Matching Items (13)
Description
My passion on the importance of oral health began when I was four years old with the traumatic experience of witnessing my grandmother, my idol, with a toothless smile without her dentures in. At present, I have been a dental assistant for five years, and have heard of similar stories of people struggling with maintaining oral hygiene and having access to oral health care, including: family members, friends, patients, coworkers, and even Arizona State University faculty. Since the abolishment of emergency dental services in Arizona's Health Care Cost Containment System, dental related oral health care rates have jumped incrementally. In addition Arizona has created a dental desert, because dentists are not setting up their practices in the rural areas of the Valley, due to wanting to generate the most amount of income. Studies have also shown that dentists feel inept at treating ethnically diverse patients as well as patients from lower socioeconomic classes. These problems create a myriad of mental effects and physical ailments on the patient that are not limited to the oral cavity. In this paper, these issues in oral health care were studied along with their effects, including recommendations for resolutions.
ContributorsTaylor, Janine Marie (Author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Ili, Joan (Committee member) / School for the Future of Innovation in Society (Contributor) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Dental caries are considered the most common infectious diseases that impacts human populations worldwide. The human oral cavity is colonized by a wide range of microorganisms including viruses, protozoa, fungi, archaea and bacteria. Oral diseases begin with the development of dental plaque, a biofilm formed by the accumulation of bacteria. Of these bacteria, Streptococcus mutans has been identified as the leading cause of dental caries. Probiotics are described as live microorganisms which provide beneficial impacts to their host by improving the intestinal microbial balance. Studies have demonstrated that probiotic therapies may be suitable for decreasing the cariogenic potential of S. mutans as well as other cariogenic bacteria. In this study, it was hypothesized that probiotics would exhibit a significant effect on the population density of S. mutans within the oral cavity. Nine people selected in this study consumed Activia probiotic yogurt for a seven-day trial period. DNA was extracted from these swabs and analyzed by qPCR. The results showed the amount of S. mutans increased insignificantly (P>0.05), whereas the proportion of S. mutans in the entire community was insignificant (P>0.05). Individual subjects responded differently to treatment, indicating the influence of their preferential diet on S. mutans abundance. Studies conducted on the probiotic strains within the Activia yogurt were previously shown to be insufficient in antagonizing cariogenic bacteria, which attributes to these results.
ContributorsPortales, Lilia Katherine (Author) / Huffman, Holly (Thesis director) / Penton, Ryan (Committee member) / College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Operation Toothbrush is an initiative established to combat the oral healthcare disparity within young children who reside in Arizona. By working with elementary and preschool children, the project educated them and their families about the importance of oral hygiene in informative and intuitive manner. The project incorporated the help of Pre-Dental volunteers, dental practices, and the Woodside Grant to obtain the supplies, information, and assistance necessary to conduct the initiative.
ContributorsTsiperfal, Nathan (Co-author) / Mansukhani, Kunal (Co-author) / Virdee, Gitika (Co-author) / Loebenberg, Abby (Thesis director) / Ostling, Michael (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
The purpose of this study is to explore the possible factors that influence how patients rate their dentists in the underserved communities and how commonly each factors are mentioned in the articles found from the systematic review. PubMed was used to search the articles with the keywords categorized into 5 different groups, they were: dental/oral, underserved, patient satisfaction, services provided and America. The search resulted in 123 articles and after critical appraisal and review, 19 full text articles were determined to be fully relevant to this project. A table of summarized results from the articles was created and factors of satisfaction from the articles were translated into a category which then was categorize into broader category based on relatedness. Sub-categories that were mentioned at least five times in the articles were cost, insurance acceptance, communication, interpersonal skills, number of treatments, fear/worry/anxiety and pain. According to the findings, quality in terms of interaction and interpersonal relationship between patients and the dentists was most mentioned compared to other factors when it comes to patient satisfaction. Other factors mentioned were external factors, pain, continuity, access, cost, technical qualities, efficiency, convenience, availability and environment. The purpose of this study has been met. The results in this project suggest that dentists in underserved communities could focus on changing the way they deliver their service if they want to improve patient retention and satisfaction.
ContributorsHnin, Ma Myat Thida (Author) / McCullough, Mac (Thesis director) / Riley, William (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Abstract The purpose of this study was to discover the most prominent factors that affect the Arizona population from routinely visiting the dentist. For many people there is a factor of anxiety or fear, while others have issues with cost, insurance, or even the dental clinic environment. My study looks at some of these factors and supports the data with available research on dental avoidance factors. A significant portion of the study is also allotted to potential solutions to these avoidance factors, in order to increase regular dental visitation. Oral health is extremely important not only to the teeth, but also to the rest of the body. Therefore, it is important to address avoidance factors and find potential solutions to these problems. The study involved 71 participants, eighteen years of age or older, and a questionnaire with twenty-one questions. These questions asked the participants about gender, ethnicity, age, employment, reasons for avoidance, oral health education, and past dental experiences. These questions were designed to better understand how a person's background and understanding of dentistry affect their decision to visit the dentist. These questions also provide insight to why certain avoidance factors apply to different groups of people in the Arizona population. The results of the study showed that anxiety, price, insurance issues, and the personality of the dentist are the most prominent factors that cause individuals to avoid the dentist. Potential solutions to these avoidance factors were given, especially for anxious individuals. There are dentists who deal specifically with anxious individuals through sedation dentistry. Regarding price, there were several options for free or low-cost dental clinics that were provided. Preventative dentistry education was an important focus and solution to many of the avoidance factors, because when individuals are more aware of how to care for their teeth, there is a greater chance that they will have healthier teeth and dental visits will be less invasive and costly. Suggestions were provided for spreading oral health education and preventative dentistry through community programs and schools. Among the avoidance factors addressed, solutions provided, and the importance of oral health and preventative dentistry reiterated, the study stressed the importance of the results to my future profession. As a future dental practitioner, the data and research will be used in order for me to become a more compassionate and accommodating practitioner to my future patients. There is a special relationship and trust between the dental practitioner and their patient, and this study has helped me better understand how to accommodate patients and eliminate the factors that cause them to avoid regular dental visits.
ContributorsValimaki, Casey Jordyn (Author) / Washo-Krupps, Delon (Thesis director) / Bang, Christofer (Committee member) / Schoenborn, Scot (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Pregnancy is a specific time in a woman’s life filled with complex changes in health, including the oral cavity. During this time, dental and perinatal care teams can be influential in helping women initiate and maintain essential habits to improve health and prevent adverse outcomes. There is research evidence that dental providers are reluctant to treat dental problems during pregnancy. Barriers to practice identified by dentists include lack of education, time, financial constraints, and concern for the safety treating pregnant women. Factors that facilitate dental care for pregnant women include purposeful assessment, referrals from prenatal providers, and continuing education for dental team members.
Multiple organizations recommend the treatment of oral health conditions during pregnancy to promote health and prevent pregnancy complications. In order to promote community-based partnerships in a healthcare system, dentists are encouraged to develop an intentional plan to increase collaboration with other members of the women’s healthcare team. Prior to developing a system wide intervention to improve access to dental care during pregnancy, dental team members were surveyed to identify barriers and facilitators which promote or hinder care in their practice. The data acquired will be used to inform the design and implementation of an intervention to specifically meet the needs of patients and providers in that system.
ContributorsRideaux, Stephanie A. (Author) / Link, Denise (Thesis advisor)
Created2020-04-15
Description
Background
Pediatric oral health disparities are one of the leading global chronic problems that affect children of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Poor oral health leads to the development of dental caries, which can cascade into an innumerable number of comorbidities, including pain, infection, malnutrition, and decreased self-esteem. Oral health education from the medical and dental home in conjunction with regular cleanings and biannual fluoride varnish has been shown to decrease the risk of caries by at least one third.
Implications for Health Care Providers
Oral health, dental caries, and the resulting comorbid conditions affect the overall health of the child who follows up with their primary care provider. Pediatric health care providers can play a major role in the prevention of these dental caries through the promotion of oral health education and fluoride varnish application during well-child visits
Results
In comparison to pre-data, providers felt more confident and comfortable discussing oral health hygiene and offering fluoride varnish after the educational intervention. There was no significant change in the fluoride varnish applications pre and post in the chart audit; however, there was inconsistent data between the chart audit and the fluoride varnish questionnaire data filled out by providers during the well visit. Lastly, a significant number of parents declined the application of fluoride varnish implying that further intervention should be focused on parent education.
Pediatric oral health disparities are one of the leading global chronic problems that affect children of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Poor oral health leads to the development of dental caries, which can cascade into an innumerable number of comorbidities, including pain, infection, malnutrition, and decreased self-esteem. Oral health education from the medical and dental home in conjunction with regular cleanings and biannual fluoride varnish has been shown to decrease the risk of caries by at least one third.
Implications for Health Care Providers
Oral health, dental caries, and the resulting comorbid conditions affect the overall health of the child who follows up with their primary care provider. Pediatric health care providers can play a major role in the prevention of these dental caries through the promotion of oral health education and fluoride varnish application during well-child visits
Results
In comparison to pre-data, providers felt more confident and comfortable discussing oral health hygiene and offering fluoride varnish after the educational intervention. There was no significant change in the fluoride varnish applications pre and post in the chart audit; however, there was inconsistent data between the chart audit and the fluoride varnish questionnaire data filled out by providers during the well visit. Lastly, a significant number of parents declined the application of fluoride varnish implying that further intervention should be focused on parent education.
ContributorsCrawford, Krysta (Author) / Sebbens, Danielle (Thesis advisor)
Created2020-05-01
Description
The COVID-19 Pandemic, which nearly shut down the world for several months, had a large impact on the lives of everyone around the world. The pandemic brought many changes to daily life including the loss of jobs, online schooling, weeks in quarantine, and for some, even the loss of a loved one. It was expected that the many abrupt changes increased levels of stress, in turn having a negative impact on oral health throughout society. Aside from this, changes in everyday habits and hygiene also likely had a negative effect on oral health. The overall effect that the pandemic had on oral health was investigated through a survey that was sent out to dental offices across the United States and Canada asking about the rates of clenching and grinding, the rates of cracked teeth, the number of crowns completed, the percentage of missed appointments, and the overall oral health of patients all throughout the pandemic and prior to the pandemic. Data was also collected at St. Vincent de Paul, a public health dental clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, which included the total number of crowns, the total number of appointments, and the total number of missed appointments all before and during the pandemic. It was predicted that all of the stress indicators asked about throughout the survey would have rates that increased throughout the pandemic, as well as that the number of crowns completed and missed appointments at St. Vincent de Paul both would have increased. The majority of the results matched the predictions, supporting the hypothesis that the COVID-19 Pandemic had a negative impact on overall oral health.
ContributorsHarr, Lauren (Author) / Bang, Christofer (Thesis director) / Washo-Krupps, Delon (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2022-12
Description
Oral health is influenced by many factors, including diet (Alpert, 2017). However, the assumption arises that unique and ever-changing diets have varying effects on oral health. This project aimed to determine the effect of the Punjabi diet on oral health. Specific goals included understanding components of a general Punjabi diet, as well as the current oral health status for individuals of the Punjabi community, to ultimately determine the correlations between the two variables. It was hypothesized that a diet consisting of foods primarily under the Punjabi diet would have fewer oral health concerns because healthier food items would be consumed. By researching relevant background information to create appropriate survey questions, survey questionnaires were sent to members of the Punjabi population (not just limited to the Punjab geographical region) for completion. From this data, analysis depicts that there is no relationship between the oral health of individuals with the diet they consumed, thus rejecting the initial hypothesis. Similarly, a lack of a relationship was found between the oral health of individuals and their respective oral hygiene habits. These results suggest that the current Punjabi diet may not be as healthy as initially assumed and that there are likely other factors that influence an individual’s oral health, such as genetics, environmental factors such as stress (Kapila, 2021), or other unexplored dietary variables, such as diets high in sugar.
ContributorsKaur, Loveleen (Author) / Cipolla, Karen (Thesis director) / Dhanjal, Sabrina (Committee member) / Savalli, Udo (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2022-05
Description
Maintaining good oral health during pregnancy is a significant contributor to healthy pregnancy outcomes. The physiological changes that happen during pregnancy can adversely affect women’s oral health and place her at risk for pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage and preeclampsia. The unborn child’s health can also be affected by premature birth and low birth weight. Although professional organizations have evidence-based practice guidelines for both prenatal and dental providers, the evidence shows a gap between recommendations and practice. An oral health promotion project for pregnant women was implemented in a federally qualified community health center where there was a lack of adherence to the guidelines.
The purpose of this project was to implement established oral health screening guidelines for pregnant women and to increase dental visits among pregnant women. For this project, a two-item maternal oral health-screening tool (MOS) for the prenatal providers was added into the electronic health record to standardize and document oral health screening for pregnant women at their first prenatal visit. After three months of implementation, there was a significant increase in maternal oral health screening and referral. This project may be replicated at any prenatal setting to improve oral health during pregnancy.
ContributorsPhilsy, Jaison (Author) / Link, Denise (Thesis advisor)
Created2018-04-24