A high prevalence of premature loss of teeth was found in this study. This finding emphasizes the importance of increasing awareness levels about this issue and focuses attention on the need for more preventive efforts to maintain healthy and normal dentitions that would improve the masticatory function and aesthetics of individuals and the whole population. In addition, the findings emphasize the importance of the early detection of premature loss of primary teeth to prevent future malocclusion.

Aim. To evaluate the prevalence of impacted teeth in Saudi patients and compare between male and female subjects. Method. This cross-sectional study comprised of Saudi patients who attended dental clinics in major hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Patients’ dental records and panoramic radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. Impacted teeth excluding third molars and spaces occupied by primary, permanent, and transmigrated teeth were recorded from panoramic radiographs. The Pearson chi-squared test was performed to determine gender differences regarding impacted teeth and spaces occupied by other teeth. Results. The study included radiographs of 539 patients with a mean age of 23.3 ± 10.8 years. Seventy-one patients (13.2%) had at least one impacted tooth. The total number of impacted teeth was 115 in the sample, out of which 91 (79.1%) were in the upper arch and 24 (20.8%) in the lower arch. Fifty-eight maxillary canines (50.4%) were impacted making them the most commonly impacted teeth, followed by 21 upper second premolars (18.2%) and 14 lower second premolars (12.2%). More females (70.7%) than males (29.3%) had impacted teeth (P=0.82). Of 61 spaces occupied, 35 (57.4%) were occupied by permanent teeth, 24 (39.3%) by primary teeth, and 2 (3.3%) by transmigrated teeth. Greater proportions of spaces were occupied in female than male participants (P>0.05). Conclusion. There was a high prevalence of impacted teeth in Saudi patients. The canines were the most commonly impacted teeth followed by the second premolars. Females demonstrated a higher occurrence of impacted teeth than males. Early detection of impacted teeth can help prevent malocclusion and maintain a healthy dentition.

The authors aim to explore the pattern and demographics of dermatological disorders occurring during Hajj 2019. Clinical records from three major public healthcare facilities in Al-Madinah Al-Munawara were retrieved for the period July-August, 2019. Collected data included age, gender, nationality, and dermatological complaints. 550 records were retrieved. Patients were 282 (51.3%) males and 268 (48.7%) females with a mean age of 58.3±12.6 years. Most patients were Asians (n=320, 58.2%), and Africans (n=183, 33.3%). Accidents (n=226, 41.1%), and infections (148, 26.9%) were the most common complaints. Asians and Africans had significantly: more accidents and less infections (P=0.002, P=0.027 respectively). They were the only category affected by exacerbations of auto immune diseases. Asian and African pilgrims are mainly affected by traumatic dermatologic conditions. Preventive awareness programs should target these ethnicities to reduce their higher rates of accidents. Other ethnicities need programs that promote hygienic practices and target infections.