A quantitative study on the impact of educational modules on the awareness of postural ergonomics among the dental clinical trainees of Jouf University: A North Saudi Arabian Cohort.

This research aimed to evaluate the difference between self-reported and actual work postures among dental clinical trainees and the effect of health education on their ergonomic postures. Bad postures induce fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, errors, a negative attitude, and job dissatisfaction. It is necessary to evaluate the awareness of posture ergonomics among clinical trainees as the bad postures captured during their learning years transform into habits that could affect future productivity. Hence, a three-level quantitative study was conducted among the dental trainees at Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. The first level comprised a self-reported survey and an observational study to record the working postures of the participants. At the second level, appropriate health education is customized based on the findings observed at the first level. An unannounced observational study was conducted at the third level to assess the impact of ergonomic education on the working postures of the participants. Gender and the academic year level of the participants were the variables considered in the study. The study found that the participants overrated their correct postures (P = 0.005). Fortunately, the final post-ergonomic education observations found a significant improvement in work posture (8.6 vs 12.4), regardless of the variables considered in the study (P = 0.001). The three best correct postures were placing the feet resting on the floor (52.6 vs 92.8 %), using the seat of a dental chair (57.9 vs 89.5 %), and using an upright position of the legs at the thigh-to-leg angle (53.9 % vs 86.2 %). Therefore, the study emphasizes the importance of training in ergonomics and regular, periodic observation to eradicate bad postures before they become a habit among young dentists.

Comparative Evaluation of Condylar Guidance Angles Measured Using Arcon and Non-Arcon Articulators and Panoramic Radiographs-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The condylar guidance value (CGV) measurement constitutes an important part of a holistic prosthodontic treatment plan, with horizontal CGVs (HCGVs) and lateral CGVs (LCGVs) being two of the most prominently recognized. This systematic review aimed at evaluating the efficacy of two different types of CGV measurement protocols-articulators (both arcon and non-arcon) and panoramic radiographs. Additionally, it attempts to determine which of the mentioned methods performs better across several parameters. Several important web databases were searched using search terms derived from medical subject headings (MeSH), using keywords linked to "Arcon articulator", "Condylar guidance angle", "non-arcon articulator", "Panoramic x-ray" and "Radiographic examination", which constituted the first step in the study selection strategy. After completion, the search strategy which initially turned up to 831 papers, eventually ended up with 13 studies. The review and subsequent meta-analysis revealed that panoramic radiographs had noticeably greater efficacy in terms of the CGVs as compared to the articulators in the majority of the studies. Within the articulators, the arcon types recorded slightly higher CGVs than the non-arcon variety owing to the precision of jaw movement simulation in the former. However, further studies are required to validate these findings and establish more precise guidelines for the use of CGV measurement protocols in prosthodontic practice.

Shade Selection in Esthetic Dentistry: A Review.

When fabricating a restoration, patient satisfaction with the shade match is essential. The patient's level of satisfaction may not be the same as that of the dental practitioner. Esthetic expectations have dramatically increased in the last few years. Color and shade determination are generally considered difficult in dental practice. Most prostheses fail esthetically owing to improper shade selection. A good understanding of color shade guides is essential for precise shade matching, but the paucity of dental practitioners' knowledge of color science because of the numerous available shade guides creates a challenge. This comprehensive review sheds light on shade selection, different shade guides, and shade matching devices commonly used in dental practice. Studies published in PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Dentistry and Oral Science Source from the past 15 years were included.

Exposure to parental and sibling smoking and future intentions to smoke among 13-15 years old school age children in Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: prevalence of smoking in school children is alarming in Saudi Arabia and little is well-known about the aspects stimulating such behaviours in secondary school children. The aim of this study was to assess the association between influence of parent/sibling/peer smoking and future intentions to initiate smoke among 13-15 years old school children in Al Ras town, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: a cross sectional survey was conducted in Al Ras city during first quarter of 2019. Data was collected from 492 secondary school children who were selected through multistage stratified cluster sampling. Pretested, self-administered Arabic questionnaire was used to collect data about socio-demographic and prevalence of current smoking behaviours and associated factors. Descriptive statistics was done initially, following by binomial regression to assess the predictors of current smoking and future smoking intentions. RESULTS: the overall prevalence of smoking in respondents was 22.7% and statistically significant difference in smoking prevalence's between boys and girls was observed (40% vs 5.6%). Among the predictors of current smoking, smoking habits in siblings and getting pocket money over 200 Saudi riyals are found to be significant. Siblings smoking (odds ratio: 6.4) and poor academic performance (odds ratio: 3.2) were the two most important factors influencing children's intentions of smoking. CONCLUSION: smoking prevalence in secondary school children of Al Ras was similar to national data. Since, influence of siblings, getting more pocket money and poor academic performance were found to important predictors of children smoking behaviours and attitudes, health education programs should address these factors to be effective.

Correlation of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and School Free and Reduced Lunch Eligibility as a Measure of Socioeconomic Status.

To determine whether a correlation exists between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (SSB) and school free and reduced lunch (FRL) eligibility as a measure of socioeconomic status (SES). In January 2016, a modified version of the Bev 15 survey was anonymously administered to 5th and 6th grade students in 14 Chicago suburban public elementary schools. Students were asked to recall and record their beverage intake over the last 24 h for five predefined beverage groups [SSB, real fruit juice (RFJ), diet or sugar free beverages, milk, and water]. Concurrently, data regarding FRL eligibility for each of the 14 schools was obtained from the Illinois State Board of Education website. Mean student consumption of the five beverage categories in each school was correlated with the school's respective FRL status. A total of 1389 student surveys were used for analysis. FRL eligibility ranged from 16 to 64% in the 14 schools. There was a significant correlation between school FRL eligibility and consumption of SSB (p = 0.001), RFJ (p = 0.004) and diet or sugar-free beverage (p = 0.04). There was no significant correlation between FRL eligibility and consumption of water (p = 0.5), and milk (p = 0.2). This study shows that consumption of SSB highly correlates with school FRL eligibility, which can be a measure of SES. These findings reinforce the idea that there is a link between lower SES and unhealthy behaviors pertaining to dietary choices. Knowing this relationship between SSB consumption and FRL eligibility, specific schools can be targeted to reduce SSB consumption and its negative health consequences.

Flexural strength of hydrogen plasma-treated polypropylene fiber-reinforced polymethyl methacrylate denture base material.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate flexural strength of hydrogen plasma-treated polypropylene fibers-reinforced polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer composite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One control group with no fiber reinforcement and 9 polymer composite test groups with varying fiber weight percentage (2.5, 5, and 10 Wt%) and aspect ratio (3/220, 6/220, and 12 mm/220 µm) were prepared. Flexural strength was measured using Instron. RESULTS: All hydrogen plasma-treated polypropylene fiber-reinforced test groups obtained significantly higher flexural strength characteristics. Among the test groups, 6 mm long fibers reinforced in 10 Wt% showed superior flexural strength. CONCLUSION: Hydrogen plasma treatment on polypropylene fiber has a significant role in enhancing the adhesion between PMMA polymer matrix and the polypropylene fibers and thereby the flexural strength.

Evaluation of the protective effect of Pterocarpus marsupium on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Pterocarpus marsupium (PM) on acetic acid (AA)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats. The rats were divided into five groups, each having six rats. PM extract 100 mg and 200 mg/kg was given orally to groups four and five, respectively, and standard drug sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg, p.o) to group three. Group two served as UC control animals, and group one control animals received vehicle for 7 days. UC was induced by administering AA (3 % v/v of 2 ml) to all the animals except group one. After 72 h, the animals were killed and the colon was dissected out for microscopic, clinical evaluation, histopathological study and biochemical estimation. PM (100 and 200 mg/kg)-treated group had significantly reduced colon inflammation and mucosal damage. The treatment also normalized the altered antioxidant enzyme levels (LPO, SOD and GSH). Histopathological studies support the effect. The protective effect of PM may be due to antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties.