Monitoring changes intooth structures and early diagnosis of carious lesions require quantitative imaging techniques. A chalky white spot on the tooth’s surface indicates enamel demineralization, early stage of thecarious lesion. Many advanced imaging modalities for identifying tooth tissuesimagehave been created, including magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), X-ray Computed Tomography, Positron Emission Tomography (PET), ultrasound, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and the most recent, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). In obtaining image information, some modalities use high dosesof radiation and energy that might harmpatient’s health. Most early commercial OCTs had limitations,such as bulkysizeandlow image resolution. To address the issues, this study proposes a dual mode tomography technique by combining OCT and ultrasound systemusing COMSOLMultiphysics software.Both methods offered non-invasive, non-ionizing, economical, and painless imaging techniques.The application of ultrasound system will help to overcome the OCT’s limitation to detect the penetration depth of caries lesion. Several simulations were performed to analyze the light and ultrasonic propagated waves which penetrate through the incisor teeth. In response to this goal, images of incisor teeth were created in silico with a high spatial resolution. As a result, the combination of OCT and ultrasound may offer the best approach for displaying and examiningchanges inthe oral cavity.

This study's purpose is to evaluate the clinical performance of Class V restorations in non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL's) using conventional glass ionomer Riva Self Cure (SDI) materials in a teaching institute for one-year follow-up. Participants with Class V restorations were recruited from the e-clinical database and reviewed after one-year. Two independent calibrated examiners were assigned to the clinical assessment with high inter-examiner reliability (? =0.82). Modified Ryge / USPHS criteria was used for direct evaluation of the clinical performance of restorations. The criteria assessed were anatomical form, the presence of secondary caries, retention, marginal adaptation, surface staining, soft tissue health and post-operative sensitivity. Class V restoration restored with glass ionomer showed 80.9% retention rate. Secondary caries, retention, surface staining and soft tissue health showed high scoring of A (clinically excellent restoration) (>90%). The highest acceptable restoration percentage (A- clinically excellent restoration + B-clinically acceptable) was surface staining while the lowest scoring categories was post-operative sensitivity. There was significant difference between gender and post-operative sensitivity (p<0.05). Spearman Correlation test showed that the gender was significantly correlated with post-operative sensitivity (r=0.48) while marginal adaptation was significantly associated with anatomical form (r=0.36) and secondary caries (r=0.39). In summary, after one-year follow, conventional glass ionomers are still clinically acceptable material to restore Class V and come with minimal complications. Clinical Significance: Class V restorations restored with conventional glass ionomer is still relevant as a material of choice to restore NCCL's despite the advancement of resin based materials.

Aims: To investigate, using a validated questionnaire, the teaching of removable partial dentures (RPDs) in dental schools of Malaysia. Materials and methods: A validated questionnaire to investigating trends in the teaching of RPDs in dental schools in Oceania was emailed (in English version form) to Heads of Restorative/Prosthodontics/course coordinators in the 13 dental schools in Malaysia. Follow-up reminders were sent and participants were given six weeks to complete and return the questionnaire. Data was entered into an Excel spreadsheet and results compiled and analyzed. Results: Completed questionnaires were received from 13 dental school – a 100% response rate. All schools (n =13) provided a preclinical technical course in RPD design. In most schools (n = 9, 69.2%), course work was supervised by senior lecturers while rest of the institutions made use of associate professor/professors. There were significant differences (p<0.05) between dental schools in terms of the contact hours dedicated to pre-clinical teaching. Students received an average of 62 h of instruction. Didactic instruction was the primary focus with practical (78 h) and didactic teaching (32 h). All dental schools (n = 13) provided practical surveyor design teaching (8 h). The staff student ratio for formal lectures (1:61), tutorials (1:29) and lab demonstrations (1:12) were recorded. Majority of the schools (n = 11, 84.6%) employed paired teaching in clinical sessions. All schools (n = 13, 100%) emphasized on increased teaching of RPD design and prescription writing in future clinical RPD courses. Conclusion: Teaching of RPDs in Malaysia may be considered sufficient and comparable to the teaching in other parts of the world. Clinical significance: Whilst the teaching of partial dentures at Dental Schools in Malaysia provides the core competencies involved in partial denture design and construction based on sound fundamental, scientific prin-ciples they should address the challenges of teaching partial dentures and other areas of dental education including improving working conditions for dental professionals.

Oral health literacy is the ability of an individual in making an appropriate decision to achieve optimum oral health. This study aimed to assess the oral health literacy and oral health status of undergraduate university students. This is a cross sectional study conducted among students from various faculties in USIM. A written consent was obtained before the administration of OHLIM questionnaire via Google form. Oral examination was conducted after completing the questionnaire. A descriptive data analysis was performed to determine the adequacy of oral health literacy and oral health status among the students. A total of 280 students participated in this study. The mean age was 22 years old (SD=1.17) with the majority of them being female (82.1%) and coming from urban residences (57.1%). The prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease was 58.9% (95% CI= 53.2 to 64.6) and 13.2% (95% CI= 9.6 to 17.1) respectively. Students with adequate

Background Oral hygiene care is of key importance among stroke patients to prevent complications that may compromise rehabilitation or potentially give rise to life-threatening infections such as aspiration pneumonia. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Web-based continuing professional development (CPD) program on general intention of the health carers to perform daily mouth cleaning for stroke patients using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Methods A double-blind cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted among 547 stroke care providers across 10 hospitals in Malaysia. The centers were block randomized to receive either (1) test intervention (a Web-based CPD program on providing oral hygiene care to stroke patients using TPB) or (2) control intervention (a Web-based CPD program not specific to oral hygiene). Domains of TPB: attitude, subjective norm (SN), perceived behavior control (PBC), general intention (GI), and knowledge related to providing oral hygiene care were assessed preintervention and at 1 month and 6 months postintervention. Results The overall response rate was 68.2% (373/547). At 1 month, between the test and control groups, there was a significant difference in changes in scores of attitude (P=.004) and subjective norm (P=.01), but not in other TPB domains (GI, P=.11; PBC, P=.51; or knowledge, P=.08). At 6 months, there were significant differences in changes in scores of GI (P=.003), attitude (P=.009), SN (P<.001) and knowledge (P=.001) between the test and control groups. Regression analyses identified that the key factors associated with a change in GI at 6 months were changes in SN (beta=.36, P<.001) and changes in PBC (beta=.23, P<.001). Conclusions The Web-based CPD program based on TPB increased general intention, attitudes, subjective norms, and knowledge to provide oral hygiene care among stroke carers for their patients. Changing subjective norms and perceived behavioral control are key factors associated with changes in general intention to provide oral hygiene care.

Computer-aided learning (CAL) offers enormous potential in disseminating oral health care information to patients and caregivers. The effectiveness of CAL, however, remains unclear. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to systematically review published evidence on the effectiveness of CAL in disseminating oral health care information to patients and caregivers. Materials and Methods: A structured comprehensive search was undertaken among 7 electronic databases (PUBMED, CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, SCOPUS, WEB of SCIENCE, the Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO) to identify relevant studies. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were included in this review. Papers were screened by 2 independent reviewers, and studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected for further assessment. Results: A total of 2915 papers were screened, and full texts of 53 potentially relevant papers (j1/40.885) were retrieved. A total of 5 studies that met the inclusion criteria (1 RCT, 1 quasi-experimental study, and 3 postintervention studies) were identified. Outcome measures included knowledge, attitude, behavior, and oral health. Significant improvements in clinical oral health parameters (P<.05) and knowledge/attitudes (P<.001) were reported in 2 of the studies. The 3 remaining studies reported improved oral health behaviors and confidence. Conclusion: There is a limited number of studies which have examined the effectiveness of CAL interventions for oral health care among patients and caregivers. Synthesis of the data suggests that CAL has positive impacts on knowledge, attitude, behavior, and oral health. Further high-quality studies on the effectiveness of CAL in promoting oral health are warranted. � The Author 2016.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of dental plaque removal and to determine factors that could influence its efficacy when using the non-dominant hand. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed on a group of dental students. Dominant hands were determined using Edinburg Handedness Inventory questionnaire, and the dental plaque scores were examined using Quigley-Hein (Turesky) index. All of the participants were examined twice for dental plaque index scores. Data obtained was analyzed using a paired t-test and an independent t-test. Factors which influenced the dental plaque removal were listed and categorized accordingly. Results: A total of 62 dental undergraduates participated in the study. A high percentage of them, (71%, n = 44) were found to be right-handed. There was a significant increase in the dental plaque score for the left-handed participants, from baseline (use of the dominant hand) to follow-up appointment (after brushing their teeth with non-dominant hands) (p< 0.01). A significant change was found between the right- and left-handed participants in the first quadrant of the buccal side (p<0.05). Factors identified to be beneficial in dental plaque control were; using a mirror while brushing, extending brushing time, increasing brushing frequency, using additional tooth aids and powered toothbrushes. Conclusions: This study revealed that left-handed participants have less ability to remove dental plaque with their non-dominant hands. The right-handed participants, showed better controls in plaque removal with their non-dominant hands, compared to their left-handed peers on the buccal side of the first quadrant.

Background: Hand washing or hand-cleaning is a behaviour that has not been performed routinely as a habit for everyone, but its importance has been greatly emphasised during the COVID-19 outbreak. Nudges in the form of prompts, cues and reminders have been used to encourage hand cleaning. Objective: To improve hand-cleaning to prevent transmission of the disease during dental visits through nudge. Methods: This experimental, observational pilot study was conducted at private dental practices. Hand sanitisers were placed at a few places in the clinic to encourage hand cleaning. Hand sanitiser was not placed outside the treatment room during the baseline data collection. The patients’ behaviour in using the hand sanitisers was observed and analysed. Results: A total of 130 participants were involved in the study, with more than half being female (59.2%) and above 35 years old (60.8%). More than half of the participants performed hand cleaning behaviour immediately after treatment (68.2%). However, there was no significant difference between those who performed the hand cleaning when the hand sanitiser was placed in the waiting room and front of the treatment room (P>0.05). Placing the hand sanitiser in front of the dental treatment room increased the likelihood of hand cleaning. However, there was no significant difference (OR: 3.4, 95%CI: 1.09-10.7, p<0.05). Conclusion: This study has shown the potential effect of using a nudge to encourage hand cleaning after dental treatment by placing an additional hand sanitiser in front of the dental treatment room. Despite the increase in the number of people using the hand sanitiser immediately after treatment, there is limited evidence on the long-term effect of this measure, and therefore, long-term research is warranted.

This systematic review aimed to provide a synthesis of the evidence relating to how the provision of vitamin D supplements influences oral health status. An electronic database search was performed across six databases using a standardised search strategy. The PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) was used to define the review question. The screening and selection followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses process (PRISMA). The quality of reporting was assessed using Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines, and the bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane tool RoB2. A total of 1812 studies were retrieved. 1427 studies were excluded due to unmet inclusion criteria. Full texts of seventy-five potential studies were retrieved and ultimately six studies met the inclusion criteria. There were limitations in the quality of reporting of studies (between 49 % and 73 %). 70 % of the risk of bias items were in the low risks category. Vitamin D interventions varied with respect to dosage and duration. Qualitative syntheses identified significantly better oral health outcomes. Heterogeneity of study design, intervention and outcomes precluded quantitative synthesis. Few clinical trials investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on oral health. There is considerable heterogeneity among studies interventions and oral health outcomes. Quality of reporting of studies has limitations and there is evidence of study biases. Nonetheless, qualitative synthesis of the evidence suggests that vitamin D supplements improve oral health outcomes, particularly periodontal health. Calcium may also play a significant role. Further high-quality trials are required of comparable vitamin D supplements with similar oral health outcomes focused to inform quantitative synthesis of the evidence.

Artikel ini menganalisa kaedah Behavioral Insights (BI) dalam meningkatkan pematuhan pembayaran kompaun. BI merupakan sebuah pendekatan induktif dalam pembuatan sesuatu dasar yang menggabungkan elemen psikologi, sains kognitif dan sains sosial dengan hasil yang diuji secara empirikal untuk mengetahui tingkah laku manusia sebenarnya dalam membuat pilihan. Kaedah BI merupakan usaha penggubalan dasar awam untuk memahami tingkah laku manusia dalam merangka intervensi dasar. Langkah mengintegrasi BI dalam proses pembuatan dasar dilihat sebagai sesuatu yang perlu diterapkan dalam pelaksanaan polisi kerajaan bagi membolehkan pembuat dasar dan pengawal selia menjangkakan impak tingkah laku polisi lantas mewujudkan peraturan dan undang-undang yang lebih berkesan serta berkualiti. Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan khususnya Majlis Perbandaran Sungai Petani, Kedah (MPSP) berdepan cabaran dalam menguatkuasakan pembayaran kompaun di dalam kawasan pentadbirannya. Pelaksanaan kaedah BI di Majlis Perbandaran Sungai Petani (MPSP) dilihat sebagai sesuatu yang baru dan berupaya untuk menyelesaikan isu dan permasalahan yang dialami oleh kebanyakan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) di Malaysia terutamanya berkaitan pematuhan pembayaran kompaun di kalangan orang awam.

Background: Perceived needs and utilization of oral health services are important to ensure improvements in oral health outcomes and to allocate resources for the continuous provision of the services. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the perceived needs and utilization of oral health services in Indonesia. Methods: Secondary data from the 2013 Indonesian National Socioeconomic Survey (n = 260,925) was used. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were employed to describe the relationship between perceived needs and utilization of oral health services. Results: The proportions of Indonesians who had a perceived need for oral health services and utilized the services in 2013 were 1.64% and 2.30%, respectively. A higher probability of perceived need and utilization of dental health care services was observed in the respondents who wereold, females, unmarried, and living in rural areas and in those who had a higher level of education and health insurance. Conclusion: The proportions of individuals who presented with perceived needs and utilization of dental health care services were low and were associated with age, gender, marital status, geographic location, level of education, and insurance status. Appropriate strategies and policies are warranted to improve oral health in Indonesia.

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program has run for over 40 years and the approaches to learning and teaching vary. However, recently it was decided that all BDS programs in Malaysia had to fulfil a set of minimum competency requirements based on three main domains; knowledge, skills and attitudes. The Faculty of Dentistry, USIM has taken an innovative approach to evaluate the perception of its new dental graduates on all of these domains. This study was conducted on the first cohort of graduating students from USIM. The objectives of this study were to evaluate self-rated competencies upon graduation and to determine the baseline competencies of these graduates. It is self-rated and based on the 8 domains listed by the Ministry of Higher Education. The objectives relating to the minimum competencies were sent to all 29 graduates before they had commenced to work in the field. Twenty five out of 29 responded to the questionnaire. The survey used a Likert scale (1=very poor, 2=poor, 3=average, 4=good, 5=very good and 9=cannot judge). It was found that the percentage of rankings for good to very good categories combined in each domain were; D1-96%, D2-79%, D3-76%, D4-82%, D5-85%, D6-50%, D7-68% and D8-32%. In conclusion, the domains of knowledge (D1), values, ethics, morality and professionalism (D4) and communication skills and interpersonal relationship (D5) showed higher percentages compared with the other domains. In contrast, the D8 domain which focuses on managerial and entrepreneurial skills showed the lowest percentage. This reflects the reduced emphasis on this domain in the USIM program. The findings provide valuable insights for reviewing and further improvement of the existing curriculum.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the oral cavity of healthy adults and the factors that may influence the presence of the bacteria. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a number of selected healthy adults in a district in Malaysia, during which, information about their socio-demographic background and oral hygiene practices was obtained. Oral rinse samples of the respondents were also collected using phosphate buffered saline and the data obtained was subsequently analyzed using SPSS A total of 140 oral rinse samples were collected and the results of the analysis conducted showed a prevalence of approximately 40% of the Staphylococcus aureus in the oral cavity of the participants. There was no significant association observed between both the socio-demographic factor and oral hygiene practices with the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. The use of prostheses was found to be a significant factor for a higher prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the oral cavity (OR 5.13; P<0.05, 95%CI 1.410 - 18.76). The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the oral cavity of healthy adults was high and the use of prostheses was a factor associated with the presence of the bacteria. This accentuates the importance of a good oral hygiene, as oral cavity can be the primary route for Staphylococcus aureus to cause potential systemic infections.

Spirituality is an important aspect in the process of building an individual's soul and life. All the success and excellence of human life stems from the spiritual aspect. Therefore, each individual needs to emphasize on the spiritual aspect of himself in order to live on the right teachings. The study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric aspects of the spirituality assessment scale. The questionnaire containing 20 of these items was used to assess the spiritual aspects of the individual. The study involved 106 respondents who answered the questionnaire voluntarily. The resulting exploratory factor analysis (EFA) showed that the resulting Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value was .853, which is greater than the .05 Berlett's Test of Sphericity, indicating a significant value (p=.000) and indicating that the correlation between the items is sufficient to perform a factor analysis. The reliability value for this questionnaire is .826. This states that this questionnaire is suitable for use for actual research purpose.

Background: Compliance with preventive health behavior is crucial during dental visits. This study investigated using an audio device to increase dental patients’ preventive health behavior. Methods: A randomized control study was conducted in private dental practices. The test group listened to an audio device containing public health messages related to COVID-19 and preventive health behavior. The control group listened to relaxing instrumental music with no public health messages. Results: A total of 65 participants (age 18–77 years) were allocated to each group. About 63% of the participants in the test group performed preventive health behaviors compared to the control group, but the difference was not significant. Significant differences in preventive health behavior were observed in both groups before and after treatment (p < 0.001). A significant difference in the awareness level was detected between the test and control group (p < 0.01). No significant differences were found in the knowledge and self-efficacy scores between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: An audio device used during dental treatment effectively delivered public health messages to improve preventive health behavior. Hence, an audio device can be used as alternative media to deliver public health information during dental visits.