Lessons learned from the disruption of dental training of Malaysian students studying in Egypt during the Arab spring.

BACKGROUND: Political crisis and worsening security situation in Egypt in late 2013 resulted in Malaysian students who were pursuing their dental education in Egypt being recalled home to Malaysia. The Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia took steps to integrate these students into public and private universities in Malaysia. METHODS: We used a questionnaire and informal interviews to learn from students returning from Egypt about their experiences transitioning from dental schools in Egypt to Malaysia. RESULTS: We discuss the challenges students faced with regards to credit transfer, pastoral care, the differences in the curriculum between the dental faculties of the two nations, and the financial implications of this disruption of their training. DISCUSSION: We live in a fragile world where similar political situations will surely arise again. The approaches used by the Malaysian government and the lessons learned from these students may help others. The perspectives of these students may help educators reintegrate expatriate students who are displaced by political instability back into the education system of their own countries.

A Novel Technique To Correct Multiplanar Maxillary Hypoplasia.

Dental malocclusion and facial deformity are frequent observations in patients with clefts of the orofacial region. These patients have a low self perception secondary to their aesthetic appearance. Cleft palate patients are further affected in their speech and oral function with direct impediment to their quality of life. Early identification and treatment in cleft lip and palate patients may directly enhance their overall well being and productivity with sustainable prognosis when managed by skilled and evidence informed operators. We present a successful case management of a patient with a cleft palate and dentofacial deformity with a past surgical history, treated with an anterior maxillary advancement osteotomy, stabilized with an interpositional non vascular iliac bone graft. The posterior open bite was corrected using overlay full coverage crowns. Both these techniques are rarely reported in the literature. The procedure positively improved the quality of life in our patient with regards to her aesthetics, speech and function. This treatment approach could be considered in similar cases to achieve predictable outcomes.