King Abdulaziz University , Faculty Of Dentistry Research Articles

Prevalence of patients at risk for developing obstructive sleep apneabased on the STOP-BANG questionnaire at King Abdulaziz University Facultyof Dentistry.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder. Its susceptibility can easily be detected when it is at an early stage as can patients who are at risk of OSA. A simple questionnaire such as STOP-BANG (SB) can facilitate early detection. Our study aims to assess the risk of OSA and evaluate its correlating risk factors in patients attending King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, using the SBquestionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained. A random sample of patients ages 18-80 years, who visited KAUFD between November 2016 and April 2017 were recruited. Three highly trained and calibrated dental interns obtained the following measurements (weight, height, blood pressure, and neck circumference) and administered the questionnaire in a face-to-face interview. A total of 55 patients (62% females) participated in the study with a mean age of 34.6 years and hypertension reported as16.4%. According to the SB, 31% of patients were found at high risk of OSA. Large neck circumference (40.22[±4.7] cm) and gender (66% males) were found to be significantly correlated with high-risk patients; p < .001. Approximately one third of the patients were at high risk of OSA, with men and patients havinglarge neck circumference being significantly more affected. Systolic blood pressure, hypertension, and smoking were found to be high in high-risk patients. However, they were not statistically and significantly different from those patients who were not in high risk. The role of a dentist should be to utilizethe questionnaire to detect any patient at risk of OSA and refer them accordingly.

Appraisal of empathy among dental interns and postgraduate students at King Abdulaziz University: A cross-sectional study.

Empathetic communication of dentists with their patients is a primary characteristic of their health care. This study aims to evaluate dental students' empathy levels during the transitional period of internship and postgraduate studies of different specialties at one of the oldest dental schools in Saudi Arabia and explore how this empathy was affected by gender, age, and study duration. In this study, the self-reported empathy level among the participants was assessed using the Jefferson scale of empathy-student version (JSE-HPS). This survey includes a 20-question Likert scale formulated to measure clinical empathy in health care professionals. The JSE-HPS was distributed to all registered dental interns and postgraduate students during the academic year 2019-20 in King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Mean total score of empathy of the participants was (101.07 ± 14.8) with a response rate of 89%. A statistically significant higher empathy score appeared among dental postgraduate students in general (p = 0.04) and specifically among the females (p = 0.04) and those with postgraduate programs for more than four years, (p = 0.02). Dental postgraduate students scored significantly higher in the parameters of standing in patients' shoes (p = 0.02). Gender, academic level, and duration of postgraduates' studies influenced empathy more than the age of the dental graduates in KAUFD. Our recommendation is to integrate empathy into the dental curriculum emphasizing interactive communication skills and early patient contact.

Why do students skip classroom lectures: A single dental school report

BackgroundConventional classroom lectures continue to represent a major component of the dental education system to ensure optimum delivery of knowledge. Certain number of students are less compliant and likely to skip classes which may impact the overall academic performance. The aim of this study was to investigate dental students’ attitude towards classroom attendance and potential reasons for absenteeism at King Abdulaziz University-Faculty of Dentistry (KAU-FD).MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey of all dental students actively enrolled at KAU-FD from January to June 2019. The survey included questions on demographics, average travel time to school, current dental year, most recent GPA, student’s perspective toward classroom lectures. The survey was validated and distributed to all students at a pre-selected time frame. Data were analysed and presented as frequencies and percentages; chi-square test was used to explore parameters association.ResultsA total of 678 students consented and completed the survey. Overall, 44.3% of students were more likely to skip two classes or less per month. Second year dental students were more likely to be absent from classroom lectures (31.3%), while 3rd year dental students were less likely to do so (15.4%). Reported students’ justifications for missing classes included early morning classes (47.9%), exams preparation (42%), and lecturer’s weak presentation skills (41.9%).ConclusionCompliance of dental students with classroom attendance has been an ongoing challenge for most programs. The current data suggests a multifactorial module for students’ attitude toward classroom attendance. Future studies focusing on reasons behind classroom attendance behavior and addressing students’ concerns are needed.

Comparing zirconia to anterior strip crowns in primary anterior teeth in children: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundProviding restorations to anterior teeth in children is a challenging task due to the need for high esthetics, strength, and durability. This study was done to compare prefabricated primary zirconia with resin composite strip crowns on primary maxillary central and lateral incisors with regards to gingival health, plaque accumulation, recurrent caries, restoration failure, and opposing teeth wear over a period of 3, 6 and 12 months.MethodsChildren attending the King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) clinics who needed restorations were screened for inclusion criteria. A total of 120 teeth were treated; 60 with zirconia and 60 with strip crowns. Randomization was done by simple random allocation using SPSS software version 20.0 (Armonk, NY; IBM Corp.). A simple descriptive statistic was used for analysis by Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test and Chi-square test. Level of significance was set at (α = 0.05) and level of confidence at (95%). The presented research was registered retrospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov in 6th of August 2017, under registration number NCT03184012.ResultsZirconia crowns showed significantly less gingival bleeding at the 3- and 6-months follow up periods (p < 0.006, p < 0.001; respectively), less plaque accumulation at all follow up visits (p < 0.001), no restoration failure (p < 0.001), but more wear to opposing teeth (p < 0.02). No significant difference was found between the two crowns with regards to recurrent caries (p < 0.135).ConclusionBased on our data we conclude that overtime teeth covered with zirconia crowns show better gingival health and less bleeding, plaque accumulation as well as less loss of material. On the other hand, zirconia can cause more loss of opposing tooth structure.

Students\u2019 perceptions of the educational environment at King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD): a cross sectional study

BackgroundPrior research studies have found that dental students’ educational environment has an impact on their academic achievement. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess dental students’ perceptions of the educational environment at King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) in Saudi Arabia.MethodsSecond-, third-, and fourth-year dental students at KAUFD, responded to the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) in October 2017. It consists of five subscales: students’ perceptions of learning, students’ perceptions of teachers, students’ academic self-perceptions, students’ perceptions of the atmosphere, and students’ social self-perceptions. The overall mean value was calculated.ResultsA total of 217 dental students responded to the questionnaire (92 males, 125 females); the response rate was 43.40%. The overall mean DREEM score was 125, which is considered “more positive than negative.” The mean DREEM score was higher for females (128.73) than for males (120.13). Third-year students (137.99) obtained higher mean scores compared to fourth-year (121.42) and fifth-year students (115.94).ConclusionsDental students’ perceptions of the educational environment at KAUFD support the findings of national and international studies. Students in the preclinical dental academic year (third year) obtained the highest DREEM score, when compared to those who belonged to the clinical academic years. Therefore, a personal development program and good support systems must be emphasized for clinical-year students.

Smoking awareness and habits among dental students at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia... what can we do to help?

Background and Objectives: Tobacco epidemic is affecting the whole world. By 2025 the numbers of smokers are expected to increase from 1.1 billion adults to 1.6 billion. Students are a vulnerable and an important target for tobacco industry, despite the fact that Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation is a competence in their curriculum they must master before graduating. Material and methods: 500 questionnaires were distributed to students attending undergraduate dental school at King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD). Response rate was 77.2%. Questionnaire consisted of five parts: general information; questions related to cigarette smoking; questions related to hooka/waterpipe smoking; questions related to shisha smoking and questions for non-smokers. The data was analyzed using the SPSS-PC package. Analysis included simple descriptive statistics in the form of percentages, frequency distributions and bar graphs; a p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: 368 dental students who answered the questionnaire, 19.2% students were smokers and 80.8% (31.1% males and 68.9% females) were non-smokers. According to year of study, the highest percentage of students who smoked were in their senior years (5th: 24.3%). Peer pressure was the most likely reason to start smoking, as well as pressure from the school. There is a clear need for the school to implement more ways to help students cope with the stress of academic load, as well as more awareness of the addictive nature of tobacco use, to empower the students to fight the pressures both within and outside their school life.

The effect of personality traits on undergraduate dental students' performance in multiple mini interviews.

BackgroundMultiple mini interviews (MMI) is a structured student selection method where applicants rotate around a series of stations that do not require previously learned knowledge. The Big Five Inventory (BFI) is a tool often used to measure personality traits commonly used in applicant selection.ObjectiveThe aim of the current study was to assess the effect of personality traits using the BFI on undergraduate dental students’ performance in MMI.MethodsThis research was conducted at The Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All undergraduates applying to the dental program at King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) in two academic years [(2014–2015) and (2015–2016)] undertook the MMI held at KAUFD and completed the BFI inventory with a total number of 350 students. The MMI consisted of five stations while the BFI contained forty-four items. Data were analysed by SPSS version 20, using independent-samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient and Chi-square test.Resultsfemale students scored higher than their male counterparts but scores were only significant in the empathy station (p<0.001) in the first year, and in both empathetic skills and team work abilities (p<0.05) in the second. BFI results indicate that male students scored higher on agreeableness (p<0.003) and lower on neuroticism (p<0.001) in the first year while female students scored higher on agreeableness and conscientiousness (p<0.001) in the second year. Students of private schools had higher total MMI scores compared to those of public schools (p<0.05).ConclusionMMI combined with the Big Five Inventory can be a useful tool in the admission process.

PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH IMPLANT RETAINED PROSTHESIS PROVIDED BY RESIDENTS AT KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY- FACULTY OF DENTISTRY (KAUFD) AND KING FAHD ARMED FORCES HOSPITAL (KFAFH)

Aim: To evaluate patients’ satisfaction following treatment with implant supported prosthesis. Methods: 70 patients were requested to complete a standardized survey over the phone to rate their satisfaction following treatment with dental implants at King Abdulaziz University- Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) and King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital (KFAFH) that was provided by residents post graduates in the implant fellowship program. The questionnaire included patients general information, the location of the implant placed as well as the type of prosthesis provided and patients opinion with regards to cost, treatment duration and choice of treatment. Results: 30% of the patients received treatment at KFAFH, while 70% were treated at KAUFD 65.7% of the patients were employed with 39% of those working in the military sector. The treatment duration was reported to be less than one year in 57.1% of the cases. As for the location of the implant, most were placed in the posterior region (84.3%) and 52.9% were placed in the mandibular arch with 87% were restored using fixed prosthesis. Conclusion: A high percentage of patients were completely satisfied with implant therapy and would recommend it to others. The only complained was due to the lengthy appointments needed for treatment.

Dental Records and what they can Reveal about Tobacco Use Intervention Practices.

INTRODUCTIONTobacco use prevention and cessation is a practice required by every dentist. It is a fundamental tenet in the fight against tobacco. Fundamentally, the first step of any tobacco use prevention practice includes the identification of tobacco users and a history of their habit. This information is recorded in the dental record of the patient and provides a baseline for the assessment and counseling of the patient in regards to their oral health.OBJECTIVESTo investigate if tobacco use is regularly recorded in dental records of patients attending King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD).METHODSFour hundred and ninety-four dental records were randomly sampled out of 31,323 records opened during the last three years. Dental records were assessed for information pertaining to the use of tobacco products, the type used, frequency and duration of tobacco use.RESULTSOnly 364 dental records showed that tobacco use information was asked (73%), and of these, only 2% were asked when they started, 4% were asked how often they use tobacco, and 16% were asked about the type of tobacco used. From the dental records sampled, the prevalence of tobacco use among the patients attending KAUFD during that period was 16%.CONCLUSIONSIn regards to tobacco use, all patients must be asked if they use tobacco in any form. Tobacco habits not only cause systemic diseases, but have direct detrimental effects on the oral cavity and greatly deter dental treatment. Dental records provide an excellent source of information for institutes and clinical offices, to monitor the practice of tobacco use prevention and cessation in its simplest terms.

Scholar outcomes for dental internship research program in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative evaluation

Objective: To explore the potential, challenges and needs for internship research activities in achieving scholar outcomes among graduates.Methods: A qualitative general needs assessment and evaluation of an internship research program was conducted at King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD), KSA, from December 2014 to February 2015 using focus groups and interviews. The participants included: administrates, faculty, and internship students. Data were transcribed and analyzed following the grounded theory.Results: The participants were two administrative personnel, 21 faculty members, and 16 internship students. Results were clustered around five main domains; curriculum design, faculty, students, administrative, and institutional domain. Reported potentials included: a multi-faceted educational intervention approach, and building evidence-based skills and inquiry minds among graduates. Time, load, and incentives were major challenges reported by faculty. Interesting and achievable research topics were major challenges reported by students. Areas that needed development included: equipped research personnel, aligned administrative and institutional support, faculty skills, students’ knowledge and skills, aligned curriculum, and clear program goals, objectives, and outcomes.Conclusion: Curriculum design, faculty and students’ skills; as well as administrative and institutional support were found to play major roles in the success of the current internship research program at KAUFD.

Can Multiple Mini‐Interviews Predict Academic Performance of Dental Students? A Two‐Year Follow‐Up

Prior research has shown that students' previous grade point average (GPA) is the best predictor for future academic success. However, it can only partly predict the variability in dental school performance. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of multiple mini-interviews (MMI) as an admission criterion by comparing them with the academic performance of dental students over a two-year period. All incoming undergraduate dental students at the King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) during academic year 2013-14 were invited to participate in MMI. Students rotated through six objective structured clinical exam (OSCE)-like stations for 30 minutes total and were interviewed by two trained faculty interviewers at each station. The stations were focused on noncognitive skills thought to be essential to academic performance at KAUFD. The academic performance of these students was then followed for two years and linked to their MMI scores. A total of 146 students (71 males and 75 females) participated in an interview (response rate=92.9%). Most students scored in the acceptable range at each MMI station. Students' total MMI score, ambitions, and motives were significant predictors of GPA during the two years of follow-up (p<0.038 and p<0.001, respectively). In this study, MMI was found to be able to predict future academic performance of undergraduate dental students.

Awareness and attitude toward using dental magnification among dental students and residents at King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry

BackgroundThe authors conducted a study aimed to assess the awareness and attitude among dental students and residents at King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) toward using dental magnification.MethodsAn e-questionnaire was formulated then sent to dental students and residents (n = 651). The questionnaire included questions that assessed both the awareness and attitude toward using dental magnification. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22. The chi-square test was used to establish relationships between categorical variables.ResultsThe response rate was 69.7 % (n = 454). Of those, 78.1 % did not use magnification during dental procedures. However, 81.8 % agreed that dental magnification could enhance the accuracy and quality of their dental work. Thus, 91.6 % thought it would be useful in endodontics and 46.3 % voted for surgery. Of the 21.9 % that used magnification, dental loupes were mostly used, 55.9 %. The majority (59.4 %) of the participants believed that using dental magnification should be introduced by faculty beginning in Year I of dental school.ConclusionsAmong our respondents, most of the undergraduate students did not use dental magnification nor attended courses in the use of dental magnifications. However, most of the students were aware of its significance in improving the accuracy and quality of their work.