Dentists’ intention to report suspected violence: a cross-sectional study in eight Arab countries

Objectives This study assessed dentists’ intention in eight Arab countries to report suspected exposure to violence among patients and factors associated with this intention based on the theory of planned behavior.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 including a convenience sample of dentists practicing in public, private and academic sectors in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Respondents answered a self-administered questionnaire collecting information about personal and professional background and perceived ability to identify victims of violence. The questionnaire assessed (on a scale from 1 to 10 using 6 negative statements) dentists’ perception of healthcare system mandated reporting of suspected violence. Six statements were used to assess professional attitude toward reporting suspected violence. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between intention to report suspected violence and perceived ability, perception and attitude adjusting for confounders.ResultsThe response rate was 65.2% (n= 2,936/ 4506) from general practitioners (70.9%) of mean age= 31 years with 56.7% females. Of those, 68.8% intended to report and 52.2% considered themselves able to identify violence victims. The mean (SD) negative perception score= 5.3/10 (2.1) and the mean (SD) professional attitude score= 7.5/10 (1.9). In multivariate regression, intention to report was associated with professional attitude (OR= 1.08, 95%CI= 1.03, 1.14), ability to identify violence victims (OR= 1.76, 95%CI=1.45, 2.12) and negative perception that reporting is not mandated (OR= 0.89, 95%CI=0.85, 0.94). Significant differences existed among countries in intention to report. ConclusionMost dentists intended to report suspected violence and their intention could be explained by the theory of planned behavior which offers a framework for professional development to support violence victims. Sharing of training resources, policies and guidelines is needed to ensure that practices similar to international guidelines are consistently adopted by dentists across Arab countries

Higher education students’ perceptions of ChatGPT: A global study of early reactions

© 2025 Ravšelj et al.The paper presents the most comprehensive and large-scale global study to date on how higher education students perceived the use of ChatGPT in early 2024. With a sample of 23,218 students from 109 countries and territories, the study reveals that students primarily used ChatGPT for brainstorming, summarizing texts, and finding research articles, with a few using it for professional and creative writing. They found it useful for simplifying complex information and summarizing content, but less reliable for providing information and supporting classroom learning, though some considered its information clearer than that from peers and teachers. Moreover, students agreed on the need for AI regulations at all levels due to concerns about ChatGPT promoting cheating, plagiarism, and social isolation. However, they believed ChatGPT could potentially enhance their access to knowledge and improve their learning experience, study efficiency, and chances of achieving good grades. While ChatGPT was perceived as effective in potentially improving AI literacy, digital communication, and content creation skills, it was less useful for interpersonal communication, decision-making, numeracy, native language proficiency, and the development of critical thinking skills. Students also felt that ChatGPT would boost demand for AI-related skills and facilitate remote work without significantly impacting unemployment. Emotionally, students mostly felt positive using ChatGPT, with curiosity and calmness being the most common emotions. Further examinations reveal variations in students’ perceptions across different socio-demographic and geographic factors, with key factors influencing students’ use of ChatGPT also being identified. Higher education institutions’ managers and teachers may benefit from these findings while formulating the curricula and instructions/regulations for ChatGPT use, as well as when designing the teaching methods and assessment tools. Moreover, policymakers may also consider the findings when formulating strategies for secondary and higher education system development, especially in light of changing labor market needs and related digital skills development.The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (research core funding No. P5-0093 and project No. Z5-4569)

Xylitol in Caries Prevention: Meta-analysis and Evidenced Based Review

Oral xylitol products have been labelled as a caries preventive measure; however, its use is still limited. The aim of the study is to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of xylitol-containing products in dental caries prevention with a focus on dental caries as the primary outcome rather than other pseudo outcome

Dental experiences related to oral care of children with autism spectrum disorders in Saudi Arabia: A literature review

The burden of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia remains unclear with a dearth of literature, which focus on risk factors, prevalence, or interventions. This study is a review of the published literature related to dental experiences of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia. Twenty-two studies were included in this review, based on the predefined inclusion criteria which examined dental disease prevalence in children with ASD, identified the risk factors and the potential barriers to oral care. Results uncovered a lack of systematically published studies from Saudi Arabia which might have led to the limited development of effective oral health policies in the Kingdom. Identification of research gaps and potential intervention policies are needed to improve the oral health and quality of life of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia

Xylitol in Caries Prevention: Meta-analysis and Evidenced Based Review

The aim of the study is to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of xylitol-containing products in dental caries prevention with a focus on dental caries as the primary outcome rather than other pseudo outcome

Meta-analysis on the Effectiveness of Xylitol in Caries Prevention

This study aims to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of xylitol-containing products in dental cariesprevention with a focus on dental caries as the primary outcome rather than other pseudo outcomes.</div

Effectiveness of the Boston University predental postbaccalaureate program on dental school academic performance

PLEASE NOTE: This work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community: please click Download and log in with a valid BU account to access. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact [email protected] (DScD) --Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 2011 (Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research).Includes bibliographic references: leaves 113-118.The need for diversity in the health care professions raised the opportunity for many medical and dental schools to develop postbaccalaureate (postbac) programs as one tool to help remedy this situation. However, few studies have addressed the effectiveness of these postbac programs, with most research focused on premedical postbac programs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Masters of Art in Medical Sciences-Oral Health track program (MAMS-OH) in enhancing predental postbac students' academic credentials when pursuing their dental school training. Our study sample included 448 graduating BUGSDM DMD students (DMD10-DMD13). Academic performance indicators for the MAMS-OH postbac students who entered Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BUGSDM) were compared to their traditional counterparts in the DMD program who had not undergone any additional postbac training. Comparisons were also performed with a third group of 'other' graduate degree students. Results of our bivariate, bootstrap, and multivariate analysis all confirmed that there were no differences between DMD groups for their first year dental school GPA. Differences were found between groups for second year dental school performance, where MAMS-OH postbac students had lower GPAs (3.2/B+) than traditional DMD (3.4/B+) and 'other' graduate degree students (3.4/B+) (P-value=0.0001). However, there were no differences in 3rd year GPA, 4th year GPA, dental school retention, or for passing the NBDE part I. The best predictors of academic achievement in pre-clinica1 1st and 2nd years of dental school included undergraduate preadmission indicators. In contrast, the best predictors of clinica1 3rd and 4th years of dental school were having a family member in the field of dentistry and fathers' level of education. Comparisons were also made to determine whether Underrepresented Minorities (URM) performed as well as their dental school counterparts. In general, compared to URM-non-Traditional students, URM MAMS-OH postbac students or URM-traditional DMD students had lower preadmission scores, and lst year and 2nd year dental school performance, however, there were no performance differences by their third year of dental school. The results of this study suggest that the MAMS-OH program had a positive impact on academic performance of predental postbac students while in BUGSDM. Postbac students' acceptance rates into dental school and retention rates while in dental school were high. While in dental school, these students performed comparably to the traditional 'middle of the class' tertile students. BUGSDM predental potbac program offers a valid approach to increasing URM representation and graduation from dental school, which may increase access to dental care for URMs in the future

Effect of erbium laser on microtensile bond strength of fissure sealant in primary teeth: An in vitro study

Background: Laser etching has several advantages as compared with conventional acid etching. However, results of earlier studies on conditioning surfaces with erbium, chromium:yttrium–scandium–gallium–garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) before application of the fissure sealant have been inconclusive. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the microtensile strength of resin-based fissure sealant bonded to primary enamel conditioned by Er, Cr:YSGG laser with varying power outputs. Materials and Methods: Fifty sound primary first molars were randomized into the following five groups based on pretreatment choice: Group 1: 3.5 W laser etching + acid etching; Group 2: 2.5 W laser etching + acid etching; Group 3: 3.5 W laser etching with no acid; Group 4: 2.5 W laser etching with no acid and Group 5: acid etching with no laser. Acid etch was performed with 35% orthophosphoric acid for 30 s. Laser etching was performed with Er, Cr:YSGG (2780 nm) laser using G6 tips and 600 μm diameter, 2.5 W or 3.5 W power outputs, pulse duration of 140 μs and a repetition rate of 20 Hz. Sealant was applied on the buccal surface followed by an incremental buildup with composite resin. Microtensile bond strength was assessed and compared among the five groups using one- and two-way ANOVA. Results: There was no statistical difference in the mean bond strength between groups except in Group 4 (9.66 MPa) (Group 1: 15.57 MPa; Group 2: 14.18 MPa; Group 3: 14.78 MPa; Group 5: 14.63 MPa). Conclusion: Pretreatment with 3.5 W Er, Cr:YSGG laser alone results in microtensile bond strengths similar to that produced by acid etching, indicating that enamel etching using 3.5 W Er, Cr:YSGG laser would result in the long-term success of pit and fissure sealants in primary teeth