Assessment of the Satisfaction of Patients Treated by Undergraduate Dental Students at a Saudi Government University: A Cross Sectional Study

Purpose

The long-term success of any organization is highly dependent on client satisfaction. This applies to the medical and dental fields, where patient satisfaction is considered an indirect indicator of the quality of service provided. This study aimed to assess the level of satisfaction of patients treated by final-year undergraduate students at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital (KAUDH).

Patients and Methods

In this cross-sectional study, an online questionnaire was distributed to patients (aged ≥14 years) treated at KAUDH by sixth year students during the academic year 2020/2021. The questionnaire comprised 36 items, including demographic and general data, type of dental problems, type of dental treatment received, and satisfaction assessment based on the Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and independent sample t-tests (α=0.05).

Results

A total of 203 responses were received (58% response rate). The reliability of the satisfaction tool (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.88, indicating a high reliability. The overall satisfaction level was 80.1% (±14.2). The satisfaction levels related to pain management, quality of care, and access to care were 76.4% (±19.9), 86.2% (±17.1), and 77.5% (±16.5) respectively. The highest satisfaction level (91.5%) was related to the quality item "The student was always treating me with respect". Age, number of visits, length of treatment, case severity, and treatment complexity were not significantly correlated with patient satisfaction (p ≥ 0.116). New patients who had their files directly opened by a sixth-year student and were treated immediately were more satisfied than patients who already had files at KAUDH and were referred to sixth-year students for treatment (p=0.029).

Conclusion

Patients treated by final-year students at KAUDH showed high satisfaction levels in relation to pain management, treatment quality, and access. However, the satisfaction of existing old patients was lower than that of new patients, which warrants further assessment, particularly regarding the hospital referral system.

Teeth Rehabilitation and Nutritional Influence on Diabetic Patients: A Review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a globally prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. Its complications significantly impact both the quality and longevity of the patient's life with a substantial burden on the healthcare system. Missing teeth make individuals more susceptible to malnutrition compared to those with functional teeth. This is especially true for people with diabetes, as the condition is closely linked to both oral health and food intake. Natural teeth loss can significantly reduce an individual's ability to chew food, leading to a decrease in the quality and quantity of their nutrition. Prosthodontics is a dental specialty that replaces missing teeth with artificial ones. Replacing missing teeth may prevent the risk of malnutrition due to decreased ability to chew. Good oral health is important for overall health, especially for those with conditions such as diabetes. Artificial teeth replacement may improve nutrition intake by improving chewing ability. Therefore, the ultimate objective of rehabilitating a patient's oral cavity is to replace the shape and function in terms of chewing performance to a degree that is as close to normal as feasible. The purpose of this review is to explore the literature showing the link between natural teeth loss and nutrition in individuals with DM, with a special focus on prosthodontic management. Several oral complications occur in diabetic patients specifically teeth loss, which in turn affects mastication function. This in turn cause malnutrition and affect glucose level. It is imperative for healthcare providers to take an interdisciplinary approach in order to improve the dental and nutritional status and overall well-being of DM patients.

The effect of bleaching on surface roughness and gloss of different CAD/CAM ceramic and hybrid ceramic materials

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of bleaching on surface roughness and gloss of different CAD/CAM ceramic materials.

METHODS

The ceramic materials included IPS e.max CAD (lithium disilicate), VITA ENAMIC (polymer infiltrated ceramic), and Celtra Duo CAD (zirconia reinforced lithium silicate). Samples of each material were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10); a control group immersed in distilled water, the second and third groups were treated with 20% carbamide peroxide (20% CP) and 35% carbamide peroxide (35% CP) bleaching agents for 4 h/day and 60 min/day respectively for 7 days. The fourth group was treated with 40% hydrogen peroxide (40% HP) applied twice, each turn for 20 min. After treatment, the surface roughness (using 3D non-contact profilometry) and surface gloss were assessed followed by imaging with a scanning electron microscope. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA tests (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

The surface roughness (p = 0.157) and gloss (p = 0.073) of IPS e.max CAD were not significantly affected by the different bleaching treatments. Similarly, no significant effect on surface roughness (p = 0.162) and gloss (p = 0.965) were shown for Celtra Duo CAD. On the other hand, VITA ENAMIC was significantly affected when treated with 20% CP and 35% CP showing increased roughness (p = 0.001) and gloss (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Home bleaching treatments (20% CP and 35% CP) significantly affected the surface roughness and gloss of VITA ENAMIC while IPS e.max CAD and Celtra Duo CAD were not affected by the different bleaching treatments.

Effects of nanohybrid, flowable, resin-based composites on fibroblast viability using different light-curing units

PURPOSE

To investigate the in vitro cytotoxic effects of Bis-GMA-containing and Bis-GMA-free flowable resin-based composites (RBCs) on primary human gingival fibroblast cells (hGFc) using direct and indirect curing methods and three different light-curing units (LCUs) MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were isolated and cultured in vitro in 24-well plates. The plates were divided into treatment (cells with RBC), control (cells only), and blank (media only) groups. In the treatment groups, two types of nanohybrid flowable RBCs were used: Bis-GMA-free and Bis-GMA groups. Each treatment group was subdivided according to the curing method, i.e., direct curing (RBC was injected into the wells and cured directly on the attached cells) and indirect curing (the samples were pre-cured outside of the well plate and then added to the well plate with cells). To vary the LCU, the subgroups were further divided into three groups: multiple-emission peak light-emitting diode, single-emission peak light-emitting diode, and quartz-tungsten-halogen units. Curing was conducted for 20 s. The hGFc cytotoxicity was evaluated via 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay after 24, 48, and 72 h of culturing RESULTS: The MTT assay results showed that both RBCs were significantly cytotoxic toward hGFc compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). The Bis-GMA group was significantly more cytotoxic to the cells compared to the Bis-GMA-free group. In addition, the curing method and time interval affected cell viability regardless of the LCU used CONCLUSION: The Bis-GMA flowable RBC and direct curing method had the highest cytotoxic effects on hGFc regardless of the LCU used. Careful selection of flowable RBCs and proper curing techniques are required to decrease the cytotoxic effects on hGFc and improve the clinical handling of oral tissues. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Repair of temporary fixed dental prostheses using a flowable resin composite: Effect of material, bonding, and aging

Objectives

Assessment of the effect of aging and bonding on the reparability of different temporary crown and bridge materials using a flowable resin composite.

Methods

The materials used included two bis-acryl and two polymethylmethacrylate materials. The materials were aged either dry, in distilled water, or in a 75% ethanol/water solution. Each group was divided into three subgroups (n = 6) according to the bonding method: application of a universal adhesive, application of a universal primer followed by a universal adhesive, or no bonding. Materials were repaired with a light-cure flowable resin composite; then, they were subjected to thermocycling and tested by shear bond strength. The data were analysed using three-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey post hoc tests (α = 0.05).

Results

The shear bond strength was significantly higher for bis-acryl compared to polymethylmethacrylate materials (p < 0.001). In terms of aging conditions, shear bond strength was in the order of 75% ethanol/water solution < dry < water. The application of bonding agents significantly increased the shear bond strength of polymethylmethacrylate-based materials (p < 0.001). The difference between water and dry storage was insignificant (p = 0.558); however, storage in a 75% ethanol/water solution showed significantly lower values compared to both dry and water storage in most of experimental groups (p < 0.001). Polymethylmethacrylate-based materials mainly demonstrated adhesive failure, while bis-acryl materials predominantly showed cohesive failure.

Conclusion

The bond strength of a light-cure flowable resin composite is significantly higher with bis-acryl compared to that with polymethylmethacrylate-based substrates. Aging in water does not have a significant effect; however, the 75% ethanol/water solution tends to negatively affect repairability. The application of different bonding agents positively affects the repair strength, especially for polymethylmethacrylate-based substrates.

A simulation model used in teaching denture border adjustment: Randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

The goal was to propose a new simulation model as a training tool in complete denture (CD) flange adjustment and to evaluate if the model can improve student competencies in different learning domains.

METHODS

Fourth-year undergraduate dental students (n = 100) were equally divided into control and test groups. Both groups received didactic instructions for CD post-insertion procedures, but the test group had additional simulation training using modified working casts. Both groups then performed CD flange adjustment on real patients, and their skills were evaluated using a specific checklist. The data were assessed by independent samples t-test and a chi-square test at α = 0.05.

RESULTS

The students in the test group showed significantly better overall performance (57.94%) compared with the control group (30.14%) in clinical post-insertion CD flange adjustment procedures (p < 0.001). However, the psychomotor skills of the male students in the test group were not significantly influenced (p = 0.268). Considering the competencies for different tasks, more students that were competent were present in the test group compared to those in the control group regarding most of the knowledge (p ≤ 0.012) and all of the cognitive skill tasks (p ≤ 0.021). More students were competent for half of the psychomotor skill tasks (p ≤ 0.027). However, when considering gender, the number of competent male students was significantly greater in the test group only for one of the psychomotor tasks.

CONCLUSION

The simulation model significantly improved the overall clinical skills of the students, allowing them to learn the common CD post-insertion maintenance procedures before performing the procedure clinically.

Factors contributing to prosthodontic exam anxiety in undergraduate dental students

INTRODUCTION

Prosthodontics is a challenging subject for dental students. This study explores the incidence of exam anxiety among prosthodontics students and the variables that moderate it.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to fourth-year undergraduate students immediately before examinations, with a 77% response rate (55.7% female, 44.3% male).

RESULTS

A lack of time to prepare before exams and an inability to recall before exams were the main factors affected by gender. In addition, 63.5% of male students agreed that social media and mobile phones are distractions, while 81.8% of female students disagreed (P<0.001). Within the removable prosthodontic courses (preclinical or clinical), 61.0% of students agreed that a lack of time to prepare before exams is an issue with the clinical course, while 58.5% of the students moderately agreed it is an issue with the preclinical course (P=0.044). A lack of time to prepare, fear of failure, and the time of the examination were of greater concern with regard to quizzes than with mid-term examinations.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the presence of exam anxiety among prosthodontics students, as well as how that anxiety is influenced by gender, clinical courses, and the type of exam. This study suggests that students should be taught strategies to improve their study, life and time-management skills in order to overcome exam anxiety. This study additionally suggests that improving success rates in dental school requires placing an increased focus in the curriculum on test competency and examination patterns.