly population of Saudi Arabia is expected to grow from 1 million in 2000 to 7.7 million in 2050. Improvements in paediatric health care in Saudi Arabia are expected to increase the number of people living with chronic or debilitating medical conditions. Thereby, dental care providers must anticipate patients with chronic medical conditions and/or wheelchair users in their daily practice. Implementation of SCD in the undergraduate and postgraduate dental programmes in Saudi dental universities will help oral health care providers to manage these patients and involve them in the health care pathway.

Journal of Disability and Oral Health

Volume 17 Number 4 December 2016

Editorial

Oral health interventions for children and adolescents with disabilities: a scoping review

C Waldron, C MacGiolla Phadraig, C Comiskey and J Nunn                      

An evaluation of a blended intravenous cannulation teaching method in dentistry

E Heidari, B Kerr, S Rana and J T Newton

The use of lateral oblique radiographs in dental treatment planning for patients with special needs

A Pradhan and M Gryst

A case of status epilepticus in the dental surgery: learning through significant event audit

Z Khan and N Ransford

Editorial

Back to the future

Looking back recently at the archives of Journal of Disability and Oral Health (JDOH), I wondered if the aims of the journal were being met, since its inception in 2000. The JDOH was established by Professor June Nunn, the inaugural editor and our current, supportive publisher, Stephen Hancocks and a small and active editorial team. The opening editorial by The Lord Rix, President of MENCAP entitled ‘Teeth and People with Learning Disability’ stated ‘They deserve something better than that, and I am pleased that determined efforts are being made to offer something better—with this new journal playing an important part in that’.

Today, the aims of JDOH resonate with those sixteen years ago, ‘the Journal seeks to publish original work relating to all aspects relevant to the comprehensive oral care of people with disabilities. It is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and expertise in the area of special care dentistry and aims to give the reader, clinical and scientifically based papers, practical management techniques and case reports’.

Interestingly in the first Special Care Dentistry journal, Special Care in Dentistry, the opening editorial by Roger Scholle, Editor-in Chief in 1981 expressed a similar mission ‘to enhance and facilitate communication among those participating in this initiative to elevate the quality of life of patients with needs requiring special attention’. Furthermore ‘Special Care’s mission holds the promise of better oral health for all by expanding the area of competence of the dental profession. This mission will be accomplished when the concept of “special” patients becomes meaningless because they are being cared for as a matter of usual and accepted dental practice’.

All academic journals should have a clear vision and in 2015, the British Society of Disability and Oral Health refined the mission statement for the JDOH ‘to provide an international forum for exchange of knowledge and expertise in Special Care Dentistry through publication of peer-reviewed scientific papers, review articles, editorials and case reports.

The Journal of Disability and Oral Health aims to promote wider understanding within dentistry, medicine, nursing, social care, public health, government policy makers, disability organisations and educators; opening avenues to inclusiveness, and to contribute to the evidence base to improve the oral healthcare of people with medical, intellectual and physical and psychological impairments’.

Questions arise from taking a historical perspective of Special Care Dentistry (SCD) and there is a benefit to look back to look forward. Have the aims of the two English-language journals in SCD been achieved over the last 35 years? Do we understand what is best practice for the diverse patient populations that we serve; how robust is the evidence we have and where does it fit within the hierarchy of evidence? How do we evaluate the outcomes of our preventative and treatment strategies, with increasing treatment options available, yet often with budgetary constraints? Is what we do consistent between clinicians within one country, far less across SCD communities across the world? Have we engaged with colleagues in social care, public health, government policy makers, disability organisations and educators? Lastly, what challenges face us in the future?

Answers cannot be achieved in isolation and despite publications relating to SCD appearing in general and the other specialist SCD journal (Journal for the Japanese Society for Disability and Oral Health), many questions remain. Increasingly information is available in different languages and formats; however, there still remains a need for scientific journals to be the repositories for peer-reviewed publications to inform the evidence base.

Supporting publication

Although, the issue of obtaining Medline listing for JDOH has yet to be obtained, there is much to commend carrying on the challenge. The adage ‘We may encounter defeats but we must not be defeated’ by Maya Angelou is apt.

It is a matter of time for the building blocks put in place by those instrumental in advocating and developing SCD, albeit as a specialty in some countries and as an integral part of dentistry in others, to provide the solid academic foundation required to develop educational and research opportunities for undergraduates, postgraduates and the wider teams, to provide evidence-informed care for the increasingly complex and diverse needs of populations with disabilities within primary dental services. Unfortunately, this is not yet, the ‘usual and accepted dental practice’ advocated by Scholle in 1981.

Engagement

For the last 16 years, the JDOH has endeavoured to be part of the future in SCD. The journal remains a valuable resource for the readership of the supporting national and international societies, including educators and students in various spheres of interest globally to access peer-reviewed papers contributing to the scientific literature in SCD. One unsung achievement of JDOH is the contribution to the development of young authors, educators and researchers across the world; some of whom have limited academic support. The assistance afforded to them by our reviewers, who devote their time to drive up the academic standards is important, as these individuals and groups of authors have the vitality and belief their work will improve outcomes for patients.

Challenges and real-life issues face us in our day to day activities with our patients and the desire of dental teams to work collaboratively and creatively make a difference to the lives of patients. Research networks in SCD between academics, clinicians and other health and social care teams should continue to develop to investigate measure and record these issues using best practice in scientific enquiry, to form part of the historical, scientific record. In this way, we can learn from shared knowledge, experience and solutions found to improve better oral health and lead to change in ‘accepted dental practice’ (Scholle, 1981).

In essence, the aim of the Journal of Disability and Oral Health is to be here for the long haul, it is gaining momentum; the reward is being engaged in making a difference. Be part of it.                                                                   

                                                                        Shelagh Thompson, Liverpool 2016

References

The Lord Rix. Teeth and People with Learning Disability. J Disability Oral Health 2000; 1: 2.

Sackett et al. Evidence based medicine: what it is and what it isn’t. BMJ 1996; 312: 71-72.

Scholle R. Special Care in Dentistry What it’s all about. Spec Care Dent 1981; 1: 3.

Oral health interventions for children and adolescents with disabilities: a scoping review

C Waldron¹ RDH MSc MA (Health Promotion), C MacGiolla Phadraig², C Comiskey³ and J Nunn⁴

¹PhD Student in Special Care Dentistry School of Dental Science; ²Assistant Professor in Dental Public Health (Disability Issues), Division of Special Care Dentistry; ³Professor, Head of School, School of Nursing and Midwifery; ⁴Professor Emeritus, Division of Special Care Dentistry: Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin

ABSTRACT

Background:

The existing literature on improving the oral health and oral health related outcomes of children and adolescents with disabilities, reports on interventions targeting a range of groups, in very prescribed settings and using varying methods. This variability of measure, population and intervention makes synthesising this knowledge difficult. This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of the types of oral health interventions implemented for children and adolescents with disabilities (CAWD), prior to a more focused Cochrane supported Systematic Review. A scoping review is a practical methodological approach to finding relevant literature in a previously un-searched subject area.

Methodology:

A search strategy of five databases was developed and carried out. A screening protocol for the articles was piloted and implemented and inter-rater (n =2) agreement measured. The bibliographic software Endnote was used to record and manage the articles.

Results:

A total of 3,909 articles was identified. Duplicate, non-English language and articles not meeting the inclusion criteria following screening were excluded. 112 studies were finally included. The number of interventions has increase dramatically in the last 15 years. The usual disability targeted was intellectual. The most usual type of intervention was therapy based and all were very diverse. Skills-based interventions, which predominantly focused on tooth brushing skills, were the next most usual.

Conclusion: The use of a scoping review, to identify the range and type of oral health interventions for CAWD, has proved efficient and effective and has helped to focus the objectives of a Systematic Review of the topic.

An evaluation of a blended intravenous cannulation teaching method in dentistry

E Heidari¹ BDS MSc MFDS RCS (Eng) MA, B Kerr² BDS, MSc Mscd, S Rana³

BDS, MFJDP RCS (Eng) and J T Newton⁴ BA PhD


¹Senior Specialist Clinical Teacher; ²Consultant in Special Care Dentistry; ⁴ Professor in Psychology Applied to Dentistry: Department of Sedation and Special Care Dentistry King’s College London Dental Institute
Floor 26, Tower Wing. Guy’s Hospital.
Great Maze Pond. London. SE1 9RT. ³Dental Core Trainee 2 in Restorative Dentistry, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Dental Institute,
Bessemer Road,
Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS

Abstract

Introduction: Traditional teaching consists of face-to-face interaction whilst online uses digital media allowing learner control over the location, time and pace of their learning. Literature in intravenous (IV) cannulation training suggests blended teaching, essentially a combination of traditional and online teaching, may be effective. Using both teaching methods avoids the social isolation of online learning and an opportunity to clarify any ambiguity while still retaining the ability for the learner to revisit their knowledge and to assess it, to become a self-paced learner and have easy access to the learning material.

Aim: To evaluate a newly introduced teaching method (blended learning) in intravenous cannulation subject for final year dental undergraduate students (BDS 5) studying at King’s College London Dental Institute (KCLDI).

Method: Longitudinal cohort study. Participants completed traditional venepuncture training followed by e-learning. Upon completion of each type of learning the students rated their confidence in the technique and their felt need for assistance using a 100mm Visual Analogue scale.

Results: Ninety-two BDS 5 dental students (87% of all students in the cohort) participated. There were more female (55, 60%) students than male. Students reported increased self-confidence and decreased perceived need for assistance after having the blended learning in intravenous cannulation training in comparison to the traditional training alone (p≤0.05). There were no statistically differences between the genders.

Conclusion: Blended learning in IV cannulation among final year dental undergraduate students significantly increased self-confidence and decreased felt need for assistance.

The use of lateral oblique radiographs in dental treatment planning for patients with special needs

A Pradhan¹ and M Gryst²

¹Senior Lecturer, Oral Health Centre, The University of Queensland, ²Senior Consultant, Special Needs Unit, Adelaide Dental Hospital, Australia

Abstract

This case series describes four cases on the use of oblique lateral radiographs as an alternative technique where intra-oral radiographs or an orthopantomogram (OPG) are not possible due to the patients’ physical and/or intellectual disabilities. The cases represent patients across different age-groups (25-83 years), medical conditions (autism, dementia, intellectual disability) and varying clinical situations (assessment of third molars, decision to restore or extract teeth). The oblique lateral radiographs provided adequate radiographic information to confirm diagnosis and treatment. Due to the very short time exposure needed, oblique lateral radiographs are good alternatives to OPGs and still have a significant role in the diagnosis, treatment planning and therefore treatment outcomes for patients with special needs.

A case of status epilepticus in the dental surgery: learning through significant event audit

Z Khan¹ and N Ransford²

¹Community Dental Officer, ²Consultant in Special Care Dentistry, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust

Abstract

This report is of a 40-year-old patient with tuberous sclerosis who experienced an episode of status epilepticus associated with an urgent dental extraction. It highlights the lessons learned from this scenario and provides recommendations for the practice of those dentists who are more likely to have to manage such an event.