Are dental professionals ready to deal with medical emergencies in their clinical office? A survey of university hospitals.

This research aimed to assess the availability and need of dental emergency kits in Saudi Arabia university hospitals. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 267 dentists, including undergraduate, dental interns, general dentists, and specialists in 6 university hospitals (private and government colleges). In addition, a closed-ended questionnaire was distributed through emails using the online platform. The data revealed that 49.4% of dentists faced medical emergencies. Out of them, 72.7% said that emergency kits were available in their clinics. Sugar sources and oxygen were most commonly available. On the other hand, 37.8% of dentists handled emergencies independently, 34.5% considered themselves competent with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and 28.8% were confident of using emergency (ER) drugs. The most common medical emergencies were vasovagal syncope and hypoglycemia. The emergency kit in dental clinics is relatively available, and the incidence of medical emergencies is relatively minor. However, the competence and confidence of the dentists in tackling an emergency is low, including handling of emergency (ER), knowledge of CPR, and its performance. Therefore, CPR courses should be improved and promoted more widely for this purpose.

Does pedicle flap design influence the postoperative sequel of lower third molar surgery and quality of life?

Objective: To determine the impact of the buccal envelope flap and pedicle design on the post-operative outcome and quality of life following lower third molar surgery (QoL). Materials and methods: A randomized case-control clinical study was carried out from September 2017 to September 2019. In this study, a total number of 50 patients with mandibular third molar impaction underwent surgical removal of the same using buccal envelope flap (group A) and pedicle flap (group B). The patients were assessed postoperatively for pain, swelling, trismus, wound dehiscence, dry socket, and quality of life for one month. Results: In terms of pain, swelling, and trismus, there was no statistical difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference found in group B (pedicle flap) in terms of wound dehiscence, dry socket, and quality of life (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The pedicle flap demonstrates fewer incidences of wound dehiscence, dry socket, and a better quality of life when compared to the envelope flap.

Does botulinum toxin have any role in the management of chronic pain associated with bruxism?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of injectable botulinum toxin (BTA) in the management of pain associated with nocturnal bruxism. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 40 male and female volunteers who complained of chronic pain in the masseter muscles bilaterally due to bruxism. Twenty units of BTA were injected bilaterally into the masseter muscles. Clinical parameters of pain at rest and chewing were assessed at baseline, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 18, and 24 weeks using the visual pain scale (VPS). RESULTS: The study included 24 females and 16 males aged 21 to 52 years (mean 33.9 ± 31.0). The mean VPS score on the first day was 5.75 (SD 1.9), significantly decreasing after two weeks to 0.44 (SD 0.727). The mean difference of VPS from 8 weeks up to 24 weeks gradually increase from 0.69 at 8 weeks to 2.00 at 24 weeks. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that BTA could reduce the pain of nocturnal bruxism in affected patients.