Bacterial Leakage Evaluation of Three Root Canal Sealers with Two Obturation Techniques: An in Vitro Study

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of the coronal seal of three root canal sealers and two obturation techniques using the bacterial penetration method. Methods and Results: A total of 132 single-rooted human teeth with fully developed apices were used. The teeth were randomly assigned to three experimental groups according to the endodontic sealer used. Group 1: Samples (n=44) were obturated using a zinc oxide eugenol-based sealer, Pulp Canal Sealer EWT. Group 2: Samples (n=44) were obturated using an epoxy resin-based sealer, AH Plus. Group 3: Samples (n=44) were obturated using a bioceramic-based root canal sealer, Well-Root ST. Each group was subdivided into 2 equal subgroups in accordance with the obturation technique being used: the cold lateral condensation technique (CLCT) and Thermafil obturation technique (ThOT). Thus, 6 subgroups were formed: Sub-1A: Pulp Canal Sealer/CLCT; Sub-2A: AH Plus/CLCT; Sub-3A: Well-ROOT ST/CLCT; Sub-1B: Pulp Canal Sealer/ThOT; Sub-2B: Ah Plus/ThOT; Sub-3B: Well-ROOT ST/ThOT. A dual-chamber device was used to evaluate bacterial leakage. Fresh medium and E. faecalis were added to the upper chamber every 4 days. The broth was monitored for color change daily for 33 days. Significant differences were found among Sub-2A vs. Sub-1B (P=0.023), Sub-1A vs. Sub-3A (P=0.014), Sub-1A vs. Sub-2B (P=0.024), Sub-1A vs. Sub-3B (P=0.002), Sub-3A vs. Sub-1B (P=0.003), Sub-2B vs. Sub-1B (P=0.005), and Sub-1B vs. Sub-3B (P<0.0001). There was no significant difference in the average occurrence of turbidity between CLCT and ThOT (P=0.718) Conclusion: Regardless of the obturation technique, all root canal sealers exhibited leakage; however, the bioceramic-based root canal sealer appeared to perform better than the epoxy resin-based sealer and the zinc oxide eugenol-based sealer

Pharmacy and Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Practices Concerning the Disposal of Unused and Expired Medicines in Kosovo

This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of pharmacy and nursing students at a medical college in Kosovo concerning unused and expired medications. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 500 randomly selected students of pharmacy (200 questionnaires) and nursing students (300 questionnaires). Overall, 336 returned the filled forms and the response rate was 67.2. SPSS version 26.0 was utilized for statistical analysis. The results showed that 89.2% of pharmacy students and 82.2% of nursing students check the expiration date of medications before purchasing them and a considerable number of students stated that they possess unused medicines at home (78.4% of pharmacy and 74% of nursing students). Regarding disposal practice, over 50% of both nursing and pharmacy students dispose of unused and expired medications in the trash. A small proportion of students returned unused or expired medicines to the pharmacy (11.4% of pharmacy students and 10.7% of nursing students return unused medications, whereas 14.4% of pharmacy respondents and 10.1% of nursing respondents reported returning expired medicines). There was a statistically significant difference in the ways pharmacy and nursing students purchase pharmaceuticals and in their opinions regarding institutions in charge of disposing of unused and expired medicines (p = 0.000). Students are aware of the detrimental effects improper disposal of unused and expired medicines has on the environment and public health, but lack information regarding the return of unused and expired medicines to the pharmacy. To change the existing practice the most appropriate method would be to add additional lectures on safe disposal practices into existing modules. It is recommended for involved stakeholders in Kosovo to organize training, seminars, and workshops for health professionals especially pharmacists and nurses, since they pass the information to patients/consumers as well as the government to make amendments to current legislation to ameliorate the returning procedures for patients/consumers in pharmacies