The Effect of Marijuana-Smoking on Dental Caries Experience.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aims to examine the effect of marijuana-smoking on dental caries experience and to explore the potential combined effects of tobacco and marijuana cigarette-smoking. METHODS: We used data from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We examined demographics, tobacco- and marijuana-smoking, dental examination, and dietary intake. Caries was measured as decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT). Data analysis included univariate, bivariate analyses, and linear regression model (LRM) to examine the association between marijuana-smoking and DMFT. RESULTS: Mean DMFT score was lowest for nonsmokers (8.72) and highest for current marijuana smokers (9.87) (P < .0001); however, LRM results revealed that marijuana-smoking was not associated with caries. Adjusted DMFT was the highest for current tobacco and former marijuana smokers (ß estimate = 1.18; 95% CI, -0.27 to 2.62), but the relationship was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for potential confounders, there was no significant association between marijuana-smoking and dental caries experience. However, when marijuana and tobacco were smoked concurrently, there was a notable increase in DMFT, although the difference was not statistically significant. Future research should be directed towards exploring the effects of different forms of marijuana consumption, such as edibles and drinkables, on caries development. Health promotion programmes should be aimed at educating the public regarding the combined health impacts of smoking both marijuana and tobacco, considering the potential heightened caries risk.

Dental Students' Perceptions Regarding Bioterrorism; a Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: During the COVID-19 outbreak, dental professionals have demonstrated their importance in combating mass casualty incidents. This study aimed to understand dental students' perceptions of their potential roles in a bioterrorism attack. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered anonymous questionnaire, which was sent to all dental students and interns at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. Bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess dental students' willingness to provide care during a bioterrorism attack, knowledge regarding bioterrorism and total number of roles a dentist should play during an attack. Results: This study included 472 dental students and interns. The mean knowledge score regarding bioterrorism was 3.3 ± 1.9 out of 5. A large majority of the respondents (83.8%) were willing to provide care during a bioterrorism attack. Students with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4.5-5 were more likely to indicate that a dental professional should take on more roles during a bioterrorism attack than those with a GPA of 2.5-2.99. Fourth- and fifth-year dental students had lower knowledge scores regarding bioterrorism than dental interns (B: -0.71; SE: 0.30; 95% CI: -1.3--0.1 and B: -0.68; SE: 0.30; 95% CI: -1.3- -0.1, respectively). Conclusion: Despite the fact that dental curricula do not cover topics related to bioterrorism, most students would be willing to provide care under bioterrorism conditions. There is wide agreement among the students regarding the need to add bioterrorism-related educations to dental curricula.

Forecasting Head and Neck Cancer Trends in GCC Countries: Implications for Public Health Policy and Strategy.

Purpose: The data available on the incidence and mortality rates of head and neck cancer types (HNCs) in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) have relied on global trends and covered only certain cancer sites, types or certain age groups. This study aimed to assess the incidence and mortality rates of head and neck cancer (HNCs) within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, providing insights into their geographic variability in 2020. Methods: Prediction of the magnitude of the disease to 2040 was explored based on demographic projections. Estimates of incidence and mortality and the population projections were extracted from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) database and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs respectively for the time frame 2020 to 2040. Additionally, we analyzed the distribution of cases and deaths by age and sex for both time periods. Results: The analysis indicates varying patterns in HNC rates across GCC countries in 2020, with Oman and Saudi Arabia carrying the highest burden. Projections for 2040 reveal a substantial increase in new HNC cases and related deaths, particularly in Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain. Furthermore, incidence rates are predicted to rise significantly for individuals aged 50 and older, while remaining relatively stable for those under 50. With regards to sex, males generally exhibit higher rates, except in Qatar. Conclusion: HNC burden is anticipated to rise significantly in the GCC, with variations per age, sex and geographical location. By 2040, a 2-3-fold increase in HNCs in the GCC is anticipated, emphasizing the need for focused public health strategies to address this rising health challenge.

Dental Students' Perception of Integrating E-learning During COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Saudi University.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess dental students' perceptions and overall experiences regarding e-learning at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2020 through March 2021. A pre-structured, self-administered questionnaire was emailed to undergraduate dental students (second year through sixth year and dental interns). The final sample included 296 undergraduate dental students and interns. Univariate analysis was done to report the sample characteristics. Chi-square and Fisher exact with Monte Carlo were conducted to evaluate the preference of students regarding e-learning across characteristics of the study sample. Results: The majority of students preferred to integrate e-learning into traditional classroom lectures, although 51.7% did not favor it for clinical subjects. More than half of the sample believed that e-learning allowed excellent interactivity with the instructors. A higher percentage of second-year students preferred traditional learning (71%) than students in other years who preferred a combination of both traditional and online learning (P-value < 0.001). The mode of learning is not associated with marital status, though 36.4% of married students prefer e-learning (P-value = 0.4). Most dental students considered e-learning a positive experience. Conclusion: There were significant differences in the mode of learning preference between the preclinical and clinical years. Continuous monitoring of learners' needs, challenges, and outcomes is crucial to effectively evaluate e-learning in dental education.

The effect of diet drinks on caries among US children: Cluster analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effect of sugared beverages on dental caries has been widely studied in dental literature. A major limitation of these studies was examining the beverages as a single source. To overcome this limitation, a few studies used cluster analysis to group people into similar beverage consumption patterns. These studies did not differentiate between sugared beverages and diet drinks. Therefore the aim of this study is to examine the effect of consuming diet drinks on dental caries among US children by using cluster analysis. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the authors analyzed the dietary data of children aged 3 through 10 years, using 2 24-hour recall interviews in the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Cluster analysis has been used to overcome the limitations of examining the beverages as a single source. Clusters were identified based on the R2 statistic and the local peak of pseudo-F statistics. Survey procedure and sample weights were used to account for the complex National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey sampling design. RESULTS: Six beverage consumption clusters were identified: high soda, high 100% juice, high juice drinks, high diet drinks, high milk, and high water. Regression analysis showed that the high soda cluster had a tendency to increase caries risk (odds ratio [OR], 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9 to 3.1), while the high diet drinks cluster had neutral effect compared with the high water cluster (OR, 0.94, 95% CI, 0.5 to 1.8). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that diet drinks have no adverse effect on teeth among US children. Additional well-designed longitudinal studies should be conducted to establish the effect of diet drinks on caries when consumed during childhood. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Although this study did not show an association between caries and diet drinks, dental practitioners should be cautious about recommending these drinks, as they have been linked to systemic diseases. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics and National Academy of Medicine do not recommend that children consume these beverages.