For various reasons, dentists may be tempted to definitively tighten implant abutment screws using only handheld screwdrivers. The purpose of this study was to test the ability of general dentists to generate implant abutment screw preload using a simple screwdriver in a limited-access space simulating the mouth. Results indicated that mechanical torque wrenches must be used in posterior areas of the mouth to establish sufficient preload, and dental experience is not a major factor in the ability to tighten an implant abutment screw.

The promotion and tenure process for faculty members varies, by design, for different disciplines, departments, and academic institutions. For many faculty members in U.S. dental schools, the process may thus appear nebulous and be dificult to navigate. In this article, we review the history, forces of change, and some of the mechanisms utilized for promotion and tenure of faculty in the health sciences, particularly for clinician-educators. Some institutions have successfully created hybrid tracks for clinician-educators in order to develop and recognize these faculty members' scholarly activity in addition to their clinical teaching. Hybrid tracks empower faculty members to successfully perform scholarly activities that realistically relect institutional missions. The authors of this article conclude with a number of practical suggestions to enhance development and retention of faculty using the hybrid promotion and tenure mechanism. These include demonstrating the congruence of institutional mission, faculty activities, and promotion and tenure guidelines; developing scholarly activities for clinician-educators that can be measured in the promotion and tenure process; rewarding scholarly achievement for clinician-educators utilizing the promotion and tenure mechanism; and developing an evaluation system that accounts for changes in mission and faculty activities.Dr. Costello is Professor and

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract