Objective: To evaluate the effect of type of viscosity and groove on surface detail reproduction of elastomeric impression materials. Methods: Two polyvinylsiloxane and polyether elastomeric impression materials were investigated. An aluminium cylindrical reference block with V- and U-shaped grooves of 1 mm and 2 mm in depth was machined using CAD-CAM system. Impressions of the block were taken to produce 35 master dies. Each die was immersed in distilled water for 5 minutes prior to impression making. Surface topography of the dies and impressions were captured using Alicona Imaging System. Mean difference in depth between the mas-ter dies and corresponding impressions’ grooves were analyzed. Results: Type of viscosities and groove showed significant main effects on surface detail (p < .01), but no significant interaction was observed between the two (p > .01). Express™ putty/light exhibited the lowest mean difference in depth for all grooves. The highest mean difference for U1 (38.3μm ± 21.55), U2 (52.96μm ± 30.39),V1 (45.02μm ± 34.82) and V2 (58.44μm ± 44.19) was obtained from Impregum medium, Aquasil medium, Impregum™ heavy/light and Impregum™ heavy/light groups respectively. Conclusion: Express putty/light-bodied material produced the best surface detail, and U-shaped groove showed superior detail reproduction.
Part of the undergraduate training in dental school is treating dental patients under close supervision of trained supervisors. Islam emphasises the highest quality in service rendered. Aim: To evaluate parent’s satisfaction with their children’s dental care provided by undergraduate dental students at the Student Polyclinic, Kulliyyah of Dentistry (KOD), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Materials and Methodology: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. A self-administered questionnaire with questions on accessibility and availability, physical environment, service quality, interpersonal communication, cost of treatment, efficacy and treatment outcome was distributed to parents whose children received dental treatment anytime January 2013 to October 2013. Data collected was analysed using the Independent Sample T-Test, and Mann-Whitney Test. Results: 70 questionnaires were completed and analysed. The results showed that the average level of parental satisfaction was high. The parents were most satisfied with students’ interpersonal communication. The level of satisfaction of parents of female children is higher than parents of male children although the difference was not significant. No significant differences were found in relation to which parent accompanied the child for treatment and the parent’s education level. However, the parent’s level of satisfaction is associated with type of occupation, where non-health-related workers expressed higher level of satisfaction (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Parents were generally satisfied with the care that their children received, mainly with the aspect of students’ interpersonal communication and physical environment of the clinic. The results also indicated that level of satisfaction is associated with the nature of the parent’s occupation.