The British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery
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Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg · Oct 1996
Survey of dental graduates entering medical schools and a comparison with previous surveys.
The 169 dental graduates known to have entered UK medical schools between 1986 and 1991 inclusive were sent a questionnaire requesting personal and professional information. A total of 154 graduates (91%) responded, 126 (82%) males and 28 (18%) females, all with a mean age of 27 years. ⋯ Of the 154 responding, 141 (92%) intended to pursue a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the time they entered medical school, and this had fallen to 120 (78%) by the time of the survey. An estimate of the number of those medical students who may return to the specialty was made based on previous surveys (range of 12-26 trainees/years).
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Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg · Aug 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe use of an information leaflet for patients undergoing wisdom tooth removal.
Attempts to inform the patient about surgical procedures have increased for the purposes of ensuring informed consent and improving satisfaction with the service provided. Leaflets are being used as an additional aid in general practice and in hospital units. However, such written information is seldom evaluated. ⋯ The WTL + Prompt Group showed increased knowledge on retest (P < 0.001). The WTL Group showed a trend to greater knowledge (P < 0.06) however the control groups showed no improvement (P > 0.5). Patient satisfaction, although greatest in the group given a leaflet without prompting, was not simply related to leaflet provision.
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Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg · Aug 1996
Comparative StudyMaxillofacial injuries in multiply injured patients.
Experience in team management of multiply injured patients with maxillofacial injuries is reported. During 1992, out of 169 patients transferred to the Royal London Hospital, UK by the Helicopter Emergency medical Service 38 (22.4%) had injuries to the maxillofacial region, 17 of whom were scored on the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) as having sustained facial AIS > 2. The median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 22, while the ISS was 17.7 for survivors and 34.5 for those who died (chi 2 = 7.3, 0.05 < P > 0.02). ⋯ RTS compared between survivors and those who died was 0.05 < P > 0.02 (chi 2), while Ps% was 0.01 < P > 0.001 (chi 2). It was concluded that the severity of maxillofacial injuries, and hence their contribution to total injury assessments, tended to be underscored. We propose that refined facial injury assessment methods be tested.
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Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg · Feb 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEvaluation of different doses of soluble ibuprofen and ibuprofen tablets in postoperative dental pain.
The object of the study was to assess the comparative efficacy of three single doses (200, 400, 600 mg) of soluble ibuprofen and ibuprofen tablets after third molar surgery in 148 patients and aged 18-40 years. Outcome was measured by overall assessment of pain (AUC360) assessed from serial visual analogue scales, the number of patients taking additional analgesic and by overall assessment of medication evaluated on a five-point categorical scale. Over the 6-hour investigation period all the ibuprofen treatments with the exception of ibuprofen tablets 200 mg resulted in significantly less pain (p < 0.05) than placebo treatment. ⋯ There was no significant difference in pain scores or time to taking additional analgesics between the respective doses of soluble and tablet formulations of ibuprofen. Both soluble and tablet formulations of ibuprofen provide effective pain control in the early postoperative period after removal of impacted third molars. There is little analgesic advantage in increasing the dose to 600 mg and only minimal benefit from using a soluble formulation of the drug.
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A case of bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy following a road traffic accident is reported. The possible aetiology is discussed.