Foundation University Journal of Dentistry

Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Periodontal Health: A Pilot Study at Dental Teaching Hospital in Multan

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: Various studies have proven a relationship between prolonged uncontrolled glycemic levels due to diabetes and periodontal destruction. Dental care providers must be aware of this condition to educate the patients. Despite multiple global publications, regional data from Pakistan, particularly from Multan remains limited. This study aims to reinforce and establish the correlation and educate the population as well as dental practitioners.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted from July 2023 to October 2023. 54 samples were collected having age range 30-60 years of both genders. Periodontal health was assessed by checking Probing Pocket Depths, Gingival Index and Plaque Index. Fasting Blood Sugar levels were checked to assess blood glucose levels.

Results: The results concluded that subjects with fasting blood sugar levels more than 200mg/dl and having diabetes for more than 5 years had more severity of periodontal destruction as compared to those with good glycemic controls.

Conclusion: Increased blood sugar levels for a prolonged period can cause periodontal destruction. Diabetic dental patients must be educated about the adverse effects of diabetes on tooth supporting structures.

Association Between COMT Gene Polymorphism (rs4680) and Familial Incidence of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD): A Case Control Study

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objectives: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a growing public health concern affecting the individual’squality of life. The aim of the study was to determine the genetic associations of COMT gene polymorphism (rs4680) in patients with family history of TMD with different etiologies.

Materials and Methods: It was a case control study. Cases included 63 Male and female patients aged 17-45 years and presented with TMD and reported a family history of TMD. Controls included 63 age, gender, and ethnicity matched healthy individuals having no TMD and with no family history of TMD. After getting an informed consent from the patients, Peripheral blood was taken to extract DNA and genotyped for COMT polymorphism (rs4680) by Tetra-ARMS PCR. The association was determined by calculating odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.

Results: The genotypic and allelic frequencies were computed using a 2*2 contingency table to find out the association between genetic polymorphism and family history of TMD we found a significant p value for AA genotype p = (0.0002) and for A allele p = (0.00004), however the GA genotype did not reach the level of statistical significance.

Conclusion: In the current study, we found that COMT gene polymorphism (rs4680) i.e., AA genotype and A allele is significantly associated with the risk of development TMD.

Prevalence of Pulp Stones Among Patients with Renal Stones: A Cross-Sectional Study

Rizwan Qureshi, Omema Zia, Iftikhar Akbar, Itrat Batool , Sobia Owais — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: To determine the frequency of pulp stones in patients with renal stones.

Materials and Methods: A total of 171 participants diagnosed with renal stones, both males and females within the age range of 30-65 years, residing in Pakistan, and possessing intact molars were included. Exclusion criteria comprised edentulous subjects, individuals with central nervous disorders, and those with restored or missing molars. Age and gender and pulp stones (on bitewing radiographic images) were recorded. Chi-square test was run to determine association of pulp stone with gender and age.

Results: The mean age was 48.91±6.91 years. Males were 84 (49.1%) while females were 87 (50.9%). Among the participants, 101 individuals (59.1%) were found to have pulp stones, while 70 individuals (40.9%) did not have pulp stones. The association of pulp stone with age was statistically significant.

Conclusion: Pulp stones are quite common in patients with renal stones. Gender does not show a significant association with pulp stones. However, age exhibits a significant distribution in relation to pulp stone prevalence, with certain age groups showing higher frequencies compared to others.

Perceptions of Senior Faculty on the Success Factors of Peer Coaching Initiatives for Junior Faculty in Medical Education: A Qualitative Study

Saba Farooq, Tahira Sadiq, Rahila Yasmeen, Minahil Aruj Younis — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: This study aimed to explore the success of peer coaching initiatives for junior faculty, focusing on the perceptions of senior faculty members within a medical education institution. Peer coaching as a professional development strategy, has gained attention for its potential to enhance teaching skills, research productivity and overall job fulfilment among junior faculty. The aim of this study is to explore the factors influencing the success of peer coaching initiatives for junior faculty in medical education, specifically from the perspective of senior faculty members. The study seeks to identify key themes related to the effectiveness, benefits, challenges, and recommendations for improving peer coaching programs, thereby contributing to the understanding of faculty development in academic settings.

Materials and Methods: This qualitative experimental study of the perceptions of senior faculty members, explored through in depth interviews, brought to light critical themes concerning the possible factors of influence on the success of peer coaching in medical education for junior faculty such as trust, communication, institutional support, and qualities of effective coaches. The selection criteria for this study comprised senior faculty members with wide experience in teaching and aptitude in peer coaching programs. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis, where semi structured interview transcripts were studied to identify recurring themes and patterns associated with the effectiveness and challenges of peer coaching initiatives.

Results: The analysis discovered that in depth interviews with senior faculty members regarding the factors influencing the success of peer coaching enhance teaching skills and increase research efficiency among junior faculty. Good communication skills are an important factor in peer coaching. Trust and mutual respect were recognized as themes.

Conclusion: This study explored the effectiveness of peer coaching initiatives for junior faculty in medical education,
meeting on factors that contribute to successful coaching relationships, the challenges faced by the participants, and the
potential for enhancing these programs.

Patient Voices in Healthcare Quality: A Structured Analysis of Complaints in a Secondary Care Hospital in Pakistan

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: This study categorizes and examines complaints in a secondary care hospital in Pakistan to identify priority areas for quality improvement.

Materials and Methods: Patient complaints from 2018 to mid-2024 were reviewed and categorized using the Readers taxonomy, which organizes grievances into Clinical, Management, and Relationships domains. The data excluded 2020 and 2021 due to records unavailability.

Results: A total of 211 complaints were collected, with a complaint rate of 1.02 per 10,000 encounters. Complaints were categorized into Management (43.1%), Relationships (39.8%), and Clinical (17.1%) domains. Key issues included institutional delays, staff attitudes, and care quality. Among the 137 complaints with resolution data, 73.7% were resolved, primarily through patient information provision and staff training.

Conclusion: Structured analysis of patient complaints reveals key areas for targeted improvements. Recommendations include process streamlining, communication training, and enhanced safety protocols, with the aim to provide patient-centered care.

Association of Temporomandibular disorders with Malocclusion Complexity using Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON): A Case-Control study

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: Our study’s objective was to investigate the association between temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and complexity of the patient’s malocclusion utilizing Index of Complexity, Outcome, and Need (ICON).

Materials and Methods: This case-control observational study was carried out at the Department of Orthodontics, Dental College HITEC-IMS, Taxila from September 2024 till February 2025. A total of 300 participants aged 18-35 years were included in this study. Out of 300, 150 individuals were included into the case group (diagnosed with TMD using the Fonseca questionnaire) while 150 individuals were included in the control group (without TMD). Malocclusion complexity was assessed using ICON. Comparison of TMD and ICON grades were done using chi-square test while logistic regression was used to assess the association of TMD with the complexity of patient’s malocclusion.

Results: The mean age of the patient was 25.14 ± 4.72 years. Out of 300 participants, females constituted 61.3% while males constituted 38.7% of the sample. A significant association was observed between higher ICON grades and TMD (p=0.001). The results of logistic regression indicated that individuals with “difficult” or “very difficult” ICON grades had higher odds of developing TMD (OR=1.206). No significant association was found between TMD and gender (p=0.947).

Conclusion: Malocclusion complexity is significantly associated with TMD, with higher ICON grades correlating with an increased risk of TMD. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating malocclusion in TMD diagnosis and management.

A Phenomenological Study through the Mentor’s Eyes: Unveiling the Lived Experiences of Medical Faculty Mentors

Farhan Saeed Vakani, Sana Ali, Khadija Ashraf — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: Mentorship is a unique phenomenon that moves beyond clinical competencies to building professional identity and personal growth in domains like communication, mental well-being and self-care, to resilience. We aim to explore the lived experiences of medical faculty mentors to understand how they perceive the concept of mentoring and practice it locally, with the intend to showcase best practices.

Materials and Methods: We used Moustakas’ phenomenological approach and constructivist theoretical paradigm to explore mentors lived experiences through semi-structured interviews. The study was conducted between May and July 2024. We obtained consent from 26 out of 51 participants who attended an orientation seminar at the Dow University of Health Sciences. The participants were interviewed about their individual and real-time experiences with their mentees. The data was organized, coded, and labelled for similarities, which allowed us to establish specific categories and organize them into higher-level themes.

Results: The results generated clusters of meanings and were grouped into three main themes (1) mentoring relations, (2) mentoring challenges, and (3) mentoring best practices. Organizing themes within mentoring relations included skills, roles and responsibilities, relationship evolution, and expectations and benefits. Mentoring challenges included subthemes like insufficient faculty training and institutional support, resource constraints, mentorship dynamics, generation gaps, communication barriers, relationship building, and misconceptions. Mentoring best practices centred on subthemes such as structured curriculum, mentee voices, mentor qualities, clear goals and objectives, dedicated time, reciprocal learning, reflective practice, and strong organizational support.

Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the importance of structured mentorship training for early-career faculty benefiting both mentees and mentors. By showcasing the best practices, we intent to transform mentoring practices to empower our medical faculty and enhancing educational outcomes both locally and beyond.

Counting Papers, Losing Purpose: A Crisis in Medical Research Quality

Fizza Sahar Anwar — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000