Translation and psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the ageism scale for dental students (ASDS-Ar): A multi-institutional validation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ageism represents an important barrier to high-quality healthcare for older adults. The present study sought to translate and validate the Arabic version of the Ageism Scale for Dental Students (ASDS-Arabic). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 27-item ASDS tool was translated from English into Arabic following recommended cross-sectional forward and backward translation guidelines. The translated version was subjected to the content validity ratio (CVR) and sent to dental students in 21 institutes from 10 different Arab countries. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to assess the dimensionality of the scale, and Cronbach's alpha was used to determine internal consistency reliability. The discriminant validity of the scale was assessed using the independent t-test. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was also undertaken. RESULTS: Based on CVR, three items were removed. The 24-item Arabic version was completed by 3284 dental students. PCA and CFA retained 17 items in six components, explaining 50.3% of the total variance, with acceptable reliability, validity and discrimination. The first component "Adherence of older patients with dental treatment and instructions," included four items with a Cronbach α of 0.64 and scored 4.3 ± 0.8. The second component "Feasibility of the treatment plan," included three items with a Cronbach α of 0.66 and scored from 2.6 ± 1.2 to 2.9 ± 1.1. The third component "Cost of and responsibility for the dental treatment" included four items with a Cronbach α of 0.47 and scored 4.4 ± 0.8 to 4.5 ± 0.8. The fourth component "Medical history of older patients" included two items with a Cronbach α of 0.70 and scored 4.0 ± 1.0 to 4.1 ± 1.0. The fifth Component "Feeling towards older patients" included two items with a Cronbach α of 0.672 and scored 2.6 ± 1.2 to 2.0 ± 1.4. The sixth Component "Confidence and experience in treating older patients" included two items with a Cronbach α of 0.33 and scored 4.4 ± 1 to 4.6 ± 1. CONCLUSION: This preliminary validation of the ASDS-Ar resulted in a new 17-item scale with six components with acceptable validity, reliability and discrimination.

The morphology of permanent maxillary first molars evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography among a Yemeni population.

BACKGROUND: The study's objective was to use CBCT to ascertain the root and root canal anatomy of the permanent maxillary first molars in a Yemeni population. It was considered how gender affected the prevalence of root canal morphology. METHODS: A sample of 373 CBCT records of maxillary permanent first molars belonging to 373 Yemeni individuals (162 males and 211 females) aged between 12 and 65 years were included in this study. Using CBCT on the teeth, the root form and canal morphology for each root based on Vertucci's classification were evaluated. The distribution of MB2 occurrence was documented. The prevalence and resemblance of the men and females were investigated. The Chi-square test was performed to evaluate the findings. RESULTS: Of the 373 maxillary first molars studied, the three separated root form was found in 94.9% of the studied MFMs while the two fused and one separate root form was found in 4.5%. The majority of the three-rooted MFMs (82.6%) had more than three root canals (four canals in 77.2% and five canals in 5.4%). The prevalence of MB2 was as high as 82.3% of the three-rooted MFMs. Vertucci type II configuration was the most frequent canal type (25%) followed by Vertucci type III (23.1%) and Vertucci type I (17.7%) in the mesiobuccal root. Vertucci type I was the most prevalent canal configuration in the distobuccal root and palatal root of the three-rooted MFMs (96% and 99.5%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The maxillary first molars' root canal morphology indicated notable variations among a Yemeni population. The maxillary first molars of most of the Yemeni participants in this study had three roots and four canals. In light of the high occurrence of MB2 (82.3%) in permanent maxillary first molars, our findings emphasize the need of searching for and using cutting-edge techniques to locate the MB2 canals. Males outnumbered females in proportion.

Knowledge, beliefs, attitude, and practices of E-cigarette use among dental students: A multinational survey.

BACKGROUND: E-cigarette use is a trend worldwide nowadays with mounting evidence on associated morbidities and mortality. Dentists can modify the smoking behaviors of their patients. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, beliefs, attitude, and practice of E-cigarette use among dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multinational, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study recruited undergraduate dental students from 20 dental schools in 11 countries. The outcome variable was current smoking status (non-smoker, E-cigarette user only, tobacco cigarette smoker only, dual user). The explanatory variables were country of residence, sex, age, marital status, and educational level. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the explanatory variables associated with E-cigarette smoking. RESULTS: Of the 5697 study participants, 5156 (90.8%) had heard about E-cigarette, and social media was the most reported source of information for 33.2% of the participants. For the 5676 current users of E-cigarette and/or tobacco smoking, 4.5% use E-cigarette, and 4.6% were dual users. There were significant associations between knowledge and country (P< 0.05), educational level (B = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.21; P = 0.016) and smoking status (P< 0.05). The country of residence (P< 0.05) and smoking status (P< 0.05) were the only statistically significant factors associated with current smoking status. Similarly, there were statistically significant associations between attitude and country (P< 0.05 for one country only compared to the reference) and history of previous E-cigarette exposure (B = -0.52; 95% CI: -0.91, -0.13; P = 0.009). Also, the practice of E-cigarettes was significantly associated with country (P< 0.05 for two countries only compared to the reference) and gender (B = -0.33; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.13; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The knowledge of dental students about E-cigarette was unsatisfactory, yet their beliefs and attitudes were acceptable. Topics about E-cigarette should be implemented in the dental curriculum.

Oral health practices and self-reported adverse effects of E-cigarette use among dental students in 11 countries: an online survey.

OBJECTIVES: E-cigarette use has become popular, particularly among the youth. Its use is associated with harmful general and oral health consequences. This survey aimed to assess self-reported oral hygiene practices, oral and general health events, and changes in physiological functions (including physical status, smell, taste, breathing, appetite, etc.) due to E-cigarette use among dental students. METHODS: This online, multicounty survey involved undergraduate dental students from 20 dental schools across 11 different countries. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, E-cigarette practices, self-reported complaints, and associated physiological changes due to E-cigarette smoking. Data were descriptively presented as frequencies and percentages. A Chi-square test was used to assess the potential associations between the study group and sub-groups with the different factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Most respondents reported regular brushing of their teeth, whereas only 70% used additional oral hygiene aids. Reported frequencies of complaints ranged from as low as 3.3% for tongue inflammation to as high as 53.3% for headache, with significant differences between E-cigarette users and non-users. Compared to non-smokers, E-cigarette users reported significantly higher prevalence of dry mouth (33.1% vs. 23.4%; P < 0.001), black tongue (5.9% vs. 2.8%; P = 0.002), and heart palpitation (26.3%% vs. 22.8%; P = 0.001). Although two-thirds of the sample reported no change in their physiological functions, E-cigarette users reported significant improvement in their physiological functions compared to never smokers or tobacco users. CONCLUSION: Dental students showed good oral hygiene practices, but E-cigarette users showed a higher prevalence of health complications.