Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding infection control measures among dental students during COVID-19 pandemic.

Among health care professionals, dentists are more prone to infection due to their direct contact with blood and saliva. This study highlights the level of compliance with infection control measures among dental students; and linked this to their knowledge and attitudes regarding infection control measures and proper vaccinations. The study is a multi-centre analytical cross-sectional survey. The sample size was 969 clinical years' students from governmental and private dental colleges in Sudan and Saudi Arabia. A pre-coded, pre-tested, and anonymous questionnaire consisted of seven categories of knowledge, attitude, awareness, and practices, including 40 questions, was answered. The study has linked knowledge, attitude, and practice in dental clinics with possible COVID-19 transmission in dental clinics. The results showed that the use of some Personal Protective Equipment was low in Sudan and moderate in Saudi Arabia (statistically significant, p < 0.001). Moderate percentage of Hepatitis B vaccination status, with low percentage of Post HBV serology, was reported (p < 0.001). The percentages of major causes of percutaneous and/or eye exposure/injury, for examples, were as follows: anesthesia (33.3-62.7%, p 0.006) and suture needle (17.5-39.4%, p 0.037). In conclusion, dental students in the present study had good knowledge and positive attitudes regarding infection control in general, but showed moderate compliance with the recommended infection control guidelines.

The level of fibroblast growth factor-2 prepared from Advanced Platelet Rich Fibrin (A-PRF) in obese Saudi subjects compared to healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity has increased substantially in the last few decades. World Health Organization (2020) estimated that around 600 million obese adults worldwide were obese, and a further increase is expected in the future due to increased consumption of high-calorie diets and a sedentary lifestyle as per the evidence. AIM: To evaluate and compare the level of fibroblast growth factor platelet rich fibrin (A-PRF) in obese subject compare to healthy weight subject. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 23 volunteers, 15 obese subject (test group) and 8 non-obese (control group) at Riyadh Elm University. Considering the smaller sample size of our study, the results are to cautiously be interpreted for generalizability. Studies employing larger sample size are recommended to overcome this point. But considering the meticulous study procedure adhering to the study protocol and set criteria, the study pronounces greater internal validity in the sample chosen. The medical, dental histories, an interview and clinical examination was performed to check the eligibility of the participants to be involved in this study, Blood sample was collected in 10 ml syringe, then being processed using A-PRF centrifugation protocols. Ten milliliters of whole blood without anticoagulant was centrifuged at 1,300 rpm for 14 minutes. RESULTS: The level of FGF-2 released from (A-PRF) concentration was significantly lower on obese which was measured on 4 different times (day 1, day 7, day 14 and day 28), compared to healthy. CONCLUSIONS: There was decrease in FGF-2 level released from (A-PRF) from obese compared to healthy.

Association between gingival tissue biotype and different facial phenotypes.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the association between gingival tissue biotypes and different facial phenotypes. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the dental clinics of Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Gingival tissue biotypes were assessed and facial measurements recorded for 80 subjects who met the inclusion criteria. Data are presented as numbers (percentages) for all categorical variables and mean ±â€¯standard deviation plus median (interquartile range) for all continuous variables. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed and a P-value ≤ 0.05 was accepted as significant for all statistical tests. RESULTS: The age range of the participants was 21-40 years (mean 28.8 ±â€¯04.3), and the majority were males (65.0%). The thin gingival tissue biotype was found in 39 subjects (48.8%) while the thick gingival biotype was present in 41 subjects (51.2%). The majority of patients were mesoprosopic (41.2%), followed by those who were leptoprosopic (37.5%) and euryprosopic (21.3%). The thick gingival tissue biotype was more prevalent in 21-30-year-old patients. The mesoprosopic facial phenotype was significantly associated with presence of the thin gingival tissue biotype (odds ratio = 3.600, p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the mesoprosopic facial phenotype was more likely to exhibit the thin gingival tissue biotype. The mesoprosopic facial phenotype was the most common facial phenotype of the subjects. The thick gingival tissue biotype was more prevalent in younger people.

Effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy on serum lipids and C-reactive protein among hyperlipidemic patients with chronic periodontitis.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on plasma lipid levels in hyperlipidemic patients with chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 hyperlipidemic patients with chronic periodontitis in the age group of 30-70 years, undergoing treatment in Ahmed Gasim Cardiac and Renal transplant Centre in north Sudan were recruited for the study. Patients were randomly assigned to the study and control groups. The study group received non-surgical periodontal therapy - oral hygiene instructions, scaling and root planing. The control group participants received only oral hygiene instructions. Lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG)], C-reactive protein (CRP), and periodontal parameters [Plaque index (PI), Gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PD), and attachment loss (ATL)] were measured and compared at baseline and after 3 months of the respective intervention. Between-groups analysis was done using independent "t" test and within-group analysis was done using dependent "t" test. RESULTS: At baseline, groups were comparable based on lipid profile and periodontal parameters. After 3 months, the control group showed significant decrease in the PI and GI scores while there was no significant change in the other parameters. However, the study group showed significant decrease in the LDL and CRP levels along with a significant decrease in PD, ATL, PI, and GI scores, compared to the baseline values. CONCLUSION: Local non-surgical periodontal therapy resulted in improved periodontal health, with significant decrease in the LDL and CRP levels in hyperlipidemic patients with chronic periodontitis. Hence, local non-surgical periodontal therapy may be considered as an adjunct in the control of hyperlipidemia, along with standard care.