Awareness, attitude and ethical concern of dental practitioners about stem cells: a cross-sectional study / Consciência, atitude e preocupação ética dos dentistas sobre as células-tronco: um estudo transversal

Objective: To evaluate the level of awareness and attitude among dental practitioners regarding the use of stem cells in dentistry and to determine their knowledge of ethical concerns related to the recent therapy. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted at Taibah University Dental College and Hospital. Medina and at governmental and private dental clinics at the western region of Saudi Arabia. Responses of dental practitioners who completed the survey were recorded between March 2019 and July 2019 without containing any personal identifiers. Level of awareness and attitude and knowledge about ethical issues in relation to stem cell therapy was established. Results: A total of 214 male and female dental practitioners participated in this study and the majority were registered at the Saudi Commission for Health Specialists 128 (59.8%). Dental consultants reported the highest percentage of awareness about dental stem cells (96%, p= 0.005), whereas general dental practitioners (56.2%, p= 0.005) and specialists (52%, p= 0.005), respectively had a lower percentage. When ethical concerns were determined, dental consultants had the highest percentage of knowledge (56%, p= 0.005), whereas dental practitioners (71.2%, p= 0.005) with < 5 years of experience (69.1, p= 0.002) lacked information about related ethical issues. Conclusion: Ways to increase stem cell awareness among dental practitioners in this study recommended including stem cell topics in the dental curriculum and organizing frequent seminars and conferences on this subject. (AU)

Objetivo: Avaliar o nível de consciência e a atitude dos dentistas em relação ao uso de células-tronco na odontologia, e determinar o conhecimento desses profissionais sobre as questões éticas relacionadas à terapia recente. Material e Métodos: Um estudo transversal baseado em pesquisa foi conduzido na Faculdade e Hospital de Odontologia da Universidade Taibah de Medina e em clínicas odontológicas governamentais e privadas na região oeste da Arábia Saudita. As respostas dos dentistas que responderam à pesquisa foram registradas entre março de 2019 e julho de 2019, sem conter nenhum identificador pessoal. Foi estabelecido o nível de consciência, atitude e conhecimento sobre questões éticas em relação à terapia com células-tronco. Resultados: Um total de 214 dentistas do sexo masculino e feminino participaram deste estudo, sendo 128 (59,8%) desses cadastrada na Comissão Saudita de Especialistas em Saúde. Os consultores em odontologia relataram o maior percentual de conhecimento sobre as células-tronco dentárias (96%, p = 0,005), enquanto os dentistas gerais (56,2%, p = 0,005) e especialistas (52%, p = 0,005) tiveram um percentual menor. Quando as questões éticas foram determinadas, os consultores em odontologia tiveram o maior percentual de conhecimento (56%, p = 0,005), enquanto os dentistas (71,2%, p = 0,005) com menos de 5 anos de experiência (69,1%, p = 0,002) tinham menos informações sobre questões éticas relacionadas. Conclusão: Formas de aumentar a conscientização sobre as células-tronco entre os dentistas deste estudo incluem tópicos sobre células-tronco no currículo de odontologia, além de frequentemente organizar seminários e conferências sobre o assunto. (AU)

Antibiotic Self-Medication for Oral Conditions: Characteristics and Associated Factors

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and contributing factors of antibiotic selfmedication for oral conditions in dental patients. Material and Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 501 patients attending Taibah University Dental College and Hospital, Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia during late 2016. Questions were on socio-demographic characteristics, and pattern of antibiotic self-medication for oral disease. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS software version 21. Statistical significance level was set at p ≤.05. Results: Age range was 15-64 years (29.08±9.32 years) with 297 females (59.3%) and 204 males (40.7%). 135 patients (27%) self-medicated with antibiotics for oral disease. This practice was statistically significantly associated with the older adults (p=0.001), lack of medical or dental insurance (p=0.014 and 0.007, respectively), and poor dental attendance (p=0.021). A number of 26 (25.7%) perceived analgesics as antibiotics. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was the most commonly cited antibiotic by 18 patients (17.8%). Dental pain was the most frequently reported oral condition. Pharmacists were the most common source for antibiotic prescription cited by 58 (57.4%). Conclusion: Antibiotic self-medication for oral disease is associated with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for non-indicated clinical oral conditions. The practice was encouraged by lenient behavior of pharmacists, lack of health insurance, and poor dental attendance.

Arabic Coffee as a Potential Alternative to Black Coffee in the Post- Bleaching Period: An in-vitro Study

Objective: To investigate the effect of Arabic coffee on bleached teeth in comparison to black coffee. Material and Methods: Forty teeth (sound maxillary or mandibular premolars with no carious lesions) were randomly selected into 4 groups (A, B, C and D). One group (A) did not receive bleaching and was incubated in saline. The second group (B) was bleached and then incubated in saline. The last two groups were bleached and were immersed in either Arabic coffee (C) or black coffee (D). Color recording of the samples was always carried out as near to their mid-buccal surfaces as possible using VITA Easyshade Advance System. Color measurements were carried out using a digital spectrophotometer at baseline and after short-term and long-term immersion. Data were subjected to two way ANOVA and T-test. The level of significance was set at was set at 0.05. Results: Results show that immersion in Arabic coffee resulted only in significant reduction in the b* color value upon long-term immersion (i.e. a reduction in the yellow hue). Black coffee on the other hand resulted in significant: reduction in lightness, increased red tint and increased yellow hue altogether. Conclusion: The use of Arabic coffee did not deteriorate color, with the only significant change being the reduction of yellowish hue. Arabic coffee could be an alternative to black coffee after bleaching.