Tax, Cara
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10222/38647
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Item Open Access Evaluation of Outcomes for Tobacco Cessation Counseling in the Dalhousie University Dental Hygiene Curriculum(2010-03) Maillet, J. Peggy; Tax, Cara L.; Neish, Nancy R.; Denny, Allison L.As part of their curriculum, senior dental hygiene students at Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentisity provide tobacco cessation counseling (TCC). This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the TCC didactic curriculum and its clinical extensions. Research methods included a comprehensive literature search, an assessment of available resources related to TCC, and a structured telephone interview. The interview, consisting of ten summative questions, was conducted to determine the current tobacco use status of clients who had been counseled by a dental hygiene student for tobacco cessation. A target population of 132 subjects was extracted from axiUm, Dalhousie University dental clinic's patient database. The population represented clients who had TCC from 200 1 to 2008. The investigators wanted to know if the client was 1) advised to quit tobacco use; 2) informed of the health risks of using, tobaccos 3) still using tobacco; 4) taught self-examination techniques for oral cancer; and 5) if any post-counseling follow-up was initiated. A convenience size of fifty-one subjects was obtained. Survey results, along with the assessment of resources, revealed that the current TCC program needed improvement. As a result of the research, change were implemented aimed at improving the effectiveness of the TCC program, and recommendations were made further changes to enhance the overall program effectiveness.Item Open Access Integrating photo-stimulable phosphor plates into dental and dental hygiene radiography curricula(2013-11) Tax, C. L.; Robb, C. L.; Brillant, M. G.; Doucette, H. J.It is not known whether the integration of photo-stimulable phosphor (PSP) plates into dental and dental hygiene curricula creates unique learning challenges for students. The purpose of this two-year study was to determine if dental hygiene students had more and/or different types of errors when using PSP plates compared to film and whether the PSP imaging plates had any particular characteristics that needed to be addressed in the learning process. Fifty-nine first-year dental hygiene students at one Canadian dental school were randomly assigned to two groups (PSP or film) before exposing their initial full mouth series on a teaching manikin using the parallel technique. The principal investigator determined the number and types of errors based on a specific set of performance criteria. The two groups (PSP vs. film) were compared for total number and type of errors made. Results of the study indicated the difference in the total number of errors made using PSP or film was not statistically significant; however, there was a difference in the types of errors made, with the PSP group having more horizontal errors than the film group. In addition, the study identified a number of unique characteristics of the PSP plates that required special consideration for teaching this technology.Item Open Access A Model for Cultivating Dental Hygiene Faculty Development Within a Community of Practice(2012-03) Tax, Cara L.; Doucette, Heather; Neish, Nancy R.; Maillet, J. PeggyThere is a need to explore approaches in faculty development that will foster change in actual teaching practices. The literature suggests that there should be more deliberate use of theory in faculty development research. This study addressed this gap in the literature by exploring social learning theory in the context of communities of practice and applying this theory to a dental hygiene faculty development program. The purpose of the study was to determine if participation in a community of practice helped dental hygiene clinical instructors implement new teaching strategies by providing ongoing support for their learning. In addition, the study explored whether the level of participation in the community changed over time. A retrospective self-assessment questionnaire consisting of four open-ended questions was administered to a group of clinical dental hygiene instructors at the end of the 2010 academic year. The narrative data were analyzed thematically using qualitative methodology. The results indicated that participation in the community of practice helped clinical instructors make effective changes in their teaching practices by optimizing social learning opportunities. The responses also revealed that instructors became more comfortable participating in discussions as they identified with other members of this unique community.