The Dunning-Kruger effect (cognitive bias) is a psychological phenomenon that implies that individuals with a lack of knowledge and skills have an unrealistically optimistic image of their abilities compared to others. The study aimed to examine the presence of the Dunning-Kruger effect in fifth (final) year dental undergraduate students at Gulf Medical University, UAE, in clinical domains related to pediatric dentistry. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted at Gulf Medical University, College of Dentistry, to evaluate cognitive bias among 5th-year dental students at GMU in the competency domains of communication, diagnosis, and clinical skills in Pediatric dentistry. Overall, compared to the level of confidence of students in September, there was a decline in the level of confidence in January. With an increase in time, the percentage shifted to a higher level in May across all domains. Characteristic patterns of fluctuations in students' self-confidence during clinical exposure are observed. The research results prove that the Dunning-Kruger effect, the cognitive bias of the perception pattern, is present in the examined group of dental students.

Background/Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a significant global health concern, necessitating the development of novel treatment strategies. The present study investigated the in vitro anticancer activity of sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate derived from Brassica oleracea, on the OECM-1 human oral squamous carcinoma cell line. Methods: OECM-1 cells were cultured and exposed to a range of SFN concentrations. To assess the cell viability and determine the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of SFN following 24 h of treatment, an MTT assay was performed. Apoptosis was evaluated using AO/PI staining, a TUNEL assay, Annexin V-FITC analysis, and a DNA fragmentation assay. Changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed using a JC-1 staining assay. A Western blot assay was performed to assess the expression levels of apoptosis-associated proteins (Bax, Bcl2, caspase-3, caspase-9, PARP, Smad-4, p53, cytochrome c, and GAPDH). Cell cycle analysis was performed to validate the apoptotic findings. Results: The IC50 concentration of SFN was 5.7 µM. The apoptotic assays demonstrated an effective induction of apoptosis in the OECM-1 cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated the dose-dependent upregulation of p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, PARP, cytochrome c, and Bax and the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Smad-4 after SFN treatment. Conclusions: The data obtained indicate that SFN has significant potential to induce apoptosis in OECM-1 cells by disrupting mitochondrial function and modulating apoptotic pathways. The outcomes of our research indicate SFN’s potential as a viable treatment drug for OSCC.

Background: Toothache represents one of the most common reasons patients seek emergency dental care. While conventional analgesics remain the standard of care, phytotherapeutic agents offer potential alternatives with possibly fewer side effects. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy, safety, and clinical applications of plant‐derived analgesic compounds in dentistry. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science, for studies published between 15 ^th January 2015–25 ^th March 2025. Keywords included combinations of “phytotherapy,” “herbal medicine,” “plant extract,” “toothache,” “analgesic,” “visual analog scale (VAS),” and “dentistry.” Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), clinical trials, and systematic reviews were included. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Results: A total of 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. The phytotherapeutic agents demonstrating the strongest analgesic properties in dental applications include clove oil (eugenol), turmeric (curcumin), capsaicin from chili peppers, ginger powder, capsaicin, jidabokuippo, cannabis, propolis, zingiber officinale , green tea, and punica granatum . Mechanisms of action range from inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis to modulation of inflammatory pathways and direct effects on nociceptors. Clinical applications included management of pulpitis, postextraction pain, temporomandibular disorders, and oral mucositis. Conclusion: Evidence supports the analgesic efficacy of several phytotherapeutic agents in toothache management, particularly eugenol, curcumin, and capsaicin. These offer promising alternatives or adjuncts to conventional analgesics, though standardization of preparations and larger RCTs are needed to establish optimal dosing regimens and long‐term safety profiles.

Context: Electronic cigarette smoking (ECS) is a rising concern among young people. Aims: This study aimed to compare perception, clinical findings, and cytomorphological changes in buccal mucosa of electronic cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study includes 100 consented university students aged ≥18 years, of both genders. Methods and Material: Tobacco, and alcohol users, those with systemic diseases were excluded. A validated questionnaire was administered, clinical examination, cytomorphological analysis were performed. Statistical Analysis Used: The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 28 software. The chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test, student’s t test was used. Results: A significant change observed in the ECS tongue/buccal mucosa, specifically, white discoloration (20% vs. 6%, P = 0.037). Dry mouth and a feeling stickiness in the mouth were more common among ECS (62% vs. 30%, P = 0.001), and (48% vs. 20%, P = 0.003) respectively. Significant cytological changes found in ECS with P < 0.001 for nuclear size (increase in 48% vs. 0%), nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (increased in 46% vs. 0%), binucleation (presence 66% vs. 8%), a moderate perinuclear halo (18% vs. 0%), cytoplasmic granules (moderate/severely present in 62% vs. 2%), and moderate/severe inflammation (present in 18% vs. 8%). The average nuclear size (μ) was significantly greater in ECS than in nonsmokers (10.434 vs. 8.480) and presence of micronuclei (20% vs. 4%, P = 0.014). Conclusion: There is a significant association between ECS and dry mouth signs and symptoms, white discoloration of buccal mucosa, and oral cytomorphological changes suggesting potential malignant transformation.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate artificial intelligence’s integration into dental practice and its impact on clinical outcomes. Material and Methods: Research papers titled “Artificial Intelligence and its Implications in Dentistry” were searched on PubMed, ResearchGate, Sci-Hub, and Crossref from 2018 onwards. The selected publications were independently evaluated, reviewed for eligibility, and meticulously analyzed to meet all inclusion criteria. Results: This mini-review of 46 studies (2018-2024) explored AI applications in dentistry, particularly machine learning and deep learning. AI was applied for diagnosis in 19 studies, treatment planning in 3 studies, and both diagnosis and treatment in 18 studies. It was used for detection in 15 studies, segmentation in 7 studies, and classification in 4 studies, with the largest sample size being 7,245 patients focused on oral cancer detection. The studies used diverse imaging modalities, underscoring AI's broad applicability in the field. Conclusion: Artificial intelligence in dentistry holds significant promise, particularly in the realm of diagnosis. The significant patient sample sizes and diverse imaging techniques further validate AI's potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficiency. As AI continues to evolve, its integration into dental practice is likely to become increasingly essential, where it should complement rather than replace human clinical expertise with more research needed before it can be widely used in clinical settings.