Attitudes and practices of tobacco cessation counseling among Saudi dental professionals: A nationwide cross-sectional survey.

Background: Dental professionals can play a pivotal role in educating the public about the harmful effects of smoking and encouraging them to quit the habit. Aim: This study assesses the attitudes and practices of tobacco cessation counseling (TCC) among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study targeted dentists and dental interns working in government and private sectors in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a descriptive analysis by using SPSS Statistics, version 25.0. Results: A total of 895 respondents (314 interns and 581 dentists) participated in this survey. Although the majority of respondents (93%) reported that they always ask patients about tobacco habits, only 59% reported recording tobacco habits in patients' files, and only 55% of the respondents reported explaining to patients the harmful effects of tobacco. Around 91% of the participants believe that a dental clinic is an appropriate place for TCC, and 22% believe that TCC has a negative impact on dental practice. Smoking status, work setting, and the number of years since graduation were found to be significantly associated with the respondents' attitudes and practices. Lack of training, time limitations, and lack of confidence were barriers for TCC. Conclusions: Dental professionals in Saudi Arabia demonstrated relatively positive attitudes but weak practices of TCC. Continuous education and motivation are needed to improve dentists' confidence, attitudes, and willingness for TCC. Integration of tobacco control education in undergraduate curricula is recommended.

Effect of prosthetic framework material, cantilever length and opposing arch on peri-implant strain in an all-on-four implant prostheses.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of prosthetic framework material and cantilever length on peri-implant strain in mandibular all-on-four implant-supported prostheses with different types of arch antagonist forces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Models simulating a completely edentulous mandibular arch fabricated in heat-cured acrylic resin were used. On the acrylic models, four implants were placed at regions 34, 32, 42, and 44 simulating all-on-four implant placements. Implant-supported screw-retained fixed prosthesis frameworks were fabricated using three different materials (cobalt-chromium, zirconia, and polyetheretherketone) and with three different cantilever lengths (zero mm, 15 mm, and 25 mm). Strain gauges were attached on the model at the buccal and lingual positions of each implant. Forces simulating opposing natural dentition, conventional complete denture, and the parafunctional habit were applied to the models. The peri-implant strain in each strain gauge was recorded. RESULTS: Least peri-implant strains (67 microstrains) were observed when forces simulating conventional complete dentures were applied on the models and the highest peri-implant strains (9091 microstrains) were observed when forces simulating parafunctional habit were applied. One-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey's post hoc analysis was performed to compare the mean deformation scores between different materials at 50 N load. The level of significance [P-value] was set at P < 0.05. Tests showed significant differences between zero mm and the other types in all the different materials, and also between 1.5 x AP and 2.5 x AP for Zirconia and Peek material at P = 0.02 & P = .008, respectively. The results showed that the type of framework material, cantilever length, and occlusal forces from the opposing arch influence the peri-implant strain in the bone in all-on-four implant-supported prostheses. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation of a single, completely edentulous arch with implant-supported prostheses should consider the situation of the opposing arch. The choice of framework material, as well as the cantilever length, should be altered based on the forces from the opposing arch.

Profound approach to check legitimacy of an old technique used to gauge palatal rugae.

AIMS: The present study aimed at assessing two fixed points of reference from where the mesial and distal point of all rugae can be measured so that the exact movement of particular rugae in any direction can be evaluated and assessing the changes in the palatal rugae after orthodontic treatment. METHODS: A longitudinal study conducted among a sample of 20 (8 male and 12 female) adult patients. Pre- and post-orthodontic treatment casts of patients were obtained from the Department of Orthodontics College of Dentistry Jazan University. Antero-posterior linear distances (Technique I) between medial and lateral points of primary, secondary and tertiary rugae were measured. Also, the transverse linear distance (Technique II) between medial and lateral points of right and left rugae were measured. Technique III involved marking two fixed points and using these two points a third point is located on the medial or lateral end of rugae of right and left side in pre and post-treatment orthodontic casts. The independent sample t-test was employed to compare gender. Difference between the pre- and post-treatment mean values were checked by the paired t-test. RESULTS: Technique III successfully showed the statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.05, 95% CI) in the overall pre and post-treatment values on the patients' cast (N = 20) which was not observed with a technique I and technique II. CONCLUSION: The triangle created by the three reference points in the technique III was able to identify the changes in the palatine rugae more precisely than the technique I and Technique II.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of sweet food and beverage consumption and its association with dental caries among schoolchildren in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

The prevalence of dental decay is expected to rise in many developing countries due to the growing consumption of sugars. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of sweet food and beverage consumption among schoolchildren in Jazan, Saudi Arabia and to determine the relationship with dental caries. In a cross-sectional, descriptive study 853 children aged 6-15 years (520 boys and 333 girls) were assessed by questionnaire and clinical examinations. Caries prevalence (≥ 1 dft/DMFT) was high (91.3%). While knowledge was generally good, 83.5% boys and 85.8% girls had poor attitudes to sweet foods and > 90% frequently consumed sweet foods/beverages. Multiple regression analysis showed that children whose mothers were less educated (OR 2.46; 95% CI: 1.15-5.28) and children with poor dietary attitudes and practices (OR 4.05; 95% CI: 2.33-7.03 and OR 7.80; 95% CI: 4.50-13.52 respectively) were more likely to have dental caries. Well-directed health promotion programmes are needed in Jazan.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of sweet food and beverage consumption and its association with dental caries among schoolchildren in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

من المتوقع أن يرتفع انتشار نخر الأسنان في العديد من البلدان النامية بسبب تزايد استهلاك السكريات. ولقد هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تقييم المعارف والاتجاهات والممارسات المتعلقة باستهلاك الأطعمة والأشربة الحلوة لدى أطفال المدارس في جازان بالمملكة العربية السعودية، وإلى تحديد علاقة ذلك بتسوس الأسنان. ففي دراسة وصفية مقطعية تم تقييم 853 طفلاً تتراوح أعمارهم بين 6-15 سنة [520 فتى و 333 فتاة]، وذلك باستخدام استبيان وفحوص سريرية. فكان انتشار التسوس [ 1 DMFT/dft >/= الأسنان المنخورة والمقلوعة والمحشوة ..] مرتفعاً [91.3%]. وعلى الرغم من أن المعرفة كانت جيدة عموماً فإن 83.5% من الفتيان و 85.8% من الفتيات كانت اتجاهاتهم نحو الأطعمة الحلوة سيئة، وكان %90 <منهم يستهلكون الأطعمة/الأشربة الحلوة بكثرة. وأظهر تحليل التحوف المتعدد أن الأطفال الذين كانت أمهاتهم أقل تعليماً [OR 2.46;%95 CI:1.15-5.28]والأطفال الذين لديهم اتجاهات وممارسات تغذوية سيئة [OR 4.05;%95 CI:2.33-7.03 OR 7.80;%95 CI:4.50-13.52 على التوالي]كانوا أكثر عرضة لتسوس الأسنان. تحتاج جازان إلى برامج لتعزيز الصحة موجهة توجيهاً جيداً

The prevalence of dental decay is expected to rise in many developing countries due to the growing consumption of sugars. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of sweet food and beverage consumption among schoolchildren in Jazan, Saudi Arabia and to determine the relationship with dental caries. In a cross-sectional, descriptive study 853 children aged 6–15 years (520 boys and 333 girls) were assessed by questionnaire and clinical examinations. Caries prevalence (≥ 1 dft/DMFT) was high (91.3%). While knowledge was generally good, 83.5% boys and 85.8% girls had poor attitudes to sweet foods and > 90% frequently consumed sweet foods/beverages. Multiple regression analysis showed that children whose mothers were less educated (OR 2.46; 95% CI: 1.15–5.28)and children with poor dietary attitudes and practices (OR 4.05; 95% CI: 2.33–7.03 and OR 7.80; 95% CI: 4.50–13.52 respectively) were more likely to have dental caries. Well-directed health promotion programmes are needed in Jazan.

Dans de nombreux pays en développement, la prévalence des caries dentaires devrait augmenter en raison de la consommation croissante de sucres. La présente étude visait à évaluer les connaissances, attitudes et pratiques en matière de consommation d'aliments et de boissons sucrés chez des écoliers de Jazan (Arabie saoudite), et à déterminer leur lien avec les caries dentaires. Dans une étude descriptive et transversale, 853 enfants âgés de 6 à 15 ans (520 garçons et 333 filles) ont été évalués à l'aide d'un questionnaire et d'examens cliniques. La prévalence de caries (1 ≥ indice des dents cariées, absentes ou obturées) était forte (91,3 %). Si le niveau de connaissances était élevé en général, 83,5 % des garçons et 85,8 % des filles avaient de mauvaises attitudes face aux aliments sucrés et plus de 90 % en consommaient fréquemment. Une analyse de régression multiple a démontré que les enfants dont les mères avaient un niveau d'études plus faible (OR 2,46 ; IC à 95 % : 1,15–5,28) mais aussi ceux ayant de mauvaises attitudes et pratiques (OR 4,05 ; IC à 95 % : 2,33–7,03 et OR 7,80 ; IC à 95 % : 4,50–13,52 respectivement) étaient plus à risque de présenter des caries dentaires. Des programmes de promotion de la santé convenablement ciblés sont nécessaires à Jazan.