Background: Mental health challenges among university students are pervasive, with alexithymia posing a particularly significant yet understudied challenge. This condition significantly affects an individual’s ability to cope with stress due to difficulties in recognizing, describing, and processing emotions. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate alexithymia prevalence and its associated factors among dental undergraduate students and interns enrolled at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Data were collected through a self-administered online survey that assessed alexithymia symptoms (using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale [TAS-20]), sociodemographic profiles, lifestyle-related factors, and health-related factors. The associations between participant factors and alexithymia were assessed using chi-square and multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: Of the 421 eligible participants, 369 completed the survey (87.6% response rate), revealing a significant prevalence of alexithymia (37.9%). Female gender (AOR = 1.7, p = 0.04), depression (AOR = 5.6, p < 0.0001), chronic diseases (AOR = 3.5, p = 0.003), and childhood abuse (AOR = 2.2, p = 0.047) were independent factors significantly associated with alexithymia. Conclusions: These findings highlight the pressing need for mental health support within dental education. Early interventions targeting alexithymia could mitigate its adverse consequences, promoting better student well-being and academic success.
The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is marked by significant cardiovascular reactions, such as bradycardia and asystole, triggered by trigeminal nerve stimulation. It is described as a brief episode of bradycardia, hypotension, or even cardiac arrest resulting from trigeminal nerve stimulation. The exact cause of TCR is not yet fully understood, but it is believed to involve the release of neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine, and the involvement of central neuronal integration. In this case report, we present an occurrence of trigeminal cardiac reflux during a Le Fort I osteotomy procedure in a patient with no medical issues.
An impacted third molar occurs when neighboring teeth overlying the bone or soft tissue hinder its normal eruption. Thus, it fails to fully emerge by the expected age of 20 years. The impacted third molar is not always associated with clinical symptoms, and an unknown percentage of unerupted third molars remain asymptomatic for years. This study aimed to evaluate radiolucent lesions associated with impacted third molars in terms of their pathological diagnosis and the sex and age distribution of