The most frequent occlusal configuration was the "+4" form; thus, there is a high evolutionary trend in Iranian mandibular second molars.

PurposeThe present study aimed to identify the learning preferences of dental students and to characterize their relationship with academic performance at a dental school in Isfahan, Iran.MethodsThis cross-sectional descriptive study included 200 undergraduate dental students from October to November 2016. Data were collected using a 2-part questionnaire. The first part included demographic data, and the second part was a Persian-language version of the visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted with the chi-square test, 1-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression.ResultsThe response rate was 86.6%. Approximately half of the students (51.5%) had multimodal learning preferences. Among the unimodal group (48.5%), the most common mode was aural (24.0%), followed by kinesthetic (15.5%), reading-writing (8.0%), and visual (1.0%). There was a significant association between academic performance and the reading/writing learning style preference (P< 0.01).ConclusionMultimodal learning styles were the most preferred. Among single-mode learning styles, the aural style was most common, followed by the kinesthetic style. Students with a reading/writing preference had better academic performance. The results of this study provide useful information for preparing a more problem-based curriculum with active learning strategies.

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Background:Proper analgesic agents should be used in combination with sedative agents. Remifentanil is a synthetic narcotic/analgesic agent with a short duration effect and decreases the risk of apnea during recovery. Bispectral index system (BIS) is a new noninvasive technique for the evaluation of the depth of sedation. The aim of present clinical trial was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of intravenous sedation with propofol/midazolam/remifentanil (PMR) in comparison to propofol/midazolam/ketamine (PMK) for dental procedures in children 3-7 years of age.Materials and Methods:In this clinical trial, 32 healthy uncooperative children who were candidates for dental treatments under sedation were randomly divided into two groups. Intravenous sedation was induced with PMR in one group and with PMK in the other group. After injection and during procedure BIS index, heart rate and respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation was evaluated every 5 min. After the procedure, recovery time was measured. Data were analyzed with ANOVA, Friedman, Wilcoxon, and t-test.Results:The BIS value was significantly low in ketamin group (P = 0.003) but respiratory rates and heart rates were same in both groups with no statistical difference (P = 0.884, P = 0.775). The recovery time was significantly shorter in remifentanil group (P = 0.008 and P = 0.003).Conclusion:It can be concluded that intravenous sedation technique with PMR combination induces effective and safe sedation, with less pain and more forgetfulness and a shorter recovery time for children 3-7 years of age during dental procedures.

Background:The aim of the present study was to compare the antibacterial effects of coffee extract with those of 0.2% sodium fluoride and chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthrinses on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus plantarum in vitro.Materials and Methods:In this experimental in vitro study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and disk diffusion method were determined for different concentrations of coffee extract, 0.2% CHX, and 0.2% fluoride against S. mutans and L. plantrum. Data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis analysis. Statistical significance level was established at P < 0.05.Results:The MIC of coffee was achieved at 62.5 and 500 mg/mL against S. mutans and L. plantarum, respectively. The MBC against S. mutans was 125 mg/mL. The diameter of the zone of inhibition around S. mutans for pure coffee extract (100%), CHX (0.2%), and fluoride was 19.8 mm, 9.92 mm, and 0, respectively. At a concentration of 6.25%–100%, coffee had a significantly larger zone of inhibition compared to CHX and fluoride) P = 0.01). The MBC of coffee and fluoride was 0 against L. plantarum. The lowest inhibitory concentration belongs to CHX (MIC: 0.624 mg/ml for L. plantarum and 0.125 mg/ml for S. mutans).Conclusion:The coffee had an antibacterial effect against S. mutans on 62.5–1000 mg/ml concentrations. The zone of inhibition around S. mutans for higher concentrations of coffee (6.25%–100%) was significantly higher than that of CHX and fluoride 0.2%. Bacteriostatic effect of coffee against L. plantarum was obtained at 500–1000 mg/ml. However, coffee and fluoride did not show any bactericidal effects against L. plantarum.