Background: It is essential for practicing dentists to have adequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its implications in the dental practice. Their attitudes should also be up to the professional expectations. This study aimed to assess knowledge of HIV/AIDS infection and attitudes towards its patients among dental students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A questionnaire was prepared and distributed among a sample of dental students in Saudi Arabia. Twenty questions related to knowledge, attitudes, and oral manifestation of HIV were presented. Results: A total of 405 questionnaires were completed (67% response rate). Participants showed low knowledge of safety regarding HIV (39.5%) and 44.2% indicated that they would take an HIV test after needle stick injury. The proportion of correct answers regarding transmission of HIV through saliva, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and aerosols by hand pieces was 41%, 37.5%, and 26.4%, respectively. Almost 50% of the surveyed dental students expressed unwillingness to treat HIV-positive patients. Poor knowledge was noted regarding oral manifestations of HIV (32.7%). Of the participants, 57.8% indicated that infection control procedures are very important for the treatment of HIV patients and 50.6% believed that a dentist can make a decision to reject the treatment of HIV patients. According to the participating dental students, the three major oral manifestations in HIV patients are hairy leukoplakia (47.4%), oral candidiasis (44.7%), and Kaposi’s sarcoma (43.5%). Conclusion: Inadequate knowledge and unprofessional attitude towards HIV/AIDS patients were identified among this group of dental students in Saudi Arabia. Dental educators and health care planners in Saudi Arabia should plan to promote the knowledge and attitudes of dental students in Saudi Arabia towards the treatment of HIV patients.

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the acceptance rate and associated factors of COVID-19 vaccines among dentists and dental students in seven countries. Material and Methods: A structured questionnaire prepared and guided by the report of the SAGE Working Group on Vaccine Hesitancy was distributed among groups of dentists and dental students in seven countries across four continents. Results: A total of 1527 subjects (850 dentists and 677 dental students) participated in this survey. Although 72.5% of the respondents reported their intention to accept COVID-19 vaccines (dentists: 74.4%, dental students: 70.2%), there was a significant difference in agreement between dentists/dental students across countries; generally, respondents in upper-middle-, and high-income countries (UM-HICs) showed significantly higher acceptance rates compared to those in low- and lower-middle income countries (L-LMICs). Potential predictors of higher vaccine acceptance included being a dentist, being free of comorbidity, being well-informed about COVID-19 vaccines, having better knowledge about COVID-19 complications, having anxiety about COVID-19 infection, having no concerns about the side effects of the produced vaccines and being a resident of an UM-HIC. Conclusion: The results of our survey indicate a relatively good acceptance rate of COVID-19 among the surveyed dentists and dental students. However, dentists and dental students in L-LMICs showed significantly lower vaccine acceptance rates and trust in COVID-19 vaccines compared to their counterparts in UM-HICs. Our results provide important information to policymakers, highlighting the need for implementation of country-specific vaccine promotion strategies, with special focus on L-LMICs.

Advancements in head and neck cancer treatments have improved survival rates, but complications in the mouth's soft and hard tissues can hinder treatment effectiveness or cause interruptions. Dentists play a critical role in managing these oral complications, helping to enhance the overall success of cancer treatments. The aim of this study is to serve as a foundation to assess the knowledge base of senior dental students and dental interns in Saudi Arabi regarding their preparedness to manage oral health challenges in cancer patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online Google Forms questionnaire targeting a sample of dental students of the fourth and fifth year as well as dental interns (n = 506), from both private and public universities in Saudi Arabia. Among the 506 participants, 53.6% demonstrated good knowledge of oral care and health management for cancer patients. Predictors of good knowledge included higher levels of awareness, with females showing greater knowledge of oral care/health management for cancer patients and dental interns having better knowledge of oral complications from cancer therapy (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found between students from public and private universities regarding their knowledge of oral complications and care management for head and neck cancer patients. Interns demonstrated better knowledge than senior dental students regarding oral complications in cancer therapy. This study revealed a lack of sufficient knowledge among participants about oral care management for cancer patients, emphasizing the clear need to develop more effective theoretical and practical educational curricula to address these gaps.

This study investigates the future career plans of senior dental students in Saudi Arabia and the factors influencing these plans. An online questionnaire-based survey, designed following STROBE guidelines, was conducted. Participants included final-year dental students and interns from dental institutions across Saudi Arabia. The survey collected demographic data, career preferences, and factors potentially impacting career choices. A total of 584 students from 12 dental schools participated. Most respondents (63.5%) reported receiving career guidance, with 87.5% expressing interest in postgraduate studies and 11.3% preferring to work as general dental practitioners. A significant proportion (63.2%) favored employment in the government sector, while 12.8% preferred the private sector. Endodontics was the most preferred specialty (15.4%), followed by orthodontics (13.2%), periodontics (12.5%), and prosthodontics (12%). Additionally, 28.4% planned to retire before the age of 50 years. Career plans were significantly associated with gender, grade point average (GPA), and receipt of career guidance (p < 0.05). Personal aspirations were the most influential factor in career decision-making, followed by the reputation of a postgraduate program and the demands of the national job market. Predictors of interest in postgraduate studies included a high GPA, graduation from a public university, and receiving career guidance from dental schools. Saudi dental students demonstrated diverse career aspirations, with a strong inclination toward postgraduate education and government sector employment. Given the importance of career guidance as a predictor of postgraduate interest, Saudi educational, health, and labor authorities should consider aligning students' career goals with the evolving demands of the national job market.

AIM: The aim of the study is to investigate the role of myoepithelial cells in the pathogenesis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) using the double immunohistochemical staining; α _smooth muscle actin (_α-SMA)as specific marker for the myoepithelial cell differentiation and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as a marker for proliferative activity of myoepithelial cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of twenty salivary gland specimens (ten MEC and ten normal salivary glands) were studied using double immunohistochemical labeling for α _smooth muscle actin α-SMA) and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The SPSS statistical package was used for data analysis (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0, Released 2011, IBM Corp, and Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: In mucoepidermoid carcinomas, no positivity of α-SMA was seen in neoplastic cells (Frequent test), and it was just observed in the stroma of tumor, in the walls of blood vessels whereas, PCNA was positive, especially in high-grade tumors. In contrast, in normal salivary glands, the proliferating myoepithelial cells are stained by both α-SMA and PCNA. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the myoepithelial cells have no a role in the development of mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

AIM: This review aims to highlight the route of transmission, clinical features, diagnosis, prevention, and protection requirements for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in dental clinics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review is built on specific protocol, two independent reviewers, each focused on articles related to COVID-19 and infection control in dental clinics, while the third independent reviewer resolved any conflicting article of interest. RESULTS: Respiratory droplets are the main routes of transmission of COVID-19. The main symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test on respiratory tract specimens is the most commonly used technique to detect COVID19. Combined nose and throat swabs and rectal swab are recommended to avoid false results. Personal protective equipment and evaluation are essential for every patient before starting any dental treatment, and following the instructions for infection control to avoid the spread of COVID19. In dental office, suspected patient with COVID-19 or presence of symptoms such as losing sense of smell and taste, in these cases dental treatment, must be postponed for 14 days. Evaluation of patient body temperature, screening, and answering questions related to contact COVID19 are crucial to make the decision to start or delay dental treatment to avoid COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Strict infection control procedures should be recommended. Patients recovered recently from COVID-19 may have treatment deferred for 28 days from onset of symptoms to avoid cross-infection. Anti-restrictive valves dental handpieces should be used to avoid cross-infection of COVID-19.