The general aim of this study was to examine the patients’ perception of dental extractions. The specific objectives were to understand the purpose of extractions from the patients’ point of view, to find out the relationship between age and type of teeth extracted and to compare the patients’ perceptions with clinical indications for dental extraction. The survey was done using self administered, structured questionnaires to collect information. From the survey we found that toothache (33%) and the presence of cavities (34%) were the main reasons for extraction from the patients’ point of view. Besides that, the number of patients requiring extractions decreased with age. The main clinical indication for tooth extraction was caries (73%) and of these, 29% of restorable teeth were extracted.
Medical emergencies or unexpected events are situations that all dental practitioners are trained to face, yet none hope they become a reality. Although they occasionally happen, the prevalence is rather low. This special article will touch on three aspects: before, during and after an unexpected event happening in a general dental practice. Emphasis will be given on the ‘during and after’ phases, which includes the activation of basic life support when necessary, and the documentation that a dental practitioner needs to prepare in the event of adverse outcome despite of efforts made to prevent and manage it.
An audit of broken/lost removable appliances was carried out. This study aimed to measure the occurrence of broken/lost appliances over a period of 6 months. It also assessed whether there was any difference in the occurrence rate between patients who paid for treatment and those who received it free of charge. The results indicated that the total number of broken/lost removable appliances was 183, from a total of 472 appliances issued. For paying patients, 59 of 177 patients had at least one broken/lost appliance, giving an occurrence rate of 33.3%. For nonpaying patients, 60 of 112 patients had at least one broken/lost appliance, giving an occurrence rate of 53.6%.
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is considered a major pathogen in periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of A. actinomycetemcomitans from 46 subjects aged 20-24 years old of who were all periodontally healthy Malays.
Gingival overgrowth (gingival hyperplasia, gingival fibromatosis) can be caused by underlying factors such as taking certain medications or genetic in origin. The extent of the enlargement varies in different individuals and also within the same individuals. Aesthetics and effective plaque control is compromised and part of the objectives of treatment is to help in these aspects. (Copied from article).
Aim: The Shortened Dental Arch (SDA) concept, proposed as a strategy to prevent prosthodontics overtreatment, is defined as a specific type of dentition with an intact anterior region and a reduction in the occluding pairs of posterior teeth. While this concept has been accepted worldwide, little is known about such a situation in Malaysia. This study was undertaken to determine the attitudes, awareness and opinion of dentists working at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia (UiTM) towards the SDA concept. Methods and Methods: All dentists (n=71) working at the Faculty of Dentistry, UiTM were invited to participate in a paper-based questionnaire survey to assess their attitudes, awareness and perception towards the SDA concept. Results: The response rate was 59% (n=42). Overall, 85.7% of respondents were aware of the Kayser’s SDA concept. A majority of them (61.1%) learnt about it through undergraduate studies. Only some respondents reported patients’ dissatisfaction in chewing (29.4%), appearance (8.8%) and comfort (6.3%) following application of the concept. Most participants disagreed that missing molar teeth should be replaced in all patients (52.4%), and supported the application of SDA concept in clinical practice (88.1%). However, some would choose to replace missing molars for older patients in order to provide posterior support (90.5%), prevent anterior wear (52.4%) and improve masticatory function (83.3%). Conclusion: Respondents’ awareness and support for the SDA concept suggested its acceptance as a possible strategy in patient care.
Evaluation of the mechanical behaviour of restoration dental materials is essential to understand their performance under different load conditions and to estimate their durability under clinical oral function. Restorative materials and dental tissues like other materials by having specific mechanical properties, such as static strength (i.e. compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength) and dynamic strength (i.e. fatigue strength). The selection of proper mechanical test type depends on the goals that the study claims to define. On such basis, the mechanical test can be chosen correctly. Laboratory studies should be designed as replications of the clinical oral circumstances to measure the mechanical and physical properties of a material and any arbitrary choices in the design of the study may result in large variations of data.
Introduction: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has gained interest for improving diagnosis, treatment planning and facilitating better patient’s management in various dental fields. This study is part of the quality assurance programme in Dental Faculty, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). This center offers dental radiography service not only for internal clinics but also act as a referral center for the eastern areas, Pahang, Malaysia. Aims: The aims of this study were; 1) to assess referral pattern for CBCT scans at the Dental Faculty, IIUM, Kuantan, and 2) to evaluate the completeness of the current referral form used by clinicians (for both internal and external referrals). Methods: An audit looking at both the external and internal referral CBCT forms of a four year period of examination (2010-2013) at the Radiology Unit, Dental Faculty, IIUM. Source of referrals, indications for CBCT and the referral forms were examined and analysed. Results: Total CBCT scans taken within the four-year period were 171, in which 96 were referred from internal sources whilst 75 were external referrals. External referrals were mainly from Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic clinics (59%), while other referrals were from implant clinic (20%), Paediatrics and Special Needs clinic (15%), Oral MaxilloFacial Surgery clinic (4%) and Periodontic clinic (1%) and Oral Medicine Oral Pathology (OMOP) clinics (1%). All forms from external sources are completely filled. In the Internal referral form, 41% of them came with no indication of why CBCT need to be taken. Out of 59% of cases with indications, 33% came from Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic department, followed by Oral Surgery department (10%). Implant treatment planning accounted for 7% of cases, Periodontics 4%, Temporo-Mandibular Joint assessment 2%, 1% for Conservative dentistry and Prosthodontic cases respectively and 1% cleft case. Further analysis of the internal referral forms revealed that only 14% of the forms were filled with complete patients’ details, 40% specified pregnancy status and 67% clearly stated patients’ medical status. Area of interest was not specified in 69% of cases and clinicians’ names were not stated in 94% of the cases. Majority of the forms were completed with clinicians’ signature (99%) and also radiographers’ details (97%). Conclusions: This study indicated that the majority of IIUM CBCT referrals were from internal sources. However, most of the referral forms were not completely filled. The internal form used, therefore, need to be improved and a much firmer referral framework should be in place.