Telephone interviews with 92 dentists in California identified low fees, denial of payment, and broken appointments by patients as the 3 most important problems with the Medicaid program. Results suggest reasons for the decreasing participation in Medicaid by dentists. (Author/DB)

The study examined differences in the number of restorations in permanent, posterior teeth for those children receiving dental sealants with cost sharing when compared to children who do not receive sealants. Results indicated a 51 percent reduction in restoration rates for each quadrant sealed. Findings have implications for cost savings and…

A survey of 79 experts in dental nutrition sought consensus on the appropriate scope of nutrition in clinical dentistry. Results support the need for greater attention to nutrition issues in dental schools and better models for nutrition interventions in dental practice. (Author/MSE)

The dental profession can contribute to effective computer-based decision support through developing data standards and a comprehensive computerized patient record system that can be integrated with evolving health care decision support networks. (DB)

Use of the results of investigator-initiated research in dental health services policy and administration, and the relationship between the researcher and decision making or implementation based on his findings, are examined. (MSE)

Discussion of dental education in Europe chronicles the evolution of two separate training paths, one independent of the universities and the other based in medical education. The article then looks at the relationship between the educational system and provision of oral health care and describes the current status of dental education in Europe.…

It is argued that productive change in Veterans Administration (VA) dental services will require planned change, new models of dental care and education that respond to different needs and circumstances, creative partnerships between the VA and institutions, and perhaps a new conceptualization of dental care as a medical subspecialty. (MSE)

A study of four classes of dental students (n=172) exposed to both didactic and clinical geriatric dental training found that the students perceived significant improvements in their abilities to manage geriatric patients in all areas assessed, notably treatment planning, preventive dentistry, referrals, and providing care in alternative settings.…

The paper proposes a zero concept, health-oriented approach to applying informatics to two health care problems: first, the lack of easily understood and used terminology linking health problems and interventions to the concept of "health"; and second, the lack of a unifying principle on which to base all aspects of health care. (DB)

This study examined costs of providing care by undergraduate dental students in dental school clinics. Cost estimates for each procedure were compared to fees charged, determining net cost of providing care. The model is recommended for improving clinic efficiency in this and other dental education clinical settings. (MSE)

Data on the relative levels of men's and women's dental health are scarce, but the available data do indicate differences in tooth loss and health-related behavior patterns. Better methods for recording and reporting this information are recommended. (MSE)

The impact of corporate ownership of hospitals and nursing homes on delivery systems for dental and medical care is discussed, including the growth of multihospital chains and alternative delivery systems, and the quality, accessibility, and costs of care. (MSE)

A survey of 270 University of Washington permanent employees who were potential candidates for teaching clinics, found dental anxiety prevalent, correlating with poorer perceived dental health, longer intervals between dental appointments, higher frequency of past fear behaviors, more physical symptoms during last dental injection, and more…

A national survey of predoctoral community dentistry faculty members provided ratings of importance for 32 community dentistry topics and information on clock hours of didactic instruction in each topic. (MSE)

Three alternative program funding approaches used in other professions are examined: (1) the reorientation of selected dental schools toward graduate education, (2) emphasizing and marketing the service aspects of the programs, and (3) developing education programs as in-house training for large organizations. (MSE)