Introduction: The effects of hydroxyapatite (HA) on oral bacteria and biofilm remains inconclusive, with conflicting results. Studies assessing its effect against caries-causing bacteria are limited. Objective: This study aimed to explore the antibacterial activity of HA synthesized using microwave against two of the most common cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Streptococcus sobrinus (S. sobrinus). Methods: HA was chemically synthesized using a microwave. To verify the existence of the crystalline phase and the calcium and phosphate content, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were employed, respectively. Reduction in bacterial growth was used to assess the antibacterial effects of 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % HA against the tested bacteria. Results: The presence of the hydroxyapatite crystallite phase was verified using XRD, while EDX revealed the Calcium to Phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio to be 1.6. In response to the 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % HA, S. mutans were reduced by 14.5 %, 15.6 %, and 23.4 %, whereas S. sobrinus decreased by 17.1 %, 60.8 %, and 98.6 %, respectively. Conclusion: Microwave-synthesized HA could have antibacterial properties against caries-causing bacteria with different potencies depending on concentration and bacteria

In many developed countries, oral health has improved in older children in recent decade, but remains a significant problem in younger children. Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) elements play an important role in promotion of oral health. The aim of this study was to analyze the oral health KAP in 6-year-old children in private pre-school and its relationship with caries presentation in their oral cavity. In this cross-sectional study on 35 children aged 6-year-old from private pre-school, KAP of the subjects were assessed using modified adapted questionnaire and caries detection through dental check-up. Data were analyzed using Chi-squared test in SPSS version 21.0. Statistical significance was set at P< 0.05. Results of this study showed that the scores of children in knowledge, attitude and practice were 94.7 ± 5.7%, 71.4 ± 28.6% and 42.9 ± 57.1%, respectively. These children seem to have good oral health knowledge and attitude but not in term of practice. Among these children, the percentages of children presented with caries were 74.0 ± 26.0%. Practice showed to have significant relationship with caries experience among the children (P = 0.04) but not for knowledge and attitude. In conclusion, this study showed that 6-year-old children in private pre-school have good knowledge and attitude regarding oral health but oral health practice showed significant relationship with caries experience was not satisfactory. Furthermore, parent’s knowledge on children’s oral health should not be taken for granted as its play a big role on the educating and foster children’s good oral health practice. In addition, other external factors also should be considered instead of relying on KAP elements only in 6-year-old children.

Root canal treatment (RCT) is a procedure to eliminate pulpal diseases with the aim to promote healing of the periradicular tissue. The RCT conducted must be of high technical standard and achieve a good quality endodontic work (GQEW) to ensure successful outcome and prolonged retention of the teeth in oral cavity. Previous studies reported poor outcome of RCT conducted by the undergraduate dental students. There is limited report documented on the quality of RCT performed by the dental students in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to identify the technical standards of the RCT and types of post-endodontic restoration placed by USIM undergraduate dental students. The radiographic obturation quality from 274 root filled teeth were evaluated against several indices. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Post treatment radiographs indicated that 84.62% of the RCT have adequate density indicating good apical seal. Meanwhile, for obturation level, the root canal filling that ends 0-2mm (optimal), >2mm away (inadequate), and beyond apex (extrusion) were 84.59%, 5%, and 10.77%, respectively. Teeth with GQEW, having both adequate root filling length and complete obturation were found in 194 (74.6%) teeth. McNemar's test revealed significant reduction in post-treatment periapical index (p<0.001) indicating good periapical healing. Permanent restoration was only placed in 48% of the teeth. In conclusion, the RCT conducted by USIM undergraduate dental students have a good technical standard. Placements of post-endodontic permanent restoration need to be emphasized in the curriculam to ensure long-term success of the endodontically treated teeth.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the current knowledge and attitude of deep caries removal method among dental students in Malaysia. Materials and Methods A total of 303 students (n = 303) responded to the online questionnaire. The first part of questionnaire was to evaluate the demographic data of the respondents and focused on the technique and management approach used for deep caries lesion. The second part investigated the preferred treatment used for deep caries based on the designated clinical case, while the third part assessed the factors that affected the decision on deep caries management. Statistical Analysis Independent t -test was used to compare difference between the two groups. Results Seventy four percent of the students have the knowledge of the different methods of caries removal, while 25.8% were only familiar with complete caries removal. The preferred method for deep caries removal in permanent teeth was partial caries removal (53%). For primary dentition, 45.6% of the students prefer to perform pulpotomy as compared with other techniques. There was no significant difference in caries removal method for permanent teeth between undergraduate year of study (p > 0.05), which was partial caries removal at 52.7 and 53.5%, respectively. For primary dentition, the preferred caries removal method was pulpotomy for year 4 (39.8%) and year 5 (52%) students. The popular material to restore deep caries was resin composite (42%) followed by glass ionomer cement (23.3%). Conclusions This study showed that partial caries removal was the preferred method despite partial understanding on the identification of the clinical indicators of the technique. © 2020. European Journal of Dentistry.

This study was conducted to assess the changes of salivary pH level, salivary buffering capacity and salivary flow rate after consumption of tualang honey (TH). Fourty-four USIM dental students who fulfilled the inclusion criteria participated in this experimental blinded crossover study. Criteria for subject selection were: subjects with no active caries, no history of antibiotic usage for the past 6 months, no history of antimicrobial mouthwash usage for the past 6 months, no orthodontic appliance worn, and healthy. In phase 1, Group A did not consumed honey whereas Group B consumed honey. After 1 month washout period, subjects in Group A consumed honey and Group B stopped consuming honey. The mean salivary flow rate at baseline before honey consumption was 1.5 ± 0.52mL/min. There was a significant decreased in salivary flow rate at Day 7 and baseline. At Day 14, the salivary flow rate increased significantly when compared to Day 7. After consumption of tualang honey, there was a significant increased in salivary flow rate at Day 14 when compared to Day 3 and Day 7. There was no significant changes in salivary pH level at control phase and after consumption of tualang honey. After 2 weeks of honey consumption, the percentage of subjects who had normal salivary buffering capacity slightly reduced (38.6%).It can be concluded that 2 weeks consumption of tualang honey did not give any obvious negative effects on the salivary flow rate, saliva pH level and its buffering capacity. However, further studies will berequired to support these preliminary result. Keywords:Buffering capacity, pH level, Salivary flow rate, Tualang honey.

This study was conducted to compare the changes of salivary microorganisms after consumption of tualang honey (TH). A total of 44 USIM dental students (male = 9, female = 35) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria participated in this experimental blinded crossover study. Criteria for subject selection were: subjects with no active caries, no history of antibiotic usage for the past 6 months, no history of antimicrobial mouthwash usage for the past 6 months, no orthodontic appliance worn, and healthy. In phase 1, participants in Group A were not given TH to consume whereas Group B consumed honey. After one month washout period, participants in Group A were given TH to consume and Group B had excluded TH from consumption. The mean differences in the salivary bacterial count (CFU/mL) were analysed using repeated measure ANOVA at p value of 0.05. There was not a significant difference in the salivary bacterial count (CFU/mL) at baseline, Day 3, Day 7 and Day 14 during control phase. However, after consumption of tualang honey, the bacterial count was slightly decreased at Day 7, however, the difference was not statistically significant. The increase in CFU count on Day 3 and Day 14 was also not statistically significant. It can be concluded that two weeks consumption of tualang honey did not give any obvious negative effects on the bacterial count. However, further studies will be required to support these preliminary result.

Oral Pathology course has always been synonym with practical learning using microscope to identify histological features in order to diagnose. However, many students had expressed their difficulty in learning this subject when using light microscope (LM). The study was to evaluate the effectiveness of digital microscope (DM) as a teaching aid in Oral Pathology. 53 students of 4th year Dentistry at Dental Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) were required to view 20 pathological cases, both under LM and DM and diagnose them. Questionnaires on their preference microscope were evaluated. There were 92% response rate to the survey. 87% students preferred DM over LM. 92% students agreed that DM positively improved their learning and had sufficient resolution to allow identification and magnification of the slides viewed. 95% students agreed that DM was effective for the course purpose. For the diagnosis exercise, all participants managed to answer correctly using DM compared to LM. Therefore, it was shown that the students’ favored DM more than LM. Thus, indicating that this should certainly be integrated as a teaching tool to enhance the learning process within the dental curriculum in the future.