Dental education is regarded as a complex, demanding and often stressful pedagogical procedure. Undergraduates, while enrolled in programmes of 4-6 years duration, are required to attain a unique and diverse collection of competences. Despite the major differences in educational systems, philosophies, methods and resources available worldwide, dental students' views regarding their education appear to be relatively convergent. This paper summarizes dental students' standpoint of their studies, showcases their experiences in different educational settings and discusses the characteristics of a positive academic environment. It is a consensus opinion that the 'students' perspective' should be taken into consideration in all discussions and decisions regarding dental education. Moreover, it is suggested that the set of recommendations proposed can improve students' quality of life and well-being, enhance their total educational experience and positively influence their future careers as oral health physicians.

Immediate and late mandibular fractures are a rare complication of third molar removal. We analysed 130 cases of mandibular fractures following removal of impacted third molars reported in the literature, including four managed in the maxillofacial unit and identified potential risk factors. Its occurrence is likely to be multi-factorial, with age, gender, angulation, laterality, extent and degree of impaction and associated pathologies contributing to the risk of fracture. Postoperative fractures were more common than intra-operative fractures (2.7:1) and occurred most frequently in the second and third weeks (57%). A 'cracking' noise was the most frequent presentation (77%). Intra-operative fractures were more frequent among females (M:F - 1:1.3), and differed from postoperative fractures (M:F - 3.9:1). This study analyses the results, providing suggestions to minimise the risk and to manage a mandibular fracture following removal of a third molar.

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BackgroundThere is currently conflicting evidence surrounding the effects of obesity on postoperative outcomes. Previous studies have found obesity to be associated with adverse events, but others have found no association. The aim of this study was to determine whether increasing body mass index (BMI) is an independent risk factor for development of major postoperative complications.MethodsThis was a multicentre prospective cohort study across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal surgery over a 4‐month interval (October–December 2014) were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was the 30‐day major complication rate (Clavien–Dindo grade III–V). BMI was grouped according to the World Health Organization classification. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to adjust for patient, operative and hospital‐level effects, creating odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (c.i.).ResultsOf 7965 patients, 2545 (32·0 per cent) were of normal weight, 2673 (33·6 per cent) were overweight and 2747 (34·5 per cent) were obese. Overall, 4925 (61·8 per cent) underwent elective and 3038 (38·1 per cent) emergency operations. The 30‐day major complication rate was 11·4 per cent (908 of 7965). In adjusted models, a significant interaction was found between BMI and diagnosis, with an association seen between BMI and major complications for patients with malignancy (overweight: OR 1·59, 95 per cent c.i. 1·12 to 2·29, P = 0·008; obese: OR 1·91, 1·31 to 2·83, P = 0·002; compared with normal weight) but not benign disease (overweight: OR 0·89, 0·71 to 1·12, P = 0·329; obese: OR 0·84, 0·66 to 1·06, P = 0·147).ConclusionOverweight and obese patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal malignancy are at increased risk of major postoperative complications compared with those of normal weight.

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To assess the content, quality, and readability of health information on the internet for patients with orofacial granulomatosis, including material on benzoate and cinnamon-free diets. Methods The first 100 websites drawn from searches using 8 key terms (2,400 websites) across 3 search engines (Yahoo, Google, and Bing) were analysed. Duplicates or websites with unrelated information were excluded, which brought the number of websites included in the study to 12. To assess the quality of the information, we used the DISCERN questionnaire, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria, and Health on Net Seal. The readability was then analysed by applying the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease and Grade Level tests, the Automated Readability Index, and global traffic ranking (ALEXA). Results Separate assessment for both orofacial granulomatosis, and its management with a benzoate and cinnamon-free diet, showed that most websites (75%) were either 'very poor' or 'poor' in quality, with a mean DISCERN score of 31.4 out of 80. No website met all four JAMA benchmarks. Only two websites displayed the HONcode seal. Generally, health information was considered difficult to read, with a FRES ranging from 21.5 to 68, with a mean score of 48 (±13.2). To comprehend this information, readers would need to have, on average, a 10 th grade US level education. Conclusion The quality and readability of online information on orofacial granulomatosis is poor and difficult to read.