Purpose To determine the prevalence of concha bullosa (CB) and nasal septal deviation (NSD) and their impact on maxillary sinus volume (MSV). Materials and Methods Cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images of 106 Emirati people were used in this study. The direction and angle of septal deviation were calculated. The presence of CB, which could be unilateral, contralateral, or bilateral in relation to the direction of NSD, was also recorded. MSV was measured using reconstructed Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine images on Dolphin 3D imaging software version 11.8 premium (Dolphin Imaging, Chatsworth, CA, USA). P values <0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results CB was detected in 37.7% of the sample; 20.7% of the sample showed single unilateral CB and 16.6% had single bilateral CB. NSD was seen in 74.5% of the sample. In the participants with CB, 45.5% showed mild deviation, 34.4% showed moderate deviation, and only 12.5% showed severe septal deviation. CB, but not NSD, was associated with significantly higher MSV on the affected side ( P =0.001). Conclusion Although NSD was observed in more than two-thirds of the sample and CB was present in more than one-third of the sample, only CB had a significant impact on MSV.

Introduction. Dental education involves teaching and assessing the acquisition of verifiable domains that require superior psychomotor, communication, and cognitive skills. Evolving technologies and methods of assessment could enhance student’s learning environment and improve tutor assessment experience. The aim of this study was to review the current body of research and evaluate the effectiveness of various methods of assessments in improving learning and performance in preclinical and clinical dental practice. Materials and Methods. A search strategy was implemented using electronic search in major databases. The following key terms, clinical skills, preclinical, dental students, and assessment, were included in the search. Two reviewers independently screened all the articles retrieved following very specific inclusion criteria. Results. The initial search generated 5371 articles and 24 articles were selected for review and data extraction. Cohen’s kappa coefficient was used to measure interrater agreement and a score of 94.7% was obtained. Conclusion. Preclinical assessment is an effective tool for promoting skills transfer to clinical phase. Early psychomotor skills assessment is valuable. It allows early intervention in the learning process and assists in effective utilization of learning resources. Technology-enhanced assessment systems allow better patient simulation, enhance learning and self-assessment experiences, and improve performance evaluation. However, these systems serve as an adjunct to conventional assessment methods. Further research should aim at calibrating and integrating these systems to optimize students learning and performance.

Cognitive decline is one of the major causes of disability among the aging population. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between oral health parameters (number of teeth, chewing ability, and presence of a denture) and cognitive function in the elderly across the UAE. Fifty persons (age ≥ 60; 71.26 ± 10.23) were enrolled in the study. Cognitive status was assessed using the standardized mini-mental state examination (SMMSE) and accordingly, cognitively normal subjects scoring ≥24 were considered as the control group and cognitively impaired individuals scoring ≤23 were considered as the low scoring group. Chewing ability was examined, number of teeth was noted, and demographical data was collected. The results of this pilot study showed that individuals with low SMMSE scores were significantly less educated (P < 0.01) and had fewer number of remaining teeth (P < 0.05) and impaired chewing ability (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate a significant link between the number of teeth, chewing ability, and cognitive function. However, this pilot study had its limitations and was the first of its kind in the UAE and Gulf region; therefore, future research addressing the limitations is needed to further explore this association.

Objectives. The aim of the study was to evaluate the perception of smile aesthetics in patients with varying degrees of anterior crowding and spacing among dental specialists, dentists, dental students, and laypersons and to assess the effect of the lips position. Materials and Methods. Clinical photos of cases of anterior crowding (mild, moderate, and severe) and spacing (mild, moderate, and severe) with and without the associated lips were used. The images were evaluated by 250 persons including dental specialists, dentists, dental students, and laypersons using the rating scale method, (extremely unaesthetic to extremely aesthetic, 1 to 5, respectively). Nonparametric tests were used to analyse the data on SPSS version 24. Results. According to the 250 responses, the aesthetic perception of all severities of anterior crowding and mild and moderate spacing was found to be more aesthetic when displayed with the lips ( p < 0.05 ). Additionally, the higher the level of dental education, the lower the aesthetic perception with and without the lips ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusions. The lips play a significant role in improving the aesthetics of crowded anterior teeth and spaced anterior teeth. Dental educational level influences the aesthetic perception of anterior crowding and spacing. This may have an impact on treatment planning and need for orthodontic intervention.

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare root dimensions (length and mesiodistal widths) between subjects with mild hypodontia and an age- and sex-matched control group. Materials and Methods Root dimension measurements of all permanent teeth excluding third molars were made on standardly taken orthopantomograms of 50 individuals (25 hypodontia and 25 controls) attending the University of Sharjah Dental Hospital. The length and two mesiodistal widths were measured for each fully formed root. The length of the root was measured digitally by drawing a line from the midpoint and bisecting the mesiodistal cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) of the tooth and extended to its apex. The mesiodistal widths of each root were measured at the cervical region and at half way of and perpendicular to the length of the root. Statistical Analysis Two sample t-tests were used to compare root dimension measurements between the hypodontia and control groups. Results There were no significant differences between genders with regard to root length or widths measurements, and therefore genders were combined for further analysis. Patients with hypodontia have significantly shorter root lengths than controls for the upper central incisors, upper canines, first premolars, and lower first molars (p < 0.05). Similarly, root width at the midpoint of the root was found to be less in hypodontia group than that in controls for the upper central incisors, lower first premolars, upper first molars, and all second premolars (p < 0.05). Similar pattern of differences was found with regard to the root width at the cervical region (p < 0.05). Conclusions Patients with hypodontia have shorter and narrower roots of the whole permanent dentition except the upper lateral incisors, lower incisors, lower canines, and all second molars when compared with controls. In effect, this may affect the orthodontic treatment planning and implant placement.