| Journal |
Fall 2001
|
The meaning of research for dental and dental hygiene students
Dr. Carlos Munoz, director, Center for Dental
Research and Dr. James Kettering, basic science faculty, School of Medicine,
share their thoughts about research and its effect and impact on dental
and dental hygiene students in the School of Dentistry.
Carlos Munoz
As Dr. Munoz guides dental and dental hygiene students in their research
endeavors, he desires to give them tools which will help them throughout
their careers. “We do not try to make every student a full-time researcher,”
he says, “Instead, our program helps our students build an appreciation
for scientific literature so that when they finish school they will continue
to read journal articles, and will thoroughly understand and interpret
the scientific literature.”
Dr. Munoz believes the only way students can fully appreciate scientific
literature and eventually apply the results in their practices is for
them to be personally exposed to research, and to receive training in
research methodology.
At the School of Dentistry this includes completing a course in statistics,
and additional coursework in developing a research protocol. The students
spend one quarter learning how to develop their project, how to write
the protocol and execute the project. They are encouraged to choose projects
they are curious about—in the areas of laboratory research, clinical
research, or educational research. Loma Linda students have been well
represented in both local and international competitions and have placed
first in American Dental Association competitions six times. “None
of this would be possible,” says Dr. Munoz, “without the spirit
and leadership of Joni Stephens and Jim Kettering. Joni has spearheaded
the process throughout the entire School and is to a great extent responsible
for the excitement and appreciation our students have for research.”
James Kettering
As Dr. Kettering works with dental school students performing research,
he reminds the students to consider
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| Byron Diehl is one of 54 dental students to participate in the Dentsply Student Clinician program this year. His research topic was "Clinical evaluation of professional vs. over -the- counter whitening agents." The event is held in conjunction with the annual session of the American Dental Association. Byron joins numerous LLU students each year who represent the dental school locally and in national meetings. |
the end result—that each year practicing
dentists and dental hygienists look forward to studying and learning from
their projects during the School’s annual Alumni Student Convention.
“As they attend the annual table clinics they [the professionals]
ask themselves ‘What can I learn…what can I take back to the
office,’” says Dr. Kettering.
As they learn about research and progress to developing their own projects,
students also learn to problem solve and evaluate data—skills they
will use throughout their careers. Dr. Kettering guides the students as
they formulate well-controlled, well-designed studies. “As students
begin to review areas which interest them and show excitement as they
identify a unique problem, they experience ownership of their study,”
he reveals, “and these students are often the people who go on to
berepresented at national competitions and go on to win.”
“Colleagues and students alike enjoy working with Joni,” reveals
Dr. Kettering. “She is the focus person who gets student research
organized and keeps its momentum.”
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