The knowledge regarding the impacts and management of black triangles among dental professionals and laypeople.

This study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding impacts, causes and management of black triangles (BT) among participants from different educational backgrounds including dental students, dentists and laypeople. This descriptive cross-sectional observational research included 435 participants who comprised 4 groups: pre-clinical (3rd year) dental students, clinical (4th and 5th year) dental students, dentists, and laypeople. A constructed self-reported questionnaire was utilized to assess participants' demographic data and their knowledge of the impacts, causes and management of BT. The VAS scale was used to assess participants' ratings for the impacts of BT on esthetics, with 0 meaning no impact and 10 meaning very severe negative impacts. The most reported treatments for BT were "cannot be treated" 99.3% and "non-surgical periodontal treatment" 67.1%. Meanwhile, the least reported was "modify the porcelain" 41.8%. The most reported cause of BT was "periodontal disease" 85.1%. However, the least reported were "parafunction" and "deep implants" 33.1% each. Dental professionals had better knowledge of the causes (t = 8.189, P < 0.001) and management (t = 8.289, P < 0.001) of BT than the non-dental participants. The dentists had the best knowledge, while the laypeople had the least knowledge of the causes (F = 62.056, P < 0.001) and treatment (F = 46.120, P < 0.001) of BT. The knowledge of the causes (t = 0.616, P = 0.538) and treatment (t = 1.113, P = 0.266) for BT was not significantly different between males and females. Age was not significantly related to the total knowledge about the causes (r = -0.034, P = 0.475) or treatment (r = -0.034, P = 0.482) for BT. Dental professionals had better knowledge of the impacts, causes and management of BT than the non-dental participants. The dentists were the best, while the laypeople were the worst in this regard. Age and gender had no relationships with the knowledge of causes or management of BT.

Evaluation of Oral Changes Among Tobacco Users of Aljouf Province, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To know the prevalence of tobacco associated changes among male population of Aljouf province of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 536 male subjects with positive history of tobacco habits. All the participants were asked to fill a questionnaire regarding the habit details and were examined clinically for the oral changes. RESULTS: Majority of the subjects used tobacco in smoked form (69.0%). Out of the 536 patients with tobacco smoking and chewing habits 72% showed changes in oral mucosa. Smokers melanosis (43.28%) was the most commonly observed oral change followed by leukoedema (27.05%) and smoker's palate (22.76%). Leukoplakia (3.17%) was the most commonly seen premalignant lesion. CONCLUSION: The study confirms the fact that use of tobacco can be positively correlated to the occurrence of various benign, premalignant and malignant oral changes. This study aids in creating awareness among the public regarding the deleterious effects of tobacco and may motivate them for cessation of tobacco use.