STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The success of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) is influenced by factors that include the use of prefabricated glass fiber posts. A consideration for success is the presence of a circumferential ferrule, but systematic reviews and meta-analyses are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the impact of the presence or absence of a circumferential ferrule on the survival and success rates of ETT restored with prefabricated fiber posts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search of the major scientific literature databases was conducted. Eligible studies included randomized clinical trials and prospective cohort studies with a minimum 6-month follow-up, focusing on ETT restored with fiber posts either with or without a uniform circumferential ferrule. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to compare outcomes. The degree of variability among studies was assessed using the chi-squared test (α=.05). RESULTS: Of 3731 identified records, 8 were eligible for inclusion. Direct analysis of success rates (2 studies, 123 teeth) showed a significant increase in success when a uniform circumferential ferrule was present (RR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.54, P<.05). However, indirect analysis of survival and success rates (8 studies, 407 teeth) indicated no significant differences in outcomes between the ferrule and no ferrule groups (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis determined that a uniform circumferential ferrule had a positive effect on the success rates of ETT restored with prefabricated fiber posts. However, further high-quality studies are required to provide more robust evidence and to allow potential confounding factors to be considered.
Introduction A patient suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM) has a high chance of developing a diabetic foot. Awareness and attitude toward the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers are necessary for a better quality of life. Educating patients with diabetes about the methods of foot care plays an important role in preventing diabetic foot complications in individuals with DM. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices of diabetic patients about the risk of diabetic feet in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Methodology This is an observational cross-sectional study conducted using an online questionnaire. Participants were older than 18 years of age. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27 (Released 2020; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) was used for data analysis. The questionnaire included patient personal data, patients' knowledge regarding diabetic feet, attitude, and practice regarding the risk of diabetic feet among diabetic patients. Results A total of 1155 participants completed the questionnaire. Exactly 79.9% of people had good knowledge regarding diabetic feet and their care. The analysis revealed that age, gender, education level, and family history of DM are all significant predictors of knowledge levels among the participants. The majority of participants strongly agreed that diabetic patients should promptly seek medical assistance in case of any foot infections (90.8%) and take regular checkups (76.5%). Regarding foot care practices, people generally take good care of their feet but do not seek checkups until they experience symptoms (81.8%). Conclusion The study showed that participants had good knowledge about diabetic feet and a careful attitude toward them. Their practices toward diabetic feet were acceptable; however, the issue of late medical consultation after the development of symptomatology needs to be addressed.
AIM: This cross-sectional study aims to identify and quantify the factors influencing Saudi medical residents in selecting their desired specialty and primary training center, while examining the associations between these factors. METHODS: The study received approval from an institutional ethical committee at King Abdulaziz University. An electronic questionnaire was designed and validated via content, face validity, and the Content Validity Index. The sample size was calculated based on a 95% CI and a 5% margin of error. The study targeted all current residents in the current Saudi Specialty Certificate Programs. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics, training-related information, and factors influencing the selection of a specialty and training center. Fisher's exact test and Chi-square tests were employed for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 387 respondents completed the survey, with a 32.3% response rate. The majority of respondents were male (n = 232, 59.9%), and the majority were also married (n = 67.2%), with internal medicine (n = 92, 23.8%) and family medicine (n = 74, 19.1%) being the most prevalent specialties. Notably, 89.4% (n = 346) reported matching into their first-choice specialty, and 67.2% (n = 260) into their first-choice training center. Furthermore, 90.2% (n = 349) had prior training (elective/internship) in their chosen specialty, and 63% (n = 244) had previous training (elective/internship) at their primary training center. Prior exposure to both specialty and center significantly resulted in them being the resident's top choice (p < 0.01). Multiple factors influencing the choice of either the specialty or the center were found to have statistically significant associations with the gender, specialty, residency level, sector of the training center, and timing of the specialty decision (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study reveals the substantial influence of early experiences on Saudi medical residents' specialty and training center choices. It also uncovers gender disparities and variations in the influence of specialty-related factors. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is recommended to gain a deeper understanding of the multifactorial decision-making processes, enabling the development of strategies to better meet the evolving needs and preferences of healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia.
INTRODUCTION: This study focuses on assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevention among medical students in Medina, Saudi Arabia. HBV is a significant global health concern, with a high prevalence in Saudi Arabia. Medical students due to their field, are at higher risk of exposure. Prior studies in Saudi Arabia show varied levels of awareness. This research aims to provide insights that can inform educational initiatives for this specific population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from June 2023 to September 2023 by using a pre-designed online questionnaire that was distributed among medical students in Medina. Data was analyzed using IBM Corp. Released 2020. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. RESULTS: This study included 307 participants. 67.8% of the participants correctly identified the link between HBV and liver cancer, and 77.5% recognized the transmission risk from carriers. 91.9% acknowledged the transmission via contaminated blood and fluids, and 88.9% recognized the risk from unsterilized instruments. Positive attitudes were observed, with 92.2% agreeing that following infection control guidelines would protect them at work. Practice scores were generally positive, including high rates of screening (57.3%) and adherence to infection control measures (90.2%). Knowledge scores correlated positively with attitude (rho = 0.204) and practice scores (rho = 0.390). CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of participants had a strong understanding of HBV transmission and the importance of infection control measures. Positive attitudes towards infection control were prevalent, although some reluctance to provide care to HBV-infected individuals was noted.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the impact of patients' social anxiety on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the context of orthognathic surgery. METHODS: The study involved a cohort of 70 patients who were tasked with completing a comprehensive questionnaire aimed at assessing various facets of their OHRQoL at distinct stages of treatment: pre-surgery, within one month post surgery, and more than one month post surgery. Statistical analyses were conducted in the form of t-test. RESULTS: Out of the 70 participants, 27 were male (38.57%) and 43 were female (61.43%). The sample distribution comprised 30 (43%) subjects in the pre-surgical stage, two (3%) at one month post surgery, and 38 (54%) more than one month post surgery. In relation to the t-test results, we found variations in the significance of the results for each question, with multiple results showing patients who reported experiencing discomfort significantly outnumbering those who did not (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Social anxiety and orthognathic surgery both demonstrate significant influences on OHRQoL. Subsequent research should delve into specific areas where patients experience the greatest impact.
Objectives This study aims to assess the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the Saudi Arabian population at a dental hospital using the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) and investigate the association of gender, age, neck circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and smoking habits with the risk of OSA. Methodology Participants were recruited through random selection from walk-in patients aged between 18 and 80 years. BQ was used to screen for OSA. In addition, age, gender, smoking habits, neck circumference, and blood pressure were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, and chi-square test. Results In this study, 55 participants were screened for OSA using BQ. Of the participants, 44 (80%) were considered to be at low risk of OSA. Age, neck circumference, BMI, SBP, and DBP were statistically significantly associated with high risk of OSA (P < 0.05). Age and neck circumference were found to be statistically significant predictors of OSA, even after controlling for gender and smoking status (P < 0.05). Conclusions BQ is a reliable tool for assessing the risk of OSA in the Saudi Arabian population. Age, neck circumference, BMI, SBP, and DBP are all significant factors of OSA, while age and neck circumference are significant predictors of OSA. Dental practitioners can play a valuable role in the early detection and referral of patients at high risk of OSA.
Despite significant pharmacological advancements, hypertension management remains challenging, with varying quality of primary care. Digital tools and other non-pharmacological interventions hold promise in addressing this challenge. Consequently, a thorough examination of these interventions is recommended. This meta-analysis focuses on clinician-oriented strategies aimed at improving hypertension management, to assess the most effective approaches for improving antihypertensive prescribing and blood pressure control for secondary prevention. This was done through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials published in PubMed and Embase since the beginning of 2010 that aimed to enhance antihypertensive medication prescription in primary care settings for hypertensive patients with secondary complications while reporting changes in blood pressure or target achievement. We screened 6305 records. Four studies met the inclusion criteria, with reported interventions including physician education and the implementation of electronic decision support systems. All studies showed that the control group had a statistically significant lower systolic blood pressure, but the effect on diastolic blood pressure was not statistically significant. The overall mean difference was 2.12 mmHg (95% CI = 0.98; 3.26, P-value = 0.0003) for systolic blood pressure in favor of the control group and 1.22 mmHg (95% CI = -0.48; 3.26, P-value = 0.16) for diastolic blood pressure, which was not statistically significant. Despite considerable efforts to control hypertension, it remains a significant obstacle to optimal cardiovascular risk reduction. This review is also limited by a scarcity of studies.
Introduction To ensure safe and effective practice, dental practitioners must stay up-to-date with all scientific updates involving their profession. In this regard, many outdated myths and misconceptions may be persistently believed and practiced. This study aimed to examine dental misconceptions circulating among dentists in Saudi Arabia. Methods An electronic survey was administered to Saudi Arabian dental practitioners classified and registered with the Saudi Commission of Health Specialties. It collected their demographics, career and experience details, and responses to 16 questions that targeted different myths. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with their knowledge. Results A total of 519 dentists answered the survey, of which 54% were male with a mean age of 32 ± 9 years and a mean practice of 7 ± 8 years. More than half (57%) practiced general dentistry. In most (69%) of the questions, 40% of the respondents answered incorrectly. The proportion of incorrect answers to some questions reached 62%. Years of teaching, years in practice, and doctor rank had no association with the knowledge score. Conversely, the type of practice and specialty had multiple statistically significant associations (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study shows that many myths, despite being debunked for more than 20 years, are still circulating among Saudi Arabian dentists, including many young dentists. Academic institutions must urgently address these concepts and the science that disproves them; dentists must implement up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge in their practice.
OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder. Its susceptibility can easily be detected when it is at an early stage as can patients who are at risk of OSA. A simple questionnaire such as STOP-BANG (SB) can facilitate early detection. Our study aims to assess the risk of OSA and evaluate its correlating risk factors in patients attending King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, using the SB questionnaire. METHODS: Ethical approval was obtained. A random sample of patients ages 18-80 years, who visited KAUFD between November 2016 and April 2017 were recruited. Three highly trained and calibrated dental interns obtained the following measurements (weight, height, blood pressure, and neck circumference) and administered the questionnaire in a face-to-face interview. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients (62% females) participated in the study with a mean age of 34.6 years and hypertension reported as 16.4%. According to the SB, 31% of patients were found at high risk of OSA. Large neck circumference (40.22[±4.7] cm) and gender (66% males) were found to be significantly correlated with high-risk patients; p < .001. CONCLUSION: Approximately one third of the patients were at high risk of OSA, with men and patients having large neck circumference being significantly more affected. Systolic blood pressure, hypertension, and smoking were found to be high in high-risk patients. However, they were not statistically and significantly different from those patients who were not in high risk. The role of a dentist should be to utilize the questionnaire to detect any patient at risk of OSA and refer them accordingly.
Hypertension , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive , Male , Female , Humans , Adult , Adolescent , Young Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Prevalence , Universities , Surveys and Questionnaires , Hypertension/diagnosis , Hypertension/epidemiology , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/epidemiology , Dentistry
Vitamin D deficiency and periodontitis are commonly prevalent among Saudi adults. However, the association between periodontitis and vitamin D status has not been well documented. This study aims to examine the association between periodontitis and vitamin D status among adults in the Albaha region of Saudi Arabia. A case-control study of 123 Saudi adults was conducted; 60 had severe or moderate periodontitis, and 63 were periodontally healthy. Data was collected by an online self-reported sociodemographic questionnaire. All participants then underwent a full periodontal examination. Blood samples were also provided to assess participants' vitamin D statuses through serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). A total of 60 cases and 63 controls matched for BMI (30.2 ± 4.86 kg/m2), age (40.01 ± 7.73 years), and sex (46.3% and 53.7% male and female, respectively) participated in the study. Mean levels of 25(OH)D were significantly lower in periodontitis participants than in controls (25.03 ± 8.55 ng/ml, 29.19 ± 12.82 ng/ml, p = 0.037, respectively). Lower odds of periodontitis were detected per unit of 25(OH)D level (OR 0.964, 95% CI; 0.931-0.999, p = 0.043). In conclusion, periodontitis is significantly associated with deficient and insufficient levels of vitamin D among Saudi adults in the Albaha region. Future longitudinal research with a larger sample size may be suggested to confirm these results.
AIM: To evaluate in vitro effect of apical root canal perforation size on push-out bond strength of glass fiber dowels cemented to sound or perforated root canals using two different adhesive systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 human-extracted intact upper central incisors were selected. Teeth were sectioned 3 mm coronal to cement enamel junction, and the remaining root received endodontic root canal therapy. The roots were divided into two experimental groups according to the root condition: either sound (n = 40) or apically perforated (n = 80). Dowel spaces were prepared for all specimens to a depth of 10 mm. Roots were restored with glass fiber dowels. The experimental group was further subdivided into four subgroups (n = 20) according to the adhesive system used and apical perforation size: group I, perforated root 2 mm apically, dowel cemented using total-etch adhesive cement; group II, perforated root 2 mm apically, dowel cemented using self-etch adhesive cement; group III, perforated root 4 mm apically, dowel cemented using total-etch adhesive cement; and group IV, perforated root 4 mm apically, dowel cemented using self-etch adhesive cement. The control group, sound root, was divided into two subgroups: group I, sound root, dowel cemented using total-etch adhesive cement, and group II, sound root, dowel cemented using self-etch or total-etch adhesive cement. Each root was then cut horizontally, and root segments were prepared to be tested. The bond strength between dowel and dentin was measured with universal testing machine using a push-out test. The two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data and post hoc Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Root canal perforation and the type of adhesive system used resulted in significant differences in push-out bond strength (p < 0.05). Regardless of root canal perforation size, glass fiber dowels in normal root canals had significantly higher mean bond strength values (9.2 ± 1.4 MPa) compared with perforated root canals (6.1 ± 1.4 MPa). Also, self-etch protocol had significantly higher mean bond strength values (9.1 ± 1.3 MPa) compared with total-etch protocol (6.2 ± 2.1 MPa). CONCLUSION: The apical root perforation size caused a direct effect on the bond strength of the glass fiber dowels cemented to dentin by reducing the bond strength values to the root dentin regardless of the adhesive system used. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Prior to perforation repair, dentist or endodontist should evaluate the perforation size to predict the treatment outcome.
Dental Bonding , Post and Core Technique , Dental Pulp Cavity , Dentin , Glass , Humans , Materials Testing , Resin Cements , Root Canal Therapy
