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Problem: First time success on the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination (NDHBE) is the goal for every dental hygiene student. Achieving this goal could pose challenges for some students if not thoroughly prepared. Nursing disciplines have been utilizing the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) to benchmark nursing student's first time success taking the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).Dental hygiene students do not comprehend the level of preparation required to achieve first time success on the NDBHE. In an effort to prepare dental hygiene students for first time success, a widely used nursing instrument, Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) has been introduced for dental hygiene. This testing instruments is affording students a medium to assure preparedness for first time success. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate student's perceptions and satisfaction with HESI examinations, administered during the final semester of their dental hygiene program, as a method of preparation for the NDHBE. Methodology: This was a mixed methods research design. A survey instrument was developed based on the literature and contained 19 pre questions and 7 post questions relating to the following areas: demographic characteristics, student perceptions of sense of preparedness and level satisfaction with the HESI preparation materials. The survey was administered to a purposive sample of dental hygiene students (n=29). The pre-survey was disseminated after participants completed four HESI examinations which included: Exit Exam 1 and three specific topic exams. The post-survey was disseminated after completion of the NDHBE. IRB approval was obtained from MCPHS University. Results: Qualitative and quantitative data was collected utilizing SurveyMonkey®. Qualitative data was collected from the open-ended survey questions, analyzed and coded by researchers to capture common themes. Thematic analysis revealed an overarching theme which noted respondents were satisfied with the HESI as a method to identify content areas the participants did not know and as a review for content previously learned. However the majority believe the HESI needs improvement with content and remediation to be a more useful tool to prepare students for their NDHBE. Additionally, 36% of participants agreed or strongly agreed the HESI examination aided in their preparation for the NDBHE while 48% were either dissatisfied or strongly dissatisfied with the HESI as a board preparation instrument. Conclusion: Literature regarding HESI Examinations for Dental Hygiene and use within dental hygiene programs is limited. Findings from this study show students are somewhat satisfied however they would supplement with additional study materials. Further research is recommended to determine need for improvements to the HESI to improve student satisfaction and preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on health requirements for applicants to medical colleges in Great Britain. Non-invasive medical specialties for applicants positive for hepatitis B surface antigens; Medical colleges' interpretation of the guidelines for medical admission criteria.

We investigated menstrual cycles in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR, 7‐10 years, n = 8) and age‐matched control (n = 10) baboons. Cycle duration and plasma anti‐Mullerian hormone were similar. IUGR spent more days per cycle swollen and had elevated early morning fasted serum cortisol, suggesting normal fertility in the presence of increased psychosocial stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to assess data pertinent to the Permit L local anesthesia license among practicing dental hygienists in Massachusetts, providing an overview of characteristics, practice behaviors, barriers for obtaining the permit and self-perceived competency. Methods: A convenience sample of dental hygienists (n=6,167) identified through a publically available data base were invited to participate in a web-based survey. The survey consisted of demographic and Permit L specific questions. Items regarding opinions were rated using a 5-point Likert scale while frequencies and percentiles were used to evaluate demographics and practice-based information. Spearman's Rank correlation was performed to determine association between variables. Results: A 10% (n=615) response rate was attained with (n=245) non-Permit L holders and (n=370) Permit L holders. Respondents reported significant differences in demographics and opinions between non-Permit L holders and Permit L holders (p<0.01) and between those certified through continuing education or curriculum based programs (p<0.01). Significant relationships were found in demographics (p<0.01) and practice (p<0.05) items in relation to the length of time the Permit L has been held. Themes from the data and comments indicate multiple factors influencing obtaining or not obtaining the Permit L. Conclusion: The results of this study provide an overview of Permit L local anesthesia administration that is generally comparable to previous studies and offers new insights into why some Massachusetts dental hygienists choose not to pursue certification. This study highlights the potential to increase the prevalence of the Permit L, address barriers to pursuing the Permit L, and further evaluate self-perceived barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of early childhood caries (ECC) is a global public health concern. The oral health knowledge of a caregiver can affect a child's risk for developing ECC. An exploratory study of the oral health knowledge and behaviors among caregivers of children 6 years of age and younger was conducted with a convenience sample of adults (n = 114) enrolled in English language or high school equivalency examination courses. The majority of study participants were born in Asia (47 %). Other birth regions included South America (16 %), Caribbean (16 %), Africa (10 %), and Central America (6 %). Study findings showed caregivers with low oral health knowledge were more likely to engage in behaviors that increase a child's risk for developing ECC. A statistically significant relationship was found between participants' rating of their child's dental health as poor and the belief that children should not be weaned from the nursing bottle by 12 months of age ( P = 0.002), brushing should not begin upon tooth eruption ( P = 0.01), and fluoride does not strengthen teeth and prevent dental caries ( P = 0.005). Subjects who pre-chewed their child's food also exhibited behaviors including sharing eating utensils or a toothbrush with their child ( P < 0.001). Additional caregiver behaviors included providing their child with a bottle containing cariogenic liquids in a crib ( P < 0.001). As a result of this research, it is pertinent that culturally sensitive oral health promotion programs are developed and implemented to raise awareness and reduce the risk of dental disease among immigrant populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on the findings of the external the Agricultural Safety and Health (ASH) initiative of evaluators of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF). The evaluation describes the overarching themesand impacts of the program's projects. It analyzes data gathered from observations at planning sessions and networking conferences, conference calls, site visits, written reports and telephone interviews with project staff. A brief overview of the Foundation's goals, and samples of the projects' lessons learned and barriers to success are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes Virtual Economics, an interactive CD-ROM for learning consumer and economic education. Multiple applications; Feature offerings of users; Hardware requirements; Considerations in utilizing the resource material.

Summary: Mental health remains a significant issue among young people in the US and elsewhere. Evidence of the beneficial role Hip Hop-based approaches can play in this space is growing. The value of such approaches centers on links to community, culture, and the therapeutic potential of practicing certain Hip Hop elements. Yet, while there has been a steady growth in Hip Hop-based approaches, little work has explored how they can overlap, complement, or reinforce each other. In response, this article explores the theoretical synergies between two established Hip Hop-based models – "Hip Hop and Empowerment" (HHE) and "Therapeutic Beat Making" (TBM) – to offer an integrated approach that draws on the complementarity between and uniqueness of each. Findings: Authors identify an integrated HHE–TBM model for supporting youth mental health which forefronts sense of community, cultural relevance, social justice, and empowerment. Authors outline a practice model, which leverages the best of activities, reflections, and discussions, and indicate its potential in working adaptively with diverse communities of young people. Applications: When engaging Hip Hop for therapeutic means, whether for health promotion or complex therapy, it is a dynamic, creative, culturally sensitive, regulating, and developmental means for finding common ground and creating rapport. It bridges creative and insight-oriented practices. It embraces the ability to generate emotional responses from creating and analyzing music, including esthetic emotions (i.e. appreciation (of qualities)), utilitarian emotions (i.e. functional, motivational, relevant to immediate well-being, goal-oriented), and epistemic emotions (i.e. gained knowledge or insight, awareness). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A challenge faced by many students is the loss of academic skills during the summer months. However, less attention is given to social and emotional needs during the summer. Thirty-five middle school students from low-SES homes participated in a summer program designed to improve verbal, academic, and youth development competencies. Three students in the program also participated in an intervention that used Hip Hop and Empowerment (HHE) and Therapeutic Beat Making (TBM) strategies to promote youth development and reduce elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms. Data were collected by questionnaires measuring Empowerment-based Positive Youth Development (EMPYD) indicators of Connection, Confidence, Competence, Caring, Character, Sense of community, and Active and engaged citizenship, plus well-being indicators of depression and anxiety. Results included improvements across all youth development indicators and depression and anxiety symptoms for the intervention participants. Using the Independent Samples Mann-Whitney U Test, a statistically significant decrease (worsening) between Time 1 and Time 2 measures of character were found for the non-intervention group. When comparing the intervention group to the non-intervention group at Time 2, statistically significant differences were found for improvements in character and depression and anxiety symptoms. This study suggests that a well-designed, research-based Hip Hop-integrated strategy may complement summer learning strategies and help improve mental health outcomes for low-income middle school youth. It is necessary to continue research that explores the efficacy of Hip Hop-based mental health interventions, and potential ways to mitigate social and emotional loss alongside academic loss in the summer months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Women threatening premature delivery receive synthetic glucocorticoids (sGC) to accelerate fetal lung maturation, reducing neonatal mortality and morbidity. Few investigations have explored potential long-term offspring side effects. We previously reported increased pericardial fat and liver lipids in 10-year-old (human equivalent 40 years) male baboons exposed to 3 antenatal sGC courses. We hypothesized middle-aged sGC male offspring show obesity-related morphometric changes. Methods: Pregnant baboons received courses of 2 betamethasone injections (175 mgkg-1·d-1 intramuscular) at 0.6, 0.64, and 0.68 gestation. At 10 to 12.5 years, we measured morphometrics and serum lipids in 5 sGC-exposed males and 10 agematched controls. We determined whether morphometric parameters predicted amount of pericardial fat or lipids. Life-course serum lipids were measured in 25 males (7-23 years) providing normal regression formulas to compare sGC baboons' lipid biological and chronological age. Results: Birth weights were similar. When studied, sGC-exposed males showed a steeper weight increase from 8 to 12 years and had increased waist and hip circumferences, neck and triceps skinfolds, and total and lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol. Triceps skinfold correlated with apical and midventricular pericardial fat thickness, hip and waist circumferences with insulin. Conclusions: Triceps skinfold and waist and hip circumferences are useful biomarkers for identifying individuals at risk for obesity and metabolic dysregulation following fetal sGC exposure. Prenatal sGC exposure predisposes male offspring to internal adiposity, greater body size, and increased serum lipids. Results provide further evidence for developmental programming by fetal sGC exposure and call attention to potential emergence of adverse life-course effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]