Perceived stress among staff in Saudi Arabian dental colleges before and after an accreditation process: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Accreditation processes are extensively employed to guarantee the quality of higher education institutions. However, this process can potentially generate a stressful atmosphere for staff, thus impacting their ability to perform optimally under pressure. AIM: To examine the knowledge of the National Commission for Academic Assessment and Accreditation (NCAAA) and its effects on perceived stress among dental college staff before and after the program accreditation process. METHODS: The present cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included 300 employees from three dental colleges. The same employees had to fill out the questionnaire 1 mo after the NCAAA process. RESULTS: Approximately 51.33% of the included employees believed that NCAAA is essential to attract quality students to join the program before and after the program. A total of 44.67% felt that their stress was high before, and 31.33% had low stress levels before and after NCAAA. These findings were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: NCAAA raised the prestige of the institution and specific programmes and increased prospects to attract better students, staff, and money, according to the employees. In addition to their needed teaching, research, and other service responsibilities, this work requires a tremendous amount of faculty effort and may cause them stress.

Effects of Bacterial Metabolites on the Wnt4 Protein in Dental-Pulp-Stem-Cells-Based Endodontic Pulpitis Treatment.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is associated with endodontic pulpitis, causing damage to the dental pulp, leading to severe pain and a decline in quality of life. Regenerative pulp treatments using dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can be hindered by interactions between DPSCs and the infecting bacteria. The protein WNT family member 4 (Wnt4) plays a critical role in the differentiation of DPSCs and the regeneration of odontogenic tissue. However, the specific influence of P. gingivalis on Wnt4 remains unclear. In this study, we employed a computational approach to investigate the underlying mechanisms through which P. gingivalis-produced metabolites inhibit the Wnt4 protein, thereby diminishing the regenerative potential and therapeutic efficacy of odontogenic tissue. Among the metabolites examined, C29H46N7O18P3S-4 exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on the Wnt4 protein, as evidenced by the lowest binding energy score of -6782 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamic simulation trajectories revealed that the binding of C29H46N7O18P3S-4 significantly altered the structural dynamics and stability of the Wnt4 protein. These alterations in protein trajectories may have implications for the molecular function of Wnt4 and its associated pathways. Overall, our findings shed light on the inhibitory impact of P. gingivalis-produced metabolites on the Wnt4 protein. Further in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies are necessary to validate and expand upon our findings.

Analysis of Root Canal Characteristics in Permanent Canine Teeth Among 270 Saudi Subjects: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study.

BACKGROUND An understanding of root canal morphology is vital for successful endodontic treatment. However, variations in the root canal system of permanent canines, especially in relation to population-based diversity, are not well-documented. This study thus aimed to analyze the root canal numbers, configurations, and bilateral symmetry in 1080 permanent canine teeth among 270 Saudi individuals using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), contributing to the existing body of knowledge and aiding clinicians in devising effective treatment strategies. MATERIAL AND METHODS The CBCT images of 270 participants, encompassing 1080 canines (540 pairs of upper and lower canines), were scrutinized for root and canal counts. Canal configurations were assessed based on Ahmed's and Vertucci's classifications. Bilateral symmetry in these parameters was recorded and the data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS The study revealed variable prevalence of multiple roots and canals in maxillary and mandibular canines. Ahmed's and Vertucci's type I canal configuration was predominantly observed. Notably, significant bilateral symmetry was noted in root and canal numbers, and canal configurations. CONCLUSIONS The most common configuration of permanent canines was a single root and canal, usually adhering to Ahmed's and Vertucci's type I classification. Mandibular canines showed a higher incidence of two canals than two roots. The extent of bilateral symmetry, especially in mandibular canines, could provide valuable insights for better contralateral tooth treatment planning.

Unlocking Endocrown Restoration Expertise Among Dentists: Insights from a Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND This study, employing an online questionnaire, aimed to assess and contrast the awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of dentists in Saudi Arabia (SA) regarding endocrowns (EC) as post-endodontic restorations with those of dentists educated in various other countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey among dental interns and practicing dentists in government facilities, private dental centers, and dental colleges in SA, including participants of diverse nationalities. We disseminated validated, closed-ended questionnaires through WhatsApp via Google Forms. The Chi-square test was applied to assess associations between categorical variables, with a P-value of ≤0.05 indicating statistical significance. RESULTS The majority of participants (61.2%) indicated that EC restorations are best suited for molar teeth. Furthermore, 69.6% asserted that the primary objective of employing EC is to accomplish minimally invasive preparations while preserving the existing tooth structure. Among the responses, 68.3% pinpointed debonding of ECs as a significant cause of failure. Notably, substantial differences were observed in responses concerning the knowledge or practice of EC across various factors such as gender, educational attainment, country of graduation, and workplace. CONCLUSIONS The findings reveal a comparatively low adoption of ECs among the participants, irrespective of experience or country of education. This underscores the need for incorporating ECs into dental curricula through theoretical and clinical discussions or considering them as a subject for post-graduate continuing education programs.

Radix molaris is a hidden truth of mandibular first permanent molars: A descriptive- analytic study using cone beam computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) could be more beneficial in clinical situations that involve the determination of root canal morphology. AIM: The aim of the study was to ascertain the prevalence of radix molaris (paramolaris-RP and entomolaris-RE) in a subpopulation of Saudi Arabia using CBCT. METHOD: A total of 700 CBCT scans of mandibular permanent first molars were included in this study. All CBCT scans were interpreted by two trained dentists and an endodontist. Mandibular permanent first molars with fully developed roots and closed apices were only included. Computed Tomography scans were obtained from the dental college record. The anatomic characteristics which were checked included: the prevalence of radix molaris in both RE and RP and the prevalence of radix molaris according to the patient's gender and age. All CBCT images were processed and reconstructed using OnDemand3DTM imaging software. RESULTS: Of the 700 patients included, 651 (93.0%) did not have radix molaris, 46 (6.6%) had radix entomolaris and 3 (0.4%) had radix paramolaris in the study group. There was no statistically significant difference between the genders and age in the incidence of RE and RP (P-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study showed that RE prevalence is more compared to RP in the first lower molars in the population studied. It is important to identify extra roots and associated canals to perform successful root canal treatment and avoid failure.

Questionnaire-Based Study on the Prevalence, Awareness, and Preventive Measures of Occupational Hazards Among Dental Professionals.

BACKGROUND In this questionnaire-based study, we evaluated the prevalence and awareness level of occupational hazards among dental professionals (students, interns, dentists, and specialists) at different dentistry colleges. MATERIAL AND METHODS A self-administered questionnaire was designed from previously conducted studies and distributed to 310 participants from different dental colleges of dentistry in Sana'a City, Yemen. The questionnaire was divided into 4 parts. The first part comprised questions involving sex, age, and clinical professions; the second part, questions on awareness about different occupational hazards; the third part, questions about prevalence of occupational hazards; and the fourth part, questions related to bringing down the prevalence of occupational hazards associated with a dental practice. Data were analyzed using one­way analysis of variance and chi-square tests. RESULTS Significant differences were detected between sex, age groups, and clinical professions. Musculoskeletal disorders were the most common physical hazard, whereas infections were the greatest biological hazard, accounting for 68% and 74%, respectively. Of the participants, 63.5% answered that "patient, practice, and finance'' together were the most common causes of stress among practicing dentists and dental students. The use of gloves and/or masks was the most efficient preventive measure among participants. A significant difference was found among most of the parameters, with P≤0.001. Almost 50% of respondents answered "yes'' in relation to vaccination for hepatitis-B, with P=0.062. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of occupational hazards was low among dentists and dental students among the tested participants, with significant differences for most of the parameters.

Root Morphology and Canal Configuration of Permanent Canines Among Saudi Population: Systematic Review and Comparison with Worldwide Studies.

Aim: The root morphology and canal configuration (RMCC) of mandibular and maxillary canines among Saudi population is systematically reviewed and compared with international studies in this research. Methods: This study was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations. The electronic databases of PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Wiley Library, Google website search, and Web of Science were searched. Only local and international cross-sectional, comparative, evaluation, and validation studies or case reports published between 2016 and 2022 that directly evaluated canine RMCC and assessed participants using cone beam computed tomography were included. Results: Forty-three studies that investigated RMCCs (17 local and 26 international) were involved in this review. The original Saudi research recorded that almost 100% of maxillary canines had one root and one canal, whereas 98.4% and 94.1% had one root and one canal in the mandibular arch. Vertucci's class I had the highest percentages in the maxillary and mandibular arches at 98.3% and 95.8%, respectively, followed by class III with 0.7% and 1.9% for the same arches, respectively. International studies recorded that 100% of maxillary canines had one canal and root; the percentages of the mandibular arch were 92.3 and 98% for single canal and root, respectively; and the highest percentage was obtained by Vertucci's class I (91.1%), followed by class III (4.7%). Conclusion: This review reports and confirmed the symmetry of the RMCCs of maxillary and mandibular canines between Saudi studies and other populations. Moreover, Vertucci's classes I and III were the most frequent RMCCs, and two-rooted canines in both arches were considerably less frequently than single-rooted ones.

Radiographic assessment of root canal morphology of mandibular central incisors using new classification system: A cross-sectional study.

Lack of basic knowledge about the external and internal anatomies of the root canal system and common variations in teeth may lead to various procedural errors or treatment failure. In this study, the root canal configurations of mandibular incisors and the symmetry of the contralateral incisors of Saudi Arabian subpopulations were analyzed and determined using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). A retrospective evaluation of 700 patients was conducted, and 1260 fully developed permanent mandibular central incisors were assessed. The number of root canals was determined, and the internal root canal anatomies were categorized based on Ahmed et al.'s criteria. The CBCT images were independently evaluated by 2 trained dentists and an endodontist. The data were assessed using the chi-square and one-way analysis of variance tests. All the mandibular central incisors included in the study were single-rooted. According to Ahmed et al's classification system, the most common classification (82.6%) was 1ManA1 (Vertucci type I), followed by 1ManA1-2-1 (Vertucci type III; 13%). Second canals were more frequently recorded in the male participants than in the female participants. The root canal configuration between contralateral incisors was largely symmetrical. Most of the mandibular incisors in the examined Saudi Arabian population had a single canal. Nevertheless, a substantial number of patients had a complex root morphology. Hence, CBCT can be utilized as a potential supplementary tool during root canal treatment.