Spring 2024 STOHN Newsletter

As a member of STOHN, a dental practice-based research network (PBRN), you are a part of a collaborative organization comprising of dental practitioners and researchers who work together to conduct research within a real-world dental practice setting. PBRNs aim to bridge the gap between research and practice to improve patient care and dental science. We are seeking your participation in this anonymous Quick Poll about your research interests. This poll will gauge the research interests of the network overall and allow us to create a new Quick-Poll for future newsletters and discussions.

Please complete the 5-question poll regarding your research interest preferences. Your response will help determine whether this issue merits further investigation by the STOHN PBRN. Responses are voluntary and anonymous. We will keep you posted about the results of the quick poll.

Quick-Poll Link: https://redcap.link/pazo187g

Major: Public Health at University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA)

Graduation Date: May 2024

Future Plans: Zoe plans to take a semester to work and prepare for higher education. Her goal is to pursue both a master's and doctorate degree in Public Health.

Major: Public Health at University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA)

Graduation Date: May 2024

Future Plans: Eden is currently finishing the pre-requisites for dental school, and is planning to apply for the 2025 cycle.

Smokeless Tobacco Practitioner Focus Groups:

STOHN, in partnership with the El Bari Community Health Center, are holding focus groups with practitioners who treat those who use smokeless tobacco. We aim to recruit 20 practitioners who will participate in a survey along with a Focus Group lasting 1 hour. The goal of this study is to produce culturally appropriate educational materials on cessation techniques that will fill the knowledge gaps and reduce the use of smokeless tobacco in the community. The results of this study hope to make cessation materials available to anyone in the community, regardless of language or culture. Please reach out to Caitlin Sangdahl HERE if you are interested in participating!

The Frenotomy Study:

Currently, 5 General and Pediatric dentists across Texas are participating in the Frenum Study. The Frenum Study is a chart review study looking for the association between the maxillary frenum position and attachment and anterior caries in children aged 6 months to 3 years. As of today, 250 charts have been entered through REDCap. We aim to complete data collection by the end of April and collect over 300 charts. With this data, we hope to help inform future guidelines regarding the performance of frenotomies.

Please contact our Research Coordinator, Caitlin Sangdahl!

Email: sangdahl@uthscsa.edu

Phone: (210) 562-5652

Meetings:

National Dental PBRN Director and Staff Annual Meeting (August 27th, 2024 at the La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas): The Southwest region is proud to host this year's annual meeting. If you are a National Dental PBRN member, more information will be sent out soon. If you would like to join the NDPBRN, click HERE.

Conference:

Southwest Dental Conference: Empowering Innovation and Productivity (August 16-17, 2024 in Dallas, Texas): The annual Southwest Dental Conference is the premier dental conference in the southwest, hosted by Dallas County Dental Society. The event features superior education and CE opportunities, exceptional speakers discussing the latest in the dental community and an Exhibit Hall featuring the most advanced dental equipment and technology. Click HERE for more information/registration.

Certifications:

Certificate of Translational Science Program: This great opportunity is offered through UT Health San Antonio. Our very own director, Dr. Mungia, will be teaching part of the course. For more information, click HERE.

Webinars:

National Public Health Week - Vaping Webinar: One of our very own STOHN members, Dr. Anusha Kotha, and Dr. Mungia will host a webinar discussing vaping and oral health. For more information, please reach out to Caitlin Sangdahl HERE.

American Dental Association (ADA)

Texas Dental Association (TDA)

San Antonio District Dental Society (SADDS)

Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)

Hispanic Dental Association (HDA)

If you are aware of any other resources, please contact our Research Coordinator so we can share it with STOHN!