Abstract

One of the major and long standing problems in undergraduate education has been the operation and maintenance of an efficient orthodontic clinic.

Literature based on the history of undergraduate orthodontic clinics, as well as of previous investigations into their operations was reviewed. Little if any, specific recorded information could be found.

The specific purpose of this investigation was to inspect the elements of and the accomplishments of a specific undergraduate orthodontic clinic. The efficacy was based upon an investigation along two avenues of study: (1) A complete review of all case histories and records for an analysis of the nature and extent of the undergraduate orthodontic clinic operations at Loma Linda University during the years 1955 through 1962, and (2) a closed-end questionnaire from a sample group of 44 former patients for a measure of patient attitudes and opinions of clinic procedures.

Data from the case records were categorized as to the final disposition of treatment. Information concerning number of cases treated, malocclusion ratios, percentage of cases completed for each malocclusion group, months of clinic responsibility, number of students involved in each case, and the age and sex of patients for each of the categories were given. Data was also presented for miscellaneous types of Class I malocclusions treated, reasons for cases terminated incomplete, and the nature of the cases transferred to the graduate program.

Data from the questionnaire was presented in regards to patient attitudes toward clinic fees, time of treatment, student interest, esthetic and functional improvements, their stability, and satisfaction with treatment and clinic procedures.

A series of conclusions concerning the efficacy of the undergraduate orthodontic clinic were presented. Some of the conclusions pertaining to the nature and extent of treatments were: malocclusion types accepted for treatment are very similar to type and in ratios as to those found to exist in population at large; each student contributes only one-third to one-half of total treatment of each case; about one out of every seven cases accepted for treatment are not completed; Class I malocclusions lend themselves to more efficient clinic management; and as a group, Class II, division 1 malocclusions pose the greatest problem to clinic management.

Some of the conclusions pertaining to patient opinions and treatment were: clinic fees are commensurate with treatment; time for treatment was within range of expectations; student interest during treatment was adequate; functional and esthetic accomplishments were exceptionally well appreciated, and all the patients would recommend the clinic to personal friends for similar problems.

The information as provided by this study might be used as a means of evaluating the efficacy of an undergraduate orthodontic clinic within the confines of the dental curriculum.

LLU Discipline

Orthodontics

School

Graduate Studies

First Advisor

Thomas J. Zwemer

Second Advisor

Charles T. Smith

Third Advisor

R. Maureen Maxwell

Fourth Advisor

Howard W. Conley

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1963

Date (Title Page)

6-1963

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Orthodontics -- education

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vii; 63

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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