Aims:The objectives of this study were to assess perceptions of the Saudi dental students of the problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum and to compare their perceptions among different sex and academic years.Subjects and Methods:Data was collected through a questionnaire-based survey at Qassim College of dentistry. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions regarding the perception of PBL curriculum and was distributed to 240 students. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis of the data.Results:Out of the 240 students recruited for this study, 146 returned a complete questionnaire (the response rate was 60.8%). The majority of the students perceived that PBL enhances the ability to speak in front of people (91.1%); improved the ability to find the information using the internet/library (81.5%); enhances the problem-solving skills (71.3%); increases the practice of cooperative and collaborative learning (69.2%); improves the decision-making skills (66.4%). Sixty-five percent (n = 96) noted that some students dominate whereas others are passive during PBL discussion session. Statistically, significant differences were found in the following variables according to the academic year students assuming before responsibility for their own learning (P < 0.037) and the role of facilitator in the process (P < 0.034). Moreover, according to gender; there were statistically significant differences in the following variables, assuming responsibility for own learning (P < 0.003); activating prior knowledge and learning to elaborate and organize their knowledge (P < 0.009); enhancing the ability to find the information using the Internet/library (P < 0.014); PBL is effective without having lecture of the same topic (P < 0.025); helping in identifying the areas of weakness for improvement (P < 0.031); student understanding the objectives of the PBL session better than the conventional way (P < 0.040); and enhancing the ability to speak in front of people (P < 0.040).Conclusions:Perceptions of Saudi dental students regarding their education environments at Qassim College of dentistry using PBL hybrid curriculum were more positive than negative. However, improvements are still required to provide students with stimulating favorable learning environment and to take the students recommendations into consideration.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the parents' awareness and practices towards oral health care of children receiving chemotherapy.Materials and Methods: Data was collected through a questionnaire-based survey at King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital (KASCH), Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions regarding the oral hygiene practices and whether any other oral hygiene measures are used and distributed to the parents of a pediatric patient receiving chemotherapy. Absolute and percentage frequencies were used for statistical analysis of the data.Results: A total of seventy-seven parents of pediatric Hematology-Oncology patients on chemotherapy completed the questionnaire. About 39% of the parents brush their child's teeth once per day. The majority of the patients had not taken to the dentist before (75.3%). Regarding the dental complications during chemotherapy, more than half of the patients complained of tooth pain. Most of the parents (70%) received preventive dental advice during chemotherapy. For the mouth wash, 81.8% of the parents use mouthwash for their child. The majority of the parents (93.5%) are interested in the dental care of their children. Conclusion:The availability of basic oral care protocol, which includes preventive, supportive measures, and management of oral complications will increase the quality of care provided to those medically comprised patients. Also, the need for educational programs for both the patients and the guardian to increase the knowledge and awareness of the importance of oral care and daily oral hygiene practices during or after the completion of the treatment.

Some dental conditions that are presented to the pediatric emergency department need hospital inpatient admission to facilitate supportive care, provide dental treatment and monitor the physiologic state of the child. The decision to treat the pediatric dental patient as an outpatient or inpatient is very important to control the overuse of hospital resources and at the same time not placing the child at the risk of rapid deterioration. However, no available guidelines or validated measures for the correct decision to treat the patient in either inpatient or outpatient care settings that can be used specifically for pediatric dental patients presented to the emergency department. Up to date, the decision of admitting pediatric patients is usually based on the severity of illness that can be measured by using The Pediatric Risk of Admission (PRISA II) Score. This review gives an overview of indications and clinical criteria of hospital inpatient admission of pediatric patients subsequent to traumatic and non-traumatic dental conditions.