Endorsement of open science practices by dental journals: A meta-research study.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the endorsement of open science practices by dental journals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a meta-research study that included journals listed in the 2021 Journal Citation Reports under Dentistry. A comprehensive evaluation was performed by accessing journal websites to ascertain the availability of publicly accessible instructions to authors in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. A researcher extracted information from the "Instructions for Authors" section, encompassing the journal's impact factor, mention of any reporting guidelines, details on data sharing, acceptance of articles in preprint format, and information regarding study protocol registration. Descriptive data analysis was conducted using the Stata 14.0 program, and an Open Science Score (OSS) (ranging from 0 to 100 %) was calculated for each journal by considering five open science practices. Pearson's correlation test was conducted to determine the relationship between the OSS score and journal impact factor. RESULTS: Ninety journals were included in the study. Most journals (70 %) indicated the mandatory use of reporting guidelines, while 60 % recommended data sharing. Conversely, 46.7 % did not provide information on study protocol registration, and 44.4 % stipulated them as mandatory for authors. Regarding preprints, 50 % of the journals did not provide any information, but 46.7 % confirmed their acceptance. The mean OSS was 52.9 % (standard deviation 26.2). There was a weak correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.221) between the journal impact factor and OSS (P-value=0.036). CONCLUSION: This study found varying degrees of endorsement of open science practices among dental journals. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dental practitioners rely on high-quality, evidence-based research for informed decision-making. By assessing the endorsement of open science practices, our study contributes to improving the quality and reliability of dental research, ultimately enhancing the evidence base for clinical practice.

Gender Variation, subject dispersion and citation impact in dental research: A bibliometric analysis of publications from 2009-2021.

Aim: This study probed into the gender variation, subject dispersion and citation impact of dental research with an objective to highlight the increasing influence of female authors in the field of dentistry. Methodology: The research employed bibliometric techniques to highlight gender variation in dental research as demonstrated in the Saudi Dental Journal (SDJ), over a period of thirteen years, 2009-2021. The examination comprised SDJ publications indexed in PubMed, with citation data extracted from Google Scholar on July 2023. The analysis encompassed the progressive growth of papers, authors, and citations, the gender distribution of authors, the co-authorship structure, subject dispersion, and collaboration patterns based on affiliation, both national and international. Results: 625 SDJ publications were identified in the PubMed database from 2009 to 2021. There was a notable rise in the volume of papers and the number of authors per year. The citation impact analysis revealed that these 625 papers achieved an average of 26 citations each. Remarkably, the representation of female authors increased from 0.47 to 2.23 authors per paper during the study period. The authorship pattern largely showed single-authorship, closely followed by a three-author pattern. Almost half the papers (48%) were a collaboration between male and female authors, with female authors solely producing about 15% of papers.The topological classification of papers revealed that the most considerable number of papers were on Periodontics, with the least number focusing on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Female authors prominently contributed to Pediatric Dentistry and Periodontics papers. Conclusion: The study illustrates an encouraging trend of heightened female authorship in dental research over the years. Their increasing engagement not only enriches the academic diversity but also impacts the progressive evolution of dental science, contributing to a more inclusive and balanced society.

The views of European students on the inclusion of research in undergraduate Oral Health Professional curricula.

INTRODUCTION: The education of Oral Health Professionals (OHPs) is variable across Europe and consequently, there is concern that research skills are not consistently or optimally integrated into European OHP curricula. The aim of this study is to investigate the perspectives of European OHP students regarding the inclusion of research in the undergraduate curriculum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 21-question online survey was administered to dental, dental hygiene, and dental hygiene and therapy students across Europe. Informed consent was obtained from participants and all responses remained confidential. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: A total of 825 student responses to the survey from 33 European countries were eligible for inclusion. The results demonstrated that OHP students recognise the importance of research in the dental field and value the inclusion of research in the curriculum. Although students indicated that they are interested to learn more about research, the survey results also showed that students had neutral opinions towards the existing curriculum providing enough training about research. CONCLUSION: European OHP students agree on the need for an open and explicit research curriculum in OHP education. The development of a research domain within an open curriculum framework would help to harmonise the teaching and assessment of OHP research skills across Europe and ultimately improve graduating OHP's research skills.

The Translational Science Conundrum for Junior Investigators.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: The challenges and recommendations outlined in this commentary will serve as steppingstones to process the concepts of translational science, facilitate training for future scientists, and serve as an approach for the early investigators in the field of translational science.

Percepciones sobre la importancia de las ciencias básicas en estudiantes de odontología y medicina

Introducción: El aprovechamiento de los cursos de ciencias básicas puede depender de las percepciones estudiantiles sobre la importancia de estos en su vida profesional, por lo que se hace necesario determinar el grado de importancia que los estudiantes le confieren a este tipo de cursos. Materiales y métodos: Se presentó un cuestionario con 9 declaraciones a 54 estudiantes de odontología y medicina. Las respuestas se pasaron a una escala numérica para su análisis. Se usó una prueba de U de Mann-Whitney con el fin de evaluar diferencias entre estudiantes de ambas facultades. Resultados: Los estudiantes en conjunto mostraron tener una buena opinión de la importancia de las ciencias básicas en la práctica clínica. Se observó también que es mayor la proporción de estudiantes de odontología que consideran que la investigación básica no es útil para su práctica clínica. Conclusión: Los estudiantes consideran las ciencias básicas necesarias para un buen desempeño profesional.

Introduction: The benefit of basic science courses may depend on students' perceptions of the importance of these courses in their professional life, therefore, it's necessary to determine the degree of importance that students give to this type of courses. Materials and methods: A questionnaire with 9 statements was presented to 54 dental and medical students. The responses were converted to a numerical scale for analysis. Using a Mann-Whitney U test, differences between students from both faculties were evaluated. Results: The students showed a good opinion of the importance of basic sciences in clinical practice. It was also observed that the proportion of dental students who consider that basic research is not useful for their clinical practice is higher. Conclusion: Students consider the basic sciences necessary for good professional performance.

Assessment of Subgingival Biofilm and its Relationship with the Status of Tumors in a Population with Breast Cancer

This study aimed to compare the subgingival microbiota of subjects with and without breast cancer (BC). Patients with BC (Group 1; n= 50) and without BC (Group 2; n=50) with periodontitis (A) and without periodontitis (B). The study was conducted in two phases (P1 and P2). One biofilm sample was collected from each subject and analyzed by DNA-DNA Hybridization (Checkerboard DNA-DNA). The relative abundance of the subgingival microbiota differed between the Case and Control groups. However, some species were higher in patients in the Case than in Control subjects and differed between the groups in both phases. Composition of the subgingival microbial community according to the Socransky complex was related to periodontal disease, followed by clinical attachment of level (CAL ≥4mm), age, and tooth loss, which were found to be abundant in Cases when compared with controls. Patients with Tumor Grade II and III had a higher prevalence of tooth loss and CAL≥4mm. It was concluded that in individuals with BC, the sub-gingival microbiota exhibited atypical changes, but they developed periodontal disease.

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la microbiota subgingival de sujetos con y sin cáncer de mama (CM). Pacientes con CM (Grupo 1; n= 50) y sin CM (Grupo 2; n=50) con periodontitis (A) y sin periodontitis (B). El estudio se realizó en das fases (P1 y P2). Se recogió una muestra de biopelícula de cada sujeto y se analizó mediante hibridación ADN-ADN (tablero de ajedrez ADN-ADN). La abundancia relativa de la microbiota subgingival difirió entre los grupos de Caso y Control. Sin embargo, algunas especies fueron más altas en los pacientes del Caso que en los sujetos del Control y difirieron entre los grupos en ambas fases. La composición de la comunidad microbiana subgingival según el complejo de Socransky se relacionó con la enfermedad periodontal, seguida por el nivel de inserción clínica (CAL≥4mm), la edad y la pérdida de dientes, que se mostró abundante en los casos en comparación con los controles. Los pacientes con Tumor Grado II y III tuvieron mayor prevalencia de pérdida dental y CAL≥4mm. Se concluyó que en individuos con CM la microbiota subgingival presentó cambios atípicos, pero sin embargo, desarrollaron enfermedad periodontal.

Homenagem ao Prof. Dr. Learreta / Tribute to Prof. Dr. Learreta / Homenaje al Prof. Dr. Learreta

Preito de gratidão ao Professor Dr. Jorge Alfonso Learreta. Nascido em Buenos Aires, Argentina, em 11/12/1949. Cursou Odontologia aos 17 anos. Seus conhecimentos em Histologia o fez ganhar uma bolsa de estudos para a França. Aqui estudou com cirurgiões renomados e voltou para Argentina. Especializou-se em Ortodontia e Ortopedia funcional em 1971. Tinha uma ampla rede de amigos e mestres em diversas partes do mundo. Começou a investir em tecnologia para estudar a ATM no início dos anos 90. Especializou-se em estudo das imagens e já em 1994, possuía casos com RNM antes e depois dos tratamentos, algo que veio a se tornar o padrão-ouro da sua filosofia. Homem estudioso, conhecedor de vasta literatura e de inteligência indescritível com grande poder de observação e raciocínio, vivenciou diversos problemas na Odontologia com soluções simples e geniais. O prof. Learreta é a definição de uma pessoa a frente de seu tempo que deixa um legado na odontologia da dor orofacial e seus ensinamentos foram além da neurofisiologia da ATM.

I offer gratitude to Professor Dr. Jorge Alfonso Learreta. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 12/11/1949. He studied Dentistry at the age of 17. His knowledge in Histology earned him a scholarship to France. Here he studied with renowned surgeons and returned to Argentina. He specialized in Orthodontics and Functional Orthopedics in 1971. He had a wide network of friends and teachers in different parts of the world. He began investing in technology to study the TMJ in the early 90s. He specialized in studying images and in 1994, he had cases with MRI before and after treatments, something that became the gold standard of his philosophy . A studious man, knowledgeable about vast literature and indescribable intelligence with great power of observation and reasoning, he experienced several problems in Dentistry with simple and ingenious solutions. The prof. Learreta is the definition of a person ahead of his time who leaves a legacy in orofacial pain dentistry and his teachings went beyond the neurophysiology of TMJ.

Ofrezco agradecimiento al Profesor Dr. Jorge Alfonso Learreta. Nacido en Buenos Aires, Argentina, el 11/12/1949. Estudió Odontología a los 17 años. Sus conocimientos en Histología le valieron una beca para Francia. Aquí estudió con reconocidos cirujanos y regresó a la Argentina. Se especializó en Ortodoncia y Ortopedia Funcional en 1971. Contaba con una amplia red de amigos y profesores en diferentes partes del mundo. Comenzó a invertir en tecnología para estudiar la ATM a principios de los 90. Se especializó en el estudio de imágenes y en 1994 tuvo casos con resonancia magnética antes y después de los tratamientos, algo que se convirtió en el estándar de oro de su filosofía. Hombre estudioso, conocedor de vasta literatura e inteligencia indescriptible con gran poder de observación y razonamiento, experimentó varios problemas en Odontología con soluciones simples e ingeniosas. El prof. Learreta es la definición de una persona adelantada a su tiempo que deja un legado en la odontología del dolor orofacial y sus enseñanzas fueron más allá de la neurofisiología de la ATM.

Current Insights on Neoplasms and Adequate Dental Care for Patients with Oral Cancer / Actualización sobre Neoplasmas y su Correcta Atención Odontológica en Pacientes con Cancer Oral

The present study aimed to review the literature on the main complications of antineoplastic therapies and the degree of knowledge of dental surgeons about these complications. A bibliographic search was conducted in the main health databases PUBMED (www.pubmed.gov) and Scholar Google (www.scholar.google.com.br), in which studies published from 1987 to 2023 were collected. Laboratory studies, case reports, systematic and literature reviews, which were developed in living individuals, about the main neoplastic genes and their relationship with the cells of individuals affected by neoplasms in the head and neck region, and studies on the care with this group of patients, were included. Therefore, articles that did not deal with neoplasm and the main complications of antineoplastic therapies were excluded. Neoplasm is a clonal disorder, caused by mutations, resulting from changes in the genetic structure of cells. Each healthy cell has instructions on how to grow and divi de. In the presence of any error in these instructions (mutation), it can result in a diseased cell that, when proliferating, may cause a tumor. Countless knowledge has been accumulated over the years on the main characteristics of neoplasms, whether they are cancer cell biology, carcinogenesis mechanism, neoplasms of the maxillofacial system and sequels of antineoplastic treatments. In this context, methods have been developed that offer a better quality of life for patients diagnosed with this pathology, as well as preventive vaccine models that may, in the not too distant future, contribute to this goal to be successfully achieved.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo revisar la literatura sobre las principales complicaciones de las terapias antineoplásicas y el grado de conocimiento de los odontólogos sobre este abordaje. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las principales bases de datos de salud PUBMED (www.pubmed.gov) y Scholar Google (www.scholar.google.com.br), en la que se recopilaron estudios publicados entre 1987 y 2023. Fueron incluidos estudios de laboratorio, relatos de casos, revisiones de la literatura y revisiones sistemáticas, desarrolladas en individuos vivos, que incluyeran los principales genes neoplásicos y su relación con las células de individuos afectados por neoplasias en la cabeza y el cuello. También, se tuvieron en cuenta estudios relacionados con la atención a este grupo de pacientes. La neoplasia es un trastorno clonal, causado por mutaciones, como resultado de cambios en la estructura genética de las células. Cada célula sana tiene instrucciones sobre cómo crecer y dividirse. En presencia de cualquier error en estas instrucciones (mutación), puede provocar una célula alterada que, al proliferar, puede causar un tumor. Se han acumulado innumerables conocimientos a lo largo de los años sobre las principales características de las neoplasias, ya sea sobre biología de células cancerosas, el mecanismo de la carcinogénesis, la neoplasias del sistema maxilofacial y las diferentes secuelas de tratamientos antineoplásicos. En este contexto, se han desarrollado métodos que ofrecen una mejor calidad de vida para los pacientes diagnosticados con esta patología, así como modelos de vacunas preventivas que, en un futuro no muy lejano, pueden contribuir a alcanzar este objetivo con éxito.

The state of additive manufacturing in dental research - A systematic scoping review of 2012-2022.

Background/purpose: Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, has the potential to transform the industry. While there have been advancements in using AM for dental restorations, there is still a need for further research to develop functional biomedical and dental materials. It's crucial to understand the current status of AM technology and research trends to advance dental research in this field. The aim of this study is to reveal the current status of international scientific publications in the field of dental research related to AM technologies. Materials and methods: In this study, a systematic scoping review was conducted using appropriate keywords within the scope of international scientific publishing databases (PubMed and Web of Science). The review included related clinical and laboratory research, including both human and animal studies, case reports, review articles, and questionnaire studies. A total of 187 research studies were evaluated for quantitative synthesis in this review. Results: The findings highlighted a rising trend in research numbers over the years (From 2012 to 2022). The most publications were produced in 2020 and 2021, with annual percentage increases of 25.7% and 26.2%, respectively. The majority of AM-related publications in dentistry research originate from Korea. The pioneer dental sub-fields with the ost publications in its category are prosthodontics and implantology, respectively. Conclusion: The final review result clearly stated an expectation for the future that the research in dentistry would concentrate on AM technologies in order to increase the new product and process development in dental materials, tools, implants and new generation modelling strategy related to AM. The results of this work can be used as indicators of trends related to AM research in dentistry and/or as prospects for future publication expectations in this field.

Prioridades nacionales de investigación en salud bucal, Perú 2022-2026: proceso, experiencias y perspectivas / National priorities for oral health research, Peru 2022-2026: process, experiences and perspectives

El Instituto Nacional de Salud, ha llevado a cabo por primera vez el proceso de identificación de Prioridades Nacionales de Investigación en Salud Bucal a cargo de la Subdirección de Investigación y Laboratorios de Enfermedades No Transmisibles del Centro Nacional de Salud Pública con la asesoría técnica de la Dirección de Investigación e Innovación en Salud y en coordinación con la Dirección Ejecutiva de Salud Bucal de la Dirección General de Intervenciones Estratégicas en Salud Pública del Ministerio de Salud mediante metodología participativa de tres actores claves: investigadores/especialistas, expertos y decisores. El objetivo de este artículo es describir el proceso seguido para la identificación de estas prioridades, el cual comprendió cinco fases: i) identificación de objetivos estratégicos del MINSA, ii) identificación de necesidades de investigación en salud bucal, iii) revisión por expertos y valoración de las necesidades según criterios, iv) priorización (valoración de la lista de prioridades según calificación) y v) presentación de las prioridades. Como resultado se obtuvieron las 12 prioridades que posteriormente fueron aprobadas por Resolución Ministerial N.° 262-2022/MINSA, con un periodo de vigencia 2022-2026. Además, se brindaron recomendaciones para futuros procesos.

The National Institute of Health has, for the first time, identified National Priorities for Oral Health Research, this process was carried out by the Subdirectorate of Research and Laboratories of Noncommunicable Diseases of the National Center for Public Health with the technical advice of the Directorate of Research and Innovation in Health and in coordination with the Executive Directorate of Oral Health of the General Directorate of Strategic Interventions in Public Health of the Ministry of Health, using a participatory methodology with three key actors: researchers/specialists, experts and decision-makers. This article aims to describe the process used to identify these priorities, which consisted of five phases: i) identification of the strategic objectives of the Ministry of Health, ii) identification of needs in oral health research, iii) review by experts and assessment of needs according to criteria and v) presentation of the priorities. As a result, 12 priorities were obtained, which were subsequently approved by Ministerial Resolution No. 262-2022/MINSA, for a period of 2022-2026. In addition, we provide recommendations for future processes.

Multimodal teaching methods for students in dentistry: a replacement for traditional teaching or a valuable addition? A three-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This student-centred prospective cohort study evaluated the impact of multimodal teaching methods on student performance in the theoretical domain of dental studies. METHODS: Dental students answered anonymous questionnaires indicating their preferences and opinions three times over three consecutive academic years. Data collected included gender, course, year of study and most frequent and preferred learning modality. Survey responses from Google Forms were analysed with SPSS 20.0 software (IBM Company, Chicago, IL, USA). Scale responses were tested with the Mann-Whitney U test against gender, program and year of study. Grades obtained from structured examinations held in the third academic year were analysed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test according to the teaching method employed. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The response rate was high (> 80%) throughout the study. Acceptance of online modalities increased over time (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.001) and 75% of students requested that online teaching modalities be maintained. Significant differences in gender, program of study, year of study and discipline taught were observed (Mann-Whitney test, p < 0.05). Females differed from males by favouring online modalities and face-to-face lectures, respectively, and clinical year students opted to retain pre-recorded online lectures. Recorded lectures resulted better for teaching core knowledge (Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, p = 0.034), while face-to-face lectures were better for teaching applied knowledge (Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, p = 0.043). Student responses to open-ended questions identified the need for a blended approach with in-person lecturing as an opportunity to socialise and avoid mental health issues. Although preferences varied, students showed a willingness to influence their learning and changes in curriculum, a predilection for self-directed learning and the need for freedom in engaging with resources and content. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of this study, online teaching modalities resulted in comparable examination performance and improved student satisfaction. This highlights the need for a blended approach to teaching.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on New Treatment Modalities for Temporomandibular Dysfunctions and Orofacial Pain / Conocimientos, Actitudes y Prácticas sobre Nuevas Nodalidades de Tratamiento de las Disfunciones Tempomanibulares y el Dolor Orofacial

The present study proposed to describe, through a literature review, the use of new therapeutic management which allows for offering a better quality of life to individuals affected by these pathologies. A bibliographic search was conducted in the main health databases PUBMED (www.pubmed.gov) and Scholar Google (www.scholar.google.com.br), in which studies published from 1987 to 2023 were collected. In the first stage, the list of retrieved articles was examined by reading the titles and abstracts. In the second stage, the studies were selected by reading the full contents. Two authors (JDMM and DAQ) performed stages 1 and 2. Experimental, clinical, case-control, randomized controlled, and laboratory cohort studies, case reports, systematic reviews, and literature reviews, which were developed in living individuals, were included. Therefore, articles that did not deal with the subject in question, letters to the editor, opinion articles, duplicated literature in databases, and literature that did not address the variables under study, we re excluded. Contemporary dentistry uses alternative treatments capable of improving the patient's condition since a cure is not always possible. Therefore, the possibility of improving the quality of life becomes an important point to be reached. Evidence-based healthcare has made great advances in recent decades, especially in the areas of orofacial pain, TMD, and occlusion, especially related to orthodontic, prosthetic, and restorative care.

En el presente estudio se propuso describir, a través de una revisión bibliográfica, el uso de nuevos manejos terapéuticos que permitan brindar una mejor calidad de vida a los individuos afectados por estas patologías. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las principales bases de datos de salud PUBMED (www.pubmed.gov) y Scholar Google (www.scholar.google.com.br), en las que se recopilaron estudios publicados entre 1987 y 2023. En la primera etapa, se examinó la lista de artículos recuperados mediante la lectura de los títulos y resúmenes. En la segunda etapa, los estudios fueron seleccionados mediante la lectura del contenido completo. Dos autores (JDMM y DAQ) realizaron las etapas 1 y 2. Se incluyeron estudios de cohortes experimentales, clínicos, de casos y controles, controlados aleatorios y de laboratorio, informes de casos, revisiones sistemáticas y revisiones de la literatura, que se desarrollaron en individuos vivos. Por lo tanto, se excluyeron artículos que no trataran el tema en cuestión, cartas al editor, artículos de opinión, literatura duplicada en bases de datos y literatura que no abordara las variables en estudio. La odontología contemporánea utiliza tratamientos alternativos capaces de mejorar el estado del paciente, ya que no siempre es posible la curación. Por lo tanto, la posibilidad de mejorar la calidad de vida se convierte en un objetivo importante. La atención médica basada en la evidencia ha logrado grandes avances en las últimas décadas, especialmente en las áreas de dolor orofacial, TMD y oclusión, especialmente en relación con la atención de ortodoncia, prótesis y restauración.

Construção de saberes mediada pela monitoria acadêmica: uma experiência de aprendizado / Construcción del conocimiento mediada por la tutoría académica: una experiencia de aprendizaje / Knowledge construction mediated by academic mentoring: alearning experience

Este artigo relata a experiência da monitoria acadêmica vinculada à atividade de ensino curricular de Introdução à Metodologia Científica do curso de graduação em Odontologia, em uma Universidade pública do Sul do Brasil. Traz a percepção de estudantes-monitores, modalidade presencial e remota, no período de 2021-2022. A atividade acontece no primeiro ano do curso, pretende tornar o estudante apto a ler criticamente artigos científicos, reconhecer etapas do método científico e elaborar projetos de pesquisa. O contexto pandêmicodo ensino remoto emergencial (ERE) trouxe a necessidade de adaptação das atividades de ensino e de monitoria, as quais passaram a ser síncronas-assíncronas, mediadas por tecnologias de informação e comunicação. Foi um período em que o papel pedagógico dosmonitores ganhou destaque, considerando a necessidade de promover a interação, despertar o interesse e estimular a participação dos estudantes nas atividades remotas propostas. Os monitores atuaram de modo articulado, reorganizando o ambiente virtual de aprendizagem Moodle, acompanhando/participando das atividades, esclarecendo dúvidas e orientando os estudantes, em diálogo constante com os professores. Após capacitação e com supervisão docente, os monitores contribuíram na avaliação dos projetos de pesquisa. No retorno às atividades presenciais, os monitores apoiaram os professores na elaboração do plano de ensino, agregando estratégias pedagógicas constituídas no ERE. Atuar na monitoria acadêmica possibilitou, ao estudante-monitor, crescimento acadêmico-pessoal e experienciar à docência, aproximando-o da pesquisa científica e do aprendizado interativo-colaborativo. Competências de comunicação, resolução de problemas e didático-pedagógicas foram percebidas pelos monitores. Há o desafio permanente de conciliar a vida acadêmica-pessoal às atribuições da monitoria (AU).

Este artículo relata la experiencia de tutoría académica en la actividad de enseñanza curricular de Introducción a la Metodología Científica del curso de Odontología en una universidad pública del Sur de Brasil. Trae percepción de estudiantes-tutores, modalidad presencial y remota, en el período de 2021-2022. La actividad ocurre en primer año del curso, pretende que el estudiante sea capaz de leer críticamente artículos científicos, reconocer etapas del método científico y elaborar proyectos de investigación. El contexto pandémico de enseñanza remota de emergencia (ERE) trajo necesidad de adaptación de enseñanza y de tutoría, las cuales pasaron a ser sincrónicas-asincrónicas, mediadas por tecnologías de información y comunicación. Fue un período que el papel pedagógico de los tutores cobró importancia, considerando la necesidad de promover interacción, despertar interés y estimular participación de los estudiantes en actividades propuestas. Los tutores actuaron de manera articulada, reorganizando el ambiente virtual de aprendizaje Moodle, acompañando/participando de actividades, aclarando dudas y orientando a los estudiantes, en diálogo constante con los maestros. Después de la capacitación y con supervisión docente, los tutores contribuyeron en evaluación de los proyectos de investigación. Volviendo a actividades presenciales, los tutores apoyaron a los maestros en elaboración del plan de enseñanza, agregando estrategias pedagógicas constituidas en ERE. Actuar en tutoría académica posibilitó, al estudiante-monitor, crecimiento académico-personal y experimentar la docencia, acercándolo de investigación científica y de aprendizaje interactivo-colaborativo. Competencias de comunicación, resolución de problemas y didáctico-pedagógicas fueron percibidas por los tutores. Hay el desafío permanente de conciliar la vida académica-personal a las atribuciones de tutoría (AU).

This article reports on an experience of academic mentoring in the curricular teaching activity of Introduction to Scientific Methodology, which is part of the undergraduate Dentistry course offered at a public university located in the South of Brazil. Itpresents the perception of students-mentors, in both the in-person and remote modalities, in the period 2021-2022. The activity takes place in the first year of the course and aims to enable students to read scientific articles critically, recognize the stages of the scientific method, and develop research projects. The pandemic context of emergency remote teaching (ERT) brought the need to adapt teaching and mentoring activities, which became synchronous-asynchronous, mediated by information and communication technologies. In this period, the pedagogical role of mentors gained prominence in view of the need to promote interaction, arouse interest, and stimulate student participation in the proposed remote activities. The mentors acted in a coordinated way,reorganizing the Moodle virtual learning environment, monitoring/participating in activities, answering questions and guiding students, in constant dialog with the teachers. After training and with teacher supervision, the mentors contributed to the assessment of research projects. Upon returning to in-person activities, the mentors supported teachers in developing the teaching plan, adding pedagogical strategies established in ERT. Academic mentoring enabled the student-mentor to experience academic-personal growth, teaching, scientific research, and interactive-collaborative learning, and to perceive communication, problem-solving, and didactic-pedagogical skills. Balancing academic-personal life with mentoring responsibilities is a constant challenge (AU).

Why and how we can use data linkage in oral health research: a narrative review.

OBJECTIVES: Poor oral health, impacting health and wellbeing across the life-course, is a costly and wicked problem. Data (or record) linkage is the linking of different sets of data (often administrative data gathered for non-research purposes) that are matched to an individual and may include records such as medical data, housing information and sociodemographic information. It often uses population-level data or 'big data'. Data linkage provides the opportunity to analyse complex associations from different sources for total populations. The aim of the paper is to explore data linkage, how it is important for oral health research and what promise it holds for the future. METHODS: This is a narrative review of an approach (data linkage) in oral health research. RESULTS: Data linkage may be a powerful method for bringing together various population datasets. It has been used to explore a wide variety of topics with many varied datasets. It has substantial current and potential application in oral health research. CONCLUSIONS: Use of population data linkage is increasing in oral health research where the approach has been very useful in exploring the complexity of oral health. It offers promise for exploring many new areas in the field.

Occlusal splints-types and effectiveness in temporomandibular disorder management.

Background: Occlusal splints are routinely used in dental offices to diagnose and treat abnormalities of the masticatory system. There are different occlusal splints, each of which can address various conditions. They may treat individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and bruxism or be used for occlusal stabilization and dentition wear reduction. Methods: The literature in the National Library of Medicine's Medline Database was reviewed using the Mesh terms 'occlusal splints' AND 'Temporomandibular Disorders. Conclusion: Occlusal splints can treat a wide variety of TMDs. They can treat bruxism, headaches, postural imbalances related to TMDs, and decreased vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO). However, there is no clear evidence that occlusal splints are superior to physiotherapy in treating TMDs. In the long-term follow-up, they were equally effective as other therapies.

Comparison of human dental tissue RNA extraction methods for RNA sequencing.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify an efficient RNA extraction method for periodontal ligament (PDL) and dental pulp (DP) tissues to be used in RNA sequencing studies, given the increased use of these techniques in dental research and the lack of standard protocols. DESIGN: PDL and DP were harvested from extracted third molars. Total RNA was extracted with four RNA extraction kits. RNA concentration, purity and integrity were assessed by means of NanoDrop and Bioanalyzer and statistically compared. RESULTS: RNA from PDL was more likely to be degraded than that of DP. The TRIzol method yielded the highest RNA concentration from both tissues. All methods harvested RNA with A260/A280 close to 2.0 and with A260/A230 above 1.5, except for the A260/A230 from PDL obtained with the RNeasy Mini kit. For RNA integrity, the RNeasy Fibrous Tissue Mini kit yielded the highest RIN values and 28 S/18 S from PDL, while the RNeasy Mini kit obtained relatively high RIN values with an appropriate 28 S/18 S for DP. CONCLUSION: Significantly different results were obtained for PDL and DP when using the RNeasy Mini kit. The RNeasy Mini kit provided the highest RNA yields and quality for DP, while the RNeasy Fibrous Tissue Mini kit obtained the highest quality RNA from PDL.

Oral health research funding in relation to disease burden in Australia.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate and compare the major Australian government research funding schemes for oral health science with other disciplines from the burden of disease perspective. METHODS: Major government research funding scheme outcomes were identified. An innovative index of Fair Research Funding (FRF) was developed to examine the extent to which National Health and Medical Research Council funding is aligned with the disease burden. In addition to comparing different diseases, overall governmental research funding for different areas of oral health sciences was explored. RESULTS: Oral disorders with $15 million NHMRC grant funds (2017-2021) and FRF of 10.7 has the lowest and most inequitable amount of Australian government support in relation to disease burden. The share of oral health science in the Australian Research Council and Medical Research Future Fund was very minimal, with $3.43 and $1.88 million respectively. CONCLUSION: Governmental research funding for oral health sciences is inequitable according to the disease burden. More dedicated oral health sciences research funding schemes are essential. Funding for prevention-focused public oral health programmes is a vital requirement towards reducing the inequalities in population oral health.

Synoptic review on existing and potential sources for bias in dental research methodology with methods on their prevention and remedies.

The results of years of dental study serve as the foundation for the practise of medicine and, for that matter, dentistry. Doctors may have their own preferences for techniques and materials, but whether directly or indirectly, their decisions are influenced by systematic reviews and meta-analyses. However, due to poorly conducted or presented research, this very basic foundation may not be reliable. Bias in research is one of several factors that might make study results or research itself unreliable. Bias can be introduced into research at many stages, deliberately or unknowingly. Bias can appear at any point during the research process, even before the study itself begins. There are many biases in research, but some of them are more relevant to dentistry research than others. Because it is said that "eyes see what the mind knows", it is essential to have a complete understanding of the different types of bias, how and when they get entrenched, and what steps may be taken to prevent or lessen them if they do occur. This comprehensive summary of bias in dentistry research is provided by this synoptic review. The goal is to identify gaps and measures that have been taken-or that should have been taken-by providing both descriptive and evaluative summaries, as well as examples from the literature, when needed.

International trends of orthodontic publications: A bibliometric observational study of the last decade (2011-2020)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The number of published orthodontic studies has increased considerably over the past ten years. Objective: To analyze the bibliometric data of international orthodontic studies included in orthodontic journals encompassed by the Scopus database between 2011 and 2020, as well as to undertake data comparison between the period 2010-2015 and the period 2016-2020. Materials and methods: A retrospective search was conducted on 14 orthodontic journals included in the Scopus database from 2011 to 2020. Studies of both primary and secondary types were targeted by the search. The yearly number of studies published in the 14 journals, and the first 20 countries, institutions and their type (public/private), and authors, respectively, regarding publication volume, were presented. Results: Over the past ten years, the number of publications in the chosen journals reached 9200, where the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and Angle Orthodontist topped the journal list, with 22% and 12% of the publications, respectively. Furthermore, the orthodontic publication volume showed a declining trend by the end of the decade (-9%), where academic/public institutions produced most of the orthodontic studies, and the US (20%), Brazil (17%), and South Korea (8%) topped the countries with the most orthodontic studies. A comparison of the two halves of the decade revealed that orthodontic research exhibited an increasing trend in developing nations, especially Egypt (104%), Saudi Arabia (88%), and Iran (83%). Conclusion: The orthodontic studies published in the chosen journals over the past ten years showed a dynamic change in yearly publication and ranking of countries, institutions, and authors.

RESUMO Introdução: O número de estudos publicados na área da Ortodontia aumentou consideravelmente nos últimos dez anos. Objetivos: Analisar os dados bibliométricos dos estudos ortodônticos internacionais publicados entre 2011 e 2020 em periódicos ortodônticos da base de dados Scopus, bem como realizar a comparação entre os dados dos períodos 2010-2015 e 2016-2020. Material e Métodos: Uma pesquisa retrospectiva foi realizada em 14 periódicos ortodônticos incluídos na base de dados Scopus de 2011 a 2020. Estudos dos tipos primários e secundários foram incluídos na pesquisa. Foram apresentados o número anual de estudos publicados em 14 revistas e os 20 primeiros países, instituições e seu tipo (público/privado) e autores, respectivamente, em relação ao volume de publicações. Resultados: Nos últimos dez anos, o número de publicações nos periódicos escolhidos chegou a 9.200, e o American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics e o Angle Orthodontist lideraram a lista de periódicos, com 22% e 12% das publicações, respectivamente. Além disso, o volume de publicações ortodônticas apresentou uma tendência de queda no final da década (-9%), sendo que as instituições acadêmicas/públicas produziram a maior parte dos estudos ortodônticos, e os EUA (20%), Brasil (17%) e a Coreia do Sul (8%) lideraram os países com mais estudos ortodônticos. Uma comparação das duas metades da década revelou que a pesquisa ortodôntica exibiu uma tendência crescente nos países em desenvolvimento, especialmente Egito (104%), Arábia Saudita (88%) e Irã (83%). Conclusão: Os estudos ortodônticos publicados nos últimos dez anos nos periódicos escolhidos mostraram uma mudança dinâmica na publicação anual e no ranking de países, instituições e autores.

Evaluation of randomised controlled trials published in Indian specialty dental journals for statistical testing of baseline differences: A meta-epidemiological study.

Background: In randomised controlled trials (RCTs), the application of a test of significance to compare the baseline differences between the intervention groups is a common practice, though it has been condemned by many researchers. Objective: This study aimed to assess the proportion of RCTs on human participants comparing the baseline differences between intervention groups using the test of significance in nine dental specialty journals published in India and to estimate the proportion of studies reporting baseline demographic and clinical characteristics in a table. Materials and Methods: RCTs published in nine dental journals published by dental specialty associations of India were screened. A literature search was limited to the time duration of five years from 2017 to 2021. Results: The authors analysed 326 RCTs. Of 326 RCTs published, 237 RCTs (72.7%) did not report the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics table. Tests of significance were applied to compare baseline differences between the intervention arms in 148 (45.4%) RCTs published. Conclusions: Although criticised by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement, the majority of the trials published in dental specialty journals failed to avoid comparison of baseline differences with significance test and failed to report baseline characteristic table.