Objective:The current study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of pontic design selection by the general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the light of contemporary guidelines.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted among the GDPs of Karachi. A questionnaire was designed to collect data from 100 GDPs. The questionnaire included general/demographic information (practitioner's education, experience, and place of practice) and an average number of fixed prosthesis constructed by the GDP. The questionnaire was further categorized to evaluate the knowledge/practice of pontic design selection and latest recommendations.Results:For the maxillary anterior segment, the ridge lap pontic was the most common (32%) followed by the modified ridge lap (28%). In the maxillary posterior segment, the ridge lap pontic was the most common (37%) followed by sanitary design (34%). For the mandibular anterior segment, the modified ridge lap (50%) was the most common followed by ridge lap pontic (17%). In case of the mandibular posterior segment, the sanitary design (34%) was the most common followed by ridge lap pontic (30%).Conclusions:The pontic design selection for the fixed prosthesis is a neglected domain. The contemporary guidelines are not followed with full spirit by the GDPs leading to wide variations in the pontic design selection.

Dental anxiety is one of the most common conditions present amongst the masses globally. It is this fear that makes individuals avoid seeking dental treatment which results in a deteriorated oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Discrepancies exist in the prevalence of dental anxiety based on gender, education levels, level of deprivation of a society and its socioeconomic status. In this study, a sample size of 522 respondents was collected. Kuppuswamy’s socioeconomic status scale and modified dental anxiety scales were used to collect the necessary data. These data were analyzed by cross tabbing and chi-square test of significance was applied to assess the association between dental anxiety and other factors. Female gender was significantly associated with dental anxiety with p-value = 0.03. Higher education levels and dental anxiety also displayed significant associations with each other, with a p-value of 0.048. Seventy-six percent of the individuals of lower socioeconomic status were prone to be more dentally anxious. Dental anxiety was more significant in individuals with higher levels of education in our study. Respondents who were part of a lower socioeconomic class were also more prone to being anxious while receiving dental treatment. Knowing the factors that cause dental anxiety can help dentists effectively manage and treat their patients.

Background: The students are in the best position to judge the effectiveness of any teaching system. They may comment logically to assess the teaching and evaluation methods. Aim: To analyze the student's feedback on teaching methodologies and effectiveness of methods being practiced in department of Prosthodontics in Islam Dental College Sialkot. Methods: The cross sectional study was conducted in Islam Dental College Sialkot with a specially designed questionnaire. The study subjects were 100 students, 50 each from 3rd year and final year BDS. The questionnaire was based on methods of teaching and assessments, in terms of content, time and relevance. Results: Majority (85%) agreed on the reliability of multimedia and digital methods of teaching .A huge number (73%) were also satisfied with delivery and content of the lectures.80% students were satisfied with teaching in lecture halls. 30% and 40% were not satisfied with teaching in clinics and OPDs respectively. Multiple Choice questions were the most favored type of assessment methods with 45% agreement. Conclusion: Students were satisfaction with the teaching methods being practice in Islam dental College. MCQs were considered preferred assessment tools. There is a dire need to innovate Clinical and OPD Teaching regime in the dental colleges. As the lapse has a significant impact on knowledge and skill of the students. Keywords: Blended Learning, Assessment tools, Feedback, teaching methods

--9+ generate competency framework questionnaire for antibiotic prescriptions, assess framework of four major components including safety, professionalism, improvements, and collaborations and to find association between demographic factors and competency framework for prescription writing. Methods: the study was convenient in sampling technique, cross sectional, analytical in design which includes fresh dental graduates from Pakistani Dental Schools. A self-complete questionnaire was generated, piloted, validated and tested for reliability. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The mean competency score of the sample was ten point nine eight (SD±three point three) out of a total score of nineteen. The highest score obtained was nineteen and minimum zero among individuals. The competency levels were also scored different among dental schools with few institutions scored better in all categories than other when split up in public or private sectors. Many of the house surgeons (n=237) showed command on antibiotic prescription and are also aware of antibiotic misuse. However, they consider it not feasible to prescribe via remote media (N=one hundred and ninety-four) like online prescriptions. Practical implication: This study will have a broad impact on the antibiotic prescription routine among the dentist and it will help improve to improve competency on antibiotic prescription among dental undergraduates with a framework focusing more on evidence based community practices and in line with the significance of tackling solutions for drug resistant microorganisms that can lead to more complex situations. Conclusion: It is concluded that a need is found to improve competency on antibiotic prescription among dental undergraduates with a framework focusing more on evidence based community practices Keywords: Antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, dental curriculum, competency.

Background/Aim: After the rapid spread of the COVID 19 when it first started in December 2019, the omicron wave of the infection started to rise again in November 2021. During this time Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came up with a comprehensive plan in place which allowed dentists to treat patients safely. Due to the fear of contraction of the virus and its easy transmissibility, it begs to reason that dental practitioners should modify the clinical practice to ensure optimal cross infection control. Methods: Our sample size consisted of 290 respondents from all over Pakistan, all of whom were dental practitioners using a standardized questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS V.23. Frequencies were calculated & the Mann-Whitney u-test of significance was applied to the responses. Results: It was seen that out of the 290 respondents, 79% of the total respondents were anxious about treating patients with suspicious signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and 81% of the respondents were afraid of carrying the infection back to their families. On the other hand, only 49% of the respondents said that they use N95 respirators while treating patients, 28% of the respondents said that they were using rubber dams for aerosol-generating procedures and 49% said that they would perform 4 to 6 handed dentistry. Conclusion: There was a lack of adherence to the CDC proposed guidelines by the majority of the respondents despite having fear regarding the transmissibility of the disease. Keywords: Omicron wave, dental practice modifications, fear of COVID-19