Ahn BS, et al. Imaging Sci Dent. 2020 Jun;50(2):125-132. https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2020.50.2.125

Bisphosphonates (BPs) used for treating skeletal diseases can induce bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). Despite much effort, effective remedies are yet to be established. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) extracted from salmon sperm for the treatment of BRONJ, in a BRONJ-induced rat model. Compared with BRONJ-induced samples, PDRN-treated samples exhibited lower necrotic bone percentages and increased numbers of blood vessels and attached osteoclast production. Moreover, local administration of PDRN at a high concentration (8 mg/kg) remarkably resolved the osteonecrosis. Findings from this study suggest that local administration of PDRN at a specific concentration may be considered clinically for the management of BRONJ.

Numerous studies have shown that large language models (LLMs) can score above the passing grade on various board examinations. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate national dental board-style examination questions created by an LLM versus those created by human experts using item analysis. This study was conducted in June 2024 and included senior dental students (n = 30) who participated voluntarily. An LLM, ChatGPT 4o, was used to generate 44 national dental board-style examination questions based on textbook content. Twenty questions for the LLM set were randomly selected after removing false questions. Two experts created another set of 20 questions based on the same content and in the same style as the LLM. Participating students simultaneously answered a total of 40 questions divided into two sets using Google Forms in the classroom. The responses were analyzed to assess difficulty, discrimination index, and distractor efficiency. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test or linear-by-linear association test, with a confidence level of 95%. The response rate was 100%. The median difficulty indices of the LLM and human set were 55.00% and 50.00%, both within the range of “excellent” range. The median discrimination indices were 0.29 for the LLM set and 0.14 for the human set. Both sets had a median distractor efficiency of 80.00%. The differences in all criteria were not statistically significant (P > 0.050). The LLM can create national board-style examination questions of equivalent quality to those created by human experts.

Kim YJ, et al. Imaging Sci Dent. 2011 Dec;41(4):189-193. https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2011.41.4.189

Objectives: This study aimed to establish updated diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for dental imaging modalities in South Korea. Methods: In cooperation with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, various types of institutions (dental clinics, dental hospitals, and dental university hospitals) were selected to investigate the status of diagnostic radiation equipment use. Subsequently, over 300 units were randomly selected for each imaging device type (intraoral, panoramic, and cone-beam CT [CBCT]) as measurement samples. DRLs were defined as the 75th percentile of the dose area product distribution. The differences in dose were analysed based on the type of institution, age of use, country of manufacture, and presence of a multifunction device. Results: The national DRLs for dental imaging established in this survey were as follows: intraoral imaging at 48 mGy·cm2 for adults and 31 mGy·cm2 for children; panoramic imaging at 354 mGy·cm2 for adults and 224 mGy·cm2 for children; and CBCT at 1856 mGy·cm2 for adults and 1350 mGy·cm2 for children. Private dental clinics and hospitals recorded approximately twice the dose levels of university dental hospitals. CBCT devices in dental hospitals and those that have been in used for 5-10 years showed significantly high radiation doses. Conclusions: The DRLs established through this study were found to be significantly increased, especially in adult and paediatric panoramic radiographs and paediatric CBCT images, compared with those in previous surveys; moreover, they were higher than those in other countries. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for national dose reduction efforts.