Arecanutchewing is an established risk factor for oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), but its role in periodontal disease has not yet been defined. Thisstudy aimed to assess the effect of areca nut extracts (ANE) on the bactericidal activity of crevicular polymorphonuclear neutrophils (cPMNs) in healthy subjects and chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. An in vitro study was designed with an equal number of (n = 30) gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples collected from CP patients and healthy subjects. Bactericidal activity and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) assays were performed with the GCF samples pre-treated with extracts of two varieties of areca nut: ripe and tender. Simultaneously, controls were also carried out with Hank’s balanced salt solution (HBSS) and catechin. Independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), along with post-hoc analysis, were employed for statistical analysis. In both study groups, a significant reduction (p < 0.01)in the bactericidal activity was noted when the samples treated with the ripe areca nut (rANE) were compared with the tender variant (tANE). Similarly, H₂O₂ levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in the rANE in contrast to tANE for both study groups. The above results were significant within the group but were found to be non-significant between the study groups, except when it was treated with HBSS (p < 0.001). In the present study, it was found that there was a reduction in the bactericidal activity and H₂O₂ production of cPMNs in both healthy subjects and CP patients in the presence of areca nut extract. Moreover, the effect of rANE on cPMNs was more detrimental than tANE.

This study aimed to assess the errors that happened during root canal treatment (RCT) and compare the quality of root canal fillings (RCFs) performed by different academic grades of dental students at Jouf University. Materials and Methods: a retrospective audit study was conducted to check the errors that occurred during RCT performed by seniors and undergraduates. The quality of the RCFs were evaluated, using digital periapical radiographs depending on previously validated criteria. Data analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Descriptive statistics were used for expressing the frequencies of variables and the Chi-square test was used for comparing different variables with a 0.05 level of significance. Results: overall, 332 endodontically treated teeth (566 root canals) were finally chosen for the study. Out of these treated cases, 156 teeth (47%) had a total of 287 recorded errors, mainly in posterior teeth. From the total number of errors, short obturation was the highest error occurred (29%), followed by lack of apical seal (25.1%). Root perforation was the least reported error (2.8%), proceeded by broken instruments (5.6%). A total of 13.2% of the errors were teeth left with unfilled canals, while 7.7% were for an overextended filling. There were no significant differences between the quality of RCF performed by different academic grades. Conclusion: depending on the current study, the quality of RCTs performed by seniors and undergraduate students was 53% acceptable. A clear plan should be applied to improve the quality of treatment outcomes of undergraduate students by implementing more effective preclinical training courses, increasing the ration of supervisor-to-students, and using more advanced modalities during treatment.

Background. Soft denture lining materials act as a cushion between the denture base and tissues. Alongside having many advantages, its main problem is candida growth due to its rubbery and porous texture. Many interventions have been performed to halt the growth of candida within soft lining materials such as the use of antifungal therapy and strict oral and denture hygiene but there are consequences such as recurrence, drug resistance, and toxicity related to these interventions. Since natural agents such as aloe vera and chitosan have been proven to have antibacterial and antifungal properties with minimum adverse effects, this study aimed to study the effectiveness of chitosan and aloe vera powders incorporated within denture soft lining materials against candida adherence. Methodology. A total of 60 soft-lining material samples were prepared that were equally divided into three groups, viz., group 1 (chitosan incorporation), group 2 (aloe vera incorporation), and group 3 (control). Candida was obtained from the microbiology lab to form a candidal suspension, diluted in 0.9% NaCl to match the McFarland standard bacteriologic solution. Samples were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours in test tubes containing 100 mL of the candidal suspension and 9.9 mL of the previously prepared Sabouraud dextrose agar. Crystal violet stain was used to stain the adhering cells by fixing them with methanol 80%. For each sample, the adhering candida cells were counted on three standard fields by using an inverted light microscope, and the mean of those fields was recorded. Results. The mean value for samples containing aloe vera was 41.15, while the mean values for samples containing chitosan and the control group were 16.05 and 79.1, respectively. Of all the three groups, aloe vera powder had a significant efficacy against candida growth as compared to the chitosan and control groups ( value = 0.001). Conclusion. Both herbal agents were effective against candida growth. In comparison, aloe vera was more effective against candida growth compared to chitosan.

Objective: To provide comprehensive information about barriers to using dental services in India.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) reflects the subjective impact of oral health on individuals’ social, psychological, and functional well

Background: It is essential to identify the factors that influence a student’s choice of dental career, interest in postgraduate specialties, and preferred careers upon graduation when planning the dental workforce agenda in the country. Objectives: We examined the factors that influenced undergraduate (UG) students of Jouf University, Saudi Arabia, to choose dentistry as a profession. We also assessed students’ preferences for dental specialties following graduation and immediate career plans upon graduation and whether they differed by demographics. Methodology: This was a cross‐sectional survey study that was conducted from November 15, 2021, to January 15, 2022. A twelve‐item questionnaire was hand‐delivered to the third‐, fourth‐, and fifth‐year UG students and interns of the College of Dentistry, Jouf University. The research questions focused on demographic information, reasons for choosing dentistry as a profession, preferences for postgraduate studies, and preferred career upon graduation. Mann–Whitney U and chi‐square tests were performed. Results: A total of 144 students responded to the survey. The samples consisted of 84 (58.3%) male and 60 (41.7%) female students. The reasons for choosing dentistry as a career were mostly related to personal and vocational factors. Significant differences were noticed between male and female respondents for most of the reasons for choosing dentistry as a career ( p ≤ 0.05). The female respondents mostly preferred restorative and esthetic dentistry as a specialty of choice, whereas the male participants preferred oral and maxillofacial surgery . The most preferred career among male and female respondents was “civilian dentist in the public sector.” There was no significant difference among genders with respect to the most preferred specialty and immediate career plans upon graduation ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: Personal and vocational factors influenced the career preferences, with esthetic dentistry as the most preferred specialty for the graduates to choose. These data might aid the policy makers of the university for student career guidance.