Foundation University Journal of Dentistry

Lower Incisor Inclination and Symphysis Dimensions in Different Skeletal Patterns

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Objectives: To compare lower incisor inclination and symphysis morphology in Class I, II & III malocclusion
individuals.

Materials and Methods: In 120 lateral cephalometric images of adults lacking previous orthodontic management, heights of the mandibular symphysis (LH), buccal (LA) & lingual (LP) cortex, as well as inclination, were all measured. Additionally, malocclusion types (Class I, II, & III) were considered. The independent t-test was utilized to evaluate differences in lower incisor location and symphysis dimensions. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant. Data analysis was done using SPSS-26.

Results: The sagittal malocclusion groups differed significantly in terms of Incisor Mandibular Plane Angle (IMPA) and symphysis size. Because the lower incisor apex in Class III individuals was near the buccal cortex, the value of LA was lower & LH was higher. Because the lower incisor apex of Class II individuals was close to the lingual cortex, their LP value decreased, and their LH value increased.

Conclusion: The sagittal malocclusion groups differed significantly in terms of IMPA and symphysis size. Because the lower incisor apex in Class III individuals was near to buccal cortex, the value of LA was lower & LP
was higher. Because the lower incisor apex of Class II patients was close to the lingual cortex, their LP value decreased, and their LH value increased.

The Correlation Between Overjet and Sagittal Skeletal Relationships

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Objectives: To determine the correlation between overjet and sagittal skeletal relationship.

Materials and Methods: This study investigated patients at Orthodontics Department of Karachi Medical and Dental College. This cross-sectional study lasted for six months from August 2019 to Feburary 2020, after due approval of the synopsis. After detailed history and clinical examination patients were included in the research. Measurements were made on pre-treatment dental models for malocclusion class and overjet, and lateral cephalometric x-rays for ANB angle and Wits analysis. All measurements were taken manually by the researcher
and documented on a Preformed Proforma.

Results: When the class of malocclusion was not considered, overjet had high correlation with ANB angle (r=0.789) and Wits appraisal (0.825) which was statistically significant (p-value < 0.01).

Conclusion: The overjet can be used to predict sagittal malocclusion. When the malocclusion class was not considered, overjet had high correlation with the ANB angle and Wits appraisal and when the class of malocclusion was considered, Class III showed strong correlation between overjet and ANB angle.

To Compare Bone Formation in Terms of Mean-gray Scale Histographic Values After Surgical Removal of Bilaterally Impacted Mandibular Third Molars in Patients Treated with and without Simvastatin: A Split-mouth Randomized Controlled Trial

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Objectives: To compare bone formation in terms of mean-gray scale histographic values after surgical removal of bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars in patients treated with and without simvastatin.

Materials and Methods: This randomized, split mouth clinical study was conducted in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Dental Section, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad from November 2021 to May 2022. Thirty consecutive patients (30 extraction sockets per group) selected randomly, met the inclusion criteria and were included for study. Each patient underwent two surgical sessions, extracting one third molar during each session. The mouth was divided into study and control sides using the lottery method. After standard surgical removal, the study side received gel-foam soaked in simvastatin, while the control side received gel foam soaked in normal saline. The study spanned 3 months, with bone formation assessment at the 12 postoperative week using digitalized intra-oral peri-apical radiographs and histogram analysis.

Results: Atotal of 30 patients participated in the study out of which 70% (n=21) cases categorized within 18-30 years age group whereas 30% (n=9) were aged between 31 to 35 years, with a mean age of 27.9 ± 4.33 years. Sixty percent (n=18) patients were male, while the remaining 40% (n=12) were female. Comparison of mean bone density on both sides showed a mean-gray scale histographic value of 107.83±3.99 on the study side and 97.40±4.42 on the control side, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.0001.

Conclusion: There is a significant difference in bone reformation in patients treated with simvastatin as compared to those without simvastatin application.

Assessing Patient Awareness and Attitude towards Prosthodontic Options for Missing Teeth: A Study Conducted at a Tertiary Care Dental Hospital in Islamabad

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Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge gap and the level of awareness about tooth replacement options, among patients visiting a Tertiary Care Dental Hospital.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 patients with missing teeth at the Prosthodontic Department of a private Dental College in Islamabad from 10 April 2023 to 10 September 2023, by using convenience non-probability sampling. Upon obtaining informed consent from the participants, a comprehensive medical history was acquired, accompanied by a thorough examination of the oral cavity. Data collection involved querying the participants through a questionnaire designed for this study. SPSS version 23.0 was used to analyze data.

Results: Half of the patients were knowledgeable about acrylic partial dentures and fixed partial dentures, while only 10% were aware about complete denture therapy. Awareness of dental implants was noted in only 5% of the patients, and awareness of cast removable partial dentures was as low as 1.8%. None of the patients had knowledge about immediate dentures and overdenture therapy.

Conclusions: Patients visiting the dental college have a low level of awareness about prosthodontic treatment options.

Role of Social Media Addiction and Emotional Regulation on Mental Health of Medical and Dental Students

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Objective: The use of social media has increased exponentially in the last 2 decades, especially among young adults. This study aimed to investigate the role of social media addiction and emotional regulation on mental health among medical and dental students in Pakistan.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative research was conducted from January to May 2023. A convenient sample of 503 students (345 females, 158 males) was taken from different private and government universities in Pakistan. A self-developed demographic sheet was administered along with the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), emotional regulation questionnaire, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS).

Results: There was a significant positive relationship between social media addiction with DASS subscales scores (r = 0.39, r = 0.38, r = 0.37, p<0.01) and a positive correlation with emotional regulation (r = 0.21, p<0.01). Cohen's d value for social media addiction was 0.33 (<0.50) which indicated moderate effect size, showing significant mean differences among gender (p<0.05). Cohen's d values for mental health problems were 0.60 (>0.50) and 0.80 (>0.50), showing significant mean differences among marital status and gender respectively (p<0.05), which represents a large effect size.

Conclusion: There is a significant role of social media addiction in the mental health of students. This research illustrates new insights for research by presenting empirical support for its incidence among medical and dental students in Pakistan.

A Correlation Between Socioeconomic Determinants and Dental Caries Risk in Islamabad, Pakistan

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Objective: Dental caries is a multifactorial infectious disease that causes demineralization of teeth. Socioeconomic status (SES) and educational level are associative factors in caries development. This study aimed to determine the correlation between socioeconomic determinants and dental caries risk among patients reporting to a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad.

Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Islamabad Dental Hospital over six months from February 2023 to August 2023. A total of 322 participants were enrolled based on the convenience sampling technique. The participant's SES was assessed using the index score proposed by Oyedeji whereas caries risk status was evaluated using the DMFT index. Data was analyzed for frequency and percentages using SPSS version 22. Bivariate and multinomial regression analyses were performed to check for the association between SES and caries with a p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Among all the participants, 260 (80.7%) had decayed teeth, 112 (34.7%) had missed and 50 (15.5%) had their teeth restored previously. The mean DMFT±SD score was 5.51±5.453. There was a statistically significant difference in the DMFT, D, M, and F scores between the different levels of SES. Participants with a high socioeconomic score (81.4%) are less likely to exhibit caries risk than those with a low socioeconomic score.

Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries is higher among people of lower SES. High DMFT scores indicate that dental caries is a highly neglected disease among Pakistani people, particularly among people of low SES.

Assessing the Obstacles Encountered by Dental College Faculty in Punjab During Online Instructive Sessions

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Objectives: This study aimed to assess the challenges faced by faculty of different institutes in Punjab while they were delivering content online during COVID-19.

Materials and Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in different Dental Colleges of Punjab and spanned over 3 months. Ethical approval was sought from ERB at Dental College HITEC-IMS. A validated questionnaire was formed using the FROCT Scale and was checked for its content and face validity. A pilot study was conducted, and reliability was checked using the test re-test method.

Results: The majority of the faculty found it difficult to plan, design, and conduct these online sessions as a mode of information transfer. As low as 38% of faculty members faced no problem related to online teaching. 33% were already familiar with this mode and only 35% more were willing to learn these e-teaching techniques. Internet connectivity, student, engagement, and their response to assignments were found to be major issues.

Conclusion: This study concluded that the faculty of dental colleges in Punjab is neither equipped with the knowledge of e-teaching nor they are ready to adapt to the changes in medical education. COVID-19 has altered the way that we learn and forced us to adjust to these more modern methods. Additionally, to keep up with the world, development, and coordination with the IT sector are now essential.

A Comparative Study of Gingival Health of Orthodontic Patients with Bands and Buccal Tubes on First Molars

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Objectives: To calculate the gingival index of molars with bands before, and at a duration of 3 and 6 months of orthodontic treatment and to compare the scores with the other group which has buccal tubes on the molars.

Materials and Methods: 30 patients each in two groups (A and B) by using the random sampling technique. Group Ahad bands cemented on the first molars while Group B had buccal tubes. The variable of gingival Index was then quantified and noted for comparison and analysis.

Results: In the banded group when the gingival index was recorded before the start of the orthodontic treatment (T0), the values were low as compared to the index at 3 and 6 months (designated as T1 and T2, respectively). The recorded variable however, gave a decreased value in the bonded group. Banded teeth provided a greater surface for bacterial and foreign body accumulation and lesser surface for maintenance of oral hygiene thus resulting in inflammation around the tooth.

Conclusion: When a good oral hygiene is maintained by the patient throughout the fixed orthodontic treatment a better Gingival index with time is seen when buccal tubes are used rather than bands.

Comparison Between the Efficacy of Clobetasol Ointment and Tacrolimus Ointment for the Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus

2024-07-15T08:46:49+00:00

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of topical Tacrolimus 0.1% versus Clobetasol 0.05% in treating symptomatic oral lichen planus in terms of clinical score and visual analogue scale.

Materials and Methods: A one year randomized, comparative research of 60 patients with clinically and histologically proven Oral Lichen Planus was carried out. The patients were divided into two groups and given topical Tacrolimus or Clobetasol for a period of six weeks. The Data analysis was undertaken using SPSS Version 20.0.

Results: The mean Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score in the Tacrolimus group decreased from 8.1± 1.1 to 1.4± 0.5 at the end of treatment at 6 weeks while in the Clobetasol group, mean VAS score declined from 8.9±0.9 to 1.5±0.5. Similarly, the clinical score in terms of the lesion size decreased from 3.8±0.8 to 1.0±0.6 in the Tacrolimus group and from 4.2±0.9 to 0.9±0.8 in the Clobetasol group. Overall, despite a significant drop in mean lesion size from baseline, the two groups showed comparable mean sizes at the end of the trial period. (p-value, 0.61).

Conclusion: It was found Topical Tacrolimus is equally efficacious as Clobetasol in the treatment of symptomatic Oral Lichen Planus.

Perception of the Effectiveness of Self-directed Learning in Small Groups Among Final-year Dental Students at Watim Dental College

2024-07-15T08:46:49+00:00

Objectives: With the passage of time, various teaching methods have been introduced to increase the efficiency of learning process. There is an evolution from the teacher directed learning to self-directed learning in process worldwide, in all fields including medical education. The objective of this study is to assess the perception of final year BDS students regarding self- directed learning in the form of small group presentations at Watim Dental College.

Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Sample size (50) was calculated using WHO calculator. The duration of the study was one month. The data was collected from the students of Final year BDS at Watim Dental College. Structured questionnaire was used to assess the student's perspective. Data was entered and analyzed on SPSS version 20 and Microsoft PowerPoint excel.

Results: Results showed that about 60% students agreed that small group presentations were interactive, friendly and innovative, built interaction between teacher and student. Small group discussion increased their thought process and helped them in better communication. 42% strongly agreed and 54% agreed regarding awareness about the presentation schedule, topic and its objectives. 48% agreed that their presentation was attention seeking. 44%, 48% and 50 % agreed that this activity enhanced their learning, improving their computer and communication skills respectively. 46% and 58% agreed about getting the positive peer review and constructed feedback from the teacher respectively.

Conclusion: Our research findings indicate that students acknowledge the benefits of self-directed learning, particularly through small group discussions. An instructional strategy highlighted here is the introduction to self-directed learning, which serves to bridge the gap between teachers and students, ultimately enhancing communication skills among students.

Evaluating Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Skills and Knowledge in Medical and Dental Students of Islamabad and Abbottabad, Pakistan

2024-07-15T08:46:50+00:00

Objectives: Cardiopulmonary arrest, a medical emergency is considered as leading cause of sudden death throughout the globe. It is an unpredicted, sudden stoppage of breathing and/ or circulation of a person due to certain causes. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a technique for reviving of those heart failure individuals and it involves competence of operator, the condition of victim and present resources at that time of emergency. All individuals, specially medical and dental persons must be well learned and ready to deal such health related emergencies at anytime and anywhere. Present study was aimed to assess the level of information and practical ability to do CPR in medical emergency among the medical and dental students.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the level of information and practical ability to do CPR in medical emergency among the students of medical and dental institutes of Islamabad and Abbottabad, Pakistan, from January to March 2024. 280 Students (123 male and 157 female students) from 4 and final year of BDS and MBBS were chosen randomly. Information about CPR was collected by objective type paper of 30 questions (20 true false and 10 MCQ's). Each question carried equal one mark with 50% passing marks. Practical ability was evaluated checking performance on the SimMan simulator (the high-fidelity simulator).

Results: Level of assessment comprised of two parts theory paper and practical ability test. In initial paper based theory assessment, out of 280 participants, 197 (70%) students secured less than 50% marks and failed. When practical abilities assessed, 80.7% students could not perform correctly and failed. In practical abilities test, students were unsuccessful due to compression rate error (199), ventilation rate error (196) and failed of wrong hand positioning (213) when asked to perform CPR practically.

Conclusion: Medical emergencies are inevitable and require adequate information and skills to save life. The level of the knowledge and practical abilities among the medical and dental students to do CPR in case of emergency is below the requirements. It is therefore utmost important to plan regular training sessions and dissemination of information to medical and dental students to recover deficiency, improve weakness and enhance their confidence and clinical skills while dealing such emergency.

Climbing the Ladder of Academia: Transformative Leadership in Healthcare

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