The effect of personality traits on undergraduate dental students’ performance in multiple mini interviews

Background: Multiple mini interviews (MMI) is a structured student selection method where applicants rotate around a series of stations that do not require previously learned knowledge. The Big Five Inventory (BFI) is a tool often used to measure personality traits commonly used in applicant selection. Objective: The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of personality traits using the BFI on undergraduate dental students' performance in MMI. Methods: This research was conducted at The Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All undergraduates applying to the dental program at King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) in two academic years [(2014-2015) and (2015-2016)] undertook the MMI held at KAUFD and completed the BFI inventory with a total number of 350 students. The MMI consisted of five stations while the BFI contained forty-four items. Data were analysed by SPSS version 20, using independent-samples t-test, Mann- Whitney U test, Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient and Chi-square test. Results: female students scored higher than their male counterparts but scores were only significant in the empathy station (p<0.001) in the first year, and in both empathetic skills and team work abilities (p<0.05) in the second. BFI results indicate that male students scored higher on agreeableness (p<0.003) and lower on neuroticism (p<0.001) in the first year while female students scored higher on agreeableness and conscientiousness (p<0.001) in the second year. Students of private schools had higher total MMI scores compared to those of public schools (p<0.05). Conclusion: MMI combined with the Big Five Inventory can be a useful tool in the admission process

Detection of simulated vertical root fractures; which is better multi-detector computed tomography or cone beam computed tomography?

Objectives: Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were compared regarding their ability to detect vertical root fractures. Methods: Sixty four extracted posterior teeth were included in this study. Using a diamond disc, thirty six teeth were cut vertically to simulate a VRF. Twenty eight teeth were used as control. Fractured and non-fractured teeth were randomly positioned in 4 skulls and mandibles. Scanning was performed first on a 16 slice Siemens MDCT, then by i-CAT Next Generation CBCT. Two observers assessed the multiplanar images for vertical root fractures using a 3-point scale. The first observer repeated the assessment after 1 week. Later, the 2 observers re-assessed the images together to reach a consensus score. Results: CBCT showed higher sensitivity, accuracy as well as negative predictive value compared to MDCT. The mean area under the curve was 0.917 for MDCT and 0.972 for CBCT. The difference in diagnostic accuracy between the 2 modalities was statistically significant P = .036. Inter-observer agreement was 0.971 for MDCT and 0.994 for CBCT, whereas intra-observer agreement was 0.981 for MDCT and 0.985 for CBCT. Conclusion: Using the specified scanners at the specified exposure parameters, the diagnostic accuracy of CBCT in detecting vertical root fractures was significantly higher than MDCT. Keywords: Multi-detector computed tomography, Cone-beam computed tomography, Root fractur

Assessment of prevalence of anatomical variations and pathosis of the maxillary sinuses using cone-beam computed tomography in a sample of the population of Saudi Arabia

Background: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) technology has been a useful tool for decreasing dental treatment complications and ensuring more predictable treatment outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of maxillary sinuses status in regard to anatomical variations and pathosis using CBCT as a diagnostic tool, in asymptomatic patients who are willing to receive dental implants at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Both sinuses in 263 patients (140 females and 96 males) were evaluated using iCAT Classic scanner to acquire the total of 526 CBCT images. Two calibrated dental radiology consultants evaluated the CBCT of the maxillary sinuses images using the Vision software (Imaging Sciences International, Hatfield, PA, USA) for the following finding: number of teeth in intimate relation with the maxillary sinus and the presence of septa (as anatomical variations) and the presence, extent, and configuration of mucosal thickening (MT) as sign of pathosis (mucositis). Results: The highest prevalence of dental proximity to the sinus wall was between the first left premolars and the anterior sinus wall (57.14%) followed by the second right premolars (56.14%). The presence of septa in both right and left maxillary sinuses was 54.37% and 57.41%, respectively. The prevalence of sinus pathosis was 52.7%. Interestingly, 87.07% of the MT cases were due to nonodontogenic origin compared to 12.93% of odontogenic-related pathosis. Conclusions: Preoperative radiographic assessment using CBCT is highly recommended before dental implant placement in our population due to the high anatomical variations and pathosis rates, to allow proper assessment and diagnosis of maxillary sinus disease, if present. The assessment of maxillary sinus disease before surgical intervention will provide a higher standard of care and decrease the risk of complications and failures of dental implants