Curriculum time compared to clinical procedures in amalgam and composite posterior restorations in U.S. dental schools: a preliminary study.
Dental clinicians have an expanding range of biomaterial choices for restoring tooth structure. Scientific developments in cariology, advances in dental biomaterials, and patients' esthetic concerns have led to a reduction in amalgam restorations and an increase in composite restorations. The aim of this study was to compare teaching time with students' clinical procedures in amalgam and composite posterior restorations in dental schools across the United States. Academic deans in 60 schools were invited to complete a survey that asked for the amount of instructional time for amalgam and composite posterior restorations and the number of clinical restorations performed by their Classes of 2009, 2010, and 2011. Of these 60, 12 returned surveys with complete data, for a 20% response rate. Responses from these schools showed little change in lecture and preclinical laboratory instruction from 2009 to 2011. There was a slight increase in two-surface restorations for both amalgam and composites; however, the total number of reported composite and amalgam restorations remained the same. Of 204,864 restorations reported, 53% were composite, and 47% were amalgam. There were twice as many multisurface large or complex amalgam restorations as composites. One-surface composite restorations exceeded amalgams. Among the participating schools, there was little to no change between curriculum time and clinical procedures. Findings from this preliminary study reflect a modest increase in two-surface resin-based restorations placed by dental students from 2009 to 2011 and little change in curricular time devoted to teaching amalgam restorations. The total number of posterior composite restorations placed by students in these schools was slightly higher than amalgams.
Dr. Rey is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; Dr. Nimmo is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; Ms. Childs is Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida College of Dentistry. rrey@dental.ufl.edu.
Rosalia
R
Rey
Dr. Rey is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; Dr. Nimmo is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; Ms. Childs is Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida College of Dentistry.
Susan
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Nimmo
Dr. Rey is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; Dr. Nimmo is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; Ms. Childs is Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida College of Dentistry.
Gail S
GS
Childs
Dr. Rey is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; Dr. Nimmo is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; Ms. Childs is Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida College of Dentistry.
Linda S
LS
Behar-Horenstein
D003188:Composite Resins / Q000191:economics; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003479:Curriculum; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000191:economics; D003740:Dental Clinics / Q000191:economics; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000191:economics; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003814:Dentistry, Operative / Q000193:education*; D016527:Drug Costs; D004497:Education, Dental; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007754:Laboratories, Dental; D012575:Schools, Dental; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D003723:Dental Amalgam
amalgam restorations; clinical education; composite restorations; dental education; dental school clinics; general dentistry; operative dentistry