Exploring Professionalism among Final Year Dental Students and New Graduates : Translating Knowledge to Practice

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A comparative study of maturation processes in enamel and bone in the rat /

We examined the hypothesis that maturation ameloblasts degrade enamel matrix in a manner analogous to bone matrix degradation mediated by osteoclasts. Thus, we assessed the distribution of the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (MRP) and lysosomal enzymes in the enamel organ and in the alveolar bone surrounding the rat incisor. The MPR was observed on the ruffled border of the ruffle-ended ameloblast (RA) but not on the distal call membrane of the smooth-ended ameloblast (SA), although both cells demonstrated strong immunoreactivity in the Golgi region. Immunogold localization of cathepsin B showed more labelling on the distal end of RA than SA, indicating that the source of the extracellular cathepsin B was likely the RA. Since MPR and lysosomal enzymes were also detected on the ruffled border of osteoclasts, our immunocytochemical approach provides strong evidence for a similarity between the maturation of enamel, as mediated by RAs, and bone matrix degradation by osteoclasts.We also examined the nature of the basement membrane-like structure between maturation ameloblasts and the surface of enamel, and the possible role it may play in the maturation of enamel. We used high resolution electron microscopy combined with immunohistochemical localization of laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) and type IV collagen. Our results indicated that this structure was a highly specialized basement membrane unusually rich in HSPG. The cord network was replaced by a network of fine filaments, identified as core filaments of cords containing type IV collagen. A proposed role for this basement membrane is likely to be mediation of firm attachment of maturation ameloblasts to the surface of the enamel.Since integrins play an essential role in cell-substratum interactions, we investigated the distribution of the integrin beta1 subunit on osteoclasts and ameloblasts. Immunocytochemistry showed significant concentrations of beta1 integrin at the ruffled border of osteoclasts, and negligible staining at the sealing zone. Since beta1 integrin localization was higher in the RA than the SA, we suggest that beta1 may have a role in the cell modulations. This role is likely to be recognition of extracellular matrix components and consequent interaction of RA with that matrix. The findings that the ruffled border of both RAs and osteoclasts display the most intense labelling for beta1 integrin, further supports our hypothesis that these cells are functionally similar

Peer-assisted Learning Associated with Team-based Learning in Dental Education

Peer-assisted learning is one of many educational strategies that can assist students׳ learning and their professional development. Its value could be enhanced if combined with a student centered learning strategy such as team-based learning. Purpose The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the impact of peer-assisted learning associated with team-based learning on the learning experience of dental students. Method Forty-two dental students participated in peer-assisted learning associated with team-based learning activities and 6 of them took the role of tutors in the team-based learning sessions. A structured on-line questionnaire was sent to 42 students to evaluate their perception regarding the impact of peer-assisted learning associated with team-based learning on their learning experience. Thirty-eight (90.5%) participants out of 42 answered the questionnaire. Sixteen students volunteered to participate in focus-group interviews for verification of the questionnaire responses. Results Thirty-two participants (84%) agreed that peer-assisted learning associated with team-based learning improved the way they study and increased their interest in the subject. Thirty-five students (94%) indicated that they enjoyed this learning experience. In addition, they would recommend this program to their colleagues. Thirty-one (82%) agreed that peer-assisted learning associated with team-based learning improved their teaching skills. Furthermore, thirty-one students (82%) indicated that it increased their communication skills. All participants agreed that they were satisfied with the overall program. The results obtained from both students׳ survey and focus-group interviews were consistent. Discussion Our findings suggested that peer-assisted learning associated with team-based learning was a valuable strategy to enhance learning among students. It can also provide these students with teaching experience which could help their professional development

Rethinking Assessment Concepts in Dental Education

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

Prognostic significance of E-cadherin, β-catenin and cyclin D1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a tissue microarray study

Objective. To study the prognostic significance of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and cyclin D1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Subjects and Methods. The study included 65 subjects with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. TMA blocks were prepared for immunohistochemical quantification of the expression of the three markers using IHC profiler and Immune ratio plugin of Image J. Results. E-cadherin expression was significantly correlated with histological grades and the metastasis status (p<0.05), whereas β-catenin expression was significantly correlated with smoking and tumor recurrence (P<0.05). Cyclin D1 expression was significantly correlated with depth of invasion and tumor recurrence. (p<0.05). Advanced tumor stage and depth of tumor invasion increases the risk of recurrence or death by 2.5 times (OR=2.53 and 0.84 respectively). Conclusion. High expression of β-catenin and cyclin D1 are significantly correlated with tumor recurrence and old age. Depth of invasion, low histological grade and old age were a significant predictor for the risk of having tumor recurrence and cancer related death

The Effect of Number of Teeth and Chewing Ability on Cognitive Function of Elderly in UAE: A Pilot Study

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

Bridging the Gap in Online Learning Anxiety Among Different Generations in Health Professions Education

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effects of an individual’s generation group on anxiety related to online learning among students and online learning and teaching activities among faculty. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in April 2020 using the Online Course Anxiety Scale. The questionnaires were sent to 370 undergraduate students and 81 faculty members via email and the responses were stratified by generation. Descriptive statistics and an independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean scores of online learning anxiety with gender and previous experience among faculty and students. Results: A total of 358 students and 70 faculty members completed the questionnaire (response rate: 96.8% and 86.4%, respectively). Only 5.7% of the faculty (compared to 54.7% of the students) enjoyed browsing internet resources during online learning. Among the faculty, 75.7% experienced anxiety during online teaching compared to 37.7% of students. Of the faculty, 92.3% of baby boomers felt anxious compared to 70.5% and 76.9% of X and Y generations, respectively. Conclusion: While students of Generations Z and Y enjoyed browsing the internet during online learning, the Generation Z students were anxious during online discussions and concerned about the misinterpretation of their written communication. Anxiety among faculty members was related to confusion regarding the use of the internet and computers and misinterpretations of text-based messages. Keywords: Anxiety; Online Learning; Generations; Work Engagement; Medical Education; United Arab Emirates

Effects of medwakh smoking on salivary metabolomics and its association with altered oral redox homeostasis among youth

Abstract The use of alternative tobacco products, particularly medwakh, has expanded among youth in the Middle East and around the world. The present study is conducted to investigate the biochemical and pathophysiological changes caused by medwakh smoking, and to examine the salivary metabolomics profile of medwakh smokers. Saliva samples were collected from 30 non-smokers and 30 medwakh smokers and subjected to metabolomic analysis by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. The CRP and Glutathione Peroxidase 1 activity levels in the study samples were quantified by ELISA and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by TAC assay kits. Statistical measurements and thorough validation of data obtained from untargeted metabolomics identified 37 uniquely and differentially abundant metabolites in saliva of medwakh smokers. The levels of phthalate, L-sorbose, cytosine, uridine, alpha-hydroxy hippurate, and L-nicotine were noticeably high in medwakh smokers. Likewise, 20 metabolic pathways were differentially altered in medwakh smokers. This study identified a distinctive saliva metabolomics profile in medwakh smokers associated with altered redox homeostasis, metabolic pathways, antioxidant system, and CRP levels. The impact of the altered metabolites in medwakh smokers and their diagnostic utility require further research in large cohorts