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Objective: To compare the elastic modulus, flexural strength, and hardness of an experimental resin based composite (RBC) with and without containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and bioactive glass (BAG) with a commercially available RBC. Methods: This study was conducted, during the period August 2016-May 2018, at the Department of Dental Materials, Peshawar Dental College, Peshawar (Pakistan) and Department of Chemistry, University of Montreal, Canada. Test specimens made in the commercial RBC acted as Group-1 (G1). An experimental RBC containing 70 wt % filler content was synthesized. It was first used as such to prepare test specimens to act as the experimental control group (G2). This RBC was then modified by adding various amounts of BAG (5%, 10% and 15%) and a fixed amount of 0.009% AgNPs to use the so modified RBCs for preparing the test specimens to belong to three groups (G3, G4 & G5). The AgNPs had been synthesized in situ by reduction of salt during photo-polymerization. Flexural strength (FS), elastic modulus (EM) and Vickers hardness were determined using universal testing machine and hardness tester respectively. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test. Results: Except for G3 restorations showing significantly lower mean FS value, the FS for those in the other groups were not significantly different (p>0.05). Elastic modulus of the experimental RBC restorations was though higher than those of the others but the difference was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Reduced Vickers hardness values were documented for the restorations in the G4 and G5 compared to those in the G3 but again the difference was insignificant (p>0.05). Flexural strength and hardness values of the test specimens in the experimental RBCs were significantly lower than those made in the commercial hybrid RBC (p<0.05). Conclusion: BAG and AgNPs addition to the experimental RBC in the mentioned concentration adversely affected the tested mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education is a sustained march of human society towards high pedestals of civilization, and determines true destiny of a nation, striving amid hard pursuits for survival. Education is of different types depending upon the needs and demands, and resources available in a country. Owing to meager resources, and, the growing demands for education, especially in the developing countries; the governments alone are unable to fulfill the educational needs of the whole population adequately. Therefore, the private sector has entered in the education sector to help achieve the national targets set in a country. Although, private schools were nationalized in 1972 in Pakistan, the subsequent National Education Policies adopted in 1979, 1992-2002 and 1998-2010 have provisions to involving private sector in the educational development and delivery system in the country. This paper describes the temporal expansion of private public schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan and evaluates the same in Peshawar, the capital city as a case study, in terms of selected variables vis a vis the existing education policy. Data for the study was obtained from field survey using questionnaires, EMIS office of the Education Department, KP, research reports, books and internet. The study shows mushrooming growth of private public schools and greater increase in number of students in the province in general, and Peshawar in particular during 1998-2010. Despite progressive contribution in education, a high proportion of private schools were found without the essential infrastructure for students' entertainment and recreation. The policy imperatives provided to regulate activities and functioning of the private sector need urgent implementation to improve education quality and control the tendency of exploitation by the private education sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To document anatomical features of maxillary edentulous denture supporting tissues (DSTs) in subjects. Material and Methods: From September 2006 to May 2007, a case-series study, involving 100 subjects having maxillary edentulous DSTs was conducted at KCD Peshawar. Using a structured proforma, data were recorded for un-favourable and favourable features of each of the anatomical structures of the DSTs including radiographic findings and need and category of pre-prosthetic surgical procedures. Results: Subjects (70 males: 30 females) had mean age 61.3±10.7SD with 34% older than 65 years. Majority (69%) subjects were poor. Caries and periodontal disease were reasons for tooth loss in 99% subjects with mean duration of edentulism in months as 19.5 + 38.3 SD). The percentages of subjects exhibiting unfavouable features for residual alveolar ridge (RAR) height and width, arch size, maxillary tuberosity, alveolar mucosa and presence of retained roots and teeth on radiographs were 47, 70, 81, 25 and 12 respectively. The percentages of subjects having unfavourable hard palate depth, arch form, soft palatal throat morphology, presence of median palatal fissure, unfavourable labial and buccal border tissue attachment levels, presence of palatal tori and unfavourable tuberosity-sinus relationship were 20, 10, 16, 6, 4, 8, 4, 56 respectively. Need for pre-prosthetic surgery was seen in 18% subjects. Chi-square analyses of data showed significant association between age and oral mucosa, gender and arch size and gender and depth of hard palate. Conclusion: The unfavourable nature of the DSTs in many subjects indicates their treatment difficulty in a general practice environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In developed countries, patients' factors and esthetic concerns have predominantly influenced prosthodontic treatments. The objective of this investigation was to see if such factors in local partially dentate patients influenced the clinicians' decision regarding the prostheses planned. Material & Methods: This was a descriptive study carried out in Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar from March to October 2007. Using a structured data collection-sheet, patient's data including gender, age, socio-economic status, educational level, oral-hygiene status, main concern of patients for consultation and the number, location and type of saddles in the jaws were all recorded. The type of prosthodontic service planned for each patient was also recorded. One investigator collected the required data from each of the 206 partially dentate patients by the method of direct interviewing. Results: Acrylic removable dental prostheses (RDPs) were more frequently provided than fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). No precision-retained or implant-supported prosthesis were planned. Irrespective of the type of prosthesis, the restoration of chewing function was the major concern of patients for consultation. Age, socioeconomic status, educational level and type of saddle in the maxilla influenced patients' treatment with RDPs. In comparison, better socioeconomic status and educational level were the reasons in case of planned FDPs. The reason for the planned FDPs in the maxilla was esthetics as compared to improvement in chewing function in case of the mandible. Conclusion: Acrylic RDPs were the most frequently planned prostheses. Patients; socioeconomic status and educational level and the type and location of saddle influenced the type of prosthesis planned for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effect of denture wearing on oral candidal activity through candida selective medium inoculated with standardized dilution salivary samples obtained from denture wearers. Methodology: A cross sectional, comparative study during March-September 2007 was conducted at Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar. Using a structured proforma, data were collected from 50 subjects (50 Denture wearers). Stimulated salivary samples were collected from each subject. One ml of standard dilution saliva was mixed with 4ml sterile liquid candida -selective medium. The extent of candida activity was then determined, biochemically, through change in pH of the medium 24hrs after inoculation and incubation at 37°°C. Results: Pathological candidal activity was seen in denture wearers. However, the association between the denture wearing habit and candidal activity was found significant, meaning that continuous denture wearing always showed a high pH change (t- value of 0.01) and mean pH decrease of 2.2 in continuous denture wearers as compare to 1.6 in only day time wearers. Beside this denture plaque score, type of dentures and denture hygiene maintenance was found to have insignificant association with the candidal activity. Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, denture wearing significantly enhanced the pathogenic activity of oral candida. The importance of rest to denture supporting tissue is re-emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report the frequency of the types of maxillary tumours and the resulting post-surgical defects based on Aramany classification. Study design, duration and setting: This descriptive study was done during the period of 5 years (2005-11) at the Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar. Methodology: A pre-structured proforma was used for data collection. Data recorded included patients' age, gender, type of maxillary tumour, type of maxillectomy and approach for resection, Post-surgical defect based on Aramany classification for acquired maxillary defects, neck dissection, radiotherapy, and prosthetic rehabilitation. Data were computed for descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages and mean values. Results: Patients (n=53) had a male to female ratio of 1.7. Some 26.4% patients belonged to the age group of 31-40 years. Maxillectomy was done for inverted papilloma, a benign tumour in 1.9% patients as compared to malignant squamous cell carcinoma in 66% patients. Maxillary resection for fibrous dysplasia was done in 3.8% patients who were relatively younger. Maxillectomy in all cases was performed using Weber-Fergusson incision approach. Surgical resection resulted in Armanay class I defect in 73.58% patients. In 92.5% patients a surgical obturator was provided to patients at the time of maxillectomy. Conclusion: Maxillectomy was mainly performed for resecting malignant tumours using Weber-Fergusson incision with the fitting of immediate surgical obturator. The resulting defect was mainly Aramany Class I defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]