The role of community pharmacists and their perception towards antimicrobial stewardship in Baghdad, Iraq.

Background: This study aimed to assess the role of community pharmacists and their perception toward antimicrobial stewardship, in addition to identifying factors influencing their perception and practices in community pharmacy.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among community pharmacists regarding antimicrobial stewardship. Convenience sampling was used to obtain the required sample from a community pharmacy in Baghdad.

Blanket or tailored prescription of retainers in orthodontics: a questionnaire-based study.

Objective: To explore retainer protocols and how they are influenced by orthodontic presentation and the nature of occlusal correction.

Materials And Methods: A prepiloted 45-item online questionnaire targeting orthodontists was developed. The questionnaire covered clinical preferences in terms of retainer type, fabrication, and follow-up during retention; the clinical indications for adjunctive surgical procedures; and the use of active designs to mitigate relapse in specific malocclusions.

Postgraduate orthodontic education: An international perspective on content and satisfaction levels.

Background: There is significant international variation in the postgraduate orthodontic training. The aim of this study was to obtain information relating to the design, content, and delivery of formal postgraduate orthodontic training internationally. Moreover, we aimed to evaluate the perception of orthodontists towards their training as well as identifying factors associated with an improved level of satisfaction.

Clear Aligner Orthodontics: What is the Evidence for their Efficacy?

Orthodontic treatment with the Invisalign® appliance (and other clear aligners) may be more aesthetically appealing to most adult patients when compared with conventional fixed appliances. When the first clear aligner systems were introduced into the market some 20 years ago, they were very basic in their mode of force delivery. In the last ten years, the Invisalign® system has undergone some remarkable changes and refinements in order to deliver more predictable treatment outcomes and allow for the treatment of more complex malocclusions.

An analysis of dental articles in predatory journals and associated online engagement.

Objective: We aimed to assess the extent of social media sharing of presumed predatory (PP) dental journals and to compare level of engagement, type of accounts and characteristics of the articles published in presumed legitimate (PL) and PP journals.

Methods: Six hashtags were searched across three social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter). Data extraction was performed and journals were classified into PP or PL in a multistep approach using MEDLINE, Beall's list and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).

The effectiveness of adjuncts or alternatives to the use of orthodontic retainers in preserving posttreatment outcomes: A systematic review.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy of adjuncts or alternatives to mechanical retention in preserving postorthodontic treatment outcomes.

Methods: Electronic databases, unpublished literature, and ongoing trials were searched until July 22, 2022 (PROSPERO CRD42021291165). Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of adjuncts and alternatives to conventional orthodontic retainers were included.

How to appraise the literature: basic principles for the busy clinician - part 2: systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

With the increasing numbers of primary research papers being published in dentistry and healthcare in general, it is almost impossible for busy clinicians to keep up with the literature. Reviews summarising the outcomes of trials can therefore be a considerably efficient tool for obtaining the relevant information about what works and what does not. To this end, systematic reviews are critical in summarising the best available evidence and providing an indication of its strength.

How to appraise the literature: basic principles for the busy clinician - part 1: randomised controlled trials.

Critical appraisal is the process of carefully, judiciously and systematically examining research to adjudicate its trustworthiness and its value and relevance in clinical practice. The first part of this two-part series will discuss the principles of critically appraising randomised controlled trials. The second part will discuss the principles of critically appraising systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

The reach, influence and tenor of professional orthodontic societies on social media: A cross-sectional content analysis.

Background And Objectives: Orthodontic societies should support the profession and improve patient awareness. We aimed to investigate the scope and influence of orthodontic societies on social media.

Method: A total of 120 orthodontic societies were identified on the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) affiliates list.

Camouflaging the permanent maxillary canine to substitute an absent lateral incisor - part 2: challenges and solutions.

The developmental absence of permanent maxillary lateral incisors is a common developmental anomaly and presents clinical challenges. The maxillary lateral incisor is the second most common developmentally absent tooth after the mandibular second premolar, therefore can present frequently in practice. Patients with hypodontia of the maxillary lateral incisor present clinical challenges in relation to function and aesthetics.

Camouflaging the permanent maxillary canine to substitute an absent lateral incisor - part 1: assessment and management.

There remains debate as to whether, when there is a missing maxillary lateral incisor, space should be orthodontically opened to allow for prosthetic replacement or closed to camouflage the canines to substitute the absent lateral incisor by recontouring and simple restorative procedures. Each case presents its own features which will help decision making. Treatment planning these cases is multifactorial in nature and the decision ultimately depends on factors such as the malocclusion; inter-arch and intra-arch relationship; and canine properties (size, colour and shape).

The nature and accuracy of Instagram posts concerning marketed orthodontic products.

Objectives: To scrutinize claims contained within Instagram posts related to six popular marketed orthodontic products.

Materials And Methods: Three hundred publicly available Instagram posts were identified using the following Instagram hashtags: #carrieremotion, #damonbraces, #invisalign, #acceledent, #propelorthodontics, and #myobrace. Pilot coding was undertaken on a subset of claims (n = 50) and a coding guide was developed.

The influence of mobile applications and social media-based interventions in producing behavior change among orthodontic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The objective of this project was to systematically review the effectiveness of mobile applications and social media-based interventions in producing a behavioral change in orthodontic patients.

Methods: Electronic databases and reference lists of relevant studies were searched on March 1, 2021, with no language restrictions (PROSPERO: CRD42019157298). Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials assessing the impact of mobile applications and social media-based interventions on orthodontic patients were identified.

Decision making regarding management of compromised first permanent molars in patients with molar incisor hypomineralisation: A comparison of orthodontists and paediatric dentists.

Objectives: To obtain the views and opinions of specialist members of the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) and British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) in relation to (1) the multidisciplinary management of patients affected by molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) and (2) the diagnosis and management of MIH-affected first permanent molars (FPMs) in four clinical scenarios, and compare the responses to those of an expert panel consensus.

Design: A prospective cross-sectional study.

Setting: Part 1: Eastman Dental Institute and part 2: online questionnaire.

Does the exposure to 'ideal' facial images on Instagram influence facial and bodily satisfaction?

Design Randomised controlled trial.Intervention Undergraduate students aged 18 to 35 years were randomly allocated to either navigate a bespoke Instagram page featuring 'ideal' facial images as judged by five orthodontists (n = 71) or neutral images of nature (n = 61). Participants were allowed to view the Instagram page once and for a duration of five minutes.

Dispensing of antibiotics in community pharmacy in Iraq: a qualitative study.

Objective: This study aimed to understand the dispensing practice of antibiotics in community pharmacy in Iraq, in addition to explore the community pharmacists' perception about dispensing antibiotics without prescription.

Methods: A qualitative design was conducted on community pharmacists in Baghdad, Iraq. Pharmacists were selected conveniently from different gender, age group, pharmacy type and years of experience.

A novel and simple technique for correcting localised rotations in the early alignment stage.

Correcting severe tooth rotations can be challenging. There are many ways to de-rotate teeth with fixed or removable appliances. Mechanically, the best and most effective way is one that produces a two-force couple system to rotate a tooth around its centre of rotation (longitudinal axis).

Patient focused oral hygiene apps: an assessment of quality (using MARS) and knowledge content.

Introduction Smartphone apps can be a valuable means for education and prevention to improve the health of children, adolescents and adults. A recent review of apps has revealed that there are over 1,000 patient-focused oral hygiene apps available on the Apple App Store and Google Play (Android) store.Objective The purpose of this research is to objectively assess the quality of 20 commercially available, patient-focused oral hygiene apps using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS).

Miniscrews for orthodontic anchorage: a review of available systems.

Introduction: In recent years, extensive research has introduced novel ways of reinforcing orthodontic anchorage using a variety of devices temporarily anchored in bone (miniscrews). Currently, there are numerous manufacturers with different miniscrew designs on the market.

Aims: The aim of this paper is to discuss the key design features of different miniscrew systems on the market.

DNA Minor Groove Binders-Inspired by Nature.

The synthesis and biological activity of a variety of analogues to the naturally occurring antibacterial and antifungal Distamycin A were explored by a number of authors. These compounds were subject to a large array of assays. Some of these compounds showed high activity against a range of Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi.

Prospective audit of postoperative instructions to patients undergoing root canal treatment in the DDUH and re-audit following introduction of a written patient information sheet.

Statement Of The Problem: Concerns were expressed that postoperative written instructions following endodontic treatment are not available in the Dublin Dental University Hospital.

Materials And Methods: Data was collected in three phases: retrospective analysis of clinical notes for evidence of the delivery of postoperative instructions; a randomly distributed questionnaire to patients undergoing root canal treatment prior to the introduction of a written postoperative advice sheet; and, another survey following introduction of the advice sheet.

Results: Some 56% of patients' charts documented that postoperative advice was given.