General Dentists Research Articles

Assessment of dental pulp response to carries via MR T2mapping and histological analysis

ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to assess the correlation between T2 relaxation times and their variability with the histopathological results of the same teeth in relation to caries progression. Materials and methods: 52 extracted permanent premolars were included in the study. Prior to extractions, patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning and teeth were evaluated using ICDAS classification. Pulps of extracted teeth were histologically analysed. Results: MRI T2 relaxation times (ms) were 111,9 ± 11.2 for ICDAS 0, 132.3 ± 18.5* for ICDAS 1, 124.6 ± 14.8 for ICDAS 2 and 112. 6 ± 18.2 for ICDAS 3 group (p = 0,013). A positive correlation was observed between MRI T2 relaxation times and macrophage and T lymphocyte density in healthy teeth. There was a positive correlation between vascular density and T2 relaxation times of dental pulp in teeth with ICDAS score 1. A negative correlation was found between T2 relaxation times and macrophage density. There was a positive correlation between T2 relaxation time variability and macrophage and T lymphocyte density in teeth with ICDAS score 2. In teeth with ICDAS score 3, a positive correlation between T2 relaxation times and T2 relaxation time variability and lymphocyte B density was found. Conclusion: The results of our study confirm the applicability of MRI in evaluation of the true condition of the pulp tissue. Clinical relevance: With the high correlation to histological validation, MRI method serves as a promising imaging implement in the field of general dentistry and endodontics.

Awareness of forensic dentistry among dental professionals in western Saudi Arabia: A knowledge, attitude, and practice-based cross-sectional study.

The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice, and self-reported record for a list of items that are useful to forensic dentistry (FD) among dental professionals from the western region of Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 406 dental health professionals. A pre-validated questionnaire written in Google Forms was used as a study tool. The questionnaire contained 4 parts: 1 - demographics; 2 - knowledge about FD; 3 - the attitudes; 4 - assessing dental record maintenance. Statistical data were analyzed using Pearson chi-square (χ2). The degree distribution amongst 406 respondents was: 64 bachelors; 162 masters; 180 Doctor of Philosophy (PhDs). 52% of respondents agreed that dentists should have enough knowledge about FD. Yet, 90.4% did not receive any training. All qualifications were aware of FD with no significant difference between groups (P = .06). According to degree, a significant difference between the 3 groups (P = .004), where a bachelor degree showed the least desire in testimony in court for FD evidence (50%) compared to master and PhD degrees (80%, 75%, respectively). Almost 56% of consultants reported that it is not primarily for the dentist to have a good knowledge of FD, while all other qualifications agreed to the opposite (66%). 55.4% of general dentists, 73% of residents, and 94% of consultants believed that FD is an accurate, sensitive, and reliable method in the identification of unknown victims or criminals. Our study revealed that there is a lack of knowledge, attitude, and practice among undergraduates and general dental practitioners. However, this scenario can be upgraded by the inclusion of FD in the dental curriculum in Saudi Arabia.

Awareness and Incorporation of the Dental Home Concept Among General Dentists and Dental Therapists in Malaysia.

Background The dental home concept (DHC) refers to an approach in oral healthcare that emphasizes establishing a long-term, comprehensive, and family-centered relationship between a patient and their primary dental care. This study determined the awareness and incorporation of the DHC among general dentists and dental therapists in Malaysia. Methodology A total of 154 general dentists and 137 dental therapists providing oral healthcare services at the Ministry of Health (MOH) primary care facilities throughout Malaysia participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure the respondents' awareness of the DHC and incorporation of the DHC characteristics into their practice. Results Most dentists and dental therapists (61.7% and 67.2%, respectively) had not heard of the term DHC and were unaware of the concept. The respondents' awareness was not associated with their age, sex, years of service, facility location, and percentage of treatment given to children aged five years and below. However, most dentists and dental therapists responded positively about incorporating most DHC characteristics into their current practice. Conclusions Most dentists and dental therapists serving the MOH primary oral healthcare facilities were unaware of the DHC, although most DHC characteristics have already been incorporated into their practice. This study provides evidence of the incorporation of the DHC into the MOH primary oral healthcare services and suggests an effort to increase the awareness of the workforce regarding the concept and its implementation.

Antrolith: radiological diagnosis and surgical treatment – presentation of clinical cases

Introduction: Antrolith is a pathological calcified mass located in the paranasal sinuses, commonly in the maxillary sinus. When it is found in the vicinity or into the nasal cavity, it is also called rhinolith. In most of the cases, antroliths are incidentally identified through dental patients’ radiological examination. This fact underlines the need of antroliths’ detection in radiographs even by the general dentist. Objective: This paper aims to discuss the clinical and radiological diagnosis of antrolith, as well as its therapeutic methods, through the presentation of two clinical cases. Materials – Methods: Clinical cases, diagnosed with dental panoramic radiographs, radiographs of paranasal sinuses (Water’s view) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), are presented. Moreover, there has been conducted a review of the recent literature with scientific papers published in databases PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: Antrolith is usually an asymptomatic clinical feature, but painful symptomatology is rarely observed. Radiologically, it is mainly diagnosed with accuracy using orthopantomography and CBCT. As a pathological mass, antrolith should be differentiated from dental dysplasias, inflammatory calcifications, foreign bodies, even neoplasms in case of sizeable antroliths. The treatment choices of antroliths, depending on the severity of every clinical case, include frequent medical observation without any intervention or surgical excision techniques, most commonly the endoscopic sinus surgery or the removal through intraoral access. This article refers to two clinical cases of antroliths, one asymptomatic and one painful case, with all the diagnostic and management methodology being discussed. Conclusions: The radiological diagnosis of antroliths in conjunction with the endoscopic sinus surgery for its removal provide with the opportunity to treat and relieve patients with painful symptomatology. It is important not to be missed by the general dentist, as it may appear incidentally when evaluating panoramic radiographs. The assessment of antroliths is crucial for the differential diagnosis and its therapeutic management requires cooperation with a specialist.

Defining orthodontic learning outcomes for general dentists: A modified Delphi process-based curricular modification

BackgroundThe quest to define orthodontic competencies for general dentists has been ongoing. The translation of these competencies into explicit learning outcomes and their integration into curriculum through instructional strategies and assessment tools has not been thoroughly documented in orthodontic literature. This study presents a methodical approach undertaken by a dental school to establish core orthodontic learning outcomes for newly graduated general dentists. ObjectivesWe aim to detail the consensus-building process for establishing fundamental orthodontic learning outcomes. MethodsEmploying a modified Delphi method, this study sought to construct a consensus on orthodontic learning outcomes over three stages. Reviewing existing literature, we identified primary competency domains and formulated a preliminary set of outcomes. An expert panel was then convened, to critique and refine these outcomes. Miller's pyramid of clinical competence provided a framework for categorization. Disagreements on critical outcomes were addressed in the final stage, ensuring alignment with teaching and assessment methods. ResultsA diverse panel of orthodontists participated in successive Delphi stages. We derived 93 learning outcomes across seven domains of practice, critical for new dental graduates. The outcomes were stratified into categories corresponding to Miller's pyramid. These categorizations informed the enhancement of assessment techniques and instructional strategies, culminating in the creation of a self-assessment tool. ConclusionsThe learning outcomes developed offer a strategic guide for evolving the undergraduate orthodontic curriculum. Such a structured set of outcomes can aid in the identification of learning gaps and foster a deeper understanding of educational needs.

Promoting mental health by peer education at the University of Debrecen

IntroductionMedical students have been shown to experience mental health problems more frequently compared to their non-medical student peers. This can manifest in pathological levels of stress and depression, and can lead to substance abuse, reduced academic performance, or even suicide.ObjectivesA credit course on professional socialization is offered for medical students at the University of Debrecen in the form of peer education. Our goal was to evaluate experiences of this course delivered in the past 5 academic years.Methods After reviewing the relevant literature, the structure of a focus group interview was developed. The focus group consisted of 8 participants and was moderated by the course supervisor with the help of an assistant moderator. The group summarized the number of students completing the course, and narratives of teaching experiences between 2018/19 and 2022/23. They also revised relevant versions of the tutors’ handbook containing the topics and methodology of the course. The duration of the interview was 90 minutes, and it was tape recorded by the assistant moderator, who also made notes in case the tape is inaudible.Results Between 2018/19 and 2022/23 61 students finished the course with the help of 23 tutors. The course is offered for students of general medicine, dentistry and pharmacy to improve their positive professional attitudes and social skills through group work and practical exercises. The medical curriculum includes mandatory courses with practical opportunities for developing professional and social skills, but due to the limited number of contact hours and the varying levels of student interest and motivation, these skills are difficult to master. The credit course was developed using the concept of Bálint groups, offering peer-supervised opportunities for motivated students above year 2 to practice their professional skills in controlled conditions while also receiving feedback from their peer group leaders. The course complements the traditional medical curriculum and sensitizes students in a protected environment in which they can observe their own communication more consciously and recognize unfavourable behaviour patterns. Developing the ability to work in a team, learning to listen, and practicing assertiveness during study years can also reduce performance-related stress and future medical errors along with increasing job satisfaction and patient adherence.ConclusionsBased on the narrative summary of the focus group, both the experiences of participating students and peer teachers are positive, the handbook is a useful tool. The structured focus group provides a suitable method to evaluate the credit course which should be held once every academic year to evaluate the implemented course and explore options to improve future courses.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Особенности преподавания физики в медицинских вузах у студентов разных специальностей

The article discusses the issues of teaching physical and mathematical disciplines in medical universities of the Russian Federation to students of different specialties: general medicine, pediatrics, dentistry and pharmacy. The main problems and ways to improve the quality of education, differences and similarities of discipline in the curricula are discussed.

Smile aesthetics in Pakistani population: dentist preferences and perceptions of anterior teeth proportion and harmony

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate dentist perceptions of attractive smiles in the Pakistani population, considering different dental proportions.MethodsMaxillary casts and digital images were used to create symmetrical representations of anterior teeth. dentists’ preferences for good and bad teeth proportions, width/height ratios, and various dental proportions (golden, recurring esthetic dental (RED), golden percentage, Preston, and local/observed) were assessed using one sample and paired t-test. The Chi-square test was used to determine the gender disparities and factors affecting smile attractiveness. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant.ResultsThe RED proportion emerged as the preferred choice for normal-sized teeth, with specialists and general dentists favoring it over the golden proportion. For tall teeth, the golden proportion was predominantly preferred. The golden percentage received limited preference for aesthetic smile construction.ConclusionsThe smiles created using the principles of RED proportion were opted as the most attractive by local dentists. Factors such as tooth arrangement, color, and midline were highlighted as essential considerations in aesthetic smile construction.

Endodontic Competence of the New General Dentist as Conceptualized by Predoctoral Educators: A Qualitative Exploration

Introduction: Without a unified standard for what constitutes endodontic competence for the new general dentist, predoctoral endodontic directors (PEDs) are left with the great responsibility of educating their learners in a manner that they believe best serves patients. Given different influencing factors and varying amounts of resources, these PEDs must ensure the achievement of meaningful objectives utilizing conceptual frameworks of competence. It is essential for dental educators and other stakeholders to gain an understanding of what current endodontic competence means to enable more accurate needs assessments to advise future curriculum development. The purpose of this study was to explore how endodontic competence for the new general dentist is conceptualized by predoctoral endodontics directors and their respective institutions while identifying perceived facilitators and barriers to its achievement. Methods: Following the development of a semi-structured interview guide and its piloting, qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 PEDs. Interviews were transcribed and coded. The constant comparative method was utilized for data analysis. Results: Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved. Conceptualization of endodontic competency seemed to be informed by three primary themes: the existing paradigmatic approaches of PEDs and their institutions, their concerns regarding validity evidence especially as it related to assessment, and the presence of institutional and logistical barriers. Conclusion: Despite differences between their institutional definition and personal conceptualization of endodontic competence, PEDs report success at graduating new general dentists competent in endodontic diagnosis, case difficulty assessment, palliative treatment, and routine non-surgical root canal therapy on single-canal teeth of minimal difficulty.

Differential diagnosis of hematopoietic malignancies of head and neck: Report of six cases

Background: Lymphoma and multiple myeloma account for a small but significant proportion of all oral malignancies. Oral manifestations of hematopoietic malignancies are sometimes diagnosed with delay as most of them mimic various other diseases like osteomyelitis and periodontal diseases. We present five unusual, challenging cases of head and neck lymphomas and one case of oral myeloma. Methods: In this article, we report six cases, five cases of oral lymphomas, and one oral multiple myeloma case. All cases were initially diagnosed by oral histopathologists and then referred to specialists for further treatment. Results: We report these cases to understand these lesions better, as we saw some worrisome delays in their diagnoses. We aim to raise awareness about these hematopathological diseases among general dentists. Conclusion: It is crucial for the multidisciplinary team members to thoroughly examine the oral cavity for any worrisome lesions like these, as they might be an initial sign of a systemic disease. Pathologists must also be aware of the pitfalls in the interpretation of immunohistochemical sections and the immune profile of a tumor.

Temporomandibular disorders and bruxism - up-to-date assessment and screening tools the general dentist should be aware of.

The recently proposed shortened screening tools for temporomandibular disorders (TMD)and bruxism should enable a better assessment of these conditions by the general dentist.

ORTHODONTIC EXTRUSION TECHNIQUE AS A METHOD FOR ALVEOLAR BONE VOLUME INCREASE BEFORE DENTAL IMPLANTATION. CLINICAL CASE

Objectives: Tooth extraction and replacement with dental implant represents a common treatment choice, when teeth are hopeless. We presented a clinical case, the treatment of which was carried out by the method of orthodontic extrusion technique. This technique can increase alveolar bone level and also soft tissue level. The increased amount of alveolar bone can improve primary implant stability and be compared with bone regeneration techniques. The purpose of presenting this clinical case is to emphasize the efficiency of orthodontic extrusion. Methods and materials: A 45-year-old female patient referred by the general dentist regarding cosmetic defect and tooth mobility in the area of the anterior upper teeth. During the examination, her upper right central incisor was found to be mobile, with diastema and slight congestion in the anterior teeth Photographs, CT and X-ray studies of the patient were used. The patient was bonded with .018 slot Roth prescription ceramic brackets (Dentaurum, Germany). After achieving the optimal results of orthodontic treatment and the necessary extrusion of the upper right central incisor, the tooth was removed and replaced with a dental implant. After six months, the patient had a crown with a screw fixation of zirconium dioxide with ceramic application Results: As a result of orthodontic extrusion, clinically significant increase in alveolar bone and gingival tissue was reported. This resulted significant qualitative and quantitative improvements in the implant site. As the clinical case was in aesthetic zone, we could also rehabilitate beautiful smile of patient and increase her self-esteem. Conclusions: Summing up the above and the results of the treatment of this patient, we can definitely say that orthodontic extrusion technique is effective for implant site development. As we have described, this can effectively move the facial gingival margin and allow for esthetic restoration of implant placed in the extruded tooth position without any bone graft.

Debating: effective and satisfactory learning method in dentistry

BackgroundEducation in the modern world of health needs diverse methods of learning and teaching. The traditional education model has limited capacity for developing abilities such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills. Therefore, improving the quality of teaching–learning processes requires implementing educational innovations in the classroom and evaluating them. This study aimed to determine the impact of the debate teaching method on improving the abilities of general dentistry doctoral students.MethodsThe research was a semi-experimental study with pre-tests and post-tests to measure the knowledge and abilities of students. The study included 60 dental students who completed the fall 2022 session of the Community Oral Health (COH) 2 practical course. This course, one of three practical components within the Community Oral Health curriculum, aligns with the educational framework of general dentistry. Challenging topics on which there is no consensus in dentistry were chosen for the debate. The descriptive statistics indicators include an independent t-test and variance analysis test with a significance level of 5%. Were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe results of the study showed that the average total knowledge (P < 0.001), 'perception of critical thinking skills (P < 0.001), expression power (P < 0.001), reasoning skills (P = 0.003), interpretation and Information analysis power (P < 0.001), the ability to find and use scientific databases (P < 0.001) and the ability to analyze and evaluate evidence (P < 0.001) increased significantly after intervention in students. 95% of students agreed/strongly agreed that this method enhances their ability to answer people's questions. From an instructor’s point of view, students had 93.1% of the ability to reason and analyze information after intervention and 88.5% of the ability to think critically.ConclusionThe results of the study showed that the use of debate in the classroom is an effective way to present content. The process of evaluating data-driven arguments promotes higher-level cognitive skills and teaches students about the knowledge base and the use of scientific databases.Trial registrationRegistration date: 21/11/2022, Registration number: IRCT20141128020129N3.

Accuracy and consistency of chatbots versus clinicians for answering pediatric dentistry questions: A pilot study

ObjectivesArtificial Intelligence has applications such as Large Language Models (LLMs), which simulate human-like conversations. The potential of LLMs in healthcare is not fully evaluated. This pilot study assessed the accuracy and consistency of chatbots and clinicians in answering common questions in pediatric dentistry. MethodsTwo expert pediatric dentists developed thirty true or false questions involving different aspects of pediatric dentistry. Publicly accessible chatbots (Google Bard, ChatGPT4, ChatGPT 3.5, Llama, Sage, Claude 2 100k, Claude-instant, Claude-instant-100k, and Google Palm) were employed to answer the questions (3 independent new conversations). Three groups of clinicians (general dentists, pediatric specialists, and students; n = 20/group) also answered. Responses were graded by two pediatric dentistry faculty members, along with a third independent pediatric dentist. Resulting accuracies (percentage of correct responses) were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post-hoc pairwise group comparisons were corrected using Tukey's HSD method. ACronbach's alpha was calculated to determine consistency. ResultsPediatric dentists were significantly more accurate (mean±SD 96.67 %± 4.3 %) than other clinicians and chatbots (p < 0.001). General dentists (88.0 % ± 6.1 %) also demonstrated significantly higher accuracy than chatbots (p < 0.001), followed by students (80.8 %±6.9 %). ChatGPT showed the highest accuracy (78 %±3 %) among chatbots. All chatbots except ChatGPT3.5 showed acceptable consistency (Cronbach alpha>0.7). Clinical SignificanceBased on this pilot study, chatbots may be valuable adjuncts for educational purposes and for distributing information to patients. However, they are not yet ready to serve as substitutes for human clinicians in diagnostic decision-making. ConclusionIn this pilot study, chatbots showed lower accuracy than dentists. Chatbots may not yet be recommended for clinical pediatric dentistry.

Assessment of dental bur sterilization awareness among general dentists in Uttarakhand

This study assesses general dentists' knowledge and adherence to dental bur sterilization practices in Uttarakhand, aiming to enhance patient safety and clinical precision by identifying implementation gaps. Evaluate practitioners' understanding of optimal sterilization protocols for burs, pinpoint areas for improvement, and establish a baseline of current practices in general dentistry. A state-wide distribution of a structured questionnaire gathered responses from 237 general dentists. The survey focused on sterilization equipment usage, frequency, and compliance with industry guidelines. Quantitative data were analyzed for insights into current practices. Preliminary findings show varying awareness and adherence levels among practitioners. While a significant proportion demonstrated commendable knowledge, specific gaps and deviations were identified, suggesting areas for improvement. Continuous education and reinforcement of best practices in bur sterilization are crucial within the general dentistry community. Addressing identified gaps can elevate the standard of care, ensuring patient safety and precision in dental procedures. Ongoing education and awareness campaigns are vital for sustained improvement in bur sterilization practices.

Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of various irrigating techniques by checking the depth of penetration of the sealer- An in-vitro study

Sonic irrigant activation has gained widespread popularity among general dentists and endodontists currently. It is usually seen that sonic powered flosser which we have used in our study is in use in many dental colleges by post graduate students as it is construed to be the cheaper version of Endoactivator.To investigate the efficacy of sonic powered flosser with various irrigating techniques by checking the depth of sealer penetration. Forty five single-rooted teeth were instrumented and divided into 3 groups of 15 teeth each, as Group 1: endoactivator; Group 2: powered sonic flosser; Group 3: manual dynamic irrigation. The samples were obturated with AH Plus sealer labelled with Rhodamine B dye. The teeth were sectioned and viewed under confocal microscope to determine the depth of sealer penetration.Statistical analysis used: One way Anova F test was used for overall comparison among three groups and Tukey's post hoc test were used to evaluate the efficiency levels between groups. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant for all statistical test. The results showed that the maximum penetration was exhibited by endoactivator followed by manual dynamic irrigation and least by powered sonic flosser. The middle third showed the maximum penetration, followed by apical third in all the groups. Sonic powered flosser and manual agitation weren’t found to be as effective as Endoactivator, so in the absence of Endoactivator, sonic and manual agitation can’t be relied upon for desired results. The agitation of the irrigants is found to be most effective with endoactivator in order to achieve appreciable sealer penetration.So using sonic powered flosser will not be able to render the results as good as endoactivator.

Evaluating Knowledge, Self-Reported Confidence Levels, and Prescription Patterns among Dental Practitioners Regarding Analgesics in Dentistry: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objectives: Dental pain is a common problem that often leads to unscheduled dental visits and requires a comprehensive understanding of analgesics, including their indications and contraindications. The aim of this study was to investigate dentists' knowledge, self-reported confidence levels, and prescribing patterns of analgesics in dentistry. Materials and Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional online survey was conducted, resulting in 379 responses. Of these, 68.6% were general dentists, and 31.4% were specialists. The collected data included sociodemographic information, levels of knowledge, and prescription patterns. The survey questionnaire explored self-perceived practices, patient information during prescription, and guiding factors. Descriptive statistics and a generalized linear model for regression were used for data analysis. Results: Higher levels of knowledge were observed in specific contexts such as secondary/tertiary healthcare (p = 0.022), specialization in endodontics (p = 0.003), and a higher number of working hours with patients (p = 0.038). Conversely, increased self-confidence was observed among endodontists (p = 0.008), oral surgeons (p = 0.011), and dentists with more than 6 h of patient interaction (p ≤ 0.001). Orthodontists and prosthodontists demonstrated lower knowledge levels, while specialists in family dentistry exhibited lower self-confidence. Self-confidence and knowledge displayed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.039, p < 0.001). The most frequently prescribed medication was ibuprofen (97.9%), primarily for surgical (83.9%) and endodontic procedures (60.9%), with the main indications being pulpal (85.8%), periradicular (57.3%), and postoperative pain (40.1%). Conclusions: This study reveals significant knowledge and confidence gaps among dentists, including limited awareness of the efficacy of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for odontogenic pain, a lack of time for effective counseling, and perceived deficits in pharmacology education. To address these issues, targeted educational interventions are recommended to improve analgesic prescribing practice, close knowledge gaps, and increase dentists' confidence in more effective pain management.

Endo-Perio Lesions and Dentists' Treatment Approach: A Survey.

BACKGROUND Endo-perio lesions are a great challenge for dentists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment approach of dental practitioners to endo-perio lesions by considering the current endo-perio classification. MATERIAL AND METHODS An online survey was prepared, consisting of questions about the treatment approach to 3 simulated cases with endo-perio lesions, shown on periapical radiography. Details of the patient's age, presence of systemic disease, smoking, and how the single- or multi-rooted tooth would affect the treatment plan were also included in the simulated cases presented in the survey. The survey was sent to 1500 dentists via e-mail, WhatsApp, and social media platforms. The chi-square test was used for comparison of data. Significance was evaluated at P<0.05. RESULTS In total, 338 dentists participated in the survey, including general dentists, endodontists, and periodontists. Fifty-three percent of participants stated that they would perform root canal treatment and initial periodontal treatment simultaneously, when both treatments were required. In cases classified as grade 3, most general dentists, endodontists, and periodontists answered that they would prescribe systemic antibiotics if there was diffuse extra-oral swelling (P<0.05). Moreover, in grade 3 cases, more general dentists chose the option "extraction" as the best choice, compared with endodontists and periodontists, who did not choose extraction as often (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS According to the results of this study, general dentists, endodontists, and periodontists generally follow different approaches to endo-perio lesions. A consensus is needed on this issue to develop a successful multidisciplinary approach to endo-perio lesions.

Traumatic dental injuries: Knowledge assessment of dentists in the Norwegian Public Dental Service of Vestland.

Most children and adolescents in Norway attend the Public Dental Service (PDS) where they are treated free-of-charge until the age of 19 years. Thus, general dentists employed in the PDS are the primary care providers for traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in young patients. This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge of PDS general dentists on the acute management and follow-up of TDI and its socio-demographic and attitudinal covariates. All general dentists employed in the Vestland County PDS, Western Norway, (N = 170) received an online questionnaire. Socio-demographic and professional profiles of respondents as well as attitudinal indicators were queried. Clinical case scenarios on emergency treatment and further follow-ups of TDI were used to calculate a dental trauma knowledge score (DTKS; range: 0-21). Mann-Whitney U tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests determined differences between the demographic subgroups. Logistic regressions determined the potential of single factors in explaining the variability in dental trauma knowledge. The response rate was 46%. Most participants (60.5%) had not participated in a TDI course after graduation but would like such a course (84.2%). Mean DTKS was 13.82 (±2.6). Knowledge scores differed significantly between age groups (p = .014) and years since graduation (p = .0018). Younger dentists and recently graduated dentists scored highest. Dentists under the age of 30 years scored higher than 30-39- and 40-49-year-old dentists in these areas: emergency treatment of crown fractures with pulp exposure, identification of complications after avulsion, and management of severe intrusive luxation injury. Younger dentists had a higher theoretical knowledge of TDI. Continuing professional development among dentists in the Norwegian PDS is needed for emergency treatment and complication management after TDI.

Direct 3D printing aligners - past, present and future possibilities.

The aim of this paper is to introduce the general dentist to recent advances in 3D printing technology used in orthodontics. 3D printing is a highly evolving area of dentistry with continual developments. New advances now allow the in-house delivery of printed aligners. Advocates of this new technology suggest the benefits of more prescriptive and controlled tooth movement in comparison to conventional thermoformed appliances. However, there is currently limited evidence on the efficiency of this material and more research needs to be carried out to validate this new technology.