Does learning style preferences influence academic performance among dental students in Isfahan, Iran?

Purpose The 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. Methods This 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. Results The 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). Conclusion Multimodal 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

Does health literacy affect women’s oral health self-care behavior? A cross-sectional study in health centers of Tabriz, North West of Iran

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIM: In public health, health literacy (HL) is rather a new conception. In this regard, oral health as a critical public health issue that affects women’s health. The objective of the present study was to determine oral health self-care behavior and its relationship with HL. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 232 women who referred to health centers of Tabriz, Iran, in 2015. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including demographic characteristics, oral health behavior, and HL [assessed using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) scale]. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, independent samples t-test, and multiple regressions. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 33.4 years [standard deviation (SD) = 8.2; range = 18-49]. The mean ± SD of oral health self-care behavior and HL score was 4.4 ± 1.9 and 3.3 ± 2.0, respectively. Totally, 24.6% of the participants had limited HL (57/232). Only 19.4% (45/232) of participants brushed their teeth twice daily or more, and 28.9% (67/232) had dental check-up less than 6 months ago. The HL had positive association with oral health self-care behavior (β = 0.37, P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression models, oral health self-care behavior was associated with HL and education level (P < 0.001). HL and education level explained 19.5% of the variance in behavior. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that HL was a predictor of oral health self-care behavior in women. However, more studies are needed to confirm the results of this study. Hence, promoting oral health interventions and designing effective educational materials based on HL might be beneficial to improve oral health behavior and status. KEYWORDS: Health Literacy; Brushing; Oral Health Behavior; Newest Vital Sign; Oral Self-Car

Outcomes of vital pulp therapy in permanent teeth with different medicaments based on review of the literature

Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is a biologic and conservative treatment modality to preserve the vitality and function of the coronal or remaining radicular pulp tissue in vital permanent teeth. A search was conducted via the Cochrane database, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Ovid for any articles with the criteria for "pulp-capping," or "pulp-capping materials" and "VPT outcomes" from 1978 to mid 2014. All articles were evaluated and the valid papers were selected. The outcomes of various VPT techniques, including indirect pulp treatment, direct pulp treatment, partial pulpotomy, and complete pulpotomy in vital permanent teeth were extracted. Although various studies have different research approach, most studies noted a favorable treatment outcome. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) appears to be more effective than calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2 ) for maintaining long-term pulp vitality after indirect and direct pulp-capping. However, it seems that the success rate for partial pulpotomy and pulpotomy with Ca(OH) 2 is similar to MTA

Do learning style preferences influence academic performance among dental students in Isfahan, Iran?

The present study aimed to identify learning preferences among dental students in Isfahan, Iran and to characterize the associations between learning preferences and past academic performance, as represented by students’ grade point average (GPA). This research was performed as a descriptive-cross sectional study from October to November 2016 at the Dental School of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. The participants consisted of undergraduate dental students, and were divided into 2 groups, depending on whether they were in the preclinical course (second-year) or the clinical course (fourth, fifth and sixth year). First-year dental students were not included because they had not yet attained a GPA. Students who chose not to complete the questionnaire were excluded as well

Dental Management of a Child with Dentinogenesis Imperfecta: A Case Report

Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) is a hereditary dentin defect caused by an autosomal dominant mutation in dentin sialophosphoprotein gene. Defective dentin development results in discolored teeth that are prone to wear and fracture. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are necessary to achieve better functional and esthetic results and minimize nutritional deficiencies and psychosocial distress. In order to prevent excessive loss of tooth structure, placement of stainless steel crowns (SSCs) on deciduous and young permanent posterior teeth is recommended as soon as such teeth erupt. This clinical report presents the clinical manifestations and management of a 3.5-year-old child diagnosed with DI type II. Keywords: Dentin; Dentinogenesis Imperfecta; Tooth, Deciduou

Management of complicated crown-root fracture in central incisors using intentional replantation with 180° rotation: A case report

Introduction: Complicated crown-root fractures are rare and their treatment is complex. Numerous methods such as crown lengthening and orthodontic or surgical extrusion have been described for the treatment of crown-root fracture. The aim of this study was to report managing complicated crown-root fracture using intentional replantation with 180° rotation. Case report: This case report demonstrates successful management of complicated crown-root fracture in central incisor of a 10-year-old boy using intentional replantation with 180° rotation. Discussion: At 18-month follow-up, the replanted tooth revealed normal function with no obvious resorption

Comparative evaluation of bispectral index system after sedation with midazolam and propofol combined with remifentanil versus ketamine in uncooperative during dental procedures

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. © 2015 Dental Research Journal | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow

Effects of probiotic drop containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus reuteri on salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus levels

Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a probiotic drop containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus reuteri on salivary counts of Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus (LB) in children 3–6 years of age. Settings and Design: Sixty-one healthy children were randomly allocated into two parallel blocks in this double-blind, randomized controlled trial (IRCT2014120320202N1) from May to June 2015. Subjects and Methods: Finally 53 participants consumed five drops of placebo (n = 23) or probiotic (n = 30) every night for 2 weeks. Before intervention and 1 day after completion of the intervention, unstimulated salivary samples were collected, and microbiologic evaluations were carried out. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed with descriptive statistical methods Wilcoxon signed ranks, Mann–Whitney, and logistic regression. Results: SM level decreased significantly in probiotic group after intervention (P = 0.045), and there were significant differences in salivary SM counts after intervention between two groups (P = 0.04). In probiotic group, LB counts decreased significantly after intervention (P = 0.048); however, there were no significant differences between two groups (P = 0.216). Conclusions: Use of this probiotic drop decreased salivary counts of SM; however, LB counts did not change. In addition, use of the drop in children with higher salivary counts appeared to be more effective

Toothbrushing frequency among 4–6-year-old Iranian children and associated maternal attitude and sociobehavioral factors

Background: Toothbrushing is an important aspect of children's oral health self-care. This study aimed to explore toothbrushing frequency among 4–6-year-old Iranian children and associated maternal attitude and sociobehavioral factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 407 mother–child (aged 4–6 years) pairs through stratified random sampling in Tabriz, Iran. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires including demographic characteristic, maternal attitude, and toothbrushing frequency of both mothers and children. Logistic regression was used to determine the predicators of children's toothbrushing. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05 for all tests. Results: The mean ages were 32.6 ± 4.8 and 5.3 ± 1.1 years for mothers and children respectively. Twice-daily toothbrushing was observed at a relative frequency of 12.8% in children and 18.4% in mothers. About 43.7% of children brushed their teeth once daily. Nearly 38.7% of children started toothbrushing behavior regularly at 4 years of age, and 41% had dental visits. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that children's toothbrushing (once daily or more) was associated with maternal brushing frequency (odds ratio [OR] =2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.53–2.86), maternal attitude toward oral health (OR = 1.15, CI = 1.08–1.22), and children's age (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.02–1.77). Conclusion: The descriptive results indicated that maternal and children toothbrushing behaviors are unfavorable. Furthermore, maternal toothbrushing behavior is a strong predicator of children's brushing behavior. Health promotional activities seem necessary for mothers to enhance oral health behavior of their children