Application of the European-modified dental clinical learning environment inventory (DECLEI) in dental schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate undergraduate dental students' self-perceptions of their clinical dental environment using a valid, concise and more practical version of the Dental Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (DECLEI) questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 24-item DECLEI was self-administered to fourth- and fifth-year undergraduate dental students from public and private dental schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the 2014-2015 academic year. Factor analysis revealed three underlying factors associated with the clinical learning environment. Independent sample t-tests were used to evaluate any associations amongst the items, the factors, the total DECLEI score and other demographic variables. For the scoring system, 6-point Likert scale responses were scored on a 100% scale ranging from excellent to poor. RESULTS: The mean DECLEI total score was 64.1 (good) of 100. Amongst the factors, the highest mean score, 71.3 (good), was obtained for the patient interactions and professionalism, and the lowest mean score, 50.2 (moderate), was observed for all the negatively worded statements in the DECLEI. The instrument exhibited good discriminant validity as it was able to record significant differences between genders and between public and private institutions in the total DECLEI, the factors and most of the items scored. CONCLUSIONS: The new DECLEI scale identified several areas of strength and some aspects that could be improved. Overall, the dental students rated the clinical undergraduate programme as more positive than negative.

Shear peel bond strength of compomers veneered to amalgam.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The practice of veneering compomers to amalgam restorations has not been studied. PURPOSE: This in vitro study was designed to assess the shear peel bond strength and fracture pattern of 3 currently available compomers veneered to amalgam. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty cylindrical preparations were filled with amalgam. Half (30) had no surface treatment, whereas the other half were air abraded. In both groups, 10 specimens each were veneered with Dyract AP, Hytac, and F2000 according to the manufacturers' instructions. All samples were kept at 37 degrees C in 100% relative humidity for 48 hours. SPBS was assessed with a universal testing machine and fracture patterns with a stereomicroscope. The results were analyzed with 2-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test. RESULTS: Dyract AP veneered to air-abraded amalgam had the highest SPBS (5.78 +/- 1.30 MPa); F2000 veneered to non-air-abraded amalgam had the lowest (2.99 +/- 1.4 MPa). Sandblasting significantly influenced SPBS in the case of Hytac (P<.02) and F2000 (P<.01). Within the non-air-abraded group, Dyract AP had significantly higher SPBS than Hytac (P<.03) and F2000 (P<.015). F2000 air-abraded specimens exhibited adhesive bond failure only, whereas all other groups showed both adhesive and combined bond failures. CONCLUSION: Of the 3 compomers tested for veneering to amalgam, Dyract AP showed the highest SPBS. Air-abrading the amalgam surface was found to improve the SPBS of Dyract AP, though not significantly. Low SPBS and poor adhesion indicated that F2000 is unsuitable for veneering amalgam.

Effect of bonded amalgam restorations on microleakage.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate quantitatively the effectiveness of adhesive dentin bonding systems in decreasing microleakage at the tooth-amalgam restoration interface. The results indicated that microleakage was significantly reduced when Amalgambond Plus or All-Bond 2 was used as liners in comparison to either Copalite varnish or no linear under amalgam restorations. No significant difference was found between the two dentin bonding systems at all time periods studied.