General public awareness, knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 infection and prevention: a cross-sectional study from Pakistan [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and attitude of the public in Pakistan (using social media) towards COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 1120 individuals nationwide. A self-developed, pre-tested questionnaire was used that comprised of sections covering demographic characteristics, medical history, hygiene awareness, COVID-19-related knowledge, and learning attitude. Descriptive statistics were used for frequencies, percentages, averages and standard deviations. Inferential statistics were done using the Student’s t-test and ANOVA. Results: The average age of participants was 31 years (range 18-60 years). In total 56 individuals (5%) had completed primary or secondary school education; 448 (40%) were employed (working from home) and 60% were jobless due to the COVID-19 crisis. Almost all the study subjects (1030 (92%)) were washing their hands multiple times a day. A total of 83% had awareness regarding quarantine time, 82% used face masks whenever they left their homes, 98% were aware of the origin of the disease, and 70% had knowledge regarding the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the current study that female participants had higher level of education, and more awareness regarding the coronavirus. The majority of the participants followed proper hand washing regimes and washed their faces. Further knowledge and awareness should be promoted

The Effect of Coronal Pre-flaring and Type of Root Canal Irrigation on Working Length Accuracy Using Electronic Apex Locators [version 3; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: Successful root canal treatment is influenced by the apical extent of root canal preparation and the eventual root canal filling. Achieving the full working length until the apical constriction, which is usually 0.5 – 1 mm shorter than the anatomical apex, is crucial. Electronic apex locators were used to detect the working length more accurately. There are six generations of electronic apex locators in the market. The selection of the appropriate irrigation with each apex locator for accurate working length determination is not fully investigated. Methods: The actual working lengths of 120 freshly extracted human single-rooted teeth were measured and compared with their working lengths using 3rd generation (Root ZX) followed by 6th generation (Raypex 6) apex locators in dry medium, presence of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, and 2% chlorhexidine, without coronal pre-flaring and after coronal pre-flaring using the same irrigating media. Data were collected, tabulated, and afterward analyzed using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc to evaluate the significant difference in average working length between actual working length, Root ZX, and Raypex 6 apex locator working lengths accuracy. Results: The significant results were shown in roots that were coronally pre-flared and their working lengths were measured in a dry medium using Raypex 6 apex locator. While using the Root ZX apex locator, the most accurate results were shown in roots that were coronally pre-flared and their working lengths were measured while using a chlorhexidine irrigating solution. Conclusions: It is concluded that it is very important to know the specific irrigating medium to be used with each specific electronic apex locator to achieve the most accurate working length results

Frequency of root canal treatment among patients attending a teaching dental hospital in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency and status of root canal-treated teeth in patients treated at the College of Dentistry, University of Dammam in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A total of 3701 patients visited the clinics during the study period. Through the use of radiographs, 161 patients were initially selected who had endodontically treated teeth. However, after applying the inclusion criteria, the total number of eligible cases was reduced to 155. Patients were divided into three groups according to age (children 1–12 years, adults 13–65 years and geriatrics >65 years). Results: On average, each patient had 2.28 ± 1.88 root canal-treated teeth and 24.02 ± 5.03 teeth without root canal treatment. The average number of endodontically treated teeth increased with an increase in age. The adult group showed the highest number of root-filled teeth 314 (93.4%). Of the 336 endodontically treated teeth, only 75 (22.3%) teeth exhibited periapical radiolucency. First molars (28.43–36.36%) and second premolars (20.1–27.27%) were the most frequently root-filled teeth in both jaws, followed by the first maxillary premolars (11.76%). Periapical lesions showed an almost similar pattern with the highest number of radiolucencies found in the first molars in both jaws (29.3–33.3%) followed by the second premolars in the mandible (30.6%) and first premolars in both jaws (20.8–25%). Conclusion: The first molars and second premolars were the most frequently root-filled teeth in both jaws, followed by maxillary first premolars. Periapical lesions showed an almost similar pattern among teeth with a higher number of radiolucencies found in the first molars in both jaws, followed by the second premolars in the mandible and the first premolars in both jaws