In this study, we aimed to explore the trends among dentists in the Dominican Republic of providing antibiotic prescriptions to pregnant/breastfeeding dental patients. A survey was conducted among 98 dentists, using a self-administered questionnaire, about their knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotic usage in pregnant/lactating women and the translation of these into practice. The majority of the survey population were female dentists (63.3%) aged 45–54 years. A chi-square test showed statistically significant differences in the knowledge sources between older and younger dentists, with a minority having chosen scientific literature as a source (p-value of 0.04). There were statistically significant associations between gender and certain attitudes and practice-based questions, with p-values of 0.04 and 0.01, respectively. The Spearman’s correlation test showed a statistically significant correlation between knowledge and attitude (p-value 0.001), whereas no correlation was found with practice (p-value 0.23). A multiple response analysis showed that the majority of the respondents chose the second and third trimester for antibiotic prescriptions for acute conditions such as cellulitis, periodontal abscess, and pericoronitis. Most dentists had sufficient knowledge about antibiotic usage in pregnant/lactating women, but it did not translate into practice, and a certain proportion of the participants followed incongruent drug prescription. These findings can be used to focus on judicious antibiotic usage by dentists in the Dominican Republic.

The World Health Organisation has warned of the increase in antibiotic resistance, estimating that by 2050 it could become the leading cause of death worldwide. Several studies and literature reviews show a correlation between antibiotic use and bacterial resistance, with unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and azithromycin, being one of the main causative factors. An interview-based survey of 2160 participants was conducted to assess the prevalence in the practice of self-medication with antibiotics among dental patients in the Dominican Republic. A series of open-ended questions regarding self-medication and class of antibiotics were put to the patients. Over a third of the study population (39.7%) admitted to the practice of antibiotic self-medication. Most of the respondents (58.4%) who indulged in self-medication were females, and it was prevalent in the older adults between 32–42 years old (36%). There was a negative correlation between age and self-medication practice (p < 0.001) observed with point biserial correlation test. Binary logistic regression analysis found an odds ratio of 0.97 (p < 0.001). The most consumed antibiotics were amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (52%), amoxicillin (31.1%), and azithromycin (10.1%). It is imperative to educate patients about the harmful effects of self-medication and to stress the need for governments to implement stricter laws on non-prescription drug availability.

Acellular dermal matrix grafts (ADMG) have been used as soft tissue graft substitutes for autografts in periodontal plastic surgical procedures. They have benefits like avoiding a second surgical site and patient morbidity that have been associated with autografts, but there is limited evidence available on their tissue response and wound healing process. This histomorphometric animal model study was carried out in mini pigs and it aimed to compare the two types of ADMG materials of porcine derivative with a control group through observation of parameters like epithelial and Keratinized layer thickness, angiogenesis, cellularity, matrix resorption, and inflammatory infiltrate. The surgical technique involved punctures on the edentulous areas stripping the epithelial tissue and exposing the underlying connective tissue, placement of the ADMGs in the appropriate control and test sites. Following this, gingival biopsies were procured at three different time intervals of 15, 45, and 90 days. There were significant differences in epithelial and Keratinized layer thickness among the three groups. This study concluded that there was no clear consensus on which graft material was superior but it gave an insight into the tissue response and wound healing process associated with the graft materials.

This research aims to evaluate the clinical and histological parametric differences concerning keratinized tissue that result from two regeneration techniques, the subepithelial autologous connective tissue graft (ACTG) and the acellular dermal matrix (MD) of porcine origin, performed on surgical beds on edentulous spaces in an animal model. The parameters of the MD and ACTG groups were compared with samples of the control group (CG) after 15, 45, and 90 days. Nine female white pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) were used, and each animal provided 20 study areas (12 MD and 8 ACTG). At 15 days, the keratin layer thickness in the MD group was greater than those of the ACTG (25.27 vs. 19.95 μm) and the CG (21.2 μm). After 45 days, the MD and ACTG thickness values decreased but were higher than the CG. At 90 days, MD (19.46 μm) obtained a value close to that of CG, and the ACTG decreased to CG (15.53 μm, p < 0.001). The use of an MD may be a viable alternative to the ACTG because of its ability to provide increased keratinized tissue in comparison to the ACTG.

The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of identifying a dental implant through the measurement of the apical width and the interspiral distance in a periapical radiograph after being subjected to high temperatures for certain lengths of time. In total, 11 fresh human anatomical models were selected, in which 137 implants were placed. Previous periapical radiographs were performed using parallelizers in each implant. Subsequently, the anatomical models were introduced into a crematory oven at different temperatures and for various durations: 500 °C/15 min, 500 °C/30 min, 700 °C/15 min, 800 °C/15 min, 800 °C/45 min, 500 °C/15 min, 700 °C/15 min, and finally, 1000 °C/120 min. After this, X-rays were taken via a parallel technique, and the apical width and interspiral distance were measured. The implants were disinserted, and the coronal width was used to calculate magnification or possible distortion. All data were analyzed by the Mann–Whitney U test. There were no statistically significant differences for the apical width parameter, except when the temperature was raised to 700 °C/15 min and to 800 °C/45 min. For the interspiral distance parameter, there were no statistically significant differences, except when the implants were subjected to 800 °C/15 min and 1000 °C/120 min. It was determined that there were changes in some groups based on the increase in temperature and exposure time. Neither of the two parameters were completely useful for the identification because some of the groups studied in both variables presented differences, which makes them difficult to identify correctly.