Postgraduate Dental Research Articles

Understanding Residents' and Supervisors' Views on Developing Support-Autonomy Balance Through Supervision Methods in Postgraduate Dental Training: AQualitative Study.

Supervisors continuously need to decide when to provide clinical opportunities for unsupervised patient care to facilitate residents' development in the complex clinical learning context. The aim of this study is to explore residents' and supervisors' views and understanding of the influence of clinical supervision on affording a balanced support-autonomy from the cognitive apprenticeship (CA) theoretical lens. Residents and supervisors, representing all disciplines, participated in five focus groups and four semi-structured individual interviews. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used for recruiting participants. The reflexive thematic analysis approach was used for inductive data analysis. A total of 15 residents and 8 supervisors participated in this study. All agreed that CA teaching methods can be applied across all levels. Participants experienced changes in their supervision methods and supervisor-resident interactions at different levels of training. They related the selection of supervision to task-, resident- and supervisor-related factors. Learning facilitating factors in clinical learning environment were identified and suggestions to enrich residents' learning experiences were also reported. The current study found that a one-size-fits-all paradigm may not be effective for clinical supervision. It contributes to our understanding of how the CA model may be used to guide supervisor behaviour and how such practices can be modified to residents' level of development and competencies.

Assessment Of Awareness And Knowledge Of Maxillofacial Prosthesis Among Dental Practitioners And Postgraduates: A Questionnaire Study

Maxillofacial prosthetics is a specialized branch of prosthodontics that involves the rehabilitation of patients with defects or disabilities due to disease, trauma, or congenital conditions affecting the head and neck region. The primary goal is to restore the form and function of affected areas, improving the patient's quality of life. Aim: To assess the knowledge and awareness of maxillofacial prosthesis among dental practitioners and dental postgraduate students. Materials and Methods: cross-sectional questionnaire based online survey was undertaken at C.S.M.S.S. Dental College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India between March 2024 and September 2024 amongst dental postgraduate students and dental practitioners across India. The questionnaire consisted of 14 questions which evaluated their awareness towards maxillofacial prosthetic dentistry. The Chisquare test was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total 102 responses were obtained in this study, out of which 64 (62.7%) were dental postgraduates students, 9(8.8%) dental practictioners and 20 (19.6%) were dental practitioners and teaching faculty 12% were undergraduate student.92(91.1%) participants were know about maxillofacial prosthesis. 92(91.1%) were aware about maxillofacial prosthesis. 9(8.9%) were unaware about maxillofacial prosthesis. (Fig.2) 85(83.3%) responded both (extraoral and intraoral prosthesis ) are there. 4(3.9%) responded only intraoral prosthesis are there.11(10.8%) responded only extraoral prosthesis are there. While 6(5.9%) are not aware about the maxillofacial prosthesis. (Fig.3) 73%(73.7) responded silicone is commonly used for maxillofacial prosthesis. 27% responded acrylic resin is commonly used while 6% responded polyurethane is used. 8% responded other materials are used.(Fig. 4).92% responded they vare using the new technologies(CAD CAM ) while remaining 8% responded they are not using any recent technology. Conclusion: The majority of the participants were aware of digital technology, which yields good results.Overall, while the current level of awareness and knowledge among dental postgraduate students is commendable, there is a clear need for enhancements in training, resources, and curriculum to fully prepare future dental professionals in the field of maxillofacial prosthetics

Evaluation of user experience and satisfaction with workplace-based assessments (WPBAs) in dental postgraduate programmes.

To explore the experience of and satisfaction with workplace-based assessment tools among dental postgraduate trainees. The cross-sectional study was conducted from March to October 2022 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised all Operative Dentistry, Prosthodontics and Orthodontics postgraduate trainees. A questionnaire with both open-ended and closed-ended questions was used to record the experiences and satisfaction level of the dental residents who had earlier been subjected to workplace-based assessment. Data was analysed using SPSS 20, while thematic analysis was used for open-ended questions. Of the 20 Subjects, 15(75%) were females. Also, 11(55%) participants had received prior training for workplacebased assessment. There were 16(80%) residents who were satisfied with workplace-based assessment tools in the dental residency programme, 15(75%) agreed that the tools improved their clinical skills and helped them identify their weak areas, all the 20(100%) participants said the feedback given to them was constructive, 18(90%) reported that they were allowed to put in their views. However, 7(35%) participants reported that being observed adversely affected their performance. Dental residents generally gave positive feedback related to workplace-based assessment tools in a clinical setting.

Determining the Emotional Intelligence and Compassion Fatigue Among Postgraduate Dental Students Using the Emotional Intelligence Scale and the Quality of Life Scale: An Observational Study.

Introduction Compassion fatigue (CF) is a problem for professionals who work with traumatized individuals. CF manifests as reliving personal sorrow, nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, numbing or avoiding memories of the experience, and elevated physiological arousal. CF makes professionals more likely to make bad choices, such as misplacing treatments or mistreating patients. Emotional intelligence (EI) is essential to comprehending human behavior, performance, and well-being. EI is a crucial component of professional competency in medical education, as postgraduate dental students are also at risk of having CF. They are professionals and have to work with traumatized patients, so the study was conducted to evaluate their CF and EI. This study aimed to evaluate EI and CF among postgraduate dental students at Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Wardha, India. Materials The observational study was conducted at Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital among postgraduate dental students. The data was collected from 80 postgraduate students who responded to the Professional Quality of Life Version 5 and the Emotional Intelligence Scale questionnaires. Result A total of 80 postgraduate dental students responded to the Professional Quality of Life Version 5 and the Emotional Intelligence Scale questionnaires, and all the responses were included in the study. Findings revealed that postgraduate dental students treating patients have high levels of CF and EI. Conclusion This study indicates that there is a high level of CF and EI in postgraduate dental students. As high CF is harmful and can affect physical and mental well-being, proper management should be done through psycho-education and self-care.

Assessment of Knowledge, Practice, and Attitude about Silver Diamine Fluoride among Postgraduate Students in Pediatric Dentistry in Karnataka

Abstract Background: Dental caries occurs as a result of phasic demineralization and remineralization of dental hard tissues. In recent years, minimal invasive dentistry (MID) has replaced conventional treatment procedures. As part of MID, silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is being used to manage dental caries. However, little research has explored how informed dental postgraduates are about SDF. Aim: To determine the knowledge, practice, and attitude of dental postgraduate students regarding SDF. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire containing a total of 25 questions was drafted and distributed through Google Forms to postgraduates studying in the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry within the state of Karnataka. The Chi-square (χ2) test was used to statistically analyze the obtained data. Results: A total of 165 responses were obtained. Among the participants, 94.5% reported that they were aware of SDF. However, majority of the respondents were not able to correctly answer the questions assessing knowledge. Knowledge was higher among 3rd year followed by 2nd and 1st years (P ≤ 0.001). Only 59.4% of the respondents stated that they use SDF in their patients. However, nearly all respondents stated that this survey encouraged them to improve their understanding of SDF. Conclusion: Awareness about SDF among postgraduates treating pediatric patients is quite high. Knowledge with regard to few aspects of SDF use is lacking. The attitude among the participants was positive.

Differences in Perceived Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Military Dental Postgraduate Residents.

In military training settings, stress can improve focus and motivation fostering effective learning. However, high perceived stress can be debilitating resulting in poor learning and clinical errors. Multiple studies have focused on medical residency stress; but there has been minimal focus on dental residents and even less on the impact of the unique stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceived stress of residents in a military dental residency training program and explore the association among perceived stress and anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and social support. Dental residents (N = 20) at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School participated in this study. Residents were assessed via self-report measures quarterly from March 2020 through June 2021. The assessment included measures of anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), perceived stress (PSS), fatigue (FSI), and social support (DUKE-SSQ). Before the pandemic shutdown, 60% of participants reported high perceived stress. These residents reported an initial decrease in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fatigue compared to residents reporting low pre-pandemic perceived stress but returned to baseline levels post-shutdown. Additionally, the high stress participants reported lower social support. Based on pre-pandemic perceived stress, participants responded differently to the impact of the pandemic shutdown. The low baseline stress participants may have a more robust sense of grit and resilience. These findings suggest that postgraduate dental training programs should integrate coping skills training opportunities, especially for residents reporting high perceived stress before residency.

Application of a Custom Two-Piece Zirconia Device for Multidimensional Ridge Augmentation in a Trauma Patient: A Case Report

Background: Due predominantly to anatomic factors, most maxillary anterior extraction sockets exhibit greater resorption of facial rather than palatal alveolar walls. However, traumatic episodes can result in physical damage to interproximal and palatal alveolar walls, leading to complex deficiencies that can be difficult to manage. The purpose of this report is to describe the use of a two-piece, site-specific zirconia device to augment the facial, crestal, and palatal aspects of a deficient maxillary anterior alveolar ridge. Methods: A 25-year-old male with history of facial trauma presented to the Department of Periodontics, Army Postgraduate Dental School, Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, requesting replacement of teeth #8 through #10. A two-piece custom zirconia device was utilized to achieve multidimensional augmentation of a severely deficient alveolar ridge. Results: The procedure was well tolerated, resulting in favorable alveolar ridge volume for dental implant placement. Exposure of the device occurred at postoperative week 13. One of two planned implants were stabilized in the augmented alveolar ridge. At the #10 position a palatal dehiscence defect was noted during osteotomy preparation, and additional grafting was required. Conclusions: The custom zirconia device design shown in this report permitted convenient intraoperative packing of bone biomaterial and minimized loss of regenerative space during healing. The protocol relies upon technology that is increasingly accessible to periodontists and has the potential to substantially simplify a technique-sensitive procedure. Envisioned design improvements are presented.

The Use of Coffee Aroma for Stress Reduction in Postgraduate Dental Students

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the measure to reduce academic stress of graded oral presentation in postgraduate dental students using coffee aromatherapy. MethodsHealthy postgraduate dental students in a seminar class were divided into coffee (n = 32) or control (n = 26) group. There were three modes of aroma distribution: personal distribution with a coffee pad attached to a lanyard, a lanyard plus a personal fan for ventilation of the aroma, and the typical method of the diffuser to spread the aroma in the ambient air. The levels of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), cortisol (sCort), and chromogranin A (sCgA) represented stress biomarkers. Pulse rates were also measured. ResultsThe levels of sAA increased 176.62 ± 30.26% between pre- and post-presentation in the control group. Inhaling coffee aroma during the presentation period significantly ameliorated sAA increase at 81.02 ± 14.90% (p = 0.015). sCort levels tended to decrease in the coffee group but not significantly. Surprisingly, sCgA levels actually increased more in the coffee group. Also, pulse rates decreased in the coffee group (-2.07 ± 2.81 bpm) and increased in the control group (6.90 ± 3.22 bpm; p = 0.035). Subgroup analysis did not reveal differences in salivary markers among three aroma distribution modes. ConclusionsCoffee aroma could have anxiolytic effect on postgraduate dental students as evidenced by sAA levels and pulse rates. Personal aroma distribution was also a useful and effective mode of aromatherapy.

Evaluation of Knowledge Levels of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dentists Concerning Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge level of dental students and newly graduated dentists concerning anatomical landmarks identified on panoramic radiographs. Methods: This study was conducted as a web-based survey. Students continuing their education in the 4th and 5th grades of dentistry faculties and dentists who graduated within the last one year were included in our study. The answers given to the anatomical points on the panoramic radiograph were recorded as "true" and "false". SPSS was used to analyse the data. The data obtained were analysed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Mann-Whitney U Test. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 300 people participated of which 59.6% of the participants were female and 40.4% were male. The answers given to a total of 18 anatomical point questions did not show a significant difference according to gender (p=0.469). There was no question that all participants answered correctly. The highest correct answer rate was found for the anatomical point 'Mental foramen' with 289 (96.3%) participants. The lowest correct answer rate was found for the anatomical point 'Soft palate' with 48 (16%) participants. According to educational status, 5th grade students were the group with statistically significantly lower correct answers (p=0.017) Conclusions: These results indicate that training approaches should be developed for anatomical landmarks with lower correct response rates. Dentists working on a complicated structure should have a good command of this anatomy, and for this purpose, efforts should be made during the teaching program on anatomical structures that are difficult to identify and keep their knowledge up to date.

Augmented reality: a new perspective in dental education

INTRODUCTION The Microsoft HoloLens is a mixed reality device with the capability to provide a real-time 3D platform using multiple sensors and holographic processing to display information, and even to simulate a virtual world. With rapidly evolving technology and virtual learning on the increase, the HoloLens can be used as a vital tool for education and surgical planning. The aim of this pilot study was to ascertain its benefit in dental education and in the surgical planning of complex oral surgery procedures. METHODS A cohort of postgraduate dentists working at the Eastman Dental Hospital in London were shown two holographic videos. Participation was voluntary and an email invitation was sent to all non-consultant grade dental staff across multiple dental specialties. The cases demonstrated were a mandibular third molar in close association with the inferior alveolar nerve and an impacted tooth. Each video had a narration and explanation by a consultant oral surgeon. After having watched the videos, participants were asked to rate seven statements using a Likert scale. RESULTS Eighty-two per cent of participants reported improved comprehension of orientating anatomical structures. All participants (100%) noted improved confidence in surgical planning. Ninety-four per cent believed that the technology was an invaluable surgical tool in postgraduate training. CONCLUSIONS Augmented reality has the potential to change the face of surgery in the 21st century. This technology can be used to improve surgical training, especially in an environment where hands-on training is limited and virtual learning is promoted.

The Impact of a Pandemic on a Military Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Biopsy Service.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the resulting societal reaction presented new challenges to the medical community by limiting patient access to care in 2020 and 2021. The Navy Postgraduate Dental School (NPDS) oral and maxillofacial pathology biopsy service is dependent on in-office physician or dentist appointments and patient biopsies. The purpose of this study was to understand the regulatory and societal impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on biopsy service submissions by assessing NPDS biopsy submission quantities and disease distribution. All NPDS oral and maxillofacial pathology biopsy submissions from calendar years 2015 to 2016 and 2019 to 2021 were evaluated, and patient demographics and biopsy diagnoses were recorded in a biopsy registry. Data collected included age, sex, biopsy site, and diagnosis. Data from 2015, 2016, and 2019 were defined as pre-COVID and 2020 and 2021 as COVID. Biopsy reports for each year were organized in quarters. Diagnoses were categorized as malignant, pre-malignant, or benign. Categorical and continuous data were evaluated and presented as counts with percentages and means or medians with standard deviations, respectively. Significant differences in proportions or means were assessed using chi-square analysis or Student t-test, respectively. Cases were aggregated by quarter and year and assessed for temporal trends using linear regression analysis. The study evaluated 9,351 biopsy submission reports. The annual pre-COVID count mean (± standard deviation) and yearly counts for 2020 and 2021 were 2,063 ± 33.3, 1,421, and 1,742, respectively. The mean (± standard deviation) percentage of diagnoses classified as malignant from pre-COVID, 2020, and 2021 were 2.46 ± 0.005%, 3.59%, and 3.04%, respectively. Case counts and representation as a percentage of all biopsy diagnoses for Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated squamous cell carcinoma increased significantly during COVID compared to pre-COVID years (P < .05). Overall, preventative COVID-19 health measures and protocols resulted in a reduction in biopsy submission frequency, particularly during the second quarter (April to June) of 2020. However, case counts for malignant biopsies remained consistent between pre-COVID and COVID time intervals, suggesting that the identification and analysis of cases requiring follow-on care were unaffected by COVID-19 protocols.

Advances in Surgical Template Design in Dental Implantology

Background: Expansion of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology and improvements in planning software have led to increased accuracy and precision in dental implant positioning and new applications for surgical templates in implantology. The objective of this report is to demonstrate the application of locally printed surgical templates in various dental implant surgeries and site development procedures. Methods: Nine patients were referred to the Department of Periodontics, Army Postgraduate Dental School, Postgraduate Dental College, Fort Eisenhower, GA, USA, for replacement of missing or hopeless teeth using dental implants. All surgeries were planned virtually and completed using customized surgical templates produced within the local facility. The presented cases demonstrate use of surgical templates to simplify surgery across a wide spectrum of clinical scenarios—placement of multiple adjacent implants, immediate implant placement, immediate provisionalization, sinus elevation in dentate and edentulous patients, removal of a retained root fragment in conjunction with implant surgery, alveoloplasty to increase interarch distance, and fully guided implant surgery. Results: In the presented dental implant surgeries, use of locally produced surgical templates permitted transfer of the planned implant positions to the patients with high reliability. Use of surgical templates in sinus elevation procedures ensured augmentation in the appropriate positions and simplified intraoperative management of complex anatomy. Conclusions: Specialized surgical templates have the potential to reduce the duration of surgery, limit patient morbidity, enhance communication among clinicians, and simplify the restorative phase of therapy. Accessibility to new technology has allowed implant surgeons to move beyond the era of accurate implant placement into a period characterized by creative solutions to clinical problems.

Attachment Loss Attributable to Third Molar Malposition/Extraction: The Case for Classification

Background: The 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases and Conditions established a periodontitis staging and grading scheme that—for the first time—integrates an assessment of disease severity with an appraisal of therapeutic complexity and risk for disease progression. Individuals exhibiting attachment loss attributable to third molar malposition or extraction represent a large cohort of non-periodontitis patients highly likely to respond favorably to treatment. The purpose of this clinical report is to illustrate the value in formally categorizing this common periodontal condition. Case Description: Two male patients were referred to the Department of Periodontics, Army Postgraduate Dental School, for evaluation of bone and attachment loss limited to distal surfaces of mandibular second molars. Each patient was treated using a combination of guided tissue regeneration and bone replacement grafts. Favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes were observed over follow-up periods ranging from 4 months to 4 years. Practical Implications: Many patients experiencing bone and attachment loss attributable to third molar malposition or extraction lack periodontitis risk factors/indicators, have low susceptibility to the disease, and are highly likely to respond favorably to treatment. Future classification systems of periodontal diseases and conditions should formally categorize this commonly encountered periodontal condition.

Evaluation of the accuracy of fully guided implant placement by undergraduate students and postgraduate dentists: a comparative prospective clinical study

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the accuracy of implant placement through three-dimensional planning and fully guided insertion, comparing outcomes between undergraduate and postgraduate surgeons.MethodsThirty-eight patients requiring 42 implants in posterior single-tooth gaps were enrolled from the University Clinic for Prosthodontics at the Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg and the Department of Prosthodontics, Geriatric Dentistry, and Craniomandibular Disorders of Charité University Medicine, Berlin. Twenty-two implants were placed by undergraduate students (n = 18), while 20 implants were placed by trainee postgraduate dentists (n = 5). Pre-operative intraoral scans and cone beam computed tomography images were performed for implant planning and surgical template fabrication. Postoperative intraoral scans were superimposed onto the original scans to analyze implant accuracy in terms of apical, coronal, and angular deviations, as well as vertical discrepancies.ResultsIn the student group, two implant insertions were performed by the assistant dentist because of intraoperative complications and, thus, were excluded from further analysis. For the remaining implants, no statistically significant differences were observed between the dentist and student groups in terms of apical (p = 0.245), coronal (p = 0.745), or angular (p = 0.185) implant deviations, as well as vertical discrepancies (p = 0.433).ConclusionsThis study confirms the viability of fully guided implant placement by undergraduate students, with comparable accuracy to postgraduate dentists. Integration into dental education can prepare students for implant procedures, expanding access and potentially reducing costs in clinical practice. Collaboration is essential for safe implementation, and future research should explore long-term outcomes and patient perspectives, contributing to the advancement of dental education and practice.Trial registration: DRKS, DRKS00023024, Registered 8 September 2020—Retrospectively registered, https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00023024.

The Dr. Robert J. Buhite, Sr. Post-Graduate Dental Implant Education Scholarship Fund.

The Dr. Robert J. Buhite, Sr. Post-Graduate Dental Implant Education Scholarship Fund.

The Prevalence, Severity and Pattern of First Permanent Molars’ Dental Caries in Children Attending A Postgraduate Dental Hospital: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: First permanent molars (FPMs) erupt early and their anatomy and location leave them susceptible to dental caries. This study aimed to retrospectively determine the prevalence, severity and pattern of dental caries of FPMs and investigate their relationship if any with demographics and medical health status of the partcipants. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. A sample of the digital case notes and radiographs of children aged 5 to 12 years who attended the only postgraduate dental hospital in Dubai were accessed. The recorded data included the children’s demographic variables and the carious status of each FPM as recorded in the notes on the initial assessment. Descriptive and statistical analyses were conducted (P&lt;0.05). Results: A total of 2984 FPMs were obtained from the digital records of 774 children. Their mean age was 8.07 (±2.23) years and only those that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The prevalence of dental caries and mean Decayed Missing Filled Surfaces of FPMs, were 42% and 0.3 (±0.04), respectively. The most prevalent decayed surface was the occlusal (29.2%), followed by mesial, buccal, palatal/ lingual, distal surfaces (24.2 %; 6.6 %; 3.1 %; 2.3 %) respectively. Children with medical problems and/or special needs had a significantly higher level of caries in the buccal surfaces (12.3%) (P=0.042). Conclusion: Caries of FPMs in a sample of Dubai children studied was prevalent, especially in those with special healthcare needs, thus indicating a necessity for targeted prevention and treatment focused on these keystone teeth.

Comparison between direct and indirect "digital image" dental visual shade matching considering the effect of clinical experience and gender.

Shade matching is an essential procedure to obtain an esthetic prosthesis. The Direct Visual Shade Matching (DSM) method using shade guides is the most used method by dentists. However, The Indirect Visual Digital Shade Matching (ISM) method based on digital imaging is concerned to be reliable and useful in determining shade matching in dental practice. Several factors such as method, clinical experience, and gender can affect the success of shade matching. This study aimed to compare these two methods and evaluate the effect of experience and gender on the results. Three volunteers' maxillary central incisor teeth were evaluated using (DSM) and (ISM) methods by 87 examiners (42 males, 45 females). These examiners were further divided into three groups based on their clinical experience: Undergraduate Preclinical Dental Students (UPDS) with 31 examiners, Undergraduate Clinical Dental Students (UCDS) with 34 examiners, and Postgraduate Dental Students from the Department of Prosthodontics (PDS) with 22 examiners. The spectrophotometer device results of three teeth were considered as a reference for shade matching. Statistical analyses of the data were performed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and Chi-square tests. No significant difference was found between indirect and direct methods according to Perfect Matches (p > 0.05). However, according to Shade Matching Deviation Score (SMDS) values a statistically significant difference was found between the two methods where the best result was obtained with the ISM method (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the PDS group and the other two groups in terms of clinical experience (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between gender groups (p > 0.05). Digital images, captured under standardized lighting conditions, may serve as a reliable alternative method for direct shade matching. The (ISM) method requires a camera, related accessories, and computer skills. However, as these tools are commonly available nowadays, the focus for practitioners should be on effectively learning and applying these tools to achieve the best results. While clinical experience plays a significant role in the shade matching process, gender does not appear to have a substantial influence. This study found no significant differences between the (DSM) and (ISM) methods, leaving the clinical relevance of this method open to debate. However, the ISM method yielded superior responses. Despite requiring specialized tools, conditions, and training, the widespread use of cameras and computers in modern clinics makes the necessary equipment and software readily available. This method enhances clinician-technician communication, potentially improving prosthesis esthetics and patient satisfaction, especially for less experienced clinicians or those with color deficiencies. Further research is crucial to determine its clinical significance.

Audit on Effectiveness of the Dental Information System Utilisation by Dental Post-graduates and Academicians at the Department of Restorative Dentistry

Abstract Introduction: A Dental Information System (DEISY) is a web-based application that facilitates data collection, retrieval of the history of patients and exchange of information on treatments performed for similar cases. Patient information and record keeping are essential for record management and follow-up for treatments conducted. A digital management system will improve the effectiveness and efficacy of the entire process. Aims: The aim of the study was to study the effectiveness of the DEISY system among dental post-graduates and the dental academicians of the restorative department. Methodology: Participants were required to fill out the questionnaire through the Google Form. Information gathered includes the clinician’s usage of DEISY, their experience, expectations and recommendations to improve the existing system for a more effective way of managing the patient’s healthcare records. The data were collected, and descriptive analysis was performed. Results: A total of 40 questionnaires were sent to the participants. About 70.4% of them responded that they will key in the patients, 29.6% of them will sometimes key in and about 7.4% of them will not key in these records at all. In line with this, approximately 66.7% responded that they will key in the outcome of the treatment on their own for each patient, whereas 7.4% do not key in the outcome of the treatment to the DEISY system. Conclusion: All participants realise the importance of the DEISY system but fail to utilise it due to technical difficulties. Without a doubt, utilising such system will provide more advantages than disadvantages.

Evaluation of Eye Safety Protocol in the Dental Office.

Ocular health is significant as undetected and untreated eye conditions can lead to vision loss and blindness. Usually, dentists, dental assisting staff, and patients undergoing frequent dental corrections are likely affected by eye injuries. This survey aimed to evaluate eye safety protocols in the dental fraternity. A prevalidated questionnaire was given to practicing graduate and postgraduate dentists to obtain details of the eye safety protocol they adopted. A total of 150 dentists approached; only 125 chose to participate in the survey and answered our questionnaire. Although most dentists used eye protection for themselves, primarily personal eyeglasses and face shields, eye injury was quite common in them. Data from this study revealed that the use of eye safety practices among the respondents could be improved. Clinicians should be aware that they are responsible for providing adequate eye protection for themselves and their assisting staff and patients.

Postgraduate Dental Students’ Knowledge Levels Toward Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws

Objective: Objective: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ), is often described as a side-effect of bisphosphonates within the dental school curriculum. However, as highlighted in the current literature, some antiresorptive and antiangiogenic drugs may also cause MRONJ. This study aimed to investigate the awareness and knowledge of post-graduate dental students (PDSs) from different specialty/doctoral programs towards MRONJ.&#x0D; Methods: An electronic questionnaire containing 28 questions in 3 different sections focusing on demographic characteristics, general information, and clinical attitude, was prepared. Two-thousand PDSs from 27 universities were invited to participate in the survey in December 2021. The obtained data were evaluated statistically using descriptive statistics and the Chi-Square test (p=.05).&#x0D; Results: The response rate of the survey was 10%. The number of PDSs showed a homogeneous distribution for each specialty, whereas the number of women participants was higher than that of men (p.05). PDSs had higher rates of correct answers to general information questions about antiresorptive drugs than for antiangiogenic drugs. 92% of participants stated that they obtained their knowledge about MRONJ from their undergraduate education.&#x0D; Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal the necessity of updating the dental school curriculum in line with the current literature on MRONJ, as well as including more postgraduate courses on MRONJ during the specialty/doctoral education period.