Dentists exhibit a superficial approach to delivery of smoking cessation care. It is recommended that dentists be trained in delivering effective tobacco dependence intervention, using the WHO/FDI advocacy guide for oral health professionals, modified to incorporate gender oriented culturally sensitive doctor-patient interaction. Tobacco cessation clinics should also be set up in private and public sectors to augment the dentists' participation.

To assess amalgam use and waste management protocols practised by Pakistani dentists, a crosssectional study was made of 239 dentists in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, recruited by convenience and cluster sampling. Amalgam was the most frequently used restorative material, with the choice dictated by patients' financial constraints. While 90.4% of dentists perceived amalgam as a health risk, only 46.4% considered it an environmental hazard. The majority disposed of amalgam waste in the trash, down the sink or as hospital waste. Very few (5.9%) had an amalgam separator installed in their dental office. Amalgam waste management protocols and mercury recycling should be introduced in Pakistan.

To identify the susceptibility pattern of Fosfomycin in various clinical isolates by estimating the frequency in terms of percentages. A convenient sampling technique was adopted for study proceedings. Total 748(n) specimens for culture and sensitivity were received in the microbiology section of pathology department. Out of these 748(n) specimens, positive cultures were seen in 144(n). For culture and sensitivity proceedings, the recommended CLSI -2014 (clinical and laboratory standard institute) guidelines were followed. The bacterial isolation was done by biochemical tests. The zone diameter of >16 mm for 50µgm fosfomycin disc was considered as sensitive zone. While <15-12mm was considered as intermittent one and <12mm was the resistant zone. Data was recorded and analyzed by using SPSS version 20 for statistical inference. For numerical variables frequencies were calculated in terms of percentages. Seventy six 76.06% (n=143) gram negative and 68.42 % (n=13) gram positive organisms were sensitive to Fosfomycin. The efficacy of fosfomycin is more for gram negative (76%) as compared to gram positive organisms (68%).

Aim: To discuss the currently available hydrogel wound dressings and their clinical effectiveness. Method: PubMed/Medline, HEC Digital Library, Wiley Online Library, Wolter Kluwer, Elsevier, and Google Scholar from the year 2013 to 2021 were searched to identify relevant clinical trials and studies. Results: Forty-three studies that assessed hydrogel vs. non-hydrogel dressings were identified. Compared to the latter, hydrogel dressings associated with a significantly shortened healing time of degree II burn (superficial and deep) wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic skin injuries, radioactive skin injuries, dog bites, and body surface ulcers. In addition, hydrogel dressing obviously increased the cure rate of diabetic foot ulcers, surgical wounds, dog bites, and body surface ulcers. Moreover, hydrogel dressing significantly relieved pain in degree II burn (superficial and deep) wounds, traumatic skin injuries and laser treatment-induced wounds. However, no significant differences obtained between hydrogel and non-hydrogel dressings in the healing time of surgical wounds, the cure rate of inpatients' pressure ulcers, and phlebitis ulcers. Conclusion: This comprehensive systematic review of the available evidence reveals that the application of hydrogel dressings advances the healing of various wound types and effectively alleviates the pain with no severe adverse reactions. These results strongly indicate that hydrogel products are effective and safe in wound management. Keywords: Hydrogels, wound dressing, surgical wounds, diabetic ulcer, burns.