PURPOSEThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the patients' knowledge on dental implants in a Turkish subpopulation.MATERIALS AND METHODSFive hundred twenty seven Turkish adults referred to Yeditepe University Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul, Turkey, were presented with a questionnaire including 20 questions regarding the level of information and awareness about the dental implants. The data were collected and statistical analyses were performed with Chi square test to compare the descriptive data.RESULTSAmong 527 subjects, 54% were female and 46% were male with a mean age of 42.2 years. The rate of patients' implant awareness was 27.7%. When the patients were questioned about the treatment options for rehabilitation of tooth missing, 60.9% of patients were informed about fixed partial denture, followed by conventional complete denture (32.5%) and removable partial denture (24.9%). Six percent reported that they were very well informed about the dental implants whereas 48.2% were poorly informed. The information sources of the implants were from the dentist (44.5%), printed media (31.6%) and friends and acquaintances (17.3%), respectively. Sixteen percent of the population believed that their implants would last forever.CONCLUSIONThe dentists should give more detailed information to the patients about dental implants and tooth-supported fixed partial dentures in the future.

Purpose: This study aimed to carry out a city-wide survey to evaluate undergraduate students' opinions on their oral surgery training by measuring their self-confidence. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional survey of 383 3rd year, 412 4th year and 363 5th year undergraduate dental students from six dental schools in Istanbul with a mean age of 22.73 ± 1.55 was conducted towards the end of the academic year. A web link to the questionnaire was sent to the contact person at the participating dental schools. The questionnaires were anonymously evaluated. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and Chi-square tests were performed to examine the data. A P-value of <.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results:In total, 1158 responses were returned, representing 67% of the overall students in the 2018-2019 academic year. The male respondents were significantly more self-confident than females in the general aspects of surgical skills. More than half of the respondents (53%) felt confident in oral surgery knowledge to undertake independent practice. Although 5th year respondents felt more confident in the general aspect of the questionnaire, their ability of differentiation of odontogenic and non-odontogenic pain was lower than their counterparts. The majority (86%) of the participants disagreed that the only knowledge required for oral surgery was that of tooth and jaw anatomy. Conclusion:This survey revealed perceived confidence in tooth and retained root extraction. The male respondents were found to be more self-confident. There is a need for improvement in surgical skills, recognition of malignancies and differentiation of the origin of the pain. K E Y W O R D Sanatomical knowledge, dental students' opinion, oral surgery teaching, self-confidence

Purpose This study evaluated students’ perceptions of their self-confidence regarding aspects of their undergraduate oral and maxillofacial surgical training. It further aimed to develop a reliable Turkish version of the questionnaire originally developed by the Association of British Academic Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons (ABAOMS) Education Committee. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 40 fourth-year and 47 fifth-year dentistry students of Yeditepe University Faculty of Dentistry in Turkey with a mean age of 23.30 ± 1.50 was conducted in January and February 2018. The ABAOMS questionnaire was adapted to the Turkish language and culture. The items were organized in five domains (general information, self-confidence in oral surgery, role of outreach, anatomy knowledge in relation to oral surgery, and career aspirations) with most response options on a five-point Likert-type scale. Reliability was assessed through an internal consistency analysis and a test-retest approach. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t -tests, and Chi-squared for contingency tests were used to examine the data. Results Cronbach’s alpha coefficient on the questionnaire was 0.89. The responses reflected general agreement among the respondents. Females were significantly more self-confident than males. Although the fifth-year respondents were more self-confident than the fourth-year respondents on items regarding anatomy knowledge, fourth-year respondents were more self confident in forceps extractions. Other than that no major differences in self-confidence were found between the two groups. Conclusion Though self-confidence was high regarding extraction of teeth and retained roots, the participants of this study lacked self-confidence in performing surgical extractions and its related procedures, recognition of malignancies, and ability to differentiate between pain of odontogenic or non-odontogenic origin. Female students were relatively more self-confident. Teaching should focus on practical applications that support students’ sense of self-confidence in their abilities. The Turkish version of the questionnaire was a reliable instrument.

Studies comprising other faculty clinics as well as general practices will be complementary in making more generalized statements regarding the etiology of extractions of crowned teeth.

The aim of the present study was to assess the systemic effect of thymoquinone (TQ) on bone healing by starting TQ administration, either 40 days before, or on the day of the surgical procedure and continuing during the healing period of 28 days. Eighteen experimental rats were divided into three groups and defects were created in their tibias. The following procedures were performed for each group: Control group (C): No systemic drug administration (n D 6); Test group 1 (T1): Systemic TQ was administered daily starting 40 days before creation of the defect and additionally during the post-operative healing period of 28 days (n D 6); Test group 2 (T2): Systemic TQ was administered daily after creation of the defect and during the healing period of 28 days (n D 6). Quantitative measurement for new bone formation, osteoblast lining and semi-quantitative measurement of capillary intensities were examined and statistically analysed. There was a significant increase in the ratio of new bone per total defect area and new bone trabeculae lined by active osteoblasts in both test groups (T1 and T2) compared to control group (p < 0.05). However the difference between T1 and T2 was not statistically significant. TQ-administered groups also showed an increase in capillary intensity in the defect area compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Systemic administration of TQ either starting 40 days before or on the day of surgery accelerated new bone formation in a rat model and can be advocated as an adjunct to expedite bone healing.