Equine cheek tooth repulsion using small diameter repulsion pins: 20 cases.

BACKGROUND: Reported complication rates after dental repulsion for equine exodontia are high (up to 80%), but repulsion methods have changed notably in the last 20 years. OBJECTIVES: Describe the outcome for 20 cases after dental repulsion using small diameter repulsion pins. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Records of horses that underwent cheek tooth repulsion were reviewed (2014-2023). Inclusion criteria included: mandibular or maxillary cheek tooth extraction where oral extraction failed and repulsion was used to complete extraction, and where clinical follow up information was available. Repulsions were carried out under sedation with a regional nerve block or under a short general anaesthetic, using a small diameter repulsion pin (3-5 mm). Intra-operative radiographs facilitated instrument placement. The alveolus was packed with polymethyl methacrylate post-extraction. Horses were re-examined at 4-6 weeks post-operatively. RESULTS: Twenty cases were included. Patients had a mean age of 10.3 years old (range 5-16 years). The majority (75%) of teeth had pre-existing dental fractures. Maxillary (n = 15) and mandibular cheek teeth (n = 5) were all successfully repulsed, with 16 cases performed with the horse standing and 4 with the horse under general anaesthesia. Intra-operative complications included damage to the mandibular bone (n = 1). Short-term complications (n = 2) included superficial surgical site infection, and dehiscence of one sinus flap. Long-term complications included the recurrence of sinusitis (n = 1) and small intra-alveolar fragments causing persistent bitting problems in another patient. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study design, small number of cases. CONCLUSIONS: When oral extraction fails, cheek tooth repulsion using small diameter repulsion pins is an effective extraction technique. The total intra- and post-operative complication rate was 25%, which is comparable to previously published complication rates for repulsion using Steinmann pins and also those encountered after trans-buccal screw extraction.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on 397 631 elective dental admissions among the under-25s in England: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 caused widespread disruptions to health services worldwide, including reductions in elective surgery. Tooth extractions are among the most common reasons for elective surgery among children and young people (CYP). It is unclear how COVID-19 affected elective dental surgeries in hospitals over multiple pandemic waves at a national level. METHODS: Elective dental tooth extraction admissions were selected using Hospital Episode Statistics. Admission trends for the first 14 pandemic months were compared with the previous five years and results were stratified by age (under-11s, 11-16s, 17-24s). RESULTS: The most socioeconomically deprived CYP comprised the largest proportion of elective dental tooth extraction admissions. In April 2020, admissions dropped by >95%. In absolute terms, the biggest reduction was in April (11-16s: -1339 admissions, 95% CI -1411 to -1267; 17-24s: -1600, -1678 to -1521) and May 2020 (under-11s: -2857, -2962 to -2752). Admissions differed by socioeconomic deprivation for the under-11s (P < 0.0001), driven by fewer admissions than expected by the most deprived and more by the most affluent during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Elective tooth extractions dropped most in April 2020, remaining below pre-pandemic levels throughout the study. Despite being the most likely to be admitted, the most deprived under-11s had the largest reductions in admissions relative to other groups.

Oral health, dental treatment, and medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw in multiple myeloma - a longitudinal cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to investigate oral health status, oral health related quality of life, and identify risk factors associated with invasive dental treatment and medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with multiple myeloma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma (n = 144) referred between January 2015 and September 2022 were retrospectively included. The patients underwent a thorough clinical and radiological oral examination and odontogenic infections were treated before the start of bisphosphonate treatment. The patients were followed annually, including clinical and radiological examinations. The oral health related quality of life was investigated by the OHIP-14 questionnaire. RESULTS: Dental treatment (RR = 7.75), receiving combination antineoplastic therapy≥3 (RR =4.13), periodontitis (RR = 4.21), and reduced number of teeth (RR = 2.87) were associated with an increased risk of medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw. The response rate of the OHIP-14 questionnaire was 70.2%. Oral pain or discomfort in the mouth related to the medical treatment was reported by 30.5%. CONCLUSION: Dental screening and treatment planning in patients with Multiple Myeloma may result in fewer oral infections and fewer interruptions of the medical treatment of myeloma.

Awareness of malocclusion and attitude towards orthodontic treatment among trainee dental surgery technicians in Nigeria

Objective: Malocclusion affects aesthetics, the physical, psychological and social life of a person. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of malocclusion and attitude towards orthodontic treatment among trainee dental surgery technicians in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among 68 final year (sixty-eight) trainee dental surgery technicians in Nigeria. The research instrument was a self-administered close ended questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. P value (P<0.05) was regarded as significant. Results: Sixty-one (89.7%) of the respondents were females, while 7 (10.3%) were males. Fifty-seven (83.8%) have heard of the term malalignment of teeth, 53 (77.9%) of the students think malalignment is due to external habits. 61 (89.7%) are aware that few teeth may have to be removed for proper positioning of irregular teeth and 51 (75.0%) were aware that the irregular teeth can be corrected even after 40 years of age. More females were aware of malocclusion and had positive attitude towards orthodontic procedures when compared to the males, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).Conclusion. Majority of the respondents in this study were aware of the term malalignment and had positive attitude towards orthodontic treatment. More females constituted the study population.

Should we be afraid of dental robots? / Faut-il avoir peur des robots-dentistes ?

As it seems likely that France, at the forefront in the use of surgical robotic platforms, will authorize the deployment of dental robots in the short term, the purpose of this article is to question what is at stake in this technological revolution, for dental professionals, regulators but also (and above all) for patients: what awareness-raising will the intervention of machines bring? How does robotics reshuffle the cards of the care relationship? What are the ethical and public health issues? After having defined dental robots as non-humanoid, automated surgical devices with exclusive restorative vocation, we will see how the field of dental robotics currently oscillates between hopes and illusions. We will describe the new responsibilities and ethical requirements related to the introduction of these AI-powered technical objects, as well as the necessary safeguards that have to be implemented in order to avoid any moral buffer and to protect patients from any robotization (literally or metaphorically in the sense of 'zombification'). Finally, we will show that ultimately the question of robot-dentists is the natural evolution of unreasonable application of industrial processes to the rationalization of health and ectopic, neo-liberal practices shifting healthcare into a commercial commodity. Patients can participate in reversing this trend, by recalling that the centrality of the human person is the cornerstone of health professions.

Comme il est vraisemblable que la France, à la pointe dans l'utilisation des plateformes robotiques chirugicales, autorise à court terme le déploiement de robots-dentistes sur son territoire, l'objectif de cet article est d'interroger ce qui se joue dans cette révolution technologique, pour les professionnels du dentaire, les régulateurs, mais aussi (et surtout) pour les patients : quelle(s) prise(s) de conscience l'intervention de la machine et les mutations qui lui sont associées peuvent-elles amener ? Comment la robotique rebat-elle les cartes de la relation de soin ? Pour quels enjeux éthiques et de santé publique ? Après avoir défini les robots-dentistes comme des dispositifs chirurgicaux automatisés à vocation réparatrice, pour l'instant non anthropomorphes, nous verrons comment le domaine de la robotique dentaire oscille entre espoirs et illusions. Nous décrirons les nouvelles responsabilités et exigences éthiques liées à l'introduction de ces objets techniques équipés d'intelligence artificielle, ainsi que les nécessaires garde-fous à implémenter pour éviter toute distanciation morale et pour protéger la patientèle de toute robotisation (au sens propre ou au sens métaphorique de « zombification ¼). Nous montrerons enfin que la question du robot-dentiste n'est finalement que l'évolution naturelle de l'application déraisonnée de procédés industriels à la rationalisation de la santé et de pratiques néolibérales ectopiques conduisant à sa marchandisation. Les patients peuvent participer à l'infléchissement de cette tendance, en rappelant que la centralité de la personne humaine constitue la pierre angulaire des métiers de la santé.

Patient with Type I Diabetes Mellitus Develops Post-Operative Hyperglycemia After Osseous Surgery.

A patient with type I diabetes withheld her diabetes medications without consulting her physician and was not able to resume her normal diet after extensive dental surgery resulting in hyperglycemia postoperatively. Clear communication between clinicians and patient about the expected postoperative course and changes to factors that may influence glycemic control could prevent hyperglycemia in the postoperative period.

Application of Graphene Oxide in Oral Surgery: A Systematic Review.

The current review aims to provide an overview of the most recent research in the last 10 years on the potentials of graphene in the dental surgery field, focusing on the potential of graphene oxide (GO) applied to implant surfaces and prosthetic abutment surfaces, as well as to the membranes and scaffolds used in Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) procedures. "Graphene oxide" and "dental surgery" and "dentistry" were the search terms utilized on the databases Scopus, Web of Science, and Pubmed, with the Boolean operator "AND" and "OR". Reviewers worked in pairs to select studies based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. They included animal studies, clinical studies, or case reports, and in vitro and in vivo studies. However, they excluded systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and meta-analyses. Results: Of these 293 studies, 19 publications were included in this review. The field of graphene-based engineered nanomaterials in dentistry is expanding. Aside from its superior mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability, graphene and its derivatives may be functionalized with a variety of bioactive compounds, allowing them to be introduced into and improved upon various scaffolds used in regenerative dentistry. This review presents state-of-the-art graphene-based dental surgery applications. Even if further studies and investigations are still needed, the GO coating could improve clinical results in the examined dental surgery fields. Better osseointegration, as well as increased antibacterial and cytocompatible qualities, can benefit GO-coated implant surgery. On bacterially contaminated implant abutment surfaces, the CO coating may provide the optimum prospects for soft tissue sealing to occur. GBR proves to be a safe and stable material, improving both bone regeneration when using GO-enhanced graft materials as well as biocompatibility and mechanical properties of GO-incorporated membranes.

Guided Bone Regeneration Effects on Bone Quantity and Outcomes of Dental Implants in Patients With Insufficient Bone Support: A Single-Center Observational Study.

Background Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is used to influence on stabilization of dental implants in patients with insufficient bone quantity and anatomical problems. But many studies using GBR resulted in divergent results according to the efficiency of new bone quantity formation and implant survival. This research aimed to study the effects of GBR on the increase of bone quantity and short-term stabilization of dental implants in patients with insufficient bone support. Methodology The study included 26 patients that underwent the procedure for 40 dental implants from September 2020 to September 2021. In each case, the vertical bone support was intraoperatively measured, through the MEDIDENT Italia paradontal millimetric probe (Medident Italia, Carpi, Italy). The vertical bone defect was considered when the mean vertical depth between the abutment junction and the marginal bone was greater than 1mm up to 8mm. In the group with the presence of the vertical bone defect, GBR technique was used during the procedure of dental implants realized with synthetic bone graft, resorbable membrane, and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and the group was considered the study (GBR) group. The group of patients with no vertical bone defects (less than 1mm) and no need for any GBR technique use was considered the control (no-GBR) group. The bone support was evaluated again intraoperatively after six months in both groups when the healing abutments were positioned. The vertical bone defect for each group in baseline and after six months is presented as mean±SD and compared using a t-test. A t-test for Equality of Means was used to calculate the mean depth difference (MDD) between baseline and six months values in each group (GBR and no-GBR) and also between both groups. P-value ≤ 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results Overall 40 dental implants were placed, 20 of them were included in the GBR group and 20 in the no-GBR group. In the GBR group, a statistically significant greater mean vertical bone defect in baseline (day 1), compared to the no-GBR group was found (-4.46±2.76 vs -0.27±0.22; MDD = -4.19 [-5.44 to -2.94] p<0.001). At six months of follow-up in the GBR group, a new bone around the implant was formed, presenting a significantly lower bone defect compared to the baseline measure (-0.39±0.43 vs -4.46±2.76; MDD = -4.07 mm [-5.37 to -2.78] p<0.001). In six months, no statistically significant difference between GBR and no-GBR group in bone support was found (-0.39±0.43 vs -0.27±0.22; MDD = -0.19 [-0.40 to -0.03] p=0.10). In each group, only one implant failure was observed. Conclusions The use of GBR showed an important reduction of vertical depth defect between healing abutment and marginal bone predisposing similar short-term stability and survival of dental implants. The use of GBR techniques could be essential in the stabilization of dental implants in patients with insufficient bone support.

Harnessing the Power of PAOO and Invisalign: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Orthodontic Care.

The present article explores the benefits of combining periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO) with Invisalign for optimal orthodontic treatment outcomes. PAOO is an interdisciplinary dental technique that minimizes complications and accelerates tooth movement while enhancing various orthodontic treatments. In conjunction with Invisalign, PAOO provides a discreet and comfortable solution for patients seeking to improve their smile. The study presents two challenging cases successfully treated using this combined approach, emphasizing the technique's potential to reduce treatment times and improve orthodontic outcomes. The interdisciplinary approach of PAOO ensures long-term success and stability by preserving periodontal structures and addressing potential bony defects. By incorporating bone grafting materials, PAOO helps prevent common concerns in traditional orthodontic treatments, such as bony defects and gingival recession. Furthermore, the combination with Invisalign offers a more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable treatment experience, allowing patients to maintain their self-esteem and confidence throughout the treatment. Despite the potential advantages, dental professionals must manage patient expectations and address potential complications to ensure the best possible results. Overall, the integration of PAOO and Invisalign demonstrates a viable alternative for patients who do not want to proceed with orthognathic surgery, enhancing patient satisfaction and overall treatment outcomes.

Metaverse and Medical Diagnosis: A Blockchain-Based Digital Twinning Approach Based on MobileNetV2 Algorithm for Cervical Vertebral Maturation.

Advanced mathematical and deep learning (DL) algorithms have recently played a crucial role in diagnosing medical parameters and diseases. One of these areas that need to be more focused on is dentistry. This is why creating digital twins of dental issues in the metaverse is a practical and effective technique to benefit from the immersive characteristics of this technology and adapt the real world of dentistry to the virtual world. These technologies can create virtual facilities and environments for patients, physicians, and researchers to access a variety of medical services. Experiencing an immersive interaction between doctors and patients can be another considerable advantage of these technologies, which can dramatically improve the efficiency of the healthcare system. In addition, offering these amenities through a blockchain system enhances reliability, safety, openness, and the ability to trace data exchange. It also brings about cost savings through improved efficiencies. In this paper, a digital twin of cervical vertebral maturation (CVM), which is a critical factor in a wide range of dental surgery, within a blockchain-based metaverse platform is designed and implemented. A DL method has been used to create an automated diagnosis process for the upcoming CVM images in the proposed platform. This method includes MobileNetV2, a mobile architecture that improves the performance of mobile models in multiple tasks and benchmarks. The proposed technique of digital twinning is simple, fast, and suitable for physicians and medical specialists, as well as for adapting to the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) due to its low latency and computing costs. One of the important contributions of the current study is to use of DL-based computer vision as a real-time measurement method so that the proposed digital twin does not require additional sensors. Furthermore, a comprehensive conceptual framework for creating digital twins of CVM based on MobileNetV2 within a blockchain ecosystem has been designed and implemented, showing the applicability and suitability of the introduced approach. The high performance of the proposed model on a collected small dataset demonstrates that low-cost deep learning can be used for diagnosis, anomaly detection, better design, and many more applications of the upcoming digital representations. In addition, this study shows how digital twins can be performed and developed for dental issues with the lowest hardware infrastructures, reducing the costs of diagnosis and treatment for patients.

Platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin in oral surgery: A narrative review.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) are biological products derived from the plasma fraction of autologous blood that have a platelet concentration above that of the original blood. Cytokines and growth factors are present in platelet-based preparations, and their application has gained great attention in dentistry. The aim of this review was to comprehensively examine the latest scientific evidence on the use of PRF and PRP in oral surgery, and to describe current operational protocols. Platelet-rich fibrin is used after third molar extractions, in the treatment of alveolar osteitis and trismus, and in implant surgery. Platelet-rich plasma is utilized in sinus lift procedures, after tooth extractions, and in patients undergoing the treatment of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Based on this review, plenty of data indicates that the PRF-PRP usage in oral surgery shows promising results. However, no consistent protocols have been presented in the analyzed articles. Further research is needed to provide clinicians with evidence-based clinical recommendations and to develop protocols on the use of these preparations in dental surgery.

Development of a Real-Time 6-DOF Motion-Tracking System for Robotic Computer-Assisted Implant Surgery.

In this paper, we investigate a motion-tracking system for robotic computer-assisted implant surgery. Failure of the accurate implant positioning may result in significant problems, thus an accurate real-time motion-tracking system is crucial for avoiding these issues in computer-assisted implant surgery. Essential features of the motion-tracking system are analyzed and classified into four categories: workspace, sampling rate, accuracy, and back-drivability. Based on this analysis, requirements for each category have been derived to ensure that the motion-tracking system meets the desired performance criteria. A novel 6-DOF motion-tracking system is proposed which demonstrates high accuracy and back-drivability, making it suitable for use in computer-assisted implant surgery. The results of the experiments confirm the effectiveness of the proposed system in achieving the essential features required for a motion-tracking system in robotic computer-assisted implant surgery.

Factors Responsible for the Performance of Final-Year Dental Surgery Students in Their Professional Examinations in Nigeria.

Background: Little is known about the factors responsible for the academic performance of clinical dentistry/dental surgery students, particularly those in their finals in Nigerian universities. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to identify the subjective factors that may affect the performance of dental surgery finalists at the undergraduate level in Nigerian dental schools and to proffer realistic suggestions to improve dental surgery education. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of final-year dental surgery students in Nigeria was conducted using a well-structured validated online questionnaire distributed randomly through online platforms. Descriptive and inferential data analysis was done with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Chi-squares and Fischer's exact values were calculated. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Consent was obtained from all participants. Results: Sixty-nine final-year dental surgery students completed and submitted the questionnaire. The hours spent on clinical hands-on-dental practice, dental surgery lectures/clinics attendance, and impact of particular course lecturers were the top three most agreed factors influencing the performance of dental surgery students in their examinations. A significant relationship (P = 0.027 [<0.05]; X2 = 4.873) exists between gender and the perception in that the greater cumulative number of study hours was alluded to significantly influencing performance in examinations. More females unlike males indicated that the total number of hours studied does not affect performance. A statistically significant association (P = 0.004 [<0.05]; X2 = 13.274) was also found between age grades and the influence of repeating an examination on performance. A majority of the respondents across all age grades indicated that repeating students do not always perform better or even pass the examinations. A majority of the respondents across all age grades indicated that those that have completed a degree before medical school do not always perform better in examinations. This finding also had a statistically significant association (P = 0.048 [<0.05]; X2 = 7.886). Conclusions: There is a need to coordinate efforts in the management of dental institutions to ensure that adequate attention is given to the dental surgery students at every stage of their training. Creation of dental surgery mentorship programmes may also help in the overall quality of the programme.

The Use of Lactide Polymers in Bone Tissue Regeneration in Dentistry-A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Different compositions of biodegradable materials are being investigated to successfully replace non-resorbable ones in bone tissue regeneration in dental surgery. The systematic review tried to address the question, "Can biodegradable polymers act as a replacement for conventional materials in dental surgery procedures?" (2) Methods: An electronic search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted in October 2022. The following keywords were used: (lactide polymers) and (hydroxyapatite or fluorapatite) and (dentistry) and (regeneration). Initially, 59 studies were found. Forty-one studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. (3) Results: These usually improved the properties and induced osteogenesis, tissue mineralisation and bone regeneration by inducing osteoblast proliferation. Five studies showed higher induction of osteogenesis in the case of biomaterials, UV-HAp/PLLA, ALBO-OS, bioresorbable raw particulate hydroxyapatite/poly-L-lactide and PLGA/Hap, compared to conventional materials such as titanium. Four studies confirmed improvement in tissue mineralisation with the usage of biomaterials: hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid (HA/PLA) loaded with dog's dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), Coll/HAp/PLCL, PDLLA/VACNT-O:nHAp, incorporation of hydroxyapatite and simvastatin. Three studies showed an acceleration in proliferation of osteoblasts for the use of biomaterials with additional factors such as collagen and UV light. (4) Conclusions: Lactide polymers present higher osteointegration and cell proliferation rate than the materials compared. They are superior to non-biodegradable materials in terms of the biocompability, bone remodelling and healing time tests. Moreover, because there is no need of reoperation, as the material automatically degrades, the chance of scars and skin sclerosis is lower. However, more studies involving greater numbers of biomaterial types and mixes need to be performed in order to find a perfect biodegradable material.

Osteoinductive calcium phosphate with submicron topography as bone graft substitute for maxillary sinus floor augmentation: A translational study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was the preclinical and clinical evaluation of osteoinductive calcium phosphate with submicron surface topography as a bone graft substitute for maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A preclinical sheep model of MSFA was used to compare a calcium phosphate with submicron needle-shaped topography (BCPN , MagnetOs Granules, Kuros Biosciences BV) to a calcium phosphate with submicron grain-shaped topography (BCPG ) and autologous bone graft (ABG) as controls. Secondly, a 10-patient, prospective, randomized, controlled trial was performed to compare BCPN to ABG in MSFA with two-stage implant placement. RESULTS: The pre-clinical study demonstrated that both BCPN and BCPG were highly biocompatible, supported bony ingrowth with direct bone apposition against the material, and exhibited bone formation as early as 3 weeks post-implantation. However, BCPN demonstrated significantly more bone formation than BCPG at the study endpoint of 12 weeks. Only BCPN reached an equivalent amount of bone formation in the available space and a greater proportion of calcified material (bone + graft material) in the maxillary sinus compared to the "gold standard" ABG after 12 weeks. These results were validated in a small prospective clinical study, in which BCPN was found comparable to ABG in implant stability, bone height, new bone formation in trephine core biopsies, and overall clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: This translational work demonstrates that osteoinductive calcium phosphates are promising bone graft substitutes for MSFA, whereas their bone-forming potential depends on the design of their surface features. Netherlands Trial Register, NL6436.

Evaluation of the effects of manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture at LI4 and LI11 on perception thresholds: a prospective crossover trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate and compare the effects of manual acupuncture (MA) and electroacupuncture (EA) on current perception thresholds (CPTs) using quantitative methods. METHODS: Twenty-nine healthy volunteers participated in this prospective crossover trial, in which three acupuncture methods were compared: control, MA, and EA. Acupuncture needles were inserted to a depth of 15 mm at LI4 and LI11 on the left side and retained for 30 min with or without electrical stimulation at a frequency of 2 Hz (EA and MA, respectively). The needles were removed and participants rested for 30 min. CPT in the left mental region was measured at 2000, 250, and 5 Hz, corresponding to the activation of Aß, Aδ, and C-fibers, respectively, at four time points: baseline, T0; 15 min after needle application, T1; immediately after needle removal, T2; and 30 min after needle removal, T3. In the control session, only a sensory test was performed (without acupuncture). RESULTS: Significant effects of time course on CPT were observed (p < 0.001). CPT values increased significantly at T1, T2, and T3, compared with those at T0, at all stimulation frequencies during MA and EA. Changes in CPT values with EA were not significantly greater than those with MA. CONCLUSIONS: Both MA and EA increased the sensory thresholds of Aß, Aδ, and C-fibers in the mental region for ⩾30 min after needle removal. Additional of electrical stimulation may not confer additional benefits over needling alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000017983 (University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry).

Waste management practices among dental surgery staff of major hospitals in Accra: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Introduction: the practice of dentistry in contemporary times produces considerable waste that could be harmful to individuals and the environment at large. In Ghana and many other jurisdictions, there are guidelines that outline how these wastes should be managed. This study was conducted to explore practices concerning dental waste management among dental surgery staff in some public facilities in Accra, Ghana. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study involving dental surgery staff of four major facilities in Accra was done. Overall, 124 staff from the selected facilities participated in the study, and 51 different dental surgeries were assessed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an observation checklist. The questionnaire included questions on socio-demographics, as well as knowledge and practices regarding dental waste management. Results: there was unsatisfactory knowledge of waste disposal, while practices did not generally meet international recommendations and the Ministry of Health´s (MOH) guidelines. Though all respondents stored their sharp waste in puncture-proof containers, 98.4% did not label their clinical waste, while 62.9% would dispose of used X-ray fixers by pouring them down the drain. None of the 51 surgeries observed had more than one colour code available. Conclusion: there is a palpable need for education, monitoring, and empowerment concerning waste management in Ghana´s oral healthcare system.

Satisfacción de los estudiantes con los procesos de elaboración de la tesis de licenciatura

Objetivos: describir la satisfacción con los procesos de la tesis que presentan los estudiantes del pregrado de la Facultad de Odontología. Métodos: estudio transversal donde participaron 68 estudiantes de la Universidad Científica del Sur que se graduaron en el 2021. Se utilizó una escala que recopiló las experiencias sobre el desarrollo de una investigación que involucró: supervisión de la tesis, desarrollo de habilidades, clima intelectual, expectativas, infraestructura y evaluación de la tesis. Las variables fueron comparadas según el sexo, rendimiento académico y experiencia investigativa de los estudiantes. Resultados: la satisfacción general tuvo un puntaje de 65,78 ± 4,29 (Rango: 57-78), considerándose como "moderada". Las mujeres tuvieron un mejor puntaje de satisfacción (p>0,05). El promedio general de la satisfacción fue 2,74 ± 0,81, obteniéndose un promedio de 2,08 ± 0,76 para la dimensión supervisión, 2,05 ± 0,66 para la dimensión clima intelectual, 4,15 ± 0,23 para la dimensión expectativas, 1,92 ± 1,17 para la dimensión infraestructura, 3,73 ± 0,91para la dimensión habilidades y 2,81 ± 0,86 para la dimensión evaluación de la tesis. Conclusiones: los estudiantes del pregrado perciben como "moderado" la satisfacción con los procesos de elaboración de una tesis universitaria, con una puntuación por debajo del promedio de lo esperado. No se encontró una asociación significativa entre el grado de satisfacción con el proceso de realización de la tesis y las características de los estudiantes.

Objectives: to describe the satisfaction with the thesis processes presented by undergraduate students of the School of Dentistry. Methods: cross-sectional study in which 68 students from the Universidad Científica del Sur who graduated in 2021 participated. A scale was used that collected the experiences on the development of a research that involved: thesis supervision, skills development, and intellectual climate, expectations, infrastructure and thesis evaluation. The variables were compared according to gender, academic performance and research experience of the students. Results: cross-sectional study in which 68 students from the Universidad Científica del Sur who graduated in 2021 participated. A scale was used that collected the experiences on the development of a research involving: thesis supervision, skills development, intellectual climate, expectations, infrastructure and evaluation of the thesis. The variables were compared according to gender, academic performance and research experience of the students. Conclusions: undergraduate students perceive satisfaction with the processes of writing an undergraduate thesis as "moderate", with a score below the average of what is expected. No significant association was found between the degree of satisfaction with the thesis completion process and student characteristics.

Ectopic Tooth in the Roof of the Left Maxillary Sinus.

The presence of sinonasal ectopic teeth is a rare entity that is usually asymptomatic. In some cases, the presence of foreign bodies in the maxillary sinus, such as ectopic teeth, can lead to chronic maxillary sinusitis. We report a case of chronic sinusitis because of an ectopic tooth in the roof of the left maxillary sinus in a 50-year-old female who presented with complaints of facial pain in the left maxillary region and purulent nasal discharge. The treatment of ectopic teeth usually consists of the removal of the previous, taking into account its location and possible risks. In this case, the close proximity to the orbit could have led to a greater risk of complications involving the infraorbital bundle. CT scan evaluation is frequently required to identify the exact location and is useful for treatment planning. The traditional surgical approaches to maxillary sinus pathology are transoral Caldwell-Luc approaches or transnasal endoscopic surgery. The method used in this case was the Caldwell-Luc approach. Although more invasive, it allows visualization into the maxillary sinus and superior access for instrumentation of the posterolateral region while permitting manipulation and removal of larger objects. Despite maxillary sinus ectopic teeth being uncommon, it is important for clinicians to become aware and to consider this entity to provide early adequate treatment.

Perioperative Management of Dental Surgery Patients Chronically Taking Antithrombotic Medications.

The development of medicine is based not only on the introduction of new methods of treatment, but also on the use of increasingly effective drugs, including antithrombotic drugs. Drugs that inhibit the activity of platelets (antiplatelet and anti-aggregating drugs) and pharmaceuticals that inhibit the activity of plasma coagulation factors (anticoagulants) are used in antithrombotic therapy. In our daily practice we encounter patients who take chronic antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. However, more and more often we are dealing with patients who are treated with two antiplatelet drugs, an antiplatelet and an anticoagulant or even undergoing triple antithrombotic therapy. When preparing the patient for invasive craniofacial procedures, it should be assessed whether the temporary discontinuation of antithrombotic treatment due to the fear of excessive perioperative bleeding is justified and will not result in life-threatening thromboembolic complications. The authors discuss in detail the medications used in modern antithrombotic treatment and present a perioperative management procedure with a patient who takes l4 z of these medications chronically.