Sleep quality among family medicine physicians before and during COVID-19 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background: This study aimed to assess the sleep quality of family medicine physicians before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and to explore the associations between sleep quality and various demographic and health-related factors. Methods: A total of 109 family medicine physicians participated in this cross-sectional study. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was utilized to evaluate sleep quality, encompassing seven components: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction. Data were collected asking questions regarding both before and during the pandemic period. Descriptive statistics, paired-sample t-tests, and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis. Results: The study revealed significant changes in sleep quality components before and during the pandemic. While sleep latency and sleep duration improved, sleep disturbance, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction worsened during the pandemic. The overall global PSQI score indicated a decline in sleep quality during the pandemic. Females reported poorer sleep quality than males. Participants with general anxiety disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension experienced worse sleep quality. Other demographic and health-related factors exhibited mixed associations with sleep quality. Conclusions: The study highlights the nuanced impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sleep quality of family medicine physicians. The observed changes in sleep quality components and their associations with various factors underscore the need for tailored interventions to address sleep disturbances among healthcare professionals. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of sleep quality dynamics in the context of a global crisis and emphasize the significance of promoting well-being among healthcare providers for enhanced patient care.

Comparison of various pulpotomy techniques: coronal, cervical, and full pulpotomy

The preservation of deciduous teeth is crucial in pediatric dentistry to maintain normal speech, development, and self-esteem, while also preventing secondary issues like space loss and tooth impaction. Different materials and approaches have been explored over time, ranging from mummification to maintaining pulp vitality and promoting healing. In today's conservative dentistry, techniques like indirect pulp treatment and partial pulpotomy (PP) have gained popularity. Adults diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis due to deep caries often receive root canal therapy (RCT). However, coronal pulpotomy treatment (CPT) has emerged as an affordable alternative for those unable to afford RCT. CPT removes the coronal pulp, allowing the remaining pulp to remain vital. PP and complete pulpotomy are explored as treatments for teeth with signs of irreversible pulpitis. Success depends on eliminating infected tissue, using aseptic techniques, and achieving a tight restorative seal. Materials like MTA have shown favorable outcomes. Direct pulp therapy and PP can effectively preserve vital pulp in primary and young permanent teeth. The choice of pulpotomy material, such as MTA, plays a significant role in success rates.