Exam evaluation in prosthodontics across preclinical and clinical years from students' perspective: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to explore the students' perceptions and performance in prosthodontics theory exam. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 560 (80.82%) students of different levels (third, fourth and fifth years) to explore their opinions and performance with regard to a number of issues on a prosthodontics theory exam (exam evaluation, exam preparation, exam material, exam timing). Demographic data were also collected. Descriptive statistics were generated and Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, ANOVA test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to examine the associations between different variables. The significance level was set at p < .05. RESULTS: Students' responses regarding exam evaluation was influenced by their gender, study level, high-school Grade Point Average (GPA) and undergraduate cumulative GPA. Perceived exam difficulty was significantly affected by gender (p = .03) and study level (p < .001), and negatively correlated to both high-school GPA (p < .001) and university GPA (p = .03). The vast majority (88.2%) depended on lecture hand-outs and lecture notes for study. Exam material and preparation were not significantly affected by any of the demographic variables with most respondents (76.8%) thinking that the lectures blended with prosthodontics laboratories/clinics would improve their understanding of the exam material. The suggested best time to conduct the exam was early afternoon (31.6%). Student performance was significantly affected by the study level (p < .001) and cumulative GPA (p < .001) with significant positive correlation between the high-school GPA and the mark in the exam (r = .29, p < .001) and by the amount of time students spent for exam preparation (p < .001). Those students who reported using textbooks to prepare for the exam got significantly higher marks (66.1 ± 8.7) compared to the students who did not (62.8 ± 9.7) (p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Course level, GPA and gender were identified as the most influential factors in different aspects of exam evaluation and students' performance. Regular study and use of textbooks were demonstrated to improve academic performance. Additional orientation and guidance relating to the exam (especially for third year students) would be welcomed, as would alternate teaching methods such as small group discussions or study groups.

Rating communication skills in dental practice: the impact of different sociodemographic factors.

BACKGROUND: Communication abilities are essential for the successful operation of a dental business and significantly influence outcomes, compliance, and patient satisfaction. AIMS AND METHODS: The aim of our study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice of doctor-patient communication among Jordanian dentists. This evaluation was conducted through a survey based on the key components of the Calgary Cambridge Observation Guides. Additionally, the impact of several sociodemographic characteristics on communication abilities was investigated. This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2022. The data collection tool was an online questionnaire developed by the researchers, consisting of three sections: self-reported demographic and professional data, the practice of doctor-patient communication, and knowledge of doctor-patient communication. RESULTS: The study included 305 dentists, comprising 106 males and 199 females, with a mean age of 32.9 ± 9.0 years. The mean score for communication skills knowledge was 41.5, indicating a moderate level of communication skills knowledge. Female dentists demonstrated significantly higher communication scores compared to their male counterparts, and those working in the private sector scored significantly higher than those in the governmental sector or in both sectors (P ≤ 0.05). In general, older and more experienced dentists exhibited better communication skills. Educational level had a positive impact on certain communication skills items. 58.4% believed that communication skills can always be developed and improved through training sessions, while 48.9% reported never having attended such courses. 95.1% believed that training courses on communication skills are always necessary as part of the educational curriculum. The main obstacles that may deter dentists from considering communication skills courses were limited time (62.3%), course availability (37.7%), cost (28.2%), and perceived lack of importance (8.2%). CONCLUSION: Among a sample of Jordanian dentists, there appears to be a discrepancy between knowledge and self-reported practices regarding communication abilities. In certain crucial, evidence-based areas of doctor-patient communication, there are fundamental deficiencies. Considering the significant role dentists play in oral health and prevention, communication skills should be a top educational priority for them.

Dentists' knowledge and preference regarding gingival displacement methods.

INTRODUCTION: An accurate impression is an essential procedure for fabricating indirect fixed restorations. To achieve a precise final impression, the management of gingival tissue is without doubt a crucial. AIM: To evaluate the use of different gingival displacement techniques among dental clinicians and to assess their associated knowledge and technique preferences. METHODS: A self-designed survey was created electronically and sent to a list of dentists. The survey was composed of multiple sections. Participants who stated that they do not use GD methods were asked to answer the survey questions based on their knowledge. Descriptive statistics were generated, andChi-square test was used to examine the association between the different variables. RESULTS: A total of 188 dentists participated in this study. The majority 144 (76.6%) use GD in their practice. When asked which technique yields a more accurate impression with lower incidence of repeating the impression, 93 (64.6%) reported retraction cord technique with a hemostatic agent results in a higher impression accuracy, while only 14 (9.7%) declared the retraction paste technique as being more accurate. CONCLUSION: The cordless GD technique is believed to be easier, faster, and less traumatic to the gingival tissues, nevertheless, the outcome of dental impressions is believed to be more predictable with the use of conventional retraction cords and hemostatic medicaments.

Pattern, frequency and causes of dental extraction among children/adolescents Syrian refugees: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: The Syrian conflict has had a massive impact on the dental health of refugees. Dental extraction is a good indicator of socioeconomic position and degree of oral hygiene, however there is a scarcity of evidence in the scientific literature that characterizes the reasons for extraction in refugees. AIMS AND METHODS: The current study looked at the extraction causes and related sociodemographic variables of 322 Syrian refugees (46.3% females, 53.7% males) who were treated in a dental clinic in Zaatari camp (Jordan), from September to December 2019. All child Syrian refugees (aged 4-16) visiting the facility were eligible to participate. A validated semi-structured survey was used to collect clinical and sociodemographic data from the research sample. Chi-square test, Independent sample t-test, and ANOVA test were used to examine associations between the different variables. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The total number of teeth extracted was 397: 25 (6.3%) permanent teeth, 371 (93.5%) primary teeth, and one mesiodens (0.2%). Overall, lower teeth were most commonly extracted (56.9%). The most common teeth that required extraction were the lower primary molars, with lower left primary second molars being the most commonly extracted (15.9%). As the level of parental education increased, the mean number of extracted teeth decreased (P = 0.035), additionally, as the frequency of toothbrushing increased extractions due to caries decreased significantly (P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries and pulpal diseases were discovered to be the most prevalent causes for primary and permanent tooth extraction, with no difference between males and females. The lower left primary molar was the most commonly afflicted tooth.

Comparison of imaging modalities in the diagnosis of external cervical resorption (ECR): an in-vitro study.

External cervical resorption is a pathological condition affecting the cervical margins of teeth. Due to the increased prevalence and the area it affects, it can be easily misdiagnosed. The ability of clinicians to diagnose ECR and subcategorise the lesions using periapical radiographs and cone beam-CT scans has not been investigated in-depth. This study aims to assess if diagnostic ability to detect ECR lesions with the two modalities was different and if there was a change in the diagnosis when CBCT was used. A human skull, including the mandible was used for this study. The teeth were randomly allocated to the different subcategories, then pre and post-preparation radiographs with CBCT were taken. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The study sample was composed of 60 participants, the overall sensitivity of intraoral radiographs was significantly lower than CBCT. When the participants were told the radiograph and the CBCT were of the same tooth 60% said they would change their diagnosis. The use of intraoral radiographs alone might not be enough to identify and correctly diagnose ECR lesions. CBCT can give a better idea about the nature and the extent of the lesion.

Satisfaction with healthcare services among refugees in Zaatari camp in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Feedback on satisfaction regarding healthcare services is vital for continuous improvement of the service delivery process and outcome. AIMS AND METHODS: The objective of this study was to assess the satisfaction of refugees with the medical and dental services in Zaatari camp, under 3 domains with 20 key indicators (human and physical health resources, interaction and reactivity, and administration) using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 500 participants, the satisfaction rate was 72.5%. Young participants and participants with a shorter stay in the camp showed higher overall satisfaction rates (P ≤ 0.01). Within the domains, 'interaction and reactivity' achieved the highest satisfaction score, whereas 'administration efficiency' was ranked the lowest. As for elements within the domains, the most acceptable were the sufficient number of staff and the working hours, availability of radiological services and proper care for children, reasonable waiting time and asking for medical history in every visit. Whereas difficulty to access healthcare services, difficulty to be referred to hospitals, lack of follow up and lack of dental services were the least acceptable. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, whereas refugees were generally satisfied with the provided services, this study indicates that there are areas for further service improvement. This study highlights a significant gaps in healthcare services which if not addressed have the potential to amplify oral/medical health problems.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dental education: online experience and practice expectations among dental students at the University of Jordan.

BACKGROUND: The quarantine associated with the COVID-19 pandemic forced dental schools to suspend their clinical training and to shift to distant learning methods. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of quarantine on the self-perceived preparedness of dental graduates and to explore the efficacy of online education from students' perspectives. METHODS: The questionnaire distributed to dental students comprised of two main sections. The first part covered the online education experience, and the second part measured the level of self-perceived preparedness for a range of cognitive, communication and professional skills. RESULTS: The survey yielded a response rate of 72%. The majority of students (77%) agreed that they missed educational experiences as a result of the lockdown. More than half of them felt less motivated to follow-up with distant e-learning and believed that online assessment is not a good method for evaluation. A high percentage of the students (66%) thought that online group discussions had a positive value while 67% preferred online lectures compared to theatre lectures. Majority of students particularly 5th year (78.7%) (p < 0.001) stated that the quarantine increased their collaboration with their colleagues. According to 87% of students, the experience most negatively affected was their clinical training. In general, students showed satisfactory self-perceived preparedness related to a range of attributes and professional skills. CONCLUSIONS: The data showed that students partially appreciated the online system, whereas they did not consider it a substitute for face to face clinical practice. The overall self-perceived preparedness level was promising; however students had reservations regarding independent practice following graduation.

The online attention to oral cancer research: An Altmetric analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Altmetrics, or alternative metrics, have recently emerged as a web-based metrics measuring the impact of research with an emphasis on the public engagement with the research output. In this study, we aimed to identify and analyze research articles about oral cancer that provoked the most online attention. METHODS: Altmetric Explorer was used to identify articles about oral cancer that generated the highest online attention. Descriptive and correlational statistics were performed, and the top 100 articles were identified and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 7,940 articles were identified. Topics were mostly discussed on Facebook, Twitter, Mendeley, and news outlets. The top 100 articles that generated the highest online attention discussed mainly topics related to treatment outcomes and quality of life. Human papilloma virus (HPV) was the most commonly discussed individual topic in the list of top 100 outputs (n = 20). Most articles originated from the USA (n = 46) and Europe (n = 33; mainly from UK [24 articles]). Articles were published in 47 journals that belong to different specialities; journals with a social media account had significantly higher Altmetric scores for their articles compared to those without an account. CONCLUSION: Topics of general interest to the public such as HPV transmission and vaccination, risk factors, and treatment generated the highest online attention.

Measuring the social impact of nursing research: An insight into altmetrics.

AIMS: The objectives of this study were to (a) identify nursing journal articles that provoked the most online activity and discussion and (b) assess the association between these articles' altmetric scores and publication characteristics, citation counts; and publishing journals metrics. BACKGROUND: Altmetrics, or alternative metrics, have recently emerged as a complementary way of measuring the societal impact of research by assessing the public engagement with research output. To date, no studies have yet investigated the online attention about scientific papers published in the nursing field. DESIGN: Integration of quantitative and qualitative synthesized evidence. DATA SOURCES AND REVIEW METHODS: InCites Journal Citation Report was used to identify a list of nursing journals indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. Altmetric Explorer was selected as an altmetrics harvesting tool. The search in Altmetric Explorer yielded 66,608 research outputs from 118 nursing journals. The articles with the top 100 altmetric attention score (AAS) were identified and a new search, limited to only those 100 articles, was run to produce aggregate metrics specific to those articles. The articles were also exported for thematic analysis. RESULTS: The median AAS for the 100 articles was 248, ranging from 138 - 649. The articles were mostly discussed on Twitter, followed by news outlets and Mendeley. Articles indexed in the nursing journals category attracted low online attention compared with articles published in other health journal categories. Twitter remained the dominant source of attention over the years 2012-2018, followed distantly by news outlets. Most online attention came from the USA and the UK. Of the top 100 articles included in the study, the Journal of Advanced Nursing published the highest number of articles (N = 26; Median AAS = 179). The AAS was not significantly different between articles published in Q1 journals and those published in Q2 and Q3 journals. There was a significant relationship between articles' AASs and their citation counts on Scopus and Web of Science. Publication date was significantly related to citation counts on Scopus and Web of Science but not with AASs. CONCLUSION: Altmetrics will likely continue to evolve alongside the rapidly expanding use of social media and online platforms. As nursing continues to strive to have our research and scholarship inform policy, translated into practice and recognized for its scientific merit, we have to remain vigilant about the best ways to disseminate the important work we are doing. Research, such as this study, will allow nursing scholars to benchmark our progress as we adapt to the changing environment for measuring impact and quality in the digital age.

Nursing research in the Arab Region: A bibliometric analysis.

AIMS: Scientific discovery in general, and nursing research specifically, is an increasingly global effort consistent with changing demographics and the need to provide culturally competent care in a diverse society. Given that Arabs account for an increasing proportion of the populations in many Western countries, this study presents findings from the first bibliometric analysis of nursing research conducted through December 2017 in the Arab region. METHODS: We used quantitative and qualitative indicators to analyse bibliometric data from Scopus. RESULTS: We provided significant data on Arab nursing publication output and growth trends; types of published documents; publication geographic loci, focus, and subject categories; authors' collaboration patterns; core publishing journals and their impact; and citation patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlighted the need for Arab policy makers and funding agencies to allocate research funding that supports the dissemination of Arab nursing research into the broader scientific community so that Western researchers, policymakers, and health care providers can appropriately address the health care needs of Arab individuals and families. The insights gleaned regarding the performance of journals, authors, countries, and institutions are discussed in relation to the potential impacts of the publish-or-perish culture of the current academic world.

Impaction of lower third molars and their association with age: radiological perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Third molars are the most commonly impacted teeth, and their extraction is the most commonly performed procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The aim of the present study is to describe the pattern of mandibular third molar impaction and to define the most appropriate age for prophylactic extraction of mandibular third molar teeth. METHODS: A total of 1198 orthopantomographs (OPGs) with 1810 impacted lower third molars were reviewed by two authors. The pattern of eruption in relation to patient's age was examined using standard radiographic points and angles. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows release 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: In patients older than 20 years, vertical pattern of impaction was the most common (21.4%); while in young patients; horizontal impaction was more common (21.3%). Furthermore, there was a constant pattern of increase in Pell-Gregory ramus class 1 with increasing age, as the prevalence of class 1 was 0% at age 18 years compared to 54.9% at the age of 26 years. CONCLUSION: Frequency of vertical impaction of lower third molars was seen more at an older age (> 20 years) in this study, with an increase in the retromolar space. Late extraction of mandibular third molar teeth (i.e. after the age of 20) is therefore recommended when prophylactic extraction is considered.

Mouth cancer awareness and beliefs among dental patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of awareness, knowledge about signs and risk factors of mouth (oral) cancer, and attitudes towards early diagnosis and treatment among dental outpatients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 1,200 adult outpatients attending dental clinics at the University of Jordan Hospital for dental examination and treatment were randomly selected to participate in the study. An 18-item pretested close-ended questionnaire was used for the study. Descriptive statistics were generated and chi-square tests, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Spearman's rho test were used to examine differences between groups. RESULTS: Only 45.6% of the subjects had heard about oral cancer. Some 66.9% and 33.8%, respectively, were able to correctly identify tobacco and alcohol as risk factors. Some 24.1% had no knowledge about any signs of oral cancer. Male subjects, smokers, alcohol drinkers, older participants (>40 years), and participants with less than a university education were significantly less aware, and had much less knowledge, of the signs and risk factors of oral cancer (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Awareness about oral cancer among Jordanian dental outpatients is low. These dental patients, especially those in high-risk groups for mouth cancer and those of lower socio-economic status (SES), are less well informed about the signs and risk factors of oral cancer. Interventions to improve public knowledge about oral cancer and attitudes towards early diagnosis and treatment are urgently indicated.

Dental students' knowledge and attitudes toward patients with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes toward epilepsy can affect the provision of health services for patients with epilepsy. AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy among clinical dental students in Jordan. METHOD: The study was conducted using a 21-item questionnaire to assess professional experience with epilepsy, knowledge about epilepsy, social tolerance, and willingness to care for patients with epilepsy among dental students at the University of Jordan. RESULTS: More than one-third of dental students believed that epilepsy is due to insanity or mental illness. Only 45% were able to identify convulsion or shaking as a sign of epilepsy, and more than one-third did not know how to act in case of an epileptic seizure in the dental clinic. Disappointingly, 43.4% of the respondents were of the opinion that people with epilepsy should not have children, and only 38.6% thought that people with epilepsy should be employed at the same jobs as other people. About 50% indicated that their families would be concerned about them treating patients with epilepsy, and 30% believed that knowing that patients with epilepsy were treated in their clinic might make other patients reluctant to continue their treatment there. CONCLUSION: The results revealed an inadequate level of knowledge and negative attitudes toward epilepsy among dental students at the University of Jordan. There is an urgent need to educate dental students about epilepsy.

Management of auto-immune blistering disease in an older patient with severe intellectual disability.

Management of chronic oral mucosal diseases might be challenging in older individuals with intellectual disability because of associated comorbidities, variable clinical presentations, and various barriers imposed by the intellectual disability. This report describes the presentation and management of pemphigus vulgaris in an older female with severe intellectual disability.

How good is ChatGPT at answering patients' questions related to early detection of oral (mouth) cancer?

OBJECTIVES: To examine the quality, reliability, readability, and usefulness of ChatGPT in promoting oral cancer early detection. STUDY DESIGN: About 108 patient-oriented questions about oral cancer early detection were compiled from expert panels, professional societies, and web-based tools. Questions were categorized into 4 topic domains and ChatGPT 3.5 was asked each question independently. ChatGPT answers were evaluated regarding quality, readability, actionability, and usefulness using. Two experienced reviewers independently assessed each response. RESULTS: Questions related to clinical appearance constituted 36.1% (n = 39) of the total questions. ChatGPT provided "very useful" responses to the majority of questions (75%; n = 81). The mean Global Quality Score was 4.24 ± 1.3 of 5. The mean reliability score was 23.17 ± 9.87 of 25. The mean understandability score was 76.6% ± 25.9% of 100, while the mean actionability score was 47.3% ± 18.9% of 100. The mean FKS reading ease score was 38.4% ± 29.9%, while the mean SMOG index readability score was 11.65 ± 8.4. No misleading information was identified among ChatGPT responses. CONCLUSION: ChatGPT is an attractive and potentially useful resource for informing patients about early detection of oral cancer. Nevertheless, concerns do exist about readability and actionability of the offered information.

Pattern, frequency and causes of tooth extraction among adult Syrian refugees.

AIMS OR OBJECTIVES: The Syrian crisis has resulted in a significant impact on refugee oral health status, but the scientific literature lacks information characterizing the pattern of tooth extraction in refugees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study analyzed the pattern of tooth extraction and the associated sociodemographic factors among 626 (53.4% females, 46.6% males) Syrian refugees who were treated in dental clinics in the Zaatari camp. All adult Syrian refugees attending the dental unit at Zaatari camp were eligible to participate. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected from the study sample using a validated semi-structured survey over a period of 4 months. Descriptive statistics were generated and Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, ANOVA test and Bonferroni Post Hoc test were used to examine associations between the different variables. RESULTS: More than one third of the attendees (33.9%) were young adults (18-29 years), and nearly two thirds (69.8%) had no or very basic education. The mean number of teeth that needed extraction was (1.46 ± 0.84) and was significantly higher in males, smokers, older patients, and those with no or basic education. The most common cause for tooth extraction was dental caries (54.8%), followed by tooth fracture/un-restorability (38.5%), and periodontitis (3.4%); while the least common reason was tooth extraction for orthodontic treatment (0.20%). CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries and its sequelae were the leading cause of tooth extraction in this refugee population. Molar teeth were found to be the most frequently extracted and lower anteriors were the least. Older age, smoking, patients with lower educational level, poor oral hygiene and male gender all predispose to a higher incidence of tooth extractions.

A Cone Beam CT Study on the Correlation between Crestal Bone Loss and Periapical Disease.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the degree of bone loss around teeth can be linked to the loss of vitality of adjacent teeth and periapical disease, which necessitates root canal treatments. Three hundred and twenty-one full maxilla cone-beam computed tomography scans were examined. The parameters investigated included the degree of crestal bone loss in relation to the cementoenamel junction, the presence/absence of apical periodontitis, and the presence/absence of root canal treatments. Out of the 2001 teeth examined, 696 (34.8%) showed evidence of crestal bone loss. The degree of crestal bone loss was classified as mild, moderate, or severe. A significant association (p < 0.001) was found between the presence of crestal bone loss around a tooth and root canal treatment of that tooth. It was found that it is more likely for teeth with crestal bone loss to be root canal treated compared to teeth with existing root canal treatment and healthy crestal bone levels. Furthermore, teeth with buccal or lingual crestal bone loss were significantly associated with a higher rate of periapical disease than teeth without crestal bone loss (p < 0.001). CBCT identified the severity of bone loss on all surfaces of the teeth, and the most common presentation was bone loss to the mid-root level. Teeth with crestal bone loss were significantly more likely to be associated with a higher rate of periapical disease. Teeth with crestal bone loss were more likely to be root treated than teeth with healthy crestal bone levels.

Knowledge about oral manifestations of systemic diseases among medical and dental students from Jordan: An interdisciplinary educational gap.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of medical students to recognize oral manifestation of selected systemic diseases and compare their performance with dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 400 senior medical and dental students were approached to participate. The study protocol involved two parts; a self-administered survey and a direct interview involving clinical photographs for oral signs of systemic diseases. RESULTS: A total of 283 (70.8%) agreed to participate and completed the two- part study. The study population was made of 110 (38.9%) [82 females and 28 males] dental students, and 173(61.1%) [98 females and 75 males] medical students. The knowledge score regarding questions about the normal mouth and oral structures was 15.7 ± 6 out of 22. Dental students had a significantly higher knowledge score about normal mouth and oral structures (20.9 ± 4; range from 17 to 22) compared to medical students (10.6 ± 7; range from 4 to 21) (p = .029). The knowledge score regarding questions about oral manifestations of systemic diseases was 26.8 ± 6 out of 40. Dental students had a significantly higher knowledge score about oral manifestations of systemic diseases (30.8 ± 7; range from 15 to 37) compared to medical students (22.9 ± 4; range from 10 to 36) (p = .031). Only 24.3% (n = 42) medical students reported having adequate training to be able to distinguish between normal mouth and diseases. Nearly all medical students (91.3%; n = 158) felt that it is important to have more formal training in oral examination and disease diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Medical students lack adequate knowledge, diagnostic ability, and confidence with regard to diagnosis of oral signs of systemic diseases. To ensure that medical students have necessary skills in assessing oral diseases, curricula revisions and modifications are required, and specific oral health-related learning outcomes should be introduced and reinforced through clinical training.

Oral cancer in Myanmar: a preliminary survey based on hospital-based cancer registries.

The occurrence of oral cancer is not clearly known in Myanmar, where betel quid chewing habits are widely spread. Since betel quid chewing has been considered to be one of the important causative factors for oral cancer, the circumstantial situation for oral cancer should be investigated in this country. We surveyed oral cancer cases as well as whole body cancers from two cancer registries from Yangon and Mandalay cities, both of which have representative referral hospitals in Myanmar, and we showed that oral cancer stood at the 6th position in males and 10th in females, contributing to 3.5% of whole body cancers. There was a male predominance with a ratio of 2.1:1. Their most frequent site was the tongue, followed by the palate, which was different from that in other countries with betel quid chewing habits. About 90% of male and 44% of female patients had habitual backgrounds of chewing and smoking for more than 15 years. The results revealed for the first time reliable oral cancer frequencies in Myanmar, suggesting that longstanding chewing and smoking habits are etiological backgrounds for oral cancer patients.

Effect of oral diseases on mothers giving birth to preterm infants.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between preterm birth (PTB) and maternal oral diseases during pregnancy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective study was performed by the neonatal and dental departments at Jordan University Hospital. The study included 100 women who gave birth to preterm singleton infants (born less than 37 complete weeks from last menstrual period) between January and July 2009. The control group included an equal number of women who delivered singleton, full-term infants on the same day or the day after the women in the study. The mothers' demographic data were collected using a questionnaire, and an oral examination was conducted for each participant. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows release 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill., USA). Factors related to PTB were studied in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Significantly higher DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) index scores, Silness and Loe plaque index scores and Mühlemann tooth mobility index scores were associated with PTB. Mothers who did not have prepregnancy dental checkups had a significantly higher incidence of PTB. Fewer mothers in the PTB group visited dentists during their last pregnancy compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health, especially healthy periodontium, is one reliable indicator for predicting a safe pregnancy outcome.