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Objective The purpose of our study is to determine the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the levels of empathy toward patients among undergraduate dental students in Pakistan.Materials and Methods A cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted at Islamic International Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan. After taking an informed consent, a validated and pretested Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) was distributed amongst the undergraduate dental students at two points, one before the COVID-19 existed, and the other after August 7th, 2020, when the COVID-19 cases dropped in Pakistan. Responses were indicated on a five point Likert Scale.Statistical Analysis A one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) was used to compare the TEQ scores between the different years of education at the dental school. Difference within the groups was analyzed using the post-hoc Tukey test. Pre- and post-COVID-19 comparison was done using the Chi-square test (significance level p < 0.05).Results A total of 221 out of 260 students in the pre-COVID-19 group, while 210 out of 260 students in the post-COVID-19 group enrolled in the dentistry program participated in the study. Significant difference in the empathy levels was observed in the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups of the same population, i.e., (p < 0.05). The response rate was 85%.Conclusions This study showed an increase in mean empathy scores among the undergraduate dental students after COVID-19, indicating a significant improvement in their empathy levels during the time of COVID-19. It highlights the impact of the pandemic, whereby death and chaos seem to have brought about an improvement in interpersonal harmony.

To evaluate the novel locally manufactured osteosynthetic titanium bone mini plates used for mandibular fracture fixation, and to compare it with an international brand to have an alternative to expensive plates.The study was conducted at National University of Science and Technology from Jan 2013 to June 2013. Local and German brands of osteosynthetic titanium bone mini plates were studied electrochemically through Tafel extrapolation curves using Gamry® electrochemical framework in modified simulated body fluid prepared with pH 7.4 at 37OC. For bacterial adhesion, staphylococcus aureus bacterial culture of 50 l was used with an OD600 of 1.0 corresponding to approximately 1.79×109 cells ml-1. Data was analysed using SPSS 20..Corrosion resistance behaviour of local and German plates was not significantly different (p0.05), but in case of bacterial adhesion the local plates showed significantly low adhesion compared to the imported material (p0.05). Overall, the biocompatible properties of local plates met international brand qualities.Electrochemical corrosion and bacterial adhesion of local osteosynthetic maxillofacial bone plates matched the quality of an international brand.

To find the best option to treat White Spot Lesion in existing caries treatments, and to identify the selected articles discussing etiology of caries along with White spot lesion. Null hypothesis was that "Only anticariogenic agent can cure White Spot Lesion". PRISMA guidelines were used to conduct the systematic analysis. An electronic customized search was performed using mesh terminologies on PubMed database based on inclusion criteria that included studies with; any treatment option that can treat or prevent WSL; and minimally invasive treatment options that may be altered to treat WSL. While exclusion criteria comprised studies with treatment of rampant caries, severe early childhood caries and root caries. Inclusion criteria for etiological factors incorporated studies with factors that lead to white spot lesion or carious lesion. Finally, therapeutic agents of dental caries were analyzed. Only the use of anti-cariogenic agent cannot cure White Spot Lesion. Hence study fails to prove the null hypothesis. Although combination of anti-cariogenic agents with a re-mineralizing agent can provide additional options for the treatment or prevention of WSL.