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BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has badly affected the mental health, quality of life, and self-esteem of students worldwide. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to evaluate the psychological impact and self-esteem of dental students using Rosenberg self-esteem scale and PIDAQ during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: This cross-sectional research was conducted amongst the dental students studying at various dental colleges in Karachi, Pakistan from January to May 2022. Evaluation of psychological aspect and self-esteem of students was carried out using "Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ)", and "Rosenberg self-esteem scale" as perceived by students during the pandemic. For data analysis SPSS v24 was used. Data analysis comprised of descriptive analysis, Spearman correlation, One-way Anova and Linear regression. The level of significance of p value was less than 0.05. RESULTS: Overall 332 students participated, among which there were 181 females (54.5%), 151 males (45.5%). Dental self-confidence showed a negative relationship with social influence, psychological effect, and aesthetic concern, while it was positively linked with self-esteem during the pandemic. Social impact demonstrated association with psychological impact, aesthetic concern, and self-esteem, while it was negatively correlated with dental confidence. Rosenberg score showed positive correlation with all the variables. Statistically significant association was identified for variables when compared with gender. Regression analysis indicated association of age with dental confidence and RSS, while gender with social influence. CONCLUSION: The pandemic, aside from affecting the health of individuals worldwide, also badly affected the well-being, mental health, and self-esteem of the dental students. Dental aesthetics plays a crucial role in the mental wellbeing and self-esteem of the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Professionalism is one of the fundamental traits which includes behaviors, commitments, standards, and goals that helps define a profession. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the attitude of dental students and graduates regarding the practice of professionalism in dentistry using the Professionalism Mini Evaluation Exercise (P-MEX) questionnaire. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst the dental undergraduates, lecturers and postgraduate faculty. Views regarding professionalism were assessed using the P-MEX. The 24-questions based survey form is comprised of questions related to doctor and patient relationship skills, reflective abilities, time management, and lastly, interprofessional relationship expertise. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics were done using mean and SD, whilst associations between responses were assessed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: From a total of 201 participants, 95 (47.3%) were males and 106 (52.7%) were females. Statistically significant association was seen between time management, reflective skills, and interpersonal skills with gender, as well as the domains of P-MEX and years of education. CONCLUSION: The use of P-MEX provides a valid confirmation for the assessment and awareness of professionalism amongst the dental faculty and students. Females demonstrated higher traits of professionalism as compared to males. The findings from the current study identify that students and faculty members had sufficient awareness regarding professionalism and the practice of professionalism was routinely followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To identify the various types of dental notation system preferred by students working within the dental hospital and to evaluate the tooth notation methods favored by the different clinical departments in a dental teaching hospital of Karachi. METHODOLOGY: This Cross sectional study was conducted within the dental hospital of Bahria University Medical and Dental College. The survey employed for this study was modified from the study lead by Al-Johany SS. All the qualitative variables are presented as frequency and percentages. Chi-square or Fischer exact test was applied to see the significance P-value < 0.05 considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 153 students participated in the study. FDI was commonly understandable tooth Numbering system by 66% (n= 48) of the final year students while 49% (n=39)of the house officers preferred Universal system. For coding primary teeth palmer system was identified, while for permanent dentition FDI was preferred. CONCLUSION: This study clearly highlights that different method for tooth numbering will be used continually by the dental professionals. Realistic approach is to make sure that dental professionals have sufficient knowledge regarding the most commonly used numbering systems and are responsive towards the pitfalls in each system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of knowledge of dentists working in a teaching hospital of Karachi regarding light cure units. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was conducted over a time frame of 6 months. A questionnaire was distributed to dentists working in a dental teaching hospital. Survey employed in this study has been adopted and revised from the study lead by Tüloglu et al. Questionnaire focused on the demographic details along with queries related to usage of light cure devices, type of light cure unit used, curing time used for composites and adhesive, light intensity used for sufficient polymerization. Statistical analysis of the study was done using Chi square and Fishers Exact and descriptive analysis done by analyzing frequency and percentage. RESULT: Over-all 156 dentists participated in this study, which includes 34% (n= 53) males and 66% (n= 103) females participated. Light-emitting diode (LED) was commonly preferred by 66% of the respondents aged 21-29 years, followed by Quartz-Tungsten-Halogen (QTH). 34% of the dentists of age group 30-39 years had knowledge concerning options for irradiation accessible by Light Curing Units (LCU). Conventional mode was most preferred by 60% of 21-29 aged respondents. Majority of dentists advocated using 10-20 sec for curing adhesive and composite restorations. 66% of respondents aged commented using 100-300 mv/cm2 intensity of light, while 30-39 years aged used 300-500 mv/cm2 for curing 2 mm thick composite. CONCLUSION: It is apparent that dental practitioners of age group of 21-29 years have less knowledge regarding dental light-curing units, concerning the technical knowledge and correct usage of light curing device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency and to analyze different factors associated with dentine hypersensitivity among the patients visiting the dental outpatient department of Bahria University medical and dental college Karachi. METHODOLOGY: A Cross sectional questionnaire based study was conducted over a period of seven months among 366 patients visiting the dental OPD of Bahria University Medical and Dental College. Survey utilized for this study was adopted from the study conducted by Braimoh and Ilochonwu. All participants answered questions related to knowledge regarding dentine hypersensitivity, factors hurting the teeth, measures taken to reduce the pain and teeth commonly affected. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The frequency of DH was 36% among the surveyed respondents. DH was considerably higher in females as compared to males. A total of 36.6% males and 50.8% females had awareness regarding DH. While 19% male and 17% female patients chewed from one side of mouth. Vigorous brushing of teeth was noted in 16% males whereas brushing for longer duration was identified in 15.3% of females. Maxillary posteriors were most sensitive teeth. CONCLUSION: The frequency of DH among the patients was 36.3% with a predilection for females gender. Cold foods were commonly identified factors for causing sensitivity in teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Problem-based learning (PBL), a student-centered approach which has been implemented in many educational institutes worldwide., Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the proficiency of students in 5 key areas of PBL process and assess perceptions of students towards PBL learning using a self-explanatory questionnaire., Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2020 to September 2022 and evaluated perceptions of 1st year dental students of Batch 2021 (having Face-to-face PBL sessions) and batch 2020 (having online PBL sessions) using a questionnaire. Three similar PBL cases were used, which assessed PBL parameters that included attendance, group dynamics, knowledge, communication skills and preparation. Statistical analysis was performed for all the categorical and continuous variables., Results: Majority of Distance Learning (DL) group (66.7%) concurred that PBL helped improve their communication skills, decision making power (66.7%), self-directed learning (80%) and promoted interaction with peers (66.7) and teachers (68.9%). The Face -to- Face (FF) group demonstrated better scores (7.7±2.42 & 7.55±2.55) with respect to their attendance and group dynamics (7.44±2.17 & 8.02±2.40) in PBL 1 & 3 as compared to DL group. Overall, better performance in all the 5 key areas of PBL was observed for the FF group versus the DL group., Conclusion: The Distance learning (DL) group displayed a positive attitude and perception towards PBL as a learning strategy whereas Face-to-face (FF) group showed greater performance and proficiency in the key PBL parameters scores.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of working length measurement with endomotor having builtin apex locator by comparing it with periapical radiographs., Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Operative Dentistry, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from January to June 2014, and comprised permanent maxillary anterior teeth with mature apices. A preoperative radiograph was taken by using standardised paralleling technique. The access cavity was prepared by a high speed water-cooled diamond bur. After doing initial filing and drying the canal, the working length was taken with an endomotor with built-in apex locator in dual mode using the Protaper Rotary File S1. The length was measured using a millimeter scale. After attaining tentative working length from the pre-operative radiograph, 1mm was subtracted from the radiographic apex. A stainless steel K-file was placed in the canal at this length and a radiograph was taken by paralleling technique using intraoral film holder. The electronic and radiographic findings were noted. Accuracy was considered positive if the endomotor reading was 0-2mm short of the radiographic working length. Data was analysed using SPSS 16., Results: Of the 96 cases, working length with X-Smart Dual was acceptable in 85(88.5%) cases, and unacceptable in 11(11.5%) cases., Conclusions: Accuracy of working length measurement with endomotor having built-in apex locator was found to be a better measuring tool compared to the conventional periapical radiographs.