Comparison of the University of Iowa's community-based and University-based pediatric dental clinics

ii To my parents, Clementino da Cruz and Varlene Rodrigues da Cruz To my husband, Cristiano Oliveira, for their unconditional love, support, encouragement, and unfailing belief that I was capable of attaining this goal. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS With the deepest gratitude I wish to thank my husband, Cristiano Oliveira, for understanding my love for Dentistry. To my family, for their love, support and understanding my constant absence. I would also like to acknowledge and express my enormous gratitude to my research committee chairman, Dr. Michael J Kanellis, for providing feedback and continual support through this project. It was a pleasure to work with you! I express my appreciation to Dr. Deborah Cobb, Director of the Operative Dentistry graduate program, because through her insight and support I was able to pursue a combined degree program; Master in Operative Dentistry and Master in Dental Public Health, and for this I am extremely grateful! I would like to express my appreciation to my thesis committee members, sharing their wisdom with me. Also, I would like to express my appreciation to Mrs. Colleen Kummet who was essential to this project since the beginning. and Dr. Raymond Kuthy for their participation in this project process. This thesis would not be accomplished without all these professional's contributions. It was an honor for me to work with you all. Thank you very much! iv TABLE OF CONTENTS