Development of orofacial pain programs in dental schools

This paper discusses the critical issues that surround the development of an orofacial pain program in a dental school and suggests strategies to address them. Since the University of Minnesota has an established orofacial pain program involved in both predoctoral and postdoctoral teaching, clinical and basic research, and interdisciplinary patient care over the past 20 years, this article uses this as a model for development of an orofacial pain program. The proposal includes overall goals, background and rationale, specific aims, and program activities, including teaching, research, patient care, and financial and resource needs. These features may be of assistance to those considering the development of such programs in the United States and elsewhere in the world.     

Fluorides in dental public health programs

The use of fluorides in dental public health programs has a long history. With the availability of fluoridation and other forms of fluorides, dental caries have declined dramatically in the United States. This article reviews some of the ways fluorides are used in public health programs and discusses issues related to their effectiveness, cost, and policy.     

Tobacco use cessation curricula in the U.S. dental schools and dental hygiene programs

Tobacco-related health problems are the most preventable forms of illness in the United States. By assuming proactive tobacco use cessation counseling roles, dentists and dental hygienists can help reduce the number of people who currently use tobacco. The literature reports that many oral health professionals feel unprepared to assume such roles. To help combat the problem of tobacco-related illness and to help prepare dentists and dental hygienists to assume tobacco use cessation counseling roles, dental schools and dental hygiene programs need to develop appropriate didactic and clinical tobacco use cessation curriculum content. To date, there are limited national data addressing the extent of tobacco use cessation education in dental schools and dental hygiene programs. Studies of medical schools have revealed a need for increased curriculum content on tobacco use prevention and cessation. Further, tobacco use cessation training programs for medical students, practicing dentists, and dental hygienists have resulted in increased student and provider confidence when tobacco use cessation counseling roles were assumed. This study surveyed all dental schools and dental hygiene programs in the U.S. to determine if tobacco-related curriculum content exists, and if so, to what extent. Variables addressed included allocated hours, subject content, scope, department responsible, workplace smoking policy, importance, and future curricular directions. Questionnaires were mailed to all dental hygiene program directors and dental school academic deans. Study findings suggest that dental and dental hygiene students receive limited tobacco use cessation education, and respondent schools have no immediate plans for curriculum change in this area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)