Awareness of undergraduate dental students, interns, and freshly graduated dentists about oral manifestation associated with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: There is growing evidence supporting the presence of oral manifestations associated with COVID-19. The study investigates the knowledge of dental undergraduates and recently graduated dentists concerning oral presentations related to COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study in Saudi Arabia comprised 305 individuals, including undergraduate dental students, interns, and freshly graduated dentists. Data were collected using a questionnaire disseminated to approximately 500 subjects via WhatsApp groups and other applications. The questionnaire was tested in a pilot study for validity, edited, and validated by 2 supervisors at the College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding sociodemographic attributes, the level of expertise of dental practitioners, and their knowledge and perspectives regarding COVID-19 and the implementation of oral lesions interrelated to it. The data was subjected to analysis through the utilization of descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, employing the statistical software SPSS (version 24). RESULTS: About 43.9% of subjects stated that COVID-19 causes oral symptoms. Respondents most frequently reported COVID-19-related dry mouth. Oral ulcers, Candida infection, Hyperpigmentation, tongue coating, atrophy, Petechiae, Herpes, white lesions, Gingivitis, and Periodontitis are further symptoms. COVID-19's oral manifestation was unknown to 41.0% of subjects, and 37.7% of respondents lacked knowledge regarding the most impacted locations of oral manifestations. Oral signs and COVID-19 symptoms are debated and significantly associated with higher educational levels. CONCLUSION: The dental students and freshly graduated dentists in this study have proper knowledge of COVID-19 and its symptoms. Also, most dental students and newly graduated dentists recognize the potential correlation between COVID-19 and oral manifestations with an average to excellent knowledge of the types and sites commonly affected. The level of awareness was associated with higher educational levels.

Knowledge, awareness, and perception of dental students, interns, and freshly graduated dentists regarding dental implant complications in Saudi Arabia: a web-based anonymous survey.

BACKGROUND: It is necessary for dental students and freshly graduated dentists to apply their education and practice to different clinical and preclinical procedures. The implant success rate and durability are high. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the level of knowledge, awareness and perception of dental students, interns and freshly graduated students regarding dental implant complications in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design using a web-based method was conducted at different dental institutions in Saudi Arabia from December 2019 to March 2020. Data were collected from all (n = 288) undergraduate students, interns and freshly graduated dentists using a pretested standardized self-administered web-based questionnaire that was prepared and circulated using a template provided by Google Forms (Google, Inc., USA). Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed to analyse the data using SPSS (version 20). RESULTS: A total of 288 participants completed the questionnaire, with a response rate of 83.4%. Of the total participants, 37.5% showed a good level of knowledge regarding dental implant procedures, and 38.9% showed the same level of knowledge regarding implant complications. The most important cause of complications associated with dental implants was case selection, which accounted for 54.17%. Most participants (58.33%) chose massive bone loss related to implant failure as the most common late dental complication, while 26.39% chose postoperative infection as the most common early dental complication. In addition, 30.56% of the participants selected screw loosening as the most frequent mechanical complication. However, lack of implant primary stability was the most common hard-tissue implant complication. Based on aesthetic and reversible complications, restorations that were too buccal or too palatal and prosthetic-related, respectively, were the least common dental implant complications. CONCLUSIONS: The level of knowledge among participants regarding dental implant complications differed among the institutions participating in this study. This difference reflects a significant variation that necessitates reviewing and standardizing dental implant curricula among these institutions.

Consequences of 660 nm Diode Laser Following Postsurgical Exodontia in Patients under Contraceptive Pills: A Randomized Double-blinded Clinical Trial.

AIM: The photobiomodulation (PBM) effect of 660 nm diode laser in reducing pain, edema, trismus and promote healing subsequently to the transalveolar extraction of mandibular third molars in female patients taking contraceptive pills were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty female patients participated in our study. The 660 nm diode laser was applied immediately on randomly selected patients of the study group (n = 25) over the surgical site for 1 minute with continuous laser beam application. For the control group (n = 25), the same extraction procedure was performed without the application of 660 nm diode laser. Pain intensity, swelling, trismus, and healing was evaluated before extraction and during recall visits 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days postoperatively. RESULTS: The values of pain, swelling, and trismus were significantly inferior in the study group compared to the control group (p < 0.05) at T2 and T3; while the values of the healing index were significantly superior in the study group compared to the control group (p < 0.001) at T1, T2, and T3. CONCLUSION: Using 660 nm diode laser reduced the postsurgical discomforts (pain, edema, and trismus) and promote healing associated following transalveolar extraction of the lower third molar. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: To develop a framework based on the results regarding the PBM effect of 660 nm diode laser following transalveolar extraction of lower third molar in a female patient taking oral contraceptive pills, which may help to improve the treatment services provided to the community.

Advances in nanotechnology and antibacterial properties of biodegradable food packaging materials.

A large number of non-biodegradable and non-renewable materials are produced daily for application as food packaging materials. These waste materials have a greatly negative effect on our health and the ecosystem. The idea of a bio-based economy is steadily gaining attention from the scientific, societal, and financial communities, so there are several areas in which the intended approaches can be improved for this reason. Therefore, creating biopolymer-based materials from natural sources, including polysaccharides and proteins, is a good alternative to non-renewable fossil resources. In the current review paper, we plan to summarize the major recent findings in food biodegradable packaging materials that include nanotechnology either directly or indirectly. Several natural nano-materials applied in food packaging applications such as polymers, polysaccharides, and protein-based nano-materials have been included in order to make special biopolymer hosts for nanocomposites. Finally, this review will highlight the antibacterial properties of commonly used nanoparticles or nanomaterials.

Thymoma associated myasthenia gravis with atypical presentation of lipomatous tongue atrophy: a case report.

A 28-year-old female patient came to the outpatient dental clinic for multiple teeth extractions and full mouth rehabilitation suffer from myasthenia gravis (MG) primary presentation as tongue atrophy and facial muscles weakness and the symptoms became worries, the patient unable to speak as well and change her voice and complaining of dysphagia and dysarthria. Oral symptoms, treatment schedule and protocol, the selection, prescription and impacts of medications, and prevention of myasthenic crisis are all important; aspects should be considered by dentists and oral health care providers. Weakness of facial and oropharyngeal muscle is considered very popular at disease onset and therefore oral health providers are often the first medical professionals to observe these patients. Myasthenic patients seek particular approach and consultation in order to ensure ideal and proper dental management.

Evaluation of Serum Desmoglein 1 and Desmoglein 3 in Oral Erosive Lichen Planus before and after Topical Application of Tacrolimus.

AIM: The current study will attempt to throw light on the role of desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3 in the pathogenesis of erosive lichen planus and their response to topical application of tacrolimus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with erosive oral lichen planus received tacrolimus ointment three times daily for eight weeks. Assessments using the clinical score and a visual analog scale were recorded at each visit. Serum concentrations of circulating autoantibodies to desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3 will be determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at baseline, four weeks and eight weeks after treatment. Statistical software SPSS v.17.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: All patients showed significant improvement in all outcomes within the follow-up periods when compared with the baseline (p < 0.05). The mean value of the visual analog scale were 8.30 ± 1.49, 4.15 ± 1.14, 2.10 ± 0.91, 0.90 ± 0.79, and 0.0 ± 0.0 starting from baseline to the end of follow up period. The mean value of the clinical score were 4.7 ± 0.48, 2.9 ± 1.29, 1.8 ± 1.32, 1.31 ± 0.69, and 0.69 ± 0.09 starting from baseline to the end of follow-up period. There was a significant decrease in the levels of anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3, during the follow-up period (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The concluded data suggest that antibodies against desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3 seem to play a key role in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus. Also, there is a significant decrease in the level of anti-Dsgl and anti-Dsg3 autoantibodies with topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Monitoring the serum level of antibodies against keratinocyte cadherins Dsg 1 and Dsg 3 can be used to evaluate the effect of topical application of tacrolimus on Erosive Oral lichen planus.