In their introduction to the latest CDAJournal collection, Dental Student Research 2024, guest editors Paul Glassman, DDS, MBA, and Valerie Phillips, RDH, RDHAP, write that the variety of subject matter, disciplines and approaches to scientific inquiry and investigation “illustrate the potential for student involvement in research for the benefit of the profession and as a critical aspect of student education.”
This collection, which includes five research articles and an opportunity to earn C.E. credit, will be the Journal’s last dedicated solely to student research; beginning in 2025, the Journal will publish dental student research in every collection throughout the year in recognition of the valuable contributions that dental students make in advancing oral health science.
Read on for summaries of select articles.
An AI-supported approach to the KOHA
The Kindergarten Oral Health Care Assessment is mandated in California, yet most eligible children, including those who already have dental disease when they start school, have not had the assessment completed.
Students and faculty of California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine compare the results of a KOHA performed in person by dental hygienists with a novel approach to the assessment performed by a remote dentist using AI-supported tools and information. The study’s results suggest that with support, training and funding, this innovative system could address the challenges many schools have in completing the assessment.
Dentists can read “Completing the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Using an AI-Supported Remote Assessment Process” and successfully complete an online quiz to earn .5 units C.E.
Medical emergency training: From dental school to private practice
“Despite the evident need for all dentists to be able to manage medically unlikely events, historical data reveals a deficiency in medical emergency response training within dental school curricula,” write the authors of “Best Practices in Training and Preparedness for Medical Emergencies: From Dental School to Private Practice.”
A former student of University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (class of 2024) and a UOP faculty member review the current literature, detail the contents of the Basic Life Support Medical Emergency Kit and describe current predoctoral and graduate training methods.
The authors conclude that foundational training in dental schools would provide students with the framework to develop their own emergency medical kits, while C.E. courses that incorporate a blend of lectures, hands-on workshops and immersive simulation training should be developed to help dentists follow evidence-based guidelines and ensure a safe system of care in the practice.
Measuring dental students’ research engagement
University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry students and faculty used an online study to examine patterns of research engagement and involvement in student research groups from all seven dental schools in California. They discuss students’ current level of research engagement, including through published research and participation in presentations, students’ interest in continuing research after dental school, and demographic and other factors that may contribute to varied participation among schools.
The authors point to evidence showing that research integration in dental school curricula is well-received by students and conclude that their survey data “highlights the importance of continued promotion of research opportunities in dental schools.”
More evidence-based research
Also in this collection, dental students and faculty at Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry present the case report “Uncommon Presentation of a Residual Cyst,” and students and faculty at California Northstate University along with other contributors present “Dietary Guide for Vesiculobullous Diseases: Literature Review.”
Beginning in 2025, in recognition of dental students’ valuable contributions to advancing oral health science, the Journal of the California Dental Association will publish dental student research with every collection throughout the year rather than just once annually with a dedicated issue. Until then, enjoy Dental Student Research 2024 — the last collection solely dedicated to dental student research.