Association of Electronic Cigarette Usage with the Subsequent Initiation of Combustible Cigarette Smoking among Dental Students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Longitudinal Study.

The use of electronic cigarettes, or "e-cigarettes", among youths has sparked worries about the possibility of nicotine dependence as a serious public health issue. Dental practitioners play a critical role in helping their patients quit smoking. Dental schools across the globe have policies encouraging their students to help patients quit smoking. Current research, however, indicates that a significant portion of dental students smoke combustible cigarettes and use e-cigarettes. According to studies, using e-cigarettes has resulted in the subsequent initiation of combustible cigarette smoking among its users. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the use of electronic cigarettes and the subsequent initiation of combustible cigarette smoking among dental students who were not attitudinally susceptible to smoking combustible cigarettes. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted among 121 study participants who were never combustible cigarette users and were attitudinally non-susceptible to smoking at baseline. At baseline, 66 (54.6%) study participants were categorized as e-cigarette users who were attitudinally non-susceptible to combustible cigarette smoking, and 55 (45.4%) study participants were categorized as non-users who were attitudinally non-susceptible to combustible cigarette smoking. The initiation of combustible cigarette smoking was assessed at 6- and 12-month intervals. Binomial regression analysis of the outcome at the end of one-year follow-up, when analyzed with independent variables, revealed a significant influence of e-cigarette use on taking up combustible cigarette smoking [Relative Risk: 9.395; 95% CI: 3.03-29.04]. Chi-squared analysis of independent variables revealed e-cigarette use to be significantly associated with fathers' education level (p = 0.00), parental cigarette smoking status (p = 0.00), cigarette smoking among friends (p = 0.00), and family income (p = 0.00). E-cigarette users are more likely to believe it to be healthier (p = 0.00) than combustible smoking. In the present study, e-cigarette usage demonstrated a significant influence on taking up combustible cigarette smoking among its users. Educational institutions should implement stringent policies and regulations to prevent health professionals from using these products.

Does Social Media Affect a Patient's Decision to Undergo Orthognathic Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, is a procedure that corrects abnormalities of the jaw and face. It is used to treat malocclusions, where the teeth and jaws are misaligned. This surgery can improve the function and appearance of the jaw and face, leading to improved mastication, speech, and quality of life for the patients. To assess if social media had any effect on the patients' decision to undergo orthognathic surgery, a self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to patients who had undergone orthognathic surgery at the Oral and Maxillofacial department through the health information system (BESTCare, 2.0A) to participate in the study. In total, 111 responses were recorded from the patients, with 107 agreeing to answer the questionnaire and 4 refusing to answer. Twitter was a source of information about orthognathic surgery for 61 patients (57%). When using a social media platform, 3 patients (2.8%) were influenced by an advertisement or an educational post on social media that presented the surgical correction of the jaws, while 15 (14%) believed that they had been somewhat influenced, and 25 (23.4%) picked their surgeon through social media. Fifty-six patients (52.3%) took the neutral position regarding whether information on social media had answered their questions and concerns regarding the surgical procedure. Social media did not influence patients' decision to undergo the procedure. Surgeons and specialists must utilize their platforms to answer any concerns or questions from any patient undergoing or having undergone this corrective jaw surgery.

Dental Students' Experience, Impact, and Response to Patient Aggression in Saudi Arabia: A Nationwide Study.

Patient aggression and violence comprise a wide range of behaviors and actions that may include verbal aggression and physical aggression. The aim of this study is to report dental students' experience with, impact from, and response to patient aggression in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among dental students from various health universities representing each region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a self-administered, structured and validated questionnaire. A total of 375 participants responded to the questionnaire and 121 (32.3%) study participants reported experiencing patient aggression. Out of those, 91 (75.21%) experienced patients displaying anger or raising their voice toward them, 37 (30.58%) reported being insulted by a patient, 22 (18.18%) reported being threatened, 12 (6.2%) had experienced sexual harassment, and 65 (50.41%) had experienced verbal harassment. Furthermore, 91 (75.21%) participants reported being abandoned by patients because they were students. A total of 55 (45.45%) participants stated that aggressive patient behavior had an impact on their clinical performance, and 44 (36.36%) considered themselves stressed out. A total of 24 (19.83%) participants took time off due to incidents and 22 (18.18%) thought about quitting dentistry. Prevalence of patient aggression was significant among dental students in Saudi Arabia. These episodes of patient aggression negatively impacted students' academic performance and wellbeing, necessitating urgent attention. Educational institutions should conduct periodic workshops for students in order to address these issues. Policymakers should develop better policies in order to reduce violence and aggression against health care providers.