Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Vaccine on Smokers and Diabetic Individuals: Unveiling the Efficacy and Unraveling Side Effects in Al Jouf Region, KSA.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine is crucial to inform individuals about the potential risks and benefits of vaccination and to provide appropriate medical care if necessary. The study aimed to assess the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on smokers and diabetic individuals and to investigate the occurrence of any side effects in the subpopulation of the Al Jouf region, KSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The questionnaire had three main sections: the first covered basic information including gender, age, general health status, place, socio-economic position, nationality, smoking, and diabetes. Section 2 included the COVID-19 vaccination status and side effects, and the third section dealt with the dental history. Informed consent was obtained from the recruited individuals. Participants completed a Google self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty participants responded to the survey forms. Similarly, for diabetics versus non-diabetics, there was no statistically significant difference in the type of vaccine received (chi-square value = 3.125, p-value = 0.682). For smokers versus non-smokers, the chi-square test showed a non-significant difference in side effects (chi-square = 2.56, p-value = 0.109), indicating that there was no significant difference in the side effects experienced by smokers and non-smokers. For diabetics versus non-diabetics, the chi-square test showed a non-significant difference in side effects (chi-square = 0.34, p-value = 0.560), indicating that there was no significant difference in the side effects experienced by diabetics and non-diabetics. CONCLUSION: Smokers and diabetics had higher harmful effects than non-smokers and non-diabetics. These findings need larger, robust trials to support treatment decision-making.

Systematic review fracture resistance of endodontically treated posterior teeth restored with fiber reinforced composites- a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Large cavity designs and access cavities impair endodontically treated tooth fracture resistance. As the tooth's strength is known to reduce significantly after the root canal treatment, occlusal loading as a result of functions such as chewing, biting and certain parafunctional tendencies makes the endodontically treated tooth vulnerable to fracture. Hence, after endodontic treatment, it is vital to give adequate and appropriate restorative material to avoid tooth fractures. Accordingly, the choice of such restorative material should be dictated by the property of fracture resistance. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to conduct a systematic review and critical analysis of available data from in vitro studies examining the fracture resistance of endodontically treated posterior teeth restored with fiber-reinforced composites. METHODOLOGY: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRIS-MA) Statement was used to guide the reporting of this systematic review A comprehensive literature search was performed using MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and LILACS. A manual search of the reference lists of the articles was also performed. The databases provided a total of 796 studies from the electronic systematic search. The databases provided a total of 796 studies from the electronic systematic search. Two reviewers scrutinized the papers for eligibility based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and extracted data. The studies were assessed for their potential risk of bias. Based on modified JBI & CRIS (checklist for reporting in vitro studies) guidelines, along with the methodology and treatment objective, we have formulated 13 parameters specifically to assess the risk of bias. A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for qualitative analysis. Considering the high heterogeneity of the studies included, a meta-analysis could not be performed. RESULTS: The majority of the included studies had a moderate or high risk of bias. When compared to traditional hybrid composites, fiber-reinforced composites showed increased fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth in the majority of investigations. On the other hand, limited evidence was found for the bulk fill composites. Moreover, moderate evidence was found for the fracture resistance of inlays and fiber posts with fiber-reinforced composites for core build-up in endodontically treated teeth. No evidence could be found comparing the fracture resistance of endo crowns and fiber-reinforced composites in endodontically treated teeth. CONCLUSION: According to the research, using fiber-reinforced composites instead of conventional hybrid composites improves the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth. However, there was a high risk of bias in the research considered. No judgments could be reached about the superiority of one material over another based-on comparisons between other core restorations.

Do learning style preferences influence the cumulative gross point average and self directed learning hours in dental students: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Learning styles influence the outcome of the student performances based on preliminary data available. To evaluate whether the learning styles discriminate the cumulative gross point average (CGPA) scores and self-directed learning hours (SDL) in an integrated curriculum of dental students. METHODS: Participants in this blinded cross-sectional study were dental students enrolled in the Bachelor of Dental & Oral Surgery program at XXXX College of Dentistry. An online survey (Kolb Learning Style Inventory) was used to collect data. It has four sections: Concrete Experience (CE), Abstract Conceptualization (AC), Reflective Observation (RO), and Active Experimentation (AE). Questionnaire was distributed electronically to students of Academic level 1 to 5, selected by using non-probability quota sampling technique. In addition to learning style assessment the questionnaire also included measures to obtain data such as gender, academic level, CGPA score, and SDL hours of participants. The CGPA scores were categorized into average (3 to 3.6), good (3.7 to 4.2), excellent (4.3 to 4.7) and outstanding (> 4.7) as well as SDL in to three classes as, < 1 h, > 1 but < 3 h and > 3 h. Discriminant function test was computed to assess the effectiveness of discrimination by the learning styles in GPA and SDL. RESULTS: The study's questionnaire was completed by 198 participants (43% females and 57% males). Learning styles were discriminated by excellent category of CGPA scores that presented 72.1% group membership whereas in case of outstanding category presented the least as 17% group membership. Learning styles were discriminated by > 2 but < 3 h category of SDL hours that presented 69.7% group membership. CONCLUSION: Learning styles can be used to discriminate the student academic performances and self-directed learning hours. Among the different category of CGPA participants with outstanding performance represent a good prediction for learning styles preferences. Participants with varying SDL hours also influenced the learning styles.