O'Brien, William

Dental procedures are known to cause fear and anxiety in patients of all ages worldwide. The characteristics of sharp dental instruments and the sound of the handpiece can be intimidating for everyone. Moreover, for children and patients with special healthcare needs (SHCNs) who don’t have the cognitive ability to process the reality of the situation, a dental visit can elicit exacerbated aggressive behavior. Therefore, their uncooperative behavior can turn dental treatments into dangerous and sometimes impossible situations. To manage this behavior, the American Dental Association provides Behavior Management Techniques (BMTs) and guidelines, including the Protective Stabilization technique. The method restricts patient physical movements by human force or mechanical devices. Although concerns about its implementation have been recorded, enough evidence is presented in this paper about the benefits of PS as a BMT to justify its use in dental procedures in children and adults with SHCNs.

Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free, dizzy with possibilities. The lyrics in the Grateful Dead’s music reflect key themes such as care for environmental health as well as other natural aspects of life. This thesis demonstrates the connection between the history of the Grateful Dead and the rising effectiveness of the green movement that continues to grow today. I examine how the Grateful Dead has inspired generations of environmental activists from the 1960s to the year 2018. I emphasize that the band has emerged as a leader in promoting sustainable music concerts, performing in venues that strive to create an environmentally aware, as well as enjoyable, concert experience. Through its remaining members and their actions, the Grateful Dead helps us to remember that one man gathers what another man spills, a mantra that many Deadheads live by to work toward a cleaner planet.

Due to the increase in pharmaceutical sales and use in the United States in recent years, there have been more occurrences of pharmaceutical traces in drinking water across the country. Although there is not enough data to correlate the increase of pharmaceutical pollution with health-related issues in humans, the effects of these chemicals have been observed within our environment. Currently, different levels of government utilize various programs and/or regulations in order to prevent these effects. However, there has not been much progress toward resolving this issue due, in part, to the continuing careless disposal of pharmaceuticals by individuals and institutions. This study compares local governmental actions in two different states that attempt to both raise awareness about the problem and address drinking water pollution by pharmaceuticals. It analyzes methods and regulations aimed at preventing pollution, along with the effectiveness of technologies utilized in current water treatment systems and those of the future in order to advocate for proper disposal of prescription drugs.