Introduction Although technology‐based learning (TB‐learning) has been accepted as an efficient educational tool in the field of dentistry, evaluation of TB‐learning in non‐prepared situations such as pandemics has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to evaluate different aspects of TB‐learning among undergraduate dental students during the pandemic outbreak of COVID‐19. Materials and methods Dental students in selected Iraqi universities (University of Baghdad, University of Sulaimani, and Dijlah University College) were invited to join the study. A questionnaire was created using a Google platform and answered by students. Satisfaction and attitude toward TB‐learning plus total evaluation scores for lecturers were examined. Results A total of 832 out of 1800 dental students participated in the study. The majority of participants have basic (40.7%) and intermediate (47.5%) computer skills and more than half of them lack any experience in TB‐learning. The overall satisfaction and positive attitude toward TB‐learning was less than 50%. Students at final grade, with advanced computer skills and TB‐learning experience showed higher satisfaction (OR: 3.031, 2.876, 3.644, respectively) and a more positive attitude (OR: 3.172, 3.035, 3.477, respectively) toward TB‐learning than those at earlier grades. Total evaluation scores for lecturers were higher among females (11.5± 5.8) than males (9.9± 7.2) as well as among participants at final grade (14.0± 6.2), with advanced computer skills (13.8± 6.1), and TB‐learning experience (16.2± 6.0). Conclusions Dental students demonstrated low‐moderate satisfaction and positive attitude toward TB‐learning and the quality of material presented to them. Integrating TB‐learning into the dental education curriculum is an essential step in enhancing the acceptance of TB‐learning in the future.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate oral health (OH) and periodontal diseases (PD) awareness in the Iraqi population. Material and methods: This study was a questionnaire-based online survey of two weeks duration. The questionnaire was built using a Google platform and was distributed randomly via social media (Facebook and Telegram). The questionnaire consisted of a demographic data section and two other main sections for the evaluation of OH and PD awareness. Each response was marked with "1" for a positive answer and "0" for the other answers. For each respondent, answers were summed to give an overall score. The frequency of positive responses was used to determine the association of awareness with demographic data and the level of awareness into low, moderate, and high levels. Results: A total of 1,465 were included in the final analysis after application of exclusion criteria. The respondents showed significantly higher levels of awareness about PD (mean ± SD = 3.66 ± 1.42) than OH awareness (mean ± SD = 2.19 ± 1.29). Analysis of data showed that OH awareness was mainly associated with high degree holders (OR 1.851) and age > 45 years (OR 1.730). However, PD awareness did not show any evident association with demographic variables investigated. In general, the respondents exhibited low levels of OH knowledge and low to moderate level of PD knowledge. Conclusions: Despite limitations, this study revealed inappropriate levels of OH and PD awareness and knowledge in the Iraqi population and provided the baseline data necessary for the development of Governmental educational programs and health awareness campaigns which are highly suggested particularly focusing on the primary and high schools, in an attempt to improve the levels of awareness.

In December 2019, a considerable number of patients were diagnosed with atypical pneumonia with unknown cause in the Wuhan city, China. Later, in January 2020, the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention revealed the causality to be a new member of coronaviruses named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). 1 Infection with this virus (termed as COVID-19) is characterized by high person-to-person transmission rates, representing a serious

Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, dentists have had to work under stressful conditions due to the nature of their work. Personal protection equipment (PPE) has become mandatory for work in the dentistry field. This study aimed to examine dentists' practices and attitudes regarding the use of PPE and the associated drawbacks and cost implications during the pandemic.Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was used and was divided into five sections dedicated to collect demographic variables and to examine the dentists' practices, attitudes toward PPE, drawbacks, and cost of using PPE. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare different sections of the questionnaire and linear regression was used to determine the predictors of the dentists' practices and attitudes toward PPE.Results: The mean of practices regarding use of PPE was 5.41 ± 1.71 (median 6), attitude toward using PPE scored 2.26 ± 0.90 (median 2), while the means of drawbacks and cost recorded equal scores of 5.22 ± 1.24 (median 5) and 1.68 ± 0.74 (median 2), respectively. The recently graduated dentists, those with postgraduate degrees and those working in the private sector demonstrated higher levels of practices on PPE than their counterparts. Regression analysis revealed that practices of PPE can be predicted on the basis of qualifications and work place, whereas attitude toward PPE is significantly influenced by qualification only.Conclusions: The study participants demonstrated satisfactory levels of practices and positive attitudes toward PPE. While complaints from using PPE and their cost were moderately affected.

Background and Aims: Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune vesiculobullous mucocutaneous disorder with life-threatening consequences. Early detection and adequate care are crucial for a good prognosis. This study aimed to determine the demographic data, clinical features, and the prognosis of patients with oral pemphigus vulgaris.Materials and Methods: From 2001 to 2021, all diagnosed oral pemphigus vulgaris cases were extracted. Each patient's demographic and clinical data were gathered.Patients were called via phone to assess the prognosis, treatment type, and specialty of the physician who provided the diagnosis and therapy.Results: The majority of the patients had only oral lesions with higher prevalence in female who also expressed severe pain than male. Only 14 of 29 patients responded phone calls. Except for one, all patients were in active disease. More than half of those respondents said pemphigus negatively affects social behavior and food intake. Correct diagnosis and treatment were decided by dermatology, oral medicine, and maxillofacial surgery specialists. Conclusion:Oral pemphigus vulgaris was prevalent in females. Severe pain was common in females and older people. Even with effective therapy, the prognosis was poor. Medical and dental professionals had little knowledge of pemphigus vulgaris.Patients frequently report poor quality of life.