Community-based dental education in Iranian dental schools.

BACKGROUND: Community-based dental education (CBDE) has been an essential advancement in dental education in recent decades, enhancing it in many aspects. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and improvements of CBDE in dental schools in Iran. METHODS: In the present descriptive study, an electronic questionnaire, including 18 "yes/no", "multiple choice", and "short answer" questions about the nature and extent of CBDE and students' experience in CBDE, was used. In early 2021, the questionnaires were mailed to the deans of all 43 dental schools in Iran under the supervision of the Council for Dental Education of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Reminder calls were made after 6 and 12 weeks. Dental schools that did not follow the CBDE program were excluded. The responses were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Thirty-six dental schools completed the questionnaire (response rate: 84%). Seventeen schools (47%) reported having CBDE in their dental program. Sites lacking a well-equipped dental setting were the most used out of all extramural sites. The number of weeks dedicated to CBDE ranged between 1 and 20 (median: 4). The most common dental procedures practiced in extramural sites were pediatric dentistry (100%), restorative dentistry (71%), and dental examination (59%). The student-to-supervisor ratio in CBDE ranged between 3 and 15 (median: 5). In most schools (65%), the staff involved in directing CBDE were Community Oral Health PhDs. CONCLUSIONS: An increasing number of Iranian dental schools have integrated CBDE into their undergraduate dental curriculum. The characteristics and extent of this educational strategy vary widely among dental schools. CBDE can be more effective by making positive changes in dental programs.

Contributions of University of Toronto Dentistry Alumni to China's Early Dental Education.

University of Toronto Dentistry alumni have made valuable contributions to the evolution of dentistry and the dental profession not only in Canada but also internationally. The founder and some of the early faculty members of West China College of Stomatology at Sichuan University (formerly the Dental School of West China Union University), known as the birthplace of China's modern dental science education, were alumni from the University of Toronto. With their excellent dental background, skills, and dedication, those pioneers laid a firm foundation for modern dental education in China and their contributions to this effort will be addressed in this paper.

Distinctive Craniofacial and Oral Anomalies in MN1 C-terminal Truncation Syndrome.

MN1 C-terminal truncation (MCTT) syndrome was first reported in 2020 and only 28 patients have been recorded to date. Since MCTT syndrome is a newly defined and rare syndrome with many clinical features, the present study reviewed the manifestations and management of oral and dental anomalies. Gene variants of MCTT syndrome and their positive phenotypes were summarised. The phenotypes of variants in two exons differed from each other mainly in the craniomaxillofacial region, including brain MRI abnormalities and palatal morphology. Pathogenic mechanisms, especially in craniofacial and oral anomalies, were discussed. Appropriate treatments in the stomatology and respiratory departments could improve the symptoms of MCTT syndrome. The different sites of MN1 gene variants may influence the clinical symptoms and there may be racial differences in MCTT syndrome. We recommend oral and pulmonary evaluations for the multidisciplinary treatment of MCTT syndrome.

Performance of AI chatbots on controversial topics in oral medicine, pathology, and radiology.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we assessed 6 different artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots (Bing, GPT-3.5, GPT-4, Google Bard, Claude, Sage) responses to controversial and difficult questions in oral pathology, oral medicine, and oral radiology. STUDY DESIGN: The chatbots' answers were evaluated by board-certified specialists using a modified version of the global quality score on a 5-point Likert scale. The quality and validity of chatbot citations were evaluated. RESULTS: Claude had the highest mean score of 4.341 ± 0.582 for oral pathology and medicine. Bing had the lowest scores of 3.447 ± 0.566. In oral radiology, GPT-4 had the highest mean score of 3.621 ± 1.009 and Bing the lowest score of 2.379 ± 0.978. GPT-4 achieved the highest mean score of 4.066 ± 0.825 for performance across all disciplines. 82 out of 349 (23.50%) of generated citations from chatbots were fake. CONCLUSIONS: The most superior chatbot in providing high-quality information for controversial topics in various dental disciplines was GPT-4. Although the majority of chatbots performed well, it is suggested that developers of AI medical chatbots incorporate scientific citation authenticators to validate the outputted citations given the relatively high number of fabricated citations.

[Research progress in N6-methyladenosine modification in the field of stomatology].

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant and widely distributed internal RNA modification in eukaryotic cells, and it is involved in the regulation of gene expression and biological processes in many cells. In recent years, studies on the role of m6A modification in oral cavity have emerged gradually. Existing researches show that m6A-related proteins are involved in the regulation of oral squamous cell carcinoma and its resistance to therapy. Methyltransferase-like 3 regulates apoptosis and autophagy of chondrocytes in inflammation, the angiogenesis and osteogenesis during distraction osteogenesis of endothelial progenitor cells, inflammatory response of dental pulp cells, the differentiation and osteogenesis of dental pulp stem cells, the development of tooth roots and the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and so on. Moreover, m6A modification may also be related to the occurrence and development of periodontitis, oral ulcers and oral submucosal fibrosis. These studies have provided new ideas for the pathogenesis of various oral diseases and the diagnosis and treatment of oral bone tissue repair and regeneration. This paper reviews the recent research progress on the role of m6A modification in the field of stomatology and summarize the current research status of m6A in the field of stomatology, in order to provide reference for the further research of m6A function and mechanism in the field of stomatology.

Application of lecture-and-team-based learning in stomatology: in-class and online.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate stomatological students' learning efficacy and their attitude towards Lecture-Team-Based Learning (LTBL) on topics regarding the design of removable partial dentures via in-class, online, and both in combination. METHODS: Students from seven distinct grades participated in the course in their fourth academic year (Years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021). Students of Years 2015-2019 attended in-class LTBL, students of Year 2020 attended online LTBL, and students of Year 2021 attended the combination mode. The scores of three examinations were compared, namely, individual readiness assessment test, team readiness assurance test, and individual application test. Visual Analog Scales (VAS) were used for students to self-assess their mastery of prosthodontics knowledge before and after the course. Anonymous questionnaires were delivered to evaluate their satisfaction with LTBL via a Likert scale. RESULTS: In each academic year, the three exam scores were significantly improved as the course progressed and VAS-post scores were significantly higher than VAS-pre scores. The three examination and VAS scores of students in Year 2020 were significantly lower than those in Years 2019 and 2021. Students were highly satisfied with the LTBL course based on the three parameters of knowledge acquisition, teamwork, and classroom atmosphere. CONCLUSION: Students were highly satisfied with the LTBL course and their learning performance was improved as the course progressed both in-class and online. Online LTBL could be adopted when students have to study online, while in-class LTBL could perform better when combined with video records of an online LTBL course.

[Strolling through the glorious years of Alveolar Surgery, bravely stepping onto the path of practice and innovation].

This article summarizes and organizes relevant publications in journals, along with a review of medical history, systematically summarizing the development process of dental alveolar surgery in China. The initial establishment phase (1935-1952) marked the starting point of Chinese Alveolar Surgery. Despite the impact of wars, it laid the foundation for subsequent research and practice. During the early development phase (1953-1966), the "Chinese Journal of Stomatology" was founded, which promoted the development of Alveolar Surgery. Research focused on tooth extraction methods and complications. Tooth Transplantation and Preprosthetic Surgery gradually began to take off. The stagnant phase (1967-1977) occurred due to the interruption of international exchanges, leading to an almost complete halt in the development of Alveolar Surgery. Entering the rapid catch-up phase (1978-1985), Alveolar Surgery scholars in China began striving to overcome the stagnation of the previous decade. While some progress was made, no significant innovative achievements emerged. In the scientific development phase (1986-2010), clinical research, basic experiments, and paper writing in modern Chinese Alveolar Surgery began to adhere to scientific standards with the rise of experimental medicine. The exploration and innovation stage (2011-2023) is the current development phase, during which Chinese Aveolar Surgery has reached its peak, making substantial progress in technology, clinical practices, and basic research, gradually reaching or even surpassing international advanced levels. Looking back at the development history in China, we can find the wisdom and hard work of the older generation of Alveolar Surgery scholars. However, contemporary challenges and issues, such as standardizing technology, promoting clinical practices, and talent cultivation, need to be addressed by present-day Alveolar Surgery professionals as they forge ahead.

Perceptions and Knowledge of Undergraduate Dental Students about Artificial Intelligence in Dental Schools: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the perceptions and knowledge of undergraduate dental students about artificial intelligence (AI) in dental schools through a cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study. Participant recruitment was achieved by sending an online questionnaire to the undergraduate students at the assigned universities. The questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first seven questions record general information about participants and their perceptions of AI. The remaining questions are about the knowledge of participants about the applications of AI. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. RESULTS: About 165 undergraduate students from 20 universities related to the dental sciences responded to the questionnaire. And 80.6% of participants found the use of AI in dentistry exciting. I have a basic knowledge of the working principles of AI. About 80.6% of participants believe that applications of AI should be part of undergraduate dental training. And 66.6% of students are aware of the opportunities and threats that AI can create. The results show that 75% of the students indicated that they got their information about AI through social media. Regarding the association of years of studies with AI applications used in periodontics, the knowledge about AI applications in "aggressive periodontics," "compromised teeth," and "success in rate of dental implant" was significantly higher in senior students than junior students (p < 0.05). Concerning applications of AI used in restorative dentistry and prosthodontics, only "computer color matching," "tooth surface losses," and "I do not know" showed statistical significance (p < 0.05) with the year of study of participants. Senior students show significantly better knowledge in "success in retreatment" and "working length determinant." CONCLUSION: Although undergraduates are enthusiastic about AI and aware of its threats and benefits, their knowledge is limited. In addition, undergraduate programs must exert more effort to prepare students for the era of AI. How to cite this article: Aldowah O, Almakrami A, Alghuwaynim Y, et al. Perceptions and Knowledge of Undergraduate Dental Students about Artificial Intelligence in Dental Schools: A Cross-sectional Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(2):148-155.

Oral lichen planus in children: A systematic review / Liquen plano oral en niños: una revisión sistemática

Background: Oral Lichen Planus is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa. The prevalencein adults ranges between 0.5% and 2%, while in children is reported to be about 0,03%. Clinical features of OralLichen Planus could be variable in both adults and children, ranging from painless white hyperkeratotic lesions topainful erythematous atrophic ones.Actually, there are no systematic reviews in the literature on OLP in children, whereby this paper aims to sum-marize all the pathophysiological aspects and identify all cases described in the literature of Oral Lichen Planusin children, reporting their clinical characteristics.Material and Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed in online databases including PubMed,Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, EMBASE. In addition, in order to identify reports not otherwise identifi-able, an analysis of the gray literature was performed on google scholar and in Open Gray.Results: By literature analysis, it emerged that most cases were reported from India. The mean age at time of diag-nosis of the disease was 11 years, ranging from 3 to 17 years. The most frequent pattern was the reticular patternfollowed by plaque-like, erosive, atrophic, sclerosus, and bullous. The buccal mucosa was the most involved oralsite, followed by the tongue, lips and gingiva.Conclusions: Although Oral Lichen Planus in children is rare, it may cause oral discomfort and need to be dif-ferentiated from other oral white lesions and/or chronic ulcers.(AU)

Has the 8th American joint committee on cancer TNM staging improved prognostic performance in oral cancer? A systematic review / ¿Ha mejorado la estadificación TNM del octavo comité conjunto estadounidense sobre cáncer? ¿Rendimiento pronóstico en el cáncer oral? Una revisión sistemática

Background: The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification has introduced two new parameters: depth of invasion (DOI) and extranodal extension (ENE). The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether this 8th edition referred to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) offers performance superior to that of the 7th edition in relation to overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Material and Methods: The review was carried out following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. The PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus and Cochrane Library databases were searched covering the period up until April 7th, 2022.Results: Thirteen retrospective cohort studies were finally included. The introduction of DOI and ENE in the 8th edition of the AJCC classification resulted in improved prognostic performance of the classification. Conclusions: Patients with OSCC can be better classified in relation to OS and DSS, while maintaining the simplicity and ease of use of the classification. This allows more appropriate treatment protocols to be applied and affords a better estimation of the prognosis of each patient.(AU)

Early complications and quality of life in patients with immediately loaded implant-supported maxillary partial rehabilitations: A prospective cohort study / Complicaciones tempranas y calidad de vida en pacientes con rehabilitaciones parciales maxilares implantosoportadas con carga inmediata: un estudio de cohorte prospectivo

Background: Immediate loading of dental implants is considered an excellent option to reestablish function and aesthetics in a short period of time, thereby reducing the psychological impact of edentulism. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of complications in immediately loaded implant-supported single or partial maxillary provisional rehabilitations; to assess changes in patient quality of life (QoL); to evaluate patient overall satisfaction; and to determine whether the occurrence of complications affects these outcomes. Material and Methods: Patients requiring partial rehabilitation with implants in the maxilla were included in a prospective cohort study. In all cases, implant-based restoration with an immediate loading protocol was indicated. A provisional restoration was placed within 72 hours after implant placement. Patient QoL was measured at the first appointment and just before placing the final restoration, using two validated questionnaires. All mechanical and biological complications occurring up until placement of the final restoration were documented. A descriptive and bivariate analysis of the data was performed. Results: Thirty-five patients with 40 prostheses supported by 60 implants were analyzed. Three implant failures were observed, yielding a 95% survival rate. Five provisional prosthesis fractures and two prosthetic screw loosenings were recorded in four patients. A significant reduction in OHIP-14 score was observed. Likewise, significant differences were found in the results of the QoLFAST-10, with a mean difference in score of 7.3 between the initial and final evaluation. Conclusions: Patients receiving immediately loaded implant-supported single or partial maxillary provisional rehabilitations seem to have a low risk of developing early mechanical (13.3%) or biological complications (5%)...(AU)

Coronectomy of impacted mandibular third molars: a clinical and radiological retrospective case series study with 2-9 years of follow-up / Coronectomía de terceros molares mandibulares impactados: un estudio de serie de casos retrospectivo clínico y radiológico con 2-9 años de seguimiento

Background: Impacted mandibular third molars occasionally are in intimate relation to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). Coronectomy has been proposed as a good alternative to prevent injury of the IAN. The present study evaluates the clinical and radiological outcomes of impacted mandibular third molars presenting radiographic signs associated with a high risk of IAN injury, and which were treated with the coronectomy technique. Material and Methods: A retrospective case series evaluated the outcomes of coronectomies of impacted mandibular third molars. The inclusion criteria were: available preoperative, immediate postoperative and two-year panoramic radiographs, preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and a complete case history. The clinical evaluation comprised intraoperative complications (mobilized fragments of root and damage to adjacent structures), short-term complications (sensory alterations and postoperative infection), and long-term complications (infection or oral exposure). The IAN position with respect to the roots, root shape, eruption status, third molar position, radicular-complex migration and bone above roots were radiographically evaluated as well. Results: Approximately a total of 2000 mandibular third molars were removed from 2011 to 2022. Of these, 39 molars in 34 patients were partially extracted using the coronectomy technique. The mean age was 36 years (range 22-77), and the mean follow-up was 28 months (range 24-84). There were two short-term postoperative infections. One of them was resolved through reintervention to remove the roots after antibiotic treatment, while the other required hospital admission and removal of the roots. One case of short-term transient lingual paresthesia was also recorded. Two long-term oral exposures were detected, and the root fragments had to be extracted. There were no permanent sensory alterations...(AU)

The evaluation of nasolacrimal duct injury in Le Fort I osteotomy patients / Evaluación de la lesión del conducto nasolagrimal en pacientes con osteotomía Le Fort I

Background: Although Le Fort I surgeries are safe and successful procedures; nasolacrimal duct injuries may be observed due to these surgeries. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of nasolacrimal duct injury in Le Fort I osteotomy patients. Material and Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study consisting of patients who underwent Le Fort I osteotomies between 2017 and 2021 in the Erciyes University Faculty of Dentistry. The primary predictor variables were the distance of the nasolacrimal canal to the outer cortex of the maxilla and the nasal floor, as well as the superior-inferior level of the superiorly positioned screw inserted in the maxilla aperture region relative to the nasolacrimal canal. The outcome variable was the presence of a nasolacrimal duct injury. Mann Whitney U test was used for quantitative variables between the two groups. A Pearson chi-squared analysis was used to compare categorical data. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 290 nasolacrimal canals were evaluated in 145 patients, 87 females, and 58 males. The mean age was 23.47± 6.67. There was a statistically significant relationship between screw level and nasolacrimal canal perforation (p<0,001). The distance between the most anterior border of the nasolacrimal canal and the outer cortical of the maxilla was significantly less in the perforation group (p<0,001). The fixation screw was significantly closer to the nasolacrimal canal in the perforation group (p<0,001). Conclusions: In Le Fort I surgery, nasolacrimal duct injury may occur during screw fixation to the aperture region. Superiorly positioned fixation screws in the aperture region may damage the nasolacrimal canal. In patients where the nasolacrimal canal is close to the outer cortex, care should be taken when applying the fixation screws to the aperture region to avoid damaging the canal.(AU)

Evaluation of lymph node findings in patients with and without odontogenic infection: A clinical and ultrasonographic study / Evaluación de hallazgos ganglionares en pacientes con y sin infección odontogénica: un estudio clínico y ecográfico

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the ultrasonographic findings of submandibular and submental lymph nodes in patients with and without odontogenic infection. Material and Methods: Systemically healthy patients aged 18-30 years old with or without odontogenic infections were included in this study. Clinical examinations were performed on all patients; those with any odontogenic infection were placed in the study group, and those without were placed in the control group. Ultrasonographic examinations of bilateral submental and submandibular lymph nodes were performed for both groups. The data were statistically analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square test and Student’s t-test.Results: A total of 150 patients voluntarily participated (female: n=86 (57%), male: n=64 (43%)), 75 in the study group and 75 in the control group. During the ultrasonographic examination, patients in the study group had more than one lymph node the same patient was mostly detected, in the study group (right submandibular: n=42, 56%, and left submandibular: n=43, 57.3%). The long-axis diameter of the submandibular lymph nodes was 9.30±5.30 mm and 5.50±5.20 mm in the study and control groups, respectively. Conclusions: Ultrasonography revealed that the presence, number, and long-axis diameter of the submandibular lymph nodes in the patients with and without odontogenic infection were statistically different.(AU)

Identification of ferroptosis-related diagnostic markers in primary Sjögren's syndrome based on machine learning / Identificación de marcadores diagnósticos relacionados con la ferroptosis en el síndrome de Sjögren primario basado en aprendizaje automático

Background: Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is a common autoimmune disorder that affects up to 0.3-3% of the global population. Ferroptosis has recently been identified to play a significant role in autoimmune diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis in the initiation and progression of pSS remains unclear. Material and Methods: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the occurrence and progression of pSS, we utilized a comprehensive approach by integrating data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database with data from the FerrDb database to identify the ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Furthermore, we implemented an innovative transcriptomic analysis method utilizing a computer-aided algorithm to establish a network between hub genes associated with ferroptosis and the immune microenvironment in pSS patients. Results: Our results revealed significant differences in the gene expression profiles of pSS samples compared to normal tissues, with 1,830 significantly up-regulated genes and 1,310 significantly down-regulated genes. In addition, our results showed a significant increase in the proportions of B cells and CD4+ T cells in pSS samples compared to normal tissues. AND then, our analysis revealed that a combination of six ferroptosis-related genes, including TBK1, SLC1A4, PIK3CA, ENO3, EGR1, and ATG5, could serve as optimal markers for the diagnosis of pSS. The combined analysis of these six genes accurately diagnosed the occurrence of pSS. Conclusions: This study offers valuable insights into the pathogenesis of pSS and highlights the importance of targeting ferroptosis-related DEGs, which suggests a novel treatment strategy for pSS.(AU)