- Email: [email protected]
DENTAL EDUCATION
L E T T E R S
LETTERS ADA welcomes letters from readers on articles and other information that has appeared in The Journal. The Journal reserves the right to edit all communications and requires that all letters be signed. Letters must be no more than 550 words and must cite no more than five references. No illustrations will be accepted. You may submit your letter via e-mail to “[email protected]”, by fax to 1-312-440-3538 or by mail to 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611-2678. The views expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official policy of the Association. Brevity is appreciated.
J
DENTAL EDUCATION
Dr. Michael Glick’s July JADA editorial, “Dental Education: An Evolving Challenge,” (JADA 2006;137[7]:940-4) has accurately and appropriately focused attention on the complex issues that confront dental educators. Dr. Glick astutely comments that “few dentists 30 years ago envisioned the emergence of spa dentistry, extreme makeovers, dental implants placed by general dentists and specialists alike, clear orthodontic aligners, facial bone distraction … .” In fact, he could have used a time frame of five years, and his observation would remain correct. It is with this ever-increasing, rapid rate of change as background that the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) initiated a program to promote the incorporation of bio-based discoveries into clinical practice.
One program, funded by a grant from the NIDCR, is at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. Called the Biodontics Educational Program, this pilot program focuses on dpromoting all aspects of translational research, including the process of moving a discovery from the laboratory to a prototype for evaluation chairside; dthe application of the scientific method to chairside evaluation of new technologies; dusing translational research to encourage dental students to consider careers in academic dentistry. While the Biodontics Educational Program is presented as an elective, should it prove effective in encouraging the rate of new discoveries into dental practice, it may serve as a model to assist in the development of new dental curricula. Such a curriculum would allow dental student graduates to adapt more rapidly to technological changes and to respond to consumer trends that Dr. Glick addresses in his editorial. It will be take some time to see whether the Biodontics Educational Program, or another funded by the NIDCR, can achieve its goals. It is clear that the need for educational reform has been endorsed by several national organizations that include, in addition to the NIDCR, the American Dental Education Association and the American Dental Association. Undoubtedly, it is only a matter of time before changes are seen in the education of the next generation of dentists. Edward F. Rossomando, DDS, PhD
Center for Research and Education in Technology Evaluation
Mathew Moura, BA Assistant for Educational and Special Programs School of Dental Medicine University of Connecticut Farmington
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS
I have some concerns regarding the June JADA article by Drs. Gary Klasser and Jeffrey Okeson, “The Clinical Usefulness of Surface Electromyography In the Diagnosis and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders” (JADA 2006;137[6]:763-71). I was surprised to find that, with all the search words the authors used, they did not run across the words “neuromuscular” or “Myotronics.” They might have found a lot more references to surface electromyography (SEMG). First, I feel I should disclose that I do use SEMG technology in part of my treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders, mainly the K7 Evaluation System (Myotronics-Noromed, Tukwila, Wash.). I feel my disclosure should be shared by the authors. The Code for Dental Editors1 of the American College of Dentists American Association of Dental Editors states in Section A, Number 2, that “active steps should be taken to ensure that content is from reputable sources, factually accurate, balanced and unbiased.” Section A, Number 3, states, “label opinion as such, disclose potential conflicts and identify sources.” I have been made aware that the authors have lectured against the neuromuscular philosophy of temporo-
Professor and Director 1360
JADA, Vol. 137
http://jada.ada.org October 2006 Copyright ©2006 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
LETTERS ADA welcomes letters from readers on articles and other information that has appeared in The Journal. The Journal reserves the right to edit all communications and requires that all letters be signed. Letters must be no more than 550 words and must cite no more than five references. No illustrations will be accepted. You may submit your letter via e-mail to “[email protected]”, by fax to 1-312-440-3538 or by mail to 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611-2678. The views expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official policy of the Association. Brevity is appreciated.
J
DENTAL EDUCATION
Dr. Michael Glick’s July JADA editorial, “Dental Education: An Evolving Challenge,” (JADA 2006;137[7]:940-4) has accurately and appropriately focused attention on the complex issues that confront dental educators. Dr. Glick astutely comments that “few dentists 30 years ago envisioned the emergence of spa dentistry, extreme makeovers, dental implants placed by general dentists and specialists alike, clear orthodontic aligners, facial bone distraction … .” In fact, he could have used a time frame of five years, and his observation would remain correct. It is with this ever-increasing, rapid rate of change as background that the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) initiated a program to promote the incorporation of bio-based discoveries into clinical practice.
One program, funded by a grant from the NIDCR, is at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. Called the Biodontics Educational Program, this pilot program focuses on dpromoting all aspects of translational research, including the process of moving a discovery from the laboratory to a prototype for evaluation chairside; dthe application of the scientific method to chairside evaluation of new technologies; dusing translational research to encourage dental students to consider careers in academic dentistry. While the Biodontics Educational Program is presented as an elective, should it prove effective in encouraging the rate of new discoveries into dental practice, it may serve as a model to assist in the development of new dental curricula. Such a curriculum would allow dental student graduates to adapt more rapidly to technological changes and to respond to consumer trends that Dr. Glick addresses in his editorial. It will be take some time to see whether the Biodontics Educational Program, or another funded by the NIDCR, can achieve its goals. It is clear that the need for educational reform has been endorsed by several national organizations that include, in addition to the NIDCR, the American Dental Education Association and the American Dental Association. Undoubtedly, it is only a matter of time before changes are seen in the education of the next generation of dentists. Edward F. Rossomando, DDS, PhD
Center for Research and Education in Technology Evaluation
Mathew Moura, BA Assistant for Educational and Special Programs School of Dental Medicine University of Connecticut Farmington
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS
I have some concerns regarding the June JADA article by Drs. Gary Klasser and Jeffrey Okeson, “The Clinical Usefulness of Surface Electromyography In the Diagnosis and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders” (JADA 2006;137[6]:763-71). I was surprised to find that, with all the search words the authors used, they did not run across the words “neuromuscular” or “Myotronics.” They might have found a lot more references to surface electromyography (SEMG). First, I feel I should disclose that I do use SEMG technology in part of my treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders, mainly the K7 Evaluation System (Myotronics-Noromed, Tukwila, Wash.). I feel my disclosure should be shared by the authors. The Code for Dental Editors1 of the American College of Dentists American Association of Dental Editors states in Section A, Number 2, that “active steps should be taken to ensure that content is from reputable sources, factually accurate, balanced and unbiased.” Section A, Number 3, states, “label opinion as such, disclose potential conflicts and identify sources.” I have been made aware that the authors have lectured against the neuromuscular philosophy of temporo-
Professor and Director 1360
JADA, Vol. 137
http://jada.ada.org October 2006 Copyright ©2006 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.