Vitamin D, an anti-inflammatory mediator, has potential benefits for physical and oral health. Although it is produced endogenously, some individuals have a greater need for dietary and supplemental sources. This repeated-measures crosssectional study assessed associations between total vitamin D intake and periodontal health in older men. Participants were 562 members of the Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study, mean age 62.9 years, who were examined 1 to 4 times between 1986 and 1998. A calibrated examiner measured probing pocket depth (PPD) and attachment loss (AL) on each tooth. Alveolar bone loss (ABL) was determined from radiographs. Severe periodontal disease was defined as PPD ≥ 5 mm on ≥ 1 tooth and AL ≥ 6 mm at ≥ 2 sites (not on same tooth), and moderate-to-severe alveolar bone loss as ABL ≥ 40% at ≥ 3 sites. Generalized estimating equations were used to compute the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of having periodontal disease by level of vitamin D intake. Total vitamin D intake ≥ 800 IU was associated with lower odds of severe periodontal disease (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.55-0.81) and moderate-to-severe ABL (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.30-0.96) relative to intake < 400 IU/day. Vitamin D intake may protect against periodontal disease progression.KEY WORDS: periodontal disease, alveolar bone, probing depth, clinical attachment loss, vitamin D intake, aging.

Empathy is the fundamental substructure of moral behavior. Skillful clinicians may not necessarily be successful dentists if they do not have sufficient empathy. The aim of this study was to assess the level of empathy among dental students at King Abdulaziz University with an emphasis on the effect of gender and study level. A cross‐sectional study was carried out among third‐ to sixth‐year dental students of King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A validated, self‐administered Jefferson Scale of Empathy‐Health Care Provider Student Version was distributed in academic year 2016‐17 to all 380 students in the third to sixth years. A total of 300 students responded, for a response rate of 78.9%. The results showed that the students’ mean empathy score was 84.84±11.28 on a range from 20 to 140. The fifth‐ and sixth‐year students had higher scores than the third‐ and fourth‐year students although the differences were not statistically significant. The mean empathy score of women students was significantly higher (p<0.001) than that of men students, and the women demonstrated significantly better perspective‐taking (p<0.001) than the men. This study found that the students were empathetic and had a sense of moral obligation although their mean empathy score was not as high as expected. Integrating empathic, ethical, and professional elements into the dental curriculum is needed.

Objectives:To investigate HIV related discrimination among general dentists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and to list factors affecting or causing healthcare providers to discriminate people living with HIV (PLWH).Methods:The current study takes place in Jeddah, western Saudi Arabia. The duration for accepting all responses was between March and November, 2017. In this cross-sectional study, we used a self-administered, structured questionnaire. The sample size was 430 general dentists practicing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics, mean, and standard deviation were calculated. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was carried out at p<0.05 level of significance. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for data analysis.Results:In our study population, the total HIV related discrimination was 67.4%. Approximately 98.1% defer PLWH to the last appointment of the day, while 84.7% refer them to specialists. Furthermore,100% reported wearing double gloves, and 94.7% where wearing protective eye shields if they encounter HIV-patient in the clinic. Male participants were found to be 23% more likely to be discriminative compared to female participants, Moreover, participants who are confident to provide both surgical and non-surgical dental treatment for PLWH were found to be 52% less likely to be discriminative towards PLWH. Also, HIV discrimination is 33% higher in the private practice compared to the governmental practice.Conclusion:Human immunodeficiency virus related discrimination in the study population was affected by dentists’ gender, type of practice, and self-protective attitudes.

Objectives:To identify the potential factors that would predict a dentist’s awareness of domestic violence (DV), as well as the factors that influence the probability of dentists to take the required action. Also, to list the common barriers that dentists face when managing DV victims.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, a self-administered, structured questionnaire was sent randomly to dentists practicing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The online survey link was emailed with a cover message that illustrated the study context. Responses were accepted from January 2016 until the end of February 2016. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analysis carried out to identify significant variables at p<0.05 level of significance.Results:A sample size of 151 responses were recruited. The result of multivariate models indicated that the odds of dentists’ awareness and taking actions towards DV victims were influenced by their education, clinical experience, gender, practicing sector, and qualification. Lack of training in identifying DV and embarrassment to bring up DV with patients were the most common barriers for the respondents when treating DV victims.Conclusion:Continuing education with regards to DV was found to be the most relevant predictor. More educational courses in this regard would empower dentists to support DV victims.

IntroductionOral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) involves many aspects such as chewing ability, sleeping, social interactions, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life and oral health. The increasing research interest in OHRQoL began only after the shortcomings of previous approaches of treating symptoms only and neglecting the patient’s self-perception were revealed.Patients and methodsThe current study design is a cross-sectional study of patients who attended King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) and King Saud University Dental Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). After obtaining their verbal consent, young adult and adult patients (mean age 25.19±7.29 years old) with anterior spacing or crowding were recruited to participate in the study. They filled the Arabic short version of the oral-health impact profile-14 questionnaire after a clinical evaluation of the severity of their spacing or crowding. Parameters of spacing/crowding severity assessment were as follows: <4, mild; 4–8, moderate; and >8, severe. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test in SPSS statistical package. The level of significance was set to <0.05.ResultsThe sample size of this study was 308 subjects. Findings indicated a statistically significant (p=0.001) association between anterior spacing malocclusion (ASM) with Q5 “self-consciousness”, since 64.2% of patients with ASM reported being self-conscious. Results indicated a statistically significant association between educational level with anterior crowding malocclusion (ACM; p=0.02) and ASM (p=0.01) with Q3 “painful aching”. Moreover, findings indicated a statistically significant association (p=0.04) between income and ACM with Q5 “self-consciousness”. On the other hand, results showed no significant association between gender with either ACM or ASM.ConclusionThis study sheds light on how anterior malocclusion (crowding or spacing) impacts OHRQoL negatively, especially heightening self-consciousness about their appearance. These effects should be addressed by the orthodontist during the course of treatment.

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) has varying prevalence rates and risk factors based on cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. However, it is common for IPV victims to be seen in dental settings on a regular basis. Identifying IPV victims in dental settings might help address this overlooked global dilemma. This study was conducted to evaluate general dentists’ readiness and potential barriers to performing IPV screening in a dental setting. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Domestic Violence Healthcare Providers Survey (DVHPS). This validated and structured questionnaire was adopted, modified, and self-administered to evaluate general dentists’ readiness and barriers to IPV screening. General dentists were recruited for the study population from 5 administrative territorial regions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consists of 7 domains that assess general dentists’ readiness and barriers to performing IPV screening for all dental patients. Results Out of the 273 dentists approached, a total of 200 participated in the study, with a total response rate of 73.3%. The percentages of female and male dentists were 54% and 46%, respectively. Almost 73% of the study population believed they could identify IPV in a dental setting. The multiple linear regression model indicated a substantial decrease in general dentists’ readiness to perform IPV screening due to fear of offending patients, an increased number of patients treated per day, and professional role resistance. Conclusion The current study suggests the high readiness of general dentists to perform IPV screening for all patients. However, prominent barriers to implementing IPV screening for all patients include fear of offending patients, an increased number of patients treated per day, and professional role resistance. Postgraduate continuous education is encouraged to re-enforce the importance of IPV screening in dental settings.

This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of using optical coherence tomography (OCT) for locating the sectioning site of a specimen before characterizing the ultrastructural features of dentin surfaces as well as the inner wall of the dentinal tubules (DT) using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Eight sound human molar teeth were extracted, examined via crosspolarization optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT), embedded, and hemisectioned using a lowspeed diamond sawing machine. Next, each sectioned surface was further trimmed, polished, and examined under a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) to locate the target area on the superficial dentin. Subsequently, each section was gold-coated and examined using FESEM. Backscattered reflection from the dentin layer was less than that from the enamel under CP-OCT. Distinct reflections from certain enamel and dentin microstructures were observed before sectioning the specimens. Areas with enamel cracks and dentin defects were identified and avoided during sectioning. At the micron level, the CLSM images exhibited a homogenous distribution of the DT orifices. Low magnification FESEM images showed intertubular dentin as a loosely condensed globular layer with shallow grooves in between, whereas peritubular dentin exhibited more organized condensation of apatite crystals surrounding the DT orifices. High magnification of the DT revealed a cross-linking layer of mineralized collagen network extending in the peri-intratubular lumen, with scattered globules of matrix vesicles. CP-OCT enabled the realization of rapid initial scanning and image acquisition with high contrast at the micron scale before profound insights into dentin ultrastructures at the nano scale were provided by FESEM. The variations in structural densities of the dental tissues significantly affected the image contrast and helped identify underlying structures.

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