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Purpose: Pregnant women witness many changes in the body as well as in the oral cavity with many factors influencing these changes. This study evaluated the relationship between oral health status, perceptions, and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A cross sectional study design was implemented to recruit a convenience sample of women attending Obstetrics and gynecology department in public hospitals in East and capital city of Saudi Arabia. To collect data, a validated self-administered questionnaire in English and Arabic was used. The questionnaire covered background information, perceived oral health status, and dental visits. Results: About 64.4% of the 481 women recruited had dental problems, 49.7% reported deterioration in their oral health during pregnancy, and 17.5% reported adverse pregnancy outcomes. Only 40.7% of pregnant women rated their oral health as good, and only 22% visited a dentist during their pregnancy. Dentists were the most common source of oral health information (44.1%), followed by social media (38.9%). Dental problems during pregnancy were significantly associated with adverse outcomes (P=0.007). Oral health perceptions of pregnant women, not visiting the dentist during pregnancy, and gingival problems were also significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (P=0.001). Those with fair to poor oral health were twice as likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcome. Those who intended to visit the dentist during their pregnancy but did not do so, as well as those who did not visit the dentist at all were 12 and 9 times more likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes respectively. Conclusion: Dental complaints during pregnancy, oral health perceptions, and a lack of dental visits were all linked to increased likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes. There is a need for interprofessional collaboration to dispel myths and encourage oral health care and regular dental visits during pregnancy.
RESUMO
Aim To assess the radiographic quality of root canal treatment (RCT) performed on single-rooted anterior teeth by undergraduate dental students of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU). Moreover, the study also aimed to assess the types of procedural errors encountered during root canal treatment and to compare the results between male and female students. Methodology The record of patients who visited the endodontic clinics at IAU between the years 2018 and 2021 was obtained from the medical records department. The inclusion criteria for the study involved: i) RCT performed on anterior teeth with a single root; ii) RCT performed by fourth, fifth, and sixth-year undergraduate dental students; and iii) availability of pre-operative and post-operative peri-apical radiographs. After the inclusion criteria, a total of 278 records were selected. The radiographs were accessed by two calibrated examiners for the length of the obturation, homogeneity, and taper. In addition, procedural errors such as the presence of a ledge, perforation, or fractured instruments were also observed. Analysis was done using the Chi-square test. Results A total of 139 teeth (50%) were found to have an adequate quality root canal treatment. Regarding the length of the obturation, 85.6% were considered acceptable, while 65.1% of the obturations had acceptable radiographic homogeneity. The acceptable taper was found in 71.9% of the obturations. Dental students who participated in this study demonstrated a low rate of procedural errors, with 4.7% ledge formation and 1% perforation. A statistically significant difference was found in the quality of root canal obturation (P = <0.001) performed by fourth, fifth, and sixth-year students. Moreover, a significant difference was also observed between maxillary and mandibular teeth (P= 0.032). Conclusion The quality of RCT performed by undergraduate dental students demonstrated that improvements are required. The teaching methods used in the endodontic courses need to be developed and improved to ensure the best possible learning and treatment outcomes.
RESUMO
Background: Dental post and core is one of the common procedures performed after endodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to radiographically assess the quality of post and core procedures performed by dental students at different education levels in addition to determining the most critical errors encountered during their clinical practice. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted in the College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. A total of 550 periapical radiographs (PAs) of cemented posts were retrieved from the records of patients treated by dental students. Parameters and guidelines for assessing the quality of post treatment have been determined and statistically analyzed. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study included 502 students and most of them were females (66.5%). Data were obtained from 502 patients (62% females) with fiber posts used in 98.2% of the cases. About 50% of the posts were inserted in premolars, 62.9% in the upper arch, and 66.7% were restored with crowns as a final restoration. Regarding the quality of posts, 98.4% showed good preparation quality and 98% showed good radiographic quality. The post diameter was equal to 1/3 of the root diameter in 31.9% of the cases; post length was equal to 2/3 of root length in 5% of the cases and equal to or more than crown height in all cases (100%). Length of the remaining gutta percha (GP) was between 3-5 mm in 38.8%, and there was no gap between the post and remaining GP in 95.6% of the cases. There were no statistically significant differences between dental students at different clinical educational levels regarding the quality of post placement. Conclusions: The quality of post and core procedures performed by students showed acceptable radiographic quality and were within the recommended standards.