Background: Unlike in the past, caries nowadays, is stressed to be treated by employing preventive strategies. Though in many countries, treating caries by surgical intervention is reducing but surprisingly most dentists in Karachi, Pakistan continue to treat it by drilling and placing a restoration as primary measure. A question comes to one's mind is whether the graduating dentist from dental colleges in Karachi receive information and training to management caries using preventive strategies or not? This study therefore, was planned to assess the status of teaching about these preventive protocols. Clinical students of dental colleges were chosen as study subjects as they in few months' time become clinicians and practice what they have learnt in their colleges. Aims and Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practices of dental students regarding caries management and practices. Methods: A face and content validated and pretested questionnaire with close-ended questions was used as a study tool. 250 Clinical dental students studying in five dental colleges in Karachi were the study subjects. Results: 215 responses were received at a healthy response rate of 86 %. The most responding students have the knowledge about currently recommended caries preventive strategies but its clinical implementation is very low. Fissure sealing and fluoride applications are the only preventive measures followed by sizeable amount of the responders. Conclusion: Participants of this study despite having knowledge about preventive caries management don't practice it in their clinics. For its implementation, CRA based curricula should be introduced.

Introduction

Objective: To find out the frequency of rubber dam usage among clinical students, interns and dental practitioners and the barriers they come across to place it routinely in their practices. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was performed from October 2016  to  January  2017 using non-probability convenience sampling. A questionnaire was meticulously designed based on questionnaires used in similar studies in the  past.  The  target  population  in  this  study  was  clinical  dental students, interns and the faculty  members  working  in  various  teaching  institutions  in  Karachi  and involved in  general  dental  practice.  Data  from  completed  questionnaire  was  analysed  using  SPSS version 20. Results: With the healthy response rate of 81%, this study shows that the majority (76%) of clinical students, interns and practicing dentists in Karachi, Pakistan continue to  ignore  the  rubber  dam  placement in their routine practices. Total 89% of non-users did not use  it  as  they  find  it  time  con- suming and 66% of them mentioned that  it  is  difficult  to  place.  Couple  of  other  reasons  for  which  more than 50% of respondents  avoid  using  rubber  dam  are  frequent  tearing  of  the  sheet  and patient's fear or abhorring attitude towards placement of rubber dam. Conclusion: This study suggests that use of rubber dam is an unpopular method for isolation of op-  erative site among clinical students, interns and clinicians working in Karachi.

This is a case report of a young boy who had a physical trauma to his right maxillary central Incisor. As it remained untreated for many years, it underwent severe inflammatory external root resorption causing perforation. The root of the tooth was damaged to an extent that extraction of the tooth was indicated. But keeping the site of the tooth, age of the patient and his interest in saving the tooth in view, we decided to take a chance to save the tooth in an innovative manner. Firmness of the tooth in its socket also motivated us to opt for a restorative treatment instead of referring him to surgery for extraction. A hopelessly damaged tooth which was very much indicated for extraction has been saved which satisfies patient's cosmetic demands on lower cost. He otherwise, would have to bear the cost of either 3-unit Bridge or Implant supported crown. Quarterly radiographic examination shows progressive apical and periodontal healing after the treatment since last six months.