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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) associated with oropharyngeal and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC and OSCC) is escalating over the years. Hence, the present review aims to determine the prevalence of HPV-OSCC and HPV-OPSCC in Asian countries over the last decades. An electronic search was conducted using nine online databases to identify English-language articles on the prevalence of HPV-OPSCC and HPV-OSCC in Asian countries from January 2011 to June 2022. The risk of bias was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal checklist and the level of evidence was determined based on the OCEBM guideline. Single-arm meta-analysis was used to estimate the weighted mean prevalence of HPV-OPSCC and HPV-OSCC among patients in Asia. Subgroup analysis meta-regression and Egger’s tests were also conducted. 59 eligible studies were included with a higher prevalence of HPV-OPSCC (32.6%-37.4%) as compared to HPV-OSCC (10.9%-23.5%). Subgroup analysis revealed that the weighted mean prevalence of HPV-OPSCC was significantly higher (P

Introduction: Limited studies have been conducted on the use of a hybrid team‐based learning (TBL) and case‐based learning (CBL) approach in dental education. The present study aims to evaluate students' experience of the hybrid TBL–CBL in learning dental materials science subjects. Methods: All second‐year undergraduate Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students were invited to participate in a TBL–CBL session. These participants were randomly allocated to six different groups of 10–12 students, and the session was conducted by one lecturer as the facilitator. A 23‐item questionnaire assessing four domains (perceptions of effectiveness, teacher, team interaction and learning environment) was administered at the end of the TBL–CBL session. Results: The response rate was 91.9% (n = 68). Mean scores for the questionnaire items ranged from 4.13 to 4.60 suggesting a positive perception among the students towards the hybrid TBL–CBL approach. Regarding the open‐response questions, students emphasised that the TBL–CBL session was effective for team interaction and group discussions. However, students wished to have a better venue for future sessions. Conclusion: Positive perceptions of the students encourage future educators to consider the use of TBL–CBL approach in teaching dental materials science and to avoid the reliance on standalone conventional lectures. Future research could consider examining its effects on students' academic achievement as well as the perspectives of teachers regarding its adoption in different dental specialities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A dental technologist is one of the most essential allied dental health professionals and the dental technology curriculum should be comprehensively reviewed on a regular basis. This study aims to compare the only existing Bachelor of Dental Technology (BDT) curriculum in Malaysia with BDT programmes offered by other well‐established universities, and map out the similarities and differences, as well as to explore future recommendations and propose a new curriculum framework. Materials and Methods: A descriptive analysis was carried out using Laurie Brady's four‐stage strategy. First, available curriculum materials were collected from four different institutions' electronic webpage: AIMST (Malaysia), GU (Australia), UO (New Zealand) and CMU (United Kingdom), and then compared based on three key domains: curriculum contents, teaching and learning strategies and assessments. Following that, the similarities and differences between various curricula were identified. Future recommendations and a curriculum framework were then proposed. Results: The core BDT curriculum content is concurred upon by all four universities, with an emphasis on basic sciences, laboratory materials, practical sessions and research projects. However, the credit weightage for each course or module varied across the four institutions, with some offering unique subjects and implementing different teaching methods and assessments. A simple BDT curriculum framework with a proposed syllabus was designed based on the three key domains and future recommendations for curriculum improvement were explored. Conclusion: The present study identified several areas for Malaysian BDT curriculum development and improvement. The proposed framework can be a guide for Malaysian dental schools in designing a comprehensive dental technology programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aimed to explore the perspectives and learning experiences of undergraduate dental students during the Covid-19 pandemic using a qualitative approach. Materials and Methods: The current study used a qualitative focus group approach based on the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Three focus groups were carried out using a piloted interview topic guide. A convenient sampling was adopted to include undergraduate year 3 to year 5 dental students who had attended regular face-to-face session before the pandemic. Each session consisted of 6 to 8 participants who were randomly assigned, and the sessions lasted for about 30 to 45 minutes. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis using a inductive approach was employed to the focus group data. All the final codes were refined and agreed by all members of the research team. Results: Four main themes with their respective subthemes were identified through the coding process, namely change in study life balance, online learning, interpersonal relationship, and concern for future. Conclusion: Dental students faced numerous challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, both mentally and academically. Academicians must reconsider and re-evaluate the curriculum, including the mode of delivery, as total eradication of the virus is not likely to be possible in the foreseeable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aimed to appraise and evaluate the effect of different irrigating solutions on the dislodgement resistance of bioceramic-based sealers to root dentine walls using a push-out bond strength test. Ten electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, EMBASE, EBSCO, Open Gray, Library Genesis, LILACS) and five textbooks were searched for English-language articles published between January 1970 to March 2021. Only in-vitro, in-vivo or ex-vivo articles were included and assessed using the modified OHAT Risk of Bias assessment tool. Data were analyzed using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effect model. Eleven articles were included. All studies were in-vitro experiments, and they were classified as Tier 1 based on their risk of bias assessments. Single-arm meta-analysis revealed that the highest mean pooled bond strength was noted in samples irrigated with 2.5–3% NaOCl, followed by 17% EDTA, 2% CHX, MTAD, and lastly saline. Two-arm meta-analysis showed that 17% EDTA and 2% CHX increase the bond strength of bioceramic sealers by more than 2.5–3% NaOCl, but no significant differences were noted (p > 0.05). Moreover, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were also found when comparing 17% EDTA with 2% CHX and saline, respectively. Substantial heterogeneity was observed with the overall I2 ranging from 0% to 99.49%. Although using 2.5–3% NaOCl as irrigating solution yielded higher dislodgement resistance of bioceramic-based root canal sealers, other factors such as the type of bioceramic sealer used, presence of gutta-percha, sample thickness, and various methodological approaches significantly affected the push-out bond strength results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]