About The NBDE Part I

Now that final exams are over, it's time to go on my well needed Christmas vacation! study for the NBDE Part I (womp).

Different schools have different curricula which affects when we take the NBDE I. However, most dental students are fully ready and equipped to take this exam after their 2nd year and before they enter the clinic. As for me, the aim is to take it in the Spring of the 2nd year.

What is it?: The National Board Dental Examination, as stated by the ADA is given to assist state boards in determining qualifications of dentists who seek licensure to practice dentistry. It is taken to assess the competency of the applicant in the basic sciences and pre-clinical sciences.

How to register for the exam: The process of registering for the NBDE is similar to that of registering for the DAT (assuming you are a dental student and have already been through this process). After going to the NBDE section under the Education & Careers tab on the ADA website (here) you then register for a DENTPIN. After receiving your DENTPIN you can proceed to pay for and register for the exam.

Fees: The fee for the NBDE I is $300. It is non-refundable and includes sending a copy of the score report to the Dean of your Dental School. Any additional score reports required is an additional $25.

Scheduling: After you have registered for the exam, you will have to schedule a date and time to take the exam at a Prometric center via the prometric website (here).

Structure: The NBDE I is an 8hr exam consisting of 400 multiple choice questions based on the basic sciences, with topics including:

• Human Anatomy and Histology
• Biochemistry and Physiology
• Microbiolgy and Pathology
• Dental Anatomy and Occlusion

and administered in the following order:

Optional Tutorial .............................................................................. 15 mins

Discipline based, multiple choice test items

with 3-5 testlets (approx. 200 items)................................................. 3.5 hrs

Optional Break ................................................................................ 1 hr

Discipline based, multiple choice test items

with 3-5 testlets (approx. 200 items)................................................. 3.5 hrs

Optional Post-exam Survey............................................................... 15 mins

I may not need to plug this, but make sure when taking the NBDE exam that you are ready so that you avoid a bad score Fail (F) and a re-take.

Links:

Download the NBDE I Guide(s) from the ADA - 2011 and 2012

Revisions to Exam Regulations 

Refer to my previous post on the NBDE's new pass/fail system - Here
NBDE 1 Sample questions from the ADA
NBDE 1 Sample questions from ASDA (purchase)

Happy Studying and Good Luck!!

In The Loupe: Dental Loupes II

Let's talk Specifications and Brands
Go here for In the Loupe: Dental Loupes Part I

The Specs:

Depth of Field - The range of distance that is in focus without moving your head. This deteremines how much you lean in or lean back while wearing your loupe, and still maintaining focus of the entire viewing field. A large depth of field is ergonomically beneficial since you would not need to move your head or back much to work effectively.

Field of View/Field Width - This is the size of the operating site seen through the loupes. Having a wide field of view makes it easier and quicker to adjust from the loupes to the naked eye. It also causes less eye fatigue. * the higher the magnifying power, the smaller the field. * the longer the working distance, the larger the field of view.

Working Distance/Angle- The distance between your eyes and the patients oral cavity when sitting in a normal ergonomic position. This varies by each person's height, body type, or how you sit while with patients. Because the correct working angle allows you to sit in the correct ergonomic position it prevents neck and back pain.

Flip-Up versus TTL type - Each has their specific Pros and Cons and depends on your preference. Refer to Dental Loupes part I for pros and cons.

Resolution - The capability to view small structures and the clarity at which they are seen. This is established by the optical design and the use of precision lenses. 

Magnification - This is the size of the object seen through the loupes (not clarity). 

There is no accepted standard for how magnifying power is defined for surgical loupes. Different definitions give results that differ by as much as 15-percent. Because of this, the quoted magnifying power is really only a rough guide to the actual magnification of a loupe.

John Rogers, PhD, University of Arizona*

Comfort, Weight and Design - these all go hand in hand as the comfort of the loupe depends on the weight and the ergonomic design of the frame. 

The brands:

I have provided the websites for the more popular loupes manufacturers out there. Some of their specifications are slightly different and they all are unique in their own right. Visit the sites for your own comparison, in addition to mine.

• Zeiss.............................................................................www.zeiss.com

Zeiss carries two types: EyeMag Smart, that has a magnification of 2.5x

and EyeMag Pro that has a magnification of 3.2x an goes up to 5x

Comparison of the two:

Optical Systems EyeMag Smart
Working distance (mm)	300	350	400	450	550
Working distance (inch)	12	14	16	18	22
Magnification	2.5x	2.5x	2.5x	2.5x	2.5x
Field of view (mm)	67	77	86	96	115
Optical Systems for EyeMag Pro
Working distance (mm)	500	500	450	450	400	400	350	350	300	300
Working distance (inch)	20	20	18	18	16	16	14	14	12	12
Magnification	3.2x	4x	3.3x	4x	3.5x	4.3x	3.6x	4.5x	4x	5x
Field of view (mm)	115	93	100	81	86	68	71	56	56	44

• Surgitel........................................................................www.surgitel.com

Surgitel is pretty good in my opinion, it has a wide variety of loupes with magnifications from 2.5x to 8x. The Oakley frames are a popular option but I personally like the Ultralight TTL. It has 2.5x and 3x capability, expanded field sizes and long depth of fields. They are also uniquely stylish!

• Orascoptic................................................................www.Orascoptic.com

Orascoptic is one of the more popular choices with magnifications of 2.0x to 5.9x. I personally really like orascoptic HiRes2 because they are light weight, has high resolution with a wide and deep field, plus they are stylish and comfortable. 

• SheerVision.......................................................www.sheervision.com

Sheer Vision loupes are another set of loupes that I think are really good. They come in a variety of types from flip ups to TTLs with a few frame options. They have magnifications from 2.5x to 3.5x. They sport an expanded field of view, exceptional depth of field, sharp ede to edge clarity and are multi coated for anti glare, anti scratch and anti fog resistance. 

• Design For Vision.............................www.designforvision.com

Design for Vision loupes has magnifications from 2.5x to 4.5x and comes with designer and sport frames like Nike as well as other types. 

• Heine................................................................................www.heine.com

Heine loupes has magnifications of 2x to 2.5x. According to Dentistry Today, Heine loupes are unique in their ability to relieve  stress of the practitioner. It features a 3 point articulation system that allows a higher angle of declination than TTLs. The i-view S frame allows for complete adjustment of the angle of declination from a 0 to 45 degree angle.

Loupes are an expensive but worthwhile investment. It is important that you do your research before making a decision and a commitment.  

NOTE: If you contact a representative from any loupe brand, they are usually happy to have you borrow a pair for a couple weeks to try them out (for FREE). Try as many as you want to see which one's best for you.

Resources and Links:

Orascoptic

Dental Loupe Reviews
Loupe Direct

In The Loupe: Dental Loupes I

Yes, I am referring to the glasses/goggle looking magnifier of all things small and intraoral. I've been a bit out of the loupe loop when it comes to loupes. There seems to be a lack of information available to help dental students decide on if or what type of loupe to get. Nevertheless, I've decided that I do want loupes, the type or brand of loupe, well, that's another story. There are a lot of specifications to take into consideration and a world of gimmicks to avoid.
So let's talk a little bit about Loupes.

Why Get Them?
Magnification of small intraoral structures, and most importantly ergonomics. One of the major concerns for dentists and dental hygienists is work related injuries. Long hours of awkward sitting, neck posture and eye strain from working in such tiny quarters can really take its toll leading to serious consequences which can be threatening to your career. Because of the magnifying capabilities of loupes, they offer:

• Reduced eye, neck and back fatigue
• Better visualization of small structures in the oral cavity
• Enhanced view of instruments while you work
• Better work/preps which leads to better grades and increased confidence - and pt satisfaction :)

When To Get Them:
In my opinion, students should get them when they start working in the simulation lab for ergonomic reasons.

Types of Loupes:
Flip-Up - These have the magnification barrels suspended over the glasses by a pivoting arm attached to the nospiece of the glasses.

Pros:

Costs a lot less than TTL

Can easily flip them up when not in use (example: when talking to a patient) 

Easy to add a prescription frame

adjustable angle of inclination

Cons:

Can incorrectly adjust the angle of inclination leading to eye and musculoskeletal problems 

Weigh significantly more than TTLs which can put additional strain on neck and back

They have a narrower field of view because they are mounted farther away from the eyes

Through The lens (TTL) - These have the magnifiation barrels directly on the lens of the glasses.

Pros:

 Weighs less than flip ups

Provides wider field of view

Custom fitted for you personally so no adjustment needed

Cons:

Costs more than flip-ups

If you have a prescription for your lens and your prescription changes,

you will have to send it to the manufacturer to be adjusted ($$)

You have to take loupes off or look up through the lens while talking to patients.

How to Choose the Right Loupe:
Consider the specs:

• Depth of Field
• Field of View 
• Working Distance
• Flip-Up versus TTL type
• Resolution
• Magnification
• Comfort
• Weight
• Design

Consider the brands:

• Zeiss
• Surgitel
• Orascoptic
• SheerVision
• Design For Vision
• Quality Aspirators
• Heine, etc

See the breakdown of the specs and brands in Part II

Resources and Links:

The ADHA
Loupe Direct

Finals!

It is that time of the semester again.

This post is kind of delayed since Finals started on Monday. Nonetheless, it is still relevant. 

Good luck to all taking Finals!!

Removable Partial Denture Design

Removable Partial Denture - this is sometimes used for patients that are missing some, not all of their teeth (partial), where a fixed prostheses is contraindicated, where cost doesn't allow or just a preference of the patient.

There are different ways to classify an edentulous mouth. The basics are:

Class I (bilateral free ended partially edentulous)
Class II (unilateral free ended partially edentulous)
Class III (unilateral bounded partially edentulous)
Class IV (bilateral bounded anterior partially edentulous), etc 

My design:

Classification: Class II, modification II

I will be making the actual prostheses some time in the future. Stay tuned.

Millions without Dental Care

As future dentists it is important that we pay attention to the trend that's observed in this video. America is facing some tough challenges at present. It is of paramount importance that we understand how the need for dental care and dental literacy fits into the scheme of everyday life. The dental profession, while a moving target, must continue to maintain its prominence in the life of everyday citizens; however, as history has shown, the prominence of this profession is as good as our ability to convey its importance. Failure to do so can only seek to exacerbate some of the problems as observed in this piece, which doesn't bode well for our society.  The work hasn't even begun because afterall the content of this video is in the United States and not a third world country.

The Shoppe Has Been Stocked!

New items and new designs have made it to The Stu-DENT Shoppe. Here's a preview:

Zip Hoodie

Women's Performance jacket

Field Bag

iPhone 4 case

iPhone 3G case (if anyone still rocks this)

Wall clock

There's so much more. Just go to The Shoppe and look around, might make the perfect gift for a classmate, friend or someone you know in the dental field. 

**Enter coupon code FALLSALE to get 15% of orders $40 or more**

www.cafepress.com/stu_DENT