Knowledge, Opinions, and Practices of Oral Cancer Prevention among Palestinian Practicing Dentists: An Online Cross-Sectional Questionnaire.

Oral-health professionals play a critical role in the early recognition and prevention of oral cancer; however, most patients are diagnosed in the advanced stages that demonstrate poor prognosis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge, opinions, and clinical practices of practicing dentists related to oral cancer prevention and oral mucosal screening in Palestine. This research used an online cross-sectional questionnaire design. Practicing dentists in Palestine completed the 44-item questionnaire encompassing the following four sections: (a) personal data (6 items); (b) oral cancer knowledge (21 items); (c) opinions and beliefs related to oral cancer (10 items); and (d) clinical practices related to oral cancer (7 items). The questionnaire was sent to all eligible participants (N = 650) between July and September of 2022. The response rate was 39.1% (N = 254). About 70.1% of the respondents had poor knowledge of oral cancer and its risk factors, and almost 84.3% had positive opinions related to oral cancer prevention and oral mucosal screening. Concerning the clinical practices, only 29.9% routinely examined their patients every time their patients visited. More experienced dentists showed significantly more positive opinions and better clinical practices related to oral cancer prevention and screening; however, they had significantly lower knowledge scores compared with the younger dentists (p < 0.05). Inadequate training was the most reported perceived boundary against routine oral cancer screening. Palestinian dentists appeared to have positive opinions related to oral cancer prevention and oral mucosal screening. However, the assessment of the knowledge and clinical practices revealed deficiencies in this regard.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of oral cancer prevention among dental students and interns: an online cross­sectional questionnaire in Palestine.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer is frequently characterized with an aggressive behavior and an unfavorable prognosis; however, it is generally associated with promising prognosis if detected early. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge, practices, and attitudes toward oral cancer prevention among dental students and interns; and to investigate the factors that influence their practices of oral cancer screening or prevention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted between March and April of 2022 on the fourth- and fifth-year undergraduate dental students and interns in the College of Dentistry at Arab American University in Palestine. A 48-item questionnaire which has 4 sections: demographics, knowledge, practices, and attitudes toward oral cancer prevention and early detection was sent to all eligible participants (N = 570). RESULTS: The response rate was 68.7% (N = 351). About 66.8% of the respondents had poor knowledge about oral cancer and its risk factors, and 85.5% had a poor practice of oral cancer early detection and prevention; however, the majority of the respondents (81.1%) had shown favorable attitudes toward oral cancer prevention. Interns had significantly better knowledge and attitude scores compared to the undergraduate dental students (P < 0.05). Lack of training, time, confidence, and effectiveness were stated among the barriers to oral cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the participants surveyed in this study appeared to lack adequate knowledge and skills in oral cancer prevention and early detection; however, they seemed to have good motivation and a good attitude toward oral cancer prevention training.

Immediate implant placement with socket shield technique in the maxilla: a prospective case series evaluation at 1-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this case series were to investigate the clinical, radiographic, implant success, complication incidence, esthetic, and patient-reported outcomes of 10 immediately placed implants associated with the socket shield technique at 12 months post-loading and to assess the ridge width changes that occurred at 8 months following implant placement. METHODS: A total of 10 patients received 10 socket shield immediate implants (MegaGen AnyRidge). At 8 months postimplantation, casts were made to assess the ridge width changes by measuring the ridge width at the implant sites and comparing them with the corresponding measurements at the contralateral tooth site. At 12 months post-loading, clinical indices, marginal bone loss, pink esthetic score, and patient-assessed outcomes were evaluated. The mean, standard deviation and median were calculated for all continuous variables. RESULTS: All implants demonstrated a 100% success rate, while 2 implants presented with external shield exposure that was managed successfully. The mean marginal bone loss was 0.08 ± 0.14 mm mesially and 0.21 ± 0.23 mm distally. Esthetic evaluation yielded an average modified pink esthetic score of 8.65. A mean gain of 0.17 mm in the facial-palatal ridge width was recorded at 8 months postimplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The socket shield technique enhanced the functional and esthetic results by preserving the alveolar bone and peri-implant soft tissues. However, this is a sensitive technique and still needs more robust evidence before it can be recommended for everyday clinical practice.

Socket shield technique and delayed implant placement in maxilla: a series of five case reports.

BACKGROUND: Tooth extraction is often followed by remodeling of hard and soft tissues, while socket shield technique has been proposed to prevent or minimize this remodeling. Socket shield accompanied with delayed implant placement is a novel technique that could be used when delayed implantation is selected; however, more scientific based evidence is required to recommend this technique as everyday clinical practice. Thus, the aim of this case series was to assess the clinical, radiographic, and esthetic outcomes of the delayed placed implants associated with previously prepared socket shield at 3-15 months follow-up after loading. The stability of the shield and the depth of soft tissue penetration palatal to the shield at reentry of 3-6 months were also assessed. CASES PRESENTATION: Five case reports of socket shield with delayed implant placement were described in the study. The facial shields were prepared and simultaneously the sockets were grafted with mineralized allograft particles, then the implants were placed 3-6 months later. Periodontal probe was used to measure the depth of soft tissue penetration palatal to the shield at reentry. Clinical indices of bleeding index, plaque index, and probing depths were recorded. Radiographic evaluation to record the amount of marginal bone loss post-loading, esthetic assessment using modified pink esthetic score, and patient assessed outcomes were also evaluated at 3-15 months follow-up after loading. At 3-6 months reentry, all shields were stable with maintenance of the facial bone and with extreme hard tissue formation in the sockets. All five implants were successful and functional without any pain or inflammation, with optimal soft tissue health and esthetics, and with minimal radiographic marginal bone loss at the last follow-up visit (3-15 months after loading). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, socket shield technique with delayed implant placement could be a predictable minimally invasive option for cases requiring delayed implant placement; however, a long-term well-designed clinical proof is warranted.

Does the Implant Surgical Technique Affect the Primary and/or Secondary Stability of Dental Implants? A Systematic Review.

Background. A number of surgical techniques for implant site preparation have been advocated to enhance the implant of primary and secondary stability. However, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the association between the surgical technique and implant stability. Purpose. This review aimed to investigate the influence of different surgical techniques including the undersized drilling, the osteotome, the piezosurgery, the flapless procedure, and the bone stimulation by low-level laser therapy on the primary and/or secondary stability of dental implants. Materials and methods. A search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and grey literature was performed. The inclusion criteria comprised observational clinical studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in patients who received dental implants for rehabilitation, studies that evaluated the association between the surgical technique and the implant primary and/or secondary stability. The articles selected were carefully read and classified as low, moderate, and high methodological quality and data of interest were tabulated. Results. Eight clinical studies were included then they were classified as moderate or high methodological quality and control of bias. Conclusions. There is a weak evidence suggesting that any of previously mentioned surgical techniques could influence the primary and/or secondary implant stability.