Cross-infection in the dental profession. Dental instruments sterilization: assessment. 1.

In dentistry, and as a part of the health profession, cross-infection is a professional hazard. The infection can be transmitted by instruments, dental personnel or by patients. Dental instrument sterilization is a vital procedure to reduce the chance of cross-infection in the dental profession. Part I of this study is to assess the dental instruments sterilization at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Random samples were taken from the CSSD for this purpose. No bacterial growth was detected.     

Significance of Endodontic Case Difficulty Assessment: A Retrospective Study

ObjectivesThe present study aimed to evaluate the significance of the American Association of Endodontics (AAE) Case Difficulty Assessment on the occurrence of endodontic mishaps in an undergraduate student clinic at the Dental College at King Saud University.MethodsAll teeth endodontically treated by undergraduate dental students in their fourth year at the College of Dentistry, Girls University Campus at King Saud University over 2 years (2018-2019) were selected. Four investigators (3 dental interns and 1 endodontist) recorded the AAE case difficulty level, mishap occurrence, number of treatment visits, type of teeth, and type of instrumentation technique. The associations amongst these variables were analysed.Statistical analysisA point-biserial correlation was used to determine the relationship between the number of visits and the AAE case difficulty and the instrumentation technique. Spearman's rank-order correlation was used to assess the relationship between the number of visits and mishaps. A Mann-Whitney U test was applied to determine any differences in mishaps amongst cases with different difficulty levels.ResultsA total of 586 teeth were included (54.1% moderate- to high-difficulty cases), and 34.98% of cases experienced mishaps. Molars were significantly more often found in the moderate- to high-difficulty category. The moderate- to high-difficulty cases experienced more mishaps (64.8%; P = .000) and a greater number of treatment visits (3.49 ± 1.27; P = .000) compared to minimal-difficulty cases (35.12%, 2.38 ± 1.24, respectively). The type of instrumentation technique was not associated with mishap occurrence.ConclusionsUndergraduate students should use the AAE case classification assessment tool to reduce the number of endodontic treatment mishaps and the number of visits.     

Predoctoral dental implant education at King Abdulaziz University

Objective

In June 2008, a survey of freshly graduated dental students of King Abdulaziz University Jeddah was conducted to evaluate the extent of their exposure to oral implantology and their knowledge of some basic principles of dental implant treatment.

Materials and methods

Multiple-choice questionnaires were given to the fresh graduate dental students of King Abdulaziz University Jeddah to answer. Sixty-six students responded out of 86, yielding a response rate of 76.7%.

Results

Majority of the students (78.8%) thought that they did not have enough lectures about dental implants and all of them thought that they did not have enough training in dental implant. Most of the students were not familiar with different dental implant systems (61.1%), designs (60.6%) or sizes (74.2%). Majority of the students were lacking the knowledge about basic principles of dental implant treatment. At King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry, implant dentistry is taught to the students in the form of implant-related lectures incorporated into their periodontic, oral surgery and prosthodontic courses with one or two lectures given on dental implant in each course.

Conclusion

There is an urgent need to develop a well-structured implant course that includes didactic, laboratory, preclinical and clinical components at the undergraduate curriculum of King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry.Keyword: Implant dental education     

Failure of dental bridges. IV. Effect of supporting periodontal ligament

summary The relationship between bridge failure and the periodontal ligament area of their abutments was studied in 156 dental bridges constructed for 132 patients. Of the bridges constructed at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, 26.9% did not meet the published criteria of Ante's Law while 50.0% of those made in general dental practice did not meet the same criteria. However, radiographic evaluation of abutment teeth in 56 failed bridges revealed that there were only two cases with evidence of overloading the abutments.     

Career characteristics and postgraduate education of female dentist graduates of the College of Dentistry at King Saud University,Saudi Arabia

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to investigate the number of female bachelor of dental surgery graduates who earned postgraduate education degrees from King Saud University, their specialties, degrees of qualification, and countries of graduation.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted through face-to-face or phone interview among 677 female dentists who graduated from the College of Dentistry at King Saud University between 1984 and 2006.ResultsFive hundred forty-five (81%) graduate female dentists responded, of whom 54% had completed postgraduate dental education. In the Saudi Board, 17% had obtained degrees in advanced restorative dentistry, 15% in pediatric dentistry, 14% in advanced general dentistry, 11% in orthodontics, 10% in prosthodontics, 8% in operative dentistry, 5% in endodontics, 5% in periodontics, 3% in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and 11% in other specialties. Fifty-nine percent had master’s degrees, 7% had doctorates, 32% had board certificates, and 2% had fellowship certificates.ConclusionMore than half (54%) the female dentists surveyed had pursued postgraduate education. This investigation highlighted the different specialties enrolled by female dentists. Orthodontic post graduate program displayed the highest percentage of interest. Understanding the unavoidable social family needs and the demand for higher education by female dentists provides ideas as more programs should be planned to accommodate the needs of Saudi female dentists. This type of study should be repeated due to the increasing interest of female dentists in higher education.     

Educational environment as perceived by dental students at King Saud University

Objectives

Main objectives of the present study were to develop a baseline information about dental students' perception of their educational environment at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh; and to investigate the role of four different variables on the students' perception.

Dental learning resources center.

The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry has been operating the Dental Sciences Study Center since 1971 to support a curriculum with a large percentage of individualized instruction. Three crucial aspects of the Study Center were discussed: the facilities, the instructional materials, and the atmosphere. Administrative attention to and support of each aspect are essential to the successful functioning of a learning resources center in a largely individualized dental curriculum.     

Failure of dental bridges. II. Prevalence of failure and its relation to place of construction

summary In this investigation 156 dental bridges, constructed for 132 individuals, were evaluated. The bridges inserted at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University (KSU), Saudi Arabia, were compared with those placed in general dental practice. The results revealed that the rate of bridge failure averaged 35.5%. This was made up from failure of bridges inserted at KSU at (15.4%) and those in general dental practice (46.2%). The major reasons for failure revealed by this study were periodontal disease (36.6%) and secondary caries (23.2%). The average lifespan for the bridges was 6.1 years with 4.5 years for the unfailed bridges. The most commonly used material for bridges was metal-ceramics. The most commonly used pontic design was the modified ridge lap (50.8%), but the saddle type accounted for the greatest percentage of failures (59.6%).     

Academic distress,perceived stress and coping strategies among dental students in Saudi Arabia

ObjectivesTo evaluate the sources of stress among students in the dental school environment, their perceived levels of stress and effective coping strategies.MethodsThis study was conducted during the first semester of the academic year, 2009–10, at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. The eligible study group consisted of 556 undergraduate dental students from all five class years; they were surveyed with a detailed assessment tool. The validated and translated questionnaire comprised the modified version of the dental environmental stress (DES) survey, the perceived stress scale (PSS) and the brief coping scale (BCS).ResultsThe overall findings substantiated with multiple regression indicate that, out of 20 factors of both DES and BC instruments, six factors were significantly and independently related to perceived stress scores (F = 34.638; p < 0.0001). Especially, the factors self-efficacy and workload of DES and the factors behavioral disengagement, denial, positive reframing and venting of BC were positively and independently related to perceived stress scores.ConclusionsDental students displayed relatively high perceived stress scores. Female, advanced and married, compared with male, junior and single students reported more stress. Changes in certain environmental factors and coping strategies independently affected the perceived stress score. Strategies for stress management must be incorporated into dental education to ensure the output of effective dentists.     

Postgraduate specialties interest,career choices and qualifications earned by male dentists graduated from King Saud University

Objectives: To study the career development of male graduates of King Saud University (KSU), College of Dentistry in terms of pursuit of postgraduate dental education, higher degrees or Board Certification, choice of universities and countries of study, and place of work after qualification.Methods: A questionnaire survey was carried out through face to face or telephone interview among 666 KSU graduates of 1982–2004.Results: 80% (532 graduates) response rate. (77%) finished postgraduate dental education. 17% specialized in Prosthodontics, 16% in Saudi Board Advanced Restorative Dentistry, 14% in Advanced General Dentistry, 10.5% in Orthodontics, 10% in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 8.3% in Pediatric Dentistry, 7.7% in Endodontics, 6% in Periodontics, 5.5% in Operative Dentistry, 5% in other Specialties. 61% had a Master’s degree and 16% had a Doctorate degree. 23% had Board Certificates and 8% had a Fellowship Certificate. (78%) are working in the government, 15% at the university and 6% in private, and 19% in administrative positions.Conclusion: Most of the dental graduates were motivated and eager to continue their postgraduate education to get either clinical specialty or academic degrees from nationally and internationally well recognized and known Universities and programs.     

Class II division 1 malocclusions: the subdivision problem.

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of occurrence of subdivisions, in Class II division 1 malocclusions. Sixty patients seeking orthodontic treatment at the dental college of King Saud University were selected. The results revealed that 45% of Class II division 1 patients examined had subdivisions. The most commonly affected side was the right (66.7%). Mandibular shift upon closure was noted in 36% of the subdivision cases. Mandibular asymmetry was noted in 62.6% of the patients. It can be concluded from this study that subdivisions are a frequent finding in Class II division 1 malocclusions. Appropriate diagnosis of these cases should be done early in the mixed dentition phase, to avoid developing dental or skeletal asymmetries that can persist throughout adulthood.     

Factors affecting Saudi parents' perception of their children's first dental visit

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different socio-demographic factors of Saudi parents on their knowledge and attitudes toward their children's first dental visit. For this purpose, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 909 Saudi parents attending the dental clinic of the College of Dentistry at King Saud University, Riyadh. Results showed none of the factors studied have an affect on the parents' knowledge about the timing of the first dental visit (X2 test, P > 0.05). Significant differences were observed when the factors were tested on parents' attitudes toward behavior modification and management during the first dental visit (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between male and female participants when asked about what should be done in the first dental visit in the absence of pain (P>0.05). However, significant differences were observed with the parents' ages and the number of children (P = 0.027 and 0.009 respectively). The majority of parents responded they would still visit the dentist after the treatment of the chief complaint. Based on the results, it can be concluded that Saudi parents lack sufficient knowledge about the timing of the first dental visit and the importance of behavior modification for their children.     

Recommendations for evaluating agents for the reduction of dentinal hypersensitivity

*The following committee members were nominated by the Council on Dental Therapeutics and appointed by President Bentley: Dr. Major M. Ash, Jr., Professor and Chairman, Department of Occlusion, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan; Dr. Mohandas Bhat, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Dentistry, Case Western Reserve University; Dr. Nabil Bissada, Professor and Chairman, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Case Western Reserve University; Dr. Sebastian G. Ciancio, Professor and Chairman, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, State University of New York at Buffalo; Dr. Louis P. Gangarosa, Professor and Coordinator of Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Medical College of Georgia; Dr. Hans Graf, Chairman, Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Bern (Switzerland); Dr. Isreal Klineberg, Chairman, Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, School of Dentistry, State University of New York at Stony Brook; Dr. Joseph A. Kanapka, Assistant Director, Dental Research, Vicks Research Center; Dr. Synguck Kim, Assistant Professor, Department of Endodontics, College of Dental and Oral Surgery, Colombia University; Dr. Walter T. McFall, Jr., Professor, Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina; Dr. Patricia A. McGrath, Director, Pain Research Unit, Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Western Ontario; Dr. David A. Pashley, Professor, Department of Oral Biology-Physiology, School of Dentistry, Medical College of Georgia; Dr. Gerald Silverman, Private Practice, Hartford, Connecticut. Chairing the committee meeting were the following American Dental Association Staff Members: Dr. Kenneth H. Burrell, Assistant Secretary, Council on Dental Therapeutics; Dr. Conrad A. Naleway, Director, Division of Chemistry, Council on Dental Therapeutics; Dr. Helmut Zander, Special Consultant for Scientific Affairs, American Dental Association. The committee was funded by the American Fund for Dental Health through the support of the Block Drug Company, the John O. Butler Company, the Mentholaltim Company, and Richardson-Vicks, Inc.     

BOOK REVIEWS

Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health. Research advances; 1975. DHEW Publ. No. (NIH) 75-3, Washington, The Institutes, 1975. 104 p.
DOnofrio, Carol, and Li Wang, Virginia, guest eds. Cooperative rural health education. Health Educ. Monogr., 3:1-119, Spring 1975.
U. S. Public Health Service, Division of Dentistry. Legal provisions on expanded functions for dental hygienists and assistants; summarized by state, 1973, by Johnson, D. W., and Holz, F. M. DHEW.
Carlos, J. P., ed. Prevention and oral health; a conference sponsored by the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences and the National Institute of Dental Research; 1973.
Slack, G. L., and Burt, B. A., eds. Dental public health: An introduction to community dentistry. Bristol, Wright, 1974. (Also Baltimore, Williams and Wilkins).     

Oral and maxillofacial cancer: A 35-year retrospective analysis at a referral dental hospital in Saudi Arabia

ObjectivesAs rates of oral and maxillofacial cancer (OMFC) continue to rise, the role of dentists in early detection and prevention has become increasingly important. The present study examined the frequency and pattern of OMFC cases diagnosed at a referral dental hospital.MethodsA retrospective analysis of all primary malignant neoplasms of the oral and maxillofacial area diagnosed at the Histopathology Laboratory of the Dental University Hospital, Medical City, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia from 1984 to 2020 was performed.ResultsA total of 242 patients had histologically diagnosed primary malignant neoplasms of the oral and maxillofacial area, accounting approximately 3.7% of the archives. The mean age of patients was 48.87 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. The most prevalent malignant neoplasm was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (58.3%), followed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma (11.6%). The tongue and gingiva were the most prevalent malignancy sites, accounting for 19.8% and 18.2% of the cases, respectively. The prevalence of SCC in patients over 50 years old (68.4%) was highly significantly greater than that in younger subjects (31.5%) (P < 0.0005). SCC was also more common in males (66.7%) than in females (33.3%) (P = 0.026).ConclusionOMFC primarily affecting the tongue and gingiva was the predominant in older male patients. SCC was the most frequent type of OMFC and was significantly associated with age older than 50 years. This study provides baseline data on the frequency of OMFC cases diagnosed for the first time by dental practitioners and warrants the need for increasing OMFC awareness among these clinicians.