The objective of this study was to assess tobacco use, secondhand smoke exposure, knowledge of health risks, and smoking predictors among dental students attending King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted and 420 dental students were invited to participate. Binary logistic regression analyses assessed the predictors of smoking. A total of 336 dental students completed the questionnaires with 25% reporting current or previous tobacco use and 96% reporting secondhand smoke exposure. Nearly half of all smokers initiated smoking during the dental program. The logistic regression results revealed that being a male (OR = 7.1, p < .0001; 95%CI = 3.7-13.4) and having a smoker in the family (OR = 2.6, p = .005; 95%CI = 1.3-5.0) increased the likelihood of smoking. In contrast, knowledge of health risks decreased the likelihood of smoking (OR = 0.90, p = .014; 95%CI = 0.82-0.98). Despite possessing knowledge about the health risks of smoking, high numbers of dental students continue to smoke and were exposed to secondhand smoke. Sex and family influence were the main pro-smoking risk factors, whereas increased knowledge of health risks was a protective factor. Tobacco control programs to reduce and/or prevent tobacco use among future dentists are needed.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of survival analysis in cyclic fatigue testing in orthodontic bracket bonding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 100 extracted bovine lower incisors (50 orthodontic brackets and 50 eyelet brackets). Each set of brackets was further divided by etching technique (25 total-etch and 25 self-etch). Cyclic fatigue testing was performed at a crosshead speed of 2 mm/min using an up-and-down method. Kaplan–Meier survival data analyses and Cox regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Survival analysis proved to be a simple methodology and revealed that the etching technique was not a statistically significant predictor for survival of orthodontic bracket bonding with either tensile or shear cyclic forces at P > 0.05. In tensile cyclic loading, high mechanical loading after controlling for the etching technique is a statistically significant predictor for lower survival of the orthodontic bracket bond at P < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Both etching techniques (total-etch and self-etch) are equally efficient in bonding orthodontic brackets. High mechanical loading is an important predictor of bond failure when applying tensile cyclic forces. Finally, survival analysis is a simpler alternative method to analyze orthodontic bracket bonding subjected to cyclic tensile and shear forces and gives similar results to other complicated methods.

Objectives: To compare orthodontic elastics with different force extension characteristics, thereby aiming to reduce the orthodontist's inventory for elastics. Materials And Methods: Thirty nonextraction class I models were used to determine extension distances. Light, medium, and heavy forced Latex elastics of size 1/4 and 3/16 (from three manufacturers) were used. Thirty elastics from each pack were selected, for a total sample size of 540 elastics. Elastic force was measured at three extensions: three times the lumen (A), first molar to opposing canine (B), and second molar to opposing canine distance (C). Force values were compared with the analysis of variance followed by the post hoc Scheffe test. Results: Mean distance for extensions B and C were 22.3 and 38.7 mm, respectively. There was a continuous but significant increase in the force of 1/4 elastics when stretched from A to extension C. A significant increase in the force level of 3/16 elastics was only noted when stretched from A to B. Overall, 1/4 elastics had a wider range of force coverage in the extensions used, compared to 3/16 elastics. Conclusions: The use of 1/4 elastics is sufficient to cover the range of forces in orthodontic treatment.

Objectives: To develop a scale to measure willingness to accept secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, and to assess its psychometric properties. Methods: We sent a questionnaire containing items on willingness to accept SHS exposure to a convenience sample of 420 senior dental students for self-administration. We assessed the internal consistency of the scale using Cronbach's alpha. Principal component analysis was used to identify scale components. Results: A total of 338 students completed the questionnaire (80.5%). Of those, 96% reported exposure to SHS. Cronbach's alpha was .87 for the 13-item scale, indicating good internal consistency. The mean (SD) score (aggregate measure) for the 13-item scale was 46.8 (21.1). Principal component analysis revealed a structure with 3 components: unwillingness to accept SHS exposure, routine willingness to accept SHS exposure, and willingness to accept SHS exposure when avoidance is difficult. Mean scores differed significantly according to smoking status, providing initial support for the scale construct validity. Conclusions: The multicomponent, 13-item scale was a valid and reliable measure of willingness to accept SHS exposure. If validated in other populations, it might be useful in planning and evaluating tobacco prevention programs in these populations.

Objectives: In this study, the objective was to assess determinants of willingness to accept secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among dental students. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 420 dental students. Multiple linear regression analyses assessed the determinants of willingness to accept SHS exposure. Results: A total of 336 students completed questionnaires. The multivariate model showed a direct relationship of increased willingness to accept SHS exposure with being a smoker (β = 19.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 14.2 to 24.1, p < .0001), presence of a smoker in the household (β = 10.6, 95% CI = 6.2 to 15.1, p < .0001), presence of a smoker in a friends/relatives' house (β = 8.6, 95% CI = 4.6 to 12.5, p < .0001), and being a man (β = 7.3, 95% CI = 3.1 to 11.5, p = .001). There was an inverse relationship with increased knowledge of health risks (β = –.215, 95% CI = –.402 to –.028, p = .025). Conclusions: The willingness to accept SHS exposure was positively associated with the presence of a smoker in the household or in a friends/relatives' house, being a smoker, and being a man. Knowledge of health risks showed an inverse association.