2023 Publication Highlights

• Publications Highlights

Here are some highlights from the network’s 2023 publications:

• A capstone article from the Cracked Tooth Registry Study (CTR) was published in 2023, entitled “Lessons learned from the Cracked Tooth Registry…”. Assessing the overall findings from a series of CTR publications over a six-year period, it was clear that cracks are prevalent, but few will fracture or show progression in three years. This led investigators to conclude “Although cracked teeth often pose a dilemma to clinicians, clinicians are generally good at deciding which teeth to treat and when and which to monitor.” You may want to ponder how you treat cracked teeth in your practice.
• Articles continue to be gradually published from the network’s TMD study (you may have been wondering if you participated in this study ?). The first article (“Management of painful temporomandibular disorders: methods and overview …”) detailed the study methods and documented how US practitioners typically manage patients with TMD, often using conservative management. Published in 2023, a second article (“Practitioner/practice- and patient-based factors contributing to dental practitioner treatment recommendations…”) concluded that practitioners use a wide range of treatments for patients, with few consistent patterns. Infrequent referral to non-dental health care providers for some aspects of this treatment led investigators to call for increased comprehensive training. You may want to ponder how you treat patients with painful TMD disorders in your practice.
• A Network article “Acceptance and usability of an innovative mDentistry eHygiene model …” found promise for a telemedicine approach to data collection and examination in dental offices. You may want to consider additional electronic and telemedicine approaches to help streamline data collection in your offices.
• A Network article “Personal protective equipment use among dental healthcare personnel…” found that dental healthcare personnel experienced significant challenges related to personal protective equipment. Now that the COVID pandemic is behind us, it may be a good time to periodically evaluate how often you and your staff get updated or reminded about proper use of PPE. Perhaps include practice sessions or demonstrations in your office?
• A Network article “Patients’ comfort with and receipt of health risk assessments during routine dental visits…” found high acceptance by patients for health risk assessments, such as assessments for tobacco use, alcohol use, sugar intake, HIV risk, HPV risk, etc. Now might be a good time for you to ponder the range of health risk questions that you ask in your office routinely, and whether you should make any changes.