Dental Practice-Based Research Network

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May 2012 National Dental PBRN E-Update
Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Each month we highlight a recent publication, recent study results, or other important information from the nation's network. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact our Network Director of Communications and Dissemination.

The National Dental PBRN is now enrolling new practitioners
Monday, April 30, 2012

Hundreds of practitioners and thousands of patients have benefited by participating in the first phase during 2005-2012, which involved three regional networks. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (www.NIDCR.nih.gov), part of the National Institutes of Health, has provided the nation an unprecedented, historic opportunity by funding the next phase – a single national network. This is “the nation’s network” and we hope that you will join us to make this network the precious national resource that it can be.

The National Dental PBRN is now enrolling practitioners. You can enroll online by clicking here and following directions from there. You need to have a functioning email address to enroll.

If you previously participated in another network such as the DentalPBRN, PEARL or PRECEDENT, you will need to re-enroll because of revised enrollment questions and the need to update information.

For more information on the nation’s network, click here.

NIDCR establishes National Dental Practice-Based Research Network

Seven-year grant continues to build the evidence base in dentistry
Thursday, April 12, 2012

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) has awarded a $66.8 million, seven-year grant that consolidates its dental practice-based research network initiative into a unified nationally coordinated effort.

The consolidated initiative, renamed The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (NDPBRN), is headquartered at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry. It serves as a national administrative hub that leads and oversees six smaller regional research sites, or nodes. The nodes are located in Rochester, NY; Gainesville, Fla.; Birmingham; Minneapolis; San Antonio; and Portland, Ore. The NIDCR is part of the National Institutes of Health.

A dental practice-based research network is a investigative union of practicing dentists and academic scientists. The network provides practitioners with an opportunity to propose or participate in research studies that address day-to-day issues in oral healthcare. The studies, conducted in participating dental offices with consenting patients, help to expand the profession's evidence base and further refine care.

Since launching the practice-based initiative in 2005, NIDCR had supported three regional networks, including one at the UAB School of Dentistry. Each had its own affiliated practitioners, clinical studies, and administrative tasks independent of the others.

“A national coordinating center streamlines the network structure for greater financial and administrative efficiency,” said NIDCR Director Martha Somerman, D.D.S., Ph.D. “The national structure also should free those at the regional networks to focus almost solely on research, so, it's an excellent opportunity for everyone.”

The initial seven-year Regional Dental PBRN grants proved extremely productive, Somerman said. The networks enrolled 1,719 practitioners in 43 states. In collaboration with the Dental PBRN academic faculties and staff, the practitioners organized and conducted 51 research studies, generating 87 journal articles on topics ranging from preventive and restorative dentistry to pain management and smoking cessation.

“The regional research networks were built from scratch, and it took some time and effort to get them up and running smoothly,” said NIDCR program specialist Donald DeNucci, D.D.S. “But under the current grant, we're now building on our initial investment, and that should lead to a faster start and sustained productivity over the next seven years.”

DeNucci said the NDPBRN plans to expand the number of participating practitioners to 5,000. Greater participation will allow for an increased number and range of studies, the intention being to produce data that can be better generalized to the U.S. population in all its diversity.

The NDPBRN also will welcome greater participation of practitioners in the various dental subspecialties. These include endodontists, periodontists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, prosthodontists, oral pathologists, as well as pediatric and public health dentists. “We also welcome the nation's community health centers and the federal dental services, such as those in the Departments of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, and the Indian Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services,” said DeNucci. “We can certainly help to develop innovative, low-cost techniques to improve the oral health of all Americans.”

Another objective is to extend practitioner participation across the country. “With today’s advanced communications tools, no rural community is too remote for participation in the national network,” said Gregg Gilbert, D.D.S., M.B.A., the NDPBRN national network director and chair of UAB School of Dentistry's Department of General Dental Sciences. “Our aim is to be inclusive. We want the NDPBRN to truly become the nation's network.”

For more information about the NDPBRN, click here.

For a complete list of regional nodes, click here.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is the Nation's leading funder of research on oral, dental, and craniofacial health. To learn more about NIDCR, please click here.

April 2012 DPBRN E-Update
Monday, April 02, 2012

Each month we highlight a recent publication that may be of interest to DPBRN members, recent study results, or other important DPBRN information. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact our Director of Communications.

March 2012 DPBRN E-Update
Thursday, March 01, 2012

DPBRN presents at the University of Florida's Clinical and Translational Science Institute Seminar Series
Monday, February 06, 2012

DPBRN Orlando Practitioner-Investigator, Dr. Stanley Asensio II, was a guest speaker at the University of Florida's Clinical and Translational Science Institute Seminar Series on 1/25/2012. The presentation, "Learning about Practice-Based Research Using the Dental PBRN Model", given by Dr. Valeria Gordan, along with Dr. Asensio and Deborah McEdward, provided an overview of the Dental Practice-Based Research Network from the perspective of the Principal Investigator, Practitioner-Investigator, and the Regional Coordinator. Dr. Asensio’s perspective proved to be a vital connection between private practice and academic research efforts, which is one of the visions of the DPBRN.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

Study summary results for DPBRN studies are now available
Thursday, February 02, 2012

Summary results, overall and by region, for DPBRN studies "Reasons for replacement or repair of dental restorations", "Patient satisfaction with dental restorations",“Prevalence of questionable occlusal caries lesions”, “Blood sugar testing in dental practice”, “Peri-operative pain and root canal therapy”, “Persistent pain and root canal therapy”,"Impact of dental practice-based research networks on patient care", and “Infrastructure Update Survey” are now available for viewing. Please click here to view them under each study heading.

February 2012 DPBRN E-Update
Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Online video tutorials explain statistics used in systematic reviews
Friday, January 13, 2012

A new series of online video tutorials helps dental professionals and students become more discriminating readers of research articles and how they can be applied in the dental practice. The videos were developed by the ADA Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD).

The first three tutorials focus on statistics and provide an understanding of the statistics-related concepts clinicians will encounter in evidence-based research and systematic reviews.

•“Why Do We Need Statistics?” describes three situations that can be quantified using statistics and identifies what the authors of a systematic review are trying to quantify.

•“What are the Different Types of Data?” explains the differences between nominal, ordinal and quantitative data and identifies the type of data being presented in a systematic review.

•In “What is a Null Hypothesis?” viewers develop a null hypothesis and identify the null hypotheses in systematic reviews.

For more advanced training in EBD principles, attend the next ADA EBD Champions Conference in Chicago on March 8-10, 2012. To view the videos, click here.

Nixdorf presents DPBRN Study 17 feasibility results in Master of Science in Clinical Research defense
Tuesday, January 10, 2012

DPBRN Study 17 Principal Investigator Don Nixdorf, DDS, MS completed the oral defense of his Master of Science in Clinical Research at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Dr. Nixdorf presented data from DPBRN Study 17: “Peri-Operative Pain and Root Canal Therapy.” Practitioners involved in the study, Alan Law, DDS, PhD, Deb Knaup, DDS, MS and Dennis Tucker, DDS attended the public presentation.

“From a researcher’s perspective,” says Dr. Nixdorf, “large prospective endodontic studies have not had high levels of patient follow-up. In that context, this study was a big success.” With patient follow-up response rates of more than 90%, the DPBRN achieved meaningful participation of both practitioners and their patients.

The study involved both endodontists and general dentists across the US, as well as general dentists in Denmark and endodontists in Sweden. Endodontists in the audience agreed that the results represent the population of patients typically seen in practice. “This too is important with regards to the contribution of these studies,” says Nixdorf. “It is a tribute to the excellent enrollment capabilities of practitioners engaged in the DPBRN. These daily efforts really add up and result in the diversity of patients and providers we’re looking to represent.”

Each DPBRN study sheds light on new challenges and ways for the network to grow and improve. “In these studies, the challenging part—and the practitioners will tell you this— was the consecutive logging of eligible patients,” stated Dr. Nixdorf. “We’ve learned how to address robust data collection in the environment of a busy dental practice. Practitioners in the network demonstrated a great deal of skill in this regard. We are very grateful. It leads to results that contribute meaningfully to the body of knowledge in this area.”

Main outcomes of the studies are pending publication. Stay tuned for future DPBRN news releases.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

January 2012 DPBRN E-Update
Sunday, January 01, 2012

December 2011 DPBRN E-Update
Thursday, December 01, 2011

November 2011 DPBRN E-Update
Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Fall 2011 DPBRN Newsletter
Monday, October 10, 2011

The Fall 2011 DPBRN Newsletter is now available. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the electronic version, please contact our Director of Communications.

October 2011 DPBRN E-Update
Saturday, October 01, 2011

Practitioner-investigator in the Minnesota region, Dr. Mike Bauer, discusses how DPBRN participation has improved his practice
Friday, September 02, 2011

I have been involved as a co-author on three manuscripts that have reported results from certain DPBRN studies. When contemplating the results and contributing to the discussion, I start to take inventory of my current practice patterns.

Recently I was involved in a manuscript that will report on the use of rubber dam by DPBRN dentists during root canal treatment. My practice pattern was to use it for all posterior teeth, but not all anterior teeth. I have changed that pattern as a result of my involvement. I met with my dental assistants to inform them of this change in my clinical practice. I also discussed these results with the other dentists in our clinic. One dentist, a 2008 graduate of the University of Minnesota, reported that she was taught that if you cannot place a rubber dam, the patient should be referred to an endodontist or an extraction should be considered. I can report that our clinic has used results from this DPBRN study and made changes that will improve the quality and safety of the care that we deliver to our patients. I can attest to the fact that DPBRN participation has changed the way that I practice, and my patients benefit from this!

September 2011 DPBRN E-Update
Thursday, September 01, 2011

Dental hygiene educator in the MN Region dedicates sabbatical to increasing engagement of the dental team in practice-based research
Friday, August 26, 2011

Debra Sidd, RDH, RF, MEd has been a dental hygiene educator for more than 30 years. Recent engagement with The Dental Practice-Based Research Network (DPBRN) has further energized her already-accomplished career. Awarded a one-year sabbatical from teaching, she will use the time to promote involvement of the entire dental team in practice-based research activities. Her rationale: evidence-based improvements in care can only be achieved when the entire team is engaged in the process. She sees involvement in practice-based research as a way to support that engagement.

Teaching her dental hygiene bachelor’s degree students about evidence-based practice in 2008 led Sidd to meet DPBRN Minnesota Regional Primary Investigator, Brad Rindal, DDS and then Regional Coordinator, Merry Jo Thoele, RDH, MPH. She states, “Being fairly new to research myself, their insights and expertise inspired me and informed my course design.” Sidd invited them to participate as guest speakers and developed a better understanding of DPBRN activities when Dr. Rindal addressed the network with her students. “As chair of the dental hygiene program at Normandale Community College from 2008-2010, I saw the need to sequence evidence-based decision making (EBDM) throughout our dental hygiene curriculum.”

Seeing the importance of EBDM in the educational setting, Sidd is now inspired to engage providers already in practice. With input from Dr. Rindal and Regional Coordinators Emily Durand, RDH, RF and Sarah Basile RDH, MPH, Sidd is organizing a symposium for the entire dental team with the following two strategic priorities: (1) to effectively increase the participation of the dental team in dental practice-based research network activities; (2) to actively engage an effective team approach to evidence-based improvements in patient care.

The event will be highly collaborative, engaging a range of stakeholders in the planning process. Sidd states, “I am grateful to have this opportunity and hope our efforts encourage effective partnerships which truly impact the quality of dental care.” The symposium will take place Friday, May 11th, 2012 at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN (details to follow). Contact: Emily Durand.

DPBRN Blood Glucose Study featured in NNOHA Newsletter
Thursday, August 18, 2011

The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) featured a story on DPBRN practitioner-investigator Dr. Gary Lease and his staff from the South Lake Community Health Center Dental Clinic in Groveland, Florida in its Summer 2011 quarterly newsletter. Dr. Lease participated in DPBRN Study 15 entitled ‘Blood Glucose Testing in Dental Practice'. The story highlights a patient who, because of enrolling in the study, was diagnosed with diabetes and is now under medical care. Please click here to view the newsletter (see page 3 for the story).

DPBRN HealthPartners Principal Investigator awarded a grant from NIDCR to examine the question: Does Participation in a Dental Practice-Based Research Network Impact Treatment?
Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Dr. Brad Rindal, Director of the DPBRN Minnesota region and Principal Investigator at the HealthPartners Research Foundation, was recently awarded a grant from NIDCR (R03-DE-022089) to examine the question: Does Participation in a Dental Practice-Based Research Network Impact Treatment?

The study addresses this important question by examining actual care-delivery patterns of dentists. Dr. Rindal and his investigative team will utilize electronic clinical data from the HealthPartners Dental Group (HPDG), including diagnosis codes, caries depths and treatment data to determine if dentists with a high level of DPBRN participation are quicker to assimilate DPBRN research into their practices. HPDG has a thorough dental record that is easily married with HealthPartners administrative data. Patient diagnosis and treatment data aggregated by provider will be examined in 2005, prior to the implementation of the DPBRN. They will then examine the dental practice patterns again in calendar year 2009 and will evaluate the personal characteristics of dentists in calendar year 2005 among dentists who later went on to participate in DPBRN. The dentists will be stratified into three categories based on level of involvement in the DPBRN: not enrolled, enrolled but minimally involved, enrolled and involved.

Congratulations to Dr. Rindal and his colleagues at the HealthPartners Research Foundation!

August 2011 DPBRN E-Update
Monday, August 01, 2011

First DPBRN Japan study has started
Monday, August 01, 2011

The Dental PBRN Japan has begun its first study entitled “Assessment of Caries Diagnosis and Caries Treatment”, led by Dr. Naoki Kakudate of the Kyoto University School of Medicine and Public Health. Data collection is currently underway. Please click here to view the Japanese version of the questionnaire. This study is modeled after DPBRN Study 3 of the same name. DPBRN has been collaborating with this new network in Japan as it builds its infrastructure and research capabilities.

Summer 2011 DPBRN Newsletter
Monday, July 18, 2011

The DPBRN Summer 2011 Newsletter is now available. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the electronic version, please contact our Director of Communications.

July 2011 DPBRN E-update
Friday, July 01, 2011

DPBRN presents posters at PBRN National Research Conference
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

DPBRN presented three posters at the 2011 annual Practice-Based Research Networks National Research Conference June 22-24, 2011, in Bethesda, Maryland. This is an annual research conference of PBRNs sponsored by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

The three DPBRN posters were entitled: (1) “Regional variation in information use by Dental PBRN practitioners”; (2) “Practice improvement associated with Dental PBRN participation”; and (3) “Characteristics of questionable tooth decay lesions: findings from The Dental Practice-Based Research Network”. In addition to presenting three posters, DPBRN was discussed as a model for inter-professional research collaborations during a plenary presentation entitled “Collaboration: The Experience of Three PBRNs” by Dr. Michael Harrington, Director of the Alabama Primary Care Research Collaborative.

Mainly in attendance are persons involved in medical primary care PBRNs. However, a DPBRN representative has attended this annual meeting each year since 2004. The meeting's web site and agenda can by found by clicking here (external site).

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

June 2011 DPBRN E-update
Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Network-wide results of DPBRN study "Prevalence of questionable occlusal caries lesions” are now available
Thursday, May 26, 2011

The network-wide results for the DPBRN study, “Prevalence of questionable occlusal caries lesions”, are now available with individual results to be mailed out to participating practitioners shortly.

The aims of this study are to (1) quantify the prevalence of questionable occlusal carious lesions in permanent teeth in the first 100 consecutive eligible patients of DPBRN practitioner-investigators; (2a) for unopened questionable occlusal carious lesions, to test the hypothesis that the patient’s baseline caries risk is significantly associated with lesion description (i.e., perceived caries status); and (2b) for opened questionable occlusal carious lesions, to test the hypothesis that the patient’s baseline caries risk is significantly associated with caries depth. These aims were met by enrolling 82 practitioner-investigators, each of whom recorded information about 100 consecutive patients and 25-50 consecutive questionable early occlusal caries lesions on a 2-page questionnaire. The study recorded the reason why these occlusal lesions were questionable, the tools used to diagnose the lesions, the reason why a certain treatment was rendered, and the depth of the lesions when treated operatively.

Please click here to to see detailed report, overall and by region. Please click here to see graphical presentation of study findings, also overall and by region.

We hope that you find these results to be interesting. Thank you for your participation!

DPBRN featured in NNOHA Newsletter
Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) featured a testimonial of DPBRN practitioner-investigator Dr. Adolphus Jackson, of Birmingham, AL in its Spring 2011 quarterly newsletter. Please click here to view the article.

Spring 2011 DPBRN Newsletter
Friday, May 06, 2011

The DPBRN Spring 2011 Newsletter is now available. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the electronic version, please contact our Director of Communications.

Communication from NIDCR about practitioner-investigators in The National Dental PBRN
Friday, May 06, 2011

NIDCR asked that we forward this message:

NIDCR is strongly committed to engaging a diverse and an expanded body of dental practitioners in the future National Dental Practice-based Research Network. Please be assured that practitioners currently engaged in NIDCR funded practice-based research will have a vital and essential role in the future National Dental PBRN. NIDCR has provided a link to important information for PBRN practitioners on the NIDCR website. To view this information, please click here.

Please do not hesitate to contact your PBRN Director or Don DeNucci at NIDCR if you have any additional questions pertaining to your role in the National Dental PBRN.

May 2011 DPBRN E-update
Sunday, May 01, 2011

Application Successfully Submitted in Response to the National Dental PBRN Limited Competition
Friday, April 29, 2011

As follow-up to our news item of December 16, 2010 entitled “New National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Limited Competition (U19)”, we successfully submitted our grant application for renewal. Although it was not due until May 3rd, we submitted our application on April 28th.

Recall that the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) funded The Dental PBRN for 2005-2012. NIDCR issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for a limited competition that invited applications from the incumbent NIDCR-funded PBRNs to establish a National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. The Institute will support one national network.

Dental PBRN Study #14 on Smoking Cessation Yields Results
Thursday, April 14, 2011

Researchers with the Dental PBRN study entitled “Hygienists’ Internet Tobacco Cessation Study” are helping dental practices make a difference in the lives of their patients. From the time the study began, over 700 dental practices nationwide expressed interest in participating in the study and the enthusiasm has continued. Ultimately, only 100 practices were randomized into the study, a limitation required by the study protocol. Hygienists, dentists, and office staff from 100 dental practices across eight states are actively participating in the study and reporting success with using the study’s online tools to educate patients about smoking cessation.

Recently, one practice reported that one of its patients returned for a routine office visit and staff noticed that the patient’s demeanor and appearance were different. When asked about it, the patient reported that as a result of participating in the study, he had finally succeeded in quitting smoking. After the hygienist referred the patient to the study’s website for tobacco control, the patient, who was a long-time smoker, followed advice provided on the website and took steps to quit. He explained that although he had made earlier attempts to quit, hearing the advice and encouragement at the dental office and receiving advice from the website, was “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.

Other patients have found similar results after using the site, with comments such as “Thanks for your help. This is the best help I have ever received” and “I appreciate you being here for me because it wasn’t easy for me to quit but I'm glad I did. I was just told I'm cancer-free as of Feb 3rd this year.”

We congratulate these and other patients, as well as the dental offices participating in the study! DPBRN’s mission is “To improve oral health by conducting dental practice-based research and by serving dental professionals and their patients through education and collegiality.” For this study, we may not only be improving oral health, but general health as well!

Dental PBRN Blood Glucose Study #15 Has a Major Impact on a Study Participant
Thursday, April 14, 2011

Dr. Gary Lease and his staff from the South Lake Community Health Center Dental Clinic in Groveland, Florida participated recently in the DPBRN Study #15 entitled ‘Blood Glucose Testing in Dental Practice’. The Health Center serves four counties and draws patients from four additional counties. The population served is rural, including under-served lower income patients and migrant workers, as well as full-fee patients. Dr. Lease, also a member of the National Network for Oral Health Access (www.NNOHA.org), has participated in several DPBRN studies, and was glad to learn about the study that sought to determine the feasibility of doing random blood glucose screening for dental patients at risk for abnormal readings.

Results from the study were recently presented at the International Association for Dental Research (www.IADR.com) annual meeting in March 2011. Blood glucose screening in dental practice was found to be feasible and was viewed positively by participating clinics and their patients. Additionally, the study had a particularly important impact for one of Dr. Lease’s patients. This patient was being seen for a routine prophylaxis appointment and agreed to participate in the study. The initial blood glucose reading was very high (465 mg/dl; normal random value is 80-120 mg/dl) and stayed high when the test was repeated. Dr. Lease asked the patient whether he or his family had a history of diabetes, but the patient was unaware of any problem. At that point, the study protocol required Dr. Lease to refer the patient to a physician. Because the dental clinic is associated with a medical clinic, the dental staff immediately called to see if they could have the patient seen by a medical provider. Because of the extremely high reading, the medical clinic advised that the patient should go immediately to the emergency room.

The patient instead reported very soon after the dental visit to a medical clinic. At that time, he was diagnosed with diabetes for the first time and is now under the care of a physician. Although he said he felt fine at the initial study visit, he realized after the diabetes diagnosis that he had been having some health problems. The patient is now on medication for diabetes and he stated that he is being more careful with his diet, both of which have improved his overall health. Today, the patient feels lucky that he participated in the study and said “I am happy I had the testing; if not for the test (study) I would still not know. I had a problem with my eyesight, my eyes hurt, and that is better. I am so glad that I was able to be part of the test and I am very thankful.”

The Community Health Center Dental Clinic at South Lake identified a number of patients enrolled in the study with elevated readings who also were unaware of the problem. Dr. Lease sees the “test as a benefit to the overall health of the patient, treating the whole patient, not just their oral condition. A poorly controlled diabetic can be expected to respond differently than a well-controlled one, in terms of healing and tissue response”. With the clinic serving a population which seems to have more periodontal disease, Dr. Lease says he is now “more inclined to suggest medical follow-up if a person comes in with severe periodontal disease. I ask if they have a family history or have been tested for diabetes. The blood glucose testing by finger stick is an efficient and easy tool and I hope in the future our profession is able to incorporate it into daily clinical practice”.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

DPBRN April 2011 E-update
Friday, April 01, 2011

DPBRN posters and presentations at IADR/AADR meeting in San Diego, CA
Monday, March 28, 2011

DPBRN was well-represented at the 40th Annual Meeting of the International and American Associations for Dental Research in San Diego, CA March 16-19, 2011. DPBRN had 14 abstracts, given as oral presentations or posters, which garnered a lot of interest in our network. Congratulations to all the presenters for a job well done! Click here to view the abstract list.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

Japan develops a Dental PBRN
Friday, March 25, 2011

In September 2010, Naoki Kakudate, DDS, PhD, MPH, a faculty member at the Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Japan, visited Birmingham, Alabama to learn about the Dental PBRN Network Chair and Coordinating Center groups. Then he went on to Portland, Oregon to attend the annual face-to-face meeting of the DPBRN administrative groups (Executive Committee, Steering Committee, Regional Coordination Group). See the related news item about his visit (dated October 10, 2010) here.

Using the knowledge he gained from his visits helped him establish “Dental PBRN Japan”, for which he serves as Director. Please click here to visit the website.

We congratulate Dr. Kakudate on his accomplishments. DPBRN and Dental PBRN Japan hope to collaborate on certain projects in the future.

Article on DPBRN studies featured in HealthPartners Dental Group Weekly Reader
Monday, March 14, 2011

The HealthPartners Dental Group Weekly Reporter recently featured The DPBRN’s two ONJ reports. “Risk Factors for Osteonecrosis of the Jaws: a Case-control Study” and “ONJ in Two Dental Practice-Based Research Network Regions” can be found in February’s Journal of Dental Research. Click here to read the article from HealthPartners.

DPBRN March 2011 E-Update
Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Each month we highlight a recent DPBRN publication, recent study results, or other important DPBRN information. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact our Director of Communications.

Article on DPBRN featured in the University of Florida Post: “Science in the Real World”
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The University of Florida Post recently wrote an article entitled “Science in the Real World” which discusses The DPBRN and the impact it has had in conducting research in daily clinical practice. Click here to read the article.

DPBRN February 2011 E-update
Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Winter 2011 DPBRN Newsletter
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The DPBRN Winter 2011 Newsletter is now available. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the electronic version, please contact our Director of Communications.

January 2011 DPBRN E-Update
Monday, January 03, 2011

DPBRN now on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn
Wednesday, December 29, 2010

DPBRN now can be found on the following social networks: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. News items, publications of the month, and testimonials will be featured.

Click here to "like" our Facebook page.

Click here to follow us on Twitter.

Click here to join our LinkedIn group.

Fourth annual meeting for Scandinavian DPBRN practitioner-investigators
Friday, December 17, 2010

Scandinavia held its 4th annual regional meeting on Saturday November 20, 2010, at the Royal Library, The Black Diamond, in Copenhagen, Denmark. A total of twenty-nine DPBRN dentist and dental hygienist practitioner-investigators from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden were able to attend the meeting.

The meeting started with two keynote presentations by the Danish professor Dr. Palle Holmstrup, who gave an inspired review of “The Borderline between Periodontology and Medicine”, and the Norwegian professor Dr. Anne Bjørg Tveit, who presented “Current Caries Diagnostics and Treatment Strategies in Norway”. Ms. Lene Fabricius-Bekker spoke about her work as a DPBRN Regional Coordinator for Scandinavia and gave a enthusiastic report from the DPBRN face-to-face meeting in Portland, September 2010. Scandinavian Regional Coordinator Ms. Pia Nørrisgaard talked about the interesting findings from the DPBRN study “Assessment of Caries Diagnosis and Caries Treatment”, which she also presented at the IADR meeting in Barcelona, July 2010. DPBRN Executive Committee member Dr. Lotta Persson gave a presentation of great interest for the practitioners explaining her work as the Scandinavian representative in the DPBRN EC. Finally, DPBRN dental hygienist practitioner-investigator, Ms. Helle Nielsen, presented the preliminary SK results from the DPBRN "Prevalence of Questionable Occlusal Caries Lesions”, which was conducted earlier in 2010. In extension of Ms. Nielsen´s presentation there was an engaging breakout group discussion concerning the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment found by the Danish dental hygienists and dentists in this study. The day was concluded with a discussion of the possibilities for a common Danish electronic patient record system within dentistry given by DPBRN practitioner Dr. Johan Buchhorn, and a presentation of the DPBRN Scandinavian Principal Investigator Dr. Vibeke Qvist of the 2½ year results from the Danish ‘SEAL-project’, which deals with sealing versus restoration of manifest occlusal caries lesions in the young permanent dentition.

The DPBRN practitioners found the meeting very meaningful and appreciated having discussions with network colleagues from the other Scandinavian countries. They received certificates for their participation in the annual regional meeting.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

New National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Limited Competition (U19)
Thursday, December 16, 2010

Recall that the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) funded The Dental PBRN for 2005-2012. NIDCR has now issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for a limited competition that invites applications from the incumbent NIDCR regional practice-based research networks to establish a National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (NDPBRN).

NDPBRN is defined as a geographically diverse group of practices and clinics devoted principally to the oral health care of patients, and whose members are affiliated through their interests in investigating questions related to dental practice and in improving the quality of oral health care. The NDPBRN will initiate and perform a variety of clinical studies, with an emphasis on comparing the effectiveness of oral health treatments and preventive regimens. The primary objective of each study carried out by the NDPBRN is to strengthen the knowledge base for clinical decision-making by evaluating particular clinical approaches and evaluating the effectiveness of strategies for the prevention, management and treatment of oral diseases and conditions.

The Institute will support one NDPBRN led by a national network director who will be responsible for the overall scientific leadership and fiscal management of NDPBRN activities. The goals of the cooperative agreement funded under this FOA are to support the infrastructure and conduct of national oral health research studies in dental practices on topics of importance to practitioners, to provide evidence useful in daily patient care, and to facilitate the translation of research findings into clinical practice.

The deadline to apply for this seven-year grant is May 3, 2011 with an earliest anticipated start date of April 2012. Click here to view the Funding Opportunity Announcement. Also click here to see questions and answers related to the FOA.

DPBRN Network Chair highlighted in AADR’s Strides in Science
Friday, December 10, 2010

Dr. Gregg Gilbert, DPBRN Network Chair, was highlighted in the December 2010 issue of the American Association for Dental Research’s Strides in Science. Dr. Gilbert discusses The DPBRN, his interest in dental research, and the future of oral health research. Click here to view the AADR website and click here to view the pdf version.

2010 DPBRN Annual Meetings for the Florida/Georgia Region
Friday, December 03, 2010

DPBRN holds annual meetings with its practitioner-investigators in each region. Because the practitioner-investigators are widely spread throughout the states of Florida and Georgia, the FL/GA region decided to experiment this year with having four localized meetings for the convenience of the practitioner-investigators, instead of a single regional meeting. These local meetings were held in Atlanta (Georgia) on October 8, 2010; Miami (South Florida) on October 22, 2010; Lakeland (Central Florida) on October 29, 2010; and Milton (Panhandle Florida) on November 4, 2010. Each meeting had different presentations tailored to the practitioners and guests at each specific location.

Dental practice staff members who are active in the research were also invited to attend the meetings because they are critical to the success of the research and have a vested interest in the outcomes.

The agenda for each of the meetings followed the same pattern. Posters were available for viewing and discussion as the practitioners arrived at the meeting. A PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Gordan (Principal Investigator for the FL/GA region) and/or Ms. Deborah McEdward (Regional Coordinator for the FL/GA region) covered studies, training, practitioner presentations, publications and other relevant information. Each practitioner was given a booklet of the posters and selected manuscripts published by the network. Dinner was served during the time allowed for discussion and networking.

This meeting format was very successful. Attendees expressed interest in the update on studies and were enthusiastic about talking with each other about the research. Practitioners also showed interest in presenting and writing the results of the completed and current studies.

A total of 58 practitioners and staff attended these meetings, in addition to faculty and students from the University of Florida Hialeah and St. Petersburg clinics.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

December 2010 DPBRN E-Update
Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Regional Coordinators give a presentation to dental hygiene students
Saturday, November 20, 2010

Ms. Pearl Ann Harris and Ms. Deborah McEdward (Regional Coordinators for the FL/GA region) spoke to a mixed class of second-year, and accelerated one-year, dental hygiene students at Santa Fe College in Gainesville Florida. Students in the Community Dentistry class were informed about the variety of research positions available to dental hygienists ranging from Clinical Research Coordinators to Research Hygienists. The Dental Practice-Based Research Network was described as well as the research being done by the network. Students expressed interest in research and asked about joining the network once they are employed.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photo(s).

DPBRN Fall Newsletter
Friday, November 05, 2010

The DPBRN Fall 2010 Newsletter is now available. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the electronic version, please contact our Director of Communications.

November 2010 DPBRN E-Update
Monday, November 01, 2010

DPBRN Executive Committee member co-authors article in the Fall 2010 issue of Journal of Health Care Finance
Thursday, October 28, 2010

Dr. Paul Benjamin, DPBRN Executive Committee Member and practitioner-investigator from Florida, co-authored an article entitled “A psychosocial approach to dentistry for the underserved: incorporating theory into practice” in the Fall 2010 issue of Journal of Health Care Finance. In it, they discuss the value of access to quality dentistry as an immeasurable factor in maintaining general medical health of people and fulfilling their psychosocial needs of pain reduction and enhanced cosmetics. They tackle the question: What are the critical values and beliefs of psychosocial theory that can underscore the practice of dentistry for underserved populations in the United States? They found that a theoretical approach to dentistry employing the health belief model, mediated by values and culture, can provide significant insights into patient thinking, beliefs, and perceptions. These insights can mediate access to and use of primary care dental services by underserved populations. Click here to view the PubMed link.

Fourth annual meeting for Minnesota practitioner-investigators: Partnering with the Minnesota Dental Association on the dissemination of DPBRN results
Monday, October 25, 2010

The MN Region of the DPBRN hosted its annual meeting co-sponsored this year by the Minnesota Dental Association (MDA). The event was held at the University of Minnesota Conference and Continuing Education Center in St. Paul, MN on Friday, October 15th, 2010. In attendance were 63 individuals representing the Dental Practice-Based Research Network (dentists in private practice, community health practice, and group practice across the state), the Minnesota Dental Association, the Minnesota Academy of General Dentistry, and the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry. Of those not currently enrolled in DPBRN activities, many expressed interest after a lively and informative meeting.

The meeting was led by Dr. Brad Rindal, Minnesota Regional Principal Investigator and Dr. Gary Anderson of the MDA’s Evidence-Based Taskforce. Dr. Don DeNucci provided an update on the future of dental practice-based research. Dr. Gregg Gilbert provided the annual update on DPBRN study progress to date.

Dr. Raj Gopalakrishnan presented recent findings from studies at the University of Minnesota on osteonecrosis of the jaw. Results were presented by Dr. Andrei Barasch on the CONDOR study on “Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.” DPBRN Practitioner-Investigator Dr. Doug Shamp provided testimonial on his involvement in that and other studies in the DPBRN. Panel discussion and a breakout session focused on the results presented, with much positive feedback from practitioners.

Dr. Don Nixdorf, Dr. Alan Law, and Dr. Alejandro Aguirre presented a study update and preliminary data on “Peri-operative Pain and Root Canal Therapy” and “Persistent Pain and Root Canal Therapy”. Both studies are underway in all regions of the DPBRN. Dr. Aguirre shared details of the successful implementation of the study protocol into his practice across three offices highlighting involvement of engaged staff members and sharing patients’ interest and willingness to participate. DPBRN Practitioner-Investigators Dr. Pat Foy, Dr. Vince Riehm, Dr. Matt Rindal, and Dr. Robin Yardic shared poster presentations on:

Caries Risk and Treatment Decisions

Actual Versus Reported Caries Restorative Thresholds

Gender Differences in the Treatment of Dental Caries

Factors Used to Rate Dentists' Technical Skills

DPBRN Executive Committee member Dr. Pat Foy provided closing remarks on the importance practice-based research in understanding “what works, and why?” A social luncheon followed providing opportunity to converse with friends and colleagues.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

Fifth annual meeting for Permanente Dental Associates DPBRN practitioner-investigators
Monday, October 18, 2010

Permanente Dental Associates (PDA) held its 5th annual regional meeting on Saturday September 25th, 2010 at the RiverPlace hotel in Portland, Oregon. Forty PDA dentists attended the meeting. Practitioners and research staff who were in Portland to attend The DPBRN Steering Committee, Regional Coordination Group, and Executive Committee meetings also attended the regional meeting, bringing the total in attendance to almost 60. One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentations given by practitioners from the Florida, Minnesota and Scandinavian regions. Each gave an informative and sometimes humorous presentation about dentistry in his or her region.

With the 2012 end-of-award date approaching, Dr. Don DeNucci talked about the future of practice-based research networks. Dr. Gregg Gilbert provided an update on current network activities. Several PDA practitioners spoke about recent and ongoing DPBRN studies. Dr. Jeffrey Houtz talked about DPBRN study “Peri-operative pain and root canal therapy”, which is currently underway. Dr. May Kao presented information about DPBRN study “Blood sugar testing in dental practice” which was conducted earlier in 2010. Dr. Daniel Pihlstrom presented PDA region-specific results from DPBRN study “Reasons for replacement or repair of dental restorations”. Finally, Dr. Kenneth Brossel, a member of the PRECEDENT practice-based research network, shared study results from their study “Salivary markers in caries risk detection”.

Providers Dr. Minah DeAinza, Dr. David Straube, Dr. Jeffrey Wolfe and Dr. Farooq Nasserziayee, along with the principal investigator of the Kaiser Permanente site, Dr. Jeffrey Fellows, led poster discussions during the meeting. These presenters provided a brief synopsis of a poster as groups of dentists circulated asking questions and discussing the implications of poster results.

Eighteen dentists received framed DPBRN certificates for their participation in one (or both) of the DPBRN studies “Prevalence of questionable occlusal caries lesions” and “Blood sugar testing in dental practice”.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

Faculty member from Japan visits The Dental PBRN
Sunday, October 10, 2010

Naoki Kakudate, DDS, PhD, MPH, a faculty member at the Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Japan, visited Birmingham, Alabama and Portland, Oregon from September 14-22, 2010 to learn more about The Dental PBRN and to observe its activities.

He began by visiting the Network Chair and Coordinating Center groups at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He visited with faculty and staff in both groups, attended weekly meetings of these groups, and learned about the structure and function of DPBRN overall, as well as specifics of the Alabama/Mississippi region. He also visited the office of an active DPBRN practitioner-investigator, Dr. Wilson Wright, Jr., of Birmingham, AL.

Dr. Wilson Wright Jr. and his staff, Celenia Colston and Shannon Bagley, hosted Dr. Kakudate on September 15, 2010. Dr. Wright and his staff are currently participating in the DPBRN studies “Peri-Operative Tooth Pain and Root Canal Therapy” and “Persistent Tooth Pain and Root Canal Therapy”. Dr. Kakudate was very interested in how Dr. Wright interacted with the university and the mechanics of doing a research project in his private practice, which they discussed over lunch. Dr. Wright was quick to point out that without his staff helping facilitate the paperwork, the project would not get done due to busy office workload.

Following his visit in Birmingham, Dr. Kakudate attended the face-to-face meetings of the DPBRN Executive Committee, Steering Committee, and Regional Coordination Group in Portland, Oregon. See the related News Item story below about these meetings.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

Annual DPBRN face-to-face committee meetings held in Oregon this year
Friday, October 08, 2010

The DPBRN Executive Committee, Steering Committee, and Regional Coordination Group held their annual face-to-face meetings at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research and the Permanente Dental Associates administrative offices in Portland, Oregon on September 23-24, 2010. Each year, the committee members from all DPBRN regions meet face-to-face to engage in an assessment of the network’s performance, to discuss strategic planning, and to discuss past, present, and future DPBRN projects. Members from the AL/MS, FL/GA, MN, PDA, and Scandinavia regions were all present, which included personnel from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Florida, HealthPartners Research Foundation, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Permanente Dental Associates (PDA), and the University of Copenhagen.

The Steering Committee and Regional Coordination Group held a joint meeting and discussed the numerous DPBRN manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations thus far as well as those in progress. The groups were also updated on the status of all ongoing DPBRN studies. The Executive Committee met to engage in strategic planning and to discuss how best to prepare for the upcoming grant renewal competition. In a first for the network, the EC also held a joint meeting with the Steering Committee and Regional Coordination Group in the afternoon of September 24. This was followed by a discussion of the operations and interactions among the Kaiser Permanente system overall, the Kaiser Permanente Northwest organization, the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, and the PDA. This was followed by a tour of one of the PDA dental clinics.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

October 2010 DPBRN E-update
Monday, October 04, 2010

DPBRN participates in Q&A for the ADA News
Friday, September 10, 2010

Dr. Gregg Gilbert, Network Chair of DPBRN, participated in a Q&A session for the ADA News. Dr. Gilbert, along with the Directors of the two other NIDCR-funded PBRNs, answered questions regarding the impact of practice-based research and its importance in shaping the future of dentistry. Click here to read the news article.

Annual ADA session course examines Dental Practice-Based Research Networks
Friday, September 10, 2010

The October 2010 session of the ADA in Orlando, FL will include a course on practice-based research networks and how dentists and their staff can contribute to building the science base for clinical dentistry. The course, entitled “Networked Dentistry: Providing Answers to Important Clinical Questions”, will explain the advantages of combining practice-based research and the ADA’s evidence-based dentistry program. For more information on this course, please click here.

September 2010 DPBRN E-Update
Wednesday, September 01, 2010

DPBRN Summer 2010 Newsletter
Monday, August 16, 2010

The DPBRN Summer 2010 Newsletter is now available. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the electronic version, please contact our Director of Communications.

DPBRN Executive Committee member co-authors article on ethics in the August 2010 issue of JADA
Friday, August 13, 2010

Dr. Pat Foy, DPBRN Executive Committee Member and practitioner-investigator from the MN region, co-authored the “Ethical Moment” section of the August 2010 issue of JADA entitled “What Is the Ethical Course of Action When a Third-Party Payer Denies Coverage for a Treatment I Recommend Simply Because the Treatment Is Not One of the Plan’s ‘Evidence-Based Best Practices’?”. In it, they discuss the relationship between evidence-based dentistry and third-party payers. Click here to view the PubMed link. Click here to visit the ADA website.

DPBRN posters and presentations at IADR meeting in Barcelona, Spain
Wednesday, August 04, 2010

DPBRN was well-represented at the 88th General Session and Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), held this year in Barcelona, Spain July 14-17, 2010. DPBRN had multiple abstracts, given as oral presentations or posters, which garnered a lot of interest in our network.

Dr. Valeria Gordan (Principal Investigator for the FL/GA region) participated in a symposium organized by the Dental Materials Research Group and Network for Practice-based Research. She gave an oral presentation entitled “Investigating reasons for and outcomes of repair and replacement of restorations: a comparison of practice-based and institution-based studies”. DPBRN posters at the meeting included the following topics: factors used to rate dentists’ technical skills; successfully engaging practitioners to present research from The Dental PBRN; value of in-office audits in DPBRN; caries risk assessment and treatment decisions; and adult caries risk factors. The posters were presented by The DPBRN investigators, research coordinators, and private-practitioners from the various regions.

In addition to these presentations, Ms. Deborah McEdward(Regional Coordinator for the FL/GA region) and Dr. Craig Ajmo(DPBRN practitioner-investigator for the FL/GA region) attended the Board meeting for the Network for Practice-based Research. They serve as Treasurer and Member-At-Large representatives, respectively. The DPBRN received positive remarks for its participation at the section meeting of the Network for Practice-based Research. The goal of “networks” in the IADR structure is to create opportunities for communication and collaboration among researchers and other interested groups under the umbrella of the IADR.

Congratulations to all the presenters for a job well done! Click here to view the entire list of presentations.

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

August 2010 E-update
Monday, August 02, 2010

Endodontists’ and orofacial pain groups jointly fund a Dental PBRN study
Tuesday, July 27, 2010

A follow-up study to DPBRN Studies 17 ("Peri-operative pain and root canal therapy") & 18 ("Persistent Pain and Root Canal Therapy") has been funded recently by the American Association of Endodontists Foundation and the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.

Dr. Richie Kohli, resident in the TMD and Orofacial Pain Division at the University of Minnesota, will lead the project, which will be performed only within DPBRN’s Minnesota region. The study is entitled "Diagnoses for persistent dentoalveolar pain following root canal therapy: a nested case-control study". Drs. Donald Nixdorf, Alan Law, John Look, and Brad Rindal of the University of Minnesota and the HealthPartners Research Foundation will serve as co-investigators. The study will derive detailed endodontic and orofacial diagnoses for consenting DPBRN patients who are experiencing pain at six months following their non-surgical root canal treatment, along with age- and gender-matched control patients.

The primary goal of the study is to determine the proportion of patients with pain who would be best managed with usual dental care, compared to those who actually have a non-odontogenic source for their pain and therefore may be better managed by directing treatment that is focused on the non-odontogenic source of their pain.

One of many measures of success for DPBRN studies is that they lead to additional research, including research that can be funded by sources other than the main funder of the network (the U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research). This study is significant for DPBRN because it makes use of our network and our previous studies as the basis for important additional research – research that can be done more quickly and efficiently than would have been possible otherwise.

NIDCR receives approval to proceed with a Request for Applications for the next cycle of funding
Friday, July 23, 2010

Recall that the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) funded The Dental PBRN for 2005-2012. NIDCR recently received approval to provide a second cycle of funding for the PBRN initiative.

This entailed getting a “concept approval” by the National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council, which it received in May 20, 2010. In addition to assessing the progress made by the three dental PBRNs that NIDCR funded in 2005, the advisory council assessed the overall programmatic and scientific priority for dental practice-based research. As a result of this approval, NIDCR will release a Request For Applications to fund a second cycle to continue practice-based research networks. Because The Dental PBRN has been very successful and productive in its activities, we hope to be very competitive for this funding.

Click here to find out more information on this concept clearance.

July 2010 Monthly E-update
Thursday, July 01, 2010

Each month we will highlight a recent DPBRN publication, recent study results, or other important DPBRN information. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact our Director of Communications.

June 2010 Monthly E-Update
Monday, June 07, 2010

DPBRN Spring 2010 Newsletter
Friday, May 14, 2010

The DPBRN Spring 2010 Newsletter is now available. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the electronic version, please contact our Director of Communications.

May 2010 Monthly E-Update
Saturday, May 01, 2010

Annual meeting of the Alabama/Mississippi region of DPBRN practitioner-investigators
Friday, April 16, 2010

Alabama and Mississippi DPBRN practitioner-investigators held their annual meeting April 9-10, 2010 at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa in Hoover, AL (http://www.rossbridgeresort.com). A total of 85 persons attended, including more than 70 practitioner-investigators.

During the reception, practitioner-investigators were able to view recent DPBRN research posters and related materials. Dr. Gregg Gilbert, DPBRN Network Chair, gave an update on DPBRN’s latest activities and how practitioner-investigators are actively participating in the publication and dissemination process. Dr. Donald DeNucci of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (http://www.nidcr.nih.gov), one of the institutes of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (http://www.nih.gov), presented important background information on dental PBRNs as well as the future of dental PBRNs, and provided a national perspective for the conference.

Dr. Gerald Anderson, a practitioner-investigator from Selma, AL, and representative of the AL/MS region on the DPBRN Executive Committee, presented results from the May 2008 DPBRN Network-wide meeting held in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Patrick Foy, a practitioner-investigator from Minneapolis, MN and representative of the MN region of the DPBRN Executive Committee, presented his journey from being a skeptic of the PBRN concept to being a fervent advocate. Dr. Allen Kessler, a practitioner-investigator from Fairfield, AL, presented the results of a DPBRN study on the outcomes of root canal treatment.

Attendees also participated in a rotating poster discussion session. Four practitioner-investigators gave five-minute presentations beside their DPBRN poster, followed by a question-and-answer session for 5-10 minutes. The attendees rotated through four DPBRN research posters. The practitioner-investigators presenting the posters were: Dr. Charles Yarbrough of Mobile, AL; Dr. Rick Redmond of Sylacauga, AL; Dr. Raymond Tso of Wetumpka, AL; and Dr. Jocelyn McClelland of Alabaster, AL.

Attendees separated into 8 small groups to discuss 7 topics: (1) ideas for the future of The DPBRN; (2) DPBRN study “Blood glucose testing in dental practice”; (3) DPBRN study "Hygienists’ internet tobacco cessation study"; (4) DPBRN study “Peri-operative pain and root canal therapy”; (5) DPBRN study "Prevalence of questionable occlusal caries lesions"; (6) DPBRN possible study “Permanent restoration or sealant for occlusal caries (PROSOC); and (7) DPBRN possible study “Saliva and oral health”. When the groups re-convened to summarize their discussions, the information from each breakout session was thought-provoking. Thanks to all attendees for putting so much energy into the breakout sessions! Thanks also to the 8 DPBRN practitioner-investigators who led each of the 8 groups (Drs. Gerry Walker of Trussville, AL, George Allen of Mobile, AL, Randall Palmore of Pinson, AL, Mary T. Wallace of Rainbow City, AL, Emery Cole of Sumiton, AL, Roberto Pischek of Robertsdale, AL, Wendy Holder of Alexander City, AL, and Jared Murrell of Warrior and Gardendale, AL).

Practitioner-investigators were very interested in future opportunities to discuss practice-based research with practitioners from the other DPBRN regions and to compare procedures and outcomes. Overall, based on evaluation forms completed by the attendees, the event was a big success and provided a fun opportunity to share information about ongoing and planned studies. Many thanks to DPBRN staff for their hard work, as well as to all of the practitioner-investigators, for making the AL/MS meeting a great success! Click on the thumbnail photos below to view photographs of the meeting.

April 2010 Monthly E-Update
Monday, April 05, 2010

DPBRN posters and presentations at AADR meeting in Washington, DC
Wednesday, March 31, 2010

DPBRN was well-represented at the 39th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research in Washington, DC March 2-5, 2010. DPBRN had multiple abstracts, given as oral presentations or posters, which garnered a lot of interest in our network. Congratulations to all the presenters for a job well done! Click here to view the abstract list. Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

DPBRN studies progressing well in Norway
Friday, March 12, 2010

DPBRN studies “Longitudinal study of dental restorations placed on previously unrestored surfaces”, “Reasons for replacement or repair of restorations”, and “Patient satisfaction with dental restorations” were very successful in Scandinavia. The photos below are from a recent trip to Hamar, Norway, where data collection forms for these studies were collected.

March 2010 Monthly E-update
Thursday, March 11, 2010

DPBRN Executive Committee Member writes an article on DPBRN and Evidence-Based Dentistry
Thursday, March 11, 2010

Dr. Pat Foy, a full-time private practitioner in Minneapolis, MN, DPBRN practitioner-investigator, and member of the DPBRN Executive Committee, wrote an article for Dental IQ entitled "Evidence-based dentistry: are we there yet?" In it, he discusses his perspective as a member of DPBRN and its role in evidence-based dentistry. Click here to view the article.

Feature Article in Northwest Dentistry: “Doctor, Why Does My Tooth Still Hurt?”
Thursday, March 11, 2010

Members of DPBRN wrote a feature article for the January/February 2010 issue of Northwest Dentistry, the journal of the Minnesota Dental Association. In it, they discuss the common problem of post-operative sensitivity after root canal treatment and a new DPBRN study that is geared towards investigating this problem. Click here to view the article.

DPBRN study “Blood sugar testing in dental practice” underway in Sweden
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Dr. Cecilia Blom, a Swedish Public Dental Health Service dentist in Åkersberg, Sweden is one of the practitioner-investigators participating in the DPBRN study “Blood sugar testing in dental practice”. The photo below was taken just after a successful training session in Åkersberg, Sweden and include (from left to right): Dr. Blom, Pia Nørrisgaard (Regional Coordinator for Scandinavia), Dr. Vibeke Qvist (Principal Investigator for Scandinavia), and Dr. Liselotte (Lotta) Persson (Scandinavian Executive Committee Member).

February 2010 Monthly E-update
Wednesday, February 03, 2010

DPBRN Article in Today’s FDA (Florida Dental Association)
Monday, February 01, 2010

The January/February 2010 issue of Today’s FDA (Florida Dental Association) featured an article on the current and future studies in DPBRN. The article discusses the status of “Prevalence of questionable occlusal carious lesions”, “Blood sugar testing in the dental practice”, and “Primary management of TMJD pain”. Please click here to read the article.

DPBRN Collaborative Group contributes a chapter on Dental Practice-Based Research Networks to Clinical Research in Oral Health book
Friday, January 29, 2010

Dr. Gregg Gilbert (DPBRN Network Chair), Ms. Andrea Mathews (DPBRN Program Manager), Dr. Dan Pihlstrom (DPBRN Executive Committee member), Dr. Brad Rindal (Principal Investigator of the Minnesota region) and Dr. Dale Williams (Principal Investigator of the DPBRN Coordinating Center) all contributed sections to a chapter entitled “Dental Practice-Based Research Networks” in Clinical Research in Oral Health. In it, they describe practice-based research in large group dental practices, data acquisition and analysis, study deployment, participant protection, and scientific peer review in dental PBRNs. To find out more information on the book, please click here to visit the publisher's website.

DPBRN Winter 2010 Newsletter
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The DPBRN Winter 2010 Newsletter is now available. Please click here to view the pdf version. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the electronic version, please contact our Director of Communications.

January 2010 Monthly E-Update
Monday, January 04, 2010

Dental PBRN publication cited as “notable publication for the year” by the American Medical Informatics Association
Friday, January 01, 2010

As part of its annual “Year in Review”, the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) selected a recent Dental PBRN publication as one of its “high impact publications in clinical informatics”. The AMIA is the professional home for biomedical and health informatics and comprises an interdisciplinary and diverse group of individuals and organizations from more than 65 countries. Click here to visit the AMIA website. The article cited was: Houston TK, Richman JS, Ray MN, Allison JJ, Gilbert GH, Shewchuk RM, Kohler CL, Kiefe CI, for the DPBRN Collaborative Group. Internet-delivered support for tobacco control in dental practice: randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2008; 10(5): e38.

This internet-delivered intervention encouraged and provided tools to discuss tobacco use with dental patients. This randomized clinical trial was successful. During the study period, there was a greater increase in tobacco cessation advice in intervention practices, compared with control. This article was detailed at the DPBRN web site as the news item entitled “The latest results from DPBRN’s first clinical trial are now publicly available”. Click here to go to this news items page. Details about the “AMIA Informatics 2009 Year in Review” are available by clicking here.

Congratulations to all the investigators associated with the “Dental Tobacco Control Trial”!