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Background: Dental care has been transformed by neural networks, introducing advanced methods for improving patient outcomes. By leveraging technological innovation, dental informatics aims to enhance treatment and diagnostic processes. Early diagnosis of dental problems is crucial, as it can substantially reduce dental disease incidence by ensuring timely and appropriate treatment. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) within dental informatics is a pivotal tool that has applications across all dental specialties. This systematic literature review aims to comprehensively summarize existing research on AI implementation in dentistry. It explores various techniques used for detecting oral features such as teeth, fillings, caries, prostheses, crowns, implants, and endodontic treatments. AI plays a vital role in the diagnosis of dental diseases by enabling precise and quick identification of issues that may be difficult to detect through traditional methods. Its ability to analyze large volumes of data enhances diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, leading to better patient outcomes. Methods: An extensive search was conducted across a number of databases, including Science Direct, PubMed (MEDLINE), arXiv.org, MDPI, Nature, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Wiley Online Library. Results: The studies included in this review employed a wide range of neural networks, showcasing their versatility in detecting the dental categories mentioned above. Additionally, the use of diverse datasets underscores the adaptability of these AI models to different clinical scenarios. This study highlights the compatibility, robustness, and heterogeneity among the reviewed studies. This indicates that AI technologies can be effectively integrated into current dental practices. The review also discusses potential challenges and future directions for AI in dentistry. It emphasizes the need for further research to optimize these technologies for broader clinical applications. Conclusions: By providing a detailed overview of AI's role in dentistry, this review aims to inform practitioners and researchers about the current capabilities and future potential of AI-driven dental care, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes and more efficient dental practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The curricula for UK dental specialty training have recently been under review and until 2024, completion of a research component during training in Dental Public Health, Oral Microbiology and Orthodontics has been mandatory (with an alternative route for Orthodontics involving the submission of two scientific papers for those trainees not wishing to undertake a higher degree). Anecdotally, some trainees in other dental specialties choose to undertake higher degrees alongside specialty training. Aims: The aims were to investigate how many dental specialty registrars study for higher degrees alongside specialty training, and whether undertaking a higher degree alongside specialty training has an impact on completion of training, research skills, research experience, patient care and career opportunities. Materials and Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study design, involving the distribution of an online, anonymous questionnaire‐based survey to UK dental specialty registrars in November and December 2022. Results: In total, 38 questionnaires were completed, representing a 7.7% response rate of the entire dental specialty registrar cohort in the UK and 42% of those who received it. Most respondents (76.3%) were either studying or had completed a clinically relevant higher degree prior to specialty training. Most respondents (76.3%) reported that the higher degree increased career opportunities and gave them additional skills. Conclusions: Dental specialty trainees who responded to this survey perceived the higher degree to be beneficial in terms of preparing for exams, gaining skills in critical appraisal and for increasing future career opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Matrix Support (MS) is a strategy that can be used to improve integration between Primary Health Care (PHC) and other levels of care. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MS carried out in Brazilian Dental Specialty Centers (CEOs) (secondary level of oral health care) and aspects of the integrated work process with PHC, as well as contextual variables. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Program for Quality Improvement and Access to CEOs (PMAQ-CEO). Secondary data from the External Evaluation of the second cycle of PMAQ-CEO were analyzed, including contextual variables obtained from sources such as the Unified Health System (SUS) and official research institutions. Descriptive analyses were performed, and four multiple models were adjusted to investigate the association between the variables. Results: The results showed that about half of the CEOs did not carry out therapeutic projects developed with the oral health teams of PHC. It was found that the lack of therapeutic projects developed with the teams was associated with the lack of discussion of complex cases by the team, lack of discussion of individual therapeutic project, absence of joint continuing education activities, lack of construction and discussion of clinical protocols, and lack of belief in the importance of planning and periodic evaluation. The results suggest that the articulation between PHC and secondary oral health care still presents weaknesses within the scope of SUS. Comprehensive care needs to be strengthened, requiring greater intervention from management. Conclusion: It was concluded that the individual factors of CEOs, related to the work process, have a greater influence on the lack of integration with oral health teams of PHC, compared to the contextual variables of municipalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: What do surgeons want to know about law pertaining to their practice? We have found nothing in the literature to address this subject. We present evidence to answer our question. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all enquires to a clinical law service in a university hospital between 2009 and 2023. Each 'case' originating from a surgeon was categorised according to its fundamental legal phenotype. RESULTS: A total of 1,476 enquiries relating to clinical law were received from the clinical workforce in the hospital and the region. Of these, 154 enquiries (13%) were made by surgeons representing all 10 specialty groups and dentistry. The largest groups of enquiries related to professional conduct (n=49), competence/capacity (n=33), consent (n=23) and refusal of treatment (n=23). The incidence of the surgical enquiries relating to refusal of care, consent, standards of care and capacity mirrored those made by non-surgical specialties. The surgical enquiries concerning confidentiality, candour and withdrawal of treatment were notably infrequent. We discuss the detail of some of the clinical scenarios arising from these enquiries that reveal the breadth and depth of legal complexities faced by surgeons of all specialties. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns or phenotypes of surgical legal dilemmas have emerged that could provide a framework for preparing surgeons to deal better with the patient in front of them. Enquiries indicative of what surgeons want to know suggest gaps in surgical legal knowledge that may be a focus of future education. Near-absence of enquiries in candour and confidentiality are notable, without immediate explanation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of examiner calibration is an essential step in all epidemiological research, as it aims to ensure uniform interpretation, understanding, and application of the instrument to be used. This ensures that the data collected will be valid and reliable. This study aimed to determine the differences in concordance in dental caries calibration across three dental specialties. The population consisted of 45 dentists, divided into three groups: 15 general dentists working in the public sector, 15 dentists specializing in Dental Public Health, and 15 dentists specializing in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry. The calibration process was carried out in three stages: theory, calibration using photographs, and calibration on natural teeth, performed by the gold standard. In the first validity process, a statistical difference was only found between the Kappa values of the inter-examiner calibration process using photographs. For the evaluation of teeth, in the second validity process, 33.33% (n = 15) of the participants achieved "almost perfect agreement." Finally, only 75.56% (n = 34) of the examiners were considered for the reliability report; of this group, 52.94% (n = 18) were in "almost perfect agreement," and 35.29% (n = 12) were in "substantial agreement." The validity and reliability of the dental caries experience calibration process did not present significant statistical differences between general dentists in the public sector, dentists specializing in Dental Public Health, and dentists specializing in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to perform a bibliometric analysis to discover what topics of dental YouTube videos have been investigated by the scientific literature, and evaluate how video characteristics were related to citation count. The Scopus electronic literature database was accessed to identify relevant papers. After screening, a total of 128 papers entered the analysis. The bibliographic data were provided by Scopus, whereas content evaluations were manually performed. Most papers evaluated videos recorded in English (85.9%). Each of the 128 papers analyzed a mean (±SD) of 79.2 ± 61.6 videos. Mean journal impact factor was 1.8 ± 1.4, and mean citation count was 13.0 ± 22.4. The preference for publication of papers was inclined towards dental journals (80.5%), with the majority (54.7%) being published without open access. Papers dealing with videos targeting patients/public had higher citations than those targeting dental professionals only (14.1 ± 23.4 vs. 4.0 ± 6.3, p < 0.001). The most represented as well as the most highly cited specialty of the dental YouTube publications was oral and maxillofacial surgery/oral medicine. Some twin or triplet studies published in the same year covering the same topic were identified, but they often covered a different number of videos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate transparency practices in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in dentistry. Methods: This meta-research study included RCTs in dentistry regardless of topic, methods, or level of detail reported. Only studies in English were considered. We searched PubMed for RCTs in dentistry published in English from December 31, 2016, to December 31, 2021. The screening was performed in duplicate, and data extracted included journal and author details, dental specialty, protocol registration, data and code sharing, conflict of interest declaration, and funding information. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed. We generated maps illustrating the reporting of transparency items by country of the corresponding author and a heat table reflecting reporting levels by dental specialty. Results: A total of 844 RCTs were included. Only 12.86% of studies reported any information about data and code sharing. Protocol registration was reported for 50.36% of RCTs. Conflict of interest (83.41%) and funding (71.68%) declarations were present in most studies. Conflicts of interest and funding were consistently reported regardless of country or specialty, while data and code sharing had a low level of reporting across specialties, as well as low dissemination across the world. Protocol registration exhibited considerable variability. Conclusions: Considering the importance of RCTs for evidence-based dentistry, it is crucial that everyone who participates in the scientific production and dissemination process actively and consistently promotes adherence to transparent scientific standards, particularly registration of protocols, and sharing of data and code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Implementing the Age‐Friendly Health System (AFHS) framework into dental care provides a significant opportunity to link oral health to healthy aging. This project aimed to implement the AFHS 4Ms (what matters, medications, mentation, and mobility) in the provision of oral health care. This article describes the planning, integration, training development, and outcome measurements supporting a 4Ms approach at an academic dental clinic. Methods: The Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH) implemented screening instruments based on the 4Ms framework recommended for ambulatory care clinics by the Institute for Health Care Improvement (IHI). These ambulatory instruments were integrated into the workflows of a Specialty Care Clinic through the development of a plan–do–study–act cycle, utilization of available clinic resources, and creation of interdisciplinary collaborations. Results: This project demonstrated the feasibility of implementing an AFHS checklist and tracking forms in dental practice by integrating available resources and prioritizing the 4Ms elements. This effort necessitated interdisciplinary collaborations between dental, medical, and social service professionals. It also created a new age‐friendly focused education and training curriculum for dental residents and faculty. Conclusions: This pilot project is the first to establish dental standards for AFHS implementation, adapting the 4Ms assessment and metrics to oral health. This AFHS underscores key oral health processes, including assessment, planning, and personalized oral health care, adapted to the unique needs of the older adult population, especially those with cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endodontics is the dental specialty foremost concerned with diseases of the pulp and periradicular tissues. Clinicians often face patients with varying symptoms, must critically assess radiographic images in 2 and 3 dimensions, derive complex diagnoses and decision making, and deliver sophisticated treatment. Paired with low intra- and interobserver agreement for radiographic interpretation and variations in treatment outcome resulting from nonstandardized clinical techniques, there exists an unmet need for support in the form of artificial intelligence (AI), providing automated biomedical image analysis, decision support, and assistance during treatment. In the past decade, there has been a steady increase in AI studies in endodontics but limited clinical application. This review focuses on critically assessing the recent advancements in endodontic AI research for clinical applications, including the detection and diagnosis of endodontic pathologies such as periapical lesions, fractures and resorptions, as well as clinical treatment outcome predictions. It discusses the benefits of AI-assisted diagnosis, treatment planning and execution, and future directions including augmented reality and robotics. It critically reviews the limitations and challenges imposed by the nature of endodontic data sets, AI transparency and generalization, and potential ethical dilemmas. In the near future, AI will significantly affect the everyday endodontic workflow, education, and continuous learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rhinosinusitis is an important prevalent and bothersome problem relevant to dental specialties like maxillofacial surgery, pathology and radiology. Two main contributing factors to this problem are the inferior turbinate and sinus membrane. Except one flawed and incomplete preliminary study, no study has examined the potential link between the thickness of sinus mucosal lining and the volume of the inferior turbinate. Besides, the role of gender and aging on turbinate volume or sinus membrane thickness is not assessed, except in one or two studies. Therefore, this large study was conducted. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 604 right and left turbinates and sinuses in 302 patients (154 males, 184 females; mean age 30.14 ± 9.44 years). This sample size was deemed about 12 times larger than the size necessary for high powers. Archival CBCTs were screened for cases with bilateral maxillary sinuses and turbinates. The thickness of their sinus membranes was measured on six points on each side and the greatest one was recorded in millimeters (mm). Their inferior turbinates were segmented manually and their volumes were measured in cm³ using a computer program set at the threshold range of 0-300 HU. Sinus membranes 1.0 mm thick or thicker were considered mucositis. The associations among turbinate volume, the occurrence of turbinate hypertrophy, sinus mucosal membrane, sinus mucositis occurrence and patients’ age and sex were examined using the multiple linear regression, partial correlation coefficient controlling for sex, Pearson correlation coefficient, chi-squared and paired and unpaired t-tests (α = 0.05). Results: The sample was balanced in terms of sex and age (P = 0.102). The mean (SD) for the right turbinate volume, left turbinate volume, right mucosa thickness, left mucosa thickness, average turbinate volume and average mucosa thickness were 6.223 ± 1.404 cm³, 6.256 ± 1.811 cm³, 1.918 ± 3.777 mm, 2.501 ± 4.793 mm, 6.239 ± 1.236 cm³ and 2.209 ± 3.690 mm, respectively. The volume of each turbinate was correlated with the mucosal thickness of the ipsilateral and contralateral sinuses (R values ranging between 0.351 and 0.459, all P values = 0.000). The correlation between averages turbinate volume and average mucosa thickness was 62.8% (P = 0.000). Age was not correlated with any of the anatomic measurements. Multiple regression identified both left/right sinus membrane thicknesses as predictors of turbinate volume (P ≤ 0.003); sex (but not age) was the predictor for the left and average turbinates (P < 0.05). Turbinates were larger in men; mucosae were thicker in men (all P values < 0.05). The volumes of turbinates were similar on the right and left sides (P = 0.789); however, sinus membranes were significantly thicker on the left side compared to the right (P = 0.024). Conclusions: The inferior turbinate volume may be associated with the thickness of both ipsilateral and contralateral sinus membranes. The male sex is associated with thicker mucosa linings and larger turbinates. Aging might not affect turbinate volume or sinus mucosa thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid advancements in AI technology have led to significant interest in its application across various fields, including medicine and dentistry. This study aimed to assess the capabilities of ChatGPT-4V with image recognition in answering image-based questions from the Japanese National Dental Examination (JNDE) to explore its potential as an educational support tool for dental students. The dataset used questions from the JNDE, which was conducted in January 2023, with a focus on image-related queries. ChatGPT-4V was utilized, and standardized prompts, question texts, and images were input. Data and statistical analyses were conducted using Qlik Sense® and GraphPad Prism. The overall correct response rate of ChatGPT-4V for image-based JNDE questions was 35.0 %. The correct response rates were 57.1 % for compulsory questions, 43.6 % for general questions, and 28.6 % for clinical practical questions. In specialties like Dental Anesthesiology and Endodontics, ChatGPT-4V achieved correct response rates above 70 %, while response rates for Orthodontics and Oral Surgery were lower. A higher number of images in questions was correlated with lower accuracy, suggesting an impact of the number of images on correct and incorrect responses. While innovative, ChatGPT-4V's image recognition feature exhibited limitations, especially in handling image-intensive and complex clinical practical questions, and is not yet fully suitable as an educational support tool for dental students at its current stage. Further technological refinement and re-evaluation with a broader dataset are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: ChatGPT's (Chat Generative Pre‐Trained Transformer) remarkable capacity to generate human‐like output makes it an appealing learning tool for healthcare students worldwide. Nevertheless, the chatbot's responses may be subject to inaccuracies, putting forth an intense risk of misinformation. ChatGPT's capabilities should be examined in every corner of healthcare education, including dentistry and its specialties, to understand the potential of misinformation associated with the chatbot's use as a learning tool. Our investigation aims to explore ChatGPT's foundation of knowledge in the field of periodontology by evaluating the chatbot's performance on questions obtained from an in‐service examination administered by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). Methods: ChatGPT3.5 and ChatGPT4 were evaluated on 311 multiple‐choice questions obtained from the 2023 in‐service examination administered by the AAP. The dataset of in‐service examination questions was accessed through Nova Southeastern University's Department of Periodontology. Our study excluded questions containing an image as ChatGPT does not accept image inputs. Results: ChatGPT3.5 and ChatGPT4 answered 57.9% and 73.6% of in‐service questions correctly on the 2023 Periodontics In‐Service Written Examination, respectively. A two‐tailed t test was incorporated to compare independent sample means, and sample proportions were compared using a two‐tailed χ2 test. A p value below the threshold of 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Conclusion: While ChatGPT4 showed a higher proficiency compared to ChatGPT3.5, both chatbot models leave considerable room for misinformation with their responses relating to periodontology. The findings of the study encourage residents to scrutinize the periodontic information generated by ChatGPT to account for the chatbot's current limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cumhuriyet Dental Journal is the property of Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Dentistry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The dental specialty of orthodontics is moving toward a modern era of dental medicine assisted by robots. The advent of artificial intelligence in the field of technology has led to the emergence of robotics which has remarkably changed the orthodontic scenario in today’s world. The latest technology of robotics has various applications in the field of orthodontics to facilitate better treatment outcomes. From the management and diagnosis of treatment for orthodontic patients to helping orthodontists in patient care, robots have played a vital role. The blooming augmented reality with the latest concept of nanotechnology has paved the way for the production of robots and nanorobots, covering the broader areas of medical science. However, modern robot technology has not been introduced completely to orthodontic research; hence, this review highlights the application of robots and the futuristic aspects of artificial intelligence in orthodontics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Special needs dentistry (SND) is an emerging dental specialty, with ongoing developments in education and clinical practice focused towards the tailored management of individuals with special needs (SN). Patients with SN have a higher prevalence of oral diseases and unmet dental needs compared to the general population. Although inadequate training and experience in managing patients with SN has been highlighted as a significant barrier to accessing care, there is limited data about the extent of SND teaching at the entry‐to‐practice or higher levels. Methods: This work is the first to map SND curricula globally, across 180 countries and 1265 dental schools. Results: Although 74.62% of dental schools were found in developing economies, the distribution of programs that reported SND in their courses was highly skewed towards developed countries. In terms of advanced degrees, beyond basic entry‐to‐practice training, the USA delivered 60% of the SND programs, followed by Canada (15.56%), UK (13.33%), and Australia (8.89%). The term SND appeared in 33.95% of entry‐to‐practice level program curricula and was less commonly used in transitioning economies. Only 112 SND‐specialized practitioners enter the workforce globally each year from developed economies, and all but three advanced degrees are found in G7 countries. Conclusion: By exploring the impact of economic status on its distribution, this paper highlighted the lack of SND representation in dental curricula, especially amongst programs in transitioning or developing economies. Education of both general dentists and specialists is critical as a collaborative effort is needed to manage the growing population of patients with SN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT: Background: The European Economic Area (EEA) is composed of member states with a multitude of different regions. This study aimed to analyse the ratios of general dentists and dental specialists to the total population and the proportion of dental specialists to general dentists in 24 European countries and to explore specific intranational differences within 2 countries: France and Germany. Methods: Available official documents and webpages from the United Kingdom and 23 of the 30 countries comprising the EEA were analysed. Data were expressed as absolute values, ratios of general dentists and dental specialists in the total of population, and percentages of dental specialists/dentists. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to clarify the main ratios that distinguish France from Germany, and cluster analysis was employed to determine similar areas. Results: Significant differences were found between countries, with Ireland and Austria having the lowest ratio of dentists and Romania and Greece having the highest. The Czech Republic, the Netherlands, France, and Denmark had the lowest ratios of dental specialists to the total population. Lithuania, Sweden, and Germany had the highest number of dental specialists. Orthodontists were the most numerous specialists (5.0% of dentists), followed by oral surgeons (2.7%). In France, differences between departments were pronounced and associated with the presence of dental schools and per capita income. In Germany, only the correlation between per capita income and the density of oral surgeons was significant. Conclusions: Diverse ratios of general dentists and dental specialists to the total population and the proportion of dental specialists to general dentists were discovered within the examined countries, and their maximum values were 2.5, 5.7, and 4.1 times the minimum values, respectively. Differences were even found within the same country, as was the case in France and, to a lesser extent, in Germany.

Patient: Female, 7-year-old Final Diagnosis: Necrotic pulp and asymptomatic apical periodontitis Symptoms: No symptoms • asymptomatic Clinical Procedure: Regenerative endodontic procedure Specialty: Dentistry Objective: Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment Background: The regenerative endodontic procedure (REP) for managing necrotic immature permanent teeth has the advantage of promoting root growth over the traditionally used apexification techniques. However, there is limited evidence on the long-term outcome of standardized REPs performed on immature molars. This case report presents the 5-year clinical and radiographic outcomes of REP performed on an immature mandibular first molar. Case Report: A healthy 7-year-old girl with a carious right mandibular first molar was referred to the endodontic clinic for evaluation and treatment. Clinical examination showed large occlusal caries, no tenderness to palpation and percussion tests, and no response to cold and electric pulp tests. Radiographic examination showed deep caries, apical radiolucency related to the open apices, and wide root canal space. Accordingly, the tooth was diagnosed with necrotic pulp and asymptomatic apical periodontitis. The REP was performed following the American Association of Endodontics guidelines, which comprise minimal instrumentation, disinfection with sodium hypochlorite irrigant, use of triple antibiotic paste, induced intracanal bleeding, and application of a coronal mineral trioxide aggregate plug. The patient missed the scheduled follow-up appointments but presented at the clinic 5 years later with an asymptomatic tooth. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed no tenderness to percussion and palpation test, no response to cold test, positive response to electric pulp test, apical healing, apical closure, root lengthening, and canal wall thickening and calcification. Conclusions: While true pulp regeneration is unachievable, the REP, following the current protocol, is clinically successful in achieving root maturation and tooth retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the underutilization and lack of understanding surrounding orofacial pain (OFP) as a specialty in dentistry, despite its recognition by the American Dental Association over four years ago.It also discusses the need for better awareness and accessibility to care for this emerging 12th specialty in dentistry.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the theses published in the Department of Orthodontics at the National Thesis Center of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) between 1968 and 2023, and to evaluate the current status and development of these theses. Methods: By using the Detailed Search tab on the YÖK National Thesis Center website and selecting the Department of Orthodontics, 1745 published theses were found. The obtained data were transferred to Microsoft Excel and listed. Microsoft Excel program theses are listed according to their types, indexes used, universities where they were published, work intensity, years and current status according to the page. Basic monitoring rates are used in data analysis. Results: According to the findings of the study, a total of 611 theses were published in the field of dentistry as specialty theses, 1053 as doctoral theses, and 81 as master's theses. It was observed that a total of 6351 indexes were used in postgraduate theses in the field of orthodontics. The university that publishes the most theses is Marmara University. When the theses were categorized according to research areas, it was found that the majority were related to clinical studies. The year 2018 had the highest number of theses published. The average length of the theses was determined to be 117.07 pages. Conclusions: It has been concluded that there has been a significant increase in the number of postgraduate theses with the commencement of specialty exams in dentistry, while the proportion of theses published in the doctoral thesis category has decreased over the years. Especially after 2014, there has been a substantial increase in the number of theses. Although clinical studies are predominant in postgraduate theses, interest in computer-assisted experimental studies has been increasing in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the posts published with the #preventivedentistry on Instagram. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, the #preventivedentistry was searched on Instagram. Data were collected between 01/10/2023 and 01/20/2023. A total of 940 posts were analyzed for type, purpose, and source. The number of likes of the posts and the number of video views were determined. Of the posts examined, 869 were images, and 71 were videos. Of the posts, 19.7% (n = 185) with the #preventivedentistry were about preventive dentistry. The content of 80.3% (n = 755) included advertisements, celebrations, information about other dental practices, patient satisfaction, and personal sharing. Among specialist dentists, pediatric dentists shared the most posts about preventive dentistry. Regardless of content, most of the posts had 0-25 likes, and only a small percentage had above 300 likes. People searching with #preventivedentistry on Instagram cannot find sufficient information about preventive dentistry. Dental professionals should use Instagram more actively to increase awareness of preventive dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Customization and the production of patient-specific devices, tailoring the unique anatomy of each patient's jaw and facial structures, are the new frontiers in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery. As a technological advancement, additive manufacturing has been applied to produce customized objects based on 3D computerized models. Therefore, this paper presents advances in additive manufacturing strategies for patient-specific devices in diverse dental specialties. This paper overviews current 3D printing techniques to fabricate dental and maxillofacial devices. Then, the most recent literature (2018–2023) available in scientific databases reporting advances in 3D-printed patient-specific devices for dental and maxillofacial applications is critically discussed, focusing on the major outcomes, material-related details, and potential clinical advantages. The recent application of 3D-printed customized devices in oral prosthodontics, implantology and maxillofacial surgery, periodontics, orthodontics, and endodontics are presented. Moreover, the potential application of 4D printing as an advanced manufacturing technology and the challenges and future perspectives for additive manufacturing in the dental and maxillofacial area are reported. Additive manufacturing techniques have been designed to benefit several areas of dentistry, and the technologies, materials, and devices continue to be optimized. Image-based and accurately printed patient-specific devices to replace, repair, and regenerate dental and maxillofacial structures hold significant potential to maximize the standard of care in dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Taiwan, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has already widely used in dentistry. This study explored preliminarily the usage of dental CBCT during the COVID-19 pandemic (from 2020 to 2022) through a survey of a regional hospital in the northern Taiwan. This study used purposeful sampling to select a regional hospital in the northern Taiwan to survey its usage of dental CBCT during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the surveyed hospital, the number of patients' visits for the usage of dental CBCT increased from 355 in 2020 to 449 in 2021 and further to 488 in 2022 with a growth rate of 37.46 %, while the growth rates compared to the previous year were 26.48 % in 2021 and 8.69 % in 2022, respectively. There were a total of 1292 patients' visits for the dental CBCT. The ages of the 1292 patients (573 males and 719 females) ranged from 4 to 89 years. The 50-59-year age group had the highest number of patients' visits (371, 28.72 %), followed in a descending order by the 60-69-year (293, 22.68 %) and 40-49-year (206, 15.94 %) age groups. The dental CBCT was used mainly for the assessment of dental implants, accounting for 1148 (78.85 %) of the total 1456 irradiations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the medical services for dental care and treatments in Taiwan are still maintained normally, and the dental CBCT is also used widely and popularly by the dental patients of all ages, various dental procedures, and various dental specialties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Dentistry is a profession associated with poor mental health and paediatric dentistry is considered to invoke additional anxiety. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of specialty training in paediatric dentistry on the mental health of this population. METHODS: A questionnaire exploring mental health in trainees was designed using Google Forms. Individuals undertaking a paediatric dentistry specialty training programme in the UK were invited to complete the questionnaire anonymously. Data were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: Thirty-nine participants completed the questionnaire (response rate 57%). The majority reported feeling overworked (84%) and tired (74%). Approximately half of respondents reported dreading going to work at least sometimes (49%), feeling anxiety-like symptoms (51%) and experiencing feelings of sadness about their training (46%). A quarter (26%) stated that they had been the victim of or had witnessed bullying during their training. Most participants felt that they were supported in their educational learning (77%) and able to tolerate training pressures (67%). Over half (56%) felt that the COVID-19 pandemic was detrimental to their mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Training pressures have a negative impact on the mental health of paediatric dentistry trainees. Further support and interventions to tackle bullying are necessary to improve mental wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Implant therapy in partially edentulous patients has become the most adapted and predictable treatment modality. The success rate of implants has been measured in terms of esthetic, biological, and technical factors such as radiographic bone loss, prosthetic complications, and stability. Despite the existence of several indices for the esthetic assessment of implant crowns, a need for functional evaluation of the implant crown with an objective and reproducible score has arisen. The study aims to validate the reproducibility of the functional implant prosthodontic score (FIPS) and the influence exerted by different dental specialties while evaluating posterior single-unit implant crowns. Study Setting and Design: This was a prospective clinical study. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with cement-retained single-implant crowns in the posterior region of the jaws were included. Eight examiners, two prosthodontists, two periodontists, two oral surgeons, and two orthodontists evaluated 15 photographs of single-unit implant crowns during the 1-year follow-up examination. The examiners assessed the photographs for FIPS, which includes five parameters for objectively evaluating the single-unit implant crowns. Assessments were performed twice at a gap of 4 weeks. Statistical Analysis Used: Pearson's correlation with a 95% confidence interval was calculated for the intra-examiner and the Kruskal-Wallis test for inter-examiner reproducibility. Results: The mean total FIPS scores for all included examiners were 7.133 for time T1 and 7.074 for time T2, showing a strong Pearson correlation coefficient for intra-examiner reproducibility. No significant difference was analyzed among different specialties with statistically significant values of the Kruskal-Wallis test. Conclusion: Intra- and inter-examiner analysis showed very consistent results during the reproducibility assessment of FIPS. The results validated the use of FIPS as a long-term predictive functional evaluation tool for the single-implant crowns in posterior sites irrespective of the effect of different dental specialties. It could be used for risk estimation and prognosis for long-term survival and performance of implant crowns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There is a lack of studies comparing the status of dental specialties worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the differences and similarities between the number and types of dental specialties in 31 countries, including every continent, in the world. Materials and methods Available official documents and webpages from regulatory bodies, official colleges and councils, and dental institutions were collected from 31 countries and analyzed to obtain reliable data on dental specialties. Differences were analyzed using the Lorentz curve and Gini test. Additionally, a cluster analysis was performed to obtain groups of countries with similar patterns in the number and types of dental specialties. Results A total of 32 different specialties were officially recognized among all the analyzed countries. Orthodontics and oral surgery (100% and 93.1%, respectively) were the two most frequently officially recognized dental specialties worldwide. The total global degree of inequality in the 31 analyzed countries was 42.4%. The Anglo-Saxon countries showed the greatest similarity, approximately 15-fold higher than the European countries. Cluster analysis differentiated six main groups of countries according to the number and types of dental specialties. European countries formed one of the two largest clusters, and the other cluster was of Anglo-Saxon, Asian, African, and several Eastern European countries with a high number of specialties. Conclusions Officially recognized dental specialties in the different continents and countries show an asymmetric organization. The number, names, and skills of officially recognized dental specialties exhibited significant differences, showing inequalities in their organization. The Anglo-Saxon pattern of dental specialties showed greater equality than the European pattern. Orthodontics was the only constant element among the different patterns.

Background: The Brazilian Dental Specialty Centers (CEO, in Portuguese) represent the strategy of the National Oral Health Policy to provide secondary-level dental care. They offer more complex procedures, such as the treatment of periodontitis. This study aims to investigate the factors associated with the performance and the achievement goals of specialized procedures and the achievement gols of periodontics in CEO. Methodology: Analytical and cross-sectional study using secondary data. The database of the second cycle of the External Evaluation of the National Program for Improving Access and Quality in CEO (PMAQ-CEO, in Portuguese), was utilized, which assessed 1,042 CEO on-site in 2018. The data were analyzed using multiple Poisson regression, estimating the prevalence ratio (PR) (p < 0.05). Results: A third of the CEO (n = 305) performed all specialized procedures, with a higher prevalence observed in those with more than one bicarbonate jet prophylaxis unit (RP = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.160–3.881; p = 0.015) and when they had a higher percentage of specialist professionals (RP = 1.004; 95% CI: 1.002–1.006; p < 0.001). The periodontics goal was achieved by 617 (59.2%) CEO, with a higher prevalence among those who had a manager with supplementary training (PR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.100-1.335; p < 0.001) and with a higher workload for the periodontist dentist (PR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.103–1.201; p < 0,001). Conclusion: Although most CEOs do not perform allspecialized periodontics procedures, more than half achieved the established goals. The provision of specialized periodontics services in CEO and the achievement of goals are influenced by the quantity and professional qualifications, as well as the availability of equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Class IV dental diode lasers have been introduced as a nonsurgical therapy for periodontal pockets in veterinary and human dentistry. This retrospective case series evaluates the use of Class IV dental diode laser therapy for abnormal periodontal pockets in a specialty veterinary dental practice. A hypothesis that the Class IV diode dental laser is a useful adjuvant modality in canine periodontal pocket therapy in the reduction of clinical pocket depth was made. This article discusses and demonstrates diode laser use in periodontal pocket therapy in a specialty veterinary dental practice and reviews the current literature. Inclusion in this study was limited to client-owned dogs with noted periodontal pocketing on any tooth type between 3 and 6 mm, which were treated with closed root planing (RP/C) and laser therapy who returned in 6 to 7 months for recheck of the pockets from the years 2017 to 2020. Twelve patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 128 periodontal pockets were included in the study. Each periodontal pocket was a case receiving therapy. The mean periodontal pocket depth before the treatment is measured as 3.35 mm. The mean pocket depth of the periodontal pockets following treatment was 0.59 mm. The mean improvement in periodontal pocket depths after diode laser therapy when considering patient and tooth number using linear mixed-effects modeling was 2.63 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.81-3.46, P <.0001). No statistically significant results were observed for pocket type, as P values were greater than.05. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a protocol for an overview to summarize the findings of Systematic Reviews (SR) dealing with Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) for control of oral diseases. Specific variables of oral infectious will be considered as outcomes, according to dental specialty. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), MEDLINE, LILACS, Embase, and Epistemonikos will be searched, as well as reference lists. A search strategy was developed for each database using only terms related to the intervention (PDI) aiming to maximize sensitivity. After checking for duplicate entries, selection of reviews will be performed in a two-stage technique: two authors will independently screening titles and abstracts, and then full texts will be assessed for inclusion/exclusion criteria. Any disagreement will be resolved through discussion and/or consultation with a third reviewer. Data will be extracted following the recommendations in Chapter V of Cochrane Handbook and using an electronic pre-specified form. The evaluation of the methodological quality and risk of bias (RoB) of the SR included will be carried out using the AMSTAR 2 and ROBIS. Narrative summaries of relevant results from the individual SR will be carried out and displayed in tables and figures. A specific summary will focus on PDI parameters and study designs, such as the type and concentration of photosensitizer, pre-irradiation time, irradiation dosimetry, and infection or microbiological models, to identify the PDI protocols with clinical potential. We will summarize the quantitative results of the SRs narratively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical vibrations have a biphasic effect depending on the context in which they are applied; their anabolic action has been used in medicine to increase bone density. In dental specialties such as orthodontics, their catabolic effect during mechanical compression has been widely studied, but the anabolic effect of vibrations is less investigated, so it is important to carry out research to clarify the effect of vibrations on the alveolar bone, explore a new approach to its use in orthodontics, and the increase of post-treatment bone density to prevent relapse. Hence, this work aims to systematically review the literature to evaluate the evidence regarding vibratory stimulation and its anabolic effects on alveolar bone in animal models. Methodology: A systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. With the PICO strategy, we formulate the subsequent research question: Does the application of vibrational force induce an anabolic effect in the alveolar bone of animal models? Due to the lack of human studies, the population of interest was animal models; only articles where mechanical vibrations were the intervention method and the alveolar bone density or osteogenesis were evaluated and included. The selected studies underwent quality and risk of bias assessment through ARRIVE and SYCRLE instruments, respectively. This protocol was registered in INPLASY, under ID number: 202280103. Results: All eight articles included in this work demonstrate that applying low and high frequency vibrations increases the osteogenic effect by increasing the density and volume of bone tissue and increasing the expression of osteogenic markers. The included studies present a medium quality and risk of bias. Conclusion: It is important to highlight that, regardless of the protocol used, low or high frequency vibrations increase bone density, particularly in the alveolar bone, since this is the bone of interest in orthodontics. These promising results set an important precedent for the design of experimental protocols but now in the context of post-orthodontic treatment in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To address disparities in oral healthcare to allow prioritization of individuals with higher vulnerability. The model seeks to develop a methodology for identifying and classifying vulnerability among CEO users using socioeconomic indicators. Additionally, it aims to establish criteria for access prioritization based on vulnerability profiles, ultimately ensuring that those in greater need receive the specialized oral healthcare they require. Material and Methods: The proposed method leverages two key indicators: the Municipal Social Vulnerability Index (IVS) and the CEO Social Vulnerability Indicator (CEO IVS). CEO IVS is calculated based on CEO user socioeconomic data and compared to the municipality's IVS. The model utilizes a scoring system to classify users' vulnerability levels, allowing for the identification of those most in need of specialized care. The Equality Production Trend Indicator (ITPE-CEO) assesses the alignment between CEO and municipal vulnerability levels, aiding access prioritization. Conclusion: This equityfocused model offers a practical approach to address disparities in oral healthcare access. Vulnerability profiles and socioeconomic factors empower local managers to allocate resources effectively, ensuring that individuals with higher vulnerability receive timely and specialized care. The proposed model promotes inclusivity and responsiveness to community needs, contributing to achieving equitable oral healthcare for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Management & Health / Revista Gestão & Saúde is the property of Revista Gestao e Saude and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Current Research in Dental Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

INTRODUCTION: Mandibular third molar extraction is one of the most common procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The procedure may result in several complications, such as injury of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and post-operative paresthesia/dysesthesia. Objectives: To evaluate the awareness-knowledge level and practice of dentists who received specialization training in oral and maxillofacial radiology and oral and maxillofacial surgery regarding juxta-apical radiolucency (JAR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dentist participants who received specialization training and volunteered to participate were divided into two groups according to their specialization: group 1 - oral and maxillofacial radiology; group 2 - oral and maxillofacial surgery. A special questionnaire was prepared for this study and participants provided answers face-to-face. The form consisted of two parts: part 1 - personal information, and part 2 - awareness-knowledge level and practice regarding JAR. In part 2, dentists were asked questions on different panoramic radiography images containing JAR in a slide show. Pearson's c2 test was applied for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 66 volunteers divided into two groups [group 1: n = 32 (43%); group 2: n = 34 (57%)] participated in the current study. The preliminary diagnosis of JAR was mostly associated with anatomical formation (group 1: 63.1%; group 2: 64.1%) and odontogenic/non-odontogenic lesions (group 1: 41.8%; group 2: 48.2%). Usually, participants thought that such a radiolucency would affect extraction method (group 1: 68.8%; group 2: 63.5%), posed a risk for IAN (group 1: 67.5%; group 2: 69.4%), and negatively affect healing process (group 1: 66.3%; group 2: 61.2%). A small ratio of participants was aware of JAR (group 1: 18.8%; group 2: 2.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The awareness-knowledge level of dentists who received training in oral and maxillofacial radiology and oral and maxillofacial surgery regarding JAR was low. The practice of participants of both specialties towards JAR were variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The study was done to estimate age using cephalometric analysis of hyoid bone. Age estimation is not only limited to forensic analysis but also to clinical dentistry. Orthodontia, one of the dental specialties, requires age estimation for the choice of treatment planning. Since cephalograms are commonly preferred for estimating age, this simple and novel method would have the added advantage of minimizing radiation exposure for the patient for the requirement of additional radiographs in the estimation of age as in hand wrist radiographs. Material and Methods: A total of 234 radiographs with lateral cephalometric projection were employed in the conducted study. The cephalograms were divided based on gender. Cephalometric tracing was done using hyoid bone triangle analysis established by Bibby and Preston in 1981. The triangle is created by the following: Gnathion (Gn), Retro-gnathion (R-Gn), Hyoidale (H), and C3 vertebrae were traced. The Frankfort horizontal plane served as a standardized reference in the study. Results: Out of all the dimensions comprising the hyoid bone triangle (C3-H, H-R-Gn, and C3-R-Gn), C3-H values were statistically significant for age estimation at P < 0.001 for both sexes. The study determined that the mean values C3-H and H-R-Gn are 35.66 mm ± 0.44 mm and 40.33 mm ± 0.54 mm, respectively. The hyoid bone is situated in a downward and posterior position. Conclusion: Since the certainty of the evidence was high for estimation of age, which is the need of the hour in forensics as well as in dentistry, and there is more demand for cost-effective alternatives, this method will help us reap the benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this case series is to show the management of complex cases by combining different surgical procedures from different dental specialties. Addressing complex cases with an interdisciplinary approach provides the best treatment outcome. This approach helps in reducing the cost, time, and postoperative sequelae. The presented three clinical cases showed a combination of surgical procedures such as aesthetic crown lengthening, lateral ridge augmentation, apical surgery, and implant placement. They also showed that using bone grafting during the apical surgery improved the healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, Pamukkale Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi’ndeki öğrencilerin Restoratif Diş Tedavisi lisans eğitimine ilişkin düşüncelerinin ve Restoratif Diş Tedavisi uzmanlığına bakış açılarının değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Pamukkale Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi’nde yürütülen çalışmada 4. ve 5. Sınıfta eğitim görmekte olan 144 öğrenciye, Restoratif Diş Tedavisi lisans eğitimi ve uzmanlığı ile ilgili 19 sorudan oluşan bir anket uygulandı. Elde edilen veriler SPSS 22.0 yazılımı aracılığıyla istatistiksel anlamlılık seviyesi p

To explore the decision-making patterns among expert and novice orthodontists and oral maxillofacial surgeons in the management of adults with Class III malocclusions and moderate skeletal discrepancies. Self-administered questionnaire survey. Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore and the University Dental Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore. A total of 55 clinicians, comprising 13 expert orthodontists, 20 novice orthodontists, 10 expert oral maxillofacial surgeons and 12 novice oral maxillofacial surgeons. Clinicians assessed six adults with a Class III malocclusion and moderate skeletal discrepancy. They were asked to decide who could be managed exclusively by orthodontic camouflage, who would require combined orthodontic-orthognathic surgery as the only viable treatment, or who could be offered both treatment options. The study found variable decision-making patterns among the clinicians in each case. Only 18.2%–40.0% of clinicians agreed that the cases selected were of moderate skeletal discrepancies and could be offered both treatment options whereas the rest were either more inclined to recommend orthodontic camouflage or orthognathic surgery. Intra-clinician agreement (n = 20) was only fair (Kappa value = 0.31). There was only slight inter-clinician agreement (n = 55) on their clinical decisions (Kappa value = 0.10). Clinical experience and dental specialty did not significantly influence clinicians' decisions. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons were 1.98 times more likely to indicate orthognathic surgery as the only viable treatment compared to the orthodontists (95% confidence interval = 1.15–3.42). Variability in the patterns of decision-making for adults with a Class III malocclusion and moderate skeletal discrepancy was observed among the clinicians with low repeatability and agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to validate an Urdu translation of Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey (DFS) for use in Pakistan and to explore which items contribute the most to the variance in dental fear scores based on patient perceptions and lived experiences during dental care. Methodology: This mixed-method study was conducted at Dow Dental Hospital from February 2022 to June 2022. For quantitative analysis, a total of 273 participants were enrolled through convenience sampling. After obtaining signed consent, participants were asked to self-report their dental fear. In-depth interviews with 25 patients displaying moderate to high dental fear were conducted to clarify the elements of dental fear scores through the lens of individual perceptions and experiences. Results: The prevalence of moderate dental fear was significantly higher among female participants than males. The mean dental fear score was higher among females (39.47 ± 14.23) as compared to males (30.83 ± 10.50). Most of the female participants reported an increase in breathing rate and heartbeat during dental treatment. The highest mean fear score was reported by participants who underwent oral surgical treatment (42.98 ± 14.21), followed by participants who received restorative care (36.20 ± 12.60). Approaching the dentist's office was the significant factor that contributed the most to the variance in dental fear scores. Four themes were generated through the content analysis of the interviews: physical reactions to dental procedures, perceptions and fears about surgical and restorative procedures, and gender and environmental factors in dental fear and interaction with dentists. Conclusion: The Urdu translation of DFS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing dental fears in Pakistan based on the findings of this study. Patients perceive surgical and restorative procedures as unpleasant and threatening. It was noted that "the heart beats faster" and "the breathing rate increases." were the top two physiological responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aesthetic rehabilitation is a specialty of dentistry dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of oral functions in terms of chewing, phonetics and aesthetics, through the repair of damaged teeth and the placement of fixed, partial or total dental prostheses. Aesthetic rehabilitation has been glorified with the advent of all ceramic restorations. In order to get increasingly beautiful, harmonic and natural results, the search for development of rehabilitation, indirect materials is constant, such as ceramic crowns (metal free). This article presents variety of cases for Maxillary anterior rehabilitation using All ceramic restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The awareness of the dental ailments and its treatment modalities was initially assessed by means of questionnaire based epidemiological surveys. However, the advancement in technology will not only be used by the public to know about the importance of various dental ailments but also their treatment. On the other hand, the technology also utilizes to find out the awareness of the same among public. Google trends is a web engine based tool, provided by google. It allows the public to identify the popularity of a particular search term. Using this particular tool, we could identify the search trend of various dental terms pertaining to disease and treatment digitally. To evaluate the awareness of dental ailments and its treatments in Tamilnadu in 2020 and to compare the same, with that of previous decade to analyze the change in awareness over time. Material and Methods Google is the most commonly used search Engine by the general public worldwide. Hence we used Google search Engine to know the awareness of dental ailments and the treatment modalities among the general public. Five keywords were selected for each dental specialty. All the key words were run through google trends web engine. Results On the whole significantly highest searched terminology in Tamilnadu for the year of 2020 was extraction with 67 searches. Following this dental braces were the next commonly searched term with the count of 36. The significantly searched term for the year of 2010 was removable denture with 64 searches. The next commonly searched term was impaction with 56 searches and dental floss with 55 searches. Conclusion The current study is a novel attempt and paves a new platform to evaluate the awareness of disease, its trend and its treatment in dentistry and various other specialties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate, at a national level, which individual factors of the work process/infrastructure are associated with the achievement of goals in the periodontics specialty in Brazilian Dental Specialty Centers (BDSC). Methods: This was a quantitative, analytical, cross-sectional study. Secondary data from DATASUS and the external evaluation of the second cycle of the BDSC Access and Quality Improvement Program were used. Variable description was carried out in the first stage, and then the bivariate Poisson regression was performed to verify possible associations between the variables and the outcome (achievement of goals in Periodontics in the BDSC). In this analysis, the covariates that were associated with the outcome at the p <0.20 significance level were included in the next step of the analysis. Multivariate Poisson regression with a robust estimator was then performed with those that met the above criterion. The variables that showed a p value < 0.05 were considered in the final model. Results: The outcome was achieved in more than seven months of the year (mean 7.03 months, SD 4.20). Most BDSC monitored the established goals (93.2%), had referral as the only way of access (61.7%), had only municipal coverage (68.4%), carried out planning and periodic evaluation of actions (89.2%). A minority has quotas of procedures by Oral Health teams (OHTs) in Primary Health Care (PHC) (18.8%). The presence of a specialist in periodontics was (on average) 1.16 per BDSC and the sum of the workload of dentists working in this specialty was 31.1 hours (SD = 23.9). Conclusion: It was concluded that the individual factors of the work process/infrastructure associated with the achievement of goals in periodontics in Brazilian BDSC are: monitoring of established goals, BDSC scope and number of professionals working in the specialty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mobile phones are frequently used in environments of high bacteria presence. These can harbor various potential pathogens and become an exogenous source of nosocomial infections. Even in recent outbreak of COVID-19, it has become a point which needs to be sanitized to prevent and control further disease transmission as it is equally important for health-care professionals to use mobile phones in the hospital and other health and care settings, especially for communication. The present study was conducted to determine the potential role of mobile phones in the dissemination of disease. Objective: To compare the evaluation of microbial contamination on the mobile phones used by dental health-care professionals and faculty of senior secondary school and to access the microbial contamination of mobile phones by measuring the percentages of pathogens and to determine the type of bacteria commonly present on mobile phones. It also assesses the efficacy of 70% ethyl alcohol to be used as decontamination solution. Materials and Methods: A total of 126 mobile phones were screened in the study; 63 mobile phones belonging to dental health-care personnel from nine different specialties of dental college (Group 1 – test group) and 63 mobile phones belonging to nonhealth-care personnel like school teachers of senior schools (Group 2 – control group). All the samples were taken before and after cleaning with 70% ethyl alcohol. A total of 252 swab samples were taken. Results: Microbial contamination was approximately 68% in swab samples taken from mobile phones before cleaning with 70% of ethyl alcohol but even with one time disinfection with alcohol, decontamination was found to be only 95% effective. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most common isolated organism in swabs collected from dental college. Pathogenic bacteria were more prevalent in samples of dental college than to school samples. Conclusion: Ninetythree percentage of cell phones of health-care workers were contaminated and they act as potential source of nosocomial infections. Alcohol should be used to disinfect the mobile phones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Current Research in Dental Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article examines the perspectives and motivations of dentistry students at Gaziantep University in Turkey regarding their interest in specializing in restorative dentistry. The study found that the most popular specialty among the students was Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and the majority of students first became aware of the Restorative Dentistry department during their preclinical experience. Factors such as clinical exposure, income expectations, and personal interests were found to play a significant role in students' specialty preferences. The study highlights the importance of the preclinical period in shaping students' impressions of different specialties and the various factors that influence their career choices. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the career plans and specialization preferences of Turkish dental students. A survey was conducted with 305 students, revealing that 23.3% changed their career plans and 24.6% changed their field of specialization due to the pandemic. The study found that factors such as working conditions, job opportunities, and financial return had a greater influence on these changes than concerns about aerosol and contamination risks. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the effects of the pandemic on dental students' career choices and suggests further research to explore the long-term impacts. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The attitudes of dental students to study a particular specialty of dentistry in post-graduation are of great importance as these facilitate workforce planning in the dental sector. Aim and Objective: To assess the attitude of dental students towards choosing periodontology as their future career and to explore demographic variables that affect their choice. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey based on a questionnaire was conducted, including students of the third and fourth years and interns of the dental college. Twenty-seven questions, graded on a Likert scale (5-point) were included in the questionnaire, and the responses were categorised via three attitudes: negative (score 0-21), neutral (score 22-44) and positive (score 45-64). The Chi-square test for proportions was used to examine the differences between groups. Results: Among 114 participants, 53 (46.5%) were males and 61 (53.5%) were females. One-third of the respondents had a positive attitude towards selecting periodontology as their future career, and the majority had a neutral perspective, with a few students having a negative attitude (20.2%). Out of the total, 34.2% of respondents had a positive attitude, and 45.6% showed a neutral attitude or perspective. Conclusion: Efforts should be intensified, and undergraduate (UG) students should be motivated by broadening the scope of the field in the UG curriculum by the dental council so that the students show considerable interest in pursuing the field as their future career. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective This study analyzed the regulation of dental specialty centers (CEOs) coordinated exclusively by Primary Health Care (PHC) in four primary outcomes: access and dental consultation, reception services, bonding and responsibility, and social participation. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out using secondary data from the National Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality of Dental Specialty Centers (PMAQ-CEO): second cycle, using multilevel logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and individual covariates. Results The analytical sample consisted of 9,599 CEO users who had completed all the variables analyzed. Of these, 63.5% were referred to the CEO by PHC. Dental care regulated by PHC was related to better access (OR 1.36, CI 95% 1.10–1.68), better reception (OR 1.33, CI 95% 1.03–1.71), better bonding and responsibility (OR 1.36, CI 95% 0.91–2.04), and social participation (OR 1.13, CI 95% 0.93–1.35) compared to those not regulated by primary health care as the exclusive pathway. Conclusion The regulation of access to the CEO coordinated by PHC presented the best performance. It is suggested that this form of PHC regulation, as a route for dental specialty centers, can be established in the national oral health care policy for better service performance.