The Use of Bio-Inks and the Era of Bioengineering and Tooth Regeneration

Abstract Objective: To review existing literature and provide an update on the current use of Bio-Inks and potential future use. Material and Methods: A MeSH keyword search was conducted to find out relevant articles for this short review. Results: Bio inks used in 3D printing grafting require various properties essential for the selection. Combining multiple methods and improved properties is essential for developing successful bio-inks for 3D grafting of functional tissues and tooth pulp regeneration from stem cells. To date, researchers have made many efforts to grow teeth based on stem cells and inculcate regeneration of teeth along with surrounding tissues like alveolar bones and periodontal ligaments. Conclusion: 3D printing with Bio-Inks requires strict adherence to safety protocols for successful outcomes, making it difficult to employ this routinely.

COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and awareness among preclinical and clinical dental students: an online-based cross-sectional survey / Conocimiento, actitud y conciencia de COVID-19 entre estudiantes de odontología preclínica y clínica: una encuesta transversal en línea

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the understanding and perception of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among the undergraduate preclinical and clinical dental students within Pakistan. Material and Methods: An online survey was developed by the researchers and conducted amongst the undergraduate students at various dental colleges of Pakistan. A pretested questionnaire was used and distributed using social media platforms. The questionnaire consisted of demographics, health status, perception related to general hygiene, understanding and learning attitudes of dental students. Knowledge scores and the attitude responses were compared with the demographics using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and chi-square, as appropriate. Results: A total of 800 undergraduate dental students responded to the survey, out of which 304(38%) were males and 496(62%) were female students. Students in pre-clinical years were 600(75%), while 200(25%) students were in the clinical years. The knowledge of clinical students regarding COVID-19 was statistically higher (4.71/6), compared to the students in pre-clinical years (4.49/6) (p=0.004). Both groups showed adequate knowledge regarding the route of transmission, symptoms and origin of COVID-19, and COVID-19 being a threat to life. Clinical students did not want to re-use the face mask (75%), compared to the preclinical students (68%) (p-0.048). Students in clinical years reported more awareness regarding the recommended hand washing technique during COVID-19 (p-<0.0 01). Conclusion: It can be concluded that dental students in clinical years have adequate knowledge regarding the COVID-19 as compared to the preclinical students. The study identifies all areas where preclinical and clinical students lack basic knowledge. This should be compensated by arranging different webinars and online courses to increase the understanding of both clinical and preclinical students during the pandemic.

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la comprensión y la percepción de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) entre los estudiantes de pregrado de odontología clínica y preclínica en Pakistán. Material y Métodos: Los investigadores desarrollaron una encuesta en línea que se llevó a cabo entre los estudiantes de pregrado de varias facultades de odontología de Pakistán. Se utilizó y distribuyó un cuestionario, previamente probado, a través de plataformas de redes sociales. El cuestionario comprendía datos demográficos, estado de salud, percepción relacionada con la higiene general, comprensión y actitudes de aprendizaje de los estudiantes de odontología. Las puntuaciones de conocimiento y las respuestas de actitud se compararon con los datos demográficos mediante la prueba t independiente, ANOVA de una vía y chi-cuadrado, según corresponda. Resultados: Un total de 800 estudiantes de odontología de pregrado respondieron a la encuesta, de los cuales 304 (38%) eran hombres y 496 (62%) eran mujeres. Los estudiantes en los años preclínicos eran 600 (75%), mientras que 200 (25%) estaban cursando años clínicos. El conocimiento de los estudiantes de clínica sobre COVID-19 fue estadísticamente mayor (4.71/6), en comparación con los estudiantes en años preclínicos (4.49/6) (p=0.004). Ambos grupos mostraron un conocimiento adecuado sobre la vía de transmisión, síntomas y origen de COVID-19, y que COVID-19 es una amenaza para la vida. Los estudiantes en fase clínica no querían reutilizar la mascarilla (75%), en comparación con los estudiantes preclínicos (68%) (p-0.048). Los estudiantes en años clínicos informaron más conciencia sobre la técnica de lavado de manos recomendada durante COVID-19 (p<0,001). Conclusión: Se puede concluir que los estudiantes de odontología en años clínicos tienen un conocimiento adecuado sobre el COVID-19 en comparación con los estudiantes en años preclínicos. El estudio identifica todas las áreas donde los estudiantes clínicos y no clínicos carecen de conocimientos básicos. Esto debe compensarse organizando diferentes seminarios web y cursos en línea para aumentar la comprensión de los estudiantes clínicos y no clínicos durante la pandemia.

Osteopenia and osteoporosis; frequency among females

Objective: Osteopenia and osteoporosis are one of the main health concerns of Pakistani females now days. Our objective was to study the frequency of osteopenia and osteoporosis among females in the Faisalabad and its suburbs

Material and Methods: Study was initiated after approval of Ethical Review Committee. It was an observational cross sectional study conducted by the Department of Community Medicine, University Medical and Dental College Faisalabad in a private sector university of Faisalabad city and a private clinic in People's colony, Faisalabad. Study included a total of 600 women. Convenient sampling was done. Study was conducted from 1[st] January 2013 to 30[th] September 2013 in six different sessions. Age, marital status, education, socio-economic status [SES], occupation, parity and residence were variables of interest. Bone Mineral Density [BMD] was tested using calcaneal quantitative ultrasound machine and right heel of participant. Machine converted the BMD values into TScore. According to the recommendations of World Health Organization [WHO] participant was considered normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic. SPSS version 16 for windows was used to analyze data. Results were considered significant if p - value was < 0.05

Results: Our results reflected that 72.9% of study participants were osteopenic while 2.4 % were osteoporotic and 24.7% were normal. By place of residence no significant difference was observed, 48% of rural population and 47% of urban population was osteopenic and insignificant correlation was found [p=0.438]. However, 46.77% and 10% of urban participants were normal and osteoporotic respectively. Education in relation to osteopenia and osteoporosis revealed that 42% of educated females were osteopenic while 31.33% of illiterate females were osteopenic [p > 0.05]. 69.88% married females were osteopenic and 43.22% unmarried females were osteopenic [p < 0.001]

Conclusions: In our study frequency of osteopenia and osteoporosis was significantly high in all age groups. There is need for large-scale population-based studies using calcaneal quantitative ultrasound or DEXA scan to assess the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in the community. Further health education with special reference to balanced diet should be imparted to target population