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Background: Dental photography has many advantages such as improving professional communication, enhancing patient education, and facilitating treatment acceptance. This study investigated the impact of dental photography through social media on patients' choice of dental care providers. Methods: This cross-sectional survey-based study recruited a convenience sample of adult patients attending selected public and private dental facilities in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using an online self-administered questionnaire. Participants received the link to the questionnaire through social media of their treating dentists. Results: A total of 552 completed the survey of whom 289 (52.4%) aged 18–25 years, 291 (52.7%) were males, 336 (60.9%) were bachelors, and the majority 448 (81.2%) had a postgraduate degree. Snapchat was the most commonly used social networking application, n = 190 (34.4%). Females reported they were more likely to report that seeing the previous cases affect their choice of a dentist (2.025(1.253–3.274)) and that social media can affect their choice as well (1.787(1.219–2.621)). While those who never visited the dentist were less likely (0.622(0.395–0.978)) to support the use of dental photography and less likely (0.579(0.362–0.926)) to report that social media affect their choice of a dentist. Instagram was found to be a significant platform for selecting a dentist (OR = 1.132, range; 0.608–2.11) (p-0.05). Conclusion: The presence of the dentist in social networking sites and sharing of their pre-post treatment cases can be an effective marketing tool especially among females and Instagram users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Dental photography has many advantages such as improving professional communication, enhancing patient education, and facilitating treatment acceptance. This study investigated the impact of dental photography through social media on patients’ choice of dental care providers. Methods This cross-sectional survey-based study recruited a convenience sample of adult patients attending selected public and private dental facilities in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using an online self-administered questionnaire. Participants received the link to the questionnaire through social media of their treating dentists. Results A total of 552 completed the survey of whom 289 (52.4%) aged 18–25 years, 291 (52.7%) were males, 336 (60.9%) were bachelors, and the majority 448 (81.2%) had a postgraduate degree. Snapchat was the most commonly used social networking application, n = 190 (34.4%). Females reported they were more likely to report that seeing the previous cases affect their choice of a dentist (2.025(1.253–3.274)) and that social media can affect their choice as well (1.787(1.219–2.621)). While those who never visited the dentist were less likely (0.622(0.395–0.978)) to support the use of dental photography and less likely (0.579(0.362–0.926)) to report that social media affect their choice of a dentist. Instagram was found to be a significant platform for selecting a dentist (OR = 1.132, range; 0.608–2.11) (p-0.05). Conclusion The presence of the dentist in social networking sites and sharing of their pre-post treatment cases can be an effective marketing tool especially among females and Instagram users.

Background: The gazette of the National Dental Commission (NDC) Act was recently published on August 11, 2023, and no studies were conducted to assess knowledge and perceptions about the act. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and perceptions among dental students, academicians, and practitioners about the NDC Act, 2023 in India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using Google Forms between August and September 2024. Data were collected using a well-designed and pretested questionnaire. The questionnaire had three sections. Section A had demographic details. Section B gathered participants’ awareness of the key provisions of the act. Section C consisted of questions to assess participants’ perceptions about the act. The data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: In total, 493 participants responded to the survey. Of these, 56.6% of the participants were aware of the act. The majority of the participants agreed that the act would be an improvement over the previous dental regulatory body and would result in positive changes in dental education and practice. However, 60.2% of the participants were uncertain about whether the NDC would operate with sufficient autonomy and independence in decision-making. The National Exit Test (Dental) was perceived as the ideal method to get a practicing license and to apply for postgraduate courses by 68.8% of the participants. Conclusions: Dental professionals lack adequate knowledge about the NDC Act of 2023. The findings highlight both the positive and negative perceptions toward the NDC.

Aim of the study: this study investigates the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on dental practice through a questionnaire developed by four dentists at Lucian Blaga University. Material and method: the questionnaire, refined based on expert feedback, consisted of 14 questions divided into two sections: demographic data (6 questions) and dental practice during the pandemic (8). The second section addressed protocols, protective measures, activity suspension effects, infection rates, and vaccination compliance. Results: distributed to 600 licensed dentists in Sibiu County, the final analysis included 165 complete responses, resulting in a 27.5% response rate. The demographic breakdown revealed 64.2% female and 35.8% male respondents, with the largest age group (47.3%) being 31-40 years. Most participants (68.3%) were general dentists, and 58.8% had over ten years of experience. Only 13.3% of dental practices rated the protocol as satisfactory, 37.0% found it acceptable, and 49.1% deemed it unsatisfactory. The perceived effectiveness of protective measures highlighted that increased personal protective equipment was crucial (mean=3.95). The pandemic negatively affected the profession, with physical discomfort (mean=4.08) and increased stress (mean=3.77) being significant concerns. Statistical analyses utilized ANOVA and Chi-Square tests, revealing statistically significant differences in protocol perceptions (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study emphasizes the need for improved protocols and supports ongoing adaptations in dental practice during health crises.

Objective: This scoping review aimed to evaluate the current state of virtual reality (VR) implementation in dental education and practice in Saudi Arabia, highlighting its advantages and challenges. Methods: A scoping review examined VR’s role in regrading dental education and practice in Saudi Arabia by searching electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, from inception to July 2024. Studies including VR applications for education, skills development, or anxiety/pain management involving Saudi dental students and practitioners were included. Results: Eleven relevant studies were identified: 5 focused on education and 6 on clinical practice. Educational studies showed mixed effectiveness of VR versus traditional methods but positive student perceptions. Clinical application studies also had mixed results on VR’s impact on anxiety and pain, though some benefits were noted. VR systems included distraction-based, simulator-based, and hybrid VR/augmented reality with artificial intelligence. Conclusion: While the current implementation of VR in dental practice in Saudi Arabia shows promise, particularly in enhancing students’ engagement and reducing patients’ anxiety, more comprehensive and robust research is needed to validate its effectiveness fully. Strategic efforts should focus on expanding research, tailoring applications, and integrating VR with traditional methods to align with the healthcare objectives of Vision 2030.

Introduction: In recent years, medical advancements have led to significant progress in infection control, reducing risks in healthcare settings. However, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) remain a major global concern, affecting millions of patients each year and increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Dental clinics are susceptible environments for disease transmission, exposing dentists to blood-borne pathogens. Vigilance and strict infection control measures are essential in dental settings to protect both practitioners and patients. Implementing universal precautions in dental schools is crucial for controlling cross-infection, as it ensures that students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and attitudes for effective infection control. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of infection control among undergraduate dental students in the state of Gujarat. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study involving 229 undergraduate dental students assessed knowledge and attitudes towards infection control at Ahmedabad Dental College and Hospital in October 2020. Approval was obtained, and a structured questionnaire adapted from previous literature was utilised. Rigorous content validation and analysis were conducted, revealing strong internal consistency. Data collection was conducted online and analysed using Chi-square tests for significance. Results: In the study, 185 (80.7%) of the respondents were female, and the majority of subjects were “Interns” (81, or 35.4%). The study shows significant gender differences in Hepatitis B vaccination (p=0.038), with both genders mostly vaccinated. However, attitudes and practices towards infection control did not significantly differ by gender. The study also reveals associations between the year of study and Hepatitis B vaccination (p=0.013), as well as attitudes and practices related to infection control. Notably, a considerable proportion of students across all years did not use protective eyewear during aerosol procedures. Overall, the study highlights awareness of infection control, with some variations by gender and year of study. Conclusion: The participants in this study demonstrated good knowledge and a positive attitude regarding infection control protocols. However, the practice of infection control methods varied, and consistency was not found.

Introduction: Sustainability is the profound and accountable way of using the natural resources, its goal being to prevent their depletion and preserving the ecological balance. An essential prerequisite to accomplish dental practice environmentally friendly. Materials and Methods: The mixed method dual approach study, preliminary in level I a qualitative evaluation of green practices among dental professionals for sustainable ecofriendly dental practice. Questionnaire study performed by 24 item scale among registered dental professionals was performed. Level II Scoping research was blatantly representing via tree map the voids towards environment friendly dental care in evidence-based literature via R Studio programming in statistical graphics. Results: Out of 300 dentists 258 (84.7%) opine optimistically towards environmentally friendly dental practices. Majority 98.7% agree to implement green dental practices, only 58% dentists follow mandatory protocol. Only 9.0% dentists updated with latest innovative methodologies for reducing carbon footprint. Quantitative data envisage 16 articles in PubMed database, spanning 2001 to 2023. There’s a dearth of national research trends in this field. Quality research for promoting sustainable dentistry need escalation. Conclusion: It is inevitable to measure and mitigate the environmental foot print. By implementing 4 R of reduce, reuse, recycle and restore in dental care. Redesigning, exterior to interior, stop disposable, stringent waste management can bring revolution. Sustainable use of dental materials and equipment promoting research for health promotion is need of an hour. Green entrepreneurship in dentistry have the potential to protect ecosystem.

This scoping review aimed to evaluate the current state of virtual reality (VR) implementation in dental education and practice in Saudi Arabia, highlighting its advantages and challenges. A scoping review examined VR's role in regrading dental education and practice in Saudi Arabia by searching electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, from inception to July 2024. Studies including VR applications for education, skills development, or anxiety/pain management involving Saudi dental students and practitioners were included. Eleven relevant studies were identified: 5 focused on education and 6 on clinical practice. Educational studies showed mixed effectiveness of VR versus traditional methods but positive student perceptions. Clinical application studies also had mixed results on VR's impact on anxiety and pain, though some benefits were noted. VR systems included distraction-based, simulator-based, and hybrid VR/augmented reality with artificial intelligence. While the current implementation of VR in dental practice in Saudi Arabia shows promise, particularly in enhancing students' engagement and reducing patients' anxiety, more comprehensive and robust research is needed to validate its effectiveness fully. Strategic efforts should focus on expanding research, tailoring applications, and integrating VR with traditional methods to align with the healthcare objectives of Vision 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The gazette of the National Dental Commission (NDC) Act was recently published on August 11, 2023, and no studies were conducted to assess knowledge and perceptions about the act. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and perceptions among dental students, academicians, and practitioners about the NDC Act, 2023 in India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using Google Forms between August and September 2024. Data were collected using a well-designed and pretested questionnaire. The questionnaire had three sections. Section A had demographic details. Section B gathered participants' awareness of the key provisions of the act. Section C consisted of questions to assess participants' perceptions about the act. The data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: In total, 493 participants responded to the survey. Of these, 56.6% of the participants were aware of the act. The majority of the participants agreed that the act would be an improvement over the previous dental regulatory body and would result in positive changes in dental education and practice. However, 60.2% of the participants were uncertain about whether the NDC would operate with sufficient autonomy and independence in decision-making. The National Exit Test (Dental) was perceived as the ideal method to get a practicing license and to apply for postgraduate courses by 68.8% of the participants. Conclusions: Dental professionals lack adequate knowledge about the NDC Act of 2023. The findings highlight both the positive and negative perceptions toward the NDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sustainability is the profound and accountable way of using the natural resources, its goal being to prevent their depletion and preserving the ecological balance. An essential prerequisite to accomplish dental practice environmentally friendly. Materials and Methods: The mixed method dual approach study, preliminary in level I a qualitative evaluation of green practices among dental professionals for sustainable ecofriendly dental practice. Questionnaire study performed by 24 item scale among registered dental professionals was performed. Level II Scoping research was blatantly representing via tree map the voids towards environment friendly dental care in evidence-based literature via R Studio programming in statistical graphics. Results: Out of 300 dentists 258 (84.7%) opine optimistically towards environmentally friendly dental practices. Majority 98.7% agree to implement green dental practices, only 58% dentists follow mandatory protocol. Only 9.0% dentists updated with latest innovative methodologies for reducing carbon footprint. Quantitative data envisage 16 articles in PubMed database, spanning 2001 to 2023. There's a dearth of national research trends in this field. Quality research for promoting sustainable dentistry need escalation. Conclusion: It is inevitable to measure and mitigate the environmental foot print. By implementing 4 R of reduce, reuse, recycle and restore in dental care. Redesigning, exterior to interior, stop disposable, stringent waste management can bring revolution. Sustainable use of dental materials and equipment promoting research for health promotion is need of an hour. Green entrepreneurship in dentistry have the potential to protect ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In recent years, medical advancements have led to significant progress in infection control, reducing risks in healthcare settings. However, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) remain a major global concern, affecting millions of patients each year and increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Dental clinics are susceptible environments for disease transmission, exposing dentists to blood-borne pathogens. Vigilance and strict infection control measures are essential in dental settings to protect both practitioners and patients. Implementing universal precautions in dental schools is crucial for controlling cross-infection, as it ensures that students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and attitudes for effective infection control. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of infection control among undergraduate dental students in the state of Gujarat. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study involving 229 undergraduate dental students assessed knowledge and attitudes towards infection control at Ahmedabad Dental College and Hospital in October 2020. Approval was obtained, and a structured questionnaire adapted from previous literature was utilised. Rigorous content validation and analysis were conducted, revealing strong internal consistency. Data collection was conducted online and analysed using Chi-square tests for significance. Results: In the study, 185 (80.7%) of the respondents were female, and the majority of subjects were "Interns" (81, or 35.4%). The study shows significant gender differences in Hepatitis B vaccination (p=0.038), with both genders mostly vaccinated. However, attitudes and practices towards infection control did not significantly differ by gender. The study also reveals associations between the year of study and Hepatitis B vaccination (p=0.013), as well as attitudes and practices related to infection control. Notably, a considerable proportion of students across all years did not use protective eyewear during aerosol procedures. Overall, the study highlights awareness of infection control, with some variations by gender and year of study. Conclusion: The participants in this study demonstrated good knowledge and a positive attitude regarding infection control protocols. However, the practice of infection control methods varied, and consistency was not found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Children in care and care leavers have worse health outcomes than their peers without care experience. This study addresses an evidence gap in exploring care-experienced young people’s views and experiences of accessing general practice and dental services and attending health reviews in England. Methods We conducted a qualitative study using podcasting as a creative medium. We recruited young people from two sites: one in South England (A) and one in greater London (B). We held two paired discussions in site A and two focus groups in site B, with 14 participants in total. Participants were aged between 13 and 22 years and were diverse in gender, ethnicity, and care experiences. Data were analysed thematically using candidacy theory as a theoretical framework. Results Mental health was a prevailing concern for participants, but general practice was not considered a place to discuss it. Most participants reported distant relationships with primary healthcare professionals and considered opening-up to a professional to be risky, for example, it could result in an unknown/unwanted outcome. A lack of time and personal connection in appointments, and experiences of feeling judged, dismissed, or misunderstood, hindered young people’s ability to disclose mental health or relationship concerns. Participants reported variation in the timeliness and location of services, with salient examples of extensive waiting periods for braces. Participants perceived annual health reviews to be largely inconsequential. Conclusions Any primary care presentation by a care-experienced young person should trigger additional professional curiosity. To build rapport and trust, professionals should not underestimate the power of active listening, being reliable and honest, and small acts of thoughtfulness, for example, ensuring medical letters are provided promptly. Carers and other trusted professionals should help care-experienced young people to understand the role of primary care and support them with access. Health reviews may not be of value to all young people in care. Further research is needed to examine primary healthcare access for care-experienced young people with significant safeguarding and healthcare needs.

(1) Background: Parents’ awareness of malocclusion and their attitude towards early evaluation and interventions influence children’s orthodontic management. This cross-sectional study investigates factors that affect the perceived orthodontic needs and the attitude towards interceptive orthodontics among a sample of one-thousand eight-hundred and six (1806) parents of children aged between 6 and 11 years. (2) Methods: The investigation was carried out thought a 18-items online questionnaire divided as follows: characteristics of respondents; perceived child’s orthodontic needs; attitude toward early orthodontic evaluation and interventions. The associations between responses were assessed with a Chi-square test. (3) Results: Two-thirds of the respondents referred to having consulted an orthodontist for their child, and more than half of them initiated the required orthodontic treatment. In 44% of cases, the orthodontic consultation occurred after the age of 7 years. Parents’ higher education and history of orthodontic treatment were associated with a greater awareness of orthodontic needs. Parents’ perception of the impact of teeth on their child’s personality was significantly associated with the decision to start the orthodontic treatment (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: Although the parents’ level of awareness of their child’s orthodontic needs was generally satisfactory, the results of the present study pointed out the need for a better education regarding the importance of an early orthodontic assessment.

Background: Children in care and care leavers have worse health outcomes than their peers without care experience. This study addresses an evidence gap in exploring care-experienced young people's views and experiences of accessing general practice and dental services and attending health reviews in England. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using podcasting as a creative medium. We recruited young people from two sites: one in South England (A) and one in greater London (B). We held two paired discussions in site A and two focus groups in site B, with 14 participants in total. Participants were aged between 13 and 22 years and were diverse in gender, ethnicity, and care experiences. Data were analysed thematically using candidacy theory as a theoretical framework. Results: Mental health was a prevailing concern for participants, but general practice was not considered a place to discuss it. Most participants reported distant relationships with primary healthcare professionals and considered opening-up to a professional to be risky, for example, it could result in an unknown/unwanted outcome. A lack of time and personal connection in appointments, and experiences of feeling judged, dismissed, or misunderstood, hindered young people's ability to disclose mental health or relationship concerns. Participants reported variation in the timeliness and location of services, with salient examples of extensive waiting periods for braces. Participants perceived annual health reviews to be largely inconsequential. Conclusions: Any primary care presentation by a care-experienced young person should trigger additional professional curiosity. To build rapport and trust, professionals should not underestimate the power of active listening, being reliable and honest, and small acts of thoughtfulness, for example, ensuring medical letters are provided promptly. Carers and other trusted professionals should help care-experienced young people to understand the role of primary care and support them with access. Health reviews may not be of value to all young people in care. Further research is needed to examine primary healthcare access for care-experienced young people with significant safeguarding and healthcare needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis share common risk factors and influence one another. However, primary care and oral health care continue to operate separate from each other and fail to synchronize care for patients with T2DM and periodontitis. The purpose of this practice-based trial is to evaluate the implementation of a new integrated care pathway for patients with T2DM and periodontitis. The new approach integrates a screening for T2DM risk in dental care settings in patients with periodontitis, a screening for periodontitis risk in primary care settings in patients with T2DM, and mutual referrals between dentists and primary care physicians. Methods: Two practice-based studies will be carried out in parallel: (i) In dental care settings: a practice-based, multi-centric, cluster-randomized, controlled trial with a control and an intervention group; (ii) in primary care settings: a practice-based, multi-centric, non-randomized, controlled trial with a synthetic control group calculated from claims data. Following a two-step recruitment approach, 166 dentists and 248 general practitioners will be recruited, who themselves will recruit a total of 3808 patients in their practices. Patient data will be collected at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months after study enrollment. The evaluation comprises: (i) impact evaluation, using a hierarchical linear mixed model; (ii) process evaluation, based on surveys alongside the trials; (iii) economic evaluation. In addition, a Discrete-Choice-Experiment will identify provider's payment preferences for the new care approach. Discussion: Upon successful implementation, the intervention will enable health care providers to detect a risk for T2DM and periodontitis in patients at an early stage, thus providing patients an opportunity for timely diagnosis and therapy. Ultimately, this can lead to increased quality of life and reduced health care expenditures. On a methodologic level, the project provides novel insights into a complex intervention on the intersection of general practice and dental care. Trial registration: The study was prospectively registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00030587) on 3. July 2023 under ID "DRKS00030587". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Parents' awareness of malocclusion and their attitude towards early evaluation and interventions influence children's orthodontic management. This cross-sectional study investigates factors that affect the perceived orthodontic needs and the attitude towards interceptive orthodontics among a sample of one-thousand eight-hundred and six (1806) parents of children aged between 6 and 11 years. (2) Methods: The investigation was carried out thought a 18-items online questionnaire divided as follows: characteristics of respondents; perceived child's orthodontic needs; attitude toward early orthodontic evaluation and interventions. The associations between responses were assessed with a Chi-square test. (3) Results: Two-thirds of the respondents referred to having consulted an orthodontist for their child, and more than half of them initiated the required orthodontic treatment. In 44% of cases, the orthodontic consultation occurred after the age of 7 years. Parents' higher education and history of orthodontic treatment were associated with a greater awareness of orthodontic needs. Parents' perception of the impact of teeth on their child's personality was significantly associated with the decision to start the orthodontic treatment (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: Although the parents' level of awareness of their child's orthodontic needs was generally satisfactory, the results of the present study pointed out the need for a better education regarding the importance of an early orthodontic assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Self-assessment (SA) as a learning skill ascends engagement in learning but also promotes learners to take responsibility in understanding their current performance and revise on shortcomings. Pedagogical strategies involving the role of self-assessment skills at varied levels of curriculum, classroom, portfolios, and reflective writing are evidenced in the literature. Health-care providers have to continuously implement changes and keep upgrading their knowledge to fetch better results during their professional career actuating the necessity of SA during students’ training. Although recommendations from the Commission on Dental Accreditation to incorporate self-assessment as early as in predoctoral education have been emphasized, the need to enforce it in the Indian curriculum is not realized. The purpose of this study was to ascertain dental postgraduate students’ perceptions of self-assessment and how it related to their performance in the classroom and in the clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study to assess the awareness and perception of SA, carried out among 120 dental postgraduate students. Over a three-month period, postgraduate students from our institution across all three years participated. A prevalidated, self-administered structured questionnaire that was pilot tested and further given to the participants was used to collect the data. Data were interpreted and analyzed. RESULTS: With an overall mean score of 4.101 ± 0.352, the relevance of employing self-assessment as a learning tool obtained the highest mean score among 2nd-year postgraduate dental students (4.167 ± 0.306) and the lowest among 1st-year postgraduate dental students (3.975 ± 0.477). A one-way analysis of variance test revealed that the total year-wise mean score difference was statistically significant. The mean score for using self-assessment as a learning tool varied significantly between 1st-year postgraduate students and those in their 2nd and 3rd years, but not significantly between 2nd- and 3rd-year postgraduate students, according to a post hoc test conducted among the study groups. This expression of results implies that postdoctoral students highly value SA skills as necessary for achieving a competent endpoint. CONCLUSION: The importance of self-assessment abilities in one’s academic and clinical performance is greatly valued by study participants. To comprehend the use of SA skills and quantify their utilization in performance evaluation, training programs are required.

Autoimmune disorders (AD) represent a heterogeneous group of multifactorial chronic conditions, which are triggered secondary to the loss of self-antigen tolerance. Their etiology involves genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors; however, AD cannot be explained by these factors alone. Recent studies have shown increasing stress levels in industrialized countries and also increasing trends in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases. The oral mucosa is extremely responsive to emotional influences such as stress, anxiety and depression. Therefore, oral diseases can appear as a direct expression of emotions or indirectly, due to various psychological mechanisms. The aim of this study is to find and present possible correlations in order to support the hypothesis that psychogenic factors can play a significant role in the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune disorders in the oral cavity. The review is focused on clarifying epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, course, clinical signs, and management of oral lichen planus, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, psoriasis, muco-membranous pemphigoid, pemphigus, and erythema multiforme. Existing literature suggests bidirectional links between psychogenic factors and autoimmune diseases, which influence patients' psychological well-being and quality of life. Consequently, research and medical practice must continue investigations related to the proper diagnosis and clinical management of these conditions. The first signs of several diseases first appear in the oral cavity, which means that dentists can play an important role in the early diagnosis and treatment of AD oral. Although the role of psychological factors in the etiopathogenesis of AD is still underestimated, a holistic multidisciplinary approach should be implemented to provide for these health problems an appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

BACKGROUND: Self-assessment (SA) as a learning skill ascends engagement in learning but also promotes learners to take responsibility in understanding their current performance and revise on shortcomings. Pedagogical strategies involving the role of self-assessment skills at varied levels of curriculum, classroom, portfolios, and reflective writing are evidenced in the literature. Health-care providers have to continuously implement changes and keep upgrading their knowledge to fetch better results during their professional career actuating the necessity of SA during students' training. Although recommendations from the Commission on Dental Accreditation to incorporate self-assessment as early as in predoctoral education have been emphasized, the need to enforce it in the Indian curriculum is not realized. The purpose of this study was to ascertain dental postgraduate students' perceptions of self-assessment and how it related to their performance in the classroom and in the clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study to assess the awareness and perception of SA, carried out among 120 dental postgraduate students. Over a three-month period, postgraduate students from our institution across all three years participated. A prevalidated, self-administered structured questionnaire that was pilot tested and further given to the participants was used to collect the data. Data were interpreted and analyzed. RESULTS: With an overall mean score of 4.101 ± 0.352, the relevance of employing self-assessment as a learning tool obtained the highest mean score among 2nd-year postgraduate dental students (4.167 ± 0.306) and the lowest among 1st-year postgraduate dental students (3.975 ± 0.477). A one-way analysis of variance test revealed that the total year-wise mean score difference was statistically significant. The mean score for using self-assessment as a learning tool varied significantly between 1st-year postgraduate students and those in their 2nd and 3rd years, but not significantly between 2nd- and 3rd-year postgraduate students, according to a post hoc test conducted among the study groups. This expression of results implies that postdoctoral students highly value SA skills as necessary for achieving a competent endpoint. CONCLUSION: The importance of self-assessment abilities in one's academic and clinical performance is greatly valued by study participants. To comprehend the use of SA skills and quantify their utilization in performance evaluation, training programs are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental professionals routinely work in proximity to patients even when either or both of them have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The oral cavity also serves as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 because the virus is present in and replicates in oral secretions (saliva and gingival crevicular fluid), oral tissues (salivary gland and periodontal tissue), and oral microenvironments (gingival sulcus and periodontal pocket). Despite a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the prevalence of COVID-19 in dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and their patients was similar to that in the general population even during the pandemic. We propose that eugenol, which is responsible for the ambient odor specific to dental offices, could contribute to prevention of COVID-19 in dental settings. Eugenol is not only released from dental materials (filling, cement, and sealer) but is also aerosolized by dental procedures (grinding, polishing, and restoration). Such eugenol has been suggested to possess the potential to inhibit the infectivity and replication of SARS-CoV-2, the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells by binding specifically to the viral spike protein, and the protease indispensable for SARS-CoV-2 replication. It has been shown that aerosolized eugenol acts on airborne viruses to reduce their loads. This review highlights a hypothesis that the environment of dental offices impregnated with eugenol suppresses SARS-CoV-2 airborne transmission and SARS-CoV-2 contagion between dental professionals and patients, preventing COVID-19 in dental practice. Anti-COVID-19 eugenol might give insights into the safe delivery of dental treatment and oral care in the COVID-19 era. Highlights of the Study: Despite a high risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 in dental professionals and patients was not high even during the pandemic. Eugenol, which is released from dental materials and aerosolized by dental procedures, has the ability to inhibit viral infectivity, replication, and cellular entry. We propose that eugenol prevents coronavirus disease 2019 in dental practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This scoping review emphasizes the environmental responsibility of dental healthcare concerning dental solid waste. It calls for a collective effort to ensure that the practices aimed at preserving health do not compromise the well-being of our planet and future generations, avoiding the improper disposal and accumulation of dental waste. In the face of 21st-century environmental challenges, including climate change, migration pressures, and waste disposal issues, certain healthcare sectors, notably dentistry, pose a significant global environmental footprint with concerns about carbon emissions and waste production. This scoping review searches the paradox that healthcare, while dedicated to safeguarding health, inadvertently contributes to environmental degradation through waste accumulation and disposal. The analysis of the relevant literature emphasizes the imperative for an environmentally sustainable approach to dental waste measurement, disposal methods, and comprehensive education for stakeholders. Aligned with the World Conference on Sustainable Development and the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, the study adhered to PRISMA-ScR systematic review guidelines and the Institute of Medicine's recommendations. The study utilized Medline/PubMed and international organization websites for data retrieval, employing Boolean operator queries in Medline. The systematic literature analysis identified six cross-sectional studies (2004–2023) highlighting variations in dental waste composition due to the lack of standardized identification methods. This heterogeneity underscores the need for a proposed research model, emphasizing comprehensive methodologies and healthcare staff training in waste management, thus transforming the analysis into a scoping review. The study advocates for environmentally conscious dental practices, contributing to broader sustainable healthcare goals through sharing of a research protocol for dental solid waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine patients’ awareness of bleeding disorders in dental clinics and to identify patients with bleeding disorders using the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis-Bleeding Assessment Tools (ISTH-BAT bleeding score before dental surgery. Methods: Using a survey, 389 patients referred to the dental clinic were evaluated for their knowledge of bleeding disorders and their awareness of the diagnosis and treatment of bleeding disorders. The ISTH-BAT score was used to assess the risk of bleeding in the participants. Results: Of the 389 patients, 194 (49.8%) had heard of bleeding difficulties, whereas 195 (50.2%) had never heard of it. Nearly twothirds of the 194 patients with low educational levels received information about bleeding diseases, such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease, from their doctors and teachers in schools rather than from television or social media. They gave correct answers to detailed questions in the range of 28% to 55% about the definition, diagnosis, and therapy of bleeding disorders. Using the ISTH-BAT score, four (1%) of 389 patients were identified as having bleeding risk. These bleeding disorders were caused by drugs, infections, or other uncommon disorders. Conclusion: Increasing social media educational activity on bleeding disorders to raise awareness and knowledge in less educated people, as well as the use of ISTH-BAT score to identify a potential bleeder patient, may assist patients planning dental surgery.

The clinical activity in dental offices carries a heightened risk of pathogen transmission through direct contact with contaminated products, indirectly via instruments and equipment, and through cross-infection. This study aimed to evaluate patient perceptions of adherence to organizational principles in private dental practices. Material and Methods: To gauge public attitude and knowledge about the safety of medical procedures and infection control in dental offices, a questionnaire study was conducted with 75 patients undergoing dental treatments in two private clinics in Iași, aged between 20 and 75 years. Results: Patients believe they can contract diseases such as viral hepatitis B (76.3%), HIV infection (100%), viral hepatitis C (82.5%), viral hepatitis A (12.5%), influenza (96.5%), tuberculosis (23.7%), and chickenpox, smallpox, rubella (0.5 – 2.8%) during dental treatments. 96% of patients are unwilling to visit a dental clinic that previously treated an HIV-infected patient. 27% discussed with their dentist the risk of contracting diseases from dental treatments. 65.5% believe that a dentist infected with HIV can provide dental treatments if protective equipment (mask, gloves, glasses) is used. 100% agree that gloves and masks are essential for the dentist during treatment. Conclusions: Patients have a good understanding of the causes of infection transmission in dental clinics and how medical activities should be organized to reduce this risk. Continuous medical education and the implementation of specific programs should aim to increase compliance with infection control measures among both dentists and patients.

Abstract Background This is the first study to assess Egyptian dental practitioners’ knowledge about conservative caries management approaches and investigate whether this knowledge transfers into clinical practice and the barriers to translating research into evidence-based practice. Methods A sample of dental practitioners was surveyed using an online questionnaire. Convenience and snowball sampling were used to collect data from February to June 2022. We included graduated dentists from Egyptian universities who practiced in Egypt. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and the associations between variables were checked using Kruskal Wallis and Chi-Square tests. Results This study included 396 participants from throughout Egypt. There were significant correlations between specialty and participants’ knowledge and behaviors toward evidence-based caries management (p = 0.002) and between specialization and tools used to detect carious lesions (p

Introduction: Traditional approaches to try to reduce dental caries have not been sufficient to support an effective dental practice in reducing and controlling the incidence of this disease, therefore, it is necessary to move towards a different, dialectical, comprehensive, multidimensional visión, with the privilege of studying processes of social determination for a greater and better capacity to know and understand this health problem. Objective: Rethink the reductionist logic on dental caries, with a new perspective from collective health, to understand the complex-structural determinations that affect this disease. Method: This essay proposes a new integrative look at dental caries as a determined, historical, social, economic, political, as well as biological process; expressed in a social space where inequalities in oral health are reproduced. Conclusions: To reduce the incidence of dental caries, it is necessary to rethink and question the practices of traditional dentistry and socially construct new collective, counterhegemonic knowledge, explaining its dynamics in a complex urban or rural territory, determined by the general system of relations and production social, a different alternative to functionalist health is collective health.

Autoimmune disorders (AD) represent a heterogeneous group of multifactorial chronic conditions, which are triggered secondary to the loss of self-antigen tolerance. Their etiology involves genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors; however, AD cannot be explained by these factors alone. Recent studies have shown increasing stress levels in industrialized countries and also increasing trends in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases. The oral mucosa is extremely responsive to emotional influences such as stress, anxiety and depression. Therefore, oral diseases can appear as a direct expression of emotions or indirectly, due to various psychological mechanisms. The aim of this study is to find and present possible correlations in order to support the hypothesis that psychogenic factors can play a significant role in the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune disorders in the oral cavity. The review is focused on clarifying epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, course, clinical signs, and management of oral lichen planus, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, psoriasis, muco-membranous pemphigoid, pemphigus, and erythema multiforme. Existing literature suggests bidirectional links between psychogenic factors and autoimmune diseases, which influence patients' psychological well-being and quality of life. Consequently, research and medical practice must continue investigations related to the proper diagnosis and clinical management of these conditions. The first signs of several diseases first appear in the oral cavity, which means that dentists can play an important role in the early diagnosis and treatment of AD oral. Although the role of psychological factors in the etiopathogenesis of AD is still underestimated, a holistic multidisciplinary approach should be implemented to provide for these health problems an appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is making a significant impact on the healthcare industry, transforming the way we approach diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. It can be helpful in many fields where the human may be assisted and helped by new technologies. Neural networks are a part of artificial intelligence, and are similar to the human brain in their work and can solve given problems and make fast decisions. The field of dentistry has experienced significant advancements with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. AI has revolutionized various aspects of dental care. The integration of AI in dentistry has the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, workflow efficiency, and patient access to care. However, it is important to remember that AI should be viewed as a supportive tool that complements the expertise and clinical judgment of dentists. The collaboration between AI and dental professionals leads to improved patient outcomes, personalized care, and advancements in the field of dentistry.

A good oral health status is mostly dependent on good oral hygiene habits, which knowingly impacts systemic health. Although controversial, chemical oral antiseptics can be useful in adjunct use to mechanical dental plaque control techniques in the prevention and management of local and overall health and well-being. This review aims to revisit, gather and update evidence-based clinical indications for the use of the most popular oral antiseptics, considering different types, microorganism targets and effectiveness in order to establish updated clinical recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This is the first study to assess Egyptian dental practitioners' knowledge about conservative caries management approaches and investigate whether this knowledge transfers into clinical practice and the barriers to translating research into evidence-based practice. Methods: A sample of dental practitioners was surveyed using an online questionnaire. Convenience and snowball sampling were used to collect data from February to June 2022. We included graduated dentists from Egyptian universities who practiced in Egypt. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and the associations between variables were checked using Kruskal Wallis and Chi-Square tests. Results: This study included 396 participants from throughout Egypt. There were significant correlations between specialty and participants' knowledge and behaviors toward evidence-based caries management (p = 0.002) and between specialization and tools used to detect carious lesions (p < 0.001). Most participants (59.1%) used G.V Black's classification, and (80.8%) removed caries based on the feature of dentin hardness and color, whereas (67%) removed caries until hard dentine remained. The participants' primary hurdle to staying up-to-date was their belief that the newly gained information would not be clinically applicable due to a lack of equipment or working in low-economic areas. Patient-related barriers were the major obstacles for participants in implementing evidence-based practice. Conclusion: Egyptian dentists did not fully embrace minimal invasive approaches for caries management, and practitioners' experiences continue to shape decision-making. It emphasizes the imperative to practically educate dentists using effective knowledge translation dissemination to promote evidence adoption in daily practice and advocate value-based dental care to address the economic crisis's impact on Egypt's healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Droplets and aerosols produced during dental procedures are a risk factor for microbial and viral transmission. Unlike sodium hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is nontoxic to tissues but still exhibits broad microbicidal effect. HOCl solution may be applicable as a supplement to water and/or mouthwash. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of HOCl solution on common human oral pathogens and a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate MHV A59 virus, considering the dental practice environment. Methods HOCl was generated by electrolysis of 3% hydrochloric acid. The effect of HOCl on human oral pathogens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Streptococcus intermedius, Parvimonas micra, and MHV A59 virus was studied from four perspectives: concentration; volume; presence of saliva; and storage. HOCl solution in different conditions was utilized in bactericidal and virucidal assays, and the minimum inhibitory volume ratio that is required to completely inhibit the pathogens was determined. Results In the absence of saliva, the minimum inhibitory volume ratio of freshly prepared HOCl solution (45–60 ppm) was 4:1 for bacterial suspensions and 6:1 for viral suspensions. The presence of saliva increased the minimum inhibitory volume ratio to 8:1 and 7:1 for bacteria and viruses, respectively. Applying a higher concentration of HOCl solution (220 or 330 ppm) did not lead to a significant decrease in the minimum inhibitory volume ratio against S. intermedius and P. micra. The minimum inhibitory volume ratio increases in applications of HOCl solution via the dental unit water line. One week of storage of HOCl solution degraded HOCl and increased the minimum growth inhibition volume ratio. Conclusions HOCl solution (45–60 ppm) is still effective against oral pathogens and SAR-CoV-2 surrogate viruses even in the presence of saliva and after passing through the dental unit water line. This study indicates that the HOCl solution can be used as therapeutic water or mouthwash and may ultimately reduce the risk of airborne infection in dental practice.

Aims: This questionnaire-based survey was designed to assess the acquaintance, apprehension, and perceptions of parents toward the COVID-19 pandemic and toward seeking dental care for their children in Visnagar, Gujarat, India. Settings and Design: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods: The online Google survey form included 6 units with 27 close-ended questions in twin languages (regional and English). Inquiries covered demographics, changes in daily acts, dietary traditions, and preparedness to seek child oral care during November 2020 to January 2021. Results: Out of 400 parents, 172 responded to the electronic survey form. Over half of the guardians affirmed that alveolar treatment could fan out COVID-19. Around 90% resorted to medication (self-medication – 39%, home remedies – 32.6%, and teledentistry – 17.4%) to evade personal dental visits for their children. Conclusions: The awareness about COVID-19 and precautions was significantly high. Though parents were unaware about safeguards practiced by dentists during Covid19. Measures were taken to correct misconceptions among parents about safe dental procedures.

Background: Dentistry in India is facing many challenges owing to the increase in the number of dentists and meager job opportunities. As a majority of dental procedures are aerosol generating, the pandemic caused a huge impact on dental practice and education. Further, the risk of transmission of SARCoV-2 virus is high as the dentists work in close contact with the oral cavity. Thus, this study aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on dental practice in Kerala. Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted among 31 dentists and 6 key administrative officials in Kerala through in-depth interviews, strictly adhering to the COREQ guidelines. The interviews were transcribed, translated, and analyzed manually. Results: Following inductive thematic analysis, seven themes emerged on “Impact of COVID-19 on Dentistry;” (1) Negative Impact of COVID-19 on Private Dental Clinic's Income, (2) Negative Impact of COVID-19 on Government Dental Health Centers, (3) Negative Impact of COVID-19 on choice of Dental treatment Procedures, (4) Negative Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Education, (5) Positive impact of COVID-19 on Private Dental Clinics, (6) Positive Impact of COVID-19 on Professional Dental Associations, and (7) Positive impact of COVID-19 on dental health-care planning and timely implementation to assure the quality of care in future. Conclusion: A secured financial mechanism for dental practitioners, strong dental administration setup, increasing the quality of dental care by continuing the existing COVID treatment practices and improving the quality of dental education by implementing a strict protocol for conducting online classes, and employing more dentists, and dental auxiliaries in government health-care centers were identified as the measures to safeguard dentistry, especially during a pandemic.

Background: Quality of patient care will improve when dental professional practices are based on evidence. The present study was aimed at assessing the knowledge and attitude of private dental practitioners in Al-Kharj regarding evidence-based dentistry. Methodology: The study sample consisted of 180 private dental practitioners in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect information regarding knowledge and attitude toward evidence-based dental practice (EBDP). Data were collected by direct personal contact and information was collected on the same day. Results: Awareness of EBDP among private dental practitioners was 67.8%. Also, 31.1% of subjects told that they practice EBD in decision-making about patient treatment. Only 16.7% of study subjects were aware of the Cochrane database, whereas 34.1% were aware of the evidence-based pyramid. Also, 91.7% thought that they needed to be trained regarding EBD. Conclusion: Awareness of EBDP is low among private dental practitioners but the majority of dentists think they need training regarding evidence-based dentistry.

Introduction/Objective. The COVID-19, pandemic had a great impact on all spheres of dental practice. Dentists are the most affected category, due to their line of work. Studies conducted worldwide have shown a range of repercussions in dentistry including lockdowns, limited access to dental services, changes in prices, working hours and availability of protective equipment, increased anxiety levels, changes in the protocols, and personnel fear of contracting the disease at work. The aim of this prospective observational survey study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dental practices in Serbia, as well as the challenges and consequences faced by dentists since the beginning of the pandemic, via an anonymous questionnaire. Methods. Multi layered questioner was used divided in to four sections: 1. Demographic; 2. Dental office professional experience; 3. Epidemiological professional experience; 4. Personal pandemic experience. Results. In total, 459 members of the Serbian Dental Chamber participated, gender distribution was 34.4% men and 65.6% women, age range was 26–81 years, of which 76.4% were immunized against COVID-19. Professional, epidemiological and personal experience showed high level of preventive measures, overcoming professional limitations in order to lower the probability of contracting and spreading the disease. Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic had a large influence on the dental practice in Serbia. Many dentists had to overcome the professional, economic and personal limits. The immunization made all the difference and created a safer environment for dentists and patients.

Background: The demand of excellence and proficiency among professionals is a threat to vocational well-being. The anxiety inherited by dental students is reflected through poor physical and psychological health, loss of interest leading absenteeism, and substance abuse with decreased clinical skills and competencies. Aim: To assess the anxiety in dental practice among dental students of Himachal Pradesh. Methods: The sources of data during this cross-sectional were the dental students studying in one government and four private dental colleges of Himachal Pradesh (India). The information included were demographic details and Dental Anxiety Questionnaire adapted from a previous study. The Dental Anxiety Questionnaire consisted of 37 questions with six anxiety-related constructs of academic (6 items), communication (4 items), investigation (7 items), diagnosis (4 items), treatment (8 items), and deficiencies (8 items). Each item was scored on four-point Likert scale and scores of 38–74 were considered mild anxiety, 75–111 moderate anxiety, and 112–148 severe anxiety. Results: The mean anxiety total score was 83.89 ± 17.49 and within the six constructs, deficiencies and error in treatment-related anxiety showed the highest and communication and health team-related anxiety showed the lowest mean anxiety total scores. The floor and ceiling effect was reported to be 2.53% and the individual item to the total item correlation was above the recommended accepted level of 0.3 for majority of items which indicated good content validity for the scale used. The Cronbach's alpha was found to be 0.89 (unstandardized), which suggested the good internal consistency. Conclusion: Understanding the various types of anxiety related to dental students in the clinical dental practice is essential in the process of designing and evaluation of an effective and integrated dental curriculum. The dental curriculum should be well oriented in achieving a desired optimal anxiety for better academic excellence and clinical success of the dental students.

Luba AlMuhaish,1 AlHanoof AlArfaj,1 Maha AlGhannam,1 Hadeel AlMutiri,1 Sarah Abuhassan,1 Amal Asiri,2 Muhammad Ashraf Nazir3 1College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Dental Education, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Muhammad Ashraf Nazir, Tel +966-543569615, Email manazir@iau.edu.saPurpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate dental anxiety (DA) screening and management practices among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia. The study also evaluated correlation between patients’ self-reported DA and dentists’ ratings of patients’ DA.Participants and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included dentist/patient pairs (N = 279) from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The dentists responded to a questionnaire about their DA screening and management practices and they evaluated patients’ DA using the visual analogue scale (VAS). In addition, patients responded to the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) to measure their DA.Results: About 15.1% of dentists reported using a published scale for screening DA in dental practice and Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale and Dental Fear Survey were their main scales. However, 69.2% reported directly asking their patients about DA. The use of DA management technique was reported by 89.6% of the dentists. Approximately half of the participants (53%) reported receiving DA training in their undergraduate dentistry programs and 65.2% expressed their interest in continuing education courses related to DA. In multiple logistic regression analysis, statistically significant factors associated with DA screening practice included gender (AOR = 0.46, P = 0.037), place of work (AOR = 3.68, P = 0.039), and interest in continuing education courses (AOR = 3.21, P = 0.015). Monthly income (AOR = 0.20, P = 0.029) and directly asking patient about DA (AOR = 6.15, P = 0.025) were significant factors associated with management of patients with DA. The study also showed a significant but weak correlation between DA evaluated by the dentists and DA reported by the patients (rho = 0.185, P = 0.002).Conclusion: The present study showed a low prevalence of DA screening practices among dentists. Dentists’ rating of patients’ DA weakly correlated with patients’ self-reported DA.Keywords: dental anxiety, dental practice, anxiety screening, visual analog scale, modified dental anxiety scale

The medical reasoning proposed in general dental practice is the process by which the medical team is guided by the statistical consequences of consultative relations between previous cases with experiences of an objective nature having successes or promoted successes. Medical reasoning through the systematic elaboration of the clinical and paraclinical algorithm aims to assist the medical staff involved in the treatment of patients to make decisions in their care with dental conditions of any pathological nature/. It must present recommendations of good clinical medical practice based on published evidence ,argued to be taken into account by doctors from dental medicine and other related specialties, as well as by auxiliary medical staff (dental technicians, biological analysts and nurses) involved in the care of patients with dental conditions. Although common sense is a substantion of good medical practice based on the latest available authenticated evidence, it is not intended to replace the practitioner’s judgment in each individual case.

Background: Dentistry in India is facing many challenges owing to the increase in the number of dentists and meager job opportunities. As a majority of dental procedures are aerosol generating, the pandemic caused a huge impact on dental practice and education. Further, the risk of transmission of SARCoV-2 virus is high as the dentists work in close contact with the oral cavity. Thus, this study aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on dental practice in Kerala. Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted among 31 dentists and 6 key administrative officials in Kerala through in-depth interviews, strictly adhering to the COREQ guidelines. The interviews were transcribed, translated, and analyzed manually. Results: Following inductive thematic analysis, seven themes emerged on "Impact of COVID-19 on Dentistry;" (1) Negative Impact of COVID-19 on Private Dental Clinic's Income, (2) Negative Impact of COVID-19 on Government Dental Health Centers, (3) Negative Impact of COVID-19 on choice of Dental treatment Procedures, (4) Negative Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Education, (5) Positive impact of COVID-19 on Private Dental Clinics, (6) Positive Impact of COVID-19 on Professional Dental Associations, and (7) Positive impact of COVID-19 on dental health-care planning and timely implementation to assure the quality of care in future. Conclusion: A secured financial mechanism for dental practitioners, strong dental administration setup, increasing the quality of dental care by continuing the existing COVID treatment practices and improving the quality of dental education by implementing a strict protocol for conducting online classes, and employing more dentists, and dental auxiliaries in government health-care centers were identified as the measures to safeguard dentistry, especially during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The demand of excellence and proficiency among professionals is a threat to vocational well-being. The anxiety inherited by dental students is reflected through poor physical and psychological health, loss of interest leading absenteeism, and substance abuse with decreased clinical skills and competencies. Aim: To assess the anxiety in dental practice among dental students of Himachal Pradesh. Methods: The sources of data during this cross-sectional were the dental students studying in one government and four private dental colleges of Himachal Pradesh (India). The information included were demographic details and Dental Anxiety Questionnaire adapted from a previous study. The Dental Anxiety Questionnaire consisted of 37 questions with six anxiety-related constructs of academic (6 items), communication (4 items), investigation (7 items), diagnosis (4 items), treatment (8 items), and deficiencies (8 items). Each item was scored on four-point Likert scale and scores of 38-74 were considered mild anxiety, 75-111 moderate anxiety, and 112-148 severe anxiety. Results: The mean anxiety total score was 83.89 ± 17.49 and within the six constructs, deficiencies and error in treatment-related anxiety showed the highest and communication and health team-related anxiety showed the lowest mean anxiety total scores. The floor and ceiling effect was reported to be 2.53% and the individual item to the total item correlation was above the recommended accepted level of 0.3 for majority of items which indicated good content validity for the scale used. The Cronbach's alpha was found to be 0.89 (unstandardized), which suggested the good internal consistency. Conclusion: Understanding the various types of anxiety related to dental students in the clinical dental practice is essential in the process of designing and evaluation of an effective and integrated dental curriculum. The dental curriculum should be well oriented in achieving a desired optimal anxiety for better academic excellence and clinical success of the dental students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of smoking cessation program into routine oral health care has been advocated by World Health Organization since it brings extensive benefits to oral health. By tobacco cessation, patients are less prone to progression of periodontal disease, have less future tooth loss, have reduced risks of oral mucosal lesions and head and neck cancers. Evidence indicates that dentists are in a favorable position to deliver effective smoking cessation advice to improve patients’ oral health. This article aims to present the current situation of smoking cessation in dental setting, including dental management of smoking patients, perceptions of dentists and dental students towards smoking cessation, challenges dental professionals face when carrying out cessation interventions. Patients’ perspectives are also evaluated to provide a clearer picture of smoking cessation practice in the dental field. Review of past surveys show most patients welcome smoking cessation advice from dental practitioners. Meanwhile dentists may have wrong assumption that patients would disapprove them if they advise patient to quit smoking. On top of that, main obstacles identified are lack of training, inadequate treatment time and insufficient knowledge towards smoking cessation guidelines and referral routes. With regard to the potential barriers, evidence demonstrates that more trainings on smoking cessation strategies are needed. Future research in this aspect is also indicated to further foster the practice of smoking cessation counselling in dental setting.

Background: Replacement of missing tooth plays an important role in patient’s comfort and self-esteem. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the most commonly used impression materials and techniques practiced for crowns and bridgework by prosthodontists and general dental practitioners compared to the theoretical methods suggested in the literature and to determine the clinical factors that might influence the decision-making process for the selection of impression materials and techniques. Materials and Methods: Pre-tested and pre-validated structured and closed-ended anonymous questionnaire was shared with general dental practitioners and prosthodontists. Results: Most of the prosthodontists use diagnostic impression compared to general dental practitioners (P

Farooq Ahmad Chaudhary,1 Ayesha Fazal,1 Basaruddin Ahmad,2 Osama Khattak,3 Mawra Hyder,1 Muhammad Mohsin Javaid,1 Azhar Iqbal,3 Rakhi Issrani4 1Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry (SOD), Federal Medical Teaching Institution (FMTI)/PIMS, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad, Pakistan; 2School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia; 3Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Farooq Ahmad Chaudhary, Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry (SOD), Federal Medical Teaching Institution (FMTI)/PIMS, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad, Pakistan, Tel +92 3325560644, Email chaudhary4@hotmail.comAbstract: This study aims to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological health and dental practice of oral health-care workers (OHCWs). The search for relevant literature was carried out online using PubMed, Web of science, and science direct databases from January 2020 to February 2021. Those articles were included that provided complete information about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health-care workers during covid-19 and were original articles and reviews. Those articles were excluded from the current study that was not in English Language and involved case reports/book chapters/short communications. Finally, only 8 articles were selected for the scoping review considering that complete information regarding the provision of dental care in the time of COVID-19 was provided. Increased psychological distress (especially those with existing comorbidities) was noted among the OHCWs during this pandemic. They had enough knowledge about COVID-19 and showed concern regarding the future of dentistry. Either complete or partial closure of dental clinics had introduced financial constraints among them. However, the majority of them did not switch their profession. The institutions were not prepared for any such situation and no training was conducted to control the spread of COVID-19 infection. OHCWs are fully aware of the knowledge regarding COVID-19 and showed concerns for dentistry and dental health-care workers during this pandemic. Complete or partial closure of dental clinics has had adverse effects on the future of dentistry, economically as well as psychologically. Institutions need to upgrade and strengthen their systems to cater to any such situation efficiently. Proper counseling sessions should be conducted for the OHCWs to monitor, identify and treat the cases found.Keywords: dental practice, oral healthcare workers, COVID-19, psychological health, comorbidities

Background: Droplets and aerosols produced during dental procedures are a risk factor for microbial and viral transmission. Unlike sodium hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is nontoxic to tissues but still exhibits broad microbicidal effect. HOCl solution may be applicable as a supplement to water and/or mouthwash. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of HOCl solution on common human oral pathogens and a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate MHV A59 virus, considering the dental practice environment. Methods: HOCl was generated by electrolysis of 3% hydrochloric acid. The effect of HOCl on human oral pathogens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Streptococcus intermedius, Parvimonas micra, and MHV A59 virus was studied from four perspectives: concentration; volume; presence of saliva; and storage. HOCl solution in different conditions was utilized in bactericidal and virucidal assays, and the minimum inhibitory volume ratio that is required to completely inhibit the pathogens was determined. Results: In the absence of saliva, the minimum inhibitory volume ratio of freshly prepared HOCl solution (45–60 ppm) was 4:1 for bacterial suspensions and 6:1 for viral suspensions. The presence of saliva increased the minimum inhibitory volume ratio to 8:1 and 7:1 for bacteria and viruses, respectively. Applying a higher concentration of HOCl solution (220 or 330 ppm) did not lead to a significant decrease in the minimum inhibitory volume ratio against S. intermedius and P. micra. The minimum inhibitory volume ratio increases in applications of HOCl solution via the dental unit water line. One week of storage of HOCl solution degraded HOCl and increased the minimum growth inhibition volume ratio. Conclusions: HOCl solution (45–60 ppm) is still effective against oral pathogens and SAR-CoV-2 surrogate viruses even in the presence of saliva and after passing through the dental unit water line. This study indicates that the HOCl solution can be used as therapeutic water or mouthwash and may ultimately reduce the risk of airborne infection in dental practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing application of generative artificial intelligence large language models (LLMs) in various fields, including dentistry, raises questions about their accuracy. Objective: This study aims to comparatively evaluate the answers provided by 4 LLMs, namely Bard (Google LLC), ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 (OpenAI), and Bing Chat (Microsoft Corp), to clinically relevant questions from the field of dentistry. Methods: The LLMs were queried with 20 open-type, clinical dentistry–related questions from different disciplines, developed by the respective faculty of the School of Dentistry, European University Cyprus. The LLMs' answers were graded 0 (minimum) to 10 (maximum) points against strong, traditionally collected scientific evidence, such as guidelines and consensus statements, using a rubric, as if they were examination questions posed to students, by 2 experienced faculty members. The scores were statistically compared to identify the best-performing model using the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests. Moreover, the evaluators were asked to provide a qualitative evaluation of the comprehensiveness, scientific accuracy, clarity, and relevance of the LLMs' answers. Results: Overall, no statistically significant difference was detected between the scores given by the 2 evaluators; therefore, an average score was computed for every LLM. Although ChatGPT-4 statistically outperformed ChatGPT-3.5 (P =.008), Bing Chat (P =.049), and Bard (P =.045), all models occasionally exhibited inaccuracies, generality, outdated content, and a lack of source references. The evaluators noted instances where the LLMs delivered irrelevant information, vague answers, or information that was not fully accurate. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that although LLMs hold promising potential as an aid in the implementation of evidence-based dentistry, their current limitations can lead to potentially harmful health care decisions if not used judiciously. Therefore, these tools should not replace the dentist's critical thinking and in-depth understanding of the subject matter. Further research, clinical validation, and model improvements are necessary for these tools to be fully integrated into dental practice. Dental practitioners must be aware of the limitations of LLMs, as their imprudent use could potentially impact patient care. Regulatory measures should be established to oversee the use of these evolving technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This questionnaire-based survey was designed to assess the acquaintance, apprehension, and perceptions of parents toward the COVID-19 pandemic and toward seeking dental care for their children in Visnagar, Gujarat, India. Settings and Design: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods: The online Google survey form included 6 units with 27 close-ended questions in twin languages (regional and English). Inquiries covered demographics, changes in daily acts, dietary traditions, and preparedness to seek child oral care during November 2020 to January 2021. Results: Out of 400 parents, 172 responded to the electronic survey form. Over half of the guardians affirmed that alveolar treatment could fan out COVID-19. Around 90% resorted to medication (self-medication – 39%, home remedies – 32.6%, and teledentistry – 17.4%) to evade personal dental visits for their children. Conclusions: The awareness about COVID-19 and precautions was significantly high. Though parents were unaware about safeguards practiced by dentists during Covid19. Measures were taken to correct misconceptions among parents about safe dental procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization declared the spread of the human monkeypox virus (MPXV) an "emerging threat of moderate health concern" on 23 June 2022. Although about 20,000 cases of Monkeypox (MPX) were recorded in Europe and more than 28,000 in the United States from May to October 2022, their number is still small compared to the number of dental patients treated annually. Therefore, the likelihood of oral healthcare workers encountering an MPX case is relatively low in not endemic regions. In addition, MPX-positive individuals are considered contagious only during the prodromal or acute phase. However, the exact shedding and transmission routes of MPX and the associated risk of transmission in the dental setting remain unclear. Moreover, infected subjects whose disease is confined to the head and neck may require oral and dental care because they complain of lymphadenopathy involving the cervical lymph nodes. Furthermore, MPX lesions may first appear in the oral cavity or perioral area. Therefore, given the recent spread of MPXV in non-endemic areas where dentists are not used to considering this disease in the differential diagnosis and taking appropriate preventive measures, all oral healthcare providers nowadays should be aware of the oral presentation of MPX for adequate oral screening and appropriate preventive measures for infection control in the dental practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]