Human immunodeficiency virus related discrimination in general dentistry

Introduction: Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) involves many aspects such as chewing ability, sleeping, social interactions, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life and oral health. The increasing research interest in OHRQoL began only after the shortcomings of previous approaches of treating symptoms only and neglecting the patient’s self-perception were revealed. Patients and methods: The current study design is a cross-sectional study of patients who attended King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) and King Saud University Dental Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). After obtaining their verbal consent, young adult and adult patients (mean age 25.19±7.29 years old) with anterior spacing or crowding were recruited to participate in the study. They filled the Arabic short version of the oral-health impact profile-14 questionnaire after a clinical evaluation of the severity of their spacing or crowding. Parameters of spacing/crowding severity assessment were as follows: 8, severe. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test in SPSS statistical package. The level of significance was set to <0.05. Results: The sample size of this study was 308 subjects. Findings indicated a statistically significant (p=0.001) association between anterior spacing malocclusion (ASM) with Q5 “self-consciousness”, since 64.2% of patients with ASM reported being self-conscious. Results indicated a statistically significant association between educational level with anterior crowding malocclusion (ACM; p=0.02) and ASM (p=0.01) with Q3 “painful aching”. Moreover, findings indicated a statistically significant association (p=0.04) between income and ACM with Q5 “self-consciousness”. On the other hand, results showed no significant association between gender with either ACM or ASM. Conclusion: This study sheds light on how anterior malocclusion (crowding or spacing) impacts OHRQoL negatively, especially heightening self-consciousness about their appearance. These effects should be addressed by the orthodontist during the course of treatment.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has varying prevalence rates and risk factors based on cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. However, it is common for IPV victims to be seen in dental settings on a regular basis. Identifying IPV victims in dental settings might help address this overlooked global dilemma. This study was conducted to evaluate general dentists’ readiness and potential barriers to performing IPV screening in a dental setting.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Domestic Violence Healthcare Providers Survey (DVHPS). This validated and structured questionnaire was adopted, modified, and self-administered to evaluate general dentists’ readiness and barriers to IPV screening. General dentists were recruited for the study population from 5 administrative territorial regions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consists of 7 domains that assess general dentists’ readiness and barriers to performing IPV screening for all dental patients.Results: Out of the 273 dentists approached, a total of 200 participated in the study, with a total response rate of 73.3%. The percentages of female and male dentists were 54% and 46%, respectively. Almost 73% of the study population believed they could identify IPV in a dental setting. The multiple linear regression model indicated a substantial decrease in general dentists’ readiness to perform IPV screening due to fear of offending patients, an increased number of patients treated per day, and professional role resistance.Conclusion: The current study suggests the high readiness of general dentists to perform IPV screening for all patients. However, prominent barriers to implementing IPV screening for all patients include fear of offending patients, an increased number of patients treated per day, and professional role resistance. Postgraduate continuous education is encouraged to re-enforce the importance of IPV screening in dental settings.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and potential association between intimate partner violence (IPV) with traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and the subsequent need for root canal treatment (RCT). Methods: A total of 100 subjects with TDIs presented at emergency or postgraduate restorative clinics at University Dental Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia post-TDI. All study subjects completed the Hurt-Insult-Threaten-Scream (HITS) domestic violence screening tool and were clinically and radiographically examined to determine the type of TDI they suffered along with the pulp and periapical status of affected teeth. Demographic data were also recorded. Based on the findings, management included regular follow-up, splinting, reattachment of broken tooth part, vital pulp therapy and/or RCT as seen appropriate. Results: Mean age of participants was 28.4± 5.7 years. Prevalence of IPV among subjects presented with TDIs was 18%. Most of the IPV victims held a bachelor’s degree (67%) and were unemployed (61%). Most of TDI cases were crown fracture (84%) followed by luxation and avulsion (10% and 6%, respectively). Among all TDI cases, 73% required RCT. Crown fracture was the most prevalent TDI among IPV victims followed by luxation and avulsion with prevalence of 56%, 33%, and 11%, respectively. Out of a total of 73 patients requiring RCT, nine were IPV victims (12.3%) which indicated that one of each eight TDI cases requiring RCT might be a potential IPV victim. Half of the IPV victims required RCT to manage their TDIs. Conclusion: Prevalence of IPV among TDIs was 18%. IPV screening should be included as routine assessment part for TDIs. Identification of IPV victims could be difficult, however, employment status, type of TDI, and RCT needs were suggested as potential predictors of positive IPV cases.

This in vitro study was performed to investigate effect of delayed composite application on dentin bonding durability of water-based all-in-one self-etch adhesive system using micro-tensile bond strength (MTBS) testing. Fifteen freshly extracted, non-carious premolar teeth were randomly selected. After removing the roots, the teeth were occlusally trimmed to expose superficial dentin. Then, the exposed occlusal dentin was bonded with a self-etching adhesive (Tetric-N Bond self-etch; Ivoclar/Vivdent) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After that, the samples were divided equally into 3 groups based on the time of application of Tetric-N Ceram composite resin (Ivoclar/Vivdent, Liechtenstein). In group 1, the composite build-up was carried out immediately after curing the adhesive, and polymerized according to the manufacturer instructions. In groups 2 and 3, the samples were restored after 1 and 5 min following adhesive curing, respectively. After 24 h storage, each bonded sample was sectioned into beams (0.7 mm × 0.7 mm) for MTBS testing. Results of the MTBS were analysed and tested using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test at significance level of 5%. The results showed that applying composite restoration immediately after adhesive curing gave strength of 11 ± 6 MPa. Composite application after curing the adhesive by 1 and 5 min showed 16 ± 8 MPa and 11 ± 5 MPa, respectively. The 1 min delayed application group had significantly higher bond strength than the other tested groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, delaying the composite application after polymerization of water-based all-in-one adhesive for 1 min showed better bond strength.

Domestic violence is a global public health issue with rising prevalence rates and varying risk factors. It is common for domestic violence victims to be seen by dental health care providers, therefore, dentists’ ability to identify victims might help to address this problem. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Domestic Violence Healthcare Providers Survey (DVHPS). This is a validated and structured questionnaire consists of 7 domains considered as potential facilitators and barriers for any health care provider to conduct domestic violence screening. The objective of this study was to evaluate the readiness of the practicing dentists to implement routine domestic violence screening in dental settings and to identify possible barriers to its implementation. Dentists included in this study were recruited from the western province in Saudi Arabia, which includes 3 major metropolitan cities. Out of 491 dentists were approached, a total of 400 dentists participated in this study with a response rate of 81.46%. All study subjects were enrolled through probability sampling using a disproportionate stratified random sampling technique to recruit an equal number of general and specialized dentists. The sex distribution was 53% and 47% for male and female dentists, respectively. The mean age of the study participants was 46.31 years, with an average dental work experience of 12.6 years. More than half of the study participants (58%) routinely screened their patients for domestic violence in their dental clinic. However, specialized and general dentists were comparable in terms of training in identifying domestic violence. Routine domestic violence screening was more common among general dentists than among specialized dentists. The current study suggested adequate readiness of general and specialized dentists to implement routine domestic violence screening for all patients. Specialized dentists showed less inclination to perform domestic violence screening on a routine basis due to several prominent barriers. These barriers were self-efficacy and professional role resistance. Education and reinforcement of the importance and high demand for domestic violence screening could encourage the dental community to embrace domestic violence screening as an integral part of routine dental examination.