Maintenance of dental records and awareness of forensic odontology among pakistani dentists: a mixed-method study with implications for dental data repository.

OBJECTIVE: Dental records and forensic odontology play an important role in both healthcare and the legal system, aiding in personalized patient care, human identification, and legal proceedings. This study aims to investigate dental record-keeping practices and assess the awareness of forensic odontology among Pakistani dentists over 12 months. This study aims to collect data from 500 dentists, identify areas for enhancement, and develop a strategic action plan to improve record-keeping quality and forensic odontology application, culminating in a comprehensive dental data repository to support legal and criminal investigations in Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: This study employed a mixed-method approach conducted at Hamdard Dental College from January to March 2023. The quantitative phase involved distributing questionnaires to 463 dentists, chosen through stratified random sampling. Out of these, 413 responded, yielding an 86% response rate. These questionnaires focused on dental record-keeping practices and dentists' awareness of forensic odontology. Subsequently, based on the questionnaire results, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 20 purposively selected dentists to gain deeper insight into the challenges and potential solutions. Data from both phases were integrated and analyzed accordingly. RESULTS: The study included 413 participants, mainly females (79%), with ages ranging from 27 to 65 years and an average age of 46.4 years. Most dentists had 5-20 years of work experience (53%), and most (87.4%) were practicing in private clinical settings. All the dentists generated medical and dental records, but the duration of their record-keeping varied, with some maintaining them for up to a year and others for two years or longer. Five themes were generated from the qualitative content analysis. These themes were dentists' perceptions, barriers and challenges, knowledge and awareness, and improvement strategies. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that local practitioners in Pakistan exhibit subpar practices in dental record-keeping and maintenance of patient history, irrespective of whether they use a digital or traditional file-based system. Even though dentists are cognizant of the importance of record-keeping, they do not actively maintain comprehensive records. This suggests the need for improved training and system improvements to address the gaps in record-keeping practices.

Relationship between Chronological Age and Dental Age Using Third Molar Calcification in the Pakistani Population.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the relationship between dental age and chronological age in patients attending dental OPDs using third molar calcification stages. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Dental OPDs of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, from November 2021 to April 2022. METHODOLOGY: Dental Orthopantomograms (OPG) of 385 patients, aged 12-28 years attending the dental OPDs, were obtained during the study period. Third molar calcification stages were evaluated using the method proposed by Kohler et al. based on ten stages of tooth formation. The inter-examiner agreement was tested by adding another examiner to 100 dental OPGs after 30 days of reviewing them by one examiner. A simple linear regression model was applied between age and stage of tooth growth. RESULTS: A total of 121 males (31.4%) and 264 (68.6%) females were included in this study. Intra-agreement and inter-agreement were excellent (˃0.90). A total of 55 (14.28%) had half of the root completed, followed by 49 (12.72%) who had initiation of root formation and 1/3rd root completion. The left mandibular third molars were found to be more statistically significant with Kohler's stages of development in both genders. CONCLUSION: Developing third molars was significantly related to chronological age and provided the most accurate age calculation based on all tooth measurements and ratios of tooth measurements. Third molar calcification stages can be used accurately to predict age in Pakistani adolescents. KEY WORDS: Dental age estimation, Chronological age, Dental radiographs, Orthopantomograph, Third molar development.

Relationship between work-related ocular events, facial injuries and associated factors amongst dental professionals during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: In dental settings, COVID-19 can be transmitted directly from patients to dentists through small droplets, saliva splashes, blood, and other body fluids liberated as a result of dental procedures. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of ocular and facial injuries in dental professionals and to investigate factors in dental practice contributing to ocular injuries. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed in public and private sector universities. The study had 301 participants including final year undergraduate students, interns, postgraduate trainees, general practitioners, and dental specialists. Data were gathered online using Google forms. Information on sociodemographic, practice details, history of ocular and facial encounters during the clinical experience, and protective measures adopted by the dentists were collected. Means and standard deviations were calculated for continuous variables whereas frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables. A Chi-square test was applied for association between variables. RESULTS: Ocular events and facial injuries occurred more in females 204 (67.8%) than in males 97(32.2%). Final year students reported more incidence of ocular encounters than specialists (40.9%, 3.3%). Dentists working in the government sector underwent more ocular encounters than those in private sectors 185(61.4%) and 96 (31.8%). Majority of participants reported that scaling was the procedure in which dentists experienced an ocular event. A significant association was found between ocular events, qualification, years of experience in clinical practice, number of patients treated per day, improper posture, and proper armamentarium (p < 0.05). However, no association was found between ocular events, gender, working sector, and dental procedures. CONCLUSION: Occurrence of ocular injuries were high compared to facial injuries and these outcomes were dependent on dental expertise and experiences. Appropriate measures should be adopted to minimize the risk of disease transmission and COVID-19 through the eyes among practicing dentists.

Antimicrobial efficacy of silver diamine fluoride in comparison to photodynamic therapy and chlorhexidine on canal disinfection and bond strength to radicular dentin.

AIM: To assess the antimicrobial efficacy of Silver diamine fluoride (SDF), Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), Chlorhexidine (CHX) and Photodynamic therapy (PDT) in radicular dentin and subsequent bond strength of Fiber reinforced composite post (FRCP) to radicular dentin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty extracted premolars were disinfected and decoronated up-to cement-o-enamel junction (CEJ). Canals were instrumented using crown-down technique, dried and filled with gutta percha. Post space was prepared with the help of peso reamers and inoculated with E. faecalis. Samples were randomly allocated into four groups based on chemical irrigation (n = 10). Group 1, canal disinfected with (PDT, MB), group 2 (5.25 % NaOCl +17 % EDTA), group 3 (3.8 % SDF) and group 4 (CHX). Specimens were tested with confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis (CLSM) to confirm the presence of E. faecalis. Fibre post were luted in root canal and sectioned at three levels (apical, middle and coronal). Push-out test was performed and failure analysis of debonded surfaces was evaluated using stereomicroscope. Live and dead cells after exposure were calculated in percentage. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) assessed the means and standard deviations of extrusion bond strength (EBS). Tukey multiple comparison tests was used to compare means of bond strength (p = 0.05). RESULTS: The maximum antimicrobial efficacy against E. faecalis was observed in group 2 which included canal disinfected with 5.25 % NaOCl and 17 % EDTA (64.41 ±â€¯1.22). Similarly, CHX showed lowest effectiveness as canal irrigant against E.faecalis (58.29 ±â€¯2.41). Intragroup comparison revealed highest bond strength for group 2 at all three level. Similarly, the lowest EBS was found in CHX group. Inter-group comparison confirmed comparable EBS at all root levels (apical, middle and coronal) for group 2 and group 3 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Radicular dentin treated with 5.25 % NaOCl and 17 % EDTA displayed highest antimicrobial and bond strength scores. SDF and PDT can potentially be used in canal irrigation.

Perceptions of dental faculty and students of E-learning and its application in a public sector Dental College in Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess e-learning resources and its application in dentistry among students and faculty of a dental college.. METHODS: The qualitative study was conducted at Dow International Dental College, Karachi, from April to July 2017, and comprised semi-structured one-to-one interviews of undergraduate and postgraduate dental students as well as faculty members. A questionnaire was used to collect data about the way learners were using computer or smart phones in addition to conventional learning. The data was analysed through analysis of themes that included familiarisation, identification of a theme framework, indexing, charting, followed by mapping and interpretation. RESULTS: There were 21 subjects in the study. The use of smart phones was still limited to communication majorly. Majority of students utilised online resources like e-books and online searches. Faculty members used computers for reading articles and research. CONCLUSIONS: Blended asynchronous e-learning strategies were being practised by dental students and faculty.