Students' Perceptions of their Dental Curriculum and Education.

Objective: To evaluate the satisfaction of dental students toward their dental curriculum and education at dental colleges in the central region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: Two forms of the questionnaire were established, a paper version and an electronic internet-based survey (Google online form). Paper versions were distributed to interns graduated from universities in Riyadh. The electronic versions were used to obtain responses from students at dental colleges and universities outside of Riyadh, such as Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) and Majmaah University, by emailing the links to the participants who were dental interns that had graduated in the 2018/2019 academic year. Results: A total of 388 interns answered the questionnaire. Overall, 48.4% of the interns were highly satisfied with the Operative Department while regarding Orthodontic Department 16.9% were satisfied while 11.2% were highly satisfied. Regarding the non-clinical satisfaction score, the interns were mostly unsatisfied with their research skills (15.5%). Comparing the interns' satisfaction at different institutions, there was a statistically significant difference in the clinical satisfaction score (P ≤0.01), but there was no difference in the non-clinical satisfaction score (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Dental students need a greater focus and exposure to research skills during their dental school studies. To improve dental students' level of clinical satisfaction, it is more important for them to have early exposure to comprehensive clinical training than specialty-based clinical training.

Intranasal Fentanyl Combined with Oral Midazolam for Pediatric Dental Sedation: A Controlled Randomized Blinded Crossover Clinical Trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of intranasal fentanyl combined with oral midazolam to oral midazolam alone in pediatric dental patients. Methods: Thirty-two uncooperative healthy children aged three to six years old, who met the inclusion criteria, were randomly assigned to receive oral midazolam (0.7 mg/kg) with either intranasal fentanyl (one µg/kg) or intranasal placebo (saline). A controlled, randomized, double-blinded, crossover clinical trial design was followed so that each child received both regimens. Data collected included the onset of sedation, working time, sedation and behavior assessment, and occurrence of side effects. Results: The onset of sedation time was not statistically different between the two groups (P=0.62), while the median working time of the midazolam/fentanyl sedation was sig- nificantly longer than the midazolam sedation (P<0.001). Sedation scores were significantly better with the midazolam/fentanyl sedation regimen at separation from parents (P=0.032), local anesthesia administration (P=0.018), rubber dam application (P=0.035), after five minutes of dental treatment (P=0.035), after 10 minutes (P=0.039), after 15 minutes (P=0.012), and after 20 minutes (P=0.038). Behavior scores were significantly better with the midazolam/fentanyl sedation only at local anesthesia administration (P=0.021), rubber dam placement (P=0.004), and after five minutes of dental treatment (P=0.049). Minor side effects occurred in 12.5 percent of sedation procedures and were not significantly associated with either of the two groups (P=0.70). Conclusion: The combination of oral midazolam with intranasal fentanyl sedation, when compared to oral midazolamas a single agent, significantly improved sedation and behavior during local anesthesia and operative dentistry for healthy three- to six-year-old children in addition to prolonged sedation working time.

Etiology of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH): A Cross-Sectional Study of Saudi Children.

(1) Background: Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a common clinical condition with critical negative consequences for dental health. The etiology of MIH is still not completely understood, although several theories have been suggested. (2) Aim: To investigate the etiology of MIH defects in a sample of Saudi school children. (3) Method: A total of 893 school children in the age range of 8-10 years participated in the study. The sample was taken from Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. The participating children were examined for MIH using the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Criteria. The children's parents were asked about the child's pre, peri-, and postnatal condition utilizing a structured and validated questionnaire. (4) Results: A total of 362 children (168 males and 194 females) were affected with MIH, for a prevalence of 40.5%. Among all analyzed etiological factors, only jaundice was found to be significantly associated with MIH in children (OR = 1.35, p = 0.047). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that the only significant etiological factor for MIH was newborn jaundice (p = 0.04). (5) Conclusion: Newborn jaundice was the only etiological factor that showed a significant association with MIH in the studied Saudi school children.