Oral Care and Maintenance Habits Among Pharmacy Students.

Objective. This study aimed to identify and evaluate oral care habits, awareness, and knowledge of oral dental health among a group of pharmacy students.Methods. An e-questionnaire on oral care habits, awareness, and knowledge was completed by students in a university pharmacy.Results. A total of 484 students with a mean (SD) age of 21.4 (1.6) years participated. Of all participants, 9.3% were not regularly brushing their teeth. The percentage of regular fluoridated toothpaste usage was 44.8%. Three in 5 (64.5%) participants had visited a dentist for a complaint. When answering questions on the possible effects of dental plaque accumulation on teeth, the causative factors for dental decay and signs of periodontal disease, the percentages of students who indicated they "did not know" were 16.3%, 4.8%, and 43.2%, respectively. Among participants, 38.7% were unaware of the cariogenic or erosive effects of pediatric syrups or suspensions. Of all the pharmacy students, 32% stated they have been consulted about some issue related to oral health.Conclusion. The oral care habits, awareness, and oral health knowledge of pharmacy students in one program needs to be improved. Improvement of these measures is a multi-layered issue, not limited only to the quality of life but also to increased awareness associated with public health-related issues related to dental care.

Comparison of conventional, rotary, and ultrasonic preparation, different final irrigation regimens, and 2 sealers in primary molar root canal therapy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the shaping effectiveness rotary nickel-titanium (Profile .04 ISO), ultrasonic (K-Type/Satelec), and stainless-steel hand file (K-file/Maillefer) instrumentation and to assess tubular penetration of 2 gutta percha sealers (AH Plus and Sealite-Ultra) following 4 different final irrigation regimens in primary molar roots. METHODS: Distal roots of extracted human primary second molars were prepared with 1 of the 3 instrumentation techniques. Direct digital radiographs were obtained on a custom-made platform before and after instrumentations. The amount of dentin removal, canal transportation, centering of preparation, changes in root curvature and working length, and zip formation were evaluated using image analysis. RESULTS: While no significant differences were found between the 3 preparation techniques in regards to dentin removal (P > .05), ultrasonic instrumentation significantly increased the incidence of zip formation (P < .05) and decreased working length (P < .05). Following final irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCL), 10% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 17% EDTA, or distilled water (control), tubular penetration of the tested sealers were investigated under scanning electron microscope. Use of AH Plus after 17% EDTA irrigation exhibited the best tubular penetration. CONCLUSIONS: Root canal preparation with Profile .04 ISO nickel titanium instruments can be a viable alternative to manual instrumentation in primary teeth. When used as a gutta percha sealer, AH Plus exhibits good tubular penetration when 17% EDTA is used for final flush.