Objectives To assess knowledge, awareness, and practice of health care workers about the role of teledentistry in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods A prevalidated structured questionnaire was used to evaluate awareness of general dentists, postgraduate dental students, dental educators, and consultants with postgraduation degrees toward teledentistry. The acceptability, reliability, and language clarity were also pretested. A total of 510 dental professionals contributed to this study. Statistical Analysis A statistical analysis using SPSS (version 20.0) was performed. Responses were noted as yes or no. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered to be significant. Frequencies described data. Chi-square test was performed for intergroup comparison to evaluate if the knowledge and attitude diverge with the increase in the level of seniority in the profession. Results Awareness regarding teledentistry is high among general dentists with bachelor of dental surgery qualification in comparison to final-year students and postgraduate dental students. The majority of participants agreed with improvement in health care (88.20%), access to rural areas (82.90%), and general practicing dentist agreed with statistically significant difference (0.00) on saving time by teledentistry. Conclusion General practicing dentist was observed with high awareness of teledentistry as compared with postgraduate and undergraduate dental students.

Objectives: Vaccinations work with different mechanisms to offer protection against disease; however, process of immunity building can cause symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the immediate side effects of COVID–19 vaccination in the Pakistani Population. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Foundation University College of Dentistry, Islamabad from February to April 2021. 0.5 mL per dose of the Covid-19 vaccine was administered to the candidates. These 205 candidates receiving vaccination were then interviewed investigating the adverse effects of the vaccine. Post-vaccination side effects were compared among categorical groups using the Chi-Square test, whereas post-vaccination side effects were compared with age using independent samples T-test. A p-value of ≤0.05 was statistically significant. Results: Among post-vaccination side effects, fever was reported by 69 participants, while 56 of 205 reported soreness, redness, and swelling at the injection site. It was reported by 42/205 participants to have felt chills and rigor, whereas gastrointestinal disturbance and flu-like symptoms were reported in 55/205 and 28/205 participants, respectively. Younger participants were more likely to develop gastrointestinal disturbance and flu-like symptoms following vaccination as compared to older participants. Conclusion: Malaise, headache, and fever were observed to be the most common side effects of the vaccine, moreover there was a linear relationship between manifestations of adverse effects and history of comorbidities. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4522 How to cite this:Abbas S, Abbas B, Amir S, Wajahat M. Evaluation of adverse effects with COVID-19 vaccination in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(7):---------.   doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4522 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Objectives The aim of this study was to survey the educational experiences, knowledge, and attitude of dentists in Pakistan about the professional use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF). This study also aimed to determine if SDF educational experience at the undergraduate level can result in a more positive attitude and increased clinical usage of SDF. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional survey, conducted at multiple dental institutes across Pakistan using a pre-validated questionnaire to assess the knowledge, experience, and professional expertise of dentists regarding the use of SDF. The data were entered and analyzed using the SPSS (version 23.0) data management software by IBM. Results The results of this study were deemed significant in terms of achievement of the study aims. The majority of the responders, 178 (79.8%), reported online resources to be the main source of information about SDF treatment, whereas 103 (46.1%) responders gained information from a dental journal. A higher number of consultants were reported to be well educated regarding SDF treatment during their residency training as compared with demonstrators, house officers, and postgraduate trainees (p < 0.001). About 64 (28.7%) responders agreed that SDF is a better alternative treatment for children with behavioral issues, 74 (33.2%) agreed that it is a better treatment option for medically fragile patients, and 79 (35.4%) agreed that it can be used as an alternative for patients with dental anxiety. It was agreed by 82 (36.8%) responders that SDF is a good treatment option for patients who recently have received chemotherapy radiation therapy. Conclusion It is the need of time to put all educational efforts together to enhance knowledge regarding the use, advantages, and potential problems of SDF.

Objective: To evaluate Covid-19 vaccine compliance amongst the general private practicing dentists’ population in comparison to tertiary hospital-based dentists in Pakistan post second wave of mass spread of the Covid-19 infection. Methodology: Multi-centered study conducted after taking ethical research committee approval. Total 300 participants enrolled via paper-based questionnaire. Participants included the general dentists and tertiary care dental hospital-based dentists. Exclusion criteria implied participants of pilot study, participants that were already vaccinated and those unwilling to participate in the study. Results: 32% of general dentists in Pakistan agreed to immunization if the Covid-19 vaccine is available in Pakistan (p<0.001). General private practicing dentists were also less likely to pay for the vaccination (p<0.001), less confident for a locally manufactured vaccine (p<0.001) as compared to hospital-based dentists. Conclusion: This study concluded that the general dentists’ population in Pakistan is still skeptical of Covid-19 vaccination and this attitude in-fact poses as a pandemic within pandemic.

Objective. To determine the correlation between consanguineous marriages and dental anomalies. Study Design. A cross-sectional analytical study. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional analytical multicentered study was carried out at Foundation University College of Dentistry after approval of the Ethical Research Committee (ERC) from September 2021 to November 2021 in Pakistan. All pediatric patients (4–10 years old) with dental malformations undergoing dental procedures or examinations and born with spontaneous vaginal delivery and uncomplicated cesarean section participated in the study. First, second, and third-degree relatives’ marriages of parents were used to define consanguinity. The Basic Pay Scale was the reference of estimation of socioeconomic status. Participants with a history of orofacial trauma, pertinent parental history (infertility, hormonal treatment, or infectious diseases during pregnancy, conception with assisted reproductive techniques, prolonged complicated labor, premature deliveries, and twin births), and prolonged hospital admission immediately after birth were excluded from the study. Results. The mean maternal and paternal age was recorded to be 23.86 ± 5.4 and 27.07 ± 9.6, respectively, whereas the mean age of participants was 6.60 ± 1.67. There were 297 children with congenital abnormalities, with 203 (68.4%) males and 94 (31.6%) females. The prevalence of consanguineous marriage was found to be in 210 (70.7%) participants. Congenital dental anomalies correlation was found to be significant with consanguineous marriages (p value <0.001). Consanguineous marriages were more frequent in the lower socioeconomic group when compared with the middle and upper socioeconomic groups, respectively (74.7% vs. 8.1% vs. 17.2%, p value 0.007). Conclusion. Congenital dental anomalies were significantly prevalent in consanguineous marriages with greater incidence in lower socioeconomic groups. Consanguineous marriages have the propensity to transmute population conformation, but due to religious and social beliefs, literature is hesitant to ascribe congenital dental anomalies persuasive relevance with consanguinity.

ABSTRACT… Background: Internal jugular vein is considered the preferred site of insertion. Prevalence of central vein stenosis following temporary double lumen catheterization at different sites seems to be different in Asian countries. Objectives: To evaluate the number of cases having catheterization and stenosis after being subjected to central vein catheterization (CVC) among Pakistani population. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Period: 6 months period. Setting: Admitted in the Department of Nephrology or already undergoing maintenance hemodialysis fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Material and Method: The sample which was considered suitable for this study was 150 cases after checking the inclusion criteria carefully. The patients were advised to undergo color Doppler ultrasonography of IJV and SCV of both sides. Demographics and outcome variables were noted and recorded for the analysis purposes. Data was analyzed used SPSS 20.inc Results: The frequency of catheterization of catherization at IJV was found to be 128(85.3%) and frequency of catheterization at SCV was 22(14.7%). The frequency of CVS at IJV was found to be 43(29.68%) and the frequency of CVS at SCV was 81(54.54%). The frequency of stenosis at SCV was found to be significantly higher with a p value of 0.029 (<0.05). Conclusion: Internal jugular vein is the most frequent and preferred site of temporary double lumen catheterization for haemodialysis as it is associated with significantly lower rate of stenosis as compared to subclavian vein.

Objective: To determine knowledge and attitude of dental and medical students about COVID – 19 disease and its precautionary measures Methodology: The study was conducted after approval from the ethical review committee of the Foundation University College of Dentistry, Islamabad from June 2021 to September 2021. Inclusion criteria adhered to the recruitment of fourth and final-year students of dentistry. Informed written consent was taken after explaining the study protocol. The format of the questionnaire was based on previously published studies, literature, and guidelines provided by Centers for Disease Control. The questionnaire was validated by a Pilot Study and the opinion of dental health experts on the subject. Methodology constituted of a paper-based and web-based questionnaire with closed-ended questions and feedback were received from (60%) participants. Variables for analysis included demographic profile, next section comprised of questions regarding COVID – 19 disease knowledge, its precautionary measures, and attitude towards the disease. Moreover, participant's awareness in case of suspected infection was also analyzed to gauge the level of preparedness. There was a total of 256 participants enrolled in this study via consecutive non-probability sampling methodology. Results: There was a total of 256 participants enrolled in this study. Out of 256, 154 (60.2%) were male and 102 (39.8%) were females. 110(42.8%) believed that COVID-19 symptoms resolve without treatment, 256(100%) believed that disease spread can be prevented with education. 222(86.6%) endorsed a preference to avoid or work with the COVID-19 Patient. As per opinion regarding social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands before initiation of treatment, 246(95.1%) believed it to be mandatory for disease transmission reduction whereas 38(14.9%) considered it unnecessary. Conclusion: Dental students demonstrated ample awareness and knowledge regarding COVID-19 disease presentation, preventive measures, and strategy in case of suspected infection with a motivated attitude to spread awareness among the population.

Objective: To determine the effect of parental dental anxiety level on acceptance of non–pharmacological behavior management strategies used in pediatric dentistry Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pediatric department of FUCDH Pakistan over five months. It was carried out through a pre-validated questionnaire. Behavior management techniques with audiovisual aids were explained to the participants. Patients reporting for routine dental check-ups, on follow up of ongoing dental treatment were included in the study whereas patients with dental trauma, unwilling to be a part of this research, undergoing general anesthesia and medically compromised patients were excluded from the study. Patients are grouped based on age to determine parental behavior in different age groups. Results: 302 parents participated in this study including 130 (43.0%) fathers and 172 (57.0%) mothers. The mean age of children was 7.81±1.92 years, with an age range of 4 – 12 years. The majority of the parents, 297 (98.3%) agreed with behavioral management techniques with 293 (97.0%) parents agreed that the dentist should show videos of behavior management techniques for their understanding. 254 (84.1%) parents agreed to consent for use of sedation and anesthesia. Refusal to sedation technique was significantly more common among parents of children of younger age group as compared to children of older age group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Modest anxiety levels were recorded in parents accompanying pediatric dental patients irrespective of age group thus expressing eagerness for non – pharmacological behavior management strategies with prior explanation and demonstration. However, reluctance to sedation and anesthesia modalities were deciphered by parents particularly evident in parents of younger age group patients.