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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]

Introduction: Millions of people have died as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic caused by Sars-CoV-2. To increase awareness and knowledge of Covid-19, numerous online resources have been made available, particularly those pertaining to the dental profession. The purpose of this study was to determine dental professionals' knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes concerning Covid-19 in Saudi Arabia. We performed a study using a Google Docs questionnaire that was disseminated to 305 dentists practising in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was divided into four sections: dentists' demographic and professional characteristics; dentists' awareness of the incubation period, disease symptoms, mode of transmission, and infection control measures for preventing Covid-19; and dentists' attitude toward treating patients with Covid-19. The questionnaire was completed by participants by selecting one response to each question. The descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, which were expressed as frequencies and percentages. The chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between professional activity and knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes towards Covid-19. Results: A total of 305 dentists took part in the survey, which resulted in a cohort of 305 dentists. Dentists in Saudi Arabia were well-versed in the signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infection in dental clinics, as well as the methods of transmission, infection control measures, and preventative techniques. Dentist, on the other hand, demonstrated a reasonable understanding of the additional preventative measures that can be taken to protect dental employees and other patients from Covid-19. Conclusion: Saudi dentists have an acceptable level of knowledge and understanding of Covid-19. However, such advancements would benefit patient management throughout this pandemic. Due to the high risk of infection spreading and acquisition among dental workers or individuals due to the close contact with patients and the nature of dental treatment, it is critical for dentists to remain updated on current knowledge in this rapidly moving field. Dentists' infection control expertise should be reinforced through continuous educational programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and practice of ergonomics among dental practitioners in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among dental practitioners through Google Forms. Link of the questionnaire was sent through social media and e-mail. The questionnaire was focused on the awareness of ergonomics and practice of ergonomics during dental practice. Results: About 97.9% of participants are aware of different operating positions. About 71.7% of participants rate their operating procedure chair positions as good. 52.5% admit they feel numb fingers while working. Many questions were statistically significant according to educational qualification and type of practice (P < 0.050. Conclusion: Majority of the study population were aware of proper chair positions, correct operating procedures and were practicing four-handed dentistry, maintained proper back support while working, and even performed stretching exercises during clinical working hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The newly emerged pandemic has created many dilemmas in dental clinical practice all over the world. Most of the practicing dentists and dental students are at higher risk of getting infected and transmitted the disease. The study aimed to explore the knowledge and attitudes among dental interns in Saudi Arabia related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire survey was carried out among dental students pursuing their internship at different universities in Saudi Arabia. A combination of convenience and snowball sampling was used to identify interns from each province of the Kingdom. The questionnaire was validated and pretested, which recorded the knowledge, attitude, and concerns related to dental practice and COVID-19. Results: The knowledge related to COVID-19 and its importance in clinical dental practice was below average among dental interns, and only 22.2% gave a correct response to all questions. About 80.8% and 85% of the dental students were worried about contracting the infection during dental practice and transmitting it to family and friends, respectively. Conclusion: Dental students showed satisfactory knowledge, attitude, and practices related to COVID-19, and most of them were aware and adhering to the preventive guidelines set by the ministry of health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral cancer forms a major public health issue. In Saudi Arabia, Jazan region has the highest rate of oral cancer; > 35% of total cases. Furthermore, dentists' engagement in oral cancer screening and patient education in Jazan region is limited. This paper aimed to describe the process used to develop a comprehensive oral cancer (OC) practice intervention to be implemented in dental clinics. The intervention was informed by the six steps of intervention mapping (IM). Steps 1-3 included mixed methods approach of reviewing relevant existing literature, focus group discussions, observations, one-on-one interviews, and questionnaires utilizing the community participatory approach. Step 4 used information form steps 1-3 to develop the intervention components and its associated tools to facilitate its delivery. Steps 5 and 6 specified the prospective plans for implementation and evaluation. ISAC is the developed intervention that comprises the following: Informing dental patients about performing routine OC screenings, Screenings for OC, Advising patients, and Connecting patients to the required services. ISAC practical applications were clustered into two components: (a) didactical session covering aspects related to OC practices and introducing ISAC and (b) practical session that included a step-by-step modeling of the intervention. Using IM facilitated the systematic planning of the ISAC intervention that covers the main issues revealed by the need's assessments. Working towards developing the ISAC required extensive work in assessing dental public health issues in a specific context with limited data - and this constituted a great challenge. The development of the ISAC was a lesson that casts light on the advantages of engaging multidisciplinary expertise to tackle serious public health issue like OC., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease endangering human lives. Therefore, several prophylactic measures are required to improve the protection of endocarditis-prone patients from bacteremia resulting from various dental actions. These measures range from developing the dental hygiene to trials of different antimicrobial agents., Objectives: To examine the knowledge and practices of dentists in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia, regarding antibiotic prophylaxis against IE., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia., Patients and Methods: The participants were interviewed at their workplaces and the data collection sheet was constructed based on the guidelines of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC, 2017)., Main Outcome Measures: The examination of the data gathered was calculated using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 25) such as to test the significance of variation in dentists' mean knowledge scores as per their personal characteristics. An output with P values <0.05 was statistically significant., Sample Size: 182 Dentists., Results: Dentists' mean knowledge score was 17.5 ± 3.7 (out of 24). The least correct responses regarding dental procedures that require prophylactic antibiotics were "root canal treatment" (30.8%). Regarding cardiac conditions that require prophylactic antibiotics, dentists' least correct responses were "heart failure" (50%). Dentists' mean knowledge scores differed significantly according to their age groups (P = 0.032), nationality (P = 0.002), education/qualification (P = 0.002). Mean knowledge scores differed significantly according to dentists' years of experience (P = 0.018) and sources of information (P < 0.001). Amoxicillin was the most regularly recommended antibiotic (90.7%), while 86.8% correctly stated 30--60 min. before the procedure as the time for prophylactic antibiotic administration., Conclusions: The knowledge of dentists in Aseer Region regarding the use of preventive drugs for the control and prevention of IE is suboptimal. The inclusion of the latest AHA guidelines into the dentistry curricula is highly recommended., Limitations: Outcome are simultaneously assessed., Competing Interests: None

Dental professionals have a major role in the fight against the spread and transmission of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate awareness and practice of dentists in Saudi Arabia regarding COVID-19 and the utilization of infection control methods. A 24-item questionnaire was developed and distributed through social media to 627 dentists working in Saudi Arabia. 177 questionnaires were completed (28.2% response rate). Most dentists were aware about the transmission, incubation time and main clinical symptoms of COVID-19. Almost 83% of the respondents appreciate the risk of droplets, aerosols and airborne particles in transmission of COVID-19 in the dental clinic. Among the common practices of participants are measuring patient's body temperature before undertaking a dental treatment (88.7%), cleaning the environmental surfaces at the dental clinic after each patient (91.5%) and restriction of dental treatment to emergency cases (82.5%). It seems that practicing dentists in Saudi Arabia are fairly aware about COVID-19. The practices of the surveyed dentists appear to be mostly consistent with the current guidelines and recommendations for infection control of COVID-19 in the dental clinic. Some drawbacks in knowledge and a number of inappropriate practices can be identified and require the attention of health authorities.

Background: The relationship between dentists and dental supply representatives is not as well known as that between physicians and pharmaceutical sales representatives., Aims: To estimate the magnitude, associated factors and characteristics of the interaction between dentists and dental supply representatives in Saudi Arabia., Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among dentists working in major governmental and private hospitals in different regions of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all participants, either in electronic or paper format, depending on the proximity of the participants. A total of 672 participants completed the survey (response rate, 67.2%)., Results: Approximately 68% of participants reported an interaction with dental supply representatives. Saudi dentists had a lower interaction with dental supply representatives than non-Saudi dentists (65.1% vs 73.1%). Dentists working in private hospitals had more interactions with dental supply representatives than those working in public hospitals (78.1% vs 63.2%). Compared to residents and interns, dental consultants and specialists had more interactions with dental supply representatives. Dentists who had a prior history of working abroad showed more interactions with dental supply representatives than those with no such history (75.9% vs 63.7%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the following characteristics were independently associated with greater dentist-dental supply representatives interaction: male sex, older age, living in the eastern region, unsure about income satisfaction, certain job titles (such as specialists), and certain specialties., Conclusion: Dentists have a high number of interactions with dental supply representatives in Saudi Arabia. Most of the issues identified are common to those seen in other parts of the world., (Copyright © World Health Organization (WHO) 2020. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo).)