The Need of Paediatric Dentistry Specialists in Pakistan

In the last decade, a rapid increase has been observed in the number of dentists due to establishment of a number of dental colleges in Pakistan. Very few of these institutions have Paediatric Dentistry Department. Similarly, no postgraduate Paediatric Dentistry training program exists in the two major provinces of the country. The objectives of this study were to map the pattern of paediatric dentistry services provided by the clinicians in teaching institutions and private practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted at dental departments of academic institutions and selected dental practices in Karachi. There was a statistically significant difference in preferences, selection of dental materials and pattern of paediatric dentistry services provided by the teaching dentists compared to the private practitioners. Both the teaching and non-teaching dentists need to update themselves in the provision of Paediatric Dentistry services such as fluoride application and fissure sealant placement

Pediatric Dentistry Training for Dentists in Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: In the last decade, a rapid growth has been observed in the number of dentists due to establishment of number of dental colleges in Karachi, Pakistan. There is an acute dearth of Pediatric Dentistry faculty in Pakistani dental institutions. Similarly, no post graduate Pediatric Dentistry fellowship program exists in the country. The objectives of this study are to map the pattern of pediatric dentistry services provided by the clinicians in teaching institutions and private practices of Karachi. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study conducted at dental departments of academic institutions and selected dental practices in different parts of Karachi. The sample comprised of 71 subjects in the teaching while 97 subjects in the non-teaching group. Stratified random sampling was carried out. Data were obtained using a structured, self administered questionnaire. Chi square test was used to asses, if pattern of services are different between dentists in the two groups. RESULTS: The response rate in teaching group was 94.67% (71 out of 75) while in the practitioners group it was 44.1% (97 out of 220). The groups were different regarding the use of topical fluoride, fissure sealants, and planning for primary teeth root canal treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There is a statistically significant difference in preferences, selection of dental materials and pattern of pediatric dentistry services provided by the teaching dentists as compared to the private dental practitioners. Both the teaching and non-teaching dentists need to update themselves in provision of Pediatric Dentistry services such as fluoride application and fissure sealant placement

Comparison of the depth of cure of flowable composites polymerized at variable increment thicknesses and voltages: An In vitro study

Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the depth of cure of two composite materials (SDR and Filtek bulk-fill) cured at variable increment depths (2, 4, and 6 mm) and voltages (180 and 220 volts). Materials and Methods: Each sample of the composite material was packed in a mold of 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm and curing light (quartz tungsten halogen) of optimal intensity was exposed for 20 s at 2 different voltages on each specimen. After curing, the specimens were removed and the composite on the nonexposed end was scraped with a plastic instrument. The remaining composite thickness was measured using a digital Vernier caliper. The reading was divided by half to follow the ISO 4049 method. Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression analysis were applied. Level of significance was kept at 0.01. Results: The mean DOC of SDR and Filtek were 1.93 ± 0.82 and 1.77 ± 0.65 mm. Lowering the voltage from 220 to 180 volts reduced the depth of Filtek from 1.87 ± 0.74 to 1.67 ± 0.54 mm, whereas the DOC of SDR remained unchanged at 1.93 mm at the two voltages. The adjusted R2 for the depth of cure was 0.93 when the increment thickness, voltage, and restorative material were taken together in the regression model. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference between SDR and Filtek for the depth of cure at 2 and 4 mm increments. However, at 6 mm increment, the SDR cured significantly deeper than the Filtek. Around 91% variation in the depth of cure of these composites materials is explained by increment thickness alone

2-(2-Oxothio­lan-3-yl)isoindoline-1,3-dione

In the title compound, C12H9NO3S, the isoindoline-1,3-dione group is almost planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.020 Å, whereas the heterocyclic ring approximates to an envelope with the methyl­ene group not adjacent to the S atom in the flap position. A short intra­molecular C—H⋯O contact generates an S(6) ring motif. In the crystal structure, weak aromatic π–π stacking inter­actions occur between the centroids of the benzene rings at a distance of 3.558 (2) Å

(2R)-2-(1,3-Dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-3-methyl­butanoic acid

In the title compound, C13H13NO4, the dihedral angle between the nine-membered phthalimino ring system and the carb­oxy­lic acid group is 67.15 (9)°. An intra­molecular C—H⋯O close contact, which forms an S(6) ring, may help to establish the mol­ecular conformation. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, thereby forming C(7) chains propagating in [010]

Cultural violence and gender identities: a feminist post-structural discourse analysis of this house of clay and water

The present study explores the dialectic relation between gender, identity, violence, discourse and social practices, as portrayed in Mansab’s book This House of Clay and Water. Viewing gender as a biological trait determined at birth whereas all the social roles and identities are considered fixed is a prevalent social practice in countries like Pakistan. Proving that gender is a socio-cultural construct is the first step towards awareness that gender roles are not fixed and certain violent social norms can be transformed to help the marginalized groups like intersex/transgenders, and women. This study aims to show that certain forms of abuse, repression and cultural violence are normalized through the use of language and literary discourses, and the very same tools can be used to counter these structures. The theoretical insights for this research are drawn from Feminist post-structural discourse Analysis and Butler’s Queer theory. The qualitative analysis is based on the closed textual reading and discourse analysis within the parameters of the chosen framework. The significance of this study lies in the fact that it applies FPDA to study fictional characters who are a reflection of humans and social practices in general, and how they are forced to suffer and ultimately resist gender-based violence to co-construct their ever-shifting identities through discourse

Medical Students’ Perception and preferences on Methods of Anatomy Teaching- A survey between public and private institutes of Karachi, Pakistan

Anatomy is an essential and basic subject in the field of human sciences. The reforms and new teaching methodologies has been revolutionizing the world and helping the student in better understanding the anatomical landmarks and specific details in an interactive way. The present study evaluated the mode of anatomy teaching in public and private medical institutes of Karachi along with the opinion of students on the best teaching tool of anatomy. A total of 347 participants from private and public medical colleges of Karachi participated in the study. The data was collected by rotating questionnaires in the classrooms. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The mean age ± SD of our sample was 19.10 ± 0.77 years. In this study, majority of students from private sector institute were satisfied (58%) with the teaching methodology implemented for teaching Anatomy whereas, about (74%) participants from public sector institutes were not satisfied with the teaching methodology of teaching Anatomy. Students recommended that the use of Anatomy models may help in their better understanding of Anatomy. The present study indicates that public and private medical institutes were still using old multimedia based teaching methods of anatomy and the students were not very satisfied with the mode of teaching in their institutes. Amendments and reforms shall be implemented and efficacious teaching techniques should be applied taking into consideration the opinion of the students to bring out the best understaning in the field of Anatomy

Oral Health Status Among Pregnant Women Attending Gynae OPD of Tertiary Care Hospital in Rawalpindi

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the oral health status and treatment needs using DMFT & CPITN indices in pregnant women attending Gynae OPD of tertiary care Hospital in Rawalpindi, to Determine Association of Oral health status using DMFT and CPITN with socioeconomic status and to determine oral health status of various trimesters of pregnancy Materials and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the oral health status and treatment needs among pregnant women at Tertiary Care Hospital, Rawalpindi from April’ 2020 to September’ 2020. Consecutive sampling was used to select the study participants. An adaptive version of WHO questionnaire was used. Results were presented in the form of frequency tables. Chi square test of statistics was applied to assess the association between categorical DMFT and CPITN with the sociodemographic characteristics of the participating females. Results: The mean DMFT score pregnant females was 2.41 + 2.30 and were belonged to a middle socioeconomic status 43.8% (n=173). About 61.8% (n=244) of participants had DMFT total score 1-7. Whereas, majority of the participants were reported bleeding gums on probing 30.6% (n=121) on assessment by CPITN. The participating pregnant females also depicted the worsening of periodontal tissues (P=0.00) and dentition status (P=0.02). Socioeconomic status was not significantly associated with dentition (P=0.39) and periodontal status (P=0.69). Conclusion: The study revealed that oral health status was deteriorated during pregnancy. Education and gestational period were strong indicator for oral health status among pregnant women. Bleeding gums were reported in majority of participants during second trimester of pregnancy. Socioeconomic status was not significantly associated with oral health status by CPITN and DMFT score