The objective of this study was to identify and characterise various resin-bonded bridge (RBB) articles published in dental journals using bibliometric analysis. The search was performed using the Scopus database to generate publications related to RBB. Data analysis and visualisation were done using Microsoft Excel, Biblioshiny software or VOSviewer. The trend of publication shows an annual growth rate of 7.19 percent within the years 1973–2022. Sixteen articles were cited more than 100 times, with seven highly cited articles focusing on the survival and/or complications of RBB. Matthias,Kern is the most prolific author in RBB research with Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry being the most influential journal. “survival”, “dental bonding” and “zirconia” were identified as core research areas for RBB for the past 10 years. Future research on the incorporation of new technology in prosthesis fabrication to assess the survival and longevity of RBB is expected to increase, with an emphasis on bonding to new materials. This paper presents an overview of scientific production, prominent researchers and countries, emerging keywords and core research areas in RBB research.

Background: Definitive working impression of a complete denture requires proper border molding as part of impression techniques to capture the essential details of anatomical landmarks and the functional sulcus. In the era of digital dentistry, the digital impression using optical scanners may be an alternative to conventional techniques. Objective: This paper discusses the differences between conventional methods and digital impression in a complete denture covering its procedures, importance and relevance of border molding in both methods for a good working impression. Methods: The study reviewed papers from 2000 to 2022 in Medline and PubMed on border molding and complete denture working impression. Both methods were revised and contrasted to discuss the relevance and advantages of both approaches. Results: It is still controversial to conclude that digital impression is superior to the conventional method. Both methods have the strength to improve the quality of the impression taking procedure and complete denture quality of retention and stability. Digital impression gives more comfort and less post insertion adjustment. The conventional method still has good clinical outcomes in terms of retention and stability. Border molding should not be disregarded as part of the working impression procedure. Conclusion: The paper concludes that border molding and the conventional working impression technique are still relevant due to their comparable outcome compared to digital impression, as less cost and high skills are involved.

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the impact of sociodemographic factors on dental school candidates' decision to pursue dentistry as their career of choice. Materials and Methods: Candidates shortlisted by three dental schools were invited to participate in a self-administered questionnaire study, featuring a validated instrument containing sociodemographic questions and 16 motivational items grouped into four domains: economic, professional, vocational and personal background reasons. The variations in motivational item scores across sociodemographic factors were assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test (age, sex, ethnicity, having relatives in the dental profession and dentistry as the first choice) and Kruskal–Wallis test (dental school and family income). Results: A total of 295 dental school candidates participated in the study (Universiti Teknologi MARA: 137; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia: 99; MAHSA University: 59). Approximately 95% of participants identified dentistry as their primary career choice, with the vocational motivation of ‘I like to help people’ being the most prominent motivational factor. Dental school emerged as the critical factor significantly influencing three quarters of the motivational items. Sex, ethnicity and having relatives in the dental profession were the remaining factors significantly associated with variations in certain motivational items. Both dental school and ethnicity significantly affected four motivational domains (economic, professional, vocational and personal background). Conclusion: This study provides an insightful overview of the sociodemographic factors that impact career decision-making among prospective dental students. The scores for most motivational items varied among shortlisted candidates in three dental schools. The findings hold implications for policy development in dentistry by universities and public policymakers.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused series of lockdown in Malaysia which led to the significant financial impact to dental practitioner in Malaysia. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate factors affecting dental practice and its implication to financial situation during the pandemic in Malaysia. Methods: Registered Malaysian dental practitioners were invited to participate in online questionnaire via google form. Descriptive and Pearson’s chi-square test analysis were conducted (p<0.05). Results: 468 of dental practitioners had responded to our survey. More than three-quarter of dental practitioners worked in government sectors while almost a quarter worked in private sectors. 49.2% of respondents opened for emergency cases only during movement control order (MCO), 42.1 % of them limit for dental emergency, appointment-based cases and non-aerosol generated procedure during Conditional MCO and 62.5% operated as usual following a strict standard operating procedure during Recovery MCO. More than three quarter of private dental practitioners indicated that pandemic affected their daily monetary income (p<0.001) while most of them had to spend other source of income (p=0.004). All working sectors dictated that the working volume and number of patients had statistically decrease (p<0.05). Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the practice of dentistry and financial position especially for private dental practitioners. Major government assistance is important to reduce the burden of dental practitioner and preserving their future practice.

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the World Health Organization issued provisional guidelines to address considerations for essential oral health services in the pandemic situation. Compliance with the guidelines is essential to curb the potential spread of infection within a dental practice. This study aimed to assess the perception of Malaysian dental practitioners towards exercising the provisional COVID-19 dental practice guideline during the early phase of the pandemic. A self-administered questionnaire of a structured type consisting of demographic information and dentist perceptions of the provisional guidelines of dental care during the COVID-19 outbreak was distributed online from May 2021 until August 2021 through various social networking platforms among dental practitioners working at different healthcare sectors in all states in Malaysia. A total of 468 dental practitioners responded to this study. More than three-quarters of the respondents were working in public dental care facilities (76.3%, n=357). The majority of respondents adhered to the provisional guidelines issued during the pandemic outbreak and exhibited a change in standard clinical practice (p<0.001). Dental practitioners working in public sectors perceive that swab tests prior to dental appointments should be mandatory, the reopening of dental clinics increases the risk of spread and the provisional guidelines of COVID-19 in dental practice will be changed in the future compared to private dental practitioners (p<0.001). The majority of dental practitioners in Malaysia have complied with the provisional guidelines imposed by the health bodies. As the COVID-19 virus will persist and become endemic in our communities, it is important to balance the safety issue and patient oral health needs

Missed dental appointments drastically affect treatment proficiency and productivity of dental care facility. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and reasons for missed dental appointments among patients treated by clinical dental students of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). A total of 202 folders from year 2018 to 2020 treated by year 3 to year 5 dental students were retrieved from a pool of patient’s record files using simple random sampling methods. Information on missed appointments was recorded. Other patients’ information was kept confidential. The percentage of missed dental appointments among patients under clinical dental students’ care was 37.1% (95% CI=30.7, 44.0). The majority of patients who missed dental appointments were male (37.6%), adults (38.7%) and employee (40.2%) patients. The most reported reason for the missed dental appointment was due to personal matters (36%) and the least was forgetfulness (0.6%) and miscommunication (0.6%). In conclusion, missed dental appointment commonly occurs among patients and frequently it was due to personal matters. A proper explanation by the students before scheduling an appointment is crucial to avoid any future missed dental appointments.

Aims To evaluate the self-perceived preparedness of final-year dental undergraduate students in dental public universities in Malaysia. Methods Final-year dental undergraduate students from six dental public universities in Malaysia were invited to participate in an online study using a validated Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale DU-PAS. Results In total, about 245 students responded to the online questionnaire yielding a response rate of 83.05%. The age range of the respondents was 23-29 years with a mean age of 24.36 (SD 0.797). The total score obtained by the respondents was ranged from 48 to 100 with a mean score of 79.56 (SD 13.495). Weaknesses were reported in several clinical skills, cognitive and behavioural attributes. Conclusions The preparedness of undergraduate students at six dental institutions in Malaysia was comparable to students from developed countries. The dental undergraduate preparedness assessment scale is a useful tool, and dental institutions may be used for self-assessment as well as to obtain feedback from the supervisors.

Educational landscape has changed drastically over the past decades with the integration of technology to support the role of educators. The objectives of this study were to examine the use of social media application among dental students and to investigate significant demographic variables with regard to social media use for academic purposes. All dental students across all academic years were invited to participate in a self-administered questionnaire (content validated, pre-tested) survey conducted online via Google Forms. Overall response rate was 67.8%. Of the 244 respondents, 99.1% owned smartphones, with a majority of them were iPhone and Android users. Notably, 91.4% of the respondents had access to internet data via a third generation (3G) mobile carrier and WiFi connection. A majority of the respondents (97.1%) used social media to communicate or connect with friends whereas 5.7% of them used it for business purposes. There was no significant association between gender, year of study and type of internet access with the mean of social media usage for academic purposes (p > 0.05). Most of the respondents preferred YouTube (74.6%) and Google (73.7%) for seeking information in their study. In conclusion, we found that majority of respondents had acknowledged the importance of social media in education. Our findings suggest the potential value of integrating social media in teaching and learning activities to enhance students’ learning experience.