Background: Plagiarism (Plg) is an unacceptable practice since it affects the integrity of scientific literature. Aim and objectives: To seek students’ knowledge and attitude regarding Plg and solicit suggestions to prevent Plg in our institute. The specific objectives of the study were to ascertain whether students’ knowledge and attitudes about Plg differ by their demographic characteristics and academic years. Methodology: A 32 item questionnaire was given to all the undergraduate (UG) students of the College of Medicine and Dentistry, Jouf University, KSA. The research questions focused on demographic information, knowledge and attitude regarding Plg, and suggestions to curb Plg. Results: A total of 134 UG students filled out the survey. The samples consisted of 97 males and 37 females. Most of the students displayed adequate knowledge regarding Plg in terms of copying words or ideas, quoting references, and copying words without changing the matter. As compared to female students, male students had better awareness regarding meaningful and harmful effects of practicing Plg (p < 0.05). Additionally, our results indicate that as students climb the academic ladder, their awareness on Plg tends to rise. Common reasons for plagiarizing are discussed here together with suggestions to combat Plg. Conclusion: The results of this study can be mainly taken as an eye opener which demonstrates the vital factors pertaining to the level of students’ knowledge about Plg, and to eradicate the problem, there is a need for more discussions and training on this topic for students.

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that has been spreading worldwide in an unprecedented manner. The knowledge, attitude and practices of the general population play a vital role in prevention of COVID-19. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes and practices of the general public of Sakaka, Saudi Arabia, to identify which populations show low levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19, making them highly likely to remain vulnerable during the pandemic. Methodology: For this study, a nineteen-item closed-ended questionnaire was hand delivered to the general public, including patients and other hospital attendees attending the Outpatient Department of the College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. The research questions focused on the demographic information, knowledge, attitude and practices related to COVID-19. Data analysis is presented through tables and descriptive methods. Results: A total of 722 participants took part in the survey questionnaire. The majority of the respondents belonged to the age group of 28–37 years (n = 320; 44.3%), with female participants (n = 419; 58.0%) outnumbering the male participants (n = 303; 42.0%). Most of the respondents had good knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19. Patients aged 28–37 years (p = 0.000) with a master’s degree (p = 0.011) and government employees (p = 0.000) had significantly better knowledge than their counterparts. Significantly optimistic attitudes were noticed in participants aged 28–37 years (p = 0.000) with a master’s degree (p = 0.000), the married (p = 0.047) and government employees (p = 0.000). Government employees (p = 0.014) had significantly better practices. Conclusions: Overall, the participants of this study had good COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes and practices. These findings would be useful in motivating the general population to follow the precautionary measures that will aid in prevention of COVID-19. Furthermore, the findings may help policymakers identify the target populations, especially the less educated and older adults, for COVID-19 prevention and health education.

Background: Orthodontically induced external apical root resorption is a common iatrogenic effect of tooth movement. With the increasing use of clear aligner therapy, it is important to evaluate whether its biomechanics reduce root resorption compared with fixed orthodontic appliances. Aim: To compare apical root resorption in patients treated with clear aligners and fixed appliances using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methodology: A retrospective comparative CBCT-based analysis was conducted on 120 orthodontic patients. Root volumes and lengths were measured from the cementoenamel junction to the apex using pre- and post-treatment CBCT scans. Apical root resorption was quantified as percentage volume loss and absolute root length reduction. Primary analyses employed linear mixed-effects models adjusted for clustering of teeth within patients and for tooth type, arch, extraction status, and treatment duration. Results: Clear aligner therapy was associated with significantly lower apical root resorption than fixed appliances. Mean percentage root volume loss was lower in the aligner group (6.1 ± 4.8%) than in the fixed appliance group (8.4 ± 6.1%) (p = 0.004). Mean root length reduction was also smaller with aligners (p = 0.001). Clinically significant root resorption occurred less frequently in the aligner group (p = 0.048). Longer treatment duration increased resorption risk. Conclusion: Clear aligner therapy is associated with less apical root resorption than fixed orthodontic treatment, while treatment duration remains an independent risk factor.