ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is the process by which it is possible to program computers to mimic human thoughts. AI and its subsets machine learning and deep learning have been developed to analyze complicated data gathered from many sources using algorithms built into decision support systems. It has been widely used in the field of dentistry. AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of AI among dental students and dentists. METHODOLOGY: The present study is a descriptive cross-sectional online survey that was carried out among dentists and dental students in South India. A self-structured, close-ended questionnaire that was administered that consisted of 25 questions was included. The questions were circulated through Google Forms (Google LLC, Mountain View, California, United States), and it was circulated among the study participants through online mode. The data were collected systematically, and SPSS Statistics version 22.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) was used for data analysis. RESULTS: One thousand (595 dental surgeons and 405 dental students) participated in the study through Google Forms. Among these, 700 (70%) were females and 300 (30%) were males. In the study group, 635 (63.5%) were aware of AI, and 365 (36.5%) were not aware (p-value 0.000). Among the 21 questions used to assess the KAP, 14 questions were significant with a p-value less than 0.05. More than 60% agreed that the dental curriculum has to be updated with AI. About 269 (26.9%) agreed that AI will replace the role of dentists in the future. There were no significant results in comparing dental surgeons and dental students. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the KAP among dental surgeons and dental students was the same. They believe that the dental curriculum has to be updated with AI. This study shows that there is a lack of knowledge about deep learning models and websites used for AI among dentists. Thus, it is necessary to include evidence-based teaching and training about the application of AI in dental practice to improve the future of dentistry.
ABSTRACT
Cemento-ossifying fibroma is a benign fibro-osseous lesion arising from the periodontal ligament and has the potential to form cementum and bone in the periodontal ligament. Cemento-ossifying fibroma is a painless, pedunculated, or sessile, smooth exophytic growth arising attached to the gingival tissues. We present a case of cemento-ossifying fibroid epulis in the posterior maxilla attached to the interdental gingiva between the 26 and 27 region buccally in a 52-year-old female patient managed with surgical excision of the lesion, extraction of the involved teeth, curettage, and palatal obturator while under general anesthesia. The patient was followed up post-operatively, healing was satisfactory, there were no signs of infection, and no recurrence was noted in the six-month follow-up period.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the histopathological changes in oral tissues induced by pesticide poisoning. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional pilot study. The sample consisted of oral tissues obtained from deceased patients during autopsy. The study samples were obtained from 10 cases of ingested pesticide poisoning, and the control samples were obtained from road traffic accident cases. All the obtained samples were subjected to histopathological examinations. The changes observed in poisoning cases were compared to those in the road traffic accident cases. RESULTS: Significant degenerative changes were observed in the epithelial cells and connective tissue components, such as collagen, muscles, nerves, vasculature, adipose tissue, and salivary acini and ducts, in the poisoning cases. The oral tissues of the road traffic accident cases did not show any significant degenerative changes. CONCLUSION: The degenerative changes in the study samples can be attributed to the direct contact of the pesticide with the autopsied oral tissues when the poison was consumed. There are instances in which the entire body may not be recovered or may not be in an examinable state. In such cases, an oral autopsy could provide additional evidence for determining the cause of death in suspected poison cases.
