Medical reliability of a video-sharing website: The gingival recession model.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the quality of the scientific/clinical information in dentistry delivered by videos hosted by a popular video-sharing website. METHODS: The gingival recession condition was used as a model and YouTube™ as the video hosting service. A systematic observation of videos containing information on gingival recession was conducted. Videos were analysed to evaluate (i) the scientific reliability and quality of the information using Global Quality Scale (GQS) and DISCREN criteria; and (ii) the understandability of this information using a tailor-made custom comprehensiveness index (CI). RESULTS: One hundred and eighty videos were identified. Videos dealing with surgical procedures were not included in the present review. After selection, 41 videos were analysed. The mean GQS was 2.34 on a 0-5 scale, and 25 (61%) videos showed clear aims according to DISCREN criteria. Misleading content was observed in eight videos (19.5%). The scientific sources of information were unclear in 26 (63.4%) videos. All videos failed to give additional references for supplemental information. Only three videos (7%) provided basic information on aetiology, clinical presentations and management of gingival recession. Based on 0-2 CI scores, three, nine and 29 videos had a score of 2, 1 and 0, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present model indicates that social media websites aiming to provide health information should be carefully accounted, especially when dealing with dentistry. It also suggests professional involvement to improve the quality of the delivered information.

Use of High Performance Polymers as Dental Implant Abutments and Frameworks: A Case Series Report.

Dental implant abutments can be made of different materials including titanium, gold, zirconia, alumina, and polymeric materials. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high performance thermoplastic polymer that can be used as a dental implant abutment material. It has an elastic modulus comparable to bone and can reduce stress shielding. PEEK is a radiolucent material that can allow better radiographic imaging of peri-implant tissues and can be veneered with composite materials or bonded to ceramics. PEEK is widely used in orthopedic and spinal surgeries, and it possesses mechanical and biological characteristics that encourage its use as dental implant abutments. This article will review the use of PEEK in dentistry and in particular as a dental implant abutment and over implant framework. Clinical reports will be presented to suggest some uses of PEEK materials in implant dentistry.

Assessment of self-medication of antibiotics in a Jordanian population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent of self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) in a Jordanian population, and to evaluate the sociodemographic factors affecting this behaviour. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 477 patients aged 16-65 years attending the Department of Dentistry, University of Jordan Hospital. Socio-demographic data were collected and interviewees were asked about their SMA behaviour during the last 6 months, the reasons and motives for this behaviour, and the source and dose of the antibiotics were noted. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of SMA in the sample during the 6 months preceding the interview was 40.7% (194/477). Patients aged 36-55 years and those in the middle-class income group were most likely to perform SMA. SMA was mainly for sore throats, common colds and dental infections, and community pharmacies were the major source (104, 53.6% cases). Amoxicillin was the most commonly used antibiotic, and only 73 (37.6%) patients followed the correct dosage guidelines. Previous experience with similar illness and saving time were the most common reasons for SMA. Ninety-four (19.7%) patients admitted that they consulted another physician to obtain antibiotics when their first physician did not prescribe any. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that SMA was a frequent practice among Jordanians, signifying the need for an educational campaign on the proper use of antibiotics in this population.

Dental implants in a patient with suspected leucocyte adhesion deficiency.

Aggressive periodontitis and premature tooth loss in leucocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) have adverse functional and psychological consequences on affected individuals. Dental implant rehabilitation might become necessary to overcome the functional and psychological adverse effects of LAD periodontitis, especially in patients with milder forms who are expected to have a relatively normal life expectancy. Outcome of dental implants in patients with LAD has not been previously reported; we describe the dental rehabilitation of a 24-year-old man with clinical features of LAD using endosseous dental implants.