Background: Clear post-extraction sessions are vital for good patient outcomes. Traditional methods, such as verbal and printed information, have historically been prevalent; however, digital health care methods for analysis and communication are increasingly being adopted. Still, evidence comparing preferences for digital versus traditional instruction, especially for routine post-extraction care, remains limited. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate preferences between digital methods (QR code-based videos) and traditional methods (verbal and printed leaflets) for delivering post-extraction care instructions among dental patients and students. It also assesses perceptions of communication quality, confidence, and patient interaction associated with each method. Methods: A cross-sectional study involved 200 dental students and 200 patients undergoing routine tooth extractions. The sample size was determined based on a 5% margin of error at a 95% confidence level for proportion estimation. Participants experienced all three instructional delivery methods—verbal, printed leaflet, and QR code-based video—for post-extraction care and completed validated questionnaires. The study assessed preferences for each delivery method, communication quality, confidence in following or providing instructions, ease of access, perceived usefulness, and impact on patient-provider interaction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test for group comparisons, and Spearman correlation for relationships among ordinal data. Results: Among all participants, 67.5% chose QR codes as the preferred method for improving communication (p < 0.001). Among dental students, 49% favored QR codes as the best method for postoperative instructions, and 50.5% indicated that QR codes boosted their confidence in providing instructions to patients. Preference for QR codes ranged from 43.5% to 65.5% across different aspects evaluated. Notably, among patients aged 60 years or older, 65.5% considered QR codes the most convenient for the elderly. Mann–Whitney U tests showed statistically significant differences between students and patients for ease of access (p = 0.009, rank biserial r = −0.143), video length appropriateness (p = 0.003, rank biserial r = −0.160), and the unlikelihood of missing instructions (p < 0.001, rank biserial r = −0.446). Conclusions: QR code-based video instructions were widely preferred over traditional methods by both dental students and patients for post-extraction care delivery. These findings support the integration of digital communication tools into post-extraction care protocols as a complement to traditional instruction delivery methods, though longitudinal studies assessing actual clinical outcomes are needed.

Background/Objectives: Oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) have rapidly gained popularity as a novel nicotine delivery method. However, data on ONP use, awareness, and associated beliefs in Saudi Arabia remain limited. This study aimed to investigate these aspects among adults in Riyadh region. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2024 involving 831 Saudi adults (age ≥ 18 years). Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing ONP awareness, prevalence, beliefs, and susceptibility as well as potential associated ONP use symptoms. Logistic and multinomial regression models were employed to analyze the associations between these variables. Results: Overall, 59.3% of participants reported awareness of ONPs, and 14.2% having used them. Males were more aware (ORadj= 1.97, p< 0.0001) and user (ORadj= 2.86, p= 0.03) of ONP than females. Similarly, younger adults (aged 18-29 and 30-39 years) demonstrated higher ONP awareness (ORadj= 4.67 and 4.88, respectively, both p< 0.0001) and use (ORadj= 6.91, p< 0.002 and 6.12, p< 0.003, respectively) compared to older adults (+40 years). Additionally, 95.8% of ONP users were smokers, more likely to be cigarette (ORadj= 9.53, p< 0.0001) or e-cigarette (ORadj= 8.43, p< 0.0001) smokers. Approximately 60% of participants demonstrated susceptibility to ONP use, characterized by curiosity, limited knowledge of health risks, and potential willingness to use. Favorable beliefs about ONPs were more prevalent among users. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the frequency of ONP use and the likelihood of experiencing associated symptom (r= 0.3, p= 0.0009). Conclusions: Given that 95.8% of ONP users in this study were current smokers, these findings suggest a potential future role for ONPs as a harm reduction strategy within the context of smoking cessation in Saudi population in Riyadh. However, continuous surveillance and targeted public health interventions are crucial to mitigate the potential negative consequences associated with ONP use.